COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 468, 20 February 1869, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Hokitika.—The Daily News of Monday reports : There has been but little activity in trade ■luring the week. A few orders have arrived from the Greenstone, and have bjen executed, bat storekeepers up there ari hesitating ere laying in stocks, waiting to see how the new diggings will turn out. Should the rain of Saturday come again, an 1 come often, there is little doubt, however, that" a demand will spring up, and merchants are now holding to prices, knowing that most stocks are at a low ebb iniljeil, or are barely sufficient to meet the expected demands. The recent arrival and rapid discharge of vessels from Melbourne has tended, though, to equalise supply and demand, this being more easily done, as the arrivals of direct cargoes at Greymouth and Westport have prevented any very large shipments. Butter is scarce, from Is 4d to Is 6d. Almost 200 casks were sent away in the Gothenburg. A rise is anticipated on receipt of next Melbourne prices, and one merchant, if not more, is iioiding large shipments from Nelson. There is no supply of bottled ales; wines plenty at maintained prices; brandies, good brands, are in demand, but of geneva mere is more than enough. The coming on of the Lent season causes a rise in potted Hah of all I inds, and fresh and salt herrings. Groceries, provisions, and oilmen's stores remain as last week. Chaff still keeps up iflt-j prices. Sales of oats at 43 6d have

been effected, but it is expected that a Higher price will be asked for and obtaine 1 j bran can be had at 2a 3d. The cargo of the Mavis reduced the price of potatoes; £'B is the luling quotation. There is a complete glut of fruit in the market, and better prices are obtained in Melbourne than here.