COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 6505, 23 January 1884, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Tho amount of revenue collected at the Customhouse on eoods cleared to-day for consumption was L 2.151 9s 2d. Messrs James A. Park and Co. report having sold by auction, at their rooms, Stafford street, this afternoon, by order of the mortgagees, allotment 12, block 7, Barrileld ; allotment 0, Fullwood ; and part of section 51, block 7, town district, containing an area of 2 acres and 2 poles, together with tho dwellinghouse and improvements thereon, to Mr H. Speara, for L 325. Messrs Jamea Pamson and Co. report having sold sections 31 and GG, Selwyn Extension, at satisfactory prices. The cold weather experienced at Nelson lately during the past month has seriously affected the hop crop ; and while one large grower estimates that his yield will bo less than half the average crop, some expect to pick not more than a fourth of that of last year. The first pocket last year was sold on tho 15th of February, but this year's crop is very backward, the poles in many places not being covered. We are informed that the paper-mill at Mataura Falls and the flour-mill site on the opposite side of the river havo been purchased of the Mataura Paper-mill Company (Limited) by MessrsCoulls, Culling, and Co., of Dunedin. This enterprising firm will, we understand, immediately take possession of the paper-mill and work it in connection with their businesi in Dunedin. We wish them, for their own sakes and for the sake of the district, success in their new undertaking. —' Southland Times.'

STOCK AND STATION REPORT. Mr Donald Stronach (on behalf of tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantilo Agency Company, Limited), reports for the week ended January 23, as follows :

Fat Cattle.—The supply to-day was not a large one, only 148 head being yarded, consisting for the most part of medium quality with a few pens prime. There was no improvement, however, on last week's prices. Best bullocks brought L 8 15s to L 9 17s Cd ; others, L 0 10s to L 7 15s; and cows, LG 10s to L 7 10s. We sold a draft from the Seadown estate, on account of Mr Alexander Thompson, at from L 8 lfis to L 9 17s 6d ; Mr James M'Lean, Allday Bay, 3 bullocks at L 7 7s 6d, and 3 heifers LG 17a Gd ; and quote prime beef at 20s per 1001b. Fat Calves.—Forty-three were penned, and, under fair competition, realised from 15s to 19s each. Fat Sheep.—The market was fully supplied to-day again with 800 merinoes and 1,872 cross-breds, ranging from medium to primo. Competition was fairly active, but prices Bhow no fpiotable advanco on last week's. Prime cross-breds brought from 17s Gd to 19s Gd ; others, 9s 9d to 16s 6d; merinoes, 9s 3d to lis. We sold on account of Messrs Ross Bros., Meadowbank, Palmerston, 76 cross-breds, at 14s 3d to 14s Gd; Mr Patterson, Ngapara, 83 do, at 14s 9d; Messrs Wayne and Leary, Akatore, 70 do, at 14s 9d ; Mr E. B. Atkins, 42 do, at 13s Od; Messrs Wilson Bros., Waihola, 77 cross-breds, at 13s 6d ; Mr Peter M'Laren, Otakia, 197 do, at 13s Gd. We quote mutton at 2Jd to 2-} d per lb. Fat Lambs.—B64 were penned, quality being only medium. Priceß show an advance, the range boing 7o 6d to 10s 6d.. ,We sold, on account of Mr William Shand, Keith Hall, and others, 117 at from 9s 9d to 10s Cd.

Fat Pigs.—l2o were forward of all descriptions. Competition was spirited, prices realised ranging from 16s to 80s.

Store Cattle.—We sold 2EO head at Mosgiel on the lflth inst., consisting of quiet grown cattle In forward condition, which wero fairly well oompoted for. Bullocks from two and a-half to three years old brought flora Ci i 8s to Lslos; two years old, L 3 2s t > L 4 6s; and heifers from L2 6s to L 3 7s. Store Sheep.—The demand is still very activo for young cross-breds and morinoes of both sexes. Wo report also a continuous Inquiry for good full-mouthed merino ewes. During the week wo placed 3,000 fullmouthed merino ewes and wethers. Wool.—Prices for the hotter descriptions continue to be well supported, but coarso and heavy wools are scarcely so firm. During the week we succeeded in placing privately a large number of the lots held oyer from our sale of tho 15th irtat, at advanced rates. Sheopskins.—Wo offered a fair cataioguo on Monday to the usual representatives of the trade, consisting chiefly of country dry skins, whioh. were cleared at about equal to lato rates. Cross-brede brought from Is 7d, 2s, 2s Cd, 23 lid, 3s Bd, to 4s 4d j merinoes, lsOd, ls9d, 2s sd, 2slod, 3s 4d, to 4s; green pelts, Od to Bd, and lambskins, 8d to lid. Rabbit-skins.—We offered and sold on Monday 3 bags suckers at l:}d; 12 do summer and mixed at 9jd to lOjd; 1 bale do at Is o.|d; and passed 2doat Is ajd per lb. Hides.—The market continues good, and no alteration to report. We sold all to hand this week at, for cut and slippy, 2Jd; for light in good condition, 3d to 3Jd; medium to heavy weights, 3Jd 4}d ; extra heavy, 4id per lb. Tallow.—There is a good' demand for all coming forward, and prices obtained at our sale on Monday show the market firm. We sold 4 casks medium to good at from 27s Cd to 325; 7 bags and 8 tins do at 28s 6d to 335; and 6 bags rough fat at 23s to 24s pef cwt. * Grain.—Wheat: Prime milling lota continuo scarco and wanted ; higher rates wbiild readily bo paid for any such coming forward. Ordinary and medium sorts also fetch higher prioes. We quote prime milling at 4s 4d to 4s 6d; medium tp good, 3s 9d to 4s 3d; soft and sprouted, 3s to 8s fid; inferior, 98 toga 9d.—Oats are in strong demand for shipment, resulting in higher prioes being obtained. We quote prime stout milling at 2s Id to 2s to 2s Id; medium, lg 9d to Is lid; and for the want of supplies orders are difficult to execute at the above rotei-Barley J No sales.

MINING NOTES. The first general meeting of tho Champion Copper Company was held at Nelson last night. Tho prospectus provided for 00,000 shares, and 50,462 were taken up by 254 persona. It was decided to hold tho remaining shares in trust for the Company. Two pieces of smelted copper from tho mine were exhibited. 1311b of native copper taken from the lode were smelted in a local foundry, and, after being melted twice, the copper from the mould weighed rif lb. It is proposed to send the specimen to the Christchurch Exhibition. _______ [By Telegraph.] Mkmouiine, January 23—The manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company reports of tho local grain market as follows-.—Wheat is in moderate inquiry at 4s to 4s Id ; malting barley, 4s to 4s Cd—quotations nominal. New Zealand oats : Feeding sorts are in favor of buyers at 2s lid to 3s Id ; milling do are in request at reduced prices—from 3s Id to 3s 2d ; New Zealand oats, under bond, 2s 5d to 2s 8d —prices barely maintained.