COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6064, 25 April 1881, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Nxw Zealand riBRALD OtPre. afternoon. The Ottatoma receipts to-day amounted to £114 15s 4d. The Customs receipts for the week were :— Duties £2,753 S 1 Lighthouse dues .. .. 4 7 0 Msrchr.nt shipping fees .. 2 5 0 MUtttliAceoiU! 67J 0 8 £-iAG9 10 0 On the whole, business during tbo past merth although not brisk, has been of a satisfactory charftctcr. Trade engagements have Wu punctually liquidated, and nil the indications tend to show that matters commercial arc sound. Hut there certainly is no abnormal activity j *nd tradesmen generally are reducing ""i 1 " Q " m inclined to wait b ,ica f vlly - l n agricultural tnot3 the prospects are brighter. and mouov in circulating more freely. There is a largo'uraonnt ™ni P ™ 86 profitable source* of ment. The averse rate of interest for loat s on mortgage la 7 to 8 per cent., nHhougb considerable BumH have been ltnt on unexceptional tecutiea at (j.J per cent. Tkebanks have reduced the *1 A. discount 1 percent.; another sign of the plethoric condition of the mouey market. On the T> -i Qe half-yearly meeting of the SJouth IsriUah Insurance Company w&a held. The

report was vory satisfactory, and a dividend at J the rate of 10 per cent;, per annum was declared, mid a aura of £10,G33 carried forward. The bi-annual meeting of the Bank of New Zealand took place ou the 21at in&taut, and was of a gratifying character. A dividend afe the rate of 10 per cent, per annum and a bonu? at the rate of 5 per cent p«r annum were declared, leaving a balancn of £21,501 to bo carried to the credit of profit and loss account. In the early part! of the month the stock exchange was rather dull, but latterly business in shares haa been much livelier. Bank of New Zealauda, which had receded to £22 7« 6d, owing to a demaxd from elsewhere speedily rose again to £23, and th«re are now sellers at £22 5a ex div. The stock |of the other banks haa varied very little. Thqre are order* for large parcels of Colonials !at market rates. During the whole time the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency shares have been in favour, and have changed hands at from £5 7* Od to £5 12a Cd. lusurauce shares | arc weak, and with the exception of Union I stock, which are in demaud at 21s Cd, there has I been a slight retrogression. Auckland Timber Oovjjpany'a shares rose from £5 2a Gd to £5 12-t 6d, and now stand at £5 10.*. On the other hand. Union Saah and Doors are not so high in favour just now, sales having been effected on Saturday at £5 15a. Gts Bhares have been pr«jtty active; Auckland Gas hating risen from £L 0 to £L 0 12s 6d, and Thames Gas from 29* to 31s. Kempthorne, Prosssr, Drug | Company's shares have been quoted frequently J of late, and we hear that 21a been offered for a ' large parcel. Mining has not been brisk, still i there is a disposition to embark in anything I bona jidc, which gives promise of being a remu- I nerative investment. Caledonians have fiuctu- ! ated according to the reports from the miue. | They receded to 10s, rose to 19s, and came back | to 17s, which is their present value. Kuranuis I have strengthened ; they went up to Ss, but are now 7s Gd. Alburnias have improved considerably ; last mail they were quoted at 20s, now they are 35a—sales having been effected at 1 that price. A few pared* of Whaus changed hands at B*. Golden Crowns are popular, and have been sold at 13s. Queen of Beautys were very dead, until within the last two days, when a brisk demand sprung up at from 6s 3d to 7*. There is a good feeling in Tokatens (Coromandel) at 7* 6d, with a hardening tendency. There was some excitement in the shares of the Success Company of Coromandel about three weeks since, owing to two or three cakes of almost solid gold having been found in a sort of clayey hand in the company*# mine. The prico jumped from a nominal figure to 6*, but the preseut rate is about 6d. Kauri gum has weakened considerably, and receded somewhat, since last mail, the reason fißsigned being inability to ship, owing to the non-arrival of vessels. The consequence is that holders are not inclined to part, whilst buyers will not purchaßO except at favourable rates. Still really good ordinary gum cannot even now be purchased at less than 35s or although numerous parcels of poor ordinary hare been bough", at :30s to '335. East Coast gum has realised £-15, and eveu higher, but the buyers are chiefly new beginners in the business. Older establishments—the Walker Gum Company, for instance—profess not to giro more than 425. Two barques are expected to load for New York in a few weeks, but neither has yet arrived in porfc. The Thames should take about 370 tons, and tho C'berfeidh 350 tons. Tho Loch Dee, now four months out from London, is anxiously looked for by gum merchants, as there is an ample cargo awaiting her. The receipts of gum since last mail fo>»t up to about 350 tons. The arrivals of copra fiom tho Islands do not amount to 50 tons. Its value in this market ia about' £10. Flax is coming in freely, but there is no alteration in price. The timber trade is brisk. Owing to the absence of freshes stocks are low, and prices are burdening in consequence. As a great deal of building is going on, there is an excellent local demand, and the exportation to the Australian colonies is considerable. As two or three vessels are now overdue, stocks in all branches of trade are badly in want of sorting up. Tie last tlnoe or four vessels from London have made unusually long passages. The Loch Dee and Peru are both overdue, the former tour months out, the latter above 100 days. Kut perhaps the sorest point -with tho importers is the non-arrival of the barque Superior, which left New York for this port, via Adelaide, exactly six months ago. This seems like iolegating us back to the good old days of a quarter of a century since, when cablegrams, telegrams, and steamboats were things of tho future, as far as this colony was concerned ; when people took business leisurely, and competition Wrts not so keen. !But in these times of progress, six months, and the balance an as yet uukuown quantity, will not suit. The bills for the goods on board tho Superior camo prompt!}' enough, and in many cases the goods were paid for a month ago. If tho New York merchants desire to maintain their Auckland connection, they must make more satisfactory arrangements for the delivery of the goods. Freights from this port to Londou have been raised in several lines, amongst them being tallow, gum and copra, which have advanced from GOs to 70s per ton. The -produce trade is active. Stocks of oats are much reduced, and prices are Id to 2d per bushel higher. Maize is rather scarce, and commands Gd per bushel; the demand, however, is not great. Auckland (lour seems to be shutting out the foreign article in a great measure. Importers complain that there is little or no margin for profit with Southern flour. Potatoes are plentiful. The trade with the Islands is gradually developing, and there is a considerable export of Auckland produce thither. In ironmongery, goods generally are scarce, through tho non-arrival of vessels, and this o? necessity lias a restrictive f-fleet upon trade. There is not much change in prices; sheet lead is £1 lower. Paints «ud oils are low in stock, especially tho latter, but there are shipmeuts in the Loch Doe. In consequence of the statement in our last summary that cement was overstocked, and prices were low, there were numerous inquiries from Australia and the South. These had the effect of hardening the market, and sellers could not be found under 14s to 15h. One considerable line, however, changed hands at 13s. Slates aro in fair demand at £12 to £13 per 1000. The stocks are sufficient for present requirements, and there are shipments on hoard tho Peru from Loadou, and tho Superior from America. There is no improvement in blasting powder, but as tho shooting season is round again, there is a largo consumption of sporting powder. English inalt is unsaleable. There is no scarcity of hops, and the brewers are fairly supplied. ICent hops are neglected, as the last samples were coarse. The English 18S0 crop are quoted at Is lOd to 2s. Several parcels of Nelson hops have placed at Is lid ; there is, however, some delicacy in buying,owing to a report that a portion of the crop is affected by the fly blight. Tasmanian samples have been done at 2s to 2s 2d. Salt is in good supply, and is worth about £315s for coarse, and £1 for fine from ships' side. Dried fruifc is in limited supply. Currants are scarce, but shipments are on the way ; Gd is readily obtainable for parcels. E'emes are almost out of the market. Stocks of salmon are low, and parcels can easily bo placed at S*. The season for manures is well advanced and the supply is sulficient for requirements. There is a fair demand for teas for consumption. Candles are in moderate supply, but shipments, are on tho way. There aro no noteworthy features in wines, spirits, or beers. Brandies are heavily stocked. There is a great quantity of Auckland and island produce stored awaiting shipment. The P.M. s.s. Australia arrived from San Francisco on the sth inst., bringing London advices to February 2ith. Ratf.s or E.\cna nc« r on — Rujing : 120 days, IjJ per cent, discount; 90 days. 1} percent, discount; CO days, J per cent, discount; 30 days, i on demand, par. Selling : 90 days, J per cent, premium ; CO days, } per cont. premium; 30 days, 11 per cent, premium; demand 2 per cent, premium, discount: 95 days, 7 per cent.; 12j days, S per cent. -FKcriiHT*.—The following are tho rates of freight quoted at this port for London : —"Wool, greasy, *<i per lb.; ditto, washed, 3d per lb.; leather, 70s por ton; oil, SOs per tun of 2f>2 gals.; tallow, 70s per ton ; copra, 70s per ton; whalebone, SOs per ton. kauri guin, 70s per ton ; shells, 70s per ton ;dead weight, 30s per ton ; cotton, pressed, 3d per 2b.; sheepskins, Jd per lb.; maisurcmcnt, 50s per ton. Aj.es an*i> Poi.tki*.—Duncdinale, d.p..in bulk (pale), X 5; xxxxt, J£>i 10s. Ale, in bulk (duty paid) per barrel, Bass'.-?, XS ; Ashby's, .£B. Ale (in bond), Tennents, pints, Cs Gd ; quarts, Ss Od (nominal); liar's l)o,'shead brand (Read's bottling), pints, Cs Cd ; quarts, 9s; Tialldog (Ji. Porter and Co *s bod time:), 6s 9d and 0s; GriUm brand, Cs Od antOs'Jii ; ditto sparkling pale ale, Cs Od and 9s 3dd j "\V. Od ; Ashby's, (is 3d to Cs C ; I and Ss ti.l; Ind Coope, pints, Cs 'id ; quarts, Ss Od ; I Bass's (J'lorv.l bottlers), pints, Cs Gd"; quarts Ss, (!iya.vi bottling), 6s Cd and 9s. Anglo-Bavarian; pints Gs Htl, quarts 9s 3d. Stouts in bond: lilood's, Ss.'id toSsCl; pitits, (3s 3d ; Pigbrand.Gs Cd to 7s; quarts, 8.? Cd; X-ogshead, Guinne>s's (Read's bottling), pints, os6rt;.quarts, B<Gd; R. Porter and Co.'3 bottling, Cs Cd and Gd ; Spark's Moline bottling, Cs to 9s &d ; Gritlin brand, Cs 0d ami. 9s 3d ; Rurko's, Cs and 9s ; Cameron and Saunders's, 7s anil t>s Cd ; other brands, os and 7s Cd ; Comlnj's, quarts, .is Cd; pints, Cs CJ. Duty : Tints, Is Cd ; quarts, f?3 par dozen. JSuiluino Matkiiials. — Cement lias hardened somewhat, and now may bo quoted at 14s to 1C.3, delivered from ship. Slates; Supply about equal to requirements. Knglish Countesses are vrorth £12 to jCII; American, £.11 to £13. American plaster, none in tho market. Baos and JJAoiriiN<», r>.i\—VToolpacks arc out of I season. "NVoolpacks, full lOlbs., 27 x f>l, Calcutta, 3s 3d to 3s Cd ; Dundee, 3s Gd to 3s 9d ; cornsacks, 4-bush., 2§d lb., 9s 3d toDs Gd. Boxedust. — Australian, bonodnst, .£G to £7; Californian, £-3 to £0; vitriolised bones, £9; Peruvian guano, £17 to £13 por ton ; Huon Island £5 to £'j 5s ; Maiden Island £0 10s to £7 per ton; animal manure, none; cocoanut oil cake, x.7 per ton ; linseed cako, £12. UitEAmsTurrs ant> Grain. — Local best silkdressed Hour, £12 ; household, £11; Southcm brands, £10 to £11 ; Adelaide, £12 ICs. Wheat (Auckland), 4s to 4s Cil. Oat.s : Feed, 2.s Id to 2s 3d; milling, 2-i 3d to 2s Cd; bran, £4 5s to £4 lf>s per ton. Maize: Local, 3<? fid oatmeal, £11 to Jill 10s. Barley (for maltin?) : Southern, 3s Gd to 3s 9d ; feeding, 2s to 23 2d ; pearl, £19. Cabin broad, £17 to £1S per ton. Potatoes ; local, £3 per ton.

Cofto.voK, D.r.— Manilla hemp rope, ail sizes, £X-S?; whale and lance lines, £70 cutting in falls, JCiVi ; socon'l quality, all sizes, £52 : New Zealand Hax rope, all sixes, £12 1()h wool lashing, £38 ICm ; clothes linos, Gdper lb., subject to trade discount; Manila clothe? lines, Sd ; oakum, free, ditto, £42 • spun line two-yarn, ditto, £70 tn £S0; twino slinp, i1.i1., i«r lb., Is; setting twine, Ls peril*.; oca.l make, la to la 3d Co/.i..—-Newcastle is low in stock ; 31s to 32a at ship 3 sldo ; S3? to 403 In yards, may bo takon ! as a fair quotation, iiay of Inlands, f.o.K, I n !l lcs ' antl "Whangarei coal, 9a to l»s, I ditto, >> aikato j steam, 83; household, 10a.

CorFEP: and Spices (in bond), per lb.--Ceylon, coffo# plantation, Is ; do., Fiji, 9d ; cki< ory, colonial, . 7Jd ; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's Is 4jd; Fry's Is 3Jd; . Eppss, Is C.ld; Maravilla, Is 0*1; chocolate, Tajior's, Is 2d to Is 3d; Spices, dip.; Cloves, Is lid; bleached ginger, Is; unbleached do., lOd; nutmegs, Ss Cd; black pepper, wli )le, 7d; white do., 9d. CoNVßCTioNEHY.—Localmanufivcturers arc producing good articles, and the consumption is gradually increasing. colonial boiled,? 7d; <lry, 9}d; jujube, Is 2d; Keillors assorted, lOd; Grav's, 10d ; candied lemon and orange peel, d.p", Is Id; citron, Is 3d ; jujubes, Is 2d. Gum, Flax, ic.-Gura has receded s>mewhat, and is weak. Fair ordinary, £•}() to i 34 ; superior ortlinary, £:i5 to £3G ; superior Ea ;t Coast, £42 to £4G. Flax: First quality, j:2l to £22; second, illO to £20; tow, *;10 to ill-2 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £U to £10; Cocomut oil (fino white), per ton, £35. Copra, p« r ton, £11. Whale oil, £30. Ironmok<»krv. —Ewbank's nails, invoice, 5 per cent, off list • galvanized corrugated iron, kluty now 40s 1 per ton, Walker's, Stork. Orb J brands and others, from £24; 0 and 10 feet lengths, £25. to £20; Go.»p:d Oak, £27; English bar iron, per ton, .-CH to £12; pig £A 2s Gd to £-4 ss; plate iron, £11 to £12; fcnc'nu wire, duty 20s per ton, £14 10s to £10; sheet-lead, £12 to £22: pig-lead, i £20; sheetzinc £°7~to £2S. Powder, Kalmes, Curtis a.n<l' Harvey's, ikf per lb. ; Hall's, ljl<l: sporting (in canistcr), 2s ;ror 20 and 2J, . .p. wn«ter -No. 2, d.p., 3s Gd. Yellow metal, 7id, iluntz, , Jx\n. UniKD Fnt-ITS, Ac—The duty on dried fruit, under tho new tariff, is 2d. hnglJiU marniahide, llb.-tins, ;s 9d to Ss ; Hobart Town jams, Ci to 7s; jars, Sijd to Gjd ; sul-tin.-vi, 7d ; museateLi, lid ; elemej, ; currants, Cd' figs, Sd to lid. Dried apples, ordinary, in 'kegs and ca-ses, sjd; Alden's proccs-j, GJd to 7Jd, d.p. LaiTiiKit isd IltDra.—Sole leathor, 9d to Is 3d per lb.; kips, Is Cd to 2s ; runners, 2s Id to 2s 9d ; calf, colonial, 3s to fs 3d; basils, 10s to ISs per dozen ; closed uppers, -Is Oil to 9s 3d per pair. Hides, Jd to r.Jd ; calf skins, Sd to 4d per lb.; shoepskins, Cd to 3s 6d. Uj.lt asd Hopm.—English malt is unsaleable, cxcepl At very low rates. English. Cs to 7s d.p., and tanks, ill colonial, Cs to 6s Cd. Hops : English, ISSO, Is lOiI to 2s; Nelson, Is lOd to 2s ; Tasmanian, ISBO, 2s ; 18S1, 2s 2d; Saccharum, 33s lOd. Cll.mN'm ST]KEj.— Price's Belmont candles, duty Hd, Pid to 9Jd, d.p., per lb.; Dc Roubaix Jenar, Brandon's, S'cvas, and Oouda's Schicdam, S t d. Local blue-mottled soap, £27 per ton ; carbolic, £23; best yellow, .C 27; liousehold, £14; first Crown, £25; second Crown, £19 ; soft soap, in tins, 4!d per 11).; toilet, Sd to 9d per lb.; mould candles, 5d per lb.; all subject to tn.do discount. Salt; Coarse, £3 lus; lino, £4 per ton; manure salt, £3 20s to £4. Jordan almonds, 2s fid. Jilua, 7Ad to £K1; blacking paste, 5s ; Colman's starch, No. 1; white, 4jd;bluo, 4jd; Orlando Jones' starch, -Id. Gill and Tucker's Starch, 4d. Mustard, d.p.: Champion's genuino 1-ib. book-shaped tins, I'Js to l'Js (id ; i-lb. tins, 9s 3d to 0s 9d; Colman's 1-lb. tini; (red), 10s Cd; half ditto, r.s 'JJ; 7-lb. tins (red to green), 7UI io Is; 1-lb, tins o;rccn), 13s ; 1-lb. ditto, 7s Gd; IXSP j-Ib. tins, ftt Od. l!eckitt's blue, Hid. Paris blue in squares, IOJ.. Matches : Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 2jo, pcripross, 21s ; ditto, plaid, ns; ditto, fancy oval, p2s to 24s Od ; Letchford's, 183 ; Hell anil Bllck's, 20s ; plaids, 5s ad ; 11. JJell and Co. : plaids, is (id to Ss ; Crown plaiiLs, 4s Oil ; 2iio's, l(is Gil. Oil Castor, in pints, Ss Od ; half-pints, 5s Od ; quarter - pints, 4s 3d. iialad : C. and 11., pints, 13s '-O 14s ; half ditto, 7s 'jd to Sj; Morton's pints, 10s j(U ; halfoinU. Cs. i'icklcs : Crosse and BlackwfcH's, jnnts, j-'s'Jd- Pool's, !>s Od ; Mr.rton's and otthers, from 8s to 10s Cd. lticc (ground), in tins, 4Jil Sauces: Lea and Perrin's, linlf-piuts, 12s Od; and H., half-pints, »s ; Miller's, 7'. Uil; Stcphciis , 6s Od. Vinegar, il.p.: Clianipion's, per gallo.i, 2s 3d ; Hill! Pew's, Is Od to Is lOd; Evans', 2s 2d to 2s 3d; Burnett's. 15 Od to Is lOd ; Potts', Is lid. Treacle, golden syrup, 31d per lb.; American honey, 2-lb tins, 1-s od, d.p.; S\d;tapioca, -Id. Cornflour: Brown's, |id % d.p.; Brown and Poison's, Ujd ; Johnston's, Cd ;\Vade s, 5Vd; Mnnn's. sd; Anglo Swijw mile, 1)3 to 5* 3d; Nestles, St (id ; Uorden'a eagle, l*2s j<l tc 13s ; tartaric acid, "2s 4d; cream of tarta , Is Od ; bicarb, soda, 10s Od to 17s 0d ; soda cry.i tals, £3. Oim jlxd Paikt^.—Duty Cd a gallon. Colza, in drunij, 4s Ud; bxilk, Od ; linseed, boiled drum?, 4s ; bulk, 3s 0d; raw drums, 4s* bulk, 3s Sd ; castor, in bulk 3s Od ; kerosene, d.p., Is lOd. White lead ground, per c\rt., genuine, 3Sa; Xo. 1 wJiito lead, 32s to o. r i»; red lead, drv, £1 15s. Oil cohvu-s, assorted. £1 10s to £1 Turps:, dufy pr-id : drums, Is Od ; American, 2s Od to 3s ;l whiting, per ton, £5; resin, £11 to £12; Ameri-:an carriage varnish, 7s Od to Us per gallon. Piiovi*TON\n.—American salmon, Ss to Ss 3d; 2ldb. tins, liis to i:te. Knglish cheese, 7d to7j.d; provincwl, sd; Canterbury, sd; Dutch, IOAd to lid; salt butter, 7d to \h\, for ijood sound; rice, d.p., £*25 to ; hams, 13 ld to Is 3d ; ditto, bacon. O'.d ; American breakfast bacon, 7'Jd to 8d; ham?", lOd ; Canterbury hams lid; and bacon, Sd. Fish : Ling, 5d to s£d ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s to 32-j per dozen (2-lb. tins): white, 34s per barrel; Finnon haddocks 10s: lobsters, American, libs., Ss Od to 0s 0d; 21bs., IBs ; pickled salmon, 3d ; sardines (Alberts): quarters, 0$; halves, 10s ; oysters, Gs to 7^. Bwv»aics. —Sydney Xo.l.£3Sto£3o; Varraville, I' *, .C3S 10s to £30; iW, £VI 10.;, d.p.; crysUvU £33 to £10 ; Mauritius white crj*stab, £37 to £30 ; bright, 35s ; y-.-llow, £32 to £32 10s; English crushed loaf, 5d ; Fijian rations, £20 to £20 ; yellow crystals and counters. £23 to £30. ftnr.iTs. — llennessy's brandy, bulk, lis 01; <.'our; voisier's, case, 345: Hisipiit rul>ouche and Co.'s pale, in bbhds and qr.-casks, Ss to Od . •JJeehive, bulk, Ss ; Hcnnessy s ca>e, 3Sa to 40s; Otard's, none ; Ueehive, ca«e, 24s ; Hisipii: Dubouche arul Co.'.s, 245: liines, 235; bulk, 3s] MaruellamX 20s and 7s Od ; Ilouvcr, Oouilk-t and Co, 25s and 7s 0d: Cauticr's, 32s and 10s Gd ; liurgaud's. 7s 3d io 7s Od ; .Muller Frcre's, 20s; Cavalier Frere's, 21s; J. iJ. Rene's case, 22sMeukow, 30s and 10s- Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Creenless and Colville's 3d to C; Od ; ca>e. Rob Rov, ISs ; JieiUi, iioss ini't Co.'?, 0s; Teacher's, 10;»; Duuville's. 5s 0d ; case, ir* oa . ivmu Highland, 21s; Rod Occr, 0s Od to 7s; case, 17s Gd; Craijr. Cs 0d and 245; Ueddle's old, 10s Cd; Uoval i'slend. 22?; Teacher's old, 245; Kncoro. ios: IJanagher, 10s; Walker's WW, 235; .lerabOilm, 2Ss; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JI>KZ, 15boitlcA, 14s0d; 20 bottles 10s ; key. geneva, proof, 13s ; Schna]ips, Crown, 10? Od to 17s Od; Wolfe's. 21s (id; Dew of tho Alps, 275. (fin, booth's. 10s ; Burnett's, 15s. Lownde's rum, 30 op, Is 3d, in bulk ; lied Heart, cane, 20s Gd ; Uurnctt's 225. Duty, 1-is. Tobacco. — Dutv, 3s Od. Venus, 10s; three-quarter boxes Is 3d; cases, Is 4d: Venus. Navy Hat work, Is 0d ; double-thick ditto Is 7d ; Over the Water, 10s ; ease, Is 3Ad ; Harrett's Crown, lOil ; Two .Seas. Is to is 3-d ; Victory Twist, Is 3£d, and ww, Is r.d ; low,* 10s SO to lOd ; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is 0d to Is Sd. Tcmbp.r. — Quotations are as follows; — Kauri boards and scantling cargoes 300 feet, at mill, f.0.b., Fast Coast, 10s Od to lis, iirstclas? ; 0s Oil to 7s. second-class; at yards, Auckland, 12s 0:1 to 13s, lirst-class ; s>s Od, secondclass. Flooring, IM, tirst-class; 10s. secondclass ; rusticated, lf»s Od. West Coast, 10s to lis Od • baulk, Gs Od : white pine (kahikatea), 0s; T ami 'i, Ss, f.0.b., at mills: at yard, ttrst-elass, sccond-cbus. 10s; ilobart Town palings, ff feet, 15s; 0 feet, 17s ; Kobart Town Taxs.—Prices range as fallows (in bond):—-Congous, common to good, lid to Is Id ; middling to flavour/, kinds. Is lid to la s d; souchongs and pungent monincs, Is Od to 2s 3d. Indian teas are coining more freely into this market. J'.rokon souchongs and broken pekoes. Is 4d to Is «d ; pekoe souchongs and choice pekoes ranging from Is Oil to 2s 4d. Wint.h.— Champagne, iluty paid : Tcrier Jouet and Co., first quality, quarts. iOs ; pints, Sis ; halfpints, 0»s; second quality, quarts. Ols; )>ints, Gis: half-wints, 735. Ingleheim, <i»iarts, 3"s to 345; Moet, quarts, 335; pints, 00*; Iloederer, quarts, 109s; ]»ints, I«V)i; l'ol. ilogor and Co , ltvOs ami 105 s ; Adolphe Collins. and 70s; ditto, extra superior, 70s. SOs. Arp.nl Uaraszthv and Co.'.s, quarts, 70s, piuts, 7os. Hubert's Australian, 22= per do.?en, i b.

.STOCK AND SHARE MARKET.

Although business in the sharctnarket has been somewhat slack, the sales ibat have been made have been at full rates, and generally prices are well main* tainod. bank of New Zealand shares dropped to about £22 10s, but quickly recovered, and sales were quoted just before the dividend at £2:{. There are now a few sellers at .tl2i Ss. ex dividend. The usual dividend has b:en declared at the rate of 15 per cent, per annum, and though the large aum of seventeen thousand pounds was paid away in taxation and stamp) duty, sullicient was carried forward, as the report states, to practically ensure the continuance of a like ( rcturn for next half-year. There has been a steadyi demand for Loan and Mercantile shares, ai d sales pave been effected at £Z> JOs to £5 12s 01. Insurance and other stocks remain firm, with littfe alteration in prices, except in Unions, which hate advanced to 225. The South British , have paid a dividend at the rate of ten per cent, per ammn. There [is very little to report from tho coldtieM. Several! of the old claims give fair promise of condi g to the rront aa:ain, the Allmrnia. ("olilca Crown, Cal- • douian, and Kuruiiui have all been in request 11 advanced rates. At Coromandel the Tiki still commands most attention, and it is a matter of regret that with such splendid prospects so little has been dune. Tiornans have crushed about live tons for a return of nearly ilOozs. to the ton. The want of ba ,: ery power i(i a great drawback ; still it would be advisable (o JiavJt all specimens and picked Ktone crushed regularly, as this class of dirt never increases in weight by keeping. The Tokatea is *1:11 in very good estimation. There are buyer? at 7a to 7s Od, and a few sellers at as. The JSismark is reported to have seen a little gold. The Success do not maintain . their price, there being sellers at as. The following quotations 'vill give a fair idia of the course- of sal eg and present market ratw

_ Rovors. Seller" » Company* cffeetcd. £ f. d. .€ s. (V Bank of N". Zealand — 22 "» <)es i> 27 <J cm Nationalltank .. .*> 0 0 3 S (: Colonial do. 2 f» 0 2 0 0 if*/ Now Zealand Insur. — 10 0 i> lO.'O .South JJriti-ih do. .. — 2 1U 0 — National do. .. — ISO- 23/ Union do ..110 — 21.0 Standard uo. 0 11 0 — Colonial do. .. 0 I'm 0 O 12 0 I2'6 IiOan <t Mercantile 5 10 0 b 12 G ">10/ (J National ISO — — I U. Sash *<: boor Co. — 5 17 0 17 'J j Auckland Timber.. f> 5 0 — f) 0 AucklaiuHia-sCo... 10 10 0 10 12 C 10 10,0 ! Thames-do. — -- :i0/ N. Z. Shipping .. 5 o 0 0 2 0 f»,U 0 IUy of I c Coal 10 0 0 15 0 'J if»,0 Accident Insurance 0 i> — 3 3 Keinpthonie-l'rossor 110 12 0 21 to 22/ Gold .Mining -Shares— iloanataiftri .. 1 10 0 — SO/ Albumin .. ,, 1 1(1 I) 1 lf» 0 2?. to Calodouian,. .. — 0 IS f! IS' Kuranul Jlill ..0 7 0 0 S 0 7;' N.ns-Whau ..0 7 0 0 is 0 7'to0/ Golden Crown .. 0 12 0 0 1;; 0 12 0 Golden Calf .. — u 4 '»/ to 1 o Tokatea .. ..0 7 0 0 $ 0 Queen of Ueauty .. 0 0 o — Southern Crood ..010 — Lucks All ..010 026 Jiismavck .. — «'» 11 0 — Unas .. — 0 4 0 4/ Success .. — 0 5 0 7 0 to 4 AI.CX. SALWDKltS •Stock and .Vharcbroko.-. Auckland, >« r o\v Zealand, April 2v, IS-SI. _