Candles, F.W., have consider ably advanced, and judging from quotations in the Melbourne and Dunedin markets, good prices are likely to continue here. Okabita.—The Wtstknd Observer, of May 26, reports as follows There has been a general dulness of business there for the past week, A few houses still con tinue to forward the usual supplies to tho various beaches, Gillespie's seemingly receiving the most attention at present, but the town retail trade has been gradually decreasing for weeks. The con sumption of flour, among other articles, maybe reckoned at one-sixth ot what it was in the town ship during the month of March. Fair prices are obtainable for most articles, though the matter of raised freights, coupled with the high quota tions now being received from Melbourne and Dunedin, whence the bulk of our imports must originally be derived, have not yet been consi dered, or, at least, have not affected to any extant the ruling prices. No auction sales of im portance have taken place for some weeks. Boat Adelaide flour is selling at £3l to £32 per ton; while Chilian may be 4 uoted at from £l6 to £25 per ton, according to brand and quality. Oats still maintain the price of 10s per bushel; whilst bran a-id chaff have risen—the formorfrom 4s to 6s per bushel, a d the latter from 28s to 40s per cwt. English porter (best brands), from 20s to 22s 6d per dozon, duty paid. Bottled ales. 18s to 20s per dozon. Hennessey's and Martell's brandy, in case and bulk, are a gjood deal inquired for, and the consumption is considerable. Good butter is scarce, and fetches readily 2s 6d to 2s 8d per lb. Hams and bacon command the same price as formerly, about 2s 6d per lb. The excessive freights which are charged for goods from Hoki tika to this port, a distance of fifty miles, must necessarily enhance the value of cortain commodi ties; and, when compared with Dunedin freights direct, which are at one-fourth of tho rato, they appear so extravagant that, for tho sake of all parties, an alteration is most urgently desired, The following is a statement of the quantities of gold shipped to Hokitika by ihe banks at Okarita since tho 23rd of February last, irrespec tive of tho no inconsiderable quantities which have, doubtless, been conveyed away in private hands:— ozs, dwt. gr. 