COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 253, 18 July 1908, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

■ . . THE SHARE MARKET. ; Dullness was a very conspicuous feature of tho sharemarket yesterday. No- business was dono, and the quotations 'were few in number. National Banks, sellers : jES 3d;;'.(cum J dividend); Wellington-Trust : and Loan, sellers- at £7 6s. 6d.; Auckland Gas, 17s. 6d.'; Feilding Gas, sellers 205,; Natipnal lnsurance, buyers 275; 6d.; South British, sellers .£2 155.; , Manawatu Rails, sellers, £2 95.; Now Zealand Shipping, buyers ,£G Is! ; Paparoa Coal, buyers 19s. 6d.'; Leyland-o'Brien Timber, sellers' ' 3s. 6d.; Sharland's, ordinary, sollers 20s.'i' Wellington Fresh Food and Ice, sellers.3s. :6di';; ; THE MINING MARKET.- r Values show no change; .. Talisman's changed, hands at 455., and May Queen at 2s. ; Tangiaro wero steady with buyers at Is. Gd.: The quota-' tions yesterday .wero as under:— - Briyers. Sellers. . Sales., .£ s. d. £s. d. £s. d. Talisman 2*4 9 2 5 3 2,5 0 Waihi ... ... 9 2 0 9 4 0 ■— '!' May Qneen k.. 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 1 Tangiaro ... ... 0 16 017 — Blackwater ... .... 1 3 0 ,— Con.- Gold Fields ... ■0 15 9 '. — —. Big River 15 0 — . THE WOOL SALES: . According to, the latest cable message-re-ceived-by Messrs. ■ Murray Roberts, and Co., the' market is irregular, and shows par :to. 5-per cent, advance.;; This is not altogether satisfactory,' however/ it is the best that. can be ex- \ pected. Two\ clips have been sold "at the cur-; - rent sales, and it is interesting to compare tho prices realised now as against a year ago. , - Por .' July, 1908. July, 1907. Fall. cent. Ngaio • ... 7d. 10id. ; 3Jd. 331-3 : Longburn ... 7jd. . 10|d. . ' SJd... 44 . ■ The fall in both cases,is very.heavy, andought to be very interesting, to/those who profess to take an optimistic view of the situation. - In their wool review, Messrs. Dalgety and Co. , give a summary ,of the statistics, fromwhich' . .wo extract tho following:— i :, . Summarising the past, year, it is of the utmost importance to noto that, after taking into • consideration 1 reduced weights of' bales,' the aotnal decrease in: oversea wool, exports from Australasia .f0r1907-8, ; as compared with the preceding-yoar, . amounts ,to 69,975 -bales, or 23,350,4381b. -- _ : . ■ ■ The-total amount of the, clip available for export > has been - G8G,810,0101b., as against ' 710.1G3,4481b. in 1905-7. For .tho twelve months ending Juno' 30, 1908. 1,351,121 bales sold in 1 Australasia realised .£17,577,249; for the .corresponding period in! 1907, 1,537,798 bales grossed £21,835,131.. - De-, orease for the year, .£4,257,882. ' 1. : :'The'total' exportable production of Austral- : asia has amounted to 2,057,831 bales, which, if taken at os. 2d. per bale, 6hows the value to be i 26,768,952. But to the above must, be added 80,159 bales, which havo been, manufactured into-cloth, etc., in the. Commonwealth and the Dominion, say £1,042,735 worth, Thus; - the total production 'is estimated' to have yielded £27,811,687. ; The. total slaughterings-of sheep and: lambs for local'consumption and export combined were 17,059,780. during : the .year 1007, -which oompares with' 15,637,087 during 1903." : , IIESSAGERIES MARITIMES. ; . The report of-tho MessageriesMaritimes for . 1907 ; shows that receipts amounted to '£3,507,209, or;an increase of £21,5G1 over tho previous year," while expenses wero ■ £3,105,355, or an increase-. of, £71,012,- mainly, due ..to. the . higher cost of coal and the larger: distanco run.. After deducting £96,141 for the debenture debt, £210,635 for. amortisation of the fleet, and ' £88,000 to cover tho loss of the Laos, the'balance remaining is £7078, .which is carried for- .'- ward, no 'dividend being declared. • The: ■ fleet : ' . consists..orf r 67 vessels, of a total tonnage-of • 295,562't0n5;-:and: stands at - £8,670,440;Vwhi1e,- r including stores, buildings,; plant; • and cash -at - ■ bankors', the'total-i5;£11,334,324.- Tho cdntfact' for a' renewal of the sorvice, with La Plata aud Brazil until July, 1912, when the othor ! ccntractsVwith'.'the State "expire, assures a subvention equal to that under" the former " ar-' rangemerit,; but ■it proseuts tho inconvenienco ; of permitting'-a participation of the Govorn- ' ment in tho. profits of the Company'on'all its lincs.;when tho' dividend exceeds 5 per cent. ', A long discusion took' place at the meeting,' the suggestion being mado that tho Company, ' follpvfing ' tho "example of the TransatlanticCompany,;., should' disposo .of : its.-works at La i J ?j an .independent concern. Ono share-bolder-complained- that , the Company facrificcd its China line ,to the Australian,"'by trnn'shipping passengers for the former at Colombo. ;. ■ ' STOCK EXCHANGE.' ".' .V' " . 1 -(BT TELEQBAPH—riIESS ASSOCIATION - .) ■' . ' • Duncdiri, July 17. ' Stoc^, Exchange Sales:.-Lady -Roxburgh (con- ' tn£.),.Bs.; Electric, 9s. 3d.; Tangiaro, Is. fid. .' - Iha;Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted, to. £3377 os. Id.: ... | DREDGING. ' t, , . . ' Duncdin, July 17.: I _Dredging. returns:—Electric I, 670z. lldwt.; Koputai,, Gsoz. : 17dwt.; Hartley and Riley, 550z.-; i • j a^ y Kosbui-gh,, i2°2. 18s.; Waikaia,; 420z. 13 ] awt.; Masterton, 390z.; Central Charlton, ISoz. sdwt.; MoljTieux Hydraulic, 17oz. lldwt'; Kura . 13oz;- 2dwt.-; Muddy: Creek,. 120z.' Cdwt., ■ ■ ■■■pi;. TALISMAN CONSOLIDATED. . . i .^Wellington•:Stock, Exchange, has been ad- - pssd that tho Talisman Consolidated Company ! has sent the following telegram to' London;— •' :".JNo;., 11'lovel "south, 'progress,- 15.feet; No. '12 , level,'2s -feot; No: 13 level, No. 12 rise, 15-feet; ; reef, 42 inches -wide,' valuo £1:5s! 9d.;. Crass .Cut west at 460/feetj South Progress, 11 feet '] has. .intersected reef 4\ feet Wide, assay valuo 1 £22. .'This, is probably -a hanging wall branch !' - that -was, left at , 401 -feet south. • . REEFTON MINES. ] (BT TELEGUArH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) . ! - . , '. Rosfton, July 17.' - Progress'. Minos-.' During; Juro t!)n . 'J srushCd 4375 tons,-yielding bullion (including '• cyanido . £/10,' concentratc-ii ,£4vo) valued- at :! . £-4/15,; ''Development,. underground ' exposed' t nothing of grout; with tho excop- >. • tion-that the diamond drill at No. 11. Progress ! drive located a block of stone, which will°pro- 'j bably,provo to have .connection with'tho old' ! : progress -block.: Irr , .In .the. Consolidated. Goldfiolds (Wealth- of j Nations),, the principal .point of - development is •• at !No. J level,: v,'hero a 'drive has -been success- i fu!; in locating a small footwall' reef.. For. • a , length, of 55ft, tho roef; averages 17.8dwt. per < ton oi'er ■a* widtll of .32 inches. Steady progress i is- beiii'g. made' with the alteration of tho mill equipments. :Tho. concrete retaining walls are almost, built,/and a concrete .chamber: for-tho' peltoii wheel and rope gear'- has been com-: 'f plcted.-,1 he: benching- and ditching on --tho • water race havo mads..good*, progress. Spoil '« from tho now raco was prevented from damn"- '} , ipg the old race, which had to bo covered over 'l ■ for many chains. ..Dnring Juno tho battery 'i 'bullion-valued at ; «£h-7 l/s. 3d. A • thousand tons of tailings were { cyamded, yieldmgbullion valued at'£s99 10s. In tho Golden Fleece,\tho contractors at No 15 level: have made good headway, but their labours have -been unsuccessful as far "as locat-. . lng.aii oro body is.conoemcd.- - ■ • • -l. - In, = the,.'Blackwater .Mines, .development is proceoding ; satisfactorily. Tho Joker level'has ' now be,en extended 86ft on '.quart*.- W 105 (F10.5) dwt por ton over a .width of 22in. :! For tho first six months of the year this lotol '; was; advanced 437 ft., over which distanco "1 tho reef averaged 25in. in'width and 13dwt, por ton in value. It.is now proposed to cut a short- ? distance of this drive of sufficient I 'width to al- J low, a,double";track, to. form a lay-by; after which., the drive jvill bo stopped,, while a leading ,stopo will bo taken off-this drive; t The No. 3 level north has-been-advanced CGft. q during June, tho reef. averaging 14.Gdwt. per .1 ton;-over a iridth of 20in. Tho assays for the o : first six months av'orago 12.59. dwt. in value I over a width of 28in. Practically the whole of .the battery machinery is in position. The , cyanide: plant is ' virtually finished, but' tho t tanks are to bo placed in position, tarred, and 1 caulked.' The inclino tram connecting the Joker 't level, with the battery has been laid, and in a 1 week's time it will perhaps bo possible to send quartz down to tho battery. It is hoped that T it will be possible to havo a trial run with the 3 mine' during the last few days' of this month. - ( .. MINING. NEWS. . , ; . The folloiring-items are extracts from/Nor* p ' thorn oxchanges• 2 Phoenix.—Tho Phoenix Gold Mining Company, are losing no time, in carrying out tho ! rccotamendation3 of their new ; manager, and I the scow Gannet has left Auckland with a now i 20 ; h.p. suction gas plant and other machinery i oud • stores. . 'Tho gas-plant was purchased t from, a "local'firm, wlio havo sent two engineers down, to.crect'it. Mr. .Thomson, one of th'o ' directors, has also left for tho mine. It is e . cxpcctcd! that .tho new machinery ' will', bo.'at' c work before'the end of this month.' May Queen.—Ore : of "good" quality is "still I being obtained from the stopes on the footwall loader' in ' the May Queen section". ' Dabs of coarse gold have been Been freely distributed through-, .the quartz when' breaking down.Crushing at, the battery .was: commenced in the

beginning of tho week, and is still proceoding. In the Queen of-Beauty tlio work of sinking the shaft is still proceeding satisfactorily, and tho required dopth,should bo reached during tho course of the-vpresent month. In tho south :drive ';froin ;tho' No. 9 level of this shaft-better country ! is now being met with, aud it is.hoped.this .will havo a beneficial effect on' the- lode b.cing '-.driven on as tho work advances into.tho.bettor channel of country. In .the, northern 'crosscut from the samo lovol the country in the face-is somewhat tight, but good progress.-is 'stilt being made, and the first of the May Queen lodes'should bo intersected towards .'tho end of) the month. Ngatiawa.—The-bottom level crosscut south ' in the;NgrttiSw'a mi'nfi is now in a total distanco ,;of-'46ft,, ,:and:thr.p.ligh the roof. - In the face the rook is ■ aj -class of andosito country, and ;.'.wator/:!is' flonlffg freely from the end. .'Operations"'have;,been resumed in the low levoli' r wes{ : -end,j oh-tlie footwall part of tho .main; lodtv and the? drive has been 'extended 15ft.; through an excellent class of sandstono country. ' The.trehd'of the good ore met with in'the;top'':level''is"'towards the west, going down, ancfthe manager considers that it will be some time'yet. Before they get underneath tho chute;. . ; Waihi Extended.— I The north-oast face in the Intermediate level in the Waihi Extended mine has been'advanced,'to 67ft. At 60ft. a crosscut proved the lode to be 10ft. wide, with somo vary ..promising, bands' of sulphides towards the footwall,'in all about 2ft. ,In the shaft'fair progress is being made, a total of .90ft having been driven below No. i level. Tairua Golden Hills.—The low level on No. 1 reef in the Tairua Golden Hills has been driven well into, the, hangingwall oonntry, and the men have been withdrawn,,and a contract lot'to drive north, and south on the footwall portion of the reef. The south end when broken into showed a deoided improvement in reef value. The reef is a fine compact body of stone, 9ft. wide in the solid,, and taking into consideration the quartz veins and stringers on the hangingwall, it should be fully ;12ft. wide. No. 2 crosscut'is being extended, with-a view to cutting No. 2 reef, which should be to • hand in • about 50ft. of driving. ' " WELLINGTON MARKET- REPORT. ■ The ; New Zealand.'.Co-operative Distributing Co.i-.Ltd.i-.report'as folloivsf—Maize, ss. 9d.; wheat,', fowl, '.55.; barley feed, 4s, 3d.; barley, Cape 600 d, 4s. .;9d,; . maize, crushed, ss. lOd.j oats, 3s.Vld. to "3s".'3d. ; oats, discoloured, 2s. 9d.;;oats, crushed,' 3s. 6d.; oats,' Seeds, Duns, Sparrowbills, Gartens, 3s. 6d.; African Algerians,' screened, 4s.' 4d. per bushel. Rye grass, perennial, ss. Od. per bushel; hay, £i 10s. to .£6.105. per ton; straw, to £3 10s. per ,ton; bran,- £1 per ton; sucrosine, £1 10s.- per ton; prime oaten sheaf chaff, .EG por ton. ] Potatoes, table; JE6; seed potatoes, Canterbury Up-to-Dates, £6 10s.; Canterbury Dorwonts, i£6-ss. ; Red Beauty of Hebron, J!G 10s. per. ton; Victory,. .£5 10s.; British Queen, £7 lOs.'per ton; onions, iSll!'Buttor, separator, Is., ,Is. 2d., milled Is. Id., dairy pats, Is. Id. per lb. Eggs, fresh, Is. Bd.; preserved, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per dozen. Honey, 6t)'s,. ijd.;! bacon, sides, Bjd.: rolls, 9-jd.-; liarns; 9Jd.-per lb.; beeswax, Is. 6d,J fungus, 43d.; walnuts, ! 4-Jd. per lb. ' . Cabbage,, 65.;- cauliflower, lis. to lis. por sack; swedes, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per-cwt.; pumpkins, Bs. por sack;'.carrots,stable reds, ss. Gd.) horse carrots, 3s. per sack. , dessert, 10s. 6d.; cookers, 6s. to 75.; pears, dessert, 14s. to 165.; cookors,'los. Poultry, table -roosters, 45.; cockerels, ss. to 6s.;,table hens, 3s. Gd. to 55.; ducks, Gs. Gd. to Bs.; geeso, 75..Gd. : ,-all at per pair; turkey, gobblers,. Is;; .hens,.lOd.,,live weight.. ... - ■! .'LIVE- STOCK SALES. '/ ; Messrs'. Dalgety rand , Company, Limited, report having held their usual. fortnightly, sale at the '.tipper - Hutt'.on Thursday, when_ a good yarding'oi'cattle rcame forward. Bidding was rather"' dull'- under -the- hammer, although most linos'changcd hands;afterwards at satisfactory prices:'* Tiie -following gives an indication of the 'prices rulings—Fat cows, £i 10s.; agod store "cdws £1 Is. ; aged cows in- calf; : -'.£2 Mto='rii2"-'.i2s.; springing heifers, £3"los.';.'heifci i SYih calf, £2 log. to 42.'125. Gd.; fearlinp, .il- 63; \to : ifil' 165.; wcanors, lis. 6d. Messrs;'" Dalgety.-. and Co., Ltd., report., that it their Fcilding ■ sale yesterday they had a fair" yardihg'of cattle.t Yearling heifers made J6s;; 18 months heifers,. 335.,- springing heifers, £3 15s'.' 6d.Tempty cows, 355.; iat and forward lieifers, i' 3 3s. 6d.; ,3 _to 3£ year bullocks, £5 Is. 'Mr; /Newton 1 King' r supplies the following ivoekly auction roport, dated July 17:— Cattle.—At ICaponga on Friday, July 10, ihoro was a good yarding, arid brisk' compoti;ion, -nearly- everything selling at tho hammer. Halves made'frbm'l3s;.to'2Gs.; 18 to 20mouths steers, 395.; store cows, 30s. to 445. 6(1.; forward to., .£2"l-is. .to- £3 155.; bulls, .£1 155.. to £5 10s. Mrs. Purdoe's dairy herd made for early ialvers, J;5 to iiß -lOs.-; aged and lato do., 355. to w£4 10s. .' At' Douglas on Monday there was rood competition for all classes., Calves mado Lis. to 205.; 2 year steers', £2 12s. Gd.; forward lows, jß2'.los> to. JB3" Bs.-' 6d.; fat do., £i to £i Id.; heifers in calf; -.£3 12s. Gd. At Stratford m Tuesday, owing'to:the rain, all cattle advertised did not corno forward. There was ;ood bidding for all olasses,, nearly everything jfling sold at the hammer at satisfactory prices, halves mado 10s. to 17s. Gd.; 18 months steers,. 52",35.; '3 to 4 year bullocks, .£i fo.jGl lls. Gd,; :tore: cows, 235.'- to 435.: 6d.; fat do., .£3 15s. to C 4 6s.'.Gd.; working bullooks,"Jßl2 ss. to J215. In :he dairy yards springers made v£s'ss. to i£G; ate calvers, £2 12s. Gd. to 10s. ■•! Tho New*- Zealand- Loan and . Mercantile Lgency Co:, Ltd., Foilding,' reporti—On Friday ■re -had. a'':good yarding of cattle, etc., and a. nediurn entry of sheen. .. Buyers were present or. cattle, and a good salo resulted. ■ Sheep na'de lato market values. Sheep: S-tooth ewos n lamb, 125.; fat-ewes, lis!; forward: wethers, 3s. sd. . Cattle: Toarling heifers, 16s. Id.; ; earling steers.. (good), 3Ss. Gd.; store cows,' Gs. to 355. 6d:'; -18 months heifers, 245.;-heifors n' .calf."£2 '12s. j.'eln'pty 2 .year heifers, £2 35.; orward'ibullocksj i£s-i2s. Gd. .. HIDES,: SKINS, ETC., Messrs.! Dalgoty and Company, Limited, rewrt "having" held" thoir usual fortnightly sale f wool,- skins, hides,. and : tallow yesterday ,hernppiV.;J^C.Ol' l Efititiqn was fairly- animated, .lid' the more"cheerful' tone prevailing in tho wbl -market .'atrlloiii'ts' was - reflected in yeserday's bidding. - A'-fair quantity of Crutchngs was'offered, and prices showed an advance n'.last'vs'ales;V ::tAll';classos of skins were sold .t prices in favour- of^sellers, They .quote, as ollow's :—""" "Vropl.^Sliped, - fino,; crossbred lambs, ; SJd.; lined medium" liimbs," 6d. to 7Jd.; crossbred; }d.; crutchings,'.light in condition, 3Jd. to O.; heavy, 2id. to'3Jd.;. locks and pieces, ljd. o 2d. ' - 'Sheep: Skins,—Crossbred, 4!d. to s}d.;- cross--ired shorts,-3Jd. to : '4ld.; dead, inferior and !amag?d, ljdl'to 3Jd.; lambs, 3d. to 4d.; damp, ound pelted,--3s. to-3s. Bd. each;' inferior peled and sllort-in .wool,' Is. lid.' to 2s. lOd. each; mtchor.'s'. grceii; .13s:' -'.Cd.' each; : salted skins, rnssbrcd„sh'or.t;;,fin9.';;wools, 2s. Bd. to 35.; full y-oolled;" 25.-- to - 35.; "_6d.; lambs, salted, Is. 2d. 6 2s. - Gd. ■■ . -" - ' Hides;rfNo prime'heavy offering. Ox medium, Jd. to'Ssd. per'lb. ;"'-light, 4jd. to 53d.; cows, (lediurii,, 4Jd.: "to 4|d.;, light,' 3jd. to 3|d. por b.yearlings,. 33d.,; steers, 3Jd. to 4}d.; horse, Is. 6d.; calf,' sjd. to '5Jd.; inferior, 2JdTallow.—ln;Casks (inforior), 20s. 6d. per cwt.; a- tins,;.2ls.:9d.;per;cwt.; fat, 12 per cwt, Mss'srsrievih. and Company,. Limited, report s follows'Togardirig-yesterday's sale:—Wo held ur fortnightly "saio, to-day, offering 25 bales ,-t)rtl,"20001 j=kins..':4-50 ;laidos,. and a quantity of allow and horsehair. : . • i '■Wool!— I There-• was-/ good competition, and wyors* Operated in th- moro confidence at adanced'prices in'accordance with hotter tone ii. London. ' Wo"<riiote':—Medium crossbred, 4d. i).;sjd.;' inferior, 2d;~to 4d.;lambs wool, 4d. to d.;-pieces and locks!'ld..to 2d.; good crutchrigs,' 4d. to 45d.j'medinm crutchings, 3d. to 4d.; ecdy 'and''inferior/, lid. to 2Jd., ' Skins.—Market showed an,advance of Id. for : 11 classes. Wo quote:—Fine crossbreds, 4d. . a . r i|(l.: c,rossbrc(l, 4d. to 4^1.; dead skins, i (1. to 3jd.; dead ho»etts. 2d. to 3Jd.; dry pelts, : d. to 3d.; lamb skins, 3d. to 5d.; green pelts, .: s. to 3s. 4d.; green lambs woolly, 2s. to 3s. 4d.; : reen lamb nolts, K to 2s. Tallow.—Firm; Parcels : in shipping order ' 123. Tij), .£lB to 10s. Rough fat ilO o £13. ...... 'i Horsehair.—ls. to Is. 3d. per lb.; horns, ss. ! o 17s. 6(1. oer hundred; cowtails, Is. 6d. to ' s. Bd. por dozen. Hides.—Easier, in sympathy with ovorsea : larkeb. Prices 'for heavies fell Jd.; lights, (1.;.c0w hides, steady.. We.quotfl:—Ox hides I leavy), 5U1.-to. fid. ; nx hides (medium), sd. to !d.; : ox hides; flight), Id. to 4Jd.; cow hides, 1 Id. to 4d.; cut-and slippy hides, 2d. to 3?, d. ; tnc hides, 21 d. to 3d.; bull hides, 2d. to 3d.;' nlf, ■ best, • 4d. to-sfd.; calf,' cut and slippy, I ■I to 3d. 1 Messrs. jrtirray, Roberts, and Company, re- ' ort as follows:—We offered a catalogue of rool, 210 ft skins, and' GOO hides, on Friday. 1 rhen there was a fairly largo attendance of nyers:— . . '■ Wool.—Firm, arid- tendency to higher prices. - Sheip: Skins.'-Prices.'hardeTied to the extent f a halfnenny per- lbr-for all sound, well-con- ' itioncd- lots,- iiiferior,. sorts being firm. Hides,—Pricesll'uledlabout equal to last salo, i ight hides being on a slightly, lower level. ■ i Tallow;— Steady at last quotations. Prices ciirrent wero as belew:— Wool.—Crossbred'.flefete. 4Jd. to. 53d. ner lb.: ieces; 2d. to/Sid, - ; orutohings, fair quality. 24d. o '3}i" -(

. ■ Skins.—Fjno crossbrcd, sd. to ' s}d.; coarse ' crossbrod and medium, 45d. to 5d.; lambs, 4Jd. [ to 51(1.; inferior, pelted and damaged, 2d. to ; 4d.; green and salted crossbred, 3s. to 3s. 9d. i each. Hides.—Ox, medium to heavy, sd. to 5Jd. per ' lb.; ox, light, 33(1. to 4Jd.; cow, medium, 4(1. ■ t? 4Jd.; cow, light, 3UI. to 3jd.; damaged hides, ■ 2Jd. to 3d.; calf, light, 4d. to 4Jd.; calf,heavy, i 31d. to 4Jd. ' 'J-'a", olll ''-'Tins, 15s. 6d, to 21s. Gd.; casks, . 20s. Gd. to 235. Gd. Hair.—Horso and deer, Is. 2d. to Is. 3!d. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report that at their salo held on Friday there was a good attendance of buyors ana competition .was keen for everything offering. Prices for wool showed an improvement on last sale's rates. There was a keen demand for skins, and sales , showed an advance in price. Prices obtained for hides were exceptionally good when compared with othor markets. Tallow receded in value to the extent of Is. per cwt. They quote:— Wool—Bright lambs, 5Jd.; inferior lambs, 4d.; medium crutchings, 3id. to 33d.; pieces, good, 2|d. Skins.—Crossbred half-wools, 4Jd.' to 5d.; crossbred fine, 5Jd.; crossbred quarter-wool, 3jd. to 4d.; shorn lambs, 3d. to 3Ja.; dead and damaged, 3d.; butchers' half dry and green, 2s. Gd. to 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6d. to 3s. 10(1.; shorn lambs, Is. sd. to Is. Bd. Hides.—Ox, heavy, s|d.; medium, 4|d. to 5d.; light ox; 4Jd-; cows, medium heavies, 4|d. to ■4}d.; light cows, 3Jd. to 3Jd.; ox and cows slippy, 2|d. to 3|d.; yearlings, SJd. to 4d.; calves, 4-Jd. to sjjd.; damaged, 2d. to-3Jd. These hides were all in splendid condition. Tallow.—ln shipping order, 235. 6d.;. in tins (good), 21s. 6d. Horsehair,' Is. 2Jd. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. (B7 TILEQEATH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, July 17. The publication of the final agricultural statistics has not excited any comment in tho grain market, as business is so dull, and tho importation of so much Australian flour has disorganised the wheat and flour trade to a large extent. There is no change to report, and the bad weather does not tend to improve matters. Oatsheaf chaff in being drawn out of store to meet requirements, aud tho price for this is rather firmer, but thero is none offering for salo from tho country. Potatoes are also firmer as no deliveries can be made by growers till the weather clears. LONDON WOOL SALES. . (BY TELEGRAM—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COrTIUGIIT.) London, July 16. At tho wool sales the following were the average prices realised for the flceco portions of the clips named:—Ngaio, 7d.; Longburn, 7|d. Thore was a very spirited sale, with a hardening tendency for all descriptions. . Messrs; Murrey, Roberts, and Co. have received the following 17001 market cablegram from their London houso (Messrs. Sanderson, Murray, and Co.), dated July 16:—"The , markot is irregular, and shows par to 5 per cent, advance." . . • , Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., Wellington, have rcceivod tho following cable messages from their London houso, under date of July. 16:— Butter.—The Copenhagen official quotation is 3 kroners (about 3s. 4Jd.) per cwt. higher. The total imports of butter into tho UnitedKingdom for week ending July 11 amounted to 95,000cwt., as compared with 83,000cwt. for the corresponding week of 1907; showing' an increase of 12,000cwt. Market steady, and there is no ohange in respect, of demand for un--1 salted. • Prices for 1 colonial butter are unchanged.. ~...' Frozen Meat.—Tho markot has a declining tondoncy. The markot for frozen mutton and lamb is quiet, and any change in .-prices is in favour of buyers. It is very difficult to effect sales of-fror.cn beef at lower prices, viz.: id. to Jd. per lb. Tallow—Since our last .advices prices aro higher as follow:—Good to prime mixed tallow, ;6d. per cwt.; good to prime. beef tallow, fid. to Is. per cwt.; other descriptions at par to 3d. per cwt. ■Rabbitskins.—Since our last telegram prices a'ro higher by 1 id. per lb. Hides.—Prices are firm. Leather—Higher by }d. per lb. Basils—Prices arc at par to }d. per lb. lower. BANK OF ENGLAND RETURN. fiT TEt.KCHArn —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPMIGItT ' ". (Rec. 0.50 p.m.) London, July 9. Tho Bank of England return .issued for tho week ending Wednesday,. July 15, is as under : ISBUB . DKPAnTHENT Note Issua ..'. £51,GG5,0C0 Gov. debt' i 11,015,000 ■ Other cccurltios.. .... 7.M4.CC0 , Gold ... PG,915,033 ■ , *51,065,030 f54,665,003 ' Baxelng DnrAr.raEKT. Proprietors' Govt. Bccurl- ■ capital £14,553.000 ' ties ■ ... £15,237.000 Public do- Other Eccuri.'posits ... 5,325.000 ' ties ... 29,111.000 Other deposits ... 17.603,000 Notes .... 25,195.000 Rest, 7-day . and othor. Coia ... 1,C09,C03 bills ■ .... 3,451,000 . ' £71,112,000 ' . £71,112,000 '' The leading itoms. of the Bank of: England return afford the following comparison:— Ihli weok. last week. Last your. , Bullion 56i216,0C0 . 56.178.CC0 '3i.5M,003 ■ Reserve 26.601,000 26,466,000. 25,116.000 .' Note circulation 25),470,C0J 29,751,000 2D.334.0C0 Public Depositu 5,325,000 4.683.CC0 , 8,357,000 Other Doiiosita 47.303,000 43,832,000 46,171,030 Proportion ,o( reservo to liabilities... '50.33 49.23 46.00 , GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. The following are the latest quotations for Government Securities, with a comparison of those ruling last week:— Variations' Mco ; • . last wook. £ s. d. 2i% Imperial Consols... ~.. 87 17 6 2s. 6d. hishor 4 „N.S."W;I933Jan.-Jnly ... IC7 J 0 Unchanged 3j „ N.5.W.1918 Mar-Sept ...100 10 0 Uncharged 3 'N.S.W. 1035 Apl.-Ocb. ... S'J 30 0 Unchaaced •4 .„ Vic.lsaOJah.-July 101 0.0 Unchanged 85 „ Vic.lD2l-6Jan.-July ... 100 10 0 10s. higher" 3: „ Vic. 1929-49 ... 69 10 Oi Unchanged 3i „ S.A. 1916 Jan.-July ... 100. 0 0 Unchanged * 3 „ S.A. 1916 Jan.-July . ... .8610 0 Unchanged 4 „ Q'l'dl9ls-24 Jan.-July ... ICS 0 0 10s. higher 3i „ Q'l'dl934-30 Jan.-July ... 99 10 0 ss. higher 3 ~ Q'l'dl9-. , i-47Jan.-Jaly ... 83 0 0 . 155.-slower 4 „N.Z. l923Uay-Nov. ... 107 0 0 6s. higher 83 „ N.Z. 1910 Jan.-July ... 93 10 0 Unchanged 5 „ N.Z. 1945 April-Oot. ... 89 5 0 Unchanged 3J,. W.A.IMWOMay-Nov ■... 99 0 0 Unchanged 3 „ 'W.A.1915-35May-Nov ~„ 83 ■ 0 0 -Unchanged 35., Tas. 1940 Jan.-July ... E9 10 0 Unchaa4ed 3 . Tas.l9'2(HoJan.-Jiilr ... .8S 0 0 Unchanged THE MONEY MARKET. The Bank of England discount rate is 2J per cent., to which it was reduced on May 29. The London open market rate of discount for best three months' bills is unchangod' at li per cent. Short loans are quoted at j of 1 per cent. The Paris discount rate -is i -lower at 1} i per cent. j,. The Berlin discount rate is J lower at' 2J .] per cent. \ COLONIAL AND OTHER PRODUCE. Wheat.—Advorse Russian, British, and Uni- j ted.States crop reports have frightened buyers,, < though'large arrivals are checking a strong 1 advanco. Cargoes are firm, but quiet. South Australian, Ma.rch shipment, 375.; July-August , shipment, 375. 6d. Spot Australian has'more ] inquiry at 38s. 6d. to 395. Gd.; New Zealand u nominal, short-berried, 365. to 375.; long-ber-ried, 38s. to 395. . 1 f Flour is in better demand, but prices are 2 unchanged. j: e Butter is in-brisk demand., Danish-j has « risen 3 kroner to 1225.; Queensland secondaries, 106s. to 1125. New Zealand butter, ox lonic, f was clearod at 112s. to Ills. , t j Chees is quiot but steady. New Zealand f white, 625. to 635.; coloured, 58s. ' Rabbit skins—Tho sales opened at a penny i to three-half pence dearer.. , ' Sugar is dull. German beot, 88 deg.; 4<l. 5 lower at lis. 2(1.; first-mark granulated f.o.b. Hambnrg, 2d. lower at 12s. !)d. por cwt.' ■, Bradford Tops—The market is very quiot; i tho advanco at tho London 6ales has chteked i business. The quotations aro:—dO's, lid.; 46's, 121 d.; common 60's, 22(1.; super 60's, 2-ld. ner lb. . 'j London Wool Snips.--Tho inles included; "Tc- v loko " at Old, and " Cluny " at lid, , f THE METAL MARKETS. ; 1 Copper—Spot, 2s. 6d, lower at .£57 13s. Od.; J three months', 3s. 9d. lower at 6s. 3d. . Tin—Spot, dOs. higher at .£133 155.;! threo months', 12s. 6d. higher at Xl3l 17s. Cd. per ton. , ■ , Lead, unchanged, at il2 17s. Od. per ton. Pig iron, Is. 3d.' lower at 50s. sd. per ton. F Speltor, 20s. higher at Xl 9 per ton.; Silver.—Bar silver is quoted at 24 8-16 por a oz, standard, ' t;