OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 217, 30 May 1866, Page 2

OKARITA.

Che "Westland Observer," of tho 26th tant, reports as follows : — there has been a general duluess of busis hero for the past week. A few houses I continue to forward the usual supplies to various beaches, Gillcapio's seemingly siving the most attention at present, but town retail trado has been gradually deising for weeks. Tho consumption of r, among other articles, may bo reckoned ne-sixth of what it was in the township ing the month of March.

Fair prices nro obtainablo for most articles, though tho mat'tor of raised freights, coupled with tho high quotations now being received from Melbourne and Dunedin, whenco tho bulk of our imports must originally bo dorivod, have not yet been considered, or, at least, havo not. affected to any oxtont tho ruling, prices. No auction sales of importanco havo taken placo for some weeks. \ Best Adelaido flour is selling at L3l to L 32 per ton ; vrhilo Chilian may bo quoted at from Lls to L 25 per ton, according to brand and quality. Oats still maintain tho price of 10s per bushel ; whilst bran and chaff have risen — tho former from 4s to Gs per bushel, and tho lattor from 28s to 40s por cwl. English porter (best brands), from 20s to 22s Gd per dozen, duty paid. Bottled ales, 18s to 203 por dozen. Ilonnessy's and Kartell's brandy, ia case and bulk, are a good deal inquired for, and the consumption is considerable. Good buttor is scarco, and fetches readily 2s Gd to 2s 8d por lb. Hams and bncon command tho same prico as formerly, about 2s 6d per lb. Tho excessiTO freights which aro charged for goods from Hokitika to this port, a distanco of fifty miles, must necessarily onhanco tho value of certain commodities ; and, when ■ compared with Dunedin freights direct, which aro at one-fourth the rato, they appear so extravagant that, for tho sake of all parties, an alteration is most urgently desired. EXPORTS OF GOLD. Tho following is a statement of tho quantities of gold shipped to Hokitika by tho banks at Okarita siuce tho 23rd of February lust, irrcspccl ivc of tho no inconsidorable quantities which havo, doubtless, been convoyed away in private hands :— »

February 23 March 0 ... „ 19 ... „ 26 ... April 1 ... » 8 ... „ 18 ... May 2 ... „ 13 ... „ 19 ... oz. flwfc. gr. 4000 0 0 1760 0 0 3430 0 0 1350 0 0 2573 11 11 2000 0 0 5267 17 0 4082 620 3613 5 10 1000 0 0