COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2635, 16 September 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The easterns duties collected at Christchurch on Thurada.y, September 14th, were m follows Spirits, £B3 5a 8d ; tobacco, .£lO2 19s 9d; wine, £63 15a ; beer, £9 12a 6d ; sugar, £29 4a 6d; tea, £3O 7a 41 ; goods by weight, £435 la 8d; ad valorem, £2021 19a; other duties, £lO3 la 7d. Total, £2931 7a. The recant arrival of several overdue ahipa has capped a little life to appear in trade during the pest week by enabling the execution of several outstanding orders, but beyond thia car markets have beenrather quiet. An absence of speculation or indifference ia still a marked feature among our buyers, several articles which at the low rates asked would pay well to secure and hold for a short time, being only with diffi. culty quitted, and that in small lots just sufficient for immediate requirements. Dried fruits have had a alight enquiry for fine sorts, which are now quitted at bettor rates than were formerly obtainable. Candles, though offered at 8d for do Bonbaix’s, are only disposed of in small lots, the Home market quotation is 6d, f.jo.b., future lots must consequently command an advance to cover increased cost. An improved business has been noticed in sugars, principally in finest whites, stocks of which are not in over supply; lower sorts of whites, however, are ample for some time. Teas of medium quality, both old and new season’s, have been pushed off at low rates ; the finer sorts are not obtainable in any quantity, and are well held. A great rise in the London bop market has caused considerable purchases of Nelson hops, which have been secured by experienced buyers, and are now firmly held by them for a large advance. Sales of fine old Hennessy’s brandy, in bulk, are noticed at low rates; stocks of this quality are getting exceedingly scarce, and the prices formerly paid have been so low as to discourage shipments; in the face of these facts, better rates must shortly eventuate. Clarets are coming into notice, and sales are recorded in parcels, chiefly of medium sorts. Champagnes of best dry kinds have had a small demand ; stocks of those are rathar low, end shipments to arrive Ehow some advance on previous rates. Parcels of salt just to hand have been quitted at low rates, the quantity afloat being rather excessive. The same applies to soda crystals Wire has had a trifling business at £ls 10a for assorted parcels; No. 10 is rather scarce, and orders can only be executed with difficulty. Galvanised icon ia quite a drug, and to effect sales a low figure must be accepted. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. Very little of interest may be noted in the grain market during the past week. Wheat of good quality ia saleable at 4s 61, f o b., and secondary at somewhat lower rates, but neither the demand nor quantity offering is large. Flour is in fair request for one or two brands, but beyond this the trade ia restricted, and quotations range from £lO to £ll Its. In oats only a small business is passing at from 2a 6d for inferior to 3s for good. The seeding season being almost over, remnants of farmers’ stocks will be finding thoir way to market. A considerable quantity of low quality barley ia offering, but there are very few purchasers, and those at rates which sellers do not feel disposed to acc'pt. Any good samples are, however. readily picked up at 4a 6d and upwards. Rye grass seed movea off better after the rain, but prices are not a ) good as many expected them to be. Potatoes are firmly held for 40a to 45a at country stations; the bulk of stocks appear to be cut of farmers’ hands. Cheese of really good quality is wanted at 7£d to Bd, but butter is easier. Hama and bacon are in good trade demand at 7id to Bd. The rain last week was very welcome to farmers, and further showers would do good. SHARE MARKET. Wellington, September 15. Messrs Lidbetter and Cooper report the market ia quiet Bank of New Zealand, £23 12s 6d to £23 15s; National, 79a ; Colonial, 47s to 47s 3d ; National Insurance, 29a to 29a 3d; South British, 62a 6d, cum div; Standard, 16a ; Union, 20a ; Colonial, 10s; Drug, 24a 3d ; New Zealand Shipping. 97s 6d ; Welcome, 105 s, cum div. Dunkdin. September 15. Mr J. B. Bfadahaw reports : —Banka: New Zealand, £23 10s; National, £Ba ; Colonial, 475. Insurance—New Zealand, 78a ; National, old, 29a; new, 2s premium ; South British, 63a; Union, 20a; Colonial, 10a ; Accident, 4a 9d ; Miscellaneous —Union S teamship, 12s lOd, ex div ; New Zealand Shipping, £sl7s 6d; New Zealand Drug, 25s ; Moagiel Woollen Factory, 83a; National Mortgage, 335; New Zealand Loon, £6los.