COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 218, 12 September 1907, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star Office, Thursday. 12th September, 1807. Although the business of the past wee * has shown an improvement, the effect oi the continued wet weathiT is being leit, and a brisk revival in the '.volume of orders is anticipated by the diatributing houses as soon as the rain finally stops, and allows the country traffic to resui oe its ordinary course. There are evidence- that money is rather tight in certain t lire.ctions, but no doubt the climatic -conditions must De held responsible for this to si'me extent. Buyers are still operating lightly witn those lines likely to be affects * by the reVised tariff. . Work on the wharves has bee ° -° m g on tinder difficulties during the last week The Hampton and Indraghiri have ."ompletea their discharge, and continued th* voyage South. The Zcalandia arrived from Sydney with .oneral cargo and transhipmen. ts, and on discharge left for Southern ports. ln e Victoria brou-ht up Southern cargo. "- nahas left for "Sydney. The Knmara has sailed for London "direct with a large cv'rgo of N.Z. produce. Expected arrivals inel-'de the Waihora and Katanga, from Calcuttadue this week, and the steamer Pondo, o. the Alley line, which left Vancouver for I Fiji and Auckland ori August 29, is due here ' about the 20th inst. ' ' SuTtanas. —Advices from London d.tecr August 2 report: "Although the prospects j are pood all round, and a low range or prices expected eventually, the markets generally are so bare that for early deliveries "there is likely to be a rush, with moderate figures ruling. Very few sultanas are offering for the first direct boat at anything like the prices ruling a fortnight ago; and to-day it would be difficult to parchase at higher rates, a"cd even then probably shipments would be delayed until the boat leaving Smyrna on the 3rd October. The bareness of stock in all markets will stimulate the demand at the beginning of tbe season, and moderately high prices are almost sure to prevail." Currants. —The prospects of the new crop are good, but as the percentage of retention is not yet known, operators abstain from entering into engagements. Local stocks are likely to be light before the arrival of the new "fruit by direct steamer. Dates. — The opening prices are likely to be high on account of the reported shortage of the crop. Figs.—lt is expected that opening quotations will probably be about the same level as last season, Cat are expected to fall away later. Cream of tartar.—The market is firm, and prices well maintained. Canned fruits.—Quotations have been received for Austixian fruit, spread delivery next year; but until- the extent of next season's American crop is ascer-

tamed, buyers are careful in purchasing. Sicily almonds. —Prices are firm, with an upward tendency. Tartaric acid.—The market remains steady at prices last quoted, •and is likely to be firmer. Sago and Tapioca.—Are a little easier. Ginger.— The market is strong, with prices firm, and not likely to go lower for the present. Herrings.—A season of high prices seems certain, as only moderate supplies for prompt shipment are procurable at last year's prices. This has been a brisk week on the Exchange as far as mining shares are concerned, although the higher priced stocks declined. This latter fact may, perhaps, be due to some extent to the fact that the end of this month is bank balancing, and, of course, Waihi and Talisman Consolidated shares are easily realised, and present quotations mean a large profit to some of the more fortunate holders. Waihi shares sold down to 173/, and at the late call yesterday Talismans changed hands as low as 45/9. The smaller return last month may have something to do with the lower prices ruling for these shares. A big falling off took place in the quotation for Waiotahi shares. When 10/ was reached a good many shares were bought by people who thought bottom had been touched; but yesterday morning sales were made as low __ 5/10; but at the late call up to 6/7 was 3_id. Crown shares sold at 6/11, and seem _r have a weaker tendency. Tairua Broken Hills failed to maintain the rise noted a week ago, and sales have been made from 6/11 down to 5/7. Ngatiawa shares, after -reaching afterwards liropped ;baick to 1/6. Tairua Triumph shares had a lot ' of attention during the week, many thousands of shares changing hands at from 1/ to 1/2 for contributing and 1/2 to 1/- for paid-up issues. A run- also took place on New Waitekauri shares, prices advancingfrom 1/1 to 1/7, with i__tyfc_a-h__-at-i/6-- Investment stocks had steady inquiry, although there were comparatively few .ales. Auckland Tram ordij-aty.-. jflfiue ■ hands at 24/3. "Buyers of Rimu timber shares advanced their offers to 23/, but no sales were reported. Both Wilsons and New Zealand Cement shares had steady demand, and ordinary issue of the former sold as -ugh as 35/ yesterday. N.Z. Insurance shares sold at 82/6 yesterday afternoon, and South British had steady inquiry at Jl4/. Bank shares, showed little change this week.

Potatoes.—Arrivals this week total 2500 sacks by the Zealandia, from Sydney, and another 600 sacks by the Victoria from the South. These are practically first arrivals of Southern-grown Derwents this year in any quantity, but as the total quantity coming to hand was only 3100 sacks, the supplies barely equalled requirements, and in conseq-ueoce values firmed 10/ per ton. The quotations this week stands at £5 5/, ex wharf, and £5 10/ ex store; for best quality potatoes. Reports from Tasmania indicate that the market "for potatoes there has improved somewhat, although values still remain low. The Sydney demand is expected to be better this month and next, as the growing crop in New South Wales is very backward. On this account Sydney is likely to draw from Tasmania towards the ena of the season. Southern values continue steady, but with any demand no doubt an ad-ranee would take j>lace_ Manures.—Owing to the extremely wet weather, business has been rather stack in bonedust and manures latterly. The s.s. fiarbut is due from Japan about the first of October, but as yet no definite information has been received regarding her having sailed. The Waihora, from Calcutta, is due with bonedust, but her shipments are understood to be light. Probably under 2000 tons will come for this port, which will not be enough for the requirements of the approaching turnip season.. Superphosphates will be in short supply until the arrival of the steamer from Japan, and the market is likely to be very bare by tint time. Bonedust continues firm in price. Best brands Of Sydney manufacture are quoted at £7 12/6, while pure green bonedust is in demand at £S per ton. Oats.—There is little fresh to report regarding the position of the oat market in this colony. The Canadian oats, ex Bucentaur, have all been distributed, and store stocks are now not heavy. The Southern market remains unchanged, Australian ,values • for oats have firmed slightly, but there is no life in the market, and it is probable that present prices will hold till the approach of the new season next January. The Pondo has sailed from Vancouver, but brings much smaller shipments of Canadian oats than did the last vessel. She should reach here about the end of the month. B grade oats are quoted at 3>o ex store, and to arrive next week, 3/4*. Agricultural Seeds.—Steady but" small business is being done in seed potatoes, Up-to-D*.tes, Early Rose, and Northern Starselling from 6/ to 7/ per cwt. Algerian seed oats have had steady business, but farmers are very much behind hand with their work this season, and it will probably be the latest for some years. Maize. —The only arrivals this week were 400 sacks by the Waiotahi and Mangapapa. The market shows no change on last week's prices, but the bare arrivals imported a firmer tone to business in maize. Further lines of Sydney maize are due on Monday next, but owing to its good quality this grain is now commanding figures equivalent to that ruling for local grain. Onions. —This market is very heavily supplied, and prices rule low. Victoria, which yielded such a heavy crop of onions this year, is practically supplying the whole eolotiy. A good deal of speculation, done some months ago. is leaving buyers with a very heavy loss. Repicked Victorian onions are offered at 7/-per cwt.

Fowl Wleat.—Owing to the recent advance in milling wheat, fowl feed is also nr.xter. At_h_ragh this is a high figure, still, for certain purposes, feeders most have the wheat. . The quotation this week is 4/8 ex wharf, and _r~ ex store.

Mi Bins Wlteat —The exceedingly strong feeling-indicated last week-is borne out by s_bseqT_ent Imsiness. In the meantime busine.. has ""been repbrted from London as nigh as 36/ per q narter.

Bran and _ha_rps.—Prices continue firm, as the demand is good, owing to the bad weather ___sing a scarcity of feed in the country d.-=tricts. It is q_±te probable that the dem_-i_ for bran will continue right np to October this year.

Floor.—The price of flour was advanced 5/ per ton yesterday, the present wholesale quotation being £11 15/ per ton, less discount.

Butter arid Eggs.—Egj»s continue to be sent in very freely, and the wholesale price dropped this week to 8d per dozen, at which figure there should be a good deal of preserving done for Christmas. Factory butter is still quoted at lid per lb wholesale; farmers' at 7d per lb.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS. Farm and Dairy Prottace.—Butter, factory, lid per lb, farmers' separator or dairy iutter. 7d per lb; fresh 'Sggs 8d per dozen •a'holesale; cheese, farmers' from 5d to 6_d p;r lb, factory, 6_d to W_ Grain.—Oats, B grace, 3/5, ex store; Algerian seed oats, 3/9; Southern milling whk™at, 4/8 to 4/9; to J.., sacks extra; fowl Whe_ t, 4/9, ex stot_ (sacks In); Tuscan seed -.vhea.": 5/9; maize, 3/6 flor wnolesale lines o.i tin- wharf. Pot_.oee, £5 10/, ex stcre; seed potatoes, Up-to-dS-ite, £6 per ton; Jieauty of Hebron ant' Early Rose and Norti-era Star, 7/ cwt. Flour, .£3l 15/ j»er ton (less discount); w_e-t__e_i, £11 15/ per ton Uess discount); shares, £5 17/_ per ton; bran, £5 wholesale. C_nff.-_.oc-_, £5 to £5 5/, ex store; Blenheim, £6 10/- ---| On-sons. — V-cro.-lan onkme, 7/ per cwt, ■__. store. Coal and Firewwod M_i__.ts.—Newcastle coal, at yard, 27/. per ton, delivered 32/; Westport, 30/; Taupiri, ba.t household, ton 23j', discount 1/ for cast.; half tons 15/, discount 6d; qucarfcer tons 7/9, discount 3d; delivered', 12 sack* to the ton —tons, 28/, for cash; picked st__n>, 12 sacks to the ton— tons 26/, discount 1/ for cash-; half tons 13/6, discount 6d for cash; quarter tons 7/3, discount 3d for cash. Firewood: tfneutat wtakirf, 7/ to 9f per ton; delivered, 12/ uncut, cnt 13/ to JG/.

HIDES AND SIj_NS. MESSRS. G. W. BINNEX AND SONS' HEBORT. At Tuesday's sale we again submitted very la_?e catalogues of bides, skins, tallow, etc. all b.i_-. cleared under good competition. Hides.-—Marla-t firm. Ox, extra stout 63d to 7_d. sjout Gd to 6id, HKxllum s}d to 53d, light _fd to sid; cow, best lines _fd to 4Jd. good 4id to -__d; stags, 3.d to 33d; calfskins, 6d to 6_d per lb. Sheepa__ns.—Prices advanced. Extrs. large to _/, large G/8 to 7/3, medium 5/6 to 6/3. small 4/ to 5/ each. Tallow.—Market rent-ins v*;ry firm. Best aj-ied to -_V. good 23/ to 2S/6, medium 23/ to 24A?. in? vior 20/ to 22/6 per cwt. Hough fin. 13d per lb. Cow Tails.—l/ 8 per dozen. Bones.—£4 15/ per ton.