COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6850, 7 September 1887, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

When we last wrote a quiet tone prevailed in the import market, and not much , change can be reported during the past four weeks under review; in fact, August may be classed as one of the quietest months of the year. Trade generally , continues upon a firm basis, and. with the spring upon us some considerable improvement is looked for. Imports to this part of New Zealand have been kept well in hand by our importers, and have not been allowed to pass into quntities outside our absorbing power. No failures have taken place which call for special note, and notwithstanding the ; rigid attitude of the money market, en- '} gagements falling due have been met satisfactorily. The Customs revenue collected at Christchurch for August was £21,«£i 15s fid, as against £18501 6s 8d for the corresponding month last year. Amongst the foreign arrivals may be noted the direct steam liners Tongariro aud Doric, and vessels Vallejo and Cingalese, all from London. Bottled ale has had ordinary trade sales, Bulldog and Foster's, at Us 6d to 12s; Hibberts's Kangaroo brand, and W. Younger'a 10s 6d to Its. Latterly balk ales have met with increased demand; Worthington's has had I steady sales at up to £10 lOs, Bass' and Younger's at £9 to £9 ss. Bottled stout of flrxt brands has sold in ordinary trade lots at from 10* «d to 12s, according to brand. Pale brandy has met with a fair demand for trade requirements,. only; Bisquit, Dubouche at from 7s to 7a 0d; Dennis Mounie. 10*6 d; C.V.P. at 7s; Courvoiser's, 8s; and other outside brands of lower qualities at from is 6d to 6s 6d. Case brandies have seen only n limited business. The numerous brands of Scotch whiskies On bulk) new in thejnurkct have met with a fair demand, quotations ranging from 4s 6d to 9a 0d i.b. Incase, the several agents of Buchanan Blend, Kilmarnock, Lochiel, &c, &c, have all seen the usual amount of J business at regulur rates. Old Tom. incase. I has sold aL late rates. Several lines of

geneva have been placed at importer** Erloes. Bum has been in short supply, emon Harts has sold at agents' rates. Port wine, at from 7s 6d tolls i.b., has seen average sales. Sherry has met with limited inquiry. Transactionsinoiaretsaml champagnes have been nominal. Sugant have sold largely, Mauritius at up to £27, and Auckland Company's No. 1 from ££} fta to £27 10s. In the early part of the month teas met with good sales; latterly, however, the demand has lessened, the trade not caring to lay in heavy stocks, but rather wait for the second shipment of new-season's. A large quantity ot rice has been placed on tlio market at from £171 ft*. Kerosene has been delivered freely, lSOdeg test, at Is Sd to islOd: lUOriet?. Is 5s to Is (id. Tobacco has had usual attention at agents' rates; nailrod is in full supply, and the price has receded a. trifle. Candles have not met with the demand usually experienced at this season of the year. Nationals are quoted at 7»fd, Battersea wax 7Jd. The colonial manufacturers secure the bulk of the trade at from 8-jd to 0d per lb. Currants have 1 been in short supply at up to *>Jd. Elemc.s have been ort'ered at od. Sultanas wanted at up to e.jd. A parcel of natural flgs in bags have found ready sales at importers* rates. Salmon has " sold at from fh S*d to Ps. Sardines are without change. Tinned oysters dull of sale at from ."»s (id. Kiefler's marmalade has been in fair demand at 0* M for lib tine and 12s fid for 21b tins. Van Houten's has been sold by importers at about cost; stocks latterly have run low. Vinegar has sold in trade lots only, at from Is Hd to 2s according to brand. "Vestas, looo's, more off at un to Ms. Golden syrup in regular demand at 20s od. Sago and tapioca remain at last buotations. Several brands of. starch are offering at from LMs to :42s por cwf, J.,-5 C M U I for Uca aml Perrin's ana lUeiiors sauces report ordinary trade sale. Saltpetre sells at from .«s milestone is in fair demand at up to 2<Ss. Fine and coarse salt remain without, quotable change. The Estrella has arrived from Calcutta with a shipment of woolpacks and cornsaeks; no doubt a large business will be done in those lines, as enquiries have been numerous of late. Clover seeds have seen fair business fencing wire has met with improved demand. In building materials the market, has remained unchanged, the. yards reporting a quiet tone. Galvanised iron from £IH to £1!> 10s, according to brand. Cement, 12s ex ship.