COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 7473, 17 March 1888, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Tlie amount of revenue collected at the Customhouse on goods cleared to-day tot consumption was L.94 Cj. Business in the import market during the week has been dull, and values of leading lines are unchanged. Messrs W. Sooular and Co. have received the following cablegram from their Mauritius agents:-"Thurso loading shortly ; market firmer; vetsels ecuce. MINING NOTES. The mino manager of White's Rsef. Alexandra, reports to-day a yield of 1920z retorted gold from 140 tons of stone. THR BLUB BPUB CLAIMS. There are many conflicting opinions abroad as to the exact position of theße properties in the matter of their purchase by the Home company. Some are of opinion—but mostly people at a distance—that a definite issue has been arrived at, and the transfer completed; but when we consider the numberless misleading statements that from time to time have been put in circulation from different sources, this is not at all to bo wondered at. The fact is thnt, notwithstanding its innumerable " lloaingß," which have been of almost weekly occurrence for the past nine months, the Blue Spur is sti 1 anchored hard and fast at the triad of Gabriel Gully in pretty much the suie condition as when Mr Brown leturned from England four mouths ago. The present position, so Ur as we can ascertain, is this: Tho original offer, by which tho different companies were to receive twothirds cash and the jest in paid-up share?, has fulleu through. The inoooy was to have boi-n piid over on tho 18th ult., and though tho owie.-a were instructed to wash-up and havu everything prepaid to hand over to the now company, the day passed without the money being paid, and the transition for the nonco fell to the ground. It was understood that the Bum of L 25.000 was available in the hands of the company's representatives in Dunedin, and fresb negotiations for a settlement were soorf commen.od. When the oaße uppeared to be almost hopeli-ss, and many of those concerned had made up their minds that they had heard the last of it, Sir Robert Stout, accompanied by Mr J. 0. Brown, appeared on tho scene on Thursday, arriving in Lawrence by the midday traiu. It was at first thought that it was Sir Robert'* Intention to hold a sort of conference with the lrcil owners and lay hi* ternu btfore them ; but, instead of adopting this course, bo treated with the different Interests Individually. The ctfers made to tho respective companies were various—some were offered a dtujuit cf 10 per cent, and the reruaiud. r in twelve nioDths, llity themselves retaining all oontrol and enjoying all profits of the mines in the meantime; otherß were tHered a third on tho sum condition*; wliilo soma were to get as much as two - thirds, and the remainder as origlualiy arranged. Iu ono or two Cases, the offer was definitely accepted as satisfactory ; in others the owners asked for time to consult outside shareho'ders and think the untter over, promising to give a reply in a few days; while in the case of another important interest (the Tailings Company) the offer was declined. Iu the latter case, however, the company stated their terms, to which Sir Robert said ho would give a reply in a few days, after consulting his principals. It wi 1 thus be seen that negotiations are still proceeding—that no definite issue has been arrived at; but we may expect to hear of the business being settled one way or the other in the course of a week's time.— * Tuapeka Times.' WAIPORI ALLUVIAL GOLD MINING COMPANY Some few months ago the Waipori Alluvial Goldmining Company applied to the warden for permission to thoroughly prospect the alluvial flat extending between the township of Waipori and the Gorge, a distanoa ot some six miles, and comprising in area something like 1.600 acres. OpposLion was iffcrtd to the whole area being awarded to o 1a oompany, though the ground was lyiDg idle, and no other company or indlviduil appeared anxious to risk time or labor in testing its diameter or turning it to account. The Warden finally granted a right to prospect over the wholo area for a period of twelve months, the company at the end of that period to be allowed to Belect SOO acres cf the ground whersver it liked ; and prospecting;operatious on an extensive scale are to proceed at once. Tenders are now invited for sinking prospecting Bhafts at different plaocs throughout tha fkt. Toe contractor will require to sink not less than six shafts, and the tame shall be put down at such points as may be decided on and pointed out by the engineer, so that tho giound mar be propsrly tested from tho surface to the main bottom, the contractor t;mploylng such means or apparatus as he may think necjssarv. In sinking the shafts or cuts, the whole earth, subsoil, drift, gravel, and washdirt will be carefully treated and the gold saved thnrefrom, every 2ft in depth being taken separately. In every shift _u k the main bottom will have to be reached. Thoso operations will le commenced at once, and will require to be completed within a month of the signing cf the contract. If the oornpany are satiefiod wi hj the result of these preliminary operations, they will proceed to work the flit on the latest prlnoiple of alluvial working, using tho inoat improved machinery, and giving employment to a considerable amount of labor. -Ibid. THE LABOR MARKET. Vlr Skone reports that engagements for winter work have begun, but employers are much dispirited. Wages: Co plis LOO a_d"LC5 ; ploughmen (Al), SOs ; laborers, 16s ; milkeri-bcy. 8- to 10?, 'ade 12s to lf.s, men 17s f'd to 20i; grooms, 10s, IB*, and 20s ; biots, 109 and 15b; threihing-roill hinds, 8d and 9J per hour; cooks, 20s and 255; bushmen, 5j to 6s per cq.'d.