COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 7497, 16 April 1888, Page 3

COMMERCIAL

The amount of revenue oollcotcd at the Customhouse on goods cleared to-day lor consumption was Ll,Oil 13s 2d. The hulu of the crops have now been secured. From all reports that have reached the ‘ Clutha Leader,’ it appears that hut comparatively little damage was occasioned by the recent wet and stormy weather. The crop was knocked about a good deal, was weather beaten and somewhat discolored, but where it was looked after and the stocks kept up there was no sprouting. The reports as to the returns are. however, very unsatisfactory. One experienced agriculturists informs us that his oat crop turned out exactly one-third of his estimate, and what anyone would estimate to look at it. lie also says that even this is bettor than the returns of some of his neighbors. He believes that over all the crops will not turn out more than onehalf of what was cxpacted. An Inch Clutha cornspendent Bays that tho wheat on the inland was greatly damaged by frost six or seven weeks ago, so much so that in some cases it will not pay the cost of harvest labor and threshing. One settler whose crop lately promised to he a very heavy crop offered tho whole to a neighbor the other day at 18s per acre, and the crop in the stock. This maybe an exceptional case, hut the rule is far below the expectations. The Canadian thistle has got a good hold upon the island. It is in patches all over, and, as much of It is allowed to seed, there seems a prospect of It shortly being in full possession. Tho education reserves tor the maintenance of the Waitaki High School were released at auction on Saturday, and'provoked spirited competition. The ‘ Oamaru Mail* sa.vs;-“lt is worthy of note'that, wherever land has been offered of late at a reasonable fign e, buyers have been furthcoming. In every cise the upset price was reached, and in several cases doubled ; but the increase in the amounts realised to the former price paid has been as fij to 2.” The result of the sale Is to give L 360 of additional revenue to the Board of Governors. THE LABOR MARKET. Mr Skene reports that there is a fair demand for couples, ploughmen, and dairy hands, hoys and lads, hut prospects about town are far from hopeful. Wages : Couples, L6O, LPB, and L7O; ploughmen, 153, 17a 6d, and 20s Milkers; Boys, 8s and Ids ; lads, 12s to 15s; men, 16s to 20s ; cooks and bakers, 20s and 255; laborers, 15s ; bushmen, 5s and 0s per cord; grooms, 16s and 20s; rab’bitters are moving, MINING NOTES. The Keep-it-Dark Company, at lie: (ton, obtained SBo7, of amalgam for three days’ ci ushing last week. There is something like a hoom_ at the Thames, Australian capital having been largely invested there A telegram tj the ‘ Daily Times ’ states that the following mines have been purchased lately ;—Mount Arahura (Melbourne), L 203.000; Waihi (London), L10Q.000; Maniototo (Sydney), L 100.000; Coromandel (London), L 80,000; Champion (London), L 76.000; Tokatoa Smith (London). L 75 000; Moanatairi (London). L 76 00D; Beach (London), L 60.000. The actual cash paid to tho original companies nr owners aggregates a very small amount, although in several cases shares have been allotted, and local residents will therefore come in for some proportion of the profits should results bo favorable. The actual cash recentlvpaid or promised apart from shares for the mines Heated and to be floated is:—Mount Arahu a, L 26.000; Rosnmont (portion of Waihi), L1I,000; Telephone fCoronmndei), LIO.OOO ; Champion (Tui Creak), L 5.600 ; Manio’oto, L 4.250 ; Silver King (Tc Aroha), L 4.000; Lynohe’s freehold (Coromandel). 1.2,G00. Mr Adams, manager of the Mount Aroha mine, at To Aroha, who was mainly instrumental in effecting its pureha'o hv Mr W. R. Nelson, stated at a banquet given to him’ on Friday that an expenditure of at, least LIOO.OOO would be required to open up the mine. The opinion he had formed with regard to mining in the district was that one system would not suffice to treat the ores pronerly ; a combination system was required. Capital liad now been brought iiito the district, and they would anon also have the host talent procurable in Australia.