COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 74, 27 March 1919, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

BUSINESS LOCALLY QUIET. Auckland '-Star , ' Office, ; Thursday, March 27,1919. ' Business in most lines is reported "quiet" week, and we are inclined to think '!!! condition will continue until local t fes are reduced to normal, and a better f.° can i, c formed of future values. The market is not .-so panicky as It was a month two ai-'o. but even so, prices are still . " frurn steady. Au English review gives I very interesting notes on the trend I jjprfces in the textUe trade. The opinions I reused arc based ou consultation with j Wing manufacturers. importers, whole- ! talers, shippers and Chambers of Com- , * rce The report states that undoubtedly i "here is a shortage of raw materials and j anufaetured articles, and a world | {.mine of textile goods. It is mely that this condition will ' prevail for several months to come. Dra- .. (inurt, it i- mentioned, have at least twice a s much capital lucked up lv stocks ,s they had before Hie war. in consequence of the greet increase in prices, but it is considered that this need cause no undue alarm. The onlonding of s-tooks by forced gales is strongly deprecated, the view held being that if this policy is followed it will very probably b<- n-gretted afterwards. COTTON, i.INi:N AND JVTE. It is poll'.leil ■"•■it :tiar iho nv t .rag«- time required for Iliu raw material to become j a maniifa'' l "'"''' 1 article in printed, dyed, or • finished goods, is abnnt nine months—for J plain grey cloth*, three t.. fnur months. , The present hu'ti prices for many cotton J Mods are likely to !>•■ maintained for i another "Is tnutitn* l , out inaj t>t* easier afterwards. The nialntenunee of sales for ■ printed ami fancy cutton goods is also considered likely for a similar period, while the prices fur linen, hexslnn, and ether jute i fabrics should also be maintained. ! PRODUCE MAUKEXS. Tuo produce markets are very uncertain at tbe present time, owlug to the varied factors affci i;ng prices. When the State prohibits tbe expurt of potatoes, for instance, thai Interferes with the calculations USm'U which operations were based. The sudden lifting of such an embargo might have the effect of again disorganising the markets, as heavy export from the South would necessarily mean less potatoes to come this way Inter In the year. Even the tine harvest this season has upset the market in various lines, and merchants who had bought ahead have now to face a loss. In fact just now may be termed the 6og days in the produce trade, as far as importers are concerned. j POTATOKS. ! The local market Is still dependent upon the local crop. uud as this is now getting dug out price* hii re tinned a little siuce last report. Southern potatoes .ire expected to -each this market lv two or three weeks' time. The quality of the Southern potatoes is reported to be very good this leasuu. Although the area under potatoes was sum Her this year in the South, the yield heinir ninch heavier than usual will age in acreage. The market In Canterbury has advanced 10/ per ton since last report. ONIONS. New Canterbury onions are now on this market, wholesale lines costing merchants £8 3/ per tun on the wharf at Auckland. It was thought thnt onions from New Zealand could he exported at a profit to Australia, which would, of course, have firmed prices at this end, but latest advices Indicate that Tnsmauiau grown onions are preferred, as those from New Zealand are too large to suir the taste of the Sydney buyers. A couMgnuient. that wag: -sent to Sydney only left the shipper nominal profits, not commensurate with the risk. They did not iret within £2 per ton of prices paid in Sydney for onions from Victoria.

MAIZE. Very little maize is orriving from the Coast, therefore the market is a little firmer this week. Wholesale lines are quoted nt 6/0 to 7/ per bushel (nominally). ?x wharf, br.t the tendency of the market appears to be towards higher prices for this grain. FOWL WHEAT. Thin market Is still kept supplied with fowl wheat from Australia. Further small sniuments are due to arrive by the Niagara within the next few days. It would appear that the supply of fowl wheat from the new crop In the South will not be large this year, owing to the excellence of the grain aud the tinr> harvesting weather. This means more wheat for milling purposes, and less rejected lots to be sold for fowl feed. OATS. There N very little change to report this week in the unt market. The new crop in Southland will soon be ready for market. Quotations stand at 3/0 for B grade Gartons, ami :i/ll for A grade f.o.b. at Southern ports. The yield in Southland is reported to lie an exceedingly good one this year. There s«ems very little prospect of Australia taking any large quantity of nnts from New Zealand this year, so that the chance of iin upward move in price seems somewhat unlikely. CHAFF. Fair quantities of local chaff of good quality ;i re being sent in to this market, end the price remains unaltered this week. Ihere are stocks of chaff to be drawn upon when required from M.irlborough and other £-? treSl where the holdings are very heavy tils year owing to the excellent yield. HAY. The yield of hay is so large In the Auckland district this year fiat difficulty is experienced in securing a market for lines offering. A Rale of meadow hay at £3 10/ Per ton on trucks at country station Is reported this week, and that is looked upon as a high figure to have been paid. RRASS AND CLOVER SEEDS. Now that rain Ims set In farmers will he Mile to prepare the lanti for putting down new pasture, but everything points to a eem.iufl for grass and clover feeds much binder the average of former years. WHOLESALE CURRENT PRICES. Farm and Dairy Produce. —Factory butter, 1/6 per lb., less rebate for prompt payment: farmers' butter, 1 Id. per lbl ; farmers' chefse. OJd. per 111. : factory cheese, lOd. to lojd. per lb.; hams, 1/2} per lb. ; bacon. 1/2J per lb: esj;s, duck 2/, hen 2/2 per dozen wholesale. Flour. i"ir. iloss dlrii-ount of 25 per cent.) Per ton. in 2001b sacks; sharps. £S 10/ (nominal): bran. £>! 10/; oatmeal (23's), £33 13/ per ton. <;r:iin. Oats. .-./<> per bushel; fowl wheat, "/B e.\ store; maize, f>. ti, wholesale lines on the wharf. CbalT.—,Xew local. £8 per ton at station. Potatoes. —Local. £8 10/ to £9 per ton. Onions— New. local, 9/C per cwt, ci store. MANURES. The market for superphosphates in Australia is reported to have taken a sharp advance, which wil.l no doubt react on Prices here to a certain extent. Stocks of bonediiMt have run very Short locally, and there is difficulty now in securing suppliesfrom Australia. The last steamer from Calcutta did not bring any bonedust, and it must lie some lime before any can ne pit from that nuarter. The export of slag ■has been prohibited by the British Government as it is understood it «-ill all be wanted fi>r Home requirements this year at least. PItAN A.YD SHARPS. Supplies of both these lines are very sfli'irt I'rohubly the rain that has fallen ■will hive the effect of causing a good STftwlh nf grass before the winter, and thus lessen i he demand for bran for feeding , dairy sto^-k. ON 'CHA-SGIS. I'i-ices are well maintained for investment sto.-fcs on ilianic. l.ut there has uot been niiii-h business transacted since lust report. Natl, ma! Hark Khun* "ere sold at £G 8/8 and £(! !!,!> during the week. A tale was also re]Kirted In National Insurance shares at £l 18./, while New Zealnnds were asked for nt £12 12 . and South British at £7 10/, offer.,. Timber shares had more attention this week, hut no sales were reported at thu prices offered. Walhi Grand Junction Fliiirt-s bad sales at 12 1. and for Fanners , Preczlna shares par was offered, while Fanners' Auctioneering could be placed at £•"> 10/. Coal and gas shares were in reQuest at late rates Nur'vern Boots had ttead* borers at 17/.

FA.T STOCK MARKET. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report "WcstUcld fat ' stock market on Wednesday beef was penned In smaller numbers than usual: competition was keen, and prices improved, j . Choice ox to £2 11/ per 1001b, others £2 8/ : to £2 do/ per 1001b; row and heifer bee£ I , sold at from £2 4/ to £2. 9/ per lOOlb. Steers : Bold at fmra £14 5/ to £21 15/; cows and ! iclfers sold at from 10/ to £14 17/ G. borne of the averages were:—EJght steers from Mr. If. Bregman, Waluku, £M 13/9; S steers from Mr. B. R-eld, Waerensa, £20 "{: 16 steers from Mr. Jas. Given, Waluku, *i« ii/ 3; 7 steens from Mr. X. Short, Matauaata, £17 16/y : 3 18-months steere from same vendor, £12 5/; s steers Iroui Walkato, fib o/; 7 cows from Mr. Jas. Taylor, Cam■bridge, £11 1,1/3; 3 18-inuntbs hellers same ! vendor, £10. Calve* came forward in small 1 numbers, and improved 10/ to £1 a head for .good vealere and runners, the latter especially bfcing short of requirements. Runners solU from £5 3/ to .7 10/; heavy vealers, £1 ' 10/ to £-4 17/U, medium £2 ¥1/ to £3 0/, I light £1 18/ to £2 10/; freah-dropped, 4/ to ; I£l '-•>/. p Sheep were penned lv scarcely \ \ average numbers. The market showed a ! I 'firmer tone, and ■prices improved on late 1 I sales. Best wethere tl 5/ to £-J, medium i xl 10/0 to £1 14/9. small and unfinished £1 : 4/51 to £1 t>, V: best ewes £1 8/ to £1 14/6, medium £1 3/ to £1 7/0, small 18/ to £1 ! —/Tl. Lauibti were penned in average uum- \ |bers, and sold at late rates. Best £1 .">/ i to £1 0/0, medium IS to fl 4/9. small 13/ ; to 17/0: 33 lambs irom Mr. W. Duder, : Maraetai, ±1 0/4. IMgs were yarded in average numbers, and continue firm for all : butchers , sorts at late improved values. No ciioppers yarded. Medium to heavy baconers £"» to 0 2/6, light baconers £4 3/ to £4 11)/; heavy porkers d 15/ Ui £4 4/, medium £3 j .">/ to Ci 14/, small £2 5/ to 3 4/; weavers (good) 16/ to £1 1/, others (small) 0/ to 13/. Messrs Alfred Ruckland and Sons re-port: Yesterday, at our weekly Wcs-ttielrl fat ■ stork market, we penned fat rattle to tim ! I number of ifcfii bend, comprising 244 steem, . 17."> cows and heifers, and 4 bulls. There - , was Improved demand, with a further advance In values, prime ox beef being very J firm. ruoire ox sold to £2 12/ per 1001b; i prime ox. £2 9/ to C 11/ per 1001b; rousil Innt] plain beef, £1 15/ to £2 5/ per 1001b; cow and heifer beef, £2 to a 7/ per lOOlb. .steers ranged In price from £10 10/ to £22, ;the latter price for a steer from KereoDn Kstate, Morrlnsvillp; cows and heifers £7 10/ to £16; bulls, £8 to £lti 10/. The highest averages for eteere were:—Eight from Mr. i J Wm. Taylor, (ireeuhill, Te Awamutu, £21 6/3; 7 from the Kereonp Estate Marrlim- ! ville. £20 14/3; 7 from Mr. M. Mcl.nughlln, I rapatuetoe. iIH V.i/fl: 8 from Mr. W. I ) W right. Otaua, Wulukn, £10 12/G; 8 from Mr. A. L. Hunt. Te Kuiti, £13 11/3: So from Mr. A. Mulr, -sen., Maugere, £18 7/10; S from Mr. W. C. Ring, Himiera, £18 2/2; 0 from Messrs. Kirkness Bros., Matamata. £17 IT,."!; 10 from the North. £17 1-2/: 9 from Mr. F. I'otts. I'irongia, £17 10/; 13 from Orakei. iiie-10/; 9 from Mr. C. Hill. Ohinewai. £16 16/11; IS from Mr. T. BlsrholT, Tauhoa. £15 7/S: 0 from Messrs. Costall ißros., Wnharoa, £15 4/0; 10 cows from Mr. j Jas. Taylor, Bardowie, Cambridge, £13 5/9. I There was only a moderate yarding of shei-p, and a big proportion were of inferior quality. J'rices for these remained uiirhansed, but all prime muttou was con- ! sldcrably firmer. Heavy prime wethers, £1 I ,17, to t£"2; no extra heavy prime wethers I penned: medium to heavy prime weHiers, £1 13/ to £>1 10/«: Us-ht fat wethers. £1 ■S/U to £1 12/; unfinished wethers, ,1 3/! to £1 !)/: extra benvy prime ewes, fl 10/ to £1 14/6; good fat ewes. £1 5/ to £1 !)/; lighter fat ewes. £1 1/ to £1 4/; other ewes. 10/e to ID/. (l>lo2 sheep sold.) Tin- 2fW lambs that came forward were required and met with a keen sale. Best heavy prime lambs. £1 S/ to M 11/. A pen or 7 extra Rood shorn black-fared lambs from Mr. W. Duder. Maraetnl, made the record price of £2 0/8; lighter fat lambs. £1 4/ to £1 7/6; ' light fat lambs, d"l 1/ to £1 3/; unfinished, I 14/ to 18; stores, 8/ to 12/6. The 01 fat I •and young calves fully maintained last week's improved rates. ilunncm made ' from £5 13/ to £7 2/6 for an 18-months I steer; vealers, heavy £4 to 5 5/. medium I £3 to £3 iIS/, light €2 to £2 IS/, small and i fresh-dropped 6/ to £1 15/, There was ] amain a full market of pigs. Including a large number of slips and weaners. Competition , w-fls keen for nil fnt pigs; strong weaners ; . were also wanted, but the weaker ones were , ' npjrltjctGcl. Lfjirjjo ctiopporfi ;ithl hpuvv . baconers made from £(i 15/ to fl) 8/6; small cho-ppers and light bacouers, £4 15/ to 16 , 110/: porkers, lnrge £l 15/ to £4 12/. medium I£3 -V to £3 .lSAunholl ££"*&/ to £3 3/ nu- ; ; finished fil 15/ to 2 5/, slips £1 to £1 12/6 weaners 10/ to IS/, small and weedy 5/ to

Palgety and Company, Limited, report having held their weekly fat stuck sale at West-Hold on Wednesday, as under:— Beef— 'Moderate yarding, priced were a shade advanced on lute rates. Prime ox sold at £2 12/ per KKIlb. medium quality £2 «/ to £2 8/; cut, £2 .V to £2 10/ Veal— Smiill yarding, and prices were better than last week. Runners made £7 to U £2 a 4/ BUCkers i 2 14/ to £3 12 /> otQers 9/ Mutton—Medium yarding. and prices were aTjout 2/ higher than last week. Gocml wethers made from £1 17/ to £1 10/ heavy quality ewes to 31/, light 22/ to 25/ Lamb— Average yarding, which sold at late rotes. Good quality lambs 22/, medium W to 20/. others 11/ to £1. iPork—Big yarding, and prices were about the same as last week. Heavy banners to £11 6/, porkers £2 5/ 'to £3 15/. AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report:— On Thursday last, at Westaeld, we had a full yarding of liotli dairy cows, heifers store tattle, and sheep. The demand ami quotations for dairy and store cattle was the came as last week's report. The competition for store ewes was keener, and we report a good clearance at improved pricesF.f.m. ewes, 16/6 to £1 1/6; f.m. ewes, 10/ to l."i/ 9: inferior and broken-mouthed ewea, <t/6 to 9/6; iambs, woolly, 11/ to 14/ D: j shorn, 0/0 to 13/9; two-tooth wethers is/ to £1 4/0. ' At Waluku, on Saturday, we held our monthly sale, when there was a fair yarding. Dnlry cows and lieifera £0 to £15 ">/• 'hulls. £5 to £112: empty cows and heifers, £« to £8 10/: calves, best. £1 15/ to £2 t>f. ofheits 10/ upwards; yearling to 18-months heifers. £4 2/6 to £7 5/; fat cows, £9 5/ to £13; fat steers. £13 to £IS. A large number of pig» also sold at satisfactory prices. At Tunkau, on Tuesday, we held a clearing sale on account of Mr. W. R. Clark. Hnrrlsvlllp. There was a large attendance, despite the inclement weather, and a good sale resulted. Dairy cows sold at from £9 15/ to £16; iS-months heifers, £6 12/(i; heifer calves, £2 7/6; bull, £3 15/; buggy, £15. On Monday, at Tak.ipun.l. we had a laiver 'yarding than usual, and report a total clearance, with the exception of three or four head. Nothing of quality entered in dairy cows; a nice-quality small Jersey heifer made £10 10/: other heifers. £6 10/ to £9 5/; empty cows. £4 10/ to Eβ 5/; pooroom'ltloned heifors for rlnlry purposes. £H to £5 5/: calves. 15/ to £2 13/: bulls, £5 2/0 • to £12, according to weight and quality. : Alfred Buckland and Sons, .Limited, re- ' port:— At the Haymarket. on Friday last, horses were yarded in full numbers. Young, active 'medium draughts brought from £24 to £32; plough horses, £34 to £23; light harness class. £7 10/ to £16. An exceptionally good-paced buggy mare realised £20. Oig ponies, £4 to £18 10/: backs, £C 5/ to £18; aged draughts, £8 to £21. About the usual number of dairy ana store stock were penned at Westtield on Thursday. First-class dairy cows aud heifers at profit are wanted, other sorts are dull of sale. Best cows made from £14 to 18- second grade cows, £10 to £13; others, £->' to £S- best springing heifers £12 to £14, I others £S to £10 10/, small £5 to £7 10/; 'empty cows, £5 5/ to £7 13/; ls-montbs ' heifers £4 to £5 15/: calves £1 '>/ to to. ! weedy 10/ to 18/; full-mouthed ewes, 14/ to 1 i IS/- 'two-tooth owes, IS/6: two and fourtooth wethers. £1 to £1 8/8; cull ewes, 8/ to 11/6- woolly lambs, 11/ to 14/8; shorn | ln Cer e S VaVa 1/<s iarse attendance at the clearfnl w"e held on account of Mr. W. J. ! Greenwood. I'arWe, on Monday, and •'ooil vilues were realised. \t Waltakaruru, on Friday last, there was a- moderate yarding, consisting chiehy <■„,,!." stock Buvere were in attendance i nilctie-illv everything was sold. Fat ''"IS heifers nude from £S> to £10 17/<i. Tor* cows £4 10/ to £S. IS-month cattle £5 store em" / a calves £2 10/ to £3 10/, others £1 16/ to i£2 2/. HIDES, SKIN* AM> TALLOW. ; nnl'etv ami Company. Ltd.. report having held their weekly sale of hides, etc.. 1 on Tuesday as follows:— Market very bare, ami extreme prices I "nides-Best butchers' hides: Ox stout i"*il to l-"d loerlluni lid to l-'d. light 10,ld 1 to 11W Cow, best lid to lljd. light 10.1 t<. ; iJd- VeaTlinw. KM to Hid: calfskins, best ' i-d heavy nun meaty 1"d to 13d: rut. dam•ured or d'irtv hides at :td to (id less. ' Tallow—Tins, 22/ to 28/; casks, 22/ to i 1/3 to 1/6J; <mane, 10d. I Bones, iS per ton.

Messrs. G. W. Binney and Sons report for 23th March: — Hides. —Cow, best IOJd to lOJd; medium, 10d to lOJil; rough, Ud to U*d; scored, to Bjd; cut, o*d to 7*d. Ox, extra heavy, l'Jjd to loil; heavy, 12d to Viiii; medium, lljd to 12d; light, lid to Hid; cut, !>id to 10(1; damaged, Old 'to 7d. Yearling, Oid to 10d; cut 7sd to 8d; damaged, old to (id. Calf, good, 16d to 18d; medium, 14d to , 15d; heavy, lid to lljd; damaged, 7Jd to ; USd- cut, Ojd to 10d. Horse, 9/ to 10/; medium, 8/ to S/G; small, 0/ to 6/; cut, 4/ to V 6. Tallow. —Casks, best 32/ to 34/ per cwt; medium, 30/ to 31/0; ordinary, 30/ to 31/. Tins, best 27/; ordinary, 25/; dressy and burnt, 22/. Bones.—Good dry, £7 10/ to £S per ton. NORTHERN" STOCK SALES. Messrs. Dalgety and Company. Ltd., report of their March sheep fairs at Kaikohe and Ohaeawai. and cattle sales at Broadwood on March 13, Taheka March 17, Itangiahua March 18, KaiUolie March 19, and Ohaeawai March 20, as follows:— Cattle at all points came forward in fair numbers, quality and condition being good throughout. Owing to the continued dry , weather prices were In favour of buyers. I There was a fair inquiry for young cattle, ' l>ut practically no demand for grown sorts. I Quotations nre as follow:— I Cattle —2} to 3-year steers, £7 15/ to ' £10 10/; iS-moiHlis to 2-year eteerß, £4 13/ to £7 -V; yearling steers. £?> 5/ to £4 10/; weaners (good demand for quality) irp to £3 10/- fat cows, £S 10/ to £11: cows and calves. £5 13/ to £S 3 "/: 2-year and 2t-ve-ir heifers in calf. £5 to £7 10/: yearling lieifers (gowll £2 10/ to £3 10/; mixed sox weaners. £1 5/ to £2 15/. Slieep-—Fat wethers, 2.1/ to 2S/C; store •wethers, forward condition to 25/8, medium quality 18/ to 21/: fat ewes, 21/6 I to 2.V; SjXI. breeding ewes, 11/ to 14/2; 2, I 4. and 6-tooth ewes, 1!)/ to 2'S/H; an escep- , tionnlly good line of 2-fcooth wethers 23/!>. ' others IR/ to 20/; shorn lambs (good), !>/ ] to 11/: others 4/0 to 7. 0; woolly lambs 12/ to 14/2. others 7/6 to »/. FEILDING STOCK SALE. Messrs Abraham and Williams. Limited, report tliat at FellUing on the -Ist instant they had a good entry of both sheep and cattle. All cattle yarded were sold under the hammer. Ewes were not In demand, most lots failing to reach the vendors' reserves. Good lambs sold well. We quote:. Shnei)- Fat ewes, HO/ti to 2?,/:i; 5-year ewes, 13/0. 13/:«, IS/9, to 1!>/.>; f.ui. ewes, 7/10. 11/, to 11/0: two-tooth wethers. 24/1, 24/6. to ''4/11; mixed two-tooths, 17/6 to 1!)/: lambs, 12/8. 13/3. 15/8, IC/, to 16/G; bf lambs, 0/1, "A 7/fi. 8/a, to 10/; cull lambs, 4/: i. ~>,, 5/10. 7/10, to S/7. Cattle: Forward cows. £7. £0, to £9 1/; store cows, £4 2/6. £3. £5 15/. to £« 10/; cows, r.w., p.a., | bull £10 V. spritmiug cows. £14 15/ to £10 5/; two-year steers, £0. £S 2/. to £8 10./; IH.inoiitli steers. £4 to £4 7/6; IS-month heifers. £4 to £4 15/; mixed weaners. £1 2/ | to £2 4/i bulls, io ///, £10 2/6, £11 17/0, £12 j I/, to £13 5/. J

ALDINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHKIST.CIIL'IU'H, Wednesday. At AddiugUm market to-day tbere were I much .smaller yarulugs of fat stock, and | prices of everything recovered to almost tlie .rates ruUng before the previous week's drop. ■The rise In fat lambs was :U>uul 3/, m rat 1 sheep 2/ to 4/ per head, and prime cattle to 23/ per head. Tlie store sheep market wus o little firmer, without actual , Improvement iv prices, except lor ewes. Store cattle also met with better sale. If the sou-wester that set in the day before ilmd brought more rain no doubt the stock • market would have been liriner. Dairy cows were in good demand, but pigs were rather dull of sale. Store Sbeep—Two-tooth owes, good IAV to 2D/3, others 20/S to -Jo/H; four, six and eight-tooth ewes, tffi/o to la/3; soundmouthed ewes, 7/ to 11/; two-toolh wethers. 17/10 to 2(5/1; mixed lambs, Hl/t> to 17/1; wether lambs, l:i/7 to 17/. iKat Sheep— Wethers, prime 32/ to 3!)/(3, medium 27/ti to 31/0, lighter 25/ to 27/; ewes, prime 30/ fo 3(5/6, medium 10/ to 29/6, lighter 'in/ to 25/0. I .Fat Lambs —Kxtra prime to 33/, prime 127/ to ao/e. medium '24/ to 'M/ii, lighter i ]!>/■» to 'S6/<\. I Fat Cattle—Steers, e.vtra prime to <u« ')<)/, prime iiri to CO. ordiuary £!) 5/ to £14 id/; lielfers, prime t'H> to i"l 4 10/, ordinary £« 7/t> to £!) 10/; cows, prime £11 to £ii:! 15/, ordiuary £7 7/6 to ill! 1.1 . Store Cattlu—Calves, 20/ to CJ 3/; 18----months f3 10/ to £4 10/, extra to £8 2/tt: ■JA-year steers to £0 lfl/6: dry cows, £4 to fiS: bulls, £5 10/ to £15; dairy cowo, £7 to £17. £4 17/« to £!) ."/; liaconcr.s, £4 17/(i to £S. equal to £>Jd a lb; porkers, i 2 17/t> to £4 2/6, equal to HOJd a Mi; stores, best £S I<>/ to £3 1">/, medium £! 2/ to £.", smaller :«/!> lo 40/; weaners S/G to IS/. I NEW ZEALAND DKITt COMPANY, ' LIJIITKiD. I DIVIDEND I>ECLAftMD. Tho directors of Keurptuorne, Prosser and Co."? .New Zealand Drng Company, Lrtmited. have declared'a dividend at the rate of 4$ per cent, for the .half-year, ■nuking S per cent, for the year, payable on and after 'March 28. (A. and X.Z. Cable.) LONDON MAKKETS. LONDON, March 25. Copper.—On spot, £78; three months, £74 7/6. ! Lead.—On spot, £29; three months, £27. Spelter.—On spot, £39; three months, £37 ioy. Tin.—On spot, £237; three months, £230 10/. I Silver. —3/11J per standard ounce. I New liatg at Fowlds' to select from. The biggest range in tlie Dominion.—The J Arcade Hat Shop.—(Ad.)