The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-25 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at about 6,000 bales, including 1,000
A'merican taken for export. The market closed
heavily, with prices of all kinds in favour of
buyers, but not to the extent of id. per lb. The
sales comprised 5,000 American, 300 Pernam and
Maranham at 61d. to 812 d., 350 Egyptian at 6d. to
I°ll., 300 Surat at 3d. to 3id., and 180 Sea Island
at 10d. to Is. 10d. per lb.
3337 the arrival of the ship Kent, which brings
dates of about the 28th February from Melbourne,
and 63,735 ozs. in gold, we are informed of the loss
of the steamer Australian at the Cape of Good
110Pe, with 350,0001. on board. She had arrived
safely there, and we are not yet apprised how the
accident occurred subsequently. Fortunately
the crew and passengers were saved, and
the gold and mails had been recovered. The
accounts from the colony appear to be
satisfactory. There had not been much done
in the gold market, the price being 31. 17s. 3d.
Per ounce. The intelligence of the appointment
of Sir Charles Hotham, as Governor of Victoria,
appears to have given satisfaction, upon the simple
Principle that as he would come out divested of
colonial prejudices he would be more likely to
form correct views. Indeed, the colonists are so
utterly sick of their late ruler, Mr. La Trobe, that
they have long been most anxious for a change.
The Legislature had passed a resolution to the
effect that the new constitution could not be altered
'without a majority of two-thirds, a proceeding
Which was considered rather injudicious by some
*Ol the public writers in Victoria. The labour mar-
ket Was fairly supplied as regards agricultural ser-
vants and single men, owing to the conclusion of
the harvest ; married couples for home stations and
Single shepherds were rather scarce. Good female ser-
'?ants were still very difficult to obtain. The wages
of labourers were 12s. to 14s. per day, but without
rations, and for general farm servants, with ra-
tions; 1/. to 15s. per week. Ploughmen and car-
ters earned 21. per week, and bush carpenters,
With rations, 31. to 4/. Married couples for home
stations, with rations, earned 651. to 801. per an-
" 111. Female thorough house-servants could ob-
tain 261. to 35/., and housemaids 261. to 301. per
annum.

The Australian letters of the latest date mention
-that the commercial markets were dull and heavy,
'which was rather an unusual circumstance at that

time of the year. Ironmongery, however, was in
active demand. Trade was feeling more the effect
competition. The prospects of the gold fields
Were encouraging. Exchange on. London, 2 per
neut. dis. Freight for gold, 4id. per oz., and in
aurauce, 2 i guineas.
In the direction of Geelong, the Wardy Yallock
idiggings were very thriving. At Ballarat, there
'ad been extraordinary " finds" of gold.
The New Zealand accounts to Feb. 9 notice the
discovery- of a copper mine by the natives of D'Ur-
ville's Island.
There are several arrivals of Australian vessels
eff the coast. The Constant, from Melbourne,
brings 12,000 oz. of gold. The quantities, if any,
by the Derwentwater and Stirlingshire, from Van
I),..leraen's Land, are not yet reported ; nor the
-r.rancis Ridley, from Melbourne.
The Irene, which left Adelaide about the first
Week
,_ in February, is at Portsmouth. She brings
the details of the wreck of the steamer Australian.
The Medway, Capt. Mackwood, with Govern-
llnent emigrants, arrived at Melbourne, Feb. 21,
87 days from Southampton. The emigrants
Were all in good health. There were two births
011 the passage.
,The measure adopted by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer yesterday afternoon for raising the in-
terest upon the Unfunded Debt to 21d. per cent.
Per diem appears to have given general satisfac-
tion, although many had formed the opinion that
'id. would be the future interest. The whole
amount outstanding is now, however, to receive
21d., and this, unless money becomes much
More stringent, should be sufficient to preserve
them at somethingabove par. Avery large premium
they ought not to bear, as the danger to the
ea ruiods
ke"
and.others, increases proportionably in
of fluctuation and excitement. A very
Judicious alteration is suggested by the Times,
namely, that in future it would be much more
Convenient to make the interest an even sum per
annum, and in the present instance 3i per cent.
Would probably have been preferable. Should a
further alteration become necessary, this point may
be recommended to the attention of the Govern-
raent.
The market for English Stocks has been buoyant,
chiefly upon the statement that the Four Powers
have
now entered into a common convention to
guide their policy towards Russia. Many will be
‘3f opinion that this quadruple alliance is more cal-
culated to hinder than to promote a satisfactory
settlement. The circumstance that Exchequer
13111--s are not to bear a higher rate than 21d, is in
Zvvour of Consols, as an increase to 24d would
e rendered the unfunded debt a strong com-
petitor. The, premium now is ls. to 45., whereas,
When it was first announced that the rate was 21d.
yesterday afternoon after hours, some of the
dealers offered them at 4s. to ss. discount. India
:'ands are ls. to, 4s. premium. Bank Stock has
V,‘"1:1 to 204 and 206. There has been a bargain
the New Five per Cents. at 114. Exchequer
2nds scrip is premium. Consols have been 89k
"1 for transfer and account, and are now 89/
()reign stocks are almost nominal. Spanish 3
Ter Cents. bring 39, and the Deferred 19k. Rus-
-6all 5 per Cents. have been at 051. Dutch 21- per I
Cents. have been at 59.
The market for railway shares has been better in
;
The London
instances, although there is not much doing.
and North Western are about ss.
'lgner, and Midland, South Eastern, Lancashire
and Wirkshire and Caledonian have risen about
Foreign shares are firm. Northern of France are
11P 11.
The last week's railway receipts ascertained up
t 0 this day are in round figures as under :-
1854. 1853.*
Great Western
°II/1-Western
13°11. th-Western
Brightonr
k'dland
"South-Eastern 16,468 18,452
and Edin. and Glasgow 16,175 14,454
Great Northern 17,174 15,867
Lancashire and Yorkshire
York and North Midland ..........••
.Newcastle
„ and Berwick
feeds Northern
* Whitsun week.
The Shares of the Gold Mining Companies have
been rather more dealt in, and the Australian are
dearer.
The Land Companies' Shares are mostly firm,
but neither the Australian Agricultural nor the
Peel River are quite so high.
The Joint Stock 13Ank Shares have been well
supported, and in the Oriental, the London Char-
tered of Australia, and the English, Scottish, and
Australian Chartered, there is a slight improve-
ment.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES.
(Front the Official List.
Realness done
Baal; Stock ... ....... .......................... 201 6
%
' Per Cent. Rein. ced Annuities... ............ 88 i 8 1
" Per Cent Consols Annuities ................ 89,igiiiii
Nev.
-3} per Cent. A.nnniti $4 ............... ... 884 1 9 1
Newl.,, 5 per Cent. Annuities ........... . ........ 114
‘,71,g Annuities Expire sth .Tan., 1860 ... 4
Ditto
in • 30 Years; Expire sth Jan., 1860 ...... 4i
... 4 p
cha Bonds, £IOOO
bitto, under £lOOO ........................... 14 p
Consols for Account 6th June ................ 891 A i i i
Exchequer Bills, 24d.
W
O
b Ditto Advertised par 1 d
'-4/& hequer Bonds Scrip P
1,, PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
~.evr
i•az ili a n Bonds, 5 per Cent.
4 Bra.izilanßoncls, 1829 & 39, 5 per Cent 934
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent —
wievitto 5 per Cent .
lie", 3 per Cent.
Ft gusgian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St 9si 654
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 39
13414811 New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 194 19
13 Dividends on the above payable in London.
14011 Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Gull 591
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols 894 i
Ditto June Account B9 i

THE PROPOSED STAMP DUTIES.—A meeting of mer-
chants and hankers has been arranged for Friday next at
the London Tavern against the proposed stamp duties
on foreign bill::. The oppo,ition t,) this measure is based
on the view that the tax would seriously interfere with
131-„nY commercial and financial operations of which
zioglancl is now the centre, without yielding an amount
Of revenue adequate to the injury that would be inflioted.