COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7645, 24 May 1886, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

I New Zealand Herald Office. £ Saturday afternoon. q No variation of consequence in the state of f trade has occurred since our last summary i, report. There has boen a good deal of vitality > in business, notwithstanding the constant c reiteration of complaints about "depression." We can see no excuse for going'into mourning e as it were over the loss of that exceptional e prosperity that came like a wave over Auckland ' a few years ago, and which has advanced our ■j city to the position of being now only next to <r Melbourne and Sydney among the great centres e of Australasia. If not already so, it is now 8 rapidly becoming the principal commercial city in New Zealand ; and, although the pas); ,1 month's business has not been brisk, the pult sations of trade have been regular and ha-.ithy. 8 We have undoubtedly been experiencing a time of trial and enforced economy, in consequence of the unprecedented fall in the value , of produce, which has unsettled the foundations - of the whole fabric of colonial commerce, but our j landholders, settlers, and commercial classes, j have sensibly accepted the lnexov...,ie logic of a facts by accommodating themselves and their . ideas to a thoroughly altered situation. We , have now surely readied the bed rock of low j prices, and any change must be for the better. B Confidence im the future course of business i has been shaken by the scheme of futher large I borrowing for the extension of railway lines, 3 etc., suggested by the Colonial Treasurer. , Capitalists became alarmed at the inevitable , taxation that would follow, and have had j none of that spiiit of speculation and T enterprise which leads to a plentiful , circulation*of money and an all-round active , state of business. Alter the delivery of the , coming Financial Statement, when the in- , tendons of the Government as to their I loan and tariff proposals will be known, there , will be less hesitation and doubt, and, on ; the assumption that a cautiously progressive , policy will be advocated, we may expect a loosening of the purse-strings, and the capital, now '. very largely at deposit without interest, distributed in various enterprises to the advancement of general trade. It is pleasing to note a considerable increase in the trade with the Pacific Islands. Regular steam communication with Tonga, Samoa, and 1 Tahiti is bringing the various groups into commercial association with Auckland to a much larger extent than in days of dependence upon .sails alone. For all the special products of the South Seas this port is becoming an emporium, as Singapore is for the East. A prolonged strike of workmen in the boot and shoe trade is a regrettable incident of the month, involving a serious loss to the manufacturers and wage-earners. On the, East Coast the maize crop is an exceedingly heavy one, but we are still practically dependent on the South Island for our breadstuffs, notwithstanding a finer climate for the production of wheat, and equally fertile lands. A movement has get in towards small holdings of agricultural and dairy farms ; one of the largest land proprietors in the province has set the ball rolling in the endeavour to solve the problem of how best to unite tho forces of labour and capital on equitable terms, in the interests of both, and for the general weal. The experiment will be watched with tho greatest interest, and should the result be encouraging, very considerable areas of now almost unprofitable private property will be thrown open to settlement on liberal terms and conditions. A continually dooreaning business in wines and Bpirits is manifest, and in this connection we may refer to the altered habits of the Maoris, consumption of strong liquors being now with them reduced to & minimum. The timber and building trades continue very dull, but there is a distinct improvement in shipping business. Mining matters have been very quiet, the discoveries at Kimberly, Western Australia, being of absorbing interest, and attracting that restless energy which is so peculiarly the characteristic of a mining population. The search for precious metals is, however, well prosecuted here, and we may at any moment learn of " finds" of great value in the auriferous belt near to us. We summarise the commercial situation as on the whole good, with indications of an early improvement. Turning to a review of the course of tho market in imported goods, we report a quiet business in bottled ale, but a fairly active consumption of stout. Lager beer is becoming more popular, the brands most in favour being Clausen's, Cooper's, and Pilsner's, a Mrcel of the latter being quitted for Tahiti. Candies have been largely placed, but the extremely low prices accepted for colonial-made have affected values of imported, whiob, as a rule.are being quitted atextremely bare margins, leading business being done in Nationals and Battersea wax. Some German paraffins have boen selling at a very low price. Coffee has stiffened in value, and it is difficult to understand the absence of supplies from the Islands, from which serviceable quality would command good pricos. Cornsacks show a slight advance, more from a demand for tho East Coast maize crop than from sympathy with the rise in the jute market. Confectionery remains in the same unsatisfactory position as previously reported. English goods cannot be sold at a profit on laid down duty-paid cost. Tne dried fruit market is excited. Currants ' and Elemes are extremely scarce and dear, ' Sultanas are slightly firmer, and in comparison ' of valo.es are dooidedly cheap fruit at our ' quotations. 1 Hops fare supplied wholly from Nelson, and 1 although the new crop is not an abundant one, ' the quantity of old season's in stock depresses the market. I All descriptions of ironmongery are in full ( supply, and business has continued quiet. ( Galvanised iron is in heavy stock', in fact ' there is a glut of buildings materials of all < kinds. Kerosene is firmer, a cargo for this port per Lapwing coming to grief at Montevideo, where, < it is uuderstooi, it will be sold on account of I the underwriters. A shipment has just arrived j from New York, and has been at once placed ( from ship's side. t Oilmen's stores are in fair supply, but the B trade generally is not profitable to importers t unless quitted quickly after arrival. The low t margins leave next to nothing for interest of [ money. Good business has been done in supplying the Southern markets with salmon at a full price, t The local stock is only moderate. Sardines have 0 not been affected in value by the advance at f home. Stocks ot halves have lessened consider- v ably. Inquiries are very active for Albert*, t Fresh herrings are overstocked, and in all other 4 sorts of fish there is only occasional small sale. e Pico remains at last month's quotations, Several lots of Rangoon and Japan have gone during the month to the Islands, Prices are likely to harden during the next few months. There is no change in spices. White pepper c is vory,firm, and in good demand. « In salt the market is heavily overstocked, 3 except in W. and W. (black-horse brand), 7 which is th» only quality that will suit this ■, market. 1,

Sugar is without change, the local refinery doing the bulk of the trade. Cane crushing will commence in Fiji next month, and supplies are likely to como forward freely. The market hiis been nearly cleared in brewers' crystals, which are bound to rule high until the next Mauritius crushing comes forward. A largo business has been done in tobacco, Signet, Juno and Venus being the brands holding the pride of place. A parcel of Juno arrived per Tainui, and was at once distributed at agents' rates. Several new brands of sixes and fourteens hive been quickly placed at low rates. The wine and spirit trade is exceedingly quiet. Soma large parcels of JDKZ and Key Geneva have gone to the Islands ; also, several parcels of cheap brandies. Hennessy's one star and Walker's whisky are very scarce. A better tone has prevailed in the tea market, and good quality in half-chests and boxes has been traded in rather freely. A parcel of cheap boxes was placed at auction during the month. * : Cement and slates are in full stock with no demand Sincu date of our last monthly report the kauri gum market has been very quiet and inaclive, and although supplies continue less than first five months of past two years, buyers' require- ' ments are also much diminished. Fair ordinary gums are steady at lower prices. Superior ordinary is very scarce. East Coast is offered at lower prices, but buyers await further reductions, and no sales have been nffected. The Gazelle and Waimea are loading for London, and the Halcione will take 100 tons from j Kaipara to London. The s.s. Rimutaka sailed for London on the 6th instant, with about 07 tons, and the Thomas A. Goddard will proceed to New York about the 7th proximo. Supplies from mail to mail about 385 tons. We quote :— Poor ordinary, 25s to 30s ; fair ordinary, 33* to 355; superior ordinary (scarce), from 38s upwards ; East Coast, sellers 525, no buyers. Messrs. R. and W. R. Walker's kauri gum report : Since our last report, published on April 26, the market has continuod in a depressed state, and prices remain about the same as then quoted. In Eist Coast gum there have been scarcely any transactions—orders for this class being generally suspended. The best description of ordinary gum is in fair demand, and finds a comparatively ready sale, but there is very little demand for other qualities. We now quote: Poor to me'dium quality, £20 to £32; fair to good ordinary, £33 to £36,— [Advt.]

AUCTION SALES,

April 28. Today Messrs. Cochrane and Son held a sale of lands at their room's. There was a fair attendance, but the bidding was quiet. Lot 57, block 15, parish of Okura, containing 14 acres 17 perches, realised 15s an acre. An improved farm of 200 acres, with ft dwelling thereon, waß sold for £-100. Mr. G. Lewis sold at his rooms today a number of framed pictures, in prints, water colours, and oleographs. The attendance was fair, and the piicos realised were generally satisfactory. A large lot of Euglish and colonialmade furniture was also quitted. Messrs. Hesketh, Aitken, Maclean, and Co. sold today, at the residence of the late Mr. S. Morrin, the whole of his choice collection of hothouse and garden plants and implements, also poultry, consisting of brown-red, light Brahmas, black-breasted game, <fcc. Very failprices were realised. April 29. Messrs. B. Tonks and Co. held a sale yesterday at their mart of landed property. There was a fair attendance. The Waiataru* estate, Kllerslie, containing 200 acres of land, and having a frontago of 2000 feet to Panmare Road, sold by order of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and subject to the that mortgage of £1500, realised £2166. The farm of 569 acres at Whaingaroa district, Raglan, with farmhouses, etc., realised £500, being purchased by the mortgagee. April 30. Manors. Samuel Cochrane and Son cold at their land mart, Quean-street, on Thursday last, 10,000 best blue Bangor slates at £8 15a per thousand. May 5. Messrs. B. Tonks and Co. held a sale of modern English furniture at their mart today. The sale was well attended, and the prices satisfactory. Suites brought from £7 10s; mahogany horsehair diningroom suites, from £15 10s ; dining tables, 8 feet, from £7 ; coffee tables, 6s to 13s, according to size ; easy chairs, £1 12s to £3 7s Gil, and upwards ; Davonport whatnots, 25s ; music stools, 17s, each by the lot. Cheffouiers, toilet glasses, and other article! of furniture realised fair prices. May 11. Messrs. S. Cochrane and Sob sold to-day by auction at their rooms, by order of the mortgagee, cottage add allotment at Clarencestroet, Ponscnby, for £170. May 17. Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son held a sale of land and propertius to-day at their rooms, with the following nssults:—Waiuku farm ot 48 acres, £115 farm of 132 acres, £225 allotments 4 and 5, at Whangarei, 421 acres, £280 ; 50 acres Ilokianga, in the estate of the late John Leaf, 20« per acre. Lease of 6$ acres for seven years at Mount St. John, by order of the School Commissioners, £18 10a per year. The lease for one year of lot 22a, section 12, 30s. The sale was largely attended, and the bidding fairly brisk:. " May 18. Messrs. B. Tonka and Co. held several sales at their rooms to-day. There was a good attendance, and a large line of box tea realised 12s 6d to 13s per box. The shipment of brush ware, consisting of ohoebrushes, hairbrooms, and scrubbing-brushes, bass brooms, kc, wore quitted at fair prices to a large attendanso of the trade. A shipment of 280 cases of fruit, per steamer from Hobart, were sold at prices ranging from 5i to 8s per case. Messrs. Morton and Jackson held a sale of furniture to-day at their rooms, 69, Queenstreet, when there was a good attendance, and satisfactory prices got for all the articles sold. The grand piuno by Kirkham was not disposed of, and is now open for sale privately. May 20. Mr, R. J. Carbines held a sale of property to-day at his mart, Queen-street. There was a large attendance and brisk competition. The property is situated in Albert atreet, nearly opposlto the Young Men's Christian Association new buildings, having a frontage to Albertstreet of 86 links by a depth of 164 links, together with two wooden building erected thereon. The lot realised £725, the purchaser being Mr. Adam Porter. May 21. Messrs. G. W. Binnoy and Sons report that they held an extra sale of hides, kc, to-day. over 300 being sold, and the competition keen for every lot offered :—Extra heavy ox realised up to 4£d, heavy 4d to 4Jd ; cow hides from 3£d to 3|d ;. medium weights 3d to ; calfskins 4Jd to 5d per lb ; oountry skins, Is 2d to 111 4d eaoh; wool (small lots), 3d to 6d per lb. CUSTOMS REVENUE RETURNS. Wellington-, Monday.— The Customs revenue collected iu the colony for April last was £108,631, as against £117,446 for the corresponding month of 1885. The amounts c illectod at the principal ports wore : —Auckland, £25,548; Wellington, £21,513 ; I.yttelton and Christchuruh, £17,170; Duneuin, £24 737. The beer duty collected in the colony for April last was £4499, while the amount for the correspond-

ing aon tli of 1885 was £4792. The amounts col: ted at the princip*l centres were Auckland, *J«l7 > Wellington, £431; Cliristchurch, £837 ; Dunedin, £930- In all oases shillings and pence are omitted. Rates op Exchange on London. —Buying: 120 days, If per cent, discount; 90 days, J per cent, discount; 60 days, J per cent, discount; 30 days, # per cent. Demand, par. Belling; 80 days, i per cent, premium; CO days, J per cent, premium. 30 days, I.J per cent. Demand, If per cent, premium. Fixed deposits : 3 months, 3 per cent.; 6 mouths, 4 per cent.; 12 months, 5 per cent. Ales and Porter.—Marshall's Dunedin Ale (duty paid), in bulk (pale), £5; xxxx, £(>. Ale, in bulk (duty paid) per barrel, Bass's, £7 ; Ashbv's, £8. Ale (in bond), Tennent's, pints, 5s Oil-; quarts, 8s 9d ; Bass's Dogshead brand (Read's bottling), pints, 6a 3d ; quarts, 8s 10<1, in bond ; Bulldog (R. Porter and Co's bcfttling), Ci and 8s ; W. Ywinger's, 6s and 7s 3d ; Ashby's, (is 3d to 8s Od ; Ind Coope, pints, Os Cd ; quarts, 8s ltd ; Mass's (Blood bottlers), pints, -is ; quarts (is (id, Anglo-Bavarian : pints f>s (id mid Bs. Boar's Head Siout: quarts, 8s 9d; pints, (is Cd. Guinness' Harp brand by Foster' pints, (is; quarts, Ss. Norway ales, pints (is 4(1, quarts Bs. Foster's Bugle stout, quarts 9s, pints (Is 3d" Blood's, pints, 53; quarts, 7s; Dogshead, Guinness' (Read's bottling), pints, Gs; quarts, 8s 8d; It. Porter & Co.'s bottling, pints Cs, quarts 8s: Spark's Moline bottling, (is to 9s 3d ; Burke's, Cs and 9s ; Cameron and Saunders's 7s and 9s Cd ; other brands, os and 7s Cd ; Combe's, quarts, 7s ; pints, us Cd. Duty : Pints, Is Cd ; quarts, 3s per dozon Building Materials.— may he quoted at K. 15. Jss6l. Slates: Supply beyond requirements. English Countesses are worth £11 to £12. American, £8 to £10. Plaster of Paris, lis. Bags and Bauuing, p.p. Wool packs, full lOlbs., 27 x 54, Calcutta, 2s Id; Dundee, none; cornsacks, 4-bush., 2jd lb., 5s 3d to 5s 4ii. Breaiihtuffh and Grain.—Local best silk-dressed (lour, £10 Ids; household, £9 10s- Southern brands, £9 5s to £9 15s. Wheat. 3s f-d m 4s. Bran (Southern), £5 ; local millers' quotations, £6 10« per ton. Sliarps,£7 10-; Southern sharps, £4 10s. Mai?o ; Local, 3s 3d to 3s (id; Fiji, none; Sydney, none. Oatmeal, £13 to £14; Barley (for malting). 3s 9d to 4s. Oats, 2s ha to 2s 9d; peirl barley, £16 to IS. Cabin bread, £16 to £16 per ton. Cohdaoi!,, d.p. (Subject to trade discounts)— Manila liomp rope, all sizes, Sydney. £60 to £70; Auckland made, £70 to £78; wl lie and lance lines, £80; cutting in falls, £ 3- New Zealand flax ropo, all sizes, £40 Auckland made, £38 to £40; wool lasliit s, £38 ; clothes lines, /id per lb., subject trade, discount; Manila clothes lines, fed; jakuni, free, ditto, £40; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £43 to £55; twine, shop, d.p., per lb., 9(1 to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb.; local make, Is to Is 3d. Coffee and Spices (in bond), por lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, 9d ; do., Fiji, 4d to Cd ; chicory, colonial, 4Jd ; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's Is 3d; Fry's Is 3d; Van Houten's, 3s lod; Epps's, Is CJd; Maravilla, Is Cd ; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 3d; Fry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p.; Cloves, Is lid; bleached ginger, lid; unbleached do., SKI; nutmegs, 2s 3d to '2s 6(1; black pepper, whole, 9d; white do., Is to Is Id. Coal.—Nowcastle is sufficient for requirements, 223 Cd to 25s at ship's side ; His to 31s in yards, may be taken as a fair quotation. Bay of islands, 13s, at the mines, is quoted; Wliangarei coal, 9s fid; ditto, Waikato, steam, 83; household, 12s. Confectionery.—Local manufacturers are producing good articles, and the consumption is gradually increasing. Waters's colonial boiled, IJd; dry, 7d; jujubes, Is Id; Keillors assorted confec tions, Old; Gray's, 9*d ; candied lemon and orange peel, p., 101; citron, Is 3d; Keiller's jujubes,ls Id to Is 2d ; Gray's j 'jubes, Is to Is Id, Gum, Flax, &c.—We quote ; Poor ordinary, £25 to £30 ; fair ordinary, £3! to £35 ; 1.e.*1 ordinary, £3S upward : East Coast.no buyers, £52 ; I Flax: First quality, £16 to £21 ; second, £li> to £19; tow,'£7 to £0 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £17 ; Cocoanut oil (line white), per ton, £36. Copra, per ton. £9 to £10, Fungus, 3d. [ Ironmongery.—Kwhank's nails, invoice, 10 per cent, off list; galvanized corrugated iron, duty now 40s per ton, 0, 7, 8 feet, £21, £22. anil £23 10s ; 9 ; feet, £24; 10 feet, £25 ; English bar iron, per ton, £9 to £10 ; pig iron, £4 10s to 1 £5 ss; plate iron, £12 to £13; fencing wire i 1 overstocked, duty 20s per ton : assorted sizes, £13 10s. Sheet-lead, £18; pig-load. £18 (very scarce); sheet-zinc, £24. Powder, ICaimes', Curtis and Harvey's, 5(1 per lb. ; Halls. 6(1 to r.,d, sporting (in canister), 2s ; for 20 and 24, d.p canister, No. 2, d.p., 3s Gd. Yellow metal, 7J(.i ; Muntz, 7Jd to 8(1, duty. Jams, Dried Fruits, &c.—Duty: Dried fruit, 2d, and preserves, lid. English marmalade. ■ lb.-tins, dutv p:iiO,7s3d ; Moir's,7s3(l; Hobartjams, Knight and Johnson, 5s Cd to 5s 9d ; Peacock's. 5s i)d ; Writ's, 5s 4d ; jars, t>iu to 7>,(1 ; Nelson (New Zealand), 5s 9J; A echo', 5 6J ; sultanas, sj<l ; muscatels, 152.1 to Is 4 I ; elomos,7i<l, seison ; currants, fi.Jd to !>|d, scarce : figs, 7d to 8d ; Turkish prunes. 7d to Bd. Dried apples, ordinary, in kegs and cases, 4£d to 6J(I ; Alden's process, 7;d to Bd, d.p. bather and Hides.—Sole leather, lOd to Is 3d per lb.; kips, Is Cd to 2s ; runners, 2s Cd to 2s Oil; calf, colonial, 3s to 4s 3d ; basils, 12s to 28s per dozon ; closed uppers, 4s Cd t<f 9s 3d per pair, Hides, 2t(l to 4d ; calf skins, 3Jd to per lb.; sheepskins, Cd to 6s. Manures.—Australian bonedust, £Sto £9 ; Auckland. £8 10s ; superphosphate of lime. £7 to £9 ; boneflour, £8; Peruvian guano, £16 to £18 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake (none): linseed cake. £12; Maiden Island guano, £8; Huon Island guanc, £5 to £0 ; Hurst's I chemical manure, £14 ICo ; Fieerfng Company'.-; sui erphospate, 32 per cont.. £8 ; 25 per c int., £6 : cum manure, £8; root manure, £8 10s ; grass manure, '1 7 10s ; b medust, £9. Malt and Hops.—English malt, no inquiry is experienced. Colonial, vised to 7s. Hops: Nelson, noiv season, 01 to 7d ; glucose, £27 Iss to £31 10s, d.p., delivered to brewery. Oilmen's Stores. — Price's Belmont randies, duty, I'd, 9{d. d.p.. per lb.; Brandon's Sjd; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, 4Jd to 5J■ t ; Orient Candles 9}<!, (1.p.; Atlas Par*flin«, 9}d ; Prices'* National, 9?d. Price's Battersea, 9jd. Local blue mottled soap, £28 per ton carbolic, £29; best yellow, £28; household, £15; first Crown £2C: second Crown, £17 ; soft snap, in tins, 4'id per lb.; toilet, 9d to lOd per lb.; mould candles, 5d per lb. ; all subject to trade discount. Salt: Coarse. £3; tine, £3 5« ; .lonian almonds, 2s. Blacking paste, Day and Martin's,4s 9d ; Oilman's starch. No. 1 : white,32*; blue,34*; Orland., .'ones' starch, 4d. Gill and Tucker's starch, Id. .Mustard, d.p. : Champion's genuine 1-lb. book-shaped tins, IDs to 19s (id; A-lb. tins, 9s 3d to 9s (id; Column's lib. tins (red), '10, Cd half ditto, 5s 9d ; 7-11). tins (red to green), 7Jd to Is; 1-lb. tins (green), 13s ; i-lb. dittos 7s Cd ; DSK J-lb. tins, 9s 3d; Keen's, 9s. Blue : Beckitt's Thumb, Sid ; Paris, in squares, lOd; Koen's, Sjd. Matches : Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's -'" per gross,' 15s 61 ; ditto, piaid, 4s to 4s 3d ; ditto, fancy oval. 22s Cd Letcliford's. 17s ; Bell and Black's, 15s to His ; plaids, 4s to 4s Cd ; K. Bell and Co., 250's. * 14s (id ; plaids, 3s led; Oil: Castor, in pints, Ss 3d; half-pints, 4s 9d to ss; quarterpints, 3s Od. Salad : C. and 15., pints, Bis to 14s; half-ditto, (is Cd ; Morton's pints, llsGil; half-pints, 5s 9d. Pickles : Stephens pints. 7s; Crosse and IJlaekwell's, pints, 12s 9d ; Pool's, 0s ; Morton's and others, from 7s Cd to Sp. , Rice (ground), in tins, -lid. Sauces: lioa and Pcrrin's, half-pints, "l2s 9d; C. and 8., half-pints, 9s; Miller's, 7s fid ; Stephens'! 6s Cd; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, Cs (id. "Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 4d ; row's, Is 9d to 2s; Evans", 2s 2d; Burnett's' 2s: Potts', Is lid. * inegar, case: Champion's,' 8s (id ; Burnett's 7s fid ; Morton's, 7s fid. Treacle ': Golden syrup, 3d per lb. American honey. '.Mb. tins. 12s fid, d.p. Sago, 2}d ; tapioca, 2}d. Cornflour: Brown's, 3;|d, d.p.: Brown and Poison's, 63d; .Johnston's. Old: Wade's, fid; Munn s. Cd. Preserved milk : Ncstle's, 7s (id ; Milkmaid, 7s. Tartaric acid, 2s 2d ; cream of tartar, Is 8d ; • bicarb, soda, 12s ; soda crystals, £7. Oils and PaiNTs.—Duty Cd a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s 3d; bulk, 3s lOd; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s 3d ; raw drums, 3s 2d ; bulk, 3s ; castor, in bulk, 3s (id ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, Is Cd ; kerosene, in bond, I3u te st. lOd to.lld ; 150 .'st, Is 3d to is Cd. White lead, ground, per cwt., genuine, 2(is ; No. 1 white lead, 22s ; red lead, dry, £1 10s. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 ISs. Turps, duty paid ; drums, 4s to 4s Cd; American, .'is 9d ; whiting, per ton, £4 Ss; resin, £8 (overstocked); American carriage varnish, 7s Cd to lis per gallon. Provisions.—Cheese— Provincial. 5d to s.}d ; Canterbury, 5Jd to Cjd. Salt butter, sd to fl.Jd, for good sound. Rice, i.b.. Rangoon, £12; Japan dressed. £15 to £16. for parcels. Hams' and bacon (duty, 2d per lb.); Canterbury lucon and hams (in cloth), aides only, 8d ; equal Nos. hams and baccn, B|d , hams only, 10} d. Fish : Ling, 4d; preserved red herrings, 111 tins, 30s to 32s per dozen (2-lb. tins); white. 34s per barrel; I-'indon haddocks'. 10s; lobsters, American, libs., 9s (id; 21bs., ISs ; salmon, lib. coclitail 7s fid; other brands,' 7s ; pickled salmon, 3d ; sardines, quarters, 5s ; 1 halves, 8s Cd; oysters, 6s fid ; mullet (Kaipara), 6s 3d. ' j Sugars, d.p. — Brewers' crystals. £20 to £31; Mauritius white crystals, £27 to £31 ; New Zealand Company's Auckland Refinery, d.p., crvstn), £31 • No. 1, £30 ; No. 2, £28; No. 3, £23 ; Millaquin, No: 1, £28 10s; No 2, £27 10s; English crushed ' loaf, 4jd; Californian crushed, 43d ; Californian cube,4d; Fijian rations, i.b., £14 to £18; groy ' counters, £22; China whites, £2S to £29. Spirits.—Brandy : ltouyer, Gouillet and Co., 25s and 8s: Marcellain's, case, 22s Od, IB; flask, 28s fid; 5 half-flask, 35s Cd; quarter-flask, 53 Cd, and in bulk 7s 9d; Hennossy's brandy, bulks 13s fid to 14s; 1 case, 37s fid; Bisquit Hubouche and Co.'s pale, in lihds. and qr.-casks, 7s ; Beohive, bulk, j 1 Ss; Courvoisier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, ) 29s(nominal); bulk, 10s fid; Beehive, case, 245; < Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 25s ; Hino's ; 28s; bulk, 8s ; Gautier's, 32s and 10s (id ; Burgaud's, 7s 3d to 7s 9il ■ Muiler Frere's, 20s! , Cavalier ere's, 245; J. B. Rene's ease, 225; ' Meukow, 30s and 10s; Senimaud, (is to (is 6d; Dessandier's, 22s and 7s fid. Whisky, 1 bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Greenless ami ' Colville's 5s Cd to 6s 3d, and Greenltss and 1 Colvills'fl v.0., 8j Cd; case, Rob Boy, ISs; 5 case, Boitli, Ross and Co.'s, 6s; Teacher's, 10s ; 1 Vint's bulk, 7s Cd to 8s; Vint's case. 20s 6d ; 1 Dunville.'s, 5s (id ; case, ISs ; Lome Highland, 21s; Red Deer 6s Cd to 7s ; case, 19s; Craig, Cs Cd and a 245; Huddle's old case, 16s (id; Royal Blend, 1 2-ls ; Teacher's old, 26s ; Encore, 19s ; Banaghor- ' ISa ; Walker's WW, 21s ; Jeraboani, 28s; LL, 22s 1 6d to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gal. 1 lons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, ,4s (id ; 20 bottles, 17s 6d ; key, geneva, proof, 13s Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s 6d; Dew of the Alps, ;275. Gin. Booth's, lCs ; ? Burnett's, 13s. Lowndo' rum, 30 op, -is to4s 3d ; 1 Red Heart, case, 25s Cd; Burnett's case, 225. Key, 225. Teachor's white rum, 32s Cd in bulk, 1 d.p. Duty, 14s 6d. '' Timber. — Quotations are as follows : — Kauri J boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at , mill, f.0.b., East Coast, ins 9d to 13s ; first- } class ; 6s, second-class; at yards, Auckland, 15s 6d to 16s (id first-class; 10s second-class. Flooring, f . 16s 6d to 17s Cd first-class; 12s second class ; rusticated, 17s to ISs. "West Coast, sawn kauri £ 10b ; square baulk, 6s 3d to 6s Gd ; white pine (ka- 1 liikatca), 7s; T and G, Ps f.0.b., at mills; at yard, first-class. 14 ; second-class, lis; Ilobart s palings, 5 feet, 15s ; 6 feet, 17s; Ilobart rails * £3155. ' d Tobacco.—Duty, 3s 6d. Venus, 14s; three-quarter J boxes, Is 4d; case«, Is 5d ; Venus, Navy flat " work, Is 6d ; double-thick ditto, Is CJd ; ltuby' I 2s 6^(1; Victory. 2s ; Barrett's Crown, lid • Two* Seas, Is id to Is 4Jd; Juno, Is 5d ; Unique Is 6d; low, 10s, 9d to lid; Orion 14's, Is 3d • Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is 9d; Standard. Is Id ; Josephine, Is IJd; Over the Water, flat work, all shapes, la id to Is 3d.

Teas.Prices range as follows (in bond): Co*. gous, common, 9d to Is Id; middling to fin* kinds, Is lid to»ls 4d ; Saryunes and Panyongr, Is 4d to 2s ; Souchongs and Chingw.j Kai«ow» Is Cd to 2s 3d. Indian teas are now coming into the market regularly. Pricos may be quoted for Semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, Is 6d to 2s Id. Winks.Champagne, duty paid: Perier Jouet anil Co., first quality, quarts, 80s; pints, 84s; halfpints,, 01s; second quality, quarts, 64b; pints, 68s; half-pints, 78s. Ingleheim, quarts, 80s' 84s; Most, quarts, 88s; pints, 90s; Roederer quarts, 100s ; pints, 105s ; Pol. Roger and Co. 100s and 10.>s; Adolphe Collins, 60s and 70s ditto extra superior, 70s, 80, St. Huberts Alaska, lian, 2s per dozen.