COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 198, 19 March 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times Office, Wednesday evening. The amount of revenue collected at the Customs, is as follows : March 16 £271 7 2 1.7 102 15 l <£37-l 2 3 Amount of gold duty, £124 6s lOd. The week has hitherto shown a rather more animated state of business, and the spirits of ■our mercantile community seem risen in consequence. The .Bruce took a small shipment of gold, the duty on which is quoted above. As a sample of the general inanimation we clip from the West Coast Times of Monday, the following resume of last weeks' trade : " The weak just closed has been an almost unprecedented dull one, both as regards import and local business. Additions to stock have again been very light, comprising the Waterman's assorted cargo, some seventy tons ex s.s. Otago, from Melbourne, and cargo of •colonial produce, ex JNora, from Lyttolton.. These being yet to hand, no opportunity his been afforded to test the market, with the exception of cereals. There is no alteration to note in prices of staples. For wines, spirits, and bottled beer the demand continues very limited. Case brandy remains firm at late advance ; bulk is without improvement. Geneva is tinner, with a prospect of a higher figure. Recent advice, coupled with considerably diminished shipments of "nearly all classes of goods, must enhance rates considerably. Advices from Melbourne and Adelaide yesterday have told materially on the Hour latket. Adelaide millers quote ,£22 on a si tg market; holders here at once altered jeir Rotations to .4-5 and £26 ; the closing

price to-day was generally £27. Bran is held for Is 8d to Is 9d. Oats, notwithstanding | the light shipments ayul high prices ruling in other markets, are difficult to move. There has been some enquiry towards tlte close of the week, resulting in an advance of 3d per bushel. Holders are now firm at 4s 3d to 4 s 4d. Potatoes are not so plentiful, and good parcels will realise £iom±'B to £lO per ton. Should tho week open with better business prospects, which is propable, some improvement in quotations may be looked for. The amount of import duties collected at Customs for the week was £1123 9s 7d.