COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 305, 24 December 1891, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stak Office,

Auckland, Thursday. The approach of the holiday season has resulted in a slight improvement in business generally, a brisk demand having sefa in for Christmas goods. The Hermione arrived during the week with a cargo that replenished some lines that were getting into abort supply. Distributers do not report any transactions of importance, trade being confined to ordinary business, no large lines having changed hands during the past week. The market for ilax still remains quiet, and gum has experienced a decline, though prices are still high enough to pay handsoinesy, were it nob that the ground is now so hard that diggers cannot send in such large quantities. The timber trade remains dull as far as local transactions are concerned, although exporb is proceeding satisfactorily. On the Exchange little business hai been done during tho past week, but from various signs iD is probable that tho Now Tear will open wiih a better market.

Bask Rates. —-Exchange on London. Buying: Demand, J- per cent, discount; 30 days, § per cent, discount; 60 days, § per cent, discount; 90 days, 1J per cent, discount. Selling : Demand, 1§ per cent, premium ; 30 days, 1-J- per cent, premium ; 60 days, g oor cent, premium ; 90 days, g per cent, premium. Fixed deposits : Three tnonbhs, 3 per cent;. ; six months, 4 per cent. ; twelve months, 5 per cent.

Liquors.—Australian wines are more inquired for than heretofore at thia season, and other wines and spirits show a corresponding decline. Cordials are also selling very freely, evidencing a growing inclination for milder beverages. Allsop'a and othor bottled ales are also selling readily.

Muscatels. — A line was offered at miction at \)A, bub failed to find a purchaser* Best Spanieh are quoted at Is 6d.

Elemes.—Thia brand ot raisins 13 in short supply, good samples being now worth from to 7i-d.

RlCE.—Japan rico sells well at the advanced rate, quotations in bond being £12 103 to £15 per ton,

Matches.—A welcome consignment of Old Tom Bafety matches came bo hand by the Hermione. Stocks of this brand had got very low. Cocoa.—The demand has slackened with the advent of hot weather. Van Houton'e, however', still continues to sell freely.

Tobacco and Cigars.—Unless shipments arrive shortly, makers will have to be satistied with some other brand than Derby, as stocks are excaaciingly low. LiUtle demand is reported for cigars, bub cigarettes are selling so freely that it, would seem ac it they were in many instances taking tho place of cigars. Will's Throe Castles are comitie more into favour, although Old Judge brand still retains its popularity.

Flax.—Prices advanced about 10s per ton, bub receded again almost immediately. The Essox and AJontono look away about 300 tons of flax.

Wheat. —The market has been somewhat quiet, as millers are nofc eager to purchase, being rather inclined fco reduce stock before the holidays sec in. From Adelaide comes the information that; the new crop is now reaching fcho out ports, and is in brisk demand at equal to 4a 8d per bushel for good sample?. Generally the crop appears good, bu'fc in some districts it is iathor shrivelled or pinched

Oats are very firm at previous quotations. From Dunedin vo learn by wire thab a moderate business is passing, and sales are being effected both fay auction and privately, purchases being for shipment Home, others merely for speculative purposes, in the hopo that further on prices may still advance. For very superior lots a alight advance on last; week's quotations is occasionally secured, otherwise there is no alteration to note. Quotations : For best milling, Is Bsd to Is B.kl ; bast short bright feed, Is 8d to Is B : }d ; medium to good, is 7d to Is 7M ; inferior, Is 4d to Is 6hd (ex stores, packs extra, net cash ; ;M per bushel moref.o. b. Dunedin). Maize is dull, quota tiona being Is lOd on the wharf. Bitttkr. —Prices remain unchanged with a good demand for 'prims samples. The New Zealand Dairy Association shipped 520 boxes for London by the Maori. Consignments are now sent ovory fortnight. Eggs. The supply is now quite equal to demand, and a fall in prices may be expected. Fruit.—Large quantities of fruit have come to hand in time for Christmas. Lemons realised as high as 2e Gd per dozen ; limes, 5.? (3d per case : peaches, 4s 6d to 5s psr case; apricots, 5s 6d : gooseberries, lid per lb ; Irish peach apples, ifrl. "Flouii.—Fair sales are reported at late Quotations. " Bran and Suakps.—-The demand noted last week still continues. Prices have advanced.