COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6062, 22 April 1881, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

'■ Nan Zealand Hrbald Office. Thursday afternoon. TH B Customs receipts to-day amounted to £1553 soed. , Business during the week has been steady and satisfactory, although the holidays had a restrictive effect to some extent. The bank discount bar. been reduced X per cent., and now ii—for 95 days, 7 per cent.; for 125 days, 8 per cent. The sharemarket has been rathor dull. Bank of New Zealands hare been sold at £23 and £22 17s 6d, and aro now worth tho latter figure. Other banks are unchanged; but there are buyers of Colonials at 455. Insurance shares, if anything, are easier, bat New Zealands have changed hands a.t 70s. Auckland Timber Companyi aro in fa-vour, and a small lot ie inquired Eor at £5 12* 6d. There are sellers of Union Sa.Bli and Doors at £5 17s Gd. The mining market also has been slack. Kuranuis are in rapjiesl; at 7s. Crowns have been sold at 13«, hut are now nbo&t 12s 6d, being firm at that. Albnmias are worth about 32s Cd, and Derons 10s Gd. Whaus are -inquired for at 7s 6d. There are buyers of Caledonians at 17a, and of Tokateas (Ooromandel) at 7s Gd. Kiuri gum has developed very little change. good ordinary cannot be bought under 34s to 35s —the latter prico being the more probable. Several Hales of poor ordinary have been effected at rates ranging from 303 to 335. A large p*rcel of Kaipara, was under offer at 33b,. and refused, 32s being the highest bid. The produce market ii very lively. Oats, in largo wholesale lines, are worth 2j Id to 2a 4d, according to sample. Maize is rather scarce, and aalei of best quality have been effected t,t 3j 6d. The demand, however, is limited. Owing to the noc-a.rrival of the Loch Dee and Peru, several lines in various branches are short. Currants are scarce, and firm, but shipments are on the way. D.K. J. candles aro likewiso low in

itouk, pending arrival of the vesseU. Supplies >f painte and oils are reduced for the same •eason, but the arrival of tbo Loch Dee would )lace matters on a satisfactory footing. Butter and E»gs : Butter is firm at 3.». Sggs are scarce, and still command Is Sel, iltUough the demand has fallen off since Lent.