COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 169, 17 July 1919, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

■WHOLESALE AJTD RETAIL^ TRADE COXDITIOXS UNFAVOURABLE. "Auckland Star" Office. Thursday, July 17. The stagnation of commercial enterprise and industry caused through curtailment of transport is the most serious setback this country has as yet experienced. With peace now assured there is a world-wide recognition that the scope for trade was never wider. America, though also suffering from industrial unrest, yet is prepared for and is already sending supplies to all parts of the EWorld, taking full -advantage of empty markets. Our action here, as also in England, in curtailing transport, either 03----shortage or high cost of coal, is giving America every advantage, thus reflecting on viir own prospects to retain commercial

The shipping trouble in Australia is hanging up large stocks of goods for New Zealand firms. The removal »f the restrictions on the price at which rice may be sold has not affected the position very much in ti:e Dominion, as further stocks are nor likely ro be got across from Australia until -tie strike is ended. At latest quotations in the Commonwealth, eveu if ships were available, the landed cost here would be about £40 ro £45 per ton: but. of course, these figures may be due to some extent to the present labour troubles over there. iSago and tapioca have also advanced in Australia. Mildimi currants have also firmed in price in Australia. Xew Zealand merchanrs have bought ahead, but are waiting shipping facilities to get stocks across. Bonedust and superphosphates are also blocked from shipment from Australia owing to the stocks of the former line being now practically exhausted in Auckland. The high pri.-e of rice has had the effect of Increasing the cost of starch.

'I lie winter period recognised by the farmins < -omamnity to be most advantageous for reconstruction works, overhauling. et<-., -which through promised increased production and output for coining season being much in excess of previous "seasons, makes 31 imperative to construct within a short -period necessary additions: yet. through drastic action of Government, it is impossible to set the necessary material, though pointing to the certainty that factories will not be able to cope with the demand put on them. This action will reflect throughout tbe coming season unless prompt action is (taken to put traffic back to ordinary schedule, for after all. the prosperity of o-,:r country depends on the farming comttnucity. and anything which threatens to Interfere with their prodnction or export of productions must and will be felt by tbe whole community. Small stocks of rice held by local merchants have now been cleared, and markets jgre barren. Tea.—The general tone of the market is firmer, especially Orange Pekoe and Pekoes, which both show considerable rise in price, tvith more animated demand. Coffee beans are still advancing, and prospects are for record values. The tone of general lines remains firm, -with an upward tendency. Hardware. —Merchants report business brisk, quite a quantity of orders being supplied by boat service, which is taking full advantage of opportunities offered, but Tbusiness with inland towns naturally is at a. standstill through the attitude of the railway. Prices still are firming, and stocks are" low. and though merchants are covering for imports, prospects for early supply ere poor until tbe shipping position eases. POTATO MARKET FIRMER. Since last report there has been, a complete change in the potato market, due to a heavy advance in price in the South. It is quite evident that when shipping is resumed with Australia, if tbe New Zealand Government grants permits to export potatoes to the Commonwealth, prices here - will rule very high until the new crop is ready for market. Stocks of Southern potatoes held locally vary considerably in quality. Those that have been kept in store show the effect of the milder climate of Auckland, and. having started to grow, require to be picked over before they are sent out, thus adding to the cost to the consumer. On the other hand, potatoes recently to hand from the South are in first-class condition, and sell readily. Good samples of old potatoes command £12 10/ per ton ex store. According to latest quotations from the South, the landed cost of potatoes In Auckland will be about £11 per ton. Some 4.000 sacks of potatoes are on board the Kr.romiko. a portion of the shipment being seed, for which a keen demand has set in. The wet -weather has hampered planting operations in the Anckland district, bnt the first fine spell will be taken advantage of by growers. Jndgins by the inquiries for seed a large area will be put In potatoes in Auckland district thhKseason. ONIONS. Supplies of onions are rather short .in Anckland. added to which the quality of those offering show tbe effect of the lateness of the season. -The Southern crop is now understood to be practically exhausted, and as there is no chance of getting space for shipments from Australia, She question merchants have to face is how to carry on until arrivals are to hand from California. These cannot come to hand ibefore next month or the beginning of September, and merchants run a certain amount of risk in importing Oalifornian onions if shipped before September, as it takes about that time to make the tubers «3ry enough for export- The price on the local market now Is 17/S to 20' per cwt for {Southern onions. A few small lines from Pukekohe realised 20/ to 30/ per cwt for best samples. FOWL WHEAT. The market is reported firm, for this line, as prices have advanced a penny per bushel in tbe South since last report. MAIZE. Only new maize is now being sent up from the Coast, and it is still somewhat jsoft to store, as it is inclined to beat and go mouldy. The African shipment of maize has not yet come to hand. The market rules firm at 7,0 to S/, according to quality of sample. CHAFF. The local market for chaff is now very Tfirm as supplies here are somewhat short. Only very small lines came to hand from Rnngitikei, and there is no boat from Blenleim. A shipment is due from the South by the Whangape, and is stated to be of first-class quality. -Sales have been made for delivery on arrival at £13 per tou. Mer.nwhile the price ex store is £14 10/ for best samples, as stocks are practically exhausted. HAY. More hay is now- offering than has been the case for some time past. Farmers -who were holding to their hay. fearing a shortage of feed this winter are now evidently satisfied to accept the good prices offering. Best meadow omimands high figures. OATS. Merchants in the South continue to hold firmly to their stocks of oats, but buyers are not inclined to operate at the prices asked, exceptins to meet immediate requirements. Supplies to hand latterly bave not been largo, but. on the other baud, the demand in Auckland is not up to the average for this time of the year. Locally prices are unaltered this week." SEED OATS. The demand has practically ceased for the present, and the market will be quiet in this line until spring sowing begins. Tie market for seed oats is reported exceptionally firm at 7/<5 for best samples. It is still impossible to get supplies of Algerian seed oats across from Australia. PLOUK. Owing to stoppage of supplies of flour from the Commonwealth, in consequence of the strike, the Talnne took a much larger luantity this trip from Anckland, WHOLESALE CURRENT PRICES. Farm and Dairy Produce. — Factory Sutter. 1/8 per 11). less rebate for prompt payment: farmers' butter, lid per lb: 'ar'mers' cheese. 9*d per lb: factory cheese, iod to lOid per lb: hams. 1/2J per lb; jacon, 1/2* per lb; fresh hen eggs. 174 per lozen wholesale. Flour. £16 (lees discount of 2* per cent) ncr ton in 2001b sacks: sharps. £S 10/ (nominal) bran. £0 10/; oatmeal (20's), £33 10/ <;~tn. —Oats. 5/8 to 5/S per bushel ex itore- Algerian seed oats, to 7/6; fowl vheat. 7/9. ex store; maize, 7/9, wholesale tues ou -wharffljaff Southern. Rankitikei, £13: Blentelm. £14 to £14 10/ per ton Potatoes. —Southern, £12 10/ per ton, ex """in'ons.—Southern, repicked, 17/6 to 20/ >er cwt, ex store. -

MANURES, All stocks of Australian superphosphates, held locally have now been distributed, sales being reported at as high as £S per ton ex store. Owing to shipping troubles merchants find it almost impossible to replenish supplies, -which is unfortunate at a time like the present, when there is such a strong demand for fertilisers, and stocks are so very low. FLAX. At the present time a good demand for hemp exists in the United States, but for immediate shipment only. For prompt shipment prices are approximately as follows:—Good fair. £34; high fair, £33; low fair, £31. There is no United Kingdom demand for tow on account of high freights, which practically prohibits export of that line. The London market for flax Is reported to be a little more active, bnt, so far it has not affected the local position. KADRI GUM. Supplies of gum are falling off, as that article cannot be sent in by train. It is expected that the first direct shipment ot gum siuce the outbreak of war will shortly bej*dispatched to New York, and this should pretty well clear a lot of stock now held in stores here. OX 'CHANGE. Several investment lines snowed improve, ment in price on 'Change during the week. Buyers of Australian Issue Colonial Sugar advanced to £24 15/, a rise of 5/ since last report. Shares in woollen companies continue popular with Investors. Kaiapoi ordinary issue sold up to £S 5/0, and buyers of Mosgiel advanced their offers to £5 15/. South British insurance sold at £8 4/ and £8 2', and frequent transactions took placo in Wilsous X.Z. Cement at 16/11 aud 16/10. Transactions took place in Auckland Tr.Tms. ordinary issue at £1 2/9, aud buyers came iv for takapuna Tram and Ferry shares at Id' but sellers asked 13/. Farmers' Auctioneering shares changed hands this week at £5 10 . and Hikurangi Coal were inquired for at 11. There has been steady inquiry for X Z Drug shares at £2 15/, and for N /. Refrigerating at £3 8/6. In mining "-bares sales took place of Waihi Grand junctions at 13/. AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. The Xew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd.. report: — At Westfield store sale last Thursday the competition for dairy cattle showed a slight improvement, practically all penned being sold. Cows and heifers, close to profit i-1----to £19 12/0: backward sorts, best ±11 to £14 ~5/, others £8 10/ to £I<> 15/. Store cattle were again penned in large numbers, the demand being good, with prices improving. Empty cows .and heifers ib 0/ to fit "./• cows, with calves, ib 15/ to £10 5/: bulls. £0 to £10 15/; steer calves, best £2 7/ to £3 5/. others £1 12/ to £2 o/: heifer calves, best £2 to £2 IS/, others £1 8/ to £1 l!i/; inferior calves. 15/ upwards. J earling to IS-months steers. £4 0/ to ±0 1-/, heifers £3 15/ to £5 10/. « . Oil Erldav at the Karaka we held a clearin- sale on account of Messrs. x'aterson Bros , and report a good sale. The dairy cowV sold at from £9 15/ to £15: yearling heifers. £4 to £7: bull. £'■> 13/; farm horses, £11 to £17. , . . ~ _ On Monday, at East Tamaki we held .1 clearing sale on account of Mr G. Chaillet. There "was a large attendance of buyers, aud we report a most successful sale. Dairy cows, £9 to £17 5/; dairy heifers, ±1 ° \t Warkwortb. on Friday, we held our monthly sale, when there was an average yarding, with quotations on a par with late reports. , . \t Whit ford, on Friday, we disposed of Mr Robert Kemp's dairy herd and other live and dead stock (in conjunction with A. Buckland and Sons. Ltd.). There was an extra large attendance of buyers, high prices being realised. The best of the dairy cows sold from £20 to £20. others £10 to £19 10/. backward and older £13 upwards: dairy heifers, best £12 to £14 10/. others £S 10/ to £11 15/: steer calves. £3 14/: heifer calves. £4 2/ to £4 14/: sows, in pig. £14 10/: empty sow. £6 10/: weaner piss. £1 13/: sow and young. £1S 1/: hoggets, £1 S/G. if-ter Mr Kemp's sale we sold about 100 bend of outside stock at ruling prices. We had an nverace yarding at Henderson on Monday, with no change in values from recent quotations. Messrs. Alfred ißuckland and Sons report: At Westfield on Thursday we had a large entry of dairy cows, and a moderate .yarding of store cattle. There was a good demand at ruling prices. Best, cows made from £14 10/ to £19 10/; second grade cows £11 to £14: others. £4 10/ to £9 10/: best springing heifers. £13 to £16; others £00/ to £10 10/: empty cows £5 5/ to £8 1./b: yearling to IS-month cattle. £4 10/ to £0 3/, calves. £1 15/ to £3 17/; small and weedy, 15/ to £1 10/. We held our monthly sale at Turua. Hauraki Plains, on Friday, and had a fair yardin" which found ready buyers. Best dairy cows made from £17 10/ to £26: good average cows. £13 to £15 10/: others. £5 ~/ to £12- springing heifers. £S 10/ to £13 10/: fat steers. £15 7/0: fat cows and heifers. £S 10/ to >£13 5/: empty cows, £5 10/ to £< 10/: calves. £1 10/ to £3 9/. On Monday we held a special sale In the Tnrua Yards, on account of Messrs. narrow. Grundy, and Thornton, and notwithstanding the rough weather, there was a good attendance, and a satisfactory sale resulted. There were fair yardings at both our Pokeno and Runcimau monthly sales on Monday and Tuesday. The demand for all classes" continues firm, and evervthine changed owners. Dairy cows and' heifers. £7 10/ to £1S 10/. according to quality: fat cows and heifers. £9 to £13: forward three to four-year-old steers. £11 to £13: two to three-year-olds. £8 to £10 10/: yearlings to two-year-olds. £4 10/ tn £7 15/: good calves. £2 15/ to £4 1/: smaller calves. £2 1/ to £2 14/: other calves. £1 5/ to £1 15/: empty cows and heifers, £5 to £8 7/G. FAT STOCK MARKET. The Xew Zealand Loan and aiercantlle Agency Co. report:— At Westfield fat stock market on Wednesday. beef was penned in average numbers, mo'stlv of inferor quality. Xo extra heavy or heavy cattle were yarded. Prices improved on last week's quotations. Choice ox sold at £2 IS/ per 1001b, and in a few cases for extra prime this price was exceeded; other ox, £2 13/ to £2 17/ per 1001b: rough and inferior ox, £2 S/ to £2 12/ per 1001b; cow and heifer beef, prime £2 12/ to £2 15/, rough and inferior £2 II to £2 11/. Calves came forward in average numbers, and sold under keen competition at late high values. Runners, £5 to £S- heavy vealers. £4 5/ to £4 18/. medium £3 111/ to £4 2/8, light £2 5/ to £3 8/; lighter fat calves. IS/ to £2 4/'; fresh dropped, 5/ to 15/. Pigs were penned in slightly larger numbers. The demand exceeds tbe supply, and high prices rule. Medium to heivy bacouers, £5 10/ to £S 17/0: heavy porkers. £4 15/ to £5 9/, medium £3 12/ to £4 13/. light £3 to £3 1<»/: weaners. £1 14/: sows (backward), in pig. £<» to £7 10, . Sheep were penned in average numbers, and sold under keen competition at last week's rates. Xo extra heavy-weight ewes or wethers were yarded. Heavy prime wethers, £2 5/ to £2 11/6, medium £1 19/ to £2 4/9. light £1 14/9 to £1 18/9, unfinished £1 10/9 to £1 14/0; heavy ewes. £1 10/ to £2. one extra heavy ewe realised £3 1/: medium ewes. £1 11/ to £1 15,3. light £1 0/ to £1 10/9. inferior 10/ to £1 5/9; hoggets were penned In average numbers, and sold under keeu competition at a slight advance on last week's quotation. Best, £1 9/ to £1 15/; one extra good hogget realised £2 7/G: medium hoggets, £1 4/9 to £1 S/9, light £1 1/ to £1 4/0, inferior and unfinished 12/ to 19/. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd., report: — Yesterday, at our weekly Westfield fat stock market, our yarding of beef numbered 230 head, comprising 140 steers, OS cows and heifers, and one bull. The entry comprised a big proportion of ordinary-quality cattle. Choice and prime ox beef were in short supply, and met with keeu competition, wth an advance of fully £2 per head. Choice ox sold to £3 per 1001b: prime ox. £2 16/ to £2 19/ per 100 lb; ordinary and rough beef. £2 to £2 14/ per 1001b: cow and heifer beef. £2 3/ to £2 12/ per 1001b. Steers ranged in price from £15 7/0 to £20 12/6 for a pen of four from Mr B. Reid. Waerenga; cows and heifers, £7 10/ to £10. The highest averages for steers were:—l 4 from Mr B. Reid, Waereuga. £20 3/9; five from Mr. W. W. McLaughlan. Papatoetoe. £23 10/; eight from Messrs Lnptun Bros.. Karaka. £20 j 2/0; eight from Mr G. G. Hull. Otaua £19 .">/: 10 from Messrs Death Bros.. Wal'taka-i-ui-u. £1S 19': 25 from Whangarei. £18 12/; 10. ex road, £1S 12/«; 10 from Pigeon Mountain. Pakuranga. £16 17/. Sheep were penned in increased numbers, the major I portion being unfinished. Prime mutton was scarce. The demand was keen throughout for all classes, and last week's values were sustained. Heavy prime wethers made from £2 4/0 to £2* 6/9 (no extra heavy prime wethers came forward)' medium to heavy prime wethers. £1 39/ tn £2 4/: lighter prime wethers. £1 15/ to £1 IS/: unfinished wethers, £1 7/ to £1 14/6 Best heavy ewes made from £1 lfi7 to B \ I JiV. u , o . ex^, a r- 00 ' 1 . e^cs off ered): good ewes —1 L-/ to £1 Id/; lighter ewes, £1 8/ to *>1 il': other ewes. 8/6 to £1 3/; 1702 sold Lambs were scanty, and sold welL Best

heavy prime realised from £1 11/ to £1 15/ (a few extra special lambs made from £2 2/ to £2 13/): lighter, £1 5/ to £1 9/: others. 17/ to £1 3/; S5 sold. Fat and young calves were penned in large numbers, and competition was keen at last week's prices. Runners made from £7 7/ to £12 for choice 1-5-month heifer from Pigeon Mountain, Pakuranga (live runners from same place averaged £S IS/7): heavy vealers. £4 10/ to £5 15/, medium £3 4/ to £4 5/. light £2 4/ to £3 3/, small and fresh-dropped 5/ to £2; 110 sold. There was less thau an average yarding of pigs, which sold freely at prices equal to last week's high quotations. Large choppers and heavy baconers made from £7 5/ to £8 15/, medium bacouers £0 12/ to £7 4/, light baconers £0 to £0 11/; large porkere, £4 41 to £5 IS/, medium £3 7/0 to '£3 IS/; .small porkere, £2 12/ to £3 !>/; small weavers. £1 1/ to £1 12/: 119 sold. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having held their weekly sale of fat stock at Westfield on Wednesday as under: — Beef: A medium yarding, mostly poor quality; prices somewhat better than last week. Prime. £2 1!)/ per 1001b: ordinary quality ox. £2 10/ to £•> 14/ per 10011): others. £2 5/ to £2 S/: prime cow and heifer beef, £2 14; other ordinary, £2 S/ to £2 12/. Veal: A good yarding: prices about the same as last week. First runners, up to £9; others, £5 to £7; vealers, £3 13/ to £4 Sheep: Heavy prime ewes, 40/, inferior 20/ to 2.V; light and unfinished wethers. 28/ to 30/. Pork: A small yarding, prices somewhat in advance of last week's rates. Choppers made up to £(j !<;/; baconers, £3 17/ to £0 17/; porkers, £2 14/ to £4. HIDES AXD TALLOW MARKET. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having held their weekly sale of hides etc on Tuesday, as under:— Hides.—Best butchers', ox. stq,ut l2Jd to 13d, medium lid to 12d. light lO.id to'lUdcow, best 10<d to lid, light lOd to lOldyearllngs. lOd to ll*d: calfskins, best 17d. heavy and meaty Hid to 13d: cut damaged and dirty hides at 3d to Oil less Horse hides. 5/ to 10/. Tallow.—Tins, 30/ to 4,1/: casks, 45/ to 00/ per cwt. Hair.—Tail. 1/5 to 1/0.'.-, mane, lOd. Bones, £S 5/ a ton. The Xew Zealand Loau and Mercantile Agency Company. Limited, report having submitted and sold average catalogues of hides, tallow, etc., on Tuesday. Quotations:— Hides.—Market firm. Kxtra stout ox 13d to 13Ad. stout 12d to 124 d, medium lljd to Hid, light 10Ad to lid: cows', best lines l(»3d, good lOd to 104 d, inferior 9d to 9Jd: stags, Sd to Old; kips. lOd to lljd: calfskins, best to lSd, good' 14d to 16d. inferior 10* dto 12d. cut and damaged 6d to S»il. Tallow. —Market brisk. Best mixed to 5bV; good 42/ to 4S/, inferior 30/ to 30/ li, rough fat 2*d per lb. Horsehair, 1/ to 1/0 lb; cow tails, 1/ doz. Bones, £8 5/ ton. ADDIXGTOX. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHUItCII, Wednesday. At Addington market to-day there was a good yarding of fat stock, aud.although It was practically oidy a butchers' market, prices were very firm. There was a good attendance, especially of those interested in store sheep, for which the demand was fair at firmer rates. The few lines of fat hoggets entered were sold among the fat sheep, and their values were affected by the absence of export competition. Fat sheep, on the other hand, showed an advance In many Instances, the butchers requiring full supplies. Fat cattle were also liruier, and there was some business done by export buyers in tbe lighter-condi-tioned sorts. There was very little demand for store cattle, and the dairy cows were a poor lot. Pigs sold well. The range of prices wns as follows: — •Store Sheep.—Two-tooth ewes, to 33/3; four, six and eight tooth ewes. 22/ to 27/: sound and failing-mouth ewes, 12/3 to 20/.>: two-tooth wethers, 21/ to 30/6; four and six tooth wethers, 30/1 to 32/. Fat Sheep.—Extra prime wethers to G2/G. prime 40/ to 50/3, medium 36/ to 45/, lighter 29/4 to 35/6, morino 23/6 to 29/0; extra prime ewes to 00/6, prime 40/ to 48/, medium 33/ to 39/0, lighter 22/ to WZ/ii; prime hoggets 33/ to 42/, lighter 20/9 to "Vat Cattle.—Extra prime steers to £29. prime £19 to £23 5/, ordinary ffl l 10/ to £1S 15/" prime heifers £12 17/6 to £1. 12/6. ordinary £9 to £12 10/: extra prime cows to £20. prime £11 15/ to ±16 7/0, ordinary £8 10/ to £10 15/. . ~ Store Cattle.—Two and a-half year heifers to £5 19/: dry cows. £5 to £8. j>j.r S _Kxtra heavy baconers to ±1 -/. heavy f6 to £6 15/: heavy porkers £3 10/ to £4 medium £2 10/ to £3 5/ (equal o lOd a lb); choppers. £5 to £9: medium stores £- to £2 14/, small 30/ to 36/, weaners 8/6 to 17/ C. LOXDOX WOOL SALES. LOXDOX, July 15. There was a good attendance at to-day's wool sale! Clothing and combine merinos sold Wry up to yesterday rates. Continental buyers operated freely, Tne market was Ann with good competition all round. (A. and X.Z. Cable.) "THEN INFLUENZA SET IN." 4 COMMON OCCURRENCE WHEN A RECOVERING FROM A COLD. igain and again it happens. A cold Is contracted, the convalescent stage is reached, and jnst when recovery is In view, influenza or more serious trouble sets In. It is a dangerous time—dangerous because although the cold may have disappeared, disease and sickness are very easily contracted, by adults as well as children. ~ , Wilson's Malt Extract, the great tonic food and restorative, is the best safeguard at this stage. It quickly restores strength and energy, increases the vitality, and fortifies against a relapse. Nothing . harmful in it. No . drugs or chemicals. It is just the pure concentrated essence of prime malted barley, a substance, doctors and scientists will Inform you, that is unsurpassed as a restorative, stimulative, and fortifier. Chemists and Stores everywhere, with or without Cod Liver Oil. Wholesale Agent: C. H. Hooper, 53-54, Brunswick Buildings, Queen Street, Auckland.—(Ad.)