STOCK EXCHANGE NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 11682, 14 February 1902, Page 6

STOCK EXCHANGE NOTES.

The weathe rreport from Alexandra this morning stated that the river had dropped to 7ft 9in, but that south-westerly rain was falling. If it continues to fall for any length of time and with anything approaching the tropical consistency, we may expect to hear of a further rise in the river. This is not comforting, anil may be subject to agreeable disappointment, but it is evidently what has to bo facfed for the nextmonth or two. The market this morning naturally slackened again, and there was a restriction of business all round. There is no use trying to sell stock while this uncertainly exists regarding dredging operations, and there is still less object in buying unless purely for holding purposes. Holders will be acting wisely if they defer any consideration of doing business until the season proper sets in.

The principal quotes were:—Ahaura River : liny 1/9, sell 2/3. Alexandra Lead : Buy 4/9, sell 6/. Alpine No. 2: Buy 22/. Broad Creek : Buy 7/. Electric : Buy 38/; firm. Endeavor : Buy 13/9, fcell 14/3. Enterprise: Buy 28/, sell 30/6. Fourteen-mile Beach : Buy 16/6, sell 17/3. Gentle Annie : Buy 15/, sell 17/; firm. Gold King: Buy 4/9, sell 6/; easier. Golden River: Buy 7/6, sell 8/. Hokitika River: Buy 12/6, sell 15/6. Junction Electric: Sale 24/, buy 23/9, sell 24/3. Leaning Rock: Buy 14/6, sell 15/. Manuherikia: Buy 33/, sell 39/ Meg and Annie: (sale 24/6, buv 24/3, sell 25/. Mosquito: Buy 20/6, sell 22/. North Beach: Sales 12/6, 12/, and 11/6, buy 10/6, sell 12/6; weaker. No Town Creek: Buv 25/, sell 26/; firm. Pactolus: Buy 35/9*, sell 38/; hardening. Rise and Shine -. Sale 12/9, buy 12/9, sell 13/; weaker. Threemile Greenstone: Buy 15/, sell 22/; claim is turning out well. Waimumu Extended : Buy 12/, sell 13/9. There was no change upon yesterday's quotes for investment stocks. The Three-mile Greenstone secretary reports a return of 370z for 116 hours, which shows an increase upon last week's of 2oz. On th_e y.th inst. it was published that the Waimumu Extended would not wash up this week. However, the dredge-master subsequently found that he got through the biggest part of the work sooner than he expected, and owing to the gold box getting full (of what?) he was obliged to wash up in the interim, and leave some repairs till next week. The return consequently is 21oz 3dwt for 116 hours. The dredge-master of the Big Plat Company at Waipori, writing under date of February 8, reports that there is no change from the previous week, the ground being the same in depth and composed of clay throughout.

The Hon. T. Y. Duncan and Mr A- H. Gordon, the two delegates appointed by the Government to settle the water-rights question in the Waimnmu and Charlton districts, are haviig a busy time with the farming community down yonder. The Waimnmu people are apparently more reasonable and. less grasping than their brethren in the Charlton district, far they have practically agreed, so wo understand, to the proposed settlement. This means that the Government will construct a tail-race to carry off the necessary water, to the cost of which each of the companies will be required to car-tribute, and the industry will henceforth be unhampered, and can expand to its full limits. The Charlton farmers, on the contrary, appear not to be satisfied with the proposals pot before them, and are evidently sticking oat for some pecuniary balm in addition. The earnest and unanimous prayer of all dredging people is that no such consideration will be admitted. We all know the position in that locality, and there is a widespread belief that private interests, on the whole, are being advanced by interested parties for individual advantages. Tlxs Gabriel Gold Dredging Company are a handy little concern of £5,500 capital, and since starting operations have proceeded to win payable gold for their shareholders. During last year, for the short time worked, 6130z "of gold, valued at £2,362 5? sd, was produced. If the claim 'continues in the same strain this year it is quite possible that the £2,300 odd owed by the company will be materially rcdjuced. This is a very heavy incubus for a small company to carry, and if they succeed in lightening the load they will have accomplished something to be proud of. The Aldinga Company have been greatly handicapped through shortage of funds, bat to finance their troubles satisfactorily until the dredge gets to work, when it is anticipated that immediate returns will be obtained. The amount expended last year on construction, etc., was £5,608 lis 9d, or a total of £6,711 3* Bd, since registration. There are now nearly £I,OOO liabilities and debts owing by the company,' ar*d a sum, on December 31 last, of £258 7s 6d in arrears of calls. The admitted payable character of the darm, so far as appearances go, Is now supporting its credit evidently, and, considering the excellence of Nelson Creek, the belief seems to be warranted.