COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 4942, 4 January 1879, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Business has again been interfered with by the New Year holidays, which have been closely kept. Yesterday a large business was done in tea and sugar, the trade evidently having allowed their stock to be reduced as low as possible, thus necessitating heavy deliveries of theso articles to be made yesterday. The ame-unt of dutv paid on tea and sugar yesterday at the reduced rate amounted to L 939 8s 2d on tea, jind LBO2 lis 4d on sugar. With the exception of executing orders for goods on which the duty has been reduced, there has been little disposition to do business; but as this week finishes our holidays more nctive trade is looked for, as stocks in the country must be light. The Customs revenue returns for the December quarter ere not yet completed, but the total for the four principal ports (which represents fully thrcefourtha of tu« whole Oolcny) are:—Dunedln, L 84.863; Lyttelton, L5b',249; Auckland, L 53.746; Wellington, L48.1C5. This bi <aga the totals for tho year for these ports to the as against the totals for the previous year:—" X *. „„_ T i<»7S 1877. Increase. Dunedin .. .. £871,87* £352,223 -£'9-653 Lyttelton .. .. 240,263 - 39,506 Wellington .. .:, 201,100 171.939 - 24,161 Auckland .. .. 224,987 — 28 ; 765 £12,085 Messrs Parker's property in the Waimate district, *>* 9,500 acres, sold.during the week to Driver and Co., Dunedin. The price has not transpired. This property was withdrawn from sale a short imo ago at L9los per acre. The Labor Market, Mr Skene reports that the demand is very large for | all sorts of out-door workers—for road, rail, bush, farm, and station. Couples move slowly, while females are as scarce as ever. The building trade is paying excellent wages to good men. Bricklayers are much needed. [Br TKLKORApn.] Oaharu, January 4.—The total Customs revenue of this port for the December quarter was L 4.184 against L3,83G for tho corresponding quarter of last year.