FINANCE AND COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16299, 24 August 1918, Page 7

FINANCE AND COMMERCE.

(By Ocb Commercial Editor.)

In view of the impending demand by rmT Finance Minister for more money for th* 1 prosecution of the war, some details of tho seventh Australian War Loin, the prospectus of which was issued on the 12th inst., should be of some interest. The annual cost of the war to the Commonwealth, it is explained, is about £80,000,000, and the plan nowadopted by the Government is to ask the people lo'eabscribo half that sum every aix months. Although' 43J millions were raised in April, the money will nearly oil bo spent by October loth, when applications for the seventh War Loan close. So far Australia has subscribed 149 millions in war loans, has borrowed—not including the latest 'oan raised in London—l7J millions, from *iie British Government, while " another 33 millions i 6 due to the British■ Government !or the maintenance of Australian troop® oversea and the supply to them of munitions. The war, therefore, has cost the Commonwealth, to June 3rd laet, including the lastmentioned, a total of £234,5C0,000. Tho amount asked for on this occasion Is £40,000,000; the pricf of issoe is par; the rate of interest is 5 per cent., but as payment of subscriptions by instalments is spread over a period of 24 weeks, the return to tho investor is practically 5J per cent, per annum, if advantage be taken of the'extended terms. This is explained more fully as iollows:—At 5 per cent, accruing irom the dates of tie instalments extending from October 15th up to April -nd nest, and thence np to September 15th next year, the interest earned would be, approximately, £3 6s per cent., whereas the Government will on September 15th, 1919, pay' the holder £1 7s til, or. 6ay, £1 is 6d more.' That, rcduoes the net price to £98 18s 63. On that figure, tho subscriber will, approximately, receive £3 Is per cent, interest, and repayment at par ,- n five years would mean, a'gain-of £1 lfl Sd in principal at the end of .five years. The net return oj 6J per cent, is, approximately, right, and the amount is in reality made up to tho holder in the first year in Jie shape of excese interest. Those who pay up in full on October 15th will-not bo'treated quite so well but they secure over 5 ner cent, net in the shape of one month's exoeßS of interest. Tho latter will receive back their principal in four years ana eleven months after payment in full, but on tho inetalm<»jt plan the subscriber will be out of his 'principal, ior, on the average, a shorter period. The instalments are payable ob follows: — Ten per cent, deposit on application, 10 per cent, on November 4th, 15' per. cent, in December, January, February, and March respectively, and 20 per cent, on April 2nd. Bonds will be issued for £10, £50, £100, £600, and £1000, and stock will be inscribed 'or £ICO and multiples of £10 above £100. Ho'dera of stock or bonds will have the right respectively to convert' into bonds or stock. The loan is a ebort-dated one, maturing In five years-on September 15 th, 1923. It is stated that that year is free from any large loan maturing on the Australian market, md thus presents an opportune "time for testing the convertibility of Commonwealth war loans.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE. GROCERIES, ETC. Fair quantities of -Australian currants and sultanas have como .forward, practically completing orders. At- ono time it looked as if the quantity shipped from Australia would bo very email, but' the Govornment relaxed the embargo placed on tho export So far as orders received early in- the season wcr® concerned. Practically all business" offering'for new season's canned fruits has been booked' up, but owing to the very high prices ruling-the voluin© of business ie smaller than last year. It is possible that, "carry-over stocks are being heldp from laet "Jear. The question as to' what, quantity the- American Government will allow to be shipped _ still remains to be answered.' Already tno higher grades of canned apricota hayo been, takon by' tho Government, and subsequent cable' advioe reported the' commandeering by the Government of 75 per cent.' 1 of th» new sefly 'eon's output. ' The outlook for supplies - for New Zealand is therefore not very promising. The local production of. dried applea having now 'been delivered, and' the demand J being much greater, than the_ supply, buyers turned Iheir attention, in "-view of: the uncertainty of the Californian supplioe, to the Taenia nian, articlo, • the stocks of which are now practically exhausted. Block wax, now landing," show® a very high price; a fact which in some quarters is regarded as the forerunner'. of ; a rate 'in the price of,candles. ; Owing-.to the shortage, of-tin plates. New Zealand jam-makers are' not in a, very good position to meet the demand for tinned jam that always Bets in about July,', when domestio supplibs are finished. v ~ . ■ Preserved ginger has advanced a . farthing per lb, owing- to-the high rate of exchange ruling in Hong. Kong. \ - Limited supplies* of matches, 250 tins, twopenny slide boxes, and plaids have come, to hand this"week,, And are being eagerly sought .after. . ... .. .. . '• ■ Ceylon teas recently landed ■ have shown ft strong advance in, -price, on© shipment of broken Orange Pekoe costing about 4d per lb more than the previous shipment. Tea which used, to be landed at Is Id, now costs, with the duty of ,3u per lb, Is 9d. Local bottled vinegar has advanced 6d per dozep. Sardine quarters arei quoted at 6d per dozen advanoe.- 1 ' Sugar is now in full supply. Cooking figs are scarce at-present. No word has been, received as to any relaxation of tho American Government's embargo on the export of prunes. "When it is removed, pitted prunes Bhould receive much attention. This is a,new line, which while about the isamo price as the ordinary prune has the advantage of having been stoned and being therefore much. more economical. It should appeal particularly to confectioners, but is' also certain to command good -'general business. ■ . - Cream, of tartar has declined a little,.being now quoted at 8s lOd. Caustic soda is very scarce, and little. li# held in Christchurch at present. Coining shipments of Epsom Baits enow no abatement of the recent high price. . f Shipments of Koen's. blue and Colmans mustard are due to arrive shortly., Reckitts have advised customers that normal require-, ments of both blue and Zebra lead can be filled for months to come.

, . ~ TEXTILES. , _ * Buainees bw. boon good with the soft goods houses doting tlio Cofldrtioos show no cnange trom those ruling ot lite. Several iirma refused delivery this week of a big shipment ot Japanese calico as not being up to eampLe. ... . Ono importing Jirm has had the experience of landing some consignments of xlfigitsh goods via Australia at. about • Ifi per cent, on coat price, ae against.2o per cent, to 25 per cent, on goods shipped direct. Quotations havo been named for now season's kapoc, the price- being considerably higher than hae ruled in previous years. This is partly due to the high rate of exohange at Samaran'g, the sovereign purchasing only the oquiv&ient'of 15a worth. Tho kapoo can a.so oniy.be ehipped - from Java for transhipment from Sydney, the additional charges, for handling, freight, etc., adding considerably "to the landed cost in New. Zealand. The prospect of , direct freight to .New Zealand ia at present- very remote. . A striking instance-* of .tho.. rise in textile values has lately been afforded in Australia by th® disposal of tho stock of the Standard Woollen C 0.,. of Melbourne, with branches in Sydnev, Adelaide, and Brisbane. The firm was originally G. Hardt and Co., but when the Government; decided that it came within •the ecopo of the-Trading • With the Enemy Act it was found that the business had been sold to one Schroeder, who carried it on as the Standard Woollen Company. Under that name, however, it still came under the Act and wne put into liquidation by the Irade and Customs Department. When the Government took over the business its stocks in tho four cities named were valued altogether at £40,000. They consisted of high-class suitings, bl-u© and black serges and trimmings, many of which were dyed by special process. Such goods are now unprocurable. The Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane stocks have already been sold by tender at prices about 200 per cent, above the 1916 value, and if the Sydney stock realised the expected prices, the net result would amount to £130,000 for a stock worth £10,000 two years ago. It has not yet been decided who is to get the enormous profit of £90,000. HARDWARE. Business reported during the last week has been quiet, both as regards the wholesale and retail trades. With the advent of almost springlike weather sn improvement might have been expected. Trade conditions are unsettled, stocks are light, and pricee subject to alteration without notice. There is still a great shortage of heavy lines. Fencing wire is not to be obtained except in odd lots at high figures. Sydney and Melbourne are qtioting £i>4 or better for black and galvanised fencing wire. No. 8. Barb wire is also in* short supply, and this remark '&Igo applies to wire c&iiAy winch mo quoted at £60. Galvanised pipe is getting scarce, and » worth 30 per cent, on tho list or better* K

DOMINION'S TRADE AND MARKETS

EXCHANGE.

There is still great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of ingot tin. Shipments ot lead may be obtained fairly easily. Painters' materials arc in poor demand, and prices are about the previous levei. Ihere k every indication that the price of Unseed oil will advance. The export of rei lead has been prohibited in the United State*?. American advices (report an advance on railroad freights of 2* per cent., and the tonnage carried is very closo to a 100 per cent, capacity. One steamer is due to arrive here early, while the departure of several sailers is reported. Copper and brass manufacturers report a steady increase in the Government's requirements. Copper and brass tube is only obtainable for six and nine months delivery, and licenses for eucli sizes as come within the Government's requirement are being refused. Brass sheets are scarce, and licenses difficult to obtain, although copper sheets are still available for fairly prompt shipment. It is reported that some of the shijj'ards are receiving more steel plates 1 than they can use, but in view of the Government's intention to pile up a reserve of 500,000 tons, it will be some time before export business will receive the benefit. Tube© arc stilt withdrawn, and it # is confidently expectcd tho new prices will.show an acute advance. It is still impossible to place orders for black sheets. ' wire and wire goods are difficult to place; prices will no doubt advance. f A shipment of horseshoe nails is expected in tho Dominion very shortly, but in of the great shortage will not do much more than fill current needs. v Galvanised corrugated iron was # quoted during the week at .£llO. Such a price will, no doubt, stimulate tho enterprise of those persons who are finding a good market for old iron stripped from houses, has been going on on. the West Coast for eome months, and it is said that in. one mining town which is now but a shadow of what it was in the roaring days of tho West Coast, not a single unoccupied house has been left with its roof on.

CHBISTpHURCH STOCK

YESTERDAY'S TRANSACTIONS. Sales reported:—Wes.port-Stockton Coal (8 per cent, non-cum. pref.), lis. LATEST QUOTATIONS. Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ «. d. BANKS— Union .. #• 58 10 0 — INSURANCE— Standard (cum. div.) .. 2 3 6 — LOAN AND AGENCY— N.Z. Loon and Mercantile (ord. stock) .. Sj 0 0 — SHIPPING— Huddart-Parker .. — 2 0 6 Northern (14a 6d paid) — 0 17 , 0 COAL-Westport-Stockton (8 per .cent, non-cum. pref.) — 0 11 3 WOOLLENS— Kaiapoi (ex., div.) .. 7 3 6 — GAS— , Christchurch .. — 6 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS— Burns, Philp (Sydney), cum. riglita .. 115 0 — Henry Jones Co-op. (Melbourne) .. 112 0 N.Z. Drug Co. .. 213 6 — N.Z. Paper Mills ..126 — Weeks. Ltd. (cum. div.) 6 o'o — Whitcombe end Tombe 6 10 — MINING— Talisman .. — 0 9 0 YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS ON OTHER . EXCHANGES. (press association telegrams.) AUCKLAND. Sales reported:—Broken Hill South, 72s 6d; Waipa Coal, 16s.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. , (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, August 23. The share market here is booming, and the demand for certain classes of shares exceeds the supply. P. and O. Deferred Stock sold at £361 and the firmness of this stock is apparently purely sympathetic with London quotations. According to a recent cable message, this stock changed hands in London at £393, at price the yield to the investor, is about 4J per cent. Since short dated exchequer bonds yield about '5J per cent., investment in P. and O. stock is not for the sake of the smaller dividend, and the inference is that something is pending which will greatly enhance the value of the stock. Huddart-Parker shares, too, are firmer, sales being recorded at 40s and 40s Bd.' It is rumoured that negotiations for the purchase of this shipping concern have been going on for some time, but that Hud-dart-Parker Company, is holding out for an extreme price. The rumour must be accepted for what it is worth. •Insurance shares are all very firm. South British shares have changed hands at £6 6s and tho high price is .due to the prospects of a higher dividend. In April tho interim dividend was 2s 6d per share, and last year ft was only 2s 3d. The Company's year closes at the end of next week, and it is expected that when the final dividend is declared the total for the year will be 5s Gd per share, as against 4s 9d last year. The fecal year of the National Insurance Co. closes on September 30th, and of the N.Z. Insurance*,,- on November 30th. Timber shares appear' to be tho only weak' group, probably because building operations are slack. There is a striking difference between the quotations for Wellington meat expcTt shares and Gear Meat shares, which illustrates the views of investors. The AS paid up meat export shares are in demand at £4 15s or at a discount of 5s per share, while the £4 paid up Gear meat shares are in strong demand at £20, or a premium of j 400 per cent.

MINING. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TE&EGBASI.) AUCKLAND, August 23. The Waihi Company, during the period ended August 10th, treated 15,681 tons of ore for a return of £25,419, as compared with 15,871 tons yielding £26,656 for the corresponding period last year, a decrease of £1437. Waiin-Paeroa, for the period ended August 17th treated 18,000 tons of tailing® for £4200, as compared with 13,700 tons yielding £4850 for the corresponding period last year, a decrease of £650. MELBOURNE MARKETS. (Australian and N. 2. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, August 23. Barley—Chevalier malting, 6s to 6s 6d;; Cape, 4a to 4s 2Jd. Oats—Algerian milling, 4s Id to 4s 2d; feed, 3s 3d to 3s lid. Potatoes—£4 5e to £4 15e. Onions—£23. SEEDY WOOL. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, August 23. The Auckland Woolgrowers' Committee carried the following reeolutionj which is to oe forwarded to the Minister of Lands. —"Owing to numerous complaints from growers of seedy wool, the oommittee must emghaticai.y bring before your notice the fact that the agreement with the Imperial authorities is not being carried out, as growers are not leoeiving a 55 per cent, increase on pre-war prices, but in many cases are receiving 100 per cent, leas." The resolution urged immediate action.

CANTERBURY MARKETS, Friday Evening. I There is nothing doing in wheat, the whole crop now haviag practically ohanged bands. The oats market lias firmed, although thero is little grain available with which to do business. Stocks in store axe very small, <as merchants have sold most of their holdings. Seed Gartons, Algerians, and Duns , are worth up to 5s at country stations, and the same price has been paid for a line of j milling Gartons and Algerians. I' Owing to the scarcity of shipping, a con--1 eiderable quantity of oatsheaf chaff sold to go North has been re-sold. At the same time there is still a good enquiry for prime bright chaff, and prices are firm, up to £7 : having keen offered. It is reported that sup- ! plies of Marlborough chaff are now exhaust-

Thero is a good demand for seeds, and it would appear aa if there will be a fairly large sowing made this season. _ Cover seeds are not very plentiful. There is an enquiry from the North Island for cocksfoot, but the stocks held are very light, aa merchants' supplies were heavily drawn_ npon to fill the demand caused by the North Island bnsh fires earlier in the year. The potato market advanced during the week, and it is reported that sales were made at £8 10s to £9, at country stations, but it is now weaker, and JEB to £8 Ss only is offered. The rise, was apparently due to the anxiety of merchants to get supplies shipped before tho large arrivals expected from Australia were due. During the last few days 2700 «acks have arrived at Wellington from

Melbourne, and 830 at Auckland, and in about three weeks tim© a special shipment of 1300 to 1500 toss. is expected to • arrive at Auckland. _ Two other steamers are also expected to bring a quantity over. The high prices lately ruling hav e not resulted in many more offering, for, as is usually the case when there 13 a sharp rise in any line ol produce, tie growers are inclined to hold, and it ia reported that even £9 at country stations was refused a day or two ago. The Melbourne market remains at £4 to £< 10s for Carmens, with an active demand for export. The arrival of about 1100 6acka ofonione at Auckland, and 950 sacks at Wellington, from Melbourne, has eased the local market. Buyers at present are holding off. and the •prioe is nominally £20 per ton at stations. They are now quoted in Melbourne at ££2. There is still an enquiry for mangels, but tho price has dropped to 37 s 6a per ton at stations.

The following are the pr.oes paid to farmers at country station; free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated:— Milling wheat according to Government price, South Island, 6s Oid, f.0.b., North Island, Ad additional. Oats—Seed Algerians, 4a 9d to Be, feed 4s 3d to 4s 6d; milling Gartors, ss-; feed, 4s 3d to 43 6d; seed Duns, 4s 6d to ss, lighter 4s upwards; good quality Danish uo 4s 6d. Barley (nominal) —Prime malting 6a Sd to 6s 6d, medium 5» 3d to 6a. Flour—£ls 10s per ton; 1001b bags, £18 ss:. 501b bags, £16 10s; 251b bass. £18 15e. Bran—Shipping £5 10s, local <5 15s per ton. Pollard—£7 10a per ton. Oatmeal—2slb bags £30 per ton, 71b bagsi £34 10s per ton. Oatshriif Chaff—(Nominal), heavy bright £6 to £6 • IDs, medium £5 to £5 15s, inferior £4 to £4 10s Cocksfoot—lOJd to Is 3d. Ryegrass—Heavy Perennial 4» 6d to 4« 9d, lighter 4s to 4s sd: Italian Se 9d to 4s 3d: Westernwolths 4s to 4s 6d. White Clover—Clean la 9d to la lOd. Red Clover—ls 6d to 1b 7d Peas—Partridge, 6s to 6s Gd, White Ivory Us. 6d to 13s, Blue Prussians 16s to 16s Blue Imperial* 16s to l£s. Scotch tarea—los Gd. Beana—6s 6d to fie Sd. Rape Seed—4d to 4Jd. Onions—(Nominal) £20. Linseed—£24. Potatoes—£B to £8 sa. Dakota Beds £8 ss, e;ed potatoes £i 10s to £3, according to variety. \ Mangels—27s 64 per ton. THE! WHEAT PURCHASE.

The following aro the threshing returns and sales of whoat recorded by the Wheat Controller to August 23rd: — Bu3hele. Tuscan or Longborry 3,786,063 Hunters varieties 806,104 Velvet or Pearl ... 920,467 Seconds .. 275,349 Total .. .. 5,793,983 Contracts to pnrclinae good milling wheat nre as follows:— Bushels. Tuscan or Longberry .. 3,239,277 Hunters varieties .. 859,585 Velvet or Pearl ... ©74,475 Total .. ' -a 4,773,337 Fowl wheat .. •• 656,247 The total amount paid to brokers ia £1,874,818 2s 7d. ' DAIEY PRODUCE. The supplies of butter and cheese are ■plentiful. Tho warmer weather has increased the supply of eggs, and prices have eased. Tho wholesalo prices are:— Butter—Factory Is 6d net, farmers' eepar rator la~9d, dairy Is. Cheese—>Factory lOd, dairy 9d, loaf 9*3. Bacon—Sides is 2d, roll® la 9d, ham a J/s 3d. Honey—Extracted 6d to 7d per lb. Eggs—Hen eggs Is 2d per dozen. n FBTJIT AND VEGETABLES.

Vegetables have been in good supply, and' the demand keen. Cabbages and cauliflowers have improved in price during the week. There is a good demand for vegetables from Ashburton, South Canterbury, and Dunedin and this has helped to harden prices. Apples and pears remain unchanged. A shipment of re-packed Island oranges sold at good prices. Sydney mandarins, passions, and pines have sold well, and tho supply has not been sufficient to meet tho demand. A consignment of Fijian bananas is now due, and <a shipment of South Australian lemons, oranges, and navels, and Victorian onions will arrive early in ■ the week. The wholesale average prices on the week were:— Apples, dessert lis to 12s per case, cooking 8s to 10s; pears 7s to lis; 'Frisco lemons 40s, Mildnra and South. Australian lemons 16s, mandarins 193 to 20s 6d, Cook Island oranges 19s to 21s, Sydney oranges 14s to 16s 9d, PoQrmans 15s, Valencias 335, passions 17s to 17s 9d, pineapples 16s 6d to 19s, walnuts IOJd per lb.- , Beet- . 10a per dozen bundles, carrots 6d, parßnips 'Bd, radishes 9d, spring onions Is 6d. turnips 9d, cabbages Is to 6s 3d per dozen, cauliflowers Is to 7s 6d,_ lettuce to Is 3d, marrows 4s to-ss, pumpkins 6s 'o Bs, celery 7d per bundle, lee&s 4d, onions 21s 6d per cwt, potatoes 16s to 18s per sack. ASHBURTON. Wheat.— I There arc no lines 'to be located, and it is that all the wheat in this district is out of growers' hands. A few odd lote are submitted at intervals, but they amount to very little in the aggregate. Enquiries are still being received from millers who did not fill their warrants. Good whole fowl wheat can also bo placed at regulation price. . Oats.—The market is very firm, and late rates ore fully, maintained. Business is practically confincd to merchants for, as in the case of wheat, almost no Jung is coming on the market from farmers. Values may bo quoted at-fioin 4s 6d to 4s lOd lor Gartons, according to quality; Algerians from 4s' to 4s 4d; Duns 4s to 4s Gd, for ordinary feed lines, and up to 4s 9d foT choice samples; all prices on trucks. Chaff. —Business is still chiefly confined to prime quality, which commands from £6 to £6 ss, f.a.q., £5 10s to £5 15s, second-class £5 to £5 6s, inferior -quality neg.ected. TIMARU (special to "the press.") TIMARU, August 23. There is nothing new /to report in wheat. There iB a fair demand for seed Tuscan, but it is nothing compared to the demand at this time last yeaT. It is reported that boum Canterbury millers are to xooedvo a portion of' the Australian wheat which was landed recently at Dunedin. The oat market is, if anything, even firmer than it waa last week, but values concern local merchant a very little as the supply is almos{ negligible. An odd line of good milting Gartonfl changed hands at 5s on trucks, country stations, and this may be quoted as the value of this variety. There is an absenoe of offerings of other descriptions.

' There is an abnormal demand fox oatsheaf chaff for shipment, bnt tho space position is no better than that reported last week. The prospects of removing the chaff in store before next season are not bright.

Hay has been in rather better demand at SA per ton, baled, at country stations. Tho demand for potatoes continues good, and it is expected that a shipment now being made from Timaru to Auckland will be the last big shipment to leave here this season, as supplies are now very low. Large quantities of Australian potatoes are expected in Auckland in about two weeks' time and any accumulation of supplies in that city are likely to have an adverse effect on the market there, but can hardly affect values here, as there are barely sufficient offerings to cope with the coastal orders. To-day's value is £10 per ton, sacks included. \

DTJNEDIN. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIri, August 33. There are no offerings of wheat at present but milleis are taking delivery of the recent Australian, cargo, the quality of which is either good or bad. There is no medium quality in tho shipment. A considerable quantity is being rejected as too thin for milling purposes. Oats arc very scarce and only odd lines are offering. They are eagorly snapped up by millers in order to keep their spring trade going. ... . Chaff of prime heavy quality is readily saleable at £7 ss, sacks extra, ex truck, but deliveries are very slow indeed owing to bad weather in the country districts. v--Potatoea are very scarce and far from sufficient for requirements. Sales were mad® during the woek at £12, sacks in, ex truck, and the demand was not fully supplied.

DTTERCARGILIi. (special to "thx tbess.") INVEBCABGILL. Aueusi 23. Oata —Tho market is very firm but there are very few oats offering from the country, and if available would find a ready market at 4s 8d to 4s 9d, on -trucks. Local merchants are now asking fie 4d for immediate delivery, and vp_ to 5s 6d for forward delivery. Chaff This market baa a firmer tone, but< very little prime chaff is offering. " For best quality £o 6e, on trucks, is procurable, but lees money would have to bo taken for discoloured and light samples. Hemp—Tho market is very quiet, mainly owing to the uncertainty of shipment. It ta reported that the Imperial Government has arranged for the shipment of a' large quantity for British East Africa. Northern millera are taking prices that were not thought possible three or four mentis ago, and local merchants axe prepared to follow suit. It is doabtiul whether more than £33 on trucks

could bo obtained for fair or £33 for biff* Ryegrass—There is fair enquiry for heavy weight perennial, which is bringing tip to & 6d f.o.b. dressed in wholesale quantities. Potatoes—There is a very firm market for seed and table lines, the latter having been sold in small. distributing lots up to £11 10s per ton, ex store. The special boat being put on from Melbourne should land potatoes hero at a price enabling them to bo sold ; not exceeding.£lo. AUCKLAND. {special to "toe press.") ATjCTCLAND, August 23. Much larger quantities of potatoes have I been available since the Tarawera arrived from Australia and these have been eold at £14 lCs in a very bare market. They will all bo eon© by next week, but better supplies will be "to hand be/ore long as tho Tarawera is making a special trip to JI«bcurne, and potatoes will bo one of too largest items in tho cargo. The southern oats market is reported to be very firm on account of tho smaL supplies available. Tho local quotation is. 6s, «* store, but this must rise before long in order to bring it to a parity with southern Barley offerings arc light and tho market Tho arrival of Australian milling wheat is creating considerable interest m the souttt. Supplies would be welcomed here as lndieations point to a continued difficulty in Bating up southern wheat. Fowl wheat » « rather full supply at present, both southeni aad Australian. Tho price is unchanged ai ' 3 ln nearly all the special proprieUry lines have followed the upwari move. Supplies ore still short, whidi is unfortunate at this time of exceptionally L< tS market has been rather »"|B£ lar during the week on account of A^ tralian onions being distnouted fro™, Tarawera. These have, been Quoted at about 35s per cwt and up to 50s for Amen can to arrive next month. „ , The demand for bran and pollard verv heavy, and there is the utmost difficulty in distributing equitably the limited is to. ot "J nominally the price is £14 . 10 * There seema no possibility of Eetting adequate supplies in the south, and "3^? e ntr?" quirements will be met by small smpmonl* from Marlborough to Onclnmga. lt 18 ** pected that tlw Tarawera will bring Borne from Melbourne. . _„_j ,_j The hay demand continues good, prices are firm. Tho straw market is rnther wharf in wholesale lines.

WELLINGTON PRODUCE MARKET. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS WELLINGTON,' August 23. In *hs pioduoo market table potatoes aio reported in aho;t supply, and a further atlvanco in prices is recorded* . Oats are scarce and dear, while maizo b becoming short in supply and exhibiting an upward tendency in value. Eggs, which wore retailing at 2a 2d per dozen, have dropped "to Is 9d, Ma are now reported to bo plentiful. Green peas in limited quantities nave como on the market from Nelson, and have realised Ss 4d peer pock. BAKER BROS. - WEEKLY LETTING REPORT. Hessrs Be&er Bros., 168 Manchester street, report having lot tho following properties during the past week:—On account Mr Harnun villa, Tweed street, to Mrs Tooley; on account Mr Newnham, house, Armagh street, to Mrs Poster; on account ownerj dottage, Heywood terraco, to Mi's Lowman; on aocount Mrs Scott, house, Armagh street, to Mr Laurence; on account Mr Wallaoe villa, Tuam street to Mrs Rees; on account H. Haynes and Co. bulk store, Hereiprd street, to McKenzie and Willi9; on account owner, cottage, Allen street, to Mr Anderson; on account Mr Quartermain, waidenoe, Hftgley street, to Mr O'Brien; on account Miss Cooksley, residence, Bapaki road, to Mr Stow; on aocount Mr Soanes, cottage, Trafalgar street, to Mra Lawlor. 5