The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-30 00:00:00

MONEY AN,

CITY, Two o'CLocI.

The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 4,000 bales, all to the trade. The
market was heavy, and prices of all kinds in favour
of buyers, but not to the extent of id per lb. The
sales comprised 3,000 American ; 20 Pernam and
Maranham, at 7d. to 7id. ; 20 Bahia, at 6id. ; 200
Egyptian, at aid. to iod. ; and 500 Surat, at 3d.
to 4/1 per lb. Railway Shares were firm at pre-
vious quotations.
The six weeks' average price of wheat is 425. 3d.
per quarter.
The public sales of Colonial wool will be held
here shortly, and there is much interest attached
to them, owing to the state of affairs in Australia.
The following remarks on the subject were re-
ceived by the last mail from Melbourne :
" Our own belief is, that the shearing will be effected
without much unusual delay or inconvenience. High
wages will have to be given, probably ; but with that
drawback, most male labour is attainable, even despite
the exaggerated prosperity of the colony. There is a
large class of men here, who have been so accustomed
to look for a little employment in shearing at its par-
ticular-season, that it has become a sort of second nature
with them, and between them and the Squatters, an-
xious to get their sheep shorn at all hazards, there is
little fear but an arrangement will be made. The rate
of wages will probably be high, but we fear that we do
not over-estimate the usual selfishness of trade, in be-
lieving that the English manufacturers will not take the
heavy charges of the Squatters very seriously to heart,
provided only they eventually get the wool.
"As the season advances, the roads will mend, and
the. rate of carriage will eventually decline, and in a
matter in which our settlers are so seriously and per-
sonally" interested as that of the conveyance of the wool
to the im.7.rket, we feel every assurance that somehow or
other all di.sculties will be overcome, and that the clip
will be event `rally shipped ; not perhaps with perfect
promptitude, or in the very highest condition, but the
great bulk of it will be shipped at last.
" The effect of the gold discoveries of Australia upon
the future production of wool is a matter of very serious
consideration. The country is capable of producing a
far larger quantity, if the land was divided and managed
in a more intelligent and efficient manner. But there is
little doubt that wages will rule high upon the average.
They may reach a rate which the settlers cannot very
well afford to pay. We do not think this likely, be-
cause in all large collections of men great numbers are
found who prefer an easy life with smaller remuneration
to severe labour well paid ; and we think that a
sufficient number of such men will be included in
the very extensive immigration now setting in
upon our shores, to supply a competent number of
shepherds and hutkeepers for our settlers. But the very
extensive desertion of these pursuits for the more pro-
fitable employment at the mines, is even already pro-
ducing a very serious effect in the propagation of disease :
the scab now spreading with great rapidity in many
districts, and its virulence being sadly aided by the neces-
sity of running the sheep in very large flocks, and not
paying proper attention to their folding grounds."
The accounts from Portugal as to the intended
curtailment of the interest upon the whole of the
debt, have necessarily occasioned much comment,
and there is a full measure of blame thrown upon
the Government of that mismanaged country. For
years past the finances have been wretchedly ad-
ministered,—and what with conversions, deduc-
tions for decima tax, and finally, the total suspen-
sion of dividends, the creditors have been cruelly
mulcted, and will receive this fresh blow with no very
satisfactory feelings. The question really begins to
present itself " Will a national bankruptcy occur ?"
for as the civil employes are unpaid and poverty
every where exists, no one can fortell what is to
happen. The whole history of Portuguese finance,
affords an instructive lesson as to the necessity of
throwing off antiquated notions. If Portugal were
to amend its tariff and encourage foreign trade, her
revenue might yet increase.

The last week's Railway receipts, ascertained up
to this day, are in round figures as under
1852. 1851.
20,918 15,820
49,544 41,679

Great Western
North western

South Western
Brighton ,..
Midland..
South Eastern ..
North Stafford ..
Caledonian

11,992 9,054
11,158 8,293
26,547 24,541
14,141 11,118
5,324 4,735
8,918 7,980

Great Northern

15,165 11,833

Lancashire and Yorkshire .

17,755 15,99'

York and North Midland
Newcastle and Berwick...

8,334 7,765
14,749 14,867

The English Funds are dull, and there is no
feature observable in the market. Consols for
Account realise 1008, and the New 3/ Per Cents.
104 t. to i. The 3 Per Cent. Annuities bring
101' to i. Bank Stock is firm at 223 i to 224 k.
Exc equer Bills of March are 695. to 725, and
India Bonds 83s. premium.
Foreign Securities have been depressed. The
notice about a cancelment of some amount of Peru-
vian Bonds has improved the value of the De-
ferred, which are now 65k for Account, although
done at only 64.4 for money. Grenada Deferred
Stock brings 12i to 131. Equador Bonds are at
51.. Portuguese 4 per Cents. have been marked 39
to 40, a decline of about 1 per cent. Spanish 3
per Cents. realise 51k, and the New Deferred 24
being steady. Venezuela Bonds have been at 41.
The Turkish Loan is at par. Dutch 2i. per Cents.
have been quoted 98i.
In Railway Shares the dealings are not large, but
prices generally are steady. South We stern are
higher; Caledonian are flat ; Eastern Counties good,
and South Eastern duller ; York and North Mid-
land are supported ; French Shares are neglected;
the prices come low from Paris.
The Gold Mines are quiet, but mostly at steady
prices.
In Australian Agricultural not a bargain is offi-
cially marked ; South Australian are quoted ex
div. The Banks are quiet.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(Front the Official List.)
1311911 MS done,
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities lOl Is
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 104,i i 6
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 7-16
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO B3
Consols for Opening 18th January
Exchequer Bills 41. March. Juno.
£1000....
£5OO 69 72
Small 69 72

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto 4a per Cent 9Bi
Ditto New Bonds, 1829 & 39, 5 per Cent lO3l i
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent lO7
Equador Bonds 5l
Grenada Bonds, Deferred,
Peruvian 6 per Cent.
Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent 64
Ditto for the Account 651
Portuguese 4 per Cent.. 39
Ditto for the Account 4O 391
Ditto Converted, 5 per Cent., 1841 —
Ditto for the Account 42
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto, 4a per cent lo6i
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 5ll
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent 24
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 4l p o
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852. par
Venezuela Bonds 3a per Cent.
Belgian Bonds, 43 per Cent. Ex. 25fr 9B
Dutch Exchange 2a per Cent 6B
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificatei..

THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols for Opening 18th January 1001! i ex d.

MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.)

GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN
For the Week ended I)ec. 30, 1852, made up from the Returns of the
Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England and Wales
per Imperial Quarter.
WHEAT. ' ' BARLEY. OATS. BYE. BEANS. I PEAS.
•• 4ss 11d 29s 9d 1 18s 64 129 s 4d 34s 11d 32s 4d