COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 669, 20 November 1909, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

'-.'■ •'.'.■■ INVESTIIENT ■ SHARES;" Sales of Westport Coal at £6 35., Taranaki Petroleum 7s:, Ward-and Co. (brewify) at £4 Us. and '£4' 13s. -National- Bank, sellers £6 Is.; National Mortgage,.buyers. £2 18s. - 6d., sellers £3; ' Wellington Investment,' buyers ' Us.; sellers 11s. 6d.;. Napier ■ Gas, £s.paid, sollers £12 7s. 6d.; Palmerston .Forth Gas, sellers £8; Wellington Gas, £6- 15s. paid, sellers £14 ss.'; National" Insurance, sellers £1 Bs., 6d., ex dividend; Ohristchureh : Meat, buyers £10 10s.; Gear Meat, £4 paid, buyers £10 6s. 6d.; £1 paid, buyers £2 12s. 6d.; Meat Export, £2. 12s. 6d. paid, buyers £2 155., sellers £2 175.; .Union Steam, sellers £1 -. 13s. C-d.;' Wellington Woollen, buyers £3 35.; Westport Coal, sellers £6 3s. 6d.; Wcstport-Stockton, sellers 7s.;' Leyland-O'Brien Timber, buyers £1 2s. ?d.; New Zealand Consolidated Dental,: sellers £1 '4s: 6d.; New . Zealand Drug, buyers £2 65.; New Zealand Portland Cement, sollers -£1 18s.; Now Zealand . Paper Mills, • buyers £1 25.; Taranaki Petroleum,, sellers 7s. 3d.; Ward and Co., brewery shares, buyers £4'125., sellers £4 13s. . : ■•■■,"•••■•' ■

. .„■.-..-., MAEINB IJJTOEEWEITING.'■;.,;, .'-, ■Marine ./.insurance companies havo been; Buffering from'adverse times,-, due/ to extreme, competition and heavy losses. And Lloyd's Marine Underwriters have suffered also. To bring about an improvement, members formed the Lloyd's Underwriters' 'Association ,, :-to- consult, and, .if possible,, to. act, with the : Companies' Institute of London Underwriters. Tlio/..lattor. represents the joint-stock institutions./ engaged ■: in 'marine, insurance... The /"Financial Times" of; October 7 is. responsible,.for.the ;statement;.,that, at u conference' between.theao. two\bodies- it,was decided in -respect to the , •inßurance. of tap :-bulls of. /steamers ,: that"-' an 7 increase 'of 10 ■ per /cent; should: bo.' made in- the rates where'.tho' premiumr had v alroady : . been increased by 10: per cent.,-or of 20 per 'cent.-.whero no such. ■ advance had. taken place. All steamers except -passenger liners and American,'the latter bolne under,, an' agreement, .were said to bo-included, tramp 'steamers' bping,. especially affected.' The rates on' liners wero to 'bo advanced. lQ.per cent.', 'provided.a written agreement to that effect coiild be obtained in/London , and Liver-'.pool.^Heavyilosees..on-.liners, including 'the risks otf jttie Warafdh,''.h'ad,! ab it, was said, induced the underwriters to.movo-iri this direction. Therf. it "was understood.. , that, no .syndicate .if; i-inder-writors':"'o'r" company 'should' take a,larg'ir. line than,lo' per cent., of the': value "bt'anyl, steamer unlessnthe.company .or syndicate' had. a /larger amount l previously. While .it was not■expected that .the "owners ~.of--.- liners :-would') object to -.an .incrcaso .''in. their ' case..'.'; the owners, of -tramps . were said : to -:"■' bo talking of, forming "protection' clubs.'V whereby their insurance would be~coverod out onth'e mutual principle.:. The:"Financial Times'" asserts further that Continental underwriters , were prepared to : follow, the British underwriters in the raising of.ratcs. InQuiries- made' in/Molbourn'o respecting ': these: statements '-.- do riot.. confirm them.. It ia'ouito ■true that conferencesi have been .held betwpen .tho'Lloyd's orKahiaaUon and the-: companies.- Aa 'a matter of fact, the: views' o£ -Australian ."underwriters' navo; been", 'ascertained, -but..so..far no intimation '.ithal'L- any ■ agreement"has -been-.-arrived .at.,>ha8 l bcen received, from .London..V. -~ ; :■-.■;-;'■.■ '.-i;: : - . ' ■■•: ;

-■ \ ■■■:'" ; ABGENTINA'S i PKOtIKEBS; v ; ' ~'.-■•'. In spite of many drawbacks. whiioh are. jit times- grossly'exaggerated,"Argentina continues to mako wonderful progress.. The "Keviow. of the River' Plato ,, compares the'.imports :- and exports of the flr6t •half, of- this year; with, the same'period' in 1900. : showing.'.that goods, to the value of £11,2C0,CC0 were' imported ■ in .'tho former term, aa againet. £28,200,000. in. 1909. .On the other hand, exports have . increased from £18,800,000 in 1900 to £50,000,CC0 ■■ in the- ■ present ■year. Theso 'increases havo. been going on :stcadily year by year, , and .there is notv tho slightest' indication of any. decreaso in either coneumins capacity or .the.'amount : of ; products. Of tho .countries from which ■'•■ imports ■ore dravn, Great Uritain continues to head tho list with 33 per cent., which is tho proportion it. has contributed for, many years; Germany comes second with 15' per cent., and .then, tho TJniUid States with 13' per cent. In. exports'pastoral products • contribute 32 per .cent. ..'of- tho total, and ngricnltural products 65i per cent. ;It is not so many years ago that tho proportion was reversed, and pastoral products wore .tho principal "exports. . The' "Economist", eaya that a largo allowance must ,bo made in re--spoct of the merchandise smuggled into Argentina, contraband operations being on an enormous scale. ■ Tho - Government has ; adopted measures for checking this illicit commerce with tho. neighbouring 'countries, but- from- every steamer articles are brought ashore'that'escape the- duties, , and passengers' luggago is passed without , too close an examination if ''douceurs" are discreetly given to'- the right' person.

.THE. BHIPjWILDINe .INIWSTEY. : ;:. Lloyd's Ecgister of Shipbuilding Eeturns for the quarter ended September 3u,. 1909, states that from the returns compiled it'appears that, excluding, warships,' there were 2911 vessels of 778,036 tons gross under . conetfuction in tho United Kingdom at tho: close' of the quarter. The tonnage pow under construction is about 32,000 tons:morc-. than that which .was in hand at the end; of last quarter and about 45,000 tons more; tho-ii■. that building: twelvo .months'.ago. Of the vessels under construction in the United Kingdom at the end of September, 21? of ,496,689 tons are under' tho supervision of tho Surveyors of' Lloyd's Begistor, with a view to classification by.tho society. • In. addition; 59 vessels of 169.293 tons'are. building abroad with a view to classification: The total building at tho nresent time under the supervision of Lloyd's ltegister is thus 276 vessels of 665,982 tons. ' ■."■".:

: • ! WELLINGTON MAEKETBEPOET..:; -■ The • New Zealand Farmera'.-' Co-operative Distributing Co., Ltd.,. report ao follows:—Maize, 4s; ;3d.; wheat, whole fowl,' 4s. 10d. to 55.; barloy, Cape seed, 3a. 6d.; barley.feed,!. 3s. '.per bushel; barley- meal, ;£5 per ton;. oats, 2s. 3d. to -2s. sd.j oats, , seed, sparrowbills, ■ Bartons, duiifi, ;2s. Bd.; algcrians, 2s. 4d.; oats, crushed, Zβ. 7d. per bnshcl; horse beans, 4s. . Cα. per bushel; partridge, peas sb. -6d.. Prussian blue peas ss. 6d. perushel; hay, prime, £3 to £4 ton;; straw, wheaten, £2 ss.j -.oaten,. £2 2s. '6d.; bran, £4 to £4 Sβ. i pollard, £S to £5 55.; sucrosine, 200s £7,. 100's £'/ se. per ton;: superphosphate, boat, £5 per ton; ryegrass, dressed, ss. per bushel; cocksfoot, dressed, Bd. lb.; linseed.. oil ; cake, genuine, £13; prime oaten sheaf chaff, £3 to £3 55.; new. potatoes, ss. to Bs. 6d. ,per cwt.; potatoes, old, £4 10s.. to £f' 10a.; selected Canterbury TJp-to-Dato seeds, £5: onions, Ifelbourne, £11 per ton; butter, separator, , BJd.- to 9Jd.; dairy, 7d. to Bd. per lb.; eggs, fresh, Is. to is. Id.-por doz. (good demand); honey, 60' a 33d, to ii., 14'b . 4Jd.; beeswax, Iβ. 6d.; fungus, 5Jd.; walnuts, sd. to 53d. per lb.; cheese,.best factory mediums, 53d. to 6d.; bacon, factory, sides, Bd.; rolls, 9d.; hams, 9d. nor lb.; porkers,' 70's to 9O's flld.i 90's to 100'b 4id.; baconere, 4d.; heavy pigs, 3d. per lb.; green poas, 9d. to Is. Id, per peck; cabbage,,ss. to Bs. 6d.; parsnips, Is.; carrots, table, 45.-per sack; marrows, 4s. 6d. ; cauliflower, Vs. 6i.; pumpkins, Bs. per sack;' swedes, 20s.- per ton; rhubarb. 2s. to 6s. '6d.pet doz.; asparagus, 6s. to 7s. per doz. bundles; cucumbers, 53. to 7s. per doz.; tomatoes, Sd.. to lid. por lb.;" gooseberries, ss. 6d. to 6s.:6d.;per haUcaso, local-31d. to 44. per lb., in bags; apples, dessert, 165.; apples, cookers, • 14s. 6d. per case. Poultry; Tablo roosters,. 4s. 6d. to 55.; cockerels, ss. 6d. to 6s. 6d.;,table hens, 4s. 6d. to 6s.;dncks, 6s. to 6s. 6d.; gceße,.6e. 6d., all at. per pair; turkey .gobblers, 9d.;;hone, Bd, per lb, ... -. ■■''-■•'' ■- . . ■ ...

. WOOL, HIDE,'.-AND.'TALLOW SALES.

• 'McHflra. Levin and Company, Limited, report as /follows regarding . yesterday's • saleWe f/f----fered .2000 skins, 1300. hides and calfskins, and/a : quantity of tallow , and horsehair, There : was a good -attendance of buyers.- Wool:;. No wool was offered, nil coming to hand beinar.held for. iho sale of. Friday, December 3, ' flkins; . Firnir with tendenoy In-favour of aellera. Wo quotes— Sine crossbredo, B<L. to Bi?d.; croaebreds, 7d» to

73d.; hogget skins, 6d. to 63d:: dead skins, 4d: to 53d.; dead hoggets, sd. to 5Jd.; i to 4 wobU, 4d. to 53d.; dry polts,-2Jd. to 4Jd.; green pelts, to Is. Bd.; spring lambs, to Is. Bd. Tallow: Firmj parcels in shipping order,' £23 155.; tin's, £18 to £22 55.; rough fat, £10 to £19.' Horsehair: Iβ. to Is. 4d. per lb. Horns, ss. to 225. per hundred; cowtails, Is. 6d. per dozen. Hides: We presented-a good catalogue,--.which ' met with strong competition, and prices advanced Id. all round. Wo quote: Ox hides (heavy);.6ld. to 7Jd.; ox hides (medium), 6d. to 73d.: ox .'hides'(light), 6d .to 7d.; cow hides, 6d. to 6Jd.; cut and slippy hides, 2d. to' sJd.;' Btae hides. 2Jd. to 5Jd.; bull hides, 2d. to 6d.; yearlings, 3d. •to 63d.; calf, ! best, 7d.-to 10d.; calf,, medium, sd. to 6Jd.; calf, cut and slippy,-3d, to Gd. Messrs.. Abraham.and Williams, Ltd., Wellington, report on their skin sale yesterday as follows:—We offered a good catalogue to the usual attendance of buyers. Wo did not offer any wool at this sale; competition was'good for everything offered, and prices remained on a level with last sale. Wo ciuote:—Skins, crossbred, fine,-83d.; half bred, 83d. to 9d.; medium crossbred, 73d.; coarse, 7d. to 7Jd.: merino, 7Jd. ;i first.dead, 53d. to 6d.; second dead, Sd.; inferiors and short, 3d. to 43d.; half-wools, 53d.; spring lambs, Is. 9d.; pelts. Is. Bd.. to Is. 10d.: butchers' damp skins, best. 7s. lid. to Rp.' 2d.; lighter, 7f>. 6d. to 7s. 7d. Hides: Ox: No heavy offering. Medium ox. 6jd. to 71d.; heavy cow, iii,; medium and light, 61c1.; damaeed, sd. to 53d.; good calf, 10d.; yearlings,. 6Bd. Tallow: In tins,'2os. 3d. to 21a. 3d. cwt. ' ■ •' " •■. Messrs. Murray, Hoberts and Co. reoort:—We offered yesterday a cataloeno' comprising .2800 sheepskins, 700 hides and calfskins, besides some oddments of wool and tallow. There was a good attendance of buvern, who bid freely nt priras eoual to last sale-for sheepskins, while hides advance! fully a farthing 'on.-lntc price's.-OaU-skins. were erratic, spmo lines. bringing fully equal to last sale, while ordinary medium sorts were not in such keen demand. and : brought nrices a farthing bclOTy those Inst week. We quote prices as follows:—Wool: Crossbred (hags, fadges, etc.). 7d. to BSd. vet lb.: crossbred dingy cotted. 6d. to 6W. ner lb.; bellies, pieces, etc.r2Jd. to s>d. per.lb.- Shoopskim: Fine crnßsbred. Sid. to 83d per lb.; medium crossbred, 73d. to Bd. per lb.; coarEe crossbred, 6W. to 7} pcrlb.; lambs, woolly, 65d. to 7Ad.; laroba. short, sd. to ad.nerlh.; crossbrede. fanltv polls. sd. to 6}d, per lb.: dead rtins.-Sid. to 53d. per lb.; dead hogBets, 3'd. to 6?d. pnr lb.;' badly da:tna?i!d skinrr, 2d. 53d. per lb. Hides: Ox. medium, 6Jd. to 7d. per lb.; o*, heaw, 7d. to 7}d. uer lb.: oir. light, Hid. to 6Jd. nor lb.: cown. good. 6W. t0,63d. per lb.: cows, fair medium. 6d. to 6)d. per lb.; damagod cut and slippv. 3d. to 5Jd. par lb.; bulls and "nta?K. 4d; to 43d. per lb.;. calfskins, best, I 9W.>, to lIH4. per lb;;-. i"»Wskins, Tnedinm. good, l-?Sd.'t«'Wd.'-ner-lb;i calfskino. ordinary, meaty, etc;. Bd. to B3d. -ner lb.; <-»lfskins, JM. tn 7d. per lb. Tallow: Tini. <>tc.," 18s. 6d. to'Ws. 6d. ner >wt.: casks in. shipping order, 245.. i&. to .255.-3d.-ner cwt... , . ■■■"'. .. The New Zealand Loan and llercantiln. Aeenrv Companr report 8s follows:—Our fortnightly sale was held yesterday, when fairly catalogues were pubtoittcd. ■ Thfe was keen' competition for the bi" wool offered, also for all sound sMn.i iHid'hides. ■ Shoenskins p-re about i<l. per lb. higher than-nt last c alo; hides i>re n-lso higno.r by >d. to }d.. r"' , lb. We-quote; Wool in hapi- wool. 63d. to 7id-: nitices n,nd heUi<").- 33rt. to P»'l.; locks. 23d.; c-utchint-s, to 4ld. f'eepskino- Frni rrosolired, '7M. to B!<'.; oon.TRe.6W. t>.: 7W.t de."d skini, fiJd. .to 6d.; short wools, 4d. to 6d.: dam'asrnd pltixii. 2)d. to M.; gi-flen and dn-mp lonpwools,- 4s.' M. t-o li. 9*. oart; er<>en-neltc. ■)>!.• SH. to Is. Bd.: lamfcnkini, 1». to Is.-6d. . Wde«: Peavy ox, ;Nonw of-, fererf.' Ox, radium, 63d; to 7jd.: cow-nd lie'if, ox. 53rf. to' 6|d. ":faulty hides, 4d. to 513.; rn% beit, 9Jd. to 11Jd.; rolf, nv>dium.' 7>d. to'B?d.; "»lf, faulty, 3Jd. to 7id. Tallow: In tins, to 21s. 3d. per cwt. ■■■;■'■' ■■■■■;■■ ■ .;.-■,.

Customs revenue collected at Wellineton yesterday amounted to £2548,195.'- lid.' -.

BANK OFENGLAND RETURN. • (By Telesraph.—Press-AssociaUon.— Copyright.) : ■ - London, November 18; The Bank of-England return issued '■ for tho wcek\ ended Wednesday, November 17, is- -as under:— . •. ~..--, -.;.., •.'.-.. ■ '•■■:', ,: >' . ■ ISBDI .DKPABTMItST.. '• • ■ .. ': .■ : Notelesue ... f52,1M,CC0 Gov,securiUeniU,ols,Coo . " • ..Other Becuri- ■ .•■■,. '.-' .'• ■' ■'. , < . ■ ttoa. .;..■■ ..WMJM.-.'. ■ .";:' ..,", '. ; . Gol A . .-''•■•• sf.oai.qoo '..- ,' ' £53,499,030, ■'■'.■■ ;£ffi. , .fflj),cbo ,' ; . Baswko DEPABTjrKNT. jj •.-■ . : froprietora. ..'■■" Govt.EOOurl.'. ..'capital fH,653,U»: ties ... £16,005,0 M . Tublicdo- Other securi- ■'•'•■ posits... 6,521,000 ties' .. ... 22.907.00Q Clberda-. '■■• .-'■:■.'. ' ■'■■' ..-"'" uoaits ... ' 40,123,000 Kotos ... 24,068,000 Eett,..7-£ay- , ': . '.. -,;;,,:... !; ~., v tndothor Cola '•' _'." I'.MS.OOJ ~ .;, tills. ... 3.1T7.C00 _ : r.:^-■'■'■:■ - : V- . - -". : i ';'. '..'. ai.fflM '■:.■ "','■[; ■■■■. ' £M,270,CC0 The leading,items of the Bank , of England return aiford.tho followihg comparison:— -•'.'■. •■-■■■ - --,- •; Thiswoek.Jjastweqk.Xa6t year ...•■■" '.'■■ '■'. : ' ':.-£ .' '■.'■■ / S ,A ■.- ■ £ .•■ -: Bnlliob'...'■' .... 34,050,000 . .E1.94U.C0n." 34,16d,000 ' Eeserve..: '"'... : 23.564,0 M 28,614,000' '.5.e«.0U0 ,- rKoteciroulation ■ 28.431.00J ■ 28;K,!>.000 i(i,4M.ooy Deposits -':■ 6,;ti1,00J ~'. 6,85i,1X,0 . 8,ii7,0X) r .OtborDeposits 40,'H8,000,. ; .,39.176.00J,. • 40,018,000. v - l-roFordpn, ol , ' -, , ? . x .\ ..,:. .-.1 ..■"... r " reserve'-'•; to ' ..'"!■.""'"■' •■"■''.";' :•■ UabiUUes'l.. * ■': ,■; '■ ■ Si.li 1 .50.71.■ , 1, .£2.67 '" •."■H'.','(V •; .The•':• 'following' ~ar6'.- ''tho -.tlate'et"" for Government securities, withia comparieon of thoeo; ruling last week:— '■•. 1! '....:-.' '■ *.- .-' •■ ■■' • " -' : ••■; ■'"■' " ■' ■ ■ -■ .-'i'.- ' Vttriat!on3 ' ■■■'•:■.'■' ■.:■" , -; ■"-•""• ."■ '■ Prico ■ compared--"t :• .' ' '. " . ■■. . ' ' ' , .- .- ' «ltn . ; I- ' - " ' ! ' ■• ■ ■' ' Instwcotc ' -V. , . "■ . .' . £ s.-a. ; ■-..- ■■■ 2 1% Imperial Consols;.-.; i.. 82 10 0 2s. (M. lowor' Si 1 ,-N.S.W.WIBM»r-SepS .-...0310 0 Unohanced 3 - ~N.5.W.1035Api.-Oct. ... 85 0.0 DuohunSod B ...Vio.itaiJan.-July..., ... 10310-.0 ■-..Unchanged B. i ~ Vic.-16SW Jao.-JUIy . ..; . yj 15: . 0~. : UnonangoA--3 „ \ic. IVSH9 Jan.-Jniy. ... iß(i. 0-O.r .-UnchaMo'a SB , ,,K.A.lUjiiJan.-July- ... 0' ; •■ss"l6wer' »=-.;B.A;wiß3an.-3u!y.; ■ ... jj^g 4 , Q'l'dWlo-WJan.-July . „. "j(U..-o:-o-:- : Uiichangca 31 , ; g'l'olH-/4-a>Jan..July ... W lO 0 Unoh&nied 3 . ,gr(lJJt&47Jan.Juiy -~. -:S6, O"'O ' Cβ. lower i , .>-f ... 105 2 6 . 2s.6d.higbor 34..N.5-lWOJan,.July. ... 03 IS U UnehaSgcd 8 :-,;-N.Z.l»lj Apnl-Uct. ... ... bO 0 0 tnchansoa .Si ~\Y.A.I!MMOMay->lov ' ... ■ BS'-.-O -."0 - 10s.higher 3 ~\Y.A.IUIS-3Jit&y-Nov ... Ba DO • Unchanecd 3 j „ Tis; IDiOOan.-July ... . 07 12 ■ 6 2s. 6d. hishdr 5 ... .'W-M'-tt- Unohansed -'"■■ r THE MONEY'-HABKET. ' ' ■/. '■■. The Bank of England discount rato ie S pej cent., to-which it was advanced on October 21. The open market rato of. discount for -best three months'- bills in London is: 8 lower at 41 per cent; in Paris it ie 23 per cent., and in Berlin 43 per cent. . . '.'•-. .. .Short loans in London 3 lower at 4 per cent. i.■'-'•■ : 'COLONIAL AND.OTHER PEODUCEi : " ~-'• • Wheat—The markets, are quiet ami inacUvo. Cargoes arc steadily held; 611.0 'tons Australian, per steamer, December-January shipment, 'sola at 315.; October shipment, per' sailuro, OC'orins' at 41b.;' February-March at 3Vs. 9d. There is little inquiry , for Australian on spot at 425. 9d..t0 43a.; New ; Zealand, Hα. id., io 395. 3d..'." - .••. -. -.-.-' .-, .-.:■.:"'- , ,':'; . : --"" ,'

. Flour is Blow of sale at f 31s. 3d. on spot; , 28a o<l. is asked for January-February shipment. \Barley is in good demand. Malting, 345.- to 37s °d., ox store; Chevalier, 30j. to 355. _Oats.-Thero is inquiry {or lino New Zealand Gartons at 20s. to 22a.; BparrnwbiUs, 19s. 6d. to Z9s. .9d.; La Plata; is quiet, January-February shipment, Uβ.-3d. ' . v . ...'■■■■ Butter.-Tho Osterlcy's eliipment sold briskly; choicest salted, 114s. to 118s.; New Zealand, 1205.;. Danish unchanged. Owing to cessation of Si. benan supplies, new secondaries and colonial meotlng with moro inquiry, the former selling atv-i.Wa. to 110s., the latter at 98s. to lMs. .Sugar-German beet, 88dcg., 6d. higher, 'at ij i?- i rßt , n">rk ,, ernnulßtod, f.o.b. Hamburg, 6d. higher, at Ms. Id. per cwt. . . Bradford Tops.-Thoro ie small business doing, but the market ie very firm on colonial roP°fts. - Wβ, 13iSd.; 46's, 16d.; common M's, 25} d.; super ,60's, 263 d.; 64's. 27id.; for future delivery, common M's.ara quoted at 24id., euper 60' a at 25id., and 64'b at 26>d. per lb.

..THE METAL MAEKETS. Ooppor.-On epot, S7s. 6d. highor, at £60 Is. 3d.; three months', 255. higher, at £61 3s. 9d. per ton. Electrolytic, £62. , . • ••', . Tin.-Spot, £139 17s. 6d.; three months', £142 per ton. - .Lead, £13 ss. nerton. ■ '■'•■" . Spelter, £23 sa. per ton. - ',