LATE COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 11701, 6 October 1902, Page 5

LATE COMMERCIAL

The keen competition now existing locally in the hardware trade has had the effect of cutting prices so fine that in some lines, especially fencing wire, the wholesale rates lately quoted are not only unremunerative, but in some instances under cost price. These quotes naturally lead farmers and others to believe that they are paying too high rates when purchasing small quantities; while, as a matter of fact at prices now ruling there is little profit to the trade after handling and trucking is taken into account. Messrs D. M. Spedding and Co. this afternoon sold by public auction 1,000 bags of white sugar (561b), which realised £U per ton, duty paid. Potatoes.—Values 'for potatoes are just now somewhat lower in Canterbury thau those ruling locally, and this has caused some consignments to come into this market from that quarter, with the result that the supply is rather in excess of the *kmand, and naturally prices have fallen ?a 6d to 5s per ton. To-day's quotations for fresh-picked Derwents are up to £5 per ton, with an easing tendency. Fruit.—There was rather" less than the usual quantity of fruit offered this morning, most of it being consignments ex Monowai; and there was a noticeable improvement in the quality, and values advanced somewhat. The market is now pretty bare of most sorts of fruits, and a considerable rise in prices must be looked for at an early date. It is understood that only light consignments arc coming to his market by the Ovalau from Rarotonga, and oranges will be in short supply. Prices ranged as follows at to-day's sales:—Seville oranges, 7s 6d to 8s: Sydney lemons, 7s 6d to 8s 6d; Mildura do, lis 6d; local do, 4s to ss; mandarins (choice), 9s 6d; do (medium), up to ss. Onions.—Melbourne onions are in short supply, and are inquired for up to £lO. 250 cases of 'Frisco onions at present on ihe wharf, which are more or less growing, are likely to have a, weakening tendency on the market. PROPERTY SALES. James Samson and Co. report having sold by auction this day a property off the City road, Roslyn, with six-roomed dwelling thereon (in the estate of the late Elizabeth Jane Drew), having an area of 1 rood 9 poles. There was a lan-e attendance (Ros!yn residents being strongly represented), and the bidding which, started at £4OO soon reached £470, at which sum Mr James Wren became the purchaser. Another freehold in Great King stref-t, City, with shop and dwelling thereon, 33i links frontage and 50 links depth, was offered at the same time on behalf of Mr Charles S. Anderson. A start was made* at £.500, and by spirited bids £450 was eventually reached, at which Mr James Wren again secured the prop?rfy. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. to-day held a sale, by order of the Registrar, of a piece of land situated at the corner of Vogel and Kennedy roads, containing about one rood and half a pole, with four-roomed dwelling, stables, etc., fh°reon. The proCT was bought in by the mortgagee at £2BO.