COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 459, 30 January 1869, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Trade has been exceedingly dull during the past week. Indeed it has not yet revived 'since Christmas, few of the miners having been able, since that time, to have a washing up. After the first few days' rain, however, there will be largs quantities of gold brought in for sale, and probably many of the country storekeepers will afterwards be replenishing their stocks. Prices for leading articles remain with but little alteration. Oats may bi* ?aid to have improved slightly, as they Have done in the southern ports on the Coast. "News having been received from Melbourne ot a considerable rise in the price of butter, soma enquiry by purchasers has taken place during the past few days, and Mr Duff is understood to lnve purchased considerable parcels for exportation. The price has been quoted tit 2s per lb in Melbourne, and until very recently, the stocks in town being so heavy, quantities could be purchased at nearly half that price. A slight improvement of from £2 to £3 may also be said to taken place in sugars. Potatoes are plentiful at low prices and other articles remain with little or no alterations. The schooner Excelsior brought a general assorted cargo from Duncdin this week, and th t - Beautiful Star is expectod hourly from the same port. Mr John Munro held an auction sale on Tnaaday and Wednesday of Messrs Ehrenfried Brothers' stock of groceries, at which lair prices were realised. Messrs Robertson and Co. report the cattle market as being well supplied at present, with no probability of any scarcity taking place for many Weeks. At Greymouth some sheep were purchased during- the week as low as 6s and imported haro. The prices of mutton fti e this we; k quoted at 3d and 4d per lb retail.