FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1546, 16 September 1912, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

THE FROZEN-MEAT TRADE. POCK ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. INFLUENTIAL INTERKfSTS AND THE .. •.'■■• ALISEKT DOCK. The negotiation; carried on'in London with the object of sscurinjr better facilities for the handling of New Zealand frozen meat nt-t.he London docks have run ti lengthy courso during the, past eighteen months, and souie further light will be thrown on the negotiations no doubt on tho arrival by the-Arawa. on October 2 of Mr. P. J. Shslton, who has been representing the Now Zealand Producers' Association at Home. In the meantime some ' interesting correspondence bearing on. tho matter has reached us from England. Tho correspondent who forwards the matter-in-question sn l' s that as a result of correspondence between Mr. Shclton and Mr. -W. D. Lysnar, several interviews took place with, the leading executive officers of tho Port of London Authority, .including Uie chairman of the Dock and Warehouse Committee.' No practical result was obtained nt these interviews. Mr. Lysnar then rei] nested a personal interview with Lord )>2vonport, tho chairman of tho Port of ■London Authority, which was granted and look-place onJulV il at the office of the I'.L.A. • At -that interview there wore present: Lord DevonDort and his executive officers, viz.—Mr. Plvilipson. general manager, .'Alr. Brobdbank; .chairman of Dock and .Warehouse Committee, Mr. Walls, assist-, tint' manager, and another. 'J'lio interview lasted about an hour and a half, and v.m? confined to discussions between Lord De.vonport and Mr. 1 Lysnar. . i Thorp were ho complimentary- .words .wnstcil on either side, but the bed-rock of ■the. position was considered, and the principal .issue was in no way side-tracked by Did'introduction of uhi«:c?esiii-.v details. A Matter of Vital Importance. j-'' Mr. Lysnor, in introtliicing the matter to'ths chairman, stated that the matter, l.vungof such vital imnortaneo to so matiy of v tho producers'of New Zealand, who ■wero.nl a distance, he had reduced to writing ths main points he desired' to emphasise, so that there wmild Iμ no rcom for doubt as to the position he took up, and lis then'proceeded and re-.ul the statement (attached), ami handed the .-same.io' Lord Devonport'. HeipirdinK the dircussiun which followed, Mr. Lysnar laid particular stress on tho result of the interview in October, IiHO, between Mr. Lysnar and others of tho Now Zealand Committee and Lord ppvoflporr. Tho official signed report of the interview was referred'to (signed by Mr. H. H. Watts, the* assistant manager), which showed that Lord Devonnoi-t informed Mr. Lysnar that the Authority would provide the desired improvements provided a tnoiictav) Rtiarantcc was provided. The notes sliowej that Mr. Lysnar replied tlmt no monetary guarantee could be provided, but that if Hie Port provided the necessary accommodation, that assurances would b= given that the same would be tisJd. • This was accepted by Lord Devojinort, but it was agreed that the assurnijcea of the committee should be nmiilifiet! arid confirmed on their return to New Zealand. . !l'bo actual statement in the eominittr«'s report, which is now admitted t» be the bail's of the position, was dictated bv ;T,ord Devoilnprl, .'himself. '.■Mr. : Lysnar'claimed that he and the committee had loyally carried out their part,, and in fulfilment of this pledge to sec -the'facilities wore utilised, niiblic ..nestings of producer? liiul I>?en. called in' nil-the chief centres of New Zealand, and resolutions passed as follow:— ''That this meeting.desires to endorse Hie rsf-ominctidaUons of the New Zealand Committee lint better facilities' should bo provided for handling and sorting ''NavVZealniiil produce at the London .docks, and resolves that if facilities on tlii'lihtfs sutrgssted are provided by the , Port.'of London 'Authorities the individual members present at this meeting will (h all.in 'their "power'to direct that their projluce sball ba discharged through these fa^'litijs." 'I'll??? resolutions were cabled, and moiled to the'.P.L.A;, and in no instance did the .Authority take an exemption to the form or efficiency of the pledges. Following on this the New Zealand Producers' Association obtained a very large number of personally signed undertaking;! by the leading nrodiieers of New Zealand to make use of the premises when available. The Port and the 1910.Negotiations. In course of the discussion on , Wednesday, continues the correspondent, Lord Devon port admitted, that when' he met Mr. 'Lysnar and tho other New. Zealand.ors ill 1910 they urged the adoption of the South-West India Dock ns buing the most central and suitable. It was then suggested that it might bi). possible for therffficors of tho Department to'selcct a still more suitable site by using the upper portion of ; the South-AVest India Dock or the Surrey Commercial, and for this reason' Lord Devon port very properly did -not define-the dock in making his draft note, but. he met' the position by slating that it should be the most central. Jlr. Lysnar then asked him if ho now admitted that" tho: iS.W.I. Dock was the mo>t central and convenient dock that had been suggested up to the present, and Lord.Devoiiport admitted that was so, and'Hiere was- no need 'lo'question' if. After full discussion, Lord Devonport stated'(hot the I'ort of London Authority would'adhere'to the position as sliowirin the otiice copy of the Authority note drafted by him. '■'J'lisi'e 'should bo, no departure from this b.'isjs regarding a monetary guaran-tee-.or the consent, of all interested in the trade,.'as has been recently, suggested, and while' the Authority had, with tho approval-of the-meat importers, decided to erect. an installation of sorting sheds and store at tho Koynl Albert Dock, that decision would not bv any means preestablishment of similar depots at the "South- Vicit India Dock, should the Authority be satisiied that such accomifip.dalion .w.ould meet with general ap•pi'ovitl, and be 'remunerative. Lord Devoilport ilid. not approve of the wording of the individually signed pledges, and lie arranged to submit the position to the fort Authority's'solicitor, and ask him to draft a personal pledge in accordance with tho spirit and intention of the arrangement..made, iu .1910, and set out in the committee's report'and the draft of which is on the official records of tho Port of London Authority. In the course of discussion, Lord Devonport drew attention to the financial aspect of the position, and. Mr, Lysnar replied asking if tho Authority was frightened of that, and should iinally decide npt to provide the desired accommodation at , the .S.W.I. Dock, would the Authority bo prepared to lease the premises, with all buildings nnd grounds attached to sayie.'to the 'Now Zealanders. at a rental based on ordinary interest on the actual expenditure of equipping the buildings and premises in a proper and up-to-date way. The Authority, of course, to do oven-thing necessary in other respects, to make the. dock suitable for the shipping. Lord Devonport replied that the suggestion was a now one, and it wns nn alternative if the Authority wero not satisfied with tho assurances to be provided that tho dock would be profitably -utilised. Tired'of Waiting for tho P.L.A. At (he close of the interview, Mr. Lysnar staled hi! desired it to be plainly unilerstood' that, speaking personally, he was tired of wailing for the P.L.A. to effect improvements, as he, in common with other New Zealand producers, was losing heavily each year by the want of proper facilities at , the Port of London. ■ He estimated that since he last discussed this matter with Lord Devonport in 11110, the producers of New Zealand had lost some millions of money, consequently ho was now taking steps to liinto arrangements that tho whole of his produce, as far as possible, that had to come to London (which he recognised will continue to V,e the chief market) should be sent to»London via Bristol, as tho information he has .at present,showed that ho could bring all his frozen produce, into London via liristol cheaper, cleaner, and quicker than through the Port of London. . Itegardiug wool, he was not nblo to say that ho had the necessary information to" base a final opinion on, but he could say that the Port of London charges were

NEWS AND NOTES.

nearly '100 per cent, more, without or.si of carting from barge to stores, than the Hristol charge on wool, which would go ;i substantial way ((.wards (ho cost of railing wool from lUislol to London. Ho believed he could do belter busiue-s via Bristol for his own product , , and ho intended to urge, as many of the. New Zealand producers as possible to do the same until Iho .Port, of London actually provided proper facilities at the SouthWest India Docks.

If (ho improvements wore made at rfip Albert as Mißgw-tod, it would l:e still cheaper and bettor to use Bristol for frozen produce to London. it was finally arranged that n revised draft of the personal pledges would l:e forwarded by the Port Aiitliority to Mr. Lysnar at an early dale. (To be Continued.) SHEEP FOR AMERICA. URUGUAY AND THE UNITED STATES. It is stated that the Koniner Marsh Invaders of the United Slates of America' intend purchasing sonic 200 stud rams for the season commencing iu the autumn, and owing to the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in England, it is said that there is a possibility of the orders beinj placed in New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Ijiiis J. Oiirciai. of Uruguay, who previously invested in New Zealand stud s'hsop by purchasing 30 Komnoy ewes from ■Air. Jirnest .Short, of Feilding. has called mi Mr. Short, asking him to ship the best .liomney ram to be procured in New Zealand, regardless of cost. The rain has been selected, and will be forwarded in duo course, the price running well over three tiav.res. It is reported that several leading South American breeders are- coming to New Zealand to purchase stud stock. "There's money in it." is an observation sufficient in itself to make the aver:iqe factory manager rack his cars. And if ho has any "go" in him he gets at the 'root of the matter in doiibi.c.-|iiick time. This accounts for the groat success of "Victor" Vats—there's money in tlniii, ns dairy men quickly realise. lielier send along that order to-day. Albert J, Parton, CJrtcrton.—Advt.' A WINNER OF COMPETITIONS. /The Egg-laying competitions for 1910-11 and 1911-12 were both won by pens reared on 'A. and P." Chick Haiser. The first essential for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from all Storekeepers.—Auvt.

LIVE STOCK SALES. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd.. report on their Levin stoc'k sale, held last week, as follows:—We had a fair yarding of sheep and an exceptionally large one of cattle. Competition wa- keen throughout the sale, and we quitted the larger portion of our entry under the hammer at prices in faoiir of the vendors. Sheep: Forward empty ewes, 14s. 7d. to 155.; 4 and 6-tooth empty ewes, to 17s. 9d.; 4-tooth wethers, to 18s. 3d. Cattle: Fat bullocks, £9 7s. 6d. to £9 155.: fat cows, £5 17r. 6d. to £6 1C?.: yeariins heifers, £2 14s. Cd. to £3 fa.; yearling fite;rs, 10s. to £3 7s. Sd.: 3-year steers. £5 lls. to £5 135.: 2-year steers, £1 to £4 17s. 6d.; 18-month steers, £4 to £4 55.; store cows. 375. to £3 Is.; forward cows, to £4 I---.; springing hdifers. £5 17s*6a.. £6 12s. 611. to £3; springing cows, £6 to £6 2s. 6d. Horses. 1 draught stallion £17 10s.

Jlcwrs. Abraham and William*. Limited, report:—At Levin' on Friday a smaller yarding of sheep than usual came forward. A good yarding of cattle was offered. Bidding throughout the sale was keen, and n, satisfactory clearance resulted at the following nuotati'ons.—Heavy prime cows, £9 95.: light fat bullocks, £8 IBs.; forward bullocks, £7 155.; 3-year bullocks. £6 17?.: 18-month steers, £4 10s. to £4 135.: ycarlins steers, £2 IJo. to £3 75.; lE-month lieifev.s £3 125.: yearling heifers, £2 l',s. to £5; forward cows. £5 10s. to £4 Is.; store cows, £2 10s. to £3 Is.; fat wethers. 21?. 6d. to 21s. 9d.; fat ewes, 18s. to 2Ctf. lid.; hoggets, 12s. to 14s. 7d.; empty ewes, 12?.; ewes and lambs, 2<!s. lid.

The New Zealand Loan and J.'ereantilo Agency Com.lw.ny, Ltd.. and Reduced, report Friday we he'd a clearing salo of dairy stock rat- Jtahnraha-ra. on account of Mr. A. A. Jl'Crea. The herd, taken as a whole, was a very well-bred one. Despite the fact that the saie was conducted under unfavourable .weather, a very succcseful sale eventuated, cows selling as high as £15 55., and the whole herd, excluding one winter cow, averaging £11 £s. 7d. This is, as far as we are aware, the record price for tho reason for this district. Prices obtained were as under:—£ls 55., £14 15.-., £14 10s., £14 7s. 6d.. £14 55., £13. £12 Iβ?., £12 17s. 6d., £12 Vs., £12 2s. 6d.. £11. £10 55.. £10. £11 7s. 6d., £10, £9 17s. 6d., £9 12s. 6d., £9 12s. 6d.. £8 155., £8 55.. £7. £6 £s. Cow in mill:, Jtarch calvcr. £5 55.: 9-mor.ths grade Jersey heifers, £4 <s., £3 17s. 6d.. £3 135.; grado Jersey calves, £1 I*.: purebred Jersey bull, £14 145.; 2-yca.r-old steers. £4 12s. Pigs: Sow with litter, £3 17k. 6d.: boar, £1 10s.; store pigs, 17=. to £1 10s. 6d. llorsees: Harness mare, £9; milk cart horse, £7. Poultry and U3ual sundries also made very satisfactory prices.

Mr. JTowton KinK reports :-At my Stony Eiiver yards on Wednesday I had a very good entry, iticludinft some very fine pens of 2 and 3-year steers. Competition was also very keen on springing heifers and dairy cows, some very - flii6 cattle in this class being offered. -Yearlinys were easier, with the exception of a pen of 10 orrado Jersey yearlings (small), which realised £3 Us.; Ri-ade yearling heifers, .£2 10s. to .€3 3s. 6d.; small, £\ 7s. 6d. .to £1 12s. 6d.: mixed yearlings, £1 18s. to £2 7e. 6d.; yearling steers.(poor duality), £2 2s. 6d. to £2 10s.; poor and bad coloured, £1 7s. 6d. to £1 155.; yearling bulla, £3; emplv 2-year heifers, best £4 Bs. to £4 145., others £3 IBs. to £4; aged cows, £1 lls. to £2 2?. 6d.; store cows, £2 16s. to £3 195.; forward cows, £4 9i.-to £4-165.: fat cows. £5 12s. 6d. to £6 !C<>.: ID-months steers. £3 95.; 2-yenr steers, £3 17s. 6d. to £4 75.; 3-year bullocks. £5 2s.' 6(1. to £5 195.: best sonneing heifers, colo'l.red. £8 10=-. to £10 12s. 6d.: Rood. £7 to £7 I?.s. 6d.; later calrers, £5 2s. 6d. to £6 12?. fd.; small ar.d verv backward, £3 IC.«. to £4 Id.; dairy cows. Folstcins up to £18 18s.. .TeTrOyp un to £13 5.?., second jjrado, £4 12s. M. to l£7 12s. 6d.; pure Shropshire ewes and lambs, £1 17s. 6d.: rame. 15s. 9d.; pure Shropshire mixed hojreets (ewes and rams). £1 Is.; f.ra. ewes, 7s. 3d.: disc, £7 5=.; pony, £3 10s. On Thursday. sth; I conducted (in conjunction 'with tbe New Zealand Loan Company, Hawera). Mr. 1!. H. Phillips's auxiliary disnersal sale. Rest heifers, from £10 to £14 155.. good from £6 15.=. to £9 153.. backward £5 lCs. to £5 155.: heifers and calf, £-1 15*. to £6 lte.; dairy cows,'choicest £16 to £20 55., first grade, £11 10s. to £14 10s.. good £9 to £10 Ids.; late calvers and aged. £5 10s. to £7. In ray Kaponga yards on Friday, owinc to the , weather, I had only 11 small entry. Best quality dairy heifers, from £8 to £13 10s.: others, A 5 10s. to £6 55.; in calf cows. £6 15s. to £7 ss.;' store cows. £2 IBS. to Si; small yt-irlings. .£1 165.; le.raonth stors. £3 Bb.; forward ewes, 12s. 10d. Tho pedigree Holstein rale on the same day at my Waiwakaino yards attracted buyers and fanciers ot Vi? breed from all parts of New Zealand. Tho sale proved a recoTd for pedigree stock, the whole catalogue being disposed of at prices already, published. COMMERCIAL ITEMS. INVESTMENT' SHARES. There wero no transactions in investment, shares on Saturday. The quotations were as under:— Buyeri". 8eller» 8 s. d. £' s. d. Bank New Zealand - !1 4 0 Kquftoblc. Building - 10 0 0 FeildinK Gas 10 6 . — Tell. Gas (£10) - 18 2 6 Well. Gas (pref.) — 110 Ohristchurch Meat 15 7 6 Kaiapoi Woollen (pref.) ... S 3 6 - Well.' Woollen (ord.) 3 14 0 - Well. Woollen (pref.) ... 217 0 - Westport Goal 18 0 — Wcstport-StaclUon 0 J 3 Taringamntu Totara 2 5 6 2 6 3 Golden Bay. Cement 10 6 110 Sharland's preference — 13 3 Sharland's ordinary — 12 9 OIL FUEL FOR THE NAVY. . It was announced the other day that the British. Admiralty had contracted with Siottlsh producers for 2C0.0C0 tons cf crude oil. Towards tho end of July the Government appointed a Itoynl Oor.imission to investigate and report upon the supply of oil fui>) for tho Navy, and other mailers relating thereto, and tlio order f»r u-udo oil since given indicates that the report, of the Commission w.-w favourable. Xaval officers of the new school are already converted to the life of liquid fuel, billthere are quite a number of matters in connection with the subject that still require to he settled. There is little doubt, that the use of petrol in the st.oliehold or Hritijh battleships would be the means of sa.ving large sums per annum in re.-pecl of wages, for the number of Mokeiv would be enormously reduced. As against, this, however, must be set Ihe fact that, mi matter what amount of care is inken, fires will occasionally break out in times of

pence, while on iirtive service they ir.icht he nn cxtreinc foiirce of dancer ami vt-v-eh ii'iliff oil fuel. A hnlllK-hip ill l!nnie.=, Willi ma'iiy tlioiisniids of k:il!:.;is ~V. oil oil hoard, would not crly n-prnsjut a-lmost eerlain rtcalh to overyonu on board, bill would constitute n incna-o tu every vtssol vit.': in a very considerable distance. The idvor.me of oil fuel' claim, however, that !iie:uw now exist of dealing with an outbreak, but this has to be proved. JAVA TKA IXDUSTIiV. The report of Ihe Britifli. Cnnuil state? t.lia.t- 111! was a year ol exceptional prosperity for the Java tea industry, l'rices of low and medium grades (:i de?cripii.-)i> v.hicli applies to the lamest jimnnrtiun of Ihe teas produced in .lava) have liem rokl, and Ihe ■■rop ha.s oe?n fu 11 v 34 per 'cent, larger tlian its prcdeci-fsor, a t .rtnl of over 50.000.CCC11). havitic; been reached. T!ie production during the lii-st, eitrht months of the year was somewhat disappointing, an unusually lons spell of dry weatlier being responsible for IhK The drought, however, proved ultimately to hn benelicinl. as it (rave the hiKhea a re-.'!, which in the case of the older estates was jreatly ntodim,., resultins, when the rains did roree. in larger and better crops. So riTablo figures arc obtainable relating to Hie extension of the planted area, but the large iraporU of Assam tea. sed during the i;a;t two seasons indicate considerable activity in this direction. Sumatra is now beginning to attract the attention of those, interested in tea cultivation, ae suitable fove-t land in Java is scarce, and no lonser obtainable, except in tho high land's of West .Sumatra, and, should it prove a success, others will, no doubt, soon follow. Exports from Java during 1911 amounted to W,518.£001h.« against 40,63!<,K01b. for 5910. 36,679,Cf«). for IW9. i6,579.5C0!ii. for 19C8. 29,?£6,4C01h.. for 1957, 27.517.60 Mb. for I>:6, 25,772.6CD1b. for 1935, 25,375.7C01b. for 19'4, 22,1J3,2M1b. for 1903, and 16.911,2001b. for 12C2. The 1911 exports were thus about three times as great, a? those for 1902. Out of the 19U total, the Netherlands took 22 6-:9,fCl lb., against ■18,M4.3C01b. for 1910, United Kingdom 15,501.58f.1b., against 13,071.8rf1b.and Australia, 5,578,6001b., against 2,229,80(i1b. CUSTOMS. The Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington on .Saturday amounted to £.1500 Is., the total for the week beinj: £26,13" 13=. 9d. The returns for each, of the pa*t eight weeks, compared with tho fiffurps for the corresponding periods of last year- show as under:— 1912. 1911. * ' £ July 27 11.29! 21.3 M August 3 12,3<8 11,3(13 Aujrust 111 10.475 25,136 August 17 g>ll4 11.592 August %\ '27.26! 15.9 M August 31 17,218 18,156 September 7 10,«'.6 2.5/05 . Scntsmbcr M 26,10« 13,455 . 1M.291 140,551 The besr ditty collected for the week totalled £299 2s. 4d., as compared willv A 255 lls. 5(1. for the corresponding week of last year. FEIIiDINfi MAPKET EEPOKT. Messrs. A. 11. Atkinson and Co., Ltd.. of ■FeiWiiiß, report a. small entry on Friday of pi ?5 fine! poultry. Tor pig? t.lipro wns a. very keen demand, nnrt, for what camG in, cxtrciKc prices worft pttid. A. lnrcc quantity of general sundries sold at usu.il Tsriccs:-—lndilTercnJ weallei* pigis. I'--., t4s. 6d. to 16ss.; light fitorte. 215.: hen.vy. f> 255. 6:1.: boar, -'.2s. Aged had;, Poultry, :»;. \kt pair: Hens. 3s. 9d.. 4s. 3d.. 4s. 6(1., in. 9.1.; cockerels and roosters, 2s. 9d., Jj. 9d., 45., 'ss. 6d.; lurkev liens. 10s. Produce, etc.: Table potatoes, lls. to 155.: feed do., ds. to ,7s. per cwt.; parsnips, 2s. 6d. per'bag: Stunner npploi, fe. Gel. to 7s. 6d. per case: onions. 2Jd. per lb.; ryegrass seed, 3s. to 4-?. per bushel. KOHTH OTA'GO FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE COMPANY. 1 [By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Oainaru, September 15. At the annual meeting of the North Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association, t.hs following proposals were adopted:—The payment of a dividend of 7 per cent, on the paid-up capital; 15 per cent, rebate to •'harelioidorfi on stock and wool commissions; 33 per cent, bonus on purchases of merchandise, making (with 2} cash discount) 65 per rent, for the year ofl n.crcltanriiso. and 33 per cent, on eornsacks, woolpacks. and binder twine: 5 per cent, bonus on salaries earned by the permanent' staff: that £1M per added to the reserve for bad and doubtful debt.,-; that XIOCO be transferred to the credit of Die reserve account, and.balance bo carried forward.

NORTH OTAGO MARKETS. Oamaru,' fiepteraber 14. Sales of wheat during the. week have been limited tr> a few transactions, and the market is without animation. Two r-a!es of good velvet at, 3i. Od. net at country stations have been made, and another at equal to 3s. 7d., and this may he accented as- the general quotation. The better tone in the oats market, (previously reported) still holds, but business is not active. This is due to farming operations, absorbing rll the time of For a particularly fine sample of Cartons, 2s. lid. was given net at a country station, but other sales were roacle .it ls. lid. to 2s. J! Grade sella at ls. ICJd. to 1«. lid. under the same conditions. The potato market is dull, merchants having satisiied their requirements for the next Sydney boat, and prices have declined to £7. There are. however, inquiries from Melbourne and Sydney, but the risk at this season of the. year is keeping merchants bark, and some have resolved not to do further business. ■FROZEN MEAT. New Zealand and Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd.. and Reduced, have received* the following cablegram frosi their London house, under date September 13:— The market ha? slightly improved for beef, shows increased firmnssii for mutton, and is steadier for lamb. LOSDOJT MARKETS. By Telcsrraph-Press AssoeiMion-Copyrijht (Ree. September 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 14. Whoat.—The market is iirm, and there is a better inquiry for cargoes. An Australian cargo has been sold at about 4Cs. 3d. Ilolders are asking 3Ss. 3d. for JanuaryFebruary shipment, while 3E-. is bid. Liverpool futures. October 92J. December 80S. Chicago Sentembcr 911 cents to 923 cents, December 505 cents to 91-1 cents. Hop Crop.—The crop is turning out well. The latest estimate places the probable quantity at JW.orocwt. Cotton.—The Liverpool quotations for American middlins upland cotton is—Sep-tember-October shipment, 6.37Jd. per lb. Jute.—September shipment. £24 ner ton. Hemp.—Tho market is steady. JanuaryMarch shipment. £27 ICs. per ton. Rubber.—Fine bird Para rubber is quoted at 4s. Old. per lb. ' Copra.—The market is dull. South Sea, in bags, afloat, £25 10s. per ton c.i.f. PROSPECTS FOR LEAD. (Rec. September 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 14. Load.-Soft foreign, £21 to £22 10s. per ton. The imports amount to 16.650 ton,?, and the exports to 57C-8 tons. Mcssrf. Vivian and Co., the well-known metal merchants, in their report forecast tho probability of Higher prices. They state that production is not equal to the consumption, and that there is no prospect of aji equilibrium being reached in the near future. ■ RILVKIt. London, September 13. Bar silver is quoted at 28£ d. per ounce standard. MINING NEWS. WELLINGTON SHARE MARKET. The sales recorded on Saturday were: Talisman at 410. 3d., and Waihi" at 375. The buying and selling quotations were as under:— Buyers. Bellen. £ s. d. £ s. d. Mountain King D 0 3 — Xew Bis River - 5 0 0 — Now Sylvia 0 15 0 16 Occidental — 0 15 Ross Reconstructed — 0 5 2 Sa.ton — 0 0 II Talisman 2 1(1 ? 1 3 Waihi 1 '6 9 1 17 0 Waihi Grand Junction ... 1 3 0 1 .1 3 WaiUjigi' 0 n 9 0 0105 New U'aitain 0 17 - Worksop Dredge 3 4 0 — Tho coureo of sales during the past week was as under:— New Sylvia, 13. sd. Ross Reconstructed. ss. 3d. Talisman,.39s. 6(1., 395. 9d., 405.. 40s 3d <os. 6d.. 415., 41s. 9(1., «s. 9d.. «?. 3d. Waihi, 365. 6d., 3fe. 6(1.. 36-j. 6d., 365. 6d 375.. 375. 3d.. S7s. 9d., 37s 6d., 375. sd. 37s IOJd., 38s<., 375. \Va.ilu Grand Junction, 225. 3d., 23e., 23s 235.. Z3f. Waitangi, IOJd., 10id. The Wclliugton Stock Exchange received the following telegram on Saturday from iho Worksop Dredge :—lieturn, 50o«. 2dwt for 124 hours. STOCK EXCHANGE. (Ey Teleiirapu-Prcss Association.) ' Auckland, September 14 llusinrs? done:Snmn. IMd.. Ltd. WniliUlEi. 10(1. New Sylvia, Is. 5(1. Ross; f.>. 1(1. to 4s. lid. llliliralci. ls. 3d. Gran.-! .Itin.'lifiii. XI 2;.. £1 fc 6,1 Waitaia. I.=. Bd. New Zcalnnd and River Plate. £J K Auckland Trams (ord.l, £1 -Is. 6d. Chrlslchureh, Sept-nibc \l Scilw reported: Crown Brewery. i.l |Jj • IsJltmali, £2 it. 51; pilhi, £1 r 166. 9d,

Cunrtlin, September 15, The following fiilo:-- were liiiiilc 011 the Stuck Exc!i!ii](:e .vc-.-tci-ilr.y:-Wnilli Urtinit .liinrtion. fl "?. 9d. (three parcels). Union Steiim. £2 7«. 611. >tilblirn Ijiine, .t'2 C,:. 9(1. 'I'ho tollowini! f.iic was roiioitcd-.-SoutU Dritisli Insurance, £0 9(1.

WOOL, HIDE AND SKIN SALES. IHDK AXI) KKIX IiIIPOHT. • Messrs. Ualecty and Co. (Palmorston braiiHii rcpo"l:-Al nur usual monthly sale on Friday we niTcred a large catalogue lo the usual atlcmlr.nio of buyers, and cumprtiiion was very keen, and nil lo|.> offered were foicl at satisfactory prices' Wool: On.i.'ilo<"-iie under thii beading consisted principally of erutchings, whi;h were mostly medium to inferior and seedy, there lii'ins no clean g'nnA lines od'crini;. Medium crutrhingf. M., (Jd., lo 6Jd.: inferior and seedy,' Sid. lo 53d.: very interior seedy linw. from 4.M. to 'Ml: pieces, -'id. to Hi.: dead \vool. 7(1. to 73d.: ncr-c. rough. 7Jd. to Bd.; medium 1.0 panil. 3ld. to 9d.; black wool. 6fl. to £>.d. Sheepskins: These isold in advance of last sale's rates. Amongst our offering wore sow , ? linos of extra, good crossbred sl;ins, and tho-e were, very keenly fought after at the following prices:— Crc- : --!)red, ••onrso. 7id., 7*d.,, 72d. to Bd.; medium, Bd. to 6jd.; fine crossbred, Sid.; woolly lambs, 7{d., Bd.; shorn lambs, 7d. 1o 7Sd.; ijuarkr to lialf-wools, £>d. to 7d.: dead, 63d. to 6Jd.; dead liot'gete, 6d. to {.id.; damaged and inferior, 4!d. to 6d.; pelts. 5Jd.: badly damaged and inferior. 33d. to 13d.; butchers' crossbred, at cacli, heavy lines (best), from 7s. 2d., 7s. 6dj, Bs. to 9s. 7d.; medium, 6s. 4d., 6s. 6d.. 6b. Bd., 6s. !Cd. to 75.: light, from £s. 3d., ss. 6d. to 6s. Hides: Hklding was brisk for these at id. Ui 'd. ailviinrc on last sale;? rates. Ox:. Medium to heavy. 7jd. ta 7|d.; light, from 7d. to 7fld.; steers (light). 63d. lo 7d.: cow hides, best, heavy lines, 6jd. to 7d.: goad, fi'rt.: inferior and rough, from 5Jd. n ejrl.: bulV. 5!d.; yearlings, 73*1.. li'l. to e.5d.; cut and slippy.'odd. to 6d.; ox and cows, cut and slippy. 43d. to 6?d.; horse, from 7c. 3d. to 1C?, each; ™t and inferior, from '■>. lo 6s. each. Calfskins: We offered sonic good lines, which soldat the following very high prices: One extra,prime line realised is. JJd. per Hi.; Rood, lljd. to 12Jd.; small and inferior, ICd. to ICJd.; cut, 9Jd.; slippy, f.jid. Sundries: Tul-low, in I ins, 245. to 2't. 9d.: casks and barrels. 255.: rough fat, 14s. 6d.; rnbbitskins, to Is. 4d. per lb.; horsehair. Is. to Is. Messrs. Abraham and William*. Ltd. fPahnorston North), report:—We hujcl our usual monthly sale on Friday, September 13, and offered a catalogue comprising 65 bale? and bags of wool, 2100 sheeppkins, 12C0 calfskins, 350 large hides, 100 tins tallow, 4 casks follow. Buyers were well represented, and every line met with keen competition. The prices realised were well up to !ate .rates, and in some cases considerably better than the last sole in Wellington. We quote .--Wool: Our entry eonsi<t;d chiefly of medium erutchings, which sola , at from 4Jd. to 6}d.: crossbred, 7Jrl.; dead. Cld., 7}d., lo Sd.; pieces, 43d.; lambs crtitchinjs, 'd. Skins: Fine crossbred, 7Jtl. to EW.: niof'-ium c'-ossbred. 6£d. to 9d.: (TossI'rcil, inferior. 6d. to 6Jd.: dead, sjd. to efrl.; Mack, s;ri.; hogscts, 63d.; woolly pclte ( 5d.; damaged uclts, 4d. Butchers' skins: crossbred, medium, 2s. 9c!., 4s. 10d., ss. 9d., crossbred, mndi<im. 12s. 9d.. 4s. ICd.. ss. 9d., 6s. Bd.. 7s. <d..- C~. 2d., 9s. Id. to 10s. each; crossbred, damaged, 63. 6d.: crossbred, green, (■••. 6d.; i'?,id. 4s. 7d.; salted skins, crossbi-pfl. 25.. 2s. 9d.. 3s. 7d. to 6s. 7d.; crossbred, iinc. salted. ss. 7d. Calfskins: Sound calf, at Bd.. • 92d.. lOfcl.. lid., M.'d., 113 d.. lid. to Is. 2tl. per Ik. the Jailer price equal to 5;. 7d. each; calf, cut and slip'.iy, 43d. to 9>d.: yearlings. 7Jd. to 81 d. per lb.; yearlings, cut and slippy, sd. to 6d. Hides: Ox. 73d., 71d.. 7ild. to 75d.: cows, medium weights, from 6d. to 7d. per lb.; cows, cut and slippy, cM. to Cd.; heifers and stecrß, 6W.; bulls. horses, Bs. 6d. lo 10s. Sundries: Tallow, in casks. £26 £3. to £26 10s. I'er ton; tins, £24 10s. per ton:, rough fat, 7s. 6d. per rwt,; rabbitskins, Bid. per lb.; horse hair. 9d. to Is. 9d. per lb.; cow hair, 9;d.; cow tnils (washed), Is. 8»d. -per dozen; cow. tails, Is, 6d. i;er dozen; horns, 2«. 6d. per 100.

Mr. Hueh Jiobort.- reports on his Foildine wool, skin, and hide sale as follows:—A catalogue, comprising 12 ba'les. 100 bags of wool, 20TO 6M hides and calf, 1 ensk.nnd 16(1 tins of tnllow. horse hair, and Misiiai oimdriw was offered to a representative attendance of buyers. A special line of calf made Is. 2d. per Ib..' which I imderjia.nd is a. record price at a country pale. Wool: Crutchiiißs. seedy, il'l to 6.M.: pieces, 4Jd. to 5Jd.; locks. 3d. to 4d.; Recoe. rough. "Id.; dead, rough, 63d.; good, 7?d. to Bid.: lambs, medium (in bagel, 7d.: lambs, second. =?edy, 3d. to 6Jd.: llecce and crut/Tliings, f:Jd. 1.0 djd. Skins: Cropsbred, lucdinm to Tine. BJd.: half to thrce-nuarter-wools, 7jd. t-i 7jd.; quarter to half wooln, 7d.; sliorts. Cd.: crossbred, broken. sd. to

6f'l.; r.elts, 4d.; broken, \S.: se"dy, f<l.: dead, 4M. to 6-il.; black. sjd. to s;rf.: lambs, second, seedy, 3d. to 6}il.; fleece and skin-;, at each, ss. 9d.. ss. 9d., - 35., 4s. 9d.. 65., 6s. 6;!., 75.. 7s. art., 7s. 6d., B=., E--. 6d.: dead, half-dry. Is. lid., Is. 3d.. 4s. ICd. Hides: Calf, spnerinr, Is. 2rt.; calf, good, IOJd. to Hid.: slippy, 7Sd.: cut. BJd.; rough. 9'-d.: yearlings'. 7d. to BJd.; slippy. SJd.: bull, 5d.: cow, .settlors. 63d.-. cut. 5(,d.; slipcv, 5Sd.; r'--ugh. 6(1.; dry, 5d.; os, staggy, 5d.; cow, ah., poor substance. 63d.; ox, n.b., medium ouality, 7Jd.; cow. C.8..'%1. to 63d.; ox, C.8., 7i>d.; hors.-, at each. 7s. 6d. Tallow, in casks, medium quality, 265.: in tins. 245.; second 18s. per cwt.; horse-hair. Bd. lo Is. Bd.

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS. iKrora Our Special Correspondent.) A The Registrar has intimated to (he Loyal I'cloiw l.oilse (Oddfellows) that they have a surplus of .t!)2S. This gratifying new.-, means (hat the lodge can not only meet, its liabilities, but will have the full amount to >pavc, whirh may be used for increased .benefit or reducin; , contributions. A motion in regard to' the laltcr (|U<-ticn will be disclosed on ijuarlvr night. September •$. Although no have yet been iTPeived for the by-election in connection with the Lower (lull Jsnroii!;li (.'ouneil, it is thought liWy Hint three (if not more) candidates will oiler Ihemselves. Thes« are Jlr. (i. lliimford. Mr. J. C. Dnwson, and' Mr. W. 11. Kus-ell.

Tin* Hntt Borough Council's spwprage drainag? >clipnic, which was commenced in January, lfli)!l, is completed sn far as the miini'V allocated for (ho purpose is concerned. On Thursday sixteen men were put off, and thp remainder were put oil' on &itiircltiy. In Jill tliove has been 2."i miles of drain laid—M miles in .eastern Hiilt, and 11 miles in western Hull, togelher with linn<c connection. This area includes all (lie Uiickly-populalcd parts of the borough... but there is, however, still li chains on the Main Road, the whole of Park Avenue, and Military .Road,, Fry's and the Nai Xai Laiuv, and 11 etinins in Hautana Street to be covered with the scheme. This work will cost about £'1100 to complete, and the engineer w;ill siibinfjr a. report to the council in resoeet. to this matter <it the next meeting. Tlie council.first decided to do the drainage by contract, and one section was completed under this process, but latterly the work hn.s been executed by day labour. When the whole of I lip schcnip is completed, the Lower Hutl, from a sanitary point, of view, will be, ;is modern as any of the larger towns in the Dominion.

Messrs. Uarconrt and Co., acting in conjunction with Ale.ssrs. K. Johnston and Co.. have received instructions from Mr. Georgp Pinnuck to .sell by public auction, on the premises, the entire contents of TO rooms. Arcadia Hold. Lainbtmi Quay, on Wednesday, Thnrsday, and Friday, September lifl,', 1!), and iO. The sale is to be without reserve. The contents are on view on Thursday, and Ihe sale starts each day at 10.30 a.m. Catalogues may be obtained mi application to Hwourt and Co.. or E. J.olinslnn nnd Co. Mr. Newton,Kinei Now, Plymouth, hao for sale four siiiall farms in flic Tarnnaki district. A graziuß property of 4353 acres is advertised for sale liy Me«rs. Williams and Kettle, Ltd., Najiicr. Messrs. Kin? and Co.. Hamilton, havo for sale hyo small dairy farms situated near HainiltoK. While digging operations were in procross at (he.residence of Mr. G. London, Hull: ii-oad. Lower Hutt, o bayonet. be : lieved (o have been used in the Maori war, 00 yearn ago, was unearthed. The. relic, was intact excepting for th<? woodwork. DOCTOR'S MEDICINE FAILED. "I had Influenza with congestion of tho liver, took the doctor's medicine for some weeks, and got no relief," said Mr. John S. Sweetiiiaii, Deep Lead, Vic. "Then I tried Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, and A'ot immediate relief from the first dose. By the time I had finished a large bottle tlie disagreeable hacking cough and the pains in .the chest disappeared altogether.". -Advt.