COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 746, 6 December 1870, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The " Lyttelton Times " of the 26th ult. reports as follows : The sugars, ex Prince Alice, hare arived, and we understand that Mr C. W. Turner placed his portion privately at full figures. Mr "VV. H. Hargreaves sold by auction, at his rooms, on the 24th instant, on account of Mr George Warner, about 60 tons sugar by the above vessel. The town was fully represented, but we observed very few country storekeepers present. The sugars did not realise so high a price as we anticipated ; this, however, is probably owing to private sales, and a good many of the retailers arewaitingfortheOusuri's shipment, which has arrived in Dunedin, and will be placed in this market on an early date. The following are the prices realised by Mr Hargreave3 : —Finest white crystals, £3B to £4O; white counters, .£36 10s to .£3B; bright yellow crystals, £37; medium do, ■£34 10s ; grey and brown counters, .£3O to £3l 10s. If anything, the value of bulk brandies is scarcely so firm, but the demand is almost entirely confined to duty-paid parcels. Hennessy's case is out of importers' hands, and we are for the present depending on the neighbouring Provinces for our supplies; quotations very firm, at 33s to 345.

There have been several enquiries for Geneva, but holders seeir less inclined to accept the late rates, consequently operations have been unimportant. Owing to the reduced stocks of bottled ales and stout, the market presents a somewhat firmer aspect, hut the consumption is inconsiderable. The demand for dried fruits still continues active, but owing to the lowness. of supplies transactions are much curtailed. Woolpacks have been moved in fair sized lines, at 4s 6d to 4s 9d. Cornsacks remain neglected at 14s. Stocks of kerosene are running low, and 3s 5d to 3s 6d is the figure now demanded. Price's candles continue to be quitted somewhat freely at Is; Brandon's and other brands being placed at ll£d to lljd. Fine salt is getting very scarce at £o 6s to £5 10s. We hear of enquiries for English malt, bat the quotation required by holders checks the consumption, as the Colonial malt competes very favorably ; as the season advances, we are of opinion that the demand will improve. There has been very little business doing in the grain market, and few transactions of note caii ' be reported. The low price now offering for wheat in this market has causedi several shipments to be made to England. If the present dry weather continues for a few weeka, holders pi prime samples are confident that prices will improve, as the bulk'noiw offering is inferior. Good dry stored.parcels of wheat have bedn quitted during the week at 4s 3d to-4s'6d, and forward delivery 3s lid to,4a 2 are £he reported sales. Heavy feed oats are offering very slowly ', and whenever a good bright sample is brought foiward high rates are obtained. A large parcel of this description

was sold in store at 2s 7id but generally 2s 6Jd to 2s 7d is the market value. Tartarian fetch 2s 3d to 2s 3£d, with few buyers. The millers have great difficulty in placing flour for export, and the local demand is easily satisfied at £ll 10s to £l2.

In provisions we have to report a somewhat dull enquiry for butter at 6-Jd to 7id; several parcels are being shipped to Ergland. Cheese is in slow request at 6d to 6 J-d; hams and bacon remain unaltered.