COMMERCIAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5306, 13 February 1879, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

♦ — . — Maeket Report from the National Mort-

gage and Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited. 37, Lombard Street, London, December 20fch, 1878. Wool.— ln our last Circular under date of sth instant, we reported a somewhat firmer tone as having supervened at the sales then currrent, which improvement continued until the close of the series on the 17th instant, without, however, further development. The following quantities were catalogued, viz: — Sydney 35,390 Bales Viotorift .. 39,807 „ Adelaide 16,609 „ Swan River 414 „ Tasmania 1,638 „ New Zealand 36,757 „ Cape of Good Hope 34,080 „ Total .. 164,103 Bales out of a total available stock of 180,500 bales, leaving 16,400 bales not ofL-red, which, together with 18,500 bales withdrawn, make a reserve for future sale of 22,700 bales Australian and New Zealand, and 12,200 bales Cape. Total, 34,900 bales. The Continental buyers undoubtedly proved the mainstay of the market as is clearly demonstrated by tho large proportion (say 90,000 bales) taken for their account. From the foregoing figures it will be seen that the market has not yet been fully relieved of the old stock of 50,000 bales carried forward from 1877, and, indeed, the deficiency of 40,000 bales actually shewn in the importations from Australia may be said not to haye been felt in any degree.. Tallow. — Since the date of our last issue, the tallow market has been flat, and the business done limited. Prices also have slightly declined, the present quotation for Russian y.C. being 36b. on the spot, which is a fall of 6d. por owt. The demand for Australian tallow has been moderate, but not active, and the value to-day of good to fine New Zealand mutton is 375. to 38s. 6d., and fine beef tallow 85s. to 355. 6d., and inferior qualities at proportionate rates. Present stock in first hands is now about 6,700 casks. Hides haye been in fair demand at late rates, and we quote Sydney heavy ox Ist class at sd. to s|d.. light 3|d. to 4Jd., cowa 4Jd. per lb. 2nd class hides 3^d. to 4£d. per lb. Money. —The Bank of England rate remains at 5 per cent.