The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-04-09 00:00:00

OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.—The financial statement for
tho quarter and year ended the 31st December was issued by
the Government immediately on the close of 1855. While a
decrease is shown in the total receipts for the year, as compared
with those of 1854, there is at the same time good reason for
congratulating the country on the rapid improvement in some
chief sources of revenue, especially i❑ the Customs, which may
be considered the pulse of the country. It will he observed
that there is a falling off in the gold revenues to the extent of
about £100,000; but as more than that has been saved in
police, and in the Gold Commissioners) and other establish-
ments, the measures of last session in reference to the gold
fie:ds may be fairly pronounced to be financially successful.
The chief decrease in revenue is in that derived from the sale
of land, but, as we have before explained, this does not so
much arise from the diminished quantity of land purchased, as
from the greatly diminished price per acre realised. On the
whole the statement of revenue may be pronounced satisfac-
tory.

AGRICULTURE.—We have recorded at various times
the progress made during last year in cultivation, and we
have now the satisfaction of stating, that the crops in
course of being garnered exceed in quantity and quality
those of any previous year. Accounts from New South
Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania are as favourable,
in reference to the bountifulness of the harvest, as those
which we furnish of the colony of Victoria ; and we may
add, that nothing seems to be wanted to give perfect suc-
cess to the laudable eff,rts of agriculturists but a proper
supply of labour, the scarcity of which may, at the last
moment, wreck the industry of a year.
Gas IN MELBOURNE.—The gas company fulfilled their
promise to the people of Melbourne. On the Ist of Janu-
ary, 1856, gas was supplied to all who had made prepara-
tions for its use. The undertaking has been a gigantic
one, and before the operations are completed no less a
sum than 150,0001., it is calculated, will have been ex-
pended. The amount of the original estimate of cost was
20,0001. The necessary apparatus for lighting the streets
has not yet arrived, but its arrival is hourly expected,
and immediately thereafter the full advantage of the
gas manufacture will be enjoyed by the people of Mel-
bourne.

POLITICAL.—AIthough but a very short time has elapsed
since the date of our last summary, the political confusion
which subsisted then has been worse confounded by the
death of our late governor, Sir Charles Hotham. The
ministerial crisis to which we alluded in our last summary
has not yet
ld ended,
Officetheir
successors. Much disappointment was occasioned by the
announcement that Mr. Nicholson had been unable to
form a ministri. We believe that this was partly his
own fault. It is said that Mr. Nicholson now perceives
the mistake he made, and that if he should be called upon
to renew his attempt, he sees a clear road before him to
success. But as to what course is to be pursued we are
still quite in the dark. The council met yesterday, and
an explanation was expected. Mr. Haines, however,
having moved the appointment of a select committee to
prepare an address of condolence to Lady Hotham, moved
further that no other business should be proceeded with
till this melancholy duty had been done, and the House
adjourned almost immediately, without a word of expla-
nation being given. We believe the most prevalent
opinion to be that Mr. Haines's ministry will retain office,
but this opinion we do not share. At the moment we
write we hear that a requisition to the Mayor of Mel-
bourne to call a meeting to consider the propriety of
addressing her Majesty, praying her to extend to the
colonists the privilege of choosing their governor, has been
signed by many influential citizens.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Since our last circular the Christmas holidays have in
a great measure caused a suspension of business, and the
movements in the market have been unimportant. We
ought to remark that the depression in our wholesale
trade, usual at this season, was seriously enhanced by the
sudden death of Sir Charles Hotham, late governor of this
colony, which has cast a gloom over the whole commu-
nity. Now that the holidays are over, trade begins to
revive. Many of the country buyers are in town, and
some descriptions of goods, such as brandy, bottled beer,
and provisions generally, are advancing. It is expected
that the improvement will be supporte, especially if the
English money market continues tight, and that a good
trade will be done during the summer and spring. A
very great sensation has been created here by the wreck
of the Schomberg. Great blame is attributed to the
captain and officers, and there is a strong anxiety for a
thorough investigation by the government. Proceedings
havl as yet only been instituted by the immigration agent
against the captain, but it is probable that this is merely
preliminary to a further and more serious process.
We subjoin a few remarks on those branches of imports
in which we can report sales :
Breadstuffs. —There is a considerable variety of opinion
in reference to flour. Some maintain that the markets
from which we naturally expect supplies, are so distant
from the influence of European demand (beyond a certain
point) that the price here must rule low permanently,
when in comparison with last year's figures ; and it is a
pretty general opinion that -e25 per ton will be a full
average in the present year. Certain it is, that the colo-
nial crops are large, and the grain of good quality; that
a great stimulus has been given to cereal productions in
Chili; and it is reported that the United States will
deliver here, during the ensuing four months, some% here
about 25,000 brls. Sales of wheat are reported at Bs, but
we presume it is not of first quality. The millers still
buy at 10s. Corn meal is nominal at 35s to 38s per brl.
Oats are still a great drug, and our quotations are the
prices at which they are held by some of the principal
importers. Potatoes—New potatoes are worth .elO lOs
per ton. Rice—Patna and Carolina have slightly
declined ; fine Java is worth from £l4 to 815 per ton.
Liquors.—Brandy is firmer since the receipt of the news
per Schomberg. Scotch whisky is scarce, and realises 7s
per gallon. Other spirits are not firm.Wine—Port, in
wood, is firm at our quotations. Sales are reported at
£62 lOs to .€65 all round, for two and three diamond.
Lower rates have lately been submitted to for the best
qualities of port and sherry in case, and for champagne ;
sales are reported at our quotations. Other French wines
are dull. Malt Liquors—There is no change in bulk
beer; Tennent's XXX stout has realised £8 103 per hhd.
For Evans's stout in bottle 13s, less discount, have been
offered, and refused. Byas's has been sold at 13s 6d to
14s. American cyder has realised 15s.
Tobacco, Cigars, &c.--There is a general decline in the
tobacco market. Manilla cigars are also lower. Real
Havauas, however, are wanted.
Groceries, Oilmen's Stores, &c.—Pearl Sago is worth 3d
per lb. Since our last, all description of candles, except
Nevas, have declined from ld to 2d per lb. Nevas main-
tain their value at not less than is 6d to is 7d per lb.
American Adamantine are dull at ls, and American sperm
at is sd. Coffee is firmer, and sales are reported at an
advance for Manila, Java. and Ceylon. Chicory is scarce
and has advanced. Fruits—Dried apples are now worth
Bcl. Patras currants are saleable at is 3d to Is 4d per lb,
and jams, and jellies at a like price. New Barcelona
nuts have declined. Bottled fruits and Chesme rasins are
advancing. Hops—a large quantity of this article has
recently come in, both dried and colonially. These im-
portations have been mostly very old and of indifferent
quality, evidently the clearing out, for the new growth,
or the remains of the inferior crops of 1854 or older dates.
The supply has checked buyers, and sales are pushed at
auction, of Belgian or Bavarian, at 4d to 8d per lb,
American at Is 4d to is 7d per lb, and English at is to
is 9d. A large supply from the United States is close at
hand. Mustard is enquired for. Pickles in pints are
lower. Spices—nutmegs have again advanced, and black
pepper has slightly declined. Salt—coarse Liverpool
does not realise more than .85 per ton. Soap—Steele's
yellow (crown) is worth 35s ; white (feather) is unsale-
able. Starch has declined. Colman and Lescher's is
worth sd, and the best Glenfield 65 to bid. Sugar—There
is an active demand for Mauritius. Pampanga realises
£29. There is no American loaf in the market. Cossi.
Pore is steady. Tea is firm. There are enquiries for
congou in all packages.
Provisions are now advancing. This applies particu-
larly to bacon, hams, and beef. Irish pork is worth
£6 3s, and American £5 ss. Butter is again looking
upwards. Cheese—Prices are not firm. North Wilts and
American are lower.
Fish.—Preserved salmon, sardines, and lobsters have
declined. Other articles are still scarce.
Paints, Oils, &c.—Polar oil has realised £5O to £55, and
sperm 95 to 100 per ton.
Metals.—Bar and Bolt iron are advancing. Pig iron is
lower. Muntz patent metal has also declined. Tin plates
are very scarce.

Building Materials.—Cement is improving: Roman is
worth 255. per barrel, and American 16s in the bay Plaster of; aris, 21s. Slates—Sales are reported as fol-
lows :—Duchess £2O, countess £l7, ladies .t 9 per thou-
Timber—Cross-cut drawn flooring has declined.
rhe following are prices : inch Baltic, in bay, 2d; 6 x
,t running, 11d. American lumber is firm at our quota-
;ionl s. Doors and sashes have declined. Oars have
latey realised our quotations.
Drugs and Chemicals.—Tartaric acid has declined.
Flour of sulphur is scarce.
Boots and Shoes.—Hungarian wax and grain bring a
full price only if nailed.
W
declined..oodware.
Cane-seated chairs and brooms have
Hardware.—Long handled American shovels have
icks are
advanced. D. H. are lower. American spades and heavy
p advancing. Cookin
Cut tacks are overstocked. g stoves are in demand.
Bags and Bagging.—American drills and ducks have
declined. Three-bushel bags are still advancing. There
are sales at I7s 3d, and they are held for more.
Cordage.—Another change has taken place as to the
demand for sizes. In place of large sizes Ito 21 inch are

than ever, and that the disgust at the conduct of the Home
authorities is correspondingly intense,.
THE WOOL TRADE The present wool season has com-
menced earlier than usual. It has rarely happened in previous
seasons that more than three or four sales have taken place
before the close of the year. On the present occasion there
have been about a dozen. Judging from the facts
that have reached us, we aro of opinion that
the bulk of the crop of this season will be earlier,
tby four weeks at least, than that of last season.
he results of the clip of the present season are not yet suffi-
ciently known to warrant any very reliable statement of the
yield. It will be in excess of that of last year certainly, but
the ratio of increase will not be great. The effects of that pest
of Australian sheep runs—seab--will have worked its influence
on the progress of this interest. In quality, the present clip
will, it is expected, excel that of any year since the discovery
of gold. The earliness of season will ensure a greater freedom
from burrs and grass seeds, and greater pains have been taken
in the washing and shearing.
Shipping is plentiful, freights ruling from Id to Id per lb,
Charges of carriage from town to the bay trom 2s to 3s 6d per
bale.