COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Auckland "Star" Office, Thursday

During the past month business generally lias been rather quiet. Since vessels have been quarantined from

Sydney in order to lessen the risk of the bubonic plague being- introduced into the colony importers have naturally been inconvenienced owing to delay in the delivery of shipments. The Indraghiri and Indramayo having- been admitted to pratique, have now commenced discharging- cargoes. Local manufacturers tins week notified an advance of £1 per ton in the price of soap. Coleman's starch and blue are reported in short supply, and Nationals and Battersea wax candles are almost unprocurable. Kerosene is steady at last- week's quotations. A vessel is now on her way up the coast with a cargo of SOOO cases for this port. Turps are reported as likely to advance in price shortly. Latest advices by cable from Japan report a weakening market for rice.

The timber trade has been brisk throughout the month, large quantities being shipped South for dredge building, while there is still a good demand locally for building purposes. The flax market has also been steady, and some difficulty has been experienced in getting a regular supply of even quality fibre. Business has been good in the kauri gum market throughout the month, prices being fully maintained. Difficulty is experienced in securing the better grades of gum as, owing to the long-continued dry weather, the diggers have not been able to work the hills from which the best gum is got. The result is that more low-grade gum is sent in, as the swamps can only be worked at this season of the year. Export both to London and New York has been fairly lieavy during the month.

Mining- stocks have had little enquiry on the Exchange during the past month, with the exception of a few lines. Tairua Broken Hill shares advanced from 1/2 to 2/9 in consequence of g-ood accounts being received regarding the first crushing of the new battery, which is stated to be shaping for a satisfactory return. Grace Darlings, on the other hand, declined, because the first crushing of the new plant was reported to be unsatisfactory, lalthough cleaning .up has not yet taken place. Later on more satisfactory accounts were received regarding the value of the ore, -but the shares did not improve in price. May Queens advanced to 3/G, but subsequently fell back again to 2/4. Until the dispute regarding the unwatei'ing of the Thames field is settled shares in companies carryingl on operations down there are not likely to receive much attention. It is now probable that this matter will be settled short- ]}•, as the Drainage Board has decided io accept the offer of the ThamesHauraki to undertake the whole drainage for the year for £5800. Coromandel stocks have been almost entirely neglected during the month, but the Hauraki group and the New Four-in-Iland returns have all been satisfactory. N.Z. Crown shares had steady buyers at 13/3, but no sales resulted. Talismans had transactions from il/G io 12/6 during the month, and Waihis .'were wanted at £9 17/ G. In Standard lines there was better demand, and Various stocks advanced in price during the month. National Bank buyers raised their offers from £2 17/6 to* £2 19/3; South British Insurance from £2 14/ to £2 16/; Auckland Gas (old issue) from £13 to £13 5/, and new issue from £9 15/ to £10, sales being made at the latter figure.. Occasional enquiries were made for Napier, Gisborne and Wellington Gas shares, but no sales were reported at the prices offered.' Coal shares were neglected.

.Flour: Sales have only been of a hand to mouth description, as orders are {inly for immediate requirements, tfi'e market being without any animation.

Bran and sharps, are in good demand at full rates.

Wheat: Locally there is no change whatever in the position of the wheat market, but advices from Europe indicate a slight tendency toTvarcls easier prices.

Fowl wheat is very dull of sale, maize being relatively the cheaper fowl food.

Maize: The Waimana brought 3SO sacks of maize this week, the Waiotahi 396, and the Clansman 100. The bars are getting bad on the coast for want of freshes to clear out the mouths of rivers and boats are only able to get out with part cargoes. Export to Sydney cannot now he thought of, as the raising, of freights due. to quarantining of vessels leaves no margin of profit for shippers of maize at present rates, 2/4 being- the price for lines on the •wharf this week. • In Sydney the market is. reported to be steadier as all the weevily and American stocks have been cleared. The Aotea is now due with a cargo of maize from the Bay of Plenty. Potatoes: A good demand is reported for prime qualities, which are somewhat scarce at the moment. Southern potatoes are now coming up more matured. The price this Tveek is £3 5/ to £3 10/ per ton.

Oats: A very good inquiry is reported for oats as stocks held locally are very light, and any Coming forward are rapidly taken up at full rates.

; Grass Seeds: Very good business has been done in grass seeds. A large area is to be put down in grass this season, but farmers are waiting for rain to set in and soften the ground before commencing ploughing. Onions are lower in price, Southerns being offered freely at from £3 10/ to £4 per ton. Butter and Eggs: An advance oi 2a per doiten has taken place in the egg market as supplies have been Tery short this week. Dairy butter is now very scarce, as the long continued dry weather has considerably decreased supplies of milk. Had it not been for the fact that export to Europe has stopped for this season, and thus thrown factory butter on the local market-prices must have advanced ere this. As it is the market is well supplied by factories, and the price remains unaltered.