Bnsineea in the import market lias improrement during the past -week. The feeling ftiiit possible changes in the tariff might take .place indaced a email speculative current to set in, and imparted an activity -which, has bees wanting emce the publication of tke Tcopwed alterations. Trade acceptances on

the 4th were met fairly well, and pay ments otherwise hare also been satisfactory. There have been two snepenßions lately, neither of which, however, have much general interest. In goods, tea and sugar have had most attention, and transactions, owing to the causes spoken of. have been considerable. A shipment of crushed lamp has been placed at 52s to 535. Several invoices of jams are in the market, and prices are quoted at 6s to 6s 6d, according to brand. Oilmen's stores have only had the ordinary trade enquiry. Small sales of candied peel and i fancy confectionery have been reported. Mac oareni and vennitilE have been placed at dsod to 3s lOd. Tinned salmon is not in over supply, but the first of the new cure may soon be expected to put in an appearance m the ««*««• Stocks of blnestone are running low, and 34a is the firm rate. Inferior quality u> offering at 22s to 255. Kerosene w almost held by one house, and quotations are form at 2s 2d. The Gemma may be expected from Dunedui Bhortly, but as the quantity she has for this market is very small no alteration in values has taken place, and prices are, if anything, firming in the face of stocks held which have to carry us forward to the arrival of further shipments. Boiled oil is wanted, and sales in drums have been made up to 4s 6d and 4s 7d. Balk has been sold at 4s 3d. In spirits only trade tran sections have come under notice. A few lines of under-proof case goods are to be neted, induced by the expectation that the duty would have been raised to proof pay ments. A line of Auchtertool bulk whisky at 4a 6d, and Burkes case at 20s, is one of the few sales of the week in this class of goods. Brandies are without much present enquiry. Ports are in better demand, and sales ranging between 7s and lie in bond are reported. 