COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 281, 17 August 1866, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

West Coast Times Office, ' Thursday Evening. The amount of import duty collected at the Custom House to-day was £340 10s sd. The following list of merchandise cleared shews its distribution :—: —

TASMANIA. The " Mercury" of the 25th ult., in its «omraemal summary, reports s— • We are vow in mid-winter, and our country trade is for the time partially suspended, which accouuts in, some degree for the dulness of the past month. Trade generally has been very quiet, and transactions have extended merely to the supply o£ absolute wants. The markets are well supplied with most descriptions of goods, and where sudden requirements arise, they are readily met by the Victorian importers. A considerable quantity of merchandise from tho sister colony has lately . been thrown into this market, and travellers are constantly arriving with intent to push sales. Invoices of dry goods especially are offered at very advantageous rates for our tradesmen, and this has a depreciating effect upon the business of our legitimate importers. Our merchants, however, by their ability to meet immediate wants at greater convenience, are enabled to compete against the Victorians -with tolerable puccess. There have been, no English arrivals during the month, and .our shipping trade generally hits been dull. The decline in this interest is attracting much attention at present among colonial politicians, and petitions are about being presented to Parliament in faror of a system of direct taxation, und of throwing open the ports of the island to ships, free of all charges. It is believed that by the adoption o£ such a system trade would be largely augmented, as Ilobart Town would be likely to assume the' position of entrepot for the commerce of the other Australian ports and the New Zealand colonies These and other political matters will, however, be found fully dealt with in our leading columns. . The Tasmau-ian " Morning Herald" reports the failure of a well-known mercantile firm in Hobart Town, who have long maintained a high commercial repuation. The "Herald" says : — • The firm of Boys and Hall have for the last twelve or fourteen years carried on a. large general merchant's business, and was till lately considered a wealthy firm. They *mado large sums of money at one time in the cattle trade, and the sugar trade to Mauritius, and at one time were doing the largest mercantile business here ; but they gave' credit too liberally, and have suffered in consequence. , The unsecured liabilities are small, only 80m e LBOOO, and the assets show some , ll's in the pound ; but the creditors estimate that a dividend onty of about 7s iv the pound will be secured them.

Brandy Whiaky 41 7 3 Jcneva 16 10 0 Sweet Grin 74 IS 3 iVine in wood „ iv bottle...*. Sugar ! . Dobacco .'. 6 0 0 3 2 6 10 16 8 78 2 6 Digars , 38 9 6 hardware 0 4 0 handles - \ 6 12 0 Da-apery - 15 8 9 * £340 10 5