The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-16 00:00:00

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Since the receipt of the January advices from
the United Kingdom, a feeling of apprehension has
prevailed in this city, which has plainly arisen from
the apparent de' ertnination of English exporting
houses to maintain their business relations with this
colony up to a limit far beyond the requirements
of buyers and consumers. From the statistical ac-
counts of shipments to Australiawhich have reached
us, it would appear that no disposition has been
manifeAed at home, as late as Jan. 16, to reduce
the number of missions hither. It may possibly
have occurred, it is true, that merchants engaged
in the Australian trade were induced to seek an out-
let fortheir consignments to this market in default of
being able to find any other at the critical period
fellowing the great financial panic. The worth of
warning addressed from hence in November last
will, however, have doubtless been allowed to ex-
ercise some influence ; and we, therefore, expect
to learn on the arrival of the overdue mail steamer
Columbian, that in all January a marked falling
off had t .ken place ; but, pending the advent of
that vessel, it is by no means probable that any
well-defined improvement will be established in the
import markets. The steamer in question has now
been due since the 7th inst.,- and the inconveniences
from which the colonists of New South Wales have
frequently been subjected, in being unable to reply
to their European correspondence in regular course
of post, are greatly affecting our interests at this
particular juncture.
Our import market has on the whole, however,
been in a healthy state for the last two months.
Soft goods, though held in abundance, and selling
at low advances, have been ready of sale. The
warehousemen have done a large trade, both to
supply town and country demands. These engaged
in this branch of commerce are hopeful that the
large amount to be disbursed this year on public
roads, bridges, buildings, &a., and the probability
that government will accept tenders for at least a
portion of our railway system, may have the effect,
during the remainder of the year, of providing em-
ployment for a large number of our working popu-
lation, thereby enabling that useful class to lay out
more money in clothing, and other articles of prime
necessity, than they have lately been able to do.
It is satisfactory also to state that, during the
last few weeks, our imports, as reported at the
custom-house, have materially diminished in
amount, while our exports present still a fair aver-
age. Should this continue, we confidently an-
ticipate a very sound state of trade during the
rest of the year. It must not be forgotten that
we shall only require about 25,000 tons of flour
this year in addition to what has been raised in
the colony ; and, taking the consumption of all
imported articles at 301. per head annually, for a
population of 460,0001., our imports into all the
ports of the colony ought not to exceed 13,000,0001.
or 14,000,0001., if our merchants wish to keep busi-
ness in a comfortable state. Stocks on hand are
still large, and this must also be kept in view. The
provision and liquor trade has also been very active,
but we regret to mention the very heavy losses
that importers or consigners have had to submit
to. Brandy, gin, rum, whisky, and bottled beer,
have all been overdone, and our preset quota-
tions, which cannot, in all cases, be obtained by
importers, show heavy losses. It will take a long
time before stocks are so diminished that paying
prices can be obtained. The state of our mail ser-
vice has also, during the last six months, had a pre-
judicial influence upon prices. When any delay
takes place in the mival of the mail from England,
a pause takes place in general business, and im-
ported goods can only be disposed of at a reduction
in price. There are few things .that would m• ke
fullness in this colony more regular in its course,
aid more profitable to those engaged in it, than
regular postal communication with all the marke;a

• whence we draw our supplies ; and,we are itt tope.,
that the re.solationS referred to b 1c)-vr may have'the
effect of procuring for us a more. efficient xcitil'siitis
vice.
In the Legislative Assembly; on Wednesday,
motions condemnatory of the-;present postal ar-
rangements -betteen this, colony and the Vnite'd
Kiugdorri were unanimously c vrieci.( The motions
were couched in the'folloiwiug *lns .
-That in the opinion of this house, the imperfect mapnvy
in which the contraet'for.tbe cot:lee:fangs jof her Wijesty's
mails between Anstralkatrl England has, been carriet out
by the Australian and European Steam Navigation Com-
pany has bech such 'as tO' call fur 'the most decided ex-
pression of dissitisfactiotreir the.patt Of this house. •
That, inasmuch as the condltioni_of the contract have
been so palpably violated, in spirit and fact, thichouse
deems it expedient that steps • be 4akeu suggesting' _to the
imperial Goverithieut the expediendy of annulling the Pie:.
sent contract. ' -- - - ' • •
In the import' markets the tratiiictibris cf the
past month have not- been chuacterised by any
satisfactory degres of ;activity, if we except the
dealings of second hands-and -retailers froai our
general observations. AP extensive trade has been
done by the latter, although she larze importing
houses 'Lave been unable to move of their heavy
stock without, diffieulry. In tha. market for ale
and potter, there has, been a steady demand, and
bulk ales of favourite bran4l have not wsmo'f ,rward
in large quantities. Beer in glass has notlitetvirli
such a ready sale, andareductionlas consequently
been sUbmittkl to by sellers. Btitter has fluctuate I
in value, and, after having been freely offered at
130, is again worth from 14d to 141 d.. Belmont
sperm candles arsin the market at 14,1 d. and the
demand forall varieties of candles is daily increas-
ing. The finest samples of cheese in the market
are saleable at 141. '; but inferior qualilie', of which
there is an over supply, cannot be ',heed without
much difficulty. For articles of Etsteru produce
there is a somewhat hatter in4uiry,And a 'F•liAht in-
dication of, a rise. Sugars have exOrieneted a s'igh't
alter-Aden' in price, parcel, having changed' hands
for transmission' to the interior. Mauritius coon
ters have b eri in much reqiiest for-the'past few
dpys, I.nd are ealeape at quotations. Tess are
likewise worth the outside !quit of quotations ;
and holders are sanguine of being enabled to clear
off those porions of their stocks which consist of
superior consignmen's, at higher Wes. Patna
rice may be quoted at 18/. to 191. Oilmen's stores
are still saleable at our quotations. Battled fruits
and pickles meet with a proMpt sale. In the wino
and spirit market a considerable improvt mnit has
taken place, although no very marked change in
prices has been recorded. -Ports and she' ries, of
acknowledged qualities, may be disposed of with
less difficulty, but cannot be Said to be in active
demand. Brandies are likewise more saleable,
and case goods especially command a larger num-
ber of buyers. An extensive sale of wines and
spirits was held on Wednesday, when the follow-
ing prices were realised :-Otaru's dark brandy,
lls. 6d. to 12s. per gallon ; do pale d'., in quar-
tets, lls. 9d. to 12s. per gallon ; Otard's pale
brandy, in case, 355. to 365. ; Bind on's pale shorty,
duty paid, 471. per butt ; do. do., in bond, 391. to
40/. per butt. Amontillado, in bond, 1151. per
butt, Silva's port, duty paid, 64/. to 65/. per pipe.
Pigeon's case old tom, in bend,l4s. 6.1. per case ;
Burnett's do., do., 13s. Gd. per case. Boith's do.,
do., 31s. per
_case. Red case Geneva, anchor
brand, 15s. to 15s. 6d. per case ; green case do.,
ss. 3d. per case. By ass's ale and porter, two-third
and three-third, 9si. 6d. to OS. Bd. per dozen. in
the flour and grain market there is an absence of
activity, and flour cannot now be: quoted higher
than 16/. to 171. 103. The favourite brands are
held for 181. ; but we cannot learn that many trans-
actions at that figure have been complered. Bran,
after receding t) ls. 10d.' has again advanced, and
is now selling at 2s. 6d. to 2s. Bd. per bushel. Co-
louial oats (teed), are saleable at 7s. 3d. to Bs. 3d. ;
Scotch and Irish, 6s. to 6s. 3d. told Californian,
6s. Gd. to 61. 9d. per bushel. dape barley is worth
from 6s. Gd. to 6s. 9d.
Thera is an abundant supply of capital Offering at
10 per cent., on approved securities ; and loans are
reported to have been negotiated at as low a rate
as 8 per cent.

Eipo:ta for the year 1856 :
Wool and other exports.:
Gold

.
..1-8:' APEIti
were entrusted to him to be gummed u. er t •-, _
I ated. It is said, however, that the C o
.1:: my!, :-- ~/.
to alter the charge to one of illegal p
~, -r,..c% Ve,,,`
144
The American ship Tornado bas ci*1.,:,.. 4*W "':', -c 1-4
riety through the breaking out of a.* _ jithlc-;;,. ?. 4
board; --during- the voyage out -fr ',
..,. r.-z •;4
Some"oflhe brew astire,-sp.artiolt-14 iP. . ~,_
,: ---,F
to the inatP, that ina scufflewhich tettk PlefsB°Ar cw
after. he vessell !SA port, he was comoplietil,- in se i ttat
defence, to fire-his revolver at his assailants. Two
of the ringle,aders were sheV, of iihorn• oiie shortly
afterwa.i,ds died ; and tbe'otlibr, although severelif
wounded, bas since neatly recovered? ' :ritinvtliti
Um- t
luta tirq cirbotimstaiibes of till,Mai ' was held'.lit
on board the vessel Phsvfly afttr itsarriV in Mk::
son's B.ay ;, and *he Trotted States cOrin.l,, w4i? Pre
sided, committe leight of the crew td custody, .'l,
W v,iai ,
the intention of sending them to America for tti4es
A question 'has, however, since ati- on- as is *its
logarcompeten-q of the consul to Mite such steps;
and last night certain quer:es- were pus to the At- •
torney-Genora! in the liegislature'i.elative to the -
css-t in point-.
•- - )
lob on's Bay has been' long Iricitisn' •to bo irs--;
fisted by ' shalits ; -but, but their p e: &ride until r6-')
cently has not Won ace )14apied. .[pithovwiaet*,
results to the b#ther. A fur,' week.s'Avp, h
this immunity was broken in ,a,,phoclung manner, .
A seaman, one of the crew of a Savudialt barque '
whit!' was lying at anchor off Williamstown, ime
bashing by the f-ids of the vessel, wl ens bUte
shark tote at him, 'and seized him by the I.g. Tfiti,
Moor follow was thagged a short distanc3 under: .
water, but was eventually rescued by hitt ship:
mates from' the j +Ws of the fish, . although not
until the ferocious animal had porriplettoly stripped
the flesh off the belies of iris ie*. The woundtd
man died sholtly after from the effects of exces-
sive hopitioirliwze. The :Zink is stated to be'
twenty feet in length ' • and- al•hough numerow
attempts It Li*: b-eniiiidcirioce the poont-cetice 'of
the cat ts tr,:p he. just related to CaptUte.it,. !lons 14.4
yet resulted-in success.' ' '1 , '
.1'
Tifellev. Mr. Bincey, w,ithseveral 'pthei minis-
ters, arrived trithe suit.iia On the tliti.ttlt. The
rev. gentle . iri4,4" preaelie 1 at • SK•liiilda,,li:li she first.
tame on Sunday fait, ' a.iiiiiiiiii sermon bias sioc3
been published. under the title of " Be Men."
A grant of roooey has .134,teti' • made by the' lagislat
titre- fur the purpose of founding, amoflel farm in
the n•4g4l)..iirlided of ./Telliantne:; tilt the site not
haviog yet been decided upon,
.nothing has been
done. - The Port l'hilip Fariters'-SecietysYlsh to
have apiece of laid Well adapteld to- theirptaptiss;,`
which-they have selected, and whiehiswitlfia three
milt's or town-;• but as it compriaes a -portion. rif Ob•
of the pitiip;: f he•ir-applicktion has been tefused for
the oresent,..thougit as the public would have acorn
at all-times to the model farm, there does not ap-
pear any very good reasonfor obj,c-ing to give up
a portion of .a' swerve- made for puttiosei othesitbt
and recre +lron to the purpcses of.thecassociatioo..
The South' Aiii-L'ilian portion, c.,the mail for
England by -the Victoria, 'bas' aeon biOught round
by the Havflah, and Cothprise: 63, bOXes and 1/
bans. -
The royal mail steamer .Victoria left' Sydney at
9.30 *a.m. on the 11th inst., and anchored :in the
bay yest3ttity, about 9 a.m., after 'contending
await st head winds during the paarage. :The con
dition and arrangeinents of the vu:ssel.fully jus-ify
the flattering notice of her- which vial republished
from the Sydney Mariting Herald,. in our lustre of
yesterday: She has-but little:cargo on board, and
none for this port, but has a largo, shipment of
gold from Sydney. - . .

AMUSEMENTS.

Mr. Brook; after a iound of firetvell.plrforni-
, auces, which were very NS ell at tOIO6EI, 4as bid*
film'. adieu to MelbOurne, :liavjnfortaile- his last ap-
pearance as Matthew—Elmore, in " Love's Sacri-
fice." Mr, is dila 2 playing, in. Ta ai a.
The Royal i.A now devotetl.te the comic
the ls.test nove'ty being theproduction ofilrough's
burlesque of ".Lalla Bookit, '. which, pu liport the
stage with great spitit and,, attention to detail,
threatens to becotne.as great a-faveurite here as-at
the Lypeutn. , ' .
At the P. incase's; Mist provost, an Americala
actress of some eminence, is playing with moderate
success:
The Gougenheims :e `about: about: toAnspear at.the
Montezuma, Ballarat and Mr. aild Mrs. Weir
have .opened: the liaymarket, Saudkurat, with. a
good company. -

The following is the annual. statement of- the
President :of the Melhournel Chamber of. Com-
meree::— • ,
At an early period of the past year, I succeeded to the
position of president of your chamber, and now yroceed to
perfOrni one of the duties of the office, by a review of felts
and conclusions which impress mo as interesting tO'our-
selves, or possible value to those who may sucoeetl us-in
thus marking the progress of commerce in.this colony.:
We all must regret, that notwithstanding the excessive
imposts 911856-7, theievil not only continuos, bit has biien
largely increased during the period'of our present observa-
tion of 1837-8, as shown in the folloWhig statetnonti :
Imports-fcr the year 1A56
Imports for the year 1857 ' - 17,258X9

Doing an imam.) of ~ • 4,347,272

.<

£3,221,707 . j
.11,806i237

Exports for the year 1857 :
Wool and other exports £4,090,911
Gold

£16,020)944

£15,079, q 2

--1

Being an increase of .. 49,5'8
Or a general difference in balance against the colony of
4,297,7, 41. for 1857.
_ . _

There has been, of course, an assiznilating fluctuation La
tonnage, as by the following stateuient :
Vessels entered inwards, 18;6 :--

Vessels.
Flom colonies
From Great Britein and foreign ports., 3,8
Total
Vessels entered inwards, .1857 :

Tuou.
274;794
263,815

1920 538,609

Vessels. Tons.
From colonies 1753 330,594
From Great Britain and foreign porta... 432 363,970

2190 694,564
Showing an inereme of 155,955 tons,
The clearances outwards were respectively : -
1856 l9; 9 vessels ; 534,361 tons. i
1857
The two first months of 1853,11 am fearful, premise an
equally unsatisfactory result fur the current yarn T. 6 us,
iwports fur Melbourne onlY—
JanuarY R1,185,609 13,3.4,009—£1.186,375
February 1,028,099 924,208 • 1,194;9.9

281 ,
Increase, 1853 over
1,13,708 2,307,217 2,381,294
Increasu, 1858 over 1857 ' . '74,077
Exports for Melbourne only : -
J:.ouary , 18511: ) 1857. - . 1958.
Gold - 8 i 3,21,2 594,294
wool, 3.:e 192,418,, 344,153 406,0.8
Feb: nary , , , .
Gold -4,382 701,052 891,640
Wool, &c
• --- -- -- --- -- --

Totals i:2,312,762 £2,112,002 £2,208,524
These last returns are of necessity imperfect, being
limited to Melbourne, but so far as they go they show--
1856—(Fur first two months)—Excess of exports
over imposts
£99,054
1857 (For first two months)—Excess of imports
over exports
195,215
1858 --(For first two months)—Excess of imports
Over exports
172,770
"The enormous balance of 4,297,704/. for 1857, leads
to the conclusion that shipments have been made to
this place, quite apart frcui calcu'ation, or by parties
ent itely ignorant of the limited extent of our popula•
tiou, ur others who have needed the facilities of ad-
vances unfortunately too easily obtained through banks,
or from other quarters ; and many very large iniporta-
tions, the results of orders from here, have recoiled and
caused not oily the explosion of some who hazarded the
means of others much more largely than their own, but
t,) the serious damage f such as were rash enough t!•
risk their means or ci edit on such speculative grounds.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Export entries were passed at the Customs for 9,450
ovnee+ of gold for shipment, as follows :-Victoria, for
Suez, 9,4200 z. 9dwt. ; Shooting Star, for Liverpool,
2.z. 10d w t.; Tudor, for Liverpool, 270 z.; and 10dwt.
in the City of Sydney, for Sydney.
CUSTOMS REYENUE -The Return of Customs rove•
nue for 13th April, 1858, gives the following items
Brandy, 2,764 gallons, 1,3821. lls. 41; Rini- 1,945 ".1
272/ 16.;.; rum, 915 do., 457/. 19a. ; whi.ky; 273 do.,
136/. 17s. 2d. ; perfumed, 14 do., 71. 81. ; other
spirits, 81 do., 41/. 51; wine, 1,96 do., 119/ 124.;
beer, 28 2191 do 705 9, 61 ; tobacco, 2 9081 b.
290/. 16.. ; cigars, 7681 b., 115/. 4.. ; tea. 11,3011 b.
2841. Os. 61. ; coffee, 2,1711 b., 184. Is. 10d. ; sugar,
891 cwt., 067/. 7s. 51. ; treacle, 255 do., 531. Si.lld. ;
gold, 2,586uz. 15dwt., 3231. 63. 111 Duties, 5,1751,
144. 6,1, Tonnage, 23/. 5.. Passenger rate, 24/. 2s. ad.
other moneys, 2e. 7d. Revenue, 5225/. 43. 7d.
age, 1211. 6,.
GOLD.-Tbe following quotations represent the values
of the precious metal :-Castletuaine Sandhurst, and
pi,a,ant Creek, 3/.15.. 6d.; Korong, Jones Creak, and
Sandy Creek, 3/. 153. 9J.; Marvborough, Avoca, Am.
boat, Dunolly, and Ararat, 3/. 158. 9d.; Ovens, 31 17,
31. to 3/. 17s. 21; B illsarat, 3/. 18,. to 3/. 18.. 61
SToci AND SHARE MARKET. -A good k •
tieDti ofn fair
Jutquess has
been done in this market front the couthai2leein
are
present wet k, and all desciipticni of shares
request.

iIIPOLT MARKETS.—The certainty which bag existed
to-day, that the mail per Victotia would he punctually
thspatched at the time notified by the Post-office autho-
rities, has induced cur merchants and traders to pr.eP%r:
some portion of their correspondence for trausinnoisnsoica
to &Wand, and it is accorditißly impossible
any change in quotations. The non-arrivaltthooefa
steamer Columbian continues to occasion the
inntrferes
annoyance in mercantile circles, and
the arrival of
theu
greatest snail
With the regular progress of businaeistii,B,:ixgilut
tending buyers are anxiouslyda
in order to docide as
later intelligence from Euglan inasmuch as ins
to the extent of their purchases.
EICHANCM—The banks issue drafta en En4and it

60 days' sight, at 1 per cent. premium ; and at 30 days, I
)1 premium. Drafts against gold purchased at par.
Freight on gold, per sailing vessels, 8d per ounce ; per
overland mail steamers, three-fourths per cent., deliver.
able at the Bullion office, Bank of England. Insurance,
1i per cent. ; and overland, 11 per cent. Bank rates of
discount, 8 per cent. on bills having less than 95 days
to run ; and 9 per cent. over 95 days' currency. Over
125 days, 10 per cent. The charge on over-drafts is 12
per cent. Freight on gold transmitted by the overland
route, per cent. Insurance, 14 to 1i per cent. The
banks of Australasia, New South Wales, Victoria, Lon-
don Chartered, and the Union, have combined to allow
interest on current accounts and deposits at the follow-
ing rates, commencing from the Ist of January, 1858 ;
—On monthly minimum balance of current accounts, of
not less than 2001., 2 per cent. per annum. Oa sums
deposited, subject to three months' notice of withdrawal,
3 per cent, per annum. Oa do., subject to six months'
do. do., 4 per cent. per annum. On do. do., subject
to twelve months' do. do., 5 per cent. per annum.
The Colonial Bank of Australasia, in addition to
the above, allows interest at the rate of 2 per
cent. per annum on the daily balance of current accounts.
The Oriental Bank Corporation and the English, Scot-
and Australian Chartered Bank allow interest on depo-
sits at the following rates :—On the daily balance of
current accounts. if not under 1001., 21 per cent, per
annum ; on deposits subject to 15 days' notice of with-
drawal, 3 per cent. per annum ; do. 3 months' do., 4
per cent. per annum ; do. six do., 5 per cent. per annum;
do. twelve do., 6 per cent, per annum.

GOLD SHIPS.
The following ships have sailed with gold freights
since our last summary :

Ounces.
March 17. Ernst', for Suez 52,624
17. Maidstone, for London
April 1. Norfolk, for London
10. Formosa, for Calcutta .. 2,555

~ 12. Royal Charter. for Liverpool
„ 14. Cornwall, for 'Jong Kong
Steamers for Sydney
Small Shipments

268,675
Amount shipped from Jan. 1 to Mar. 11

Total amount 780,094
WOOL SHIPS
The following shipments of wool have taken place
since the departure of the last mail :

Bales.
834
887
.... 400

March 17. Maic:stone, for London
April 1. Norfolk, for London
2. May Qneen, for Cowes

12. Royal Charter, for Liverpool

2,687
No. of bales shipped from Jan. 1 to Mar. 16 23,191