COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 673, 25 November 1909, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

■'.'■'■■■■-'■."■.-'.OTVESTiIENT'SHAKIiB..' . ; ", V A Salo of TVestport dad at£6"3a.6d, was recorded yesterday, Natior.al ■• Bank, ', buyers £6; Lank of Now Zealand, buyers £9.143.; llquitable 'Building, buyoro £9 4a.; Wellington Investment, buyers Us;, sellers' Us. 6d.; Wellington Trust and Lpan';'bUyersV£7, sellers £7 45.; Huttand Potono Building,, sellers £4 55.; Mationa! Mortgage, buyers £2 18s. : t .Mi;,-..eoUors- £3; Feilding Gas, buyers, £1 Is.;' Napier Gas, buyers £12, sellero £12 7s. 6d.; Wellington Gas, £6 15s. paid, sellers £14; Now Zoaland Insurance, buyers £3 155.; Standard. Insurance,. buyers. £1 2s. Gd.j'.Goar Meat,- £4 paid, buyers. £10 60.;'"£ l paid, buyers £2'l2s. 9d.; ,; .Veyt Zealand Shipping, buyers £7 100. , ,.-Rollers. ..-EB;.iTaupiri-. Coal, sellers l?a. .6d.; Wcstpprt. Coal,' sellers £6 4s;; ■ Manning and' Co, •buyers"£3'l4s;; Now.Kcaland Consolidated Dontal, jßoUers'>£i 40.;6d.; New Zealand, Drug, buyers £2 65 , .; New Zealand Portland Cement, buyers £1 16s 6d.; Shnrland's preference, buycra: 20s. 6d.;Taranaki Petroleum, BoHers Bs.; Wellington Opora House, sellers £7 175., 6d.; Uycroft, Ltd., sellers 17e. ;.:-.". .-.-■ ; :-'. ■ • . .'■ '...:. ■/'j . . ;.>.:.'' i ■.■ . . FEOZEN MEAT. : " ..■ / EEMAEKB. BY MK.E. S. ABRAHAM. 'Dcal'lng-with/ihp : position of ftbzon- meat, Uv. K; 8. Abraham remarked at tho annual meeting ot shareholders" of - Abraham and : Williams, Ltd.:— ..■ ■ ' '-•■■■.■ •;. ...-'. ;v ■. ,:. • "In regard to frozen moat, I ara sorry to say that I am not ".so, 'sanguino. I'spent some-time in London inquinng into tho condition of this Industry,, and tho results woro not encouraginc I found,'.in-tho, first place, that; bur ment waa badly-lmndlod from ,the time if leaves tho shiw; it is .knocked about from ono storo to another ' and I was anything ;but pleased with tho appearance of what was exhibited in Smithfleld ' There it haato meet a combine of sharp, shrewd business-men, aro all too 'powerful' for' , us ana;no matter-how low the pneo is' in Smith-field,-in the provinces no change ie made. Whilst I'was at nomo, -tho mutton -wasi'downi to :2di and. 21(1. per .lb.,:but nowhere'l'Btayed in the pro-■" vlneos could it-bo ■ b.onjhf-'.under' Gd., to 8d;.- per : lb.; and-why?:. Because tho same, names'- appear as ,retail -butchers; in tho: prpvinoial > towns as appear -on the-.- Umithilcld Dtoreg; • If. the ■ nriceo a n '?A b u un -\ r i y^ I i? fairl < y I,olatii 'O 'to.thoso-nt, Smithflold, tho increased . consumption would soon ■ help to, restore ■ the wholosalo .prices- 1 to a fair-margin.' And , .what i 3 tho cure?, of thin I. am , ,certain:.'-that,-.unless combination can hd effected -ao;:that';wo can : have-regulated shipments;'.oUrVown, stores, our.own - shops, and tho very bostiman-wc can-, Got to manage tho whole i.6ncijnj^u;must;esP i^pjsnodical,'hjarin

hands of tho Amoripnri Trusts.;. In , tho, words of a southern newspaper: '.'.There is no business capacity brought to bear on tho New Zealand oxport trado'-, but even m>,. could the very best business capacity do much under present conditions unices it can control practically tho whole of the trade It is proposed, I see, to call a meeting of peoplo interested-ill the meat, trade in Chriatchurch, to consider what-ecu be done to hotter,matters.. This is a step .in the right direction, but it will not go far enough—nothing short of an Australian combine can do any food.:, lam glad to Bay, for. tho'sake of this istrict, that the English Hoard of Trado havo reinstated 'boned meat , under certain regulations. I had'some conversation with tho Chief Inspector of Sraitlifield on the matter, and was able to. contrast tho wretched stuff from bthof-" countries, • which I saw -hanging up, with the healthy meat sent from here. Chilled.meat has, lately been sent successfully from Australia, but I very much doubt if the cxnense- will allow us to. compote with tho Argentine. .:; .

IMPOUT MARKETS.

Trade with , the country districts is,steadily im. proving, bnt in the city and suburbs it is still quiet. Eotailers are continuing tho hand-to-mouth policy of doing business, but a spurt may be expected for tho Christmas trade; Values are unchanged except for sugar,'which is ss..per ton higher for all grades, and dried fruits. Arrowroot.-St. Vincent, Sd.. per lb. •

Candles.-The demand continues in small comi pass, l'rices aro unchanged. Tho New Zealand Candle Company's quotations stand as follow:— Premier steirinc and live ■ modal,■ 5d.; Uritish sperm,- I'rench.- sperm, univcreal wax,.- Excelsior, paraffin, sjd.; 'Apollo sperm and Venus paraffin,'id.;. Venus, coloured fluted. 6jd.; piano, bedroom, and carriago sorts in cardboard boxes, 71d., less the usual trado discouuts. Prico's Londou sperm, iCoz. - 6'id., 6Jd.; Hurnia. 160z.-; 6Jd. '■ . -

Co'rnllour.-Steady business passing. 11. and P., 51d.t0 Sid.:-Johnson's. 21d.; Lrowu's. 3d.: Chicago, 23d.; Buffab. 2Jd. <-. ,' : ; ■'.■<•. ,; ~

Cocoa.—A steady hiuid-10-moutu 'business Is doing. Van lioutcn's, l's, 3s. '2d.-; J's, 3s. 3d.; l's; 3a. 4d. per lb.; Ucnsdorp's. l's. 25.. 10d.; J's. 13 lid.; J's, 35.; l'ry'n,,l's; Is. <id.; llahia"Zs. lCd.;

Oohdcnsod Mill:.—llighlaudcr; 65.; Cowslip, 4s. Mr, .Swiss Milkmaid, 6 3 : 6d. to 6s. lid. por.'dijzcu.

.- Canned Meats.-Bhcep tongues, 10s. lid: to lla. for'l's; ox tongues, ZJ's. 31s. to 345.; -J's, 348./ to. 365.'--per doieh; Gear's assorted, potted. 4s. C'd.;' St. George's, ss. In referring to the position of tinned meats in England, tho "Produce Markets' Review" of October 9 states.'that it is many years since compressed corned.boot' was'.in'such a strong - statistical position,. and it is 'almost impossible to obtain 61b. tins from any of the leading North American packers. Added to this; the leading packers in South America stato that they will hare no further Quantity available for tho.English market until January at tho earliest,- as several of them - have only sufficient stocks remaining to fill contracts previously taken. Thero is a, fair supply of, some of the loading Queensland brands, and as quotations aro most reasonable, considering tho strength of the ;ppsition, a largo trade is expected. . . Cream-of Tartar,. 9d.. per lb. .. Canned Fish.—Prices remain tho same. Sardines havo had a rise on account of tho seasonyielding: a poor catch. Herring : in. tomatu sauce., l's, 7s. to-7s. 6d.; 4'b, 45.. 6d. to 5a.: tup-' pored borrings, l's, 75. , 6d.-to 75.. 3d.; »'s. As.. 6d. to.ss.:'fresh herrings, l'9.'6s.' to £5.,6 d.; lobster. C and H, ill), tins, 14a. 6ci to 155.; salmon.-salad, medium reds, lib. tails, Bs. 6U. to-.9.1;'; 111), nats. 9s. to S3. 6d.; silver. Mb. Link. Sorkcjo. lib. tails, 10s. 6d.; HI).; Hals, Us.; South.: eru Oruss, Jib-, 65.. 6d. licrrinsleU. .in'-oil.'ticiiu. tor'brand, fls. to. Cs. fid.;' iri tomato sauce, fis, t O . Bs.' £d.; sardines. Skipper. 31b. this. 55. , to sa. 6d. : J'b, 9s. Sd; to-lOj.; "King Edward," i's 4s. 9d. to H; J's;.. Bs. Od.; Hub. aincthurst brauu. . la making Sss. to 565. per owt.'.. :" ', According to' latest mail advices the .Home markets for new season's, salmon were very strong, andpi'icea had further advanced; It was many seasons since, this; fish; waiij in. such a strong position',-:for.'practically every case was sold immediately offers wore received from San Francisco, andthore-were still many-buyers who:iiad not satisfied their requirements!; As tho, United States', and • colonies had taken more-than usual it was almost impossible to obtain further bup- , plies, with tho result that those dealers who wished to resell a small part of their purchases had no difficulty ia quickly obtaining a profit on the prices they had paid, tind despite tho ' advanco in prices there were moro buyers than sellers.!;: ' ■'•. '-. :: .'.:.. V ;■'■;■>.'. ■: ■ - ,'■ ':■ Canned-fruit 3 are'quoted , at Bs. 6d. to 12s. .6a. .according to quality.'•'.' Sinpaporo cable .'adviceo report a further advance .ui tinned pineapples, the , sirth' advance in :alittlo.ovb'r a moath. Tho total 'advanco sinci October-8 is,6d: per;dozeu, or about' 22 per cenli'while-it 1 is expected' that shipments from Singapore will bo small; ' • : '■■' ■ Uried Prjiks.—Practically' all now fruits aro now on tho market.-Currants, flncsi: provincials,-; 3(1.; Amalias,-od. per lb.; lib. cartou3,3s. 6d. nor doion; sultanas, selected' 3jd., clioice <d., goliien (in bulk) 4Ja., lio/cartoMHs.. 6d..l)ei"dozen;.dates,-. in , ' bulu 2jd., ,in cartons Is.-.bd. per natural, in bags, 2d.j oiodod raisins, , - fancy lio.' pacliages '.a., caoicc 30. (id; per dozen; mUßcatels, Jialaga, Hid. per :Ib';;'priinc-j, ; Jd/to/Ufl. ■ Accoi'iiing to latest mail, reports tho present season, for ugs opened under favourable auspices. iiari:et3 generally wero-baro:- ot oid.soaaon's fruit, .whi-o the .unfavourable-weather csperi-. ( enced in producing coimtvies towards the close of' the growing season. curtailed crottuction to u I very largo extent. Tho arrivals on tho Smyrna, market to the beginning of October amounted-id .M,(i(ni'loads, wita a prouablc 10,000. .to IS.OIjU loads, to , follow, but it was (iuito evident that the last few thousand loads wouiu boot very, poor quality. : Karjier estimates placed tho yield at lully Iiw.OCO loads, , but , it uow/teeia-sd: aei.if SO.CI'Q, loade , would bo tho maximum result. 'I'hcreloro prices in Smyrna had advanced by leaps and. bounds.' It "was practically : certain tuat all. figs would bo I very 'Beared. , after the turn of the year/'unless morohanta demanded „ prices . which M consumcro found impossible tdi'-,pay. : ; .rrom opa -pdiflt.'.iof; viovr,-'at'any"rattv any grcaV.'increaso in.pricp; was a misfortune, for an increased consumotion is- requisite in view of tho extended planting which has boon going on in : Asia Minor. It takes about 14 yeare tor a fig orchard to comS into full bearing. Tho great increase can bo readily eeen when one remembers that the crop was SU.KO loads in 1690,'Y0.tC0 in 18!)5, 65.C00 in Vm, : 90,000 in 1503, 81,U!U in 1904, IUI.OuO iii-1905, 112,000 in 191)6,. 120.000 In 1907, and 120.0C0 in' 19C8. Theso figures also show 'what tho comparatlvo shoi'tago throughout the consuming markets will bo this season;.as,last year's crop of 120,000 loads was-all sold ;dut of llrst hands before the New - Dcsaicated coconut: has ■ eiperienced an '. advance oi£4 per ton, and is now quoted at £38. , . Kvaporatcd "'l'ruilai—Tlio'- iiuutalluiis . aro un. changed, apples, apricots, and peaches, uiakiuj; from 7Sd. to Bd. per lb. ).■■■■ ■-~ Infants' l.'oods.-Neavc's. 9». 9d.;,. Allan and llaubury's Plus. 1 and 2. via.; Ko. 3, 11- a . n,lleugcr's 175.; ltobiusou's uatcut groats.and- bur- . ley, 7s. 6d. Noave's milk food. 12s. 6d.; Nostlo's <s'..' 6d.; Olicy'B.' 50. 3d.'.". Maizcno.— siil. •:.-.■ it". .. Mustard.—Fair'sales.; Colcm.-in'a D.S.F., Ts, Is. lid. to Is. 6d.'; ,4's, la; 3iii..'lb Is. 4d; : -Uurhata.-"Matclfos.-'i'lalda!. os. fld. to 3s. 5i.. a. gross;' peuny slide's, Bs. $&.' to safeties,,"email, • forciEn, 35.10 3s. od.; liri'aut and Uuy'a. mi^ll, 6d.; large. {7s;. 6d.. ■"'■ ,jVl\ ; . :, ■-,; ■-.■'-. . Nutmegs. , ?d. ■ to. Is. per b. .:...;■ .- , : :... 'l'ccl.-Lomon peel. 7s, ,;.5Jd.: .orapje. 51d.;'clt, roil, IOJd. perlb. . "' ; ' ■ Vickies.—Jtorton'B hciagon 10s. .td.." round J29. : sd. per dozen; Captain ' White's, 23a. 6d.; Oarton's H.L , ., i-pints. 12a.' 6d.; pints.- 225. 6d.; .puro uidUcs, 9s. 6U. to' Ills. -':•■ -. ' ~ . ■ ltice.-No. :1, 15s. id.: 'No. 2, 14s. 6d.; special Jaijati, 16s. per cwt. ■ •'■■...' HalL-Mue, 71b. bags, ss. 6d. to 6s. 6d/ per 3w1.; bags, 3s. 6d. to cuarse, in. cwt. baga, la to 3s. 6d. per cwt. . ■■'..- Sauces.—li." and 11.,I 1 ., j-pints, 14a. to 14s. (id.; ] •p'ints, 255. to 2bs. Sd.; ilolbrook's, J-pints. 7s. od.; pints, 10s. 6d. to -lOa; 9d.; gartouls,, J-piuts; 7s. fd ■ pints, 11)3. to ll)s;.bd.; liagle bruud (W.a.).-, 4-i>inlt!, 2s; 9d. to 35.; pints, 6s. 6d. to 6s. ,:'■■;, tJtareh;-Colman's.' lib. .boxes; 5Jd.. to 5Jd. : 61b. packets, od. to 6Jd;; ?New. Zealaud. lib. boles, .383. to 39s..per. cwt; 51b. packets,.37s. to 38s. per atovc rolish.—ljiscy's. 2s. 6U.; lUxkitfs. 3s._. ■'^u'gar.— IA" and Ko.-l, 56's, £17 Us'.-; No. 2,- £17;'| No. a, f.li por ton. ".■.'. i: ''. ■■ Tin plates.—Laton. mail reports from in connection with.'the tiii-pVato ttatlo'wcro to tao effect that in South Walesa firm tono prevailed,-: and prices steadily advancing. Manufacturers were well booked forward, oo that large parcels wore scarcely offered, but a fair amount of speoulativo buying had. been effected for delivery the first quarter next year.i.l.C. 20 r 14 by 112 sheets were" held for 12s. 4!d. to 12s: 6d., while oil sues, with short supplies, were very firm at 12s.' 9tf. to 13s. for 133 by 124 sheets, and 191 by 14 by 120 sheets. 1.0. 20 by 10 by 225 sheets were quoted at 18s. Odd sizes ; also moved off well on tho basia prico of 12s. 9<l.', Tcrnes, hov/ever, receivccl rather less attention , , and..finished ,, black plato was slightly easier at £9 10s. Qalvanisod sheets wore. hardly so satisfactory, s al-' though thero vras ho quotable alteration in basis.price for M.gauge. .. •• : ' ABEAHA3I AND WILHAJIS,' LTD. ... • '...• . . ■ ANNUAL 'HEETINa. . : ' '~ .. ■ The annual meeting of shareholders of Abraham ana \\ imams, iita., wa3 held ■ at "' Valmcrstou 'North on Monday aitornoon, Mr. l<. S. Abraham, chairman of directors, presidine. ..The, annualieport; stated'that too- balance available 'for distribution, after maKing allowanco for bad debts, was £3291 9s. 9d., and adivtdend or 3 Belcent, was recommended, leaving..£/94.125.;10d. to bo carried forward. Vurinc the'year. the company's liabilities were reduced by £i 0,000,' and savings were effected, in running oipeuses. In dealing with tho "atfaivs of tho company the cEairman: said:--. . '.'•..,'■ "Ths severo competition . which wo. havo cspericuced during too last two ■ or tlireo years, combined hritlrtno low values of stock and produce, have naturally affected our profits, whilst an excessively stringent money market has compelled some of our clients to make default, which, has swollen our , bad debts somewhat "heavier than usual, .and wo may esteem ourselves .fortunate thai, after making provision for ar»'thing doubtful, wo are able to pay a dividend: of-3 per cent, for tho .year, and carry forward tho sum of £794 123. 10d. Coming to tho balance-sheet itsolf, you will..find that capital account has increased by, £13C4, being calls collected. In view of tho absolutely sound nasitio'n of tbo company financially, and, tho cood prospects ahead of us, it should bo possible, shortly, to dispose' ot further chares. Present . shareholders will, 1 hope, take a keener interest in the business, and, whoro DoS3ible. increase their o.wn. holdings. ... .-'■■ '.:: . ' "Had the director? had further capital at.thcir disposal : tho recent depression would not havo affected tno' businoas bo materially, as a dividendpayine concern, but shareholders should remember that, though the. returns for ,tho last two yoarß havo been-small, d.urine. the cight. years of t'ao company's existence, dividends for tho flrat.tix yeara wore nt-tho rate. ol»<£8-<j)er./ccnt. per annum: over £16.000 has been'written off for 'goodwill'.and , preliminary expenses,' a reserve 'of

commission daring tho first three years; Liabilities hovu;been reduced as follow:— ■ ■ ' .- ' ". '•■ ) -' l ■'.'■£■•■■ Hank of New Zealand .::....'. .:...;..':....:: 15,971 •■..'• Sundry creditors 7,564. Mortgage account '. .'. 1.9C0 . •'■'<' -•' ' ' ■■■■.■■■■'■ 25.435 ■' '. ; Bills ; discounted ....; ; .25,035 , ■ '■' _ ' ..'..■■■ '-. £50,<70 ;.. being a reduction of direct liabilities of' £25.«5 and of bills discounted, £25,035-a marvellous record for such a veai- as wo have just passed through.- ■ ..

"You will notice aundry creditors account'has been reduced .£7OOO to £8000. • This is accounted for by tho'paying off of deposits, and tho board have decided that, for the utiurc. moneys will not be accepted on deposit af interest, 03 they consider the system of taking largo sums-at. short calls a dangerous one. "Assets.—Property iiccount show 3 a small' increase The boa,rd has decided to disposo of several properties, which can be sold without intorforinr'with the business, thus brinuini: the property account into a somewhat more reasonable relation to capital. By this; moans, considerable . sums will be released for tho benefit of the general business of tho company.-, Tho other accounts aro oil normal, and call, for-no special comment. --Our Rross earnings diirimr the year were £26,344. showific a drop of £2<!02: nevertheless tho net return for the period- is better than the previous year, in spite of. the fact that bad debts aro considerably -heavior than usual. The expenses ohow a reduction of .€2574, but.the ful! effect of tho measures taken to Rft these down is not. yet beinß-felt. Prospoct.9 for a successful season seem to bo brieht all round-almost, too bright, considering tie short time that has elapsed since we were sunk' in deepest Kloom, and it is another proof of the marvellous recuperative power of this country.The first of our wool sales has returned an average increase of over twopence per.:!b.-.on last year's prices at tho same sale, and I may' say thai, while T was in London, our wool brokers informed me that they considered wool would-ho firm for some time, as' the demand hod. overtaken tho supply. . ,

■■ "Gentlemen, I think I nm warranted in pro; raising you better rniurns in the future, and beforo moviue the adoption of tho report :and balance-sheet. I would lil:o to nay that the whole of tho accounts have boon most carefully scrutinised, nnd that, any ascertained bad debts have be;n written off. Your • directors, howcvei". consider it unwiso to distribute the -whole of tho net profits, and 'recommend the carrying, forward of the balance of profit and loss account," Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £1543 Os. 2d. ■■

; Wellington: haeket kepokt. ■ Messrs. Laery and Co., Ltd., Wdlinelon. r» port wholesale prices rulinc on the market:Wheat, fowl, -,4s. Bd. to 4s. 10d.; "Iced oats, 2s. 2d. to 2s. 6d.; dun oats. 2s.\ 4d. to 2s. 6d.; seed oats, 2s. 4d. to 2s. Bd.; aleorian oats 2s. 2d. to 2s. 6(1.; maize, <s. to 4s. 3d.; crushed malt, 75.; fowl. barley,. 2s. •. 4d/ to . 2s. 6d.; Capo barley seed. 2s. 6a. to 2s. 9<J.; flour. New Zealand £11 ss. to £1110s.. Australian £12 ss. to £12 10s.; bran, £3155. to £4; noarl barley. 155.;. peas, Prussian blue, ss. 3d. to ss. 6i1.; fowl peas, 45.; : split, £17 IDs.: bdncdust. £5155.: superphosphates,' £5 to £5 55.; : pollard, £4 153.:. to £s;ilUs.i." basic slag. £4 10a.:: chaff,' oatcn-sucat, £3 53. to £3 155.; .oatmeal,' £10 10a.'' to £11; potatoes, table, £5 10s. to £6 10s.;' new potatoes, Bs. to Us. cwt.; Victorian onions, 12s. cwt.;-molaascs fodder, £5;. bacon, factory, sides 73d., hams Hid., 'to11s : Bid.r butter, prime, bulk, Bd. to BJd. "'■ Poultry:' Hens, 4s'. (d. to ss. 6d.; ducks, 63.; i. turkeys, gobblers. lEs. to .206.; hens, 10b.to 145.; fresh eggx, Is. to Is. Id.doi.;. cheese. 6d. to 61d. .pcrvlb.; loaf, 7d. to IH.'Bti lb.; Akaroa macnlnc-dreese'd , ."cocksfoot, 'W. to Bd.; farmers' dressed cocksfoot. sd. to 6d. per lb.; ryegrass, 35. : ..9d. to 4s. 6d; per bushel;Italian ryceraraXSs. 6d. to 4s; 6d. bushel, whitpelbver, 755. per cvtt.; rod clovor, 755. per cwt.; , cow grass, 755. cwt.; alsike 82S. 6d. cwtj mustard. <os. cwt.; 'tape seed, 265.. cwt.; timothv. 325. 6d. cwt.; Swede and turnip seed, 505.-to 'Mb. cwt. ' ■■■••■:- 1 ' ' . ' ' ; :'."■■ ,;-i:-

METAL ; SIAEKETS. ■ ';. .■ !<;f; (3y Tclcsraph-fcluia' Association-Copyfijh'tV)

. ■•.'■■.. ■•', London, ■November 23. Copper.—On the-spot, £63 3s.. ■■■ 9d." per' ton; ,'threa months, £61! 63. •..■. .. *..-.■' .:< ■ ■-.-,.-. Tin.—On tho spot, £142. 7s. '6d. per ton; threeii months, £144 105.',.j. ' ' ':. ''''""'" ' I CHEISTOHDBCH-.GEAIIf ;IIAI'.KETS.;. ■■;•' !'.. ■ •■ . Ililr Tclcchiob-Preag AlsaelaUoD.).-. ■;'. ■■.'."■ •.'.:.•;'. Ch'rlstcharoh, .November. 24. Since last rcpoi't the grain and produce mar-.' kots have continued very qiiist. All, lines. aro in-about tho namp:condition as last week. Thero "has beer, bettor deaand for oats, but as .freights .Hoaio arc not available, little business, ia. doing. Wheat shows a finer tone,'but there is not.much doing, and tho market is quiet all 'through. Tlie strike at Nowcastlo is tending to'.Hiake sellers hold, on to 6tocU6, uud'.is.pravcntUlE competition from Australia. The market, for,, grass.seeds of all kinds is firm,.with little : business l doing.", All other lines are quiet. - ' .•' '■-. land ; "salb" l eep6et. ' : ";"'. • '..' Messrs. Freeman K.^rackoVn'and Co'.'conducted a sale of land at'.thbir Eidgway Street rooms," :Wonganui, on Saturday afternoon, : wher. they bffored;"'on "account of tho estato of tho-lata John Humphreys, 300: acres of land at Maxwelltown. This property "was 60ld I .''undcr7thb hammer, after keen competition, at £30 per acre, to Messrs. ST. and G. Alexander. Another Maxwelltown farm—Mr. John lirennan'o property—was abo offered, and 170 acres of same was sold to, Mr. 0. p. Billinghurst at £33 10s. per acre. The homestead oortion remains . unsold. Tho third proporty offered was alhou'se at Wanganui East, which did-not find a buyer. , The above sales were pr.actically cash transactions.