COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 185, 4 March 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Melbourne Argus of the latest date, thus reports of the markets:—Business in the import markets to-day has been characterised by very little animation. The trade done in breads-tuffs has been of a most meagre description, and to effect Sales at all holders of flour have been compelled to accept somewhat easier terms. Parcels of Victorian have been quitted at from .£ls to JEIS 10s. New wheat is coming forward more freely ; but as buyers are now less inclined to give the prices demanded—up to 6s fid—no sales have come under our notice. There has been more doing in oats. A line of KjOO bushels (a fine sample of Tasmanian) changed hands at ;<s 7d, and sab's have been made as low as 3s 2d for very ordinary descriptions. Maize presents a decidedly better aspoct, and, as prices iiavc advanced in Sydney, holders hero refuse

in ©Tory instance to sell exoopt at high rates. Trade parcels havo been disposed of at 3s 8d and 3s. Od, and wo Understand that some consignees have received instructions not to quit under 4s. In sugars, wo hear of sales being effected privately at JC26 for rations, and fine brewers' crystals have been quitted at £2(5. By auction, the damaged portion of the Elizabeth's Mauritius cargo, amounting to 4083 bugs, found buyers at only middling prices. Taking-, however, iuto account the facts of its not being in sound condition, and that the enormous quantity of 21,000 mats of Bourbon's sugars, likewise damaged, is advertised for public sale on Friday, satisfactory rates were, on the whole, obtained. Sales of m ilt are reported in small parcels, at 10s 3d. The low price ruling for kerosene oil has attracted the notice of the trade, and we le'drn of 2500 cases of Cozzens's having been quitted, in parcels, at Is lOidto Is lid. Medium to fine congou teas have been disposed of at Is Gd to Is 9d; superior congous have also been placed in moderate parcels. The auction sale of tobaccos this forenoon proved anything but satisfactory; out of 500 packages olfered only sixty-nine were disposed of. Half-pound aromatic realised Is 4£d. The tens, ex Shalimar and Emilie, sold, all faults, at s£d to BJd ; dark half-pounds at 7id ; and aromaties at Is 2Jd. A small lot of twist, ex Cathaya, was placed at Is 2sd. Advices just to hand from America report the closing of all the factories for the season. Geneva continues in favor, a brisk demand for V. 11. and Co.'s having been experienced ; the sale of 1000 cases at 3s 9d is reported, and a much larger quantity would have been sold, but holders refused to part with any more under 40s. 7s 9d was offered for Martell's dirk brandy, without being responded to. Hennessey's case brandy has been placed at 20s Gd. Sales of Bass's No. 4 ale hsvo been made at £8 os.

Of the South Australian markets, the Register reports : Wheat—There is still a good demand, and rates are firm. Old wheat fetches 7s 4d, and new various prices, according to quality, up to (is lOd a bushel. Flour.—The quotations are £l6 to ,£l7 10s. General Merchandise. —A slight improvement has been experienced to-day in the import market, although sale 3 have not been large. Cornsaeks have been quitted at Us 6d ; and a moderate parcel of new hops have changed hands, price withheld.