NOTES FROM THE CITY.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 613, 2 July 1908, Page 4

NOTES FROM THE CITY.

Distributing houses report that trade continues satisfactory, although quiet, a contributing factor no doubt being stock-taking by many retail houses, which naturally tends to limit orders. The hardware section has experienced a somewhat improved demand for many lines, whilst the colder weather of the last two weeks has given a little fillip to soft goods and drapery trades. From the figures now avilable, it i is evident that importations of dried fruits during- v .190/ were on a very extensive scale," the aggregate figures showing an increase of almost 50 per cont., compared with the importations of the previous year. The respective totals are 8,310,9341 b for 1906, and i 12,166,0001 b for 1907. Although such dried fruits as dates, figs, and prunes have been imported more freely, the total increase is attributable more to the abnormal quantity of currants and raisins imported, and it is possible that merchants have perhaps overestimated the demand for these. American advices report a weaker market for evaporated fruits, and merchants should be able to place their orders for such lines as apricots, peaches, and pears on favorable terms. In Eastern lines, rice and tapioca show a te: ©ney for slightly easier quotations It is noteworthy that the quantity of rice imported last year was the smallest since 1903, the falling-off on the 1906 figures being no less than 12,681cwt., whereas tapioca has increased from 21,142cwt. in 1906 to 29,511cwt. last year. A month ago the Standard Oil Company* declared a quarterly dividend of 36s per share, being the same as at the corresponding time' in the three previous years. The total amount paid in dividends by the company since 1882, inclusive, is stated to be over £126,000,000.' A considerable falling-off in the company's business has taken place, and there has been an average decrease in all departments of 17* per cent, this year, which reflects the lessened industrial activity in America. With reference to the foregoing, it is interesting to note that New Zealand imported last year 3,653,951 gallons of kerosene, against 4,615,216 gallons for 1906, a decrease of 961,265 gallons. Notwithstanding this large shrinkage the value of the reduced quantity was £7405 more. The average value per gallon for the 1907 importations was about 9_„, whilst that of the previous year was about 7sd. Compared with the ruling prices ex store twelve months ago, quotations are now from |d to Id per gallon higher. — Post. «_■________■_■