COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 479, 18 March 1869, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Dotedin.—The Sun of the 6th instant reports:— In business matters, the Treek has not been characterised by such an amount of activity as vras expected at the opening of this month; neither has it been altogether devoid of interest to the mercantile community the arrival of the English mails, with news of improved prices for wool, being calculated to allay the depression which resulted from the previously unfavorable reports. BreadstufFs, which, owing to a scarcity of wheat, were •quoted firm early in tho week, have now given way. Dunedin flour is offering at £l3 to £l3 10s. and we have heard of sales of ojantry brands at less money. New wheat is naff arriving freely from the Northern Coast, and millers are cautious in purchasing. We been unsuccessful in tracing any actual

sales, but sellers are offering at 5s 3d. Old oats hare been sold at 2s 9d to 2s 10d, and close firm; for new there are no buyers, .except at very low prices. Potatoes have not yet come into the market in quantity. Butter is more plentiful, and sales difficult to effect. The supply of cheese ieeps pace with the demand, prices closing at last week's rates. Imported goods have not altered much in prices. Bottled ales have been placed in small parcels, 'Pennant's having the preference. Stouts have improved in value to the extent of 6d per dozen. Brandy, in ease, has been in good demand ; but in bulk, the transactions have been few. Cornsacks are moving out of importer's hands, the quotations being 15s. Bacon and hams have been dealt in to a moderate extent, at a slight improvement for hams. Dried ling-fish is reported scarce and wanted. Hops and malt continue firm at last week's prices, but the sales are limited. Galvanised iron has been sold at I improved quotations; and the same may be said of kerosene, which is now low in stock. The clearances of sugar have been above the average, but a temporary quietness is apparent in the tea market. In the London markets, the following quotations are given on January 2nd :—Scotch oats, 32s to 85s per quarter; chevalier barley, 44s to 46s j wheat, 49s 5d to 59s (the latter price being for Australian); Cork butter, Is OJd to Is 2|d.