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, whioh has plainly arisen from
the apparent de.ermination of Engli-Lh 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 Australia which have reached
us, it would appear that no disposition has been
manife-ted 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 au out-
let for their consignments to this market in default of
being able to find any other at the critical period
following 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
partic:dar juncture. _ _ _

Our import market has on the whole, however,
been in a healthy state for the 1 ist 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. Th,,se engaged
in this branch of commerce are hopeful that the
large amount to be disbursed this year on public
roads, bridges, buildings, &,., 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
customhouse, have materially diminished in
amount, while our exports present atill.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 aro
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
thatimporters or consigners have had to submit
to. Brandy, gin, rum, whisky, and bottled beer,
have all been overdone, and ur present 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 rriival 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 mile
business in this colony more regular in its course,
and more profitable to those engaged in it, than
regular postal communication with all the markets

whence we draw our supplies ; and we are in hopes
that the resolutions referred to bllow may have the
effect of procuring fur us a more effioieut mail ser-
vice.
In the Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday,
motions condemnatory of the present post 41 ar-
rangemonti between this colony and the ITnit4d
Kingdom were unanimously c rried. The motions
were couched in the following termi :
That in the opinion of this house, the imperfect mann.r
in which the contract for the conveyance of her Mnjesty's
mails between Australia and England has been carried out
by the Australian and European Steam Navigation Com-
pany has been such as to call for the most decided ex-
Fessiou of dissatisfaction on the part of this house.
'Tat, inasmuch as the conditions of the contract have
been so palpably violated, in spirit and in fact, this house
deems it expedient that steps be takou suggestino• to the
imperial Government the expediency of annulling the pre-
sent contract.

In the import markets the transaAions of thepast month have not been characterised by any
satisfactory degree .-. activity,if we except the
dealings of second halAs and retailers from emir
general observations.' An extensive trade has been
done by the latter, although ?he larze importing
houses have been unable to move off ;heir heavy
stock without difficulty. In the market for ale
and porter, there has been a steady demand, and
balk riles of favourite brands have not entre f Jrwa rd
in large quantities. Beer in glass has not 1113 t, with
such a ready sale, and a reduction has consequently
been submitted to by sellers. Butter has fluctuated
in value, and, after having been fre2ly offered at
laid, is again worth ft om 14d to 140. Belmont
sperm candles are in the market at 14%i. and the
demand for all varieties of candles is daily increas-
ing. The finest samples of cheese in the market
are saleable at 143. ; but inferior qualities, of which
there is an over supply, cannot be pliced without
much difficulty. For articles of Cistern produce
there is a somewhat better inquiry, and a alight in-
dication of,a rise. Sugars !nave experienced a slight
alteration inaarice, parcels 'Faving changed hands
for transrnisiion- to the interior. Manritius coati-
tern have b on in much request for the past few
days, and are saleable at quotations. Teas are
likewise worth the outside limit of quotations ;
and holders are sanguine of being enabled to clear
off these por.ions of their stocks which consist of
superior consignmen's, at higher ra'es. Patna
rice may be quoted at 181. to 191. Oilmen's stores
are still saleable at our quotations. Bottled fruits
and pickles meet with a prompt sale. In the wine
and spirit market a considerable improve ment has
taken place, although no very marked change in
prices has been recorded. Porta and sherries, 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 ou Wednesday, when the follow-
ing prices were realised :-Otarti's dark brandy,
lls. Gd. to 12s. per gallon ; do pale do., in quar-
tets, Us. 9d. to 12s. per gallon; Otard's pale
brandy, in case, 355. to 365. ; Bindon's pale sherry,
duty paid, 471. per butt ; do. do., in bond, 391. to
40/. per butt. Amontillado, in bond, 115/. per
butt, Silva's port, duty paid, 64/. to 65/. per pipe.
Pigeon's case old tom, in bond, 14s. W. per case •
Burnett's do., do., 13s. 6d. per case. Boith's do.
do., 3ts. per case. Red case Genova, anchor
brand, 15s. to 15s. Gd. per case ; green case do.,
Bs. 3d. per case. Byass's ale and porter, two-third'
and three-third, 9s. Gd. to 9s. 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 17/. 10s. The favourite brands are
held for 181. ; but we cannot learn that many trans-
actions at that figure have been comple: ed. Bran,
after receding to ls. 10d., has again advanced, and
is now selling at 2s. 6d. to 2s. Bd. per bushel. Co-
lonial oats (teed), are saleable at 7s. 3d. to Bs. 3d. ;
Scotch and Irish, 6s. to Gs. 3d., and Californian,
Gs. Gd. to GA. 9d. per bushel. Cape barley is worth
from Gs. Gd. to 6s. 9d.

Thera is au abundant supply of capital offering at
10 per cent., ou approved securities ; and loans are
reported to have been negotiated at as low a rate
as 8 per cent.