COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8, 9 January 1908, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

"Auckland Star" Office, Thursday, January 9, 1908. The past two weeks have proved busy times for the retail houses, and we hear of very satisfactory results, the greater portion of the heavy stocks which have been held being disposed of. There has been an even demand for all seasonable lines, and the wholesale houses are now dealing with orders intended to level up stocks generally. Although the quantities of goods sold this season have exceeded past sales in many the consequent increase in the total figures will not be so apparent, owing to the lower prices ruling after the remission of duties. Reports from the country districts indicate that the favourable weather has been of great benefit, and the crops and farming operations generally have been materially assisted thereby. In the city the factories have resumed work, and are busily engaged with accumulated orders, and trade generally may be described as satisfactorily brisk. Work ou the wharves has been kept steadily going by arrivals. The Waihora, from Calcutta and Singapore, is at present discharging 3000" tons of Eastern cargo. The Hawke's Bay arrived from New York, and the Mokoia brought cargo and transhipments from Sydney. The Opawa is expected about the 16th to load wool, etc., for London, and the Star of Australia is also due shortly. The next of the Weir steamers, the Boverie, will be here somewhere near the 16th. Canned fruits have been in steady demand, and stocks are being reduced. Several good parcels have been sold for arrival, and prices are very firm. Jordan almonds are likely to see higher prices, and holdings have been considerably reduced. Sultanas.—lt is expected that these will experience an advance, but until the result of the Mildura crop is definitely known, it it difficult to speak with certainty as to the market. Quotations for Mediterranean fruit are higher. Seeded Raisins.—There is a continued good demand, and prices have a higher tendency. Currants may be expected to see a move upward. Sardines.—Prices still remain at an even level, but those shipments which were bought at enhanced prices will have the effect of bringing up the cost locally. Sago and tapioca seem to have reached their lowest, and prices are at present steady. Carraways and Pimento : The new crops are reported very poor, prices in consequence are higher, and likely to still further advance. Preserved Ginger.—Quotations for arrival are a shade easier. Camphor.—There has been no further , movement in the market, and figures remain steady. Carraway Seecjs.— In view of the reported poor crop, a move upward in values would not come as a surprise. Rice.—Although the market continues to be reported firm, no change takes place, and it is difficult to foresee any movement. Fungus.—The dry weather seems to have checked supplies, which are coming in slowly. The market shows no signs of recovering the firm position held lately, and it is uncertain how long present prices will be maintained. The Exchange resumed business after a fortnight's vacation last Monday, and the tone of the market was better than usual for the opening week. South British Insurance shares changed hands at 112/ and 112/6, while New Zealand Insurance shares sold at 82/ and 82/6. Transactions also took place iv Taupiri Coal at 20/6, and more could have been placed at threepence under that figure. Preference Wilson's Cement shares were sold at 42/6, with further demand at the same rate, and sales were made of Kauri Timber contributing issue at 9/2, and a good deal of business was dove in mining shares. May Queen opened much firmer, sales being made up to 2/3, but later on 1/11 was accepted. Old Hauraki shares also sold freely, advancing from 2/ to 2/3. Karangahakes opened at about 2/, but dropped next day to 1/5, again reaching 2/1 yesterday afternoon. Victoria shares sold at 1/8 and 1/7. and Waiotahis at 3/1 and 3/2, while for Waitangis up to 3/4 was paid. Tulrua Broken Hills sold from 4/4 to 4/2, bnt Golden Belts were offered at 2/11, while for Tairua Triumph contributing issue buyers were willing to give 2/1. Champions opened firmer, bnt eased subsequently, contributing issue being sold down to 4/2. Crowts sold freely at steadily falling rates, namely from 7AO to 6AO, the latter price being accepted yesterday afternoon. Talisman Consolidated- opened at 52/6 to 53/. but later sales were at 51/9. Waihi shares also declined in price, being sold as low as 164/6. The biggest drop, however, was in Grand Junctions, sales being made at 22/6 and 23/. The latter is due to a fall in London. Ngatiawa shares have remained with sales at 2/, and buyers at the same rate. The kauri gum market opened a little better, if anything, solely due to sellers being more willing to accept the prices offered for superior ordinary, but dark gums are not in much request. Evidently the diggers have not yet gone back to work after the holidays, as. so far, only 55 tons of gum have been sent in. As regards the stocks held in London, it may be pointed out that the average held in 1907 was 980 tons, while in 190(5 it was 1235 tons, and in 1905. totalled 962 tons. The average monthly stocks for 1907 was 179 tons, the previous lowest monthly average being ISO tons in 1902. The delivery average for 1907 was 243 tons, and for 1902 the figure was 240 tons. The stock in London on December 31st was 628 tons. It would therefore seem as if buying for the London market must set in ,agaiu before long. Potatoes. — The local market is now entirely supplied with tho new crop of potatoes, old ones being now a thing of the past as far as this season is concerned. Supplies of new coming to hand now, are about equal to requirements, and the quality, on the whole, is reported to he good, although samples run on the small side, so far. There is an absence of blight this year in most districts, Pukekohe growers especially having escaped the ravages of the disease this season. The quotation for best new potatoes at present is £12 per ton, inferior and small samples selling down to one half-penny per pound. Onions. — The new local crop is now jnst coming on to the market, and the j quality, so far. seems fair. Only about j : 100 sacks of New South Wales onions came' to hand this week. Locally grown onionopened at 10/ per cwt, but with a downword tendency, and the quotation Is now 8/ to 8/6, according to quality. Oats. — The market for this grain continues very weak, and prices show a further decline, B grade being quoted at 3/4, ex store, and 3/3, ex wharf. There is every indication that the new crop of oats in the South will turn out better than that of lest season. Maize. — Arrivals of maize have been extremely light this week and, in consequence, this market is bare. The price, therefore, remains steady at 4/5 for wholesale lines on the wharf. Chaff. — The market is still well supplied with old chaff, the heavy stocks which came to hand a couple of months ago, are now being slowly worked off. As the new chaff is not yet fit for feeding purposes; there is still a good demand for the old. The price for local chaff is £5 10/ per ton, I sacks in. and for Southern another 15/ per ton is asked. Fowl wheat Is a shade easier, there being steady businrss at 5/4. Bran and Sharps. — An advance of 5/ per ton took place in the price of sharps this week, the figure now being £6 7/6 per ton, and bran is meeting with fair demand at late rates. Oatmeal. — The local mills reduced the price of oatmeal to £16 per ton for ''o's this week " ' Milling Wheat. — There are practically no offerings at present. Butter and Eggs are unaltered in price. AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS. Farw and Dairy Produce—Butter, factory, 1/ per lb, farmers' separator or dairy butter, «d per lb; fresh eggs, lOd per dozen who esale; cheese, farmers' from 5d to 6Jd ( Per lb, factory, 6Jd to 7d. Grain. — Oats, B grade, 3/4, ex store; -outnern milling wheat, 6/. f.0.b.. sacks extra; fowl wheat, 5/4, ex store (sacks in); maize, 4/5, for wholesale lines on the wharf. Potatoes — Best new potatoes, £1° ncr ton. * Flour. — £11 15/ per ton (less discount): wheatmeal, £11 13/ per tou (less discount); sharps £6 7/0 per ton; brau, £5 5/, wholesale; Oatmeal, £16 per ton for 25's Chaff. — Southern, £6 5/, local £5 10/ per ton. ' Onions — Local, 8/6 to 8/. Coal and Firewood Markets.—Newcastle coal, at yard, 27/ per ton, delivered' _■>> Westport, 30/; Taupiri, best household, ton 29/, discount 1/ for cash: half tons 15/ discount 6d; quarter tons 7/9, discount 3d : delivered, 12 sacks to the ton—tons, 28/ for cash; picked steam, 12 sacks to the ton— ,V%? V *°r cash; half tons lap, aiscscßt-fid for casbj-icarter-tftßa ,i

discount 3d for cash. Firewood: Uncut, at wharf, 7/ to 9/ per toa; delivered, 12/ uncut, cut 13/ to 16/. Building Materials.—Bricks, 55/ per 1000; pressed bricks, 90/ per 1000; 2-inch fire bricks, £8 per 1000; 3-inch ditto, £9 pet 1000. 1 Timber.—Ordinary building timber, undressed, up to 24ft long, gin to lin or more in thickness, and from 3in up to l_ia wide, first-class 20/, medium 17/; sec-ond-class . 12/ per 100 feet: undressed boards, up to 24ft long, not exceeding I2in wide and Am thick, 17/, 15/, 9/; rough heart palings, sft x 6in x Jin. 2S/ per 100 palings; rough heart palings. Oft x Gin x Jin, 31/ per 100 palings; rough lining boards, 9in x Jin, S/0; wide boards, 6d per 100 ft superficial extra for every inch in width over 12in and up to 18in; over ISm up to 24in, 9d; over 24in to 30in, 1/; 30in to 42in, 1/6; over 42in by arrangement; rough heart, 17/6 per 100 ft; superficial; super planing, 1/ per 100 ft extra; planed both sides, 1/6 per 100 ft, extra, three and four sides, 2/ ditto. Flooring boards: Planed, tongued, and grooved, 22/6, 19/6, 14/6. Lining boards: Planed, tongued, grooved, beaded or V jointed, 22/, 19/, 14/. Feather-edge weather boards, planed and shot: Out of l*in material, face measurement, 21/, 18/, 13/; out of liin material, face measurement, 20/, 17/, 12/. Rusticated and special weather boarding, 22/6, 19/6, 14/6. HIDE'S AND SKINS MARKET. Messrs. G. W. Binney and Sons' report: On Tuesday we submitted very large catalogues of hides, skins, tallow, etc. Hides: Market easier, especially for cow and light-weight hides. Ox, extra stout, ffijd to *id; stout, 6d to 6>>d; medium, sid to 33d; light, 43d to sid; cows, best lines, 3?d to 4Jd; good. 31 to 3id; stags, 2d to 21d; calfskins, 31d to 4d; scored, sloppy, and damaged hides meet with very little inquiry. Sheepskins: Large to 6/: medium, 4/6 to 5/6: small, 3/6 to 4/3. Pelts and lambskins: Best, to 1/7: others. 1/ to 1/4 each. Tallow: Best mixed, to 26/6; good, 2-1/ to 25/6; medium, 22/ to 23/6; inferior, 18/ to 21/ per cwt. Bought fat: ljd per lb. Cow tails: 1/8 per dozen. Bones: £4 15/ per ton.