COMMERCIAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 82, 4 October 1904, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT. The Department of Industries and Commeroe has received the following cablegram from the Agent-General, dated London, the Ist instant: — "There has been a' better tone in the mutton market this week, the average price for Canterbury mutton being 4|d per lb for light weight and 4d per lb for heavy weight; for Dunedin, Southland, and W.M.E. Co. mutton, 4id per lb (nominal), and for other North Island mutton 4d per lb (firm). There has been no alteration in the lamb market since last week. The beef market is depressed owing to large 'supplies coming forward ; tho average price to-day for hindquarters New Zealand beef is 3id per lb, forequarters 2id per lb (nominal). The butter market is steady; the average price for choicest New Zealand butter (stored) is 99s per cwt ; a new make of Australian to-day is quoted at 112s, Danish 120s. There hafi been no alteration in the cheese market since last week. The hemp market is firm, and a good business has been done for October to December shipments ; the price for New Zealand hemp, good fair Wellington grade, on spot to-day per ton is £30, and for Manila' hemp, 'fair current grade, on spot, £37. There has been no alteration in the cocksfoot seed market sinoe laet week. The hop market ib firm, and prices continue to advance ; supplies will be short."

The dispute between the Wellington. Operative Butchers' Union and the employers has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for settlement. The Westport Times has been informed that the Admiralty intends to call for tenders for the supply of coal for the China station three months in advance of the usual time this year. It is understood that negotiations have been proceeding between the Admiralty and the Westport Coal Company as to resumption of supply, and it is stated, that the biggest difficulty would be removed were the company able to guarantee despatch of cargoes direct from Weatport to Hongkong. With the use of steamers of tho Shiela type this may be possible. Wedel, Turner and Co. have launched five vessels of this class, some of which will carry a, thousand tons more than the Shiela on the same draught. There are twenty thousand tons of coal covered by the former contract still to be landed at Hongkong. Referring to the egg market, the New Zealand Herald says: — "Eggs are coming in increasing quantities, but the demand is still equal to the supply. A 'few bakers are holding off with a view of securing their supplies at a lower figure. Those who are doing so will probably be disappointed. There is a good demand in the South for any surplus at present figures, and any lowering of price will have the effect of stopping supplies, as the farmers now preserve when the prices fall below Bd." Superintendent Miller, of the Blenheim Fire Brigade, has (says Chriatchurch Truth) authorised Superintendent Smith, of Christchurch, to order a chemical engine for the Blenheim Brigade. Mr. Smith has ordered a double 30-cylinder engine of Mr. J. Mercer, of Christcburch, the engine to be completed, if possible, in two monfehs. It is to be built under the supervision of Mr. Smith, and tested before being shipped. It will be similar to that recently made for the Wellington Ciuy Council, but larger. Superintendent Hugo, in thanking Superintendent Smith for the trouble taken by him in respect to the Wellington Council's engine, mentions that it is probaWe that the Wellington Harbour Board will require two chemical engines, and the Wellington City Council will probably require another engine. Special prices in linen costumes are advertised by Messrs. Warnock and Adkin. The firm aleo' announce that all trams stop *t the Telephone Exchange, one minute's walk from their warehouse. Mr. G. Winder's special sale of furnishing drapery, hardware, etc., is announced to commence next Thursday. To-morrow, at 2.30 o-'clock, Messrs. W. H. Morrah and Co. will sell in their rooms, Willis-street, picture mouldings, pictures, etc., without reserve. Tho Wellington Auctioneering Company is advertising a sale of furniture and effects at their rooms, 49, Lambton-quay, on Friday, Bth October, Saturday, 9th, and Monday, 10th inst., at 2 p.m. each day, without reserve. <

An organist and choirmaster is wanted for St. Thomas's Church, Wellington South. The s.s. Duchess will run special excursions to Day's Bay to-morrow morning and afternoon, at the usual hours. Full timetable appears in another column. ' Messrs. Harcourt and Co. will sell by publio auction to-morrow, at 2 p.m., at No. 6, Feathereton-street, the whole of the British Novelty Importing Company's stock of jewelery, etc. At noon Saturday next, Bth instant, at their rooms, 48, Lambtonquay, they will hold a public auction sale of privileges in connection with the Wellington Racing Club's Spring Meeting. Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. will sell to-morrow, at 1.30 o'clock, at their rooms, household furniture, etc., aB detailed elsewhere. At 2.30 o'clock they will submit, by order of the .Registrar of the Supreme Court, the interests of two beneficiaries under the will of Hugh Bracken (deceased) in property situate Majoribankßstreet. Advertisements aleo appear of the sale of properties situate Ohiro-road and Tamo Estate ; also of 50 sections at Petone, forming part of the original Buick Estato, of steel engravings and other pictares, and of galvanised iron and timber in Aitken-street. A sale of household furniture will be held at Crofton on Saturday next, at 1.30 o'clock.