COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 805, 30 April 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

- INVESTMENT. SHAKES. A nalo of'Bnrilc of-New Zealand shares at £9 195.. and two sales of Taranoki Petroleum at? 145., llftere' 1 reported ! yesterday. Wellington: Trust and Loan, buyers £7 25.. - sellers £7 45.;- Christchiirch Gas, buvers £9 15s.;..South British Insurance, buyers £2 195.: New Zealand.Shipping, buyers £7 155.; Union Steam. : buvers- £i I2s.j Wellington Woollen, ordinary, buyers £3 2s; 6d., .sellers £5 55.; preference, sellers £2 10s.j>Taupiri- Coal, buyers 19s. '6d.; cum .dividend;' Westport .Coal, buyers £6 75.: Ward and Co., brewery shares, • sellers £5; Taranaki Petroleum, sellers 14s. 3d. . ■' "■- ■'■' > TATJPTEI COAL MINES. ' The balance-Eheet of the Taupiri Coal Minos, Limited, for the twelve months ended March ,31 last, has been circulated.' The net profit after writing off allowance for depreciation, is, £10,673 '4s'. lOd. The balance. brought , forward from last year is £3949 9s. 9d.,: making a total. of £14.62214s. 7d. .;An interim dividend-of 9d. per share, amounting to| £4293 153. was paid in October last, ana the directors recommend a further dividend of 9d. per share, and to add £2000 to the reserve fund.. This will,leave £3791 9s. 7d. to be-.carried forward. The revenue from coal amounted to £93,702 13s. 10d., aid other items brought in £623" 15s. 6d., making the total revenue £99,326 9s. 4d. The mining expenses, rent, 4 and royalty totalled £80,172 15s. 4d. ; . SILVER. Silver Is now almost at 25d. per ounce standard. For some time past it has been steadily .advancing, clearly proving that the Eastern demand is pronounced, and there is every reason to believe that it will increase. The "Wall Street Journal" is of the'same-opinion, but, arrives at ro conclusion as to supply. Even "at a 2s.' level, the world's supply of silver shows uo . inuicatioua o£ contraction, ana at materially higher figures it wouia adubilesd expand. Mill, so.-much: silver w raited in conjunction witn ; otner metalß that a lair amount -may always' be counted upon, xne Journal in question adds:— "Coinage of silver, uy the 'different nations of ■ the world during 1909' could not niivo been I«sb than 2i.U,i;tJ6,uCo dois.'(£4l,ooo,000). i'or the preceding year, the United States Director of the Mint Eives the total as 194,692,73/ dols., and ■ for • the year i.%'l as 221,652,626 dols. During the year just pael,. recovery from tho low coinage rate of 1908 must nave brought'the actual coinage for 1909 easily within tho total indicated. Among the nations which took leading' parts in tho demand for silver for coinage purposes,. India stands' lirst 08,772,229 dols., making 30 per cent, of the coinage of all nations. ' Nezt in order is China, with 24,498,652 dols., or 12i per cent., followed by- tbu Eronch colony of IndoChlna with 14,765,004 dols., and by Germany, with 13,834,161 dols. . The United Slates ranked fifth with a coinage of 12,391777 dols. Next in order came the Philippine Islands, followed by 'Austria-Hun-gary, all of which in that year coined over 10,000,000 dols. of silver."

TAEANAKI FAEMEES' MUTUAL FIBE • ASSOCIATION. ' The fifth annual report of tho Taranaki Farmers' Mutual Fire Association shows that the premium income for the year amounted to £2264 7s. 3d., being £27 2s. Id. in excess of the previous year. Tho insurance' liability at tho close of the year (March 31) amounted- to £189,600, as against £194,103-at the close of the previous year. Policies number 723, average £262, lire losses for tho year being only £18 10s. Cash reserve, £2458 3s. 2d., being £909 13a. 7d. in advance of the' figure for the previous year. .The premium notes in force amounted to £9438 17s. 7d. at the close of tho year, or an increase of £631 7s. 4d. Premium rates lowered, as from April 1. on ordinary first-class- risks, from 10s. to Bs. per cent.; rates on first-class dairy factory Bs.; second-class. 155.: third-class. 20s. At the meeting held to-day, the retiring directors wero all re-elected. Satisfaction was expressed with the present position, and the belief was expressed that the reduction of premiums will result in increased business

CUSTOMS REVENUE. .Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday "amounted to £1227 19s. lid.

. WELLINGTON MARKET EEPORT. Messrs. Lacry and Co., Ltd., Wellington, report wholesale prices ruling on the market :—Wheat,"fowl. 3s. 9d. to 43. Id.; feed oats,' 23. sd. to 2s. 7d.; dun oats, 2s. 7d. to 2s. 9d.; seed oats, 2s. 7d< to 2s. 9d.; Algerian oats, 2s. 9d. to 35.; maize, 3s. 7d. to 3s. 9d.; crushed malt. 75.; fowl barley, 2s. 9d.;Cape barley, seed, 35.; -flour, Now Zealand £10 15s. to £11 55., Australian £11 lCs.; peas, Prussian blue 55.-6 d., split £19 10s.; bonedust, £5 156.; superphosphates, £5 to £5 55.; pollard, £5 to £5 103.; bran, £4-to £4 55.; pearl barley. 155.; basic ..slag, £4 10s.;. cliaC (oatensheaf),,£4 15s. to £5; oatmeal, £12 10s.; potatoes, table £3 to £6 ton: -onions, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. cwt.; molasses fodder, £5: bacon (factory), sides 7Jd.. hams9d., rolls Bd.; butter, prime bulk, 9d. Poultry, hens, 35.; ducks, 3s. 6d. tp..4s. Gd. per n.iir: turkeys, gobblers 18s. to 205., hens 10s. to 145.; fresh eggs, 2s. to 2s. 3d.; preserved eggs, Is. sd. to 15.,6 d. dozen; cheese, Hd per lb.; Akaroa machine-dressed cocksfoot, 6d, to 7d. per lb.; farmers' dressed oocidoot, 4a. to sd. per. lb.; ryo-

grass, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel; Italian ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel; white clover. 70s. to 755. per cwt. The Now Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Company report for the week as under:—The marl;et for potatoes and onions is in tho same position as when last reported. Vegetables of all kinds arc in good demand at fair prices, with slackening supply. -We have inquiries for about half-ton of garlic at 4d. per' lb. . Thero has been a slight improvement in tho value realised for apples and pearß, and we hope to report a further, advance next week. Qrancs are keenly inquired for. Eggs arc still in short supply, and proserved eggs to-day sold at Is. 5d., with good inquiry. Poultry is in poor demand. Oats are firm, with advancing valueu. Wheat and maize unaltered. , Potatoes: Medium, £4 10s. to £5 10s.; others, £3 per ton.. Onions: £4 to £4 10s. per ton. Garlic: _4d. per lb. Cabbage: Choice,. ss. 6d. to is.; ordinary, 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per sack. Cauliflower: Choice, 10s.; others, ss. w. to_7n. per.sack. Green peas: 10s. per peck. Carrots: Hutt, Bd. dozen. Turnips: White, 6d. to Bd. dozen. Swedes: 2s. to 2s. 9d. per sack. Vegetable marrows: Is. per sack. Pumpkins: 3s. to 4s. sack. Pie melons: 4s. to ss. per sack. Lettuce: Choice, as. 6f1.; fair, 6d to Is. 6d. per case. Spinach: Best, :2s. to 2s. 6d. per case. French beans: ss. per half-sack. Cucumbers: Outside grown, 7s. 6d. per banana case. Spring onions: 4d. dozen bundles.,! Tomatoes: Round, 4s. 6d. to 65.; Hutt, 3s. to 4s. 6d.; others, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per half-case. Awes: Cookers, large, 35.; small, 2s. to 2s. 6d. case; market glutted. Apples: Coxs Orange, 7s. 6d. to 95.; dessert, well coloured, 45. 6d. to 65.; others, 3s. bd. to 4s. per cast.. ' T'eara: Dessert, 6s. to 7s. 6d.; cookers, largo; 4s. 6d.; small, 3s. 6d. to 4s. per case. Rhubarb: 2s. 6d. dozen bundles. Grapes: Best Hutt, Is.'3d.; best Nelson, Is. per lb. Radish: 4d. dozen bundles. Butter: Separator, 10d.; dairy, 9d. to Sid per lb. Cheese: Best factory mediums, SJd. to 55f1. per lb.; loaf, 6jd. to 7d. 71b. Dressed pork: 70's to 90's, 4d.; 90's to 100's, 33d. to 4d.; baconors, 3d.; choppers, heavy, 2d. to 23d. Eggs: 2s. to 2s. 2d.; preserved,' Is. 4d. to la.. it. per dozen; scarce. Bacon: Factory sides, 7d.; rolls, 71dV, hams, 83d. per lb. Honoy: 4d. to 4id. per lb. Beeswax: Is. 4d to Is. 6d. por lb. Fungus: Keen demand at 5Jd. nor lb. Walnuts: 5Jd. per lb. Tallow: Tins, 245. cwt. Poultry: Cockerels, ss. 6d. for good birds; small, 3s. to 3s. 6d. ; table . roosters. 45.;/table hens, is. ml, small, 2s. to 2s. Cd.; ducks, large, ss. to ™-"mall,'3s. to 3s 6d. per pair; turkey gobblers, 9d. per lb.; hens, 8d per lb live weight. Maze: 4s. per,bushel. Wheat: 4s 2d to 4s. 3d. per bushel. Barley: Feed, 3s! 3d.' per bushel; Capers. 6d. per bushel. Horse beans: 4s. 6d. to ; 4s. M. per bushe. Partridge peas: 4s. 6d. toJs, per bushel. Prussian blue-peas:_ ss. 6d. per bushel. Barley meal: Special quality, £5 10s. per ton. Sharps: £5 155.. per ton. Pollard: £o 10s per ton. Bran: £4 { Ss-to £4 10s. per ton. Chaff: Oaten sheaf, £4 15s. to £$ ss, per- ton Hay: Prime, £3 15s. to £4 per ton. Straw: -Whcaten, £2 10s. per ton; oaten, £2 7s. 6d. per ton. Linseed oil cake: Genuine,.£l3 per ton. Oats: Feed, 2s. W. to 2s. Hd. per bushel; seed, sparrowbills, gartous, duns, 2s. 9d.; Algerians, 3s. per bushel; crushed, 2s. 94.-per . bushel, ala-chine-dressed cocksfoot, 6Jd. to 7d. per lb. Farmers' dressed cocksfoot, sd. to 6d. per ■lb. Per.'ryegrass, 4s. (id. to ss. per bushel. Italian, ryegrass, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 9d. per bushel..'/

WOOL, HIDE, AND TALLOW SALES. Messrs! Abraham and Williams, "Ltd., (Palmerstcn branch) report:—Wo hold our, monthly, sale yesterday, and submitted an average catalogue to a Rood attendance ot buyers. Bidding for -all classes was spirited, and whilst sold the wool and skins, wo considered it' advisable,. in the interests or owners, to pass ■■ a number ot lots of bides. Tho prices offered for the lUttor were considerably below our valuation, but we were.able to quit them after the sate at ruling rates. We quote':--Hool. crossbred'medium, 6Jd. to Bd.; dead, sid.; locks, '3Jd. to 33d.; lambs, 53d.- to 8d;; skin pieces, Id.; skins, crossbred line. 6Jd. to 7»d.; meiittm,' 6Jd. to 7d.; inferior, 43d. to sfd.; dead, 5d.; half wools, 4jd.; quarter wools, 5Jd.; lambs, 43d.-to-73d.; black, sid.; pelts', 4d. to.4Jd., Skins, at per piece: Crossbred, 2s. lid., 3s. Id.,' 3s.- Bd., 4s. .2d., ss. Id. to ss. 4d.; lambs; 25.. 2d., 2s. 3d. and 4s. 6d.; dead, 4s. 10d.'; green skins, crossbred,! 6Jd„ 6id.l per lb.; at per piece, Is. 6d., ls.'-Bd. to Bs.; lambs, 4s. 3d.; salted skins, lambs', Is. 6d.;,crossbred, Is. Bd. to. 3s. 7d.; calfskins, sound, B}d. to Bid.;.slinks, 4d.; yearlings, sid. to 53d.; slippy, aid.; cut, . s|a.; ■•■dry,- 5d.; ycartiugs; cut,' 4id. Hides:' Heavy (701b.). 7d.; (Kilb), 6|d : .to 71d.: 541b.,'7d.; cows. 701b.. 7d.; 55 to '611b., 63d. to 68.d; 48-to 621b., 6gd.; 40 to <61b., 6gd. to 6f,d.'; light, 68d. to'6Jd.; cut, siid. to 5Jd.; bulls,'77lb.;'-5Jd.; stags, sgd.; heifers and steers, 61d. -~ Horse hides, 7s. to Ms. 9d. Sundries: Tallow :(casks), £27' 10s. to' £27 15s. per ton; tins. £24 10s.; sacks, £24 per ton; horse hair. Is. 3&d. per lb.;.cow tails, Is. 2d. per dozen..

Messrs. Hitchings, Hankins, and Co., Ltd., Levin, report on their sale this week, as follows:—Wo-were the only ilrm selling, and we submitted 1000 sheepskins, 287 hides. 35 bales and fadges wool, 3 casks and 18 tins tallow, etc: Competition was very, animated for : all lines, but this was., most noticeable in. respect to hides, of which wo submitted some excellent lines of heavy ox and cow. Those realised from £2 12s. to £2 16s -each, the latter being .taken frompriie cattle at the last Horowhouua Show and. excited keen'.• competition. . Prices realised wore'as- follow":—Wool: Fleece, straggler, 63d. t0.7d.; crutchings, 5d., sid., to 61d.; pieces. 3Jd., 4£d., to 43d.; dead wool, 5Jd., 6d.,'to C3d. Sheepskins: Half-wool crossbred, 6id. (280 sold); quarter-wools, 4|d: to sjd.; lambs, 6d. to 65d.; bare pelts. Is. 6d. to Is. Bd.; dead and broken, 31d., 33d., to 4d.:'inferior lambs, 4d. to 41d.; green and salted half-wools, 3s. lid., 4s. Id., to 4s. 4d.; lamb pelts. Is. 6d.. to Is.. Bd. Hide!.: Ox, heavy, ,7id.; medium, 7d.; light, 6ad.; cow; heavy, - 63d.; medium, bid. to bjtt.; light, '6d. to 6)d.; yearlings, 6d.; horso^ 7s. 6d.; 4d:; calf,. best, B*d.; , heavy,, 7d.; cut and slippy, to sjd. Tallow: Cask's,' £26 10s.; tins, £22 10s.; cow, tips, Is. 4d.; horsehair, ls. : 4d. ' ■

BILYEE. . . ?,y Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright ' ■ '. ■ .. London, April 28. Bar . silver is .Quoted .at 24 15-16 d. per ounce standard. LONDON WOOL- SALES. ' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright .' " ■ 'I, ' London, April 28. At the wool sale there was good business; There was ■ Btrong competition for merinos and top-making crosshreds. ' LONDON MARKETS. Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., report having received tho following cable messages from their London house, under date April 29:- ' ' /• ,;.'. ■ - Frozen Meat.-Tho market for beef (w.ich is in active demand!. is weak, owing. to only small arrivals being expected, whilst the lamb market is Arm, with a better demand. Mutton is in limited demand, with a weak market. ' Quotations are follow:— New Zealand prime crossbred lamb, Can terbury heavy-light, 5Jd.; N.Z. crossbred lamb, North Island heavy-light, 4Zd.; N.Z. prime crossbred mutton, Canterbury heavy, 55d-; N.Z. prime crossbred mutton Canterbury light. 3Jd.; N.Z. prime crossbred mutton, North Island heavy, s*d.; T N.Z. prime- crossbred mutton. North Island light, 33d.; N.Z. prime ox beef, fores, 33d.: N.Z. prime oz beef, hinds, 4id. Tallow—The market for spot parcels is unchanged. ' . , Wool—Sales continue firm, and. latelyreported / rates are fully maintained. Realisations of wool, on account of our clients, are as follow :-Four bales PalmiOS/ Grove, ll*d.: 2 bales Lovat, lid.; 22 bales 888/ HZ, "10.7 d.; 18 bales n2.10.4d.; 6 bales I'M, 10! d.; 12 bales EPI, 10d.; 10 balea Glondarrah, 9.9 d.; 5 bales J.M, 9Jd.; 7 bales PDK/YS, 9Jd.; 5 bales D B C, 9.3d.; 43 balos Kilmory, 9.24 d.; 8 bales Fern Flats, 9.12 d.; 3 bales COZ/Moalands, ,9.C2d.; 19 balea W L F, 9d.; 7 bales Glen/B, 9d'.; 6 bales KJD/Kopics, 8 83d.; 19 bales KMK/Groenhaugh, 8.68 d.; 36 bales OKO, 3.6 d.; 6 bales A M T, Bid.; 17 bales Rcwarewa, 8.28 d.; 6 bales R H G, 7.91d.:-310 bales Flatpoint fleece, 9.64 d.; 1 balo Wnare, lid.; 57 bales Tehoro, lid.; 4 bales, ARE,- 10* d.; 9 bales Pukcrnma, 10.2 d.; 6 tales LB/N, lCd.; 45 bales Awapaara, 9.91 d.; 30 bales Mango, 9.53 d.; 4 bales Letham. 9Jd.; 7 bales H N 0, ■S&d.s 21 bales OK eoni, 9.3d.; 11 bales Cairn, 9.16 d.; 10 bales D 7, 9.00 d.; 6 bales II S 9d.; 22 bales PMiTE VThiti, 9d.;.20 tales G B A. 9d.; 11 bales 'W D, 8.68 d.; 38 bales HB/Lake, 8.61 d.: 22 bales Howbeg, 8.57 d.; 5 bales JD/T, 8.4 d.; 5 bales S/Waihoki, Bd.; 10 bales MDM, 7.10 d.; bellies, etc., '

CANTERBURY GRAIN MARKET. Illy Telegraph-Press Association.! Christchurch, April 29. The wheat market has weakened considerably of late, and even bright unweathercd grain is not commanding anything like the price which it did a few weeks ago. Average quality milling wheat is also several pence lower, and damaged wheat ■ has declined to tho same extent. What little buying has been done during the week has been on .the basis of theso lower values, but both millers and merchants are not at all keen to do business. Sales of milling wheat have been made at 3s. to 3s. 5Jd. at country stations, the latter price being for bright unweathcred grain; Oa.ts, on the other hand, are very firm, and for Gartor.s . and Algerians. Is. 9(1. and Is. lOd. has been paid at country stations. Sales of oatshcaf chaff have taken place, chiefly at 60s. and 655. at stations, there being a fairly good demand. Potatoes arc not coming good order, and mostly have to bo picked over, on account of blighted tubers. Up-to-dates are not turning out as well as was expected, and what few Dervycnts are offering are Indifferent in quality. Factory butter and chccfc have advanced in price, the former by Id. per lb.

The'-values of Argentine international commerce for 1909 wore:—Exports, £79,470,105, and imports, £60,551,219, bullion raDresentinc £13,490,763. The balance in favour of Argentine was equal to £18,918,886. Compared with .1908 thoru wan an Increase of £6,269,037 In oxparWuid £5,956,671 la Imports.