COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 256, 4 November 1897, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star Office, Thursday. Trade with distributing houses has shown {■nrlencv towards improvement during a tef ast wfeek or two. Trade with the is not so brisk as it was, but the g5 ht of finer weather should result in *Z men being employed on surface works 111 flip mines, and larger consumption of frf trill naturally follow. The Star of Sand arrived this week with large ship--Igf for Auckland merchants. The S a te left for London via the South •?h fair consignments from this port. Tftpr a somewhat protracted passage the rian MacLeod reached port from New York •th a shipment of kerosene and American Free transactions have consequence taken place in kerosene '■nee last report at prices that left but a j? re margin for profit. The mail steamer W ana'l>rou°Iht1ht welcome supplies of canned frnits vestenlay : the scarcity of Mount Hamilton brand is therefore relieved for the present. Supplies of currants have now «pto hand, and the quality of the fruit X fair. Prices range from 4dto U± Stocks of sultanas were also replenished, d the price for this fruit is a little easier fhn it was at lirst. New elemes Ihould arrive next week via Sydney. Tan-Hou ten's cocoa is reported somewhat rceat present. Tapioca maintains the SCWce due to increased first cost owing [ ' y'trher rates of exchange ruling in the L i° Ti ie market is rather bare of rice j prices continue high. Advices from Hon°*ong point to there being little like--1 hoo°d of °any decline in the price of rice fir some time to come. Hops are scarce I the price of both packet and bulk has Advanced this week. New season's Van zLygf salmon is to hand and is nffered at easier price. Further supnlies of Californian were received yesterday by the mail steamer. Canned Lillet is meeting with good demand but prices continue low, ranging from 4s qd to 5s 3d according to brand. Imported candles are in good supply, and are ottered at prices that leave a bare margin on laid Lvn c°st> iQ Olaer t0 conipete with the local article. Canned meats, both local Li Wellington make, are meeting with steady sale. A good general demand is reported for the various brands of whiskies. JL oins are also coming more into favour, I tat brandies and other gins are neglected. ; 1 better demand has set in for Australian | ,rine3 and limejuice since warmer weather set in. English bottled beer does not meet v ith much sale at present. The timber trade shows no change in the josition of affairs. The export trade continues brisk, and there is a fair demand for local requirements. Mills are therefore still kept pretty busy. _ Export to the Islands is not so large as it was some time

On the Stock Exchango matters have been quiet throughout the week as far as stares in mining companies were concerned. Thames, Coromandel and Kuaotunu stocks «re almost entirely neglected, hut a slight upward movement was noticeable in several of the Upper Thames stocks, adyinces being registered by Alphas, Imperials, Ivanhoes. Grace Darlings, Portteas and Waihi Extended. Buyers also ame in for Crowns at 20s, while Waitefouri shares changed hands at 395, aid are still asked for at 37s 6d. Talismans had firm buyers throughout the week at 12s and 12s 3d, hut few shares clanged hands. Investing stocks had steady demand during the week, New Zealand and South British Insurance dares both finning in price. Other lines folly maintained last week's rates. Maize.—Only 540 sacks of maize arrived this- week, of which 450 came by the lerranora,. and 90 by the Waiofcahi. As Jie market is very bare there is a fair demand for local consumption, but no onleis are to hand for export. Lines on the wW/realised 2s, while seed maize is ■yvortliMd and meets with good enquiry. Oats— This market is very weak and hoMen are prepared to make concessions to clear stocks, which appear to be heavier than was anticipated a month ago. Potatoes are cheaper this week, prime samples being offered at £3 5s ex store. Local stocks are not heavy, but prices have dropped in the South during the week, and as the season is now pretty well advanced it is not likely that rates will increase from this out.

Wheat. — Considerable quantities of milling wheat arrived this week from the South. The English and American wheat markets have again advanced, and prices in this colony have firmed in consequence. A fair amount of wheat changed hands this week in the South at full prices. The " Sydney Morning Herald," referring to the position of the wheat markets of the world, states :—

Without doubt the statistical position of the wheat market on the other side of the world is one of great strength. From whatever standpoint the figures are viewed »large deficiency is everywhere apparent." The crop prospects in Australia are none tw good at the present .time. In Victoria tie crops in the east and north-east are in i(airly good condition, but this state of iMngs cannot be said to exist in the Jlallee and Wimmera. Portions of the kter districts with light soil will yield fairly well, but unless a rainfall of good dimensions soon comes, other parts, by far the major portion of the district, will field almost nothing.. Rain lias fallen within the last few days, but whether it wsufficient for requirements of the crop remains to be seen. In Queensland, there 18 good ground to hope for a harvest Marly if not twice as large as was reaped list year. Last season the official estimate ''the Queensland wheat crop was 589,000 Wels. Should 1,000,000 bushels be reaped next harvest there will only remain '« 1,750,000 bushels to be imported 'gainst nearly 2,000,000 bushels this year. Fowl Wheat is dull of sale owing to the wpnesß of maize. Bran and sharps met with little inquiry enough offered at low rates. Flour.—Considerable sales have been we for the first of the month, and local ?™rs are now busy fulfilling orders

Omong._Best samples of onions are ,!?. h Hd per lb. Consignments totalling •w cases of onions formed part of the *P> ot the mailsteamer yesterday, but a »on were to go on to Sydney. Unforaately some of the consignments were in "{Edition. Butter and Eggs. —Supplies of both these iem j* Ye een ra*ner m excess of tne „ ai\<Vbut prices are now so low that W*!? muc^ mOle room downwards. ittU tlle end of the week tliere was a i* wtter demand for eggs, but stocks of fj^we very difficult to clear, and in the j, j°* the present price of keg butter there ""snrr?' 10'1 encouragement to put down