COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7799, 19 November 1886, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Hkbald Office. Thursday evening. The Customs receipts to-day amounted to £34115s 4d. Business has Improved. There la now more confidence, more activity, and more money— three very desirable things. The end of the cable dispute is a triumph of diplomacy and common sense against monopoly and attempted coercion. In this matter it can hardly be said our Chamber of Commerce reflected the opinions of the community. A fussy attempt to do something without first knowing the faots only impairs the usefulness and influence of the chamber. It would have been better to have been altogether silent than send the faint, meaningless message it did. If the chamber had reserved its action until the Premier explained the position, it might then have properly represented public opinion by a message of support, whereas we find the Melbourne Argus regarded its action as condemning the Government, so that it conveyed an utterly erroneous impression of commercial and publio thought here. It was a mistake to suppose there was any profound agitation over the matter at all. Consignees of goods per Soukar are complaining of the slow discharge of the vessel. Over three weeks have elapsed since commencing, and deliveries are in some oases not half-completed. An interesting case is likely to soon come before the Supreme Court. The well-known firm of Messrs. P. Hayman and Co. are challenging the right of the Commissioner of Customs to levy ad valorem duty on a higher value than fixed by bona fide invoices. It appears that Messrs. Hayman represent Messrs. Bryant and May, the great English manufacturers of wax vestas, and who are bringing out a new competitive match against Messrs. R. Bell and Co.'s make, and have invoioed parcels of the new brand so unusually low that the Commissioner refuses to accept the invoices to Messrs Hayman as evidencing the true valueAs the duty on vestas is 25 per cent ad valorem, it follows that a correspondingly heavy reduction in duty results from the acceptance of a low invoice rate, making the laid down cost still lower. We learn from the South that on one shipment seized, the matches realized 45 per cent on invoice price. It remains for the Supreme Court to interpret the Customs Act, and settle a point of much interest to importers. Trade attention has been largely directed during the week to new season's fruits, and a fair amount of business done. There has been a good deal of holding off from buying privately in view of auction announcements, causing some disappointment to merchants; but the bulk of the parcel offered was taken in large lines by the wholesale trade, prices being in favour of buyers. The rapidity of transport nowadays Is actually bringing the new fruit in too early. Importers, in their anxiety not to be beaten by their neighbours, all obtain supplies by the very earliest chance ; but the retail distributors are in many cases not prepared to stock long ahead of the public demand, which does not take place before December. It was once thought a fortunate thing to have new fruits by Christmas. There is increased firmness in the sugar market, although prices are unaltered. Large purchases of Milaquin and Yangarei have been made Iα Melbourne in view of an anticipated advance. The Chinese puzzle, however, remains as difficult of solution as ever; the data as regards China sugars are out of reach, and no forecast of market prospeots oan be given safely without reckoning the Hongkong disturbing factor. We hear of considerable local sales in Fiji whites. The effort in Victoria to make a deferential tariff in favour of Fiji sugars lm« ported into that colony, is a matter of large interest, and will doubtless lead to another effort at reciprocity of trade between New Zealand and Fiji, with which colony a largelyincreasing trade is being done. Only a sorting-up business in tea Is reported, with no change in value. Table fruits are at a slight advance since receipt of mail advices. Plantation coffee has firmed up to a very full figure. The Australian importers discredited the Ceylon advices of a scarcity of last season's crop, and their orders at limits not being executed, stocks are exceedingly low, and holders are asking advanced rates. The Southern holders of chicory are asking £56 per ton. A strong inquiry exists for salmon. Cocktail has been placed at Bs, and square tall at 7s 9d. From the tendency of the market a further advance may be looked for. Several holders here refuse to quote at all for wholesale parcels, so as to be able to satisfy the demand from retail clients. Sardines have advanced sixpence per dozen in London. Candles and kerosene are dull lines, prices generally drooping. Pepper is very scarce and high. The demand for oatmeal is slackening, and prices are easier. Cocoa is without change, with dull demand. Soda crystals are in heavy supply from late arrivals, and values have given way considerably. A good trade inquiry for Japan rice continues, value being unaltered. We have endeavoured to unearth some change in the wine and spirit and beer trade, but every thing is reported in atatu quo. The change of season would have warranted the idea of a move in light wines and beers, and less inquiry for spirits. The only noteworthy item of the English mail advices particularly affecting this column is the strong and rapid advance in butter. The markets in Denmark, Holland, and France, as also in Ireland, are all rising. As the cold weather laate until February in the Northern hemisphere, it is worthy of consideration by our butter producers, who are at their wits' end what to do with their make, whether it would not be wise to arrange for a portion of the spring make, best quality going home by cool chambers on producers' acoount, rather than go on adding to stocks with no prospect of any winter realisation. There ought to be room for business, as, even if returns are only at colonial prices, the easing of stocks would influence the winter values, while ensuring quicker returns of money. Farmers, as a rule, are not commercial men, and we are only endeavouring on this suggestion to put before them an idea perhaps usoful. Fencing wire has advanced, but settlers are now too busy with other occupations to require supplies largely. The demand for raw and boiled ell is still only of a moderate oharacter. Woolpacks continue scarce, shipments due not having arrived. Cornsaoks are concentrated in a few hands in Melbourne, and advanced figures are being asked. Spot supplies small. Maize Is worth 3s Id to 3s 3d; oats, 2e 5d to 2s 9d; old potatoes, £3 to £3 10s, with a cessation of shipment from the South. There is no provincial quotation for milling wheat, supplies all being regulated k by the Southern markets. ..«..* . In the local produce market the prices remain the same as last week :—Butter, wholesale at 7d per lb, and 9d per lb retail; while eggs are 7d per dozen wholesale, and 7d per dozen retail.

KAURI GUM MARKET. Aβ we anticipated, London etoq)« are very much reduced, and by last mail we learn that stocks there on the let October were 992 tons. In our ia»ue of 19th July last we estimated that by the end of the present month stocks would be about 775 tom, against 1815 tons which they were at latest advioee, and our calculations will not be very far wrong. At the same time we would caution our country readers that the present etookir are noti lower than they should be, and that it would be only too easy to reproduce the disaster of late years which have resulted from over supply. From New York we have news of continuous dull market for gum, and although we hear prognos"cations of a revival of trade all over the United States, these hopes may not be realised as regard, gum, of which heavy rappliei are afloat. Meanwhile this market is firm for all qualities of ordinary, whereas East Coast is not in demand, buyer, at home -till considering Auckland value of East Coast excessive and their order, consequently include very httle of this class of gum. Supples for this month, so far, are about 200 tons. We quote-Poor ordinary, 26« to 325; fair ordinary, 40» *• **» ; and Eμ* Coast, 60.t0.53i. ...,,,. ; i, ■

THE AUCKLAND MARKETS. Farm add Daiby Produoe. — Wtwlstale ; Butter fresh, 7d ; salt, 7d, nominal, not being In demand; Cheese, good local, fi| to 6id; Canter* bury. do., none; Eggs, per dot., 7d; Lard, in bladder, per lb., 6jd to 7d; Bacon and Hama, ProTinolal. Gd to 8d; Hams, HJd to BJd; Canterbury Bacon 7d (new cure); equal number* Hams and Bacon, bare, 7£d; Hama, BJd; ' Jams, per case, 6 dor.. 27b OdtoSOe; Fowls, per pair, 2s to Sβ 66d ; Feathers, baked, clean and (elected, Is 6d to l> 9d per lb. lletail t Milk, per quart, 4d ; Butter, fresh, np to 0d per lb. ; salt do., prime, BJd ; inferior salt, 3d to 7d; Cheese, per lb. 6d to Is; Eggs, per doi., 9d; Lard, per lb, 6d to Ud; Fowls, each, 2s to 3s; Ducks, do., 2s to 3s; Geei«, do., 6s tid to 8a; Turkeys, each, 6s to 7s 6d Baoon, per lb.. 7Jd to Is; Hams, do., 8d to la Bd. Floor Markmt.— WholtiaU: Boiler Flour, per ton, £18 6a to £14 ss; Superfine Flour, ailk dieased, ton, £1810 a; do., do., household, £1110s to £12 it's; hundreds 68, fifties lOa, per ton extra, sacks and bags free: Southern, do., £11 6s to £12 Bran, per ton (aaoks included), £6; Sharps, £6; Cabin Bread, do., 17; Oatmeal £11; Pearl Barley do., £17 10s to 418. Oakuin and Osoha&d Produce.— Wholualt: Apples, 6s 6d to 12s per case; 3d to 6d per lb.; Lemons, per doi., up to 9d ; Onions, per lb., Id to 2d; Celery, per doc, 2s; Garlic, (id per lb.; Pumpkin, 2s 6d to 6s per owt; Cocoanuts, 7a to ISs per sack; Oranges, Is 2d per doc, 9s 6d per case; Bananas, 2d to 3d. Retail ; Lemons, up to 2s per doz; Onions, per lb., 2d to 8d; Apples, per lb., 4d to 8d; Oranges, la 6d to 2s per doz.; Celery, per bundle,2d to 3d: Pumpkin, per lb, Id ; Bananas, Id to 6d; Garlic, 10d per lb.; Cocoannta, 2d to 3d each. fiAT and GornMaukkt.—WhoJ«iat«(current selling rates): Mniie, local Sβ Id to 8s 8d ; Oats, 2s 6d to 2s 9d Barley, 3sto3s3d ; Malting Barley, 4s to 4s 3d ; Wheat, 6s to 6s 64; fowl, 4s Gd; Hay meadow per ton pressed, £4 to £5; Lucerne, do., £6 to £6 10s (nominal) ; Straw, per load, 18s to £1 10s; Chaff, mixed, £3 10a to £4 10s; Oaton Chaff, £4; Hay. oaten. *4 to £4 10a : Clover. £0 10a to £7; Potatoes (old), £3 to £3 10s per ton; Seed (Tasmanlan), £5 to £6. Retail : Chaff, 6a to 6a; Potatoes, 4a to 4s 6d per cwt.; Maize, 3t 6d to 8s 0d; Oata—feed, 2s 9d to 3s ; seed, 3s Od to 3a 9d; Wheat, 6a 8d to 6a 9d ; do. fowl, per bushel, 4a 8d to 4s 8d ; Barley, feed do., 8s to 8s 6d; Hay, per cwt., 6a 6d to 7s; Lucerne, do., 7s ed to 8s; Oaten, do., 6a to 7s; Straw, do., 8a to 4a. Prsbkrvid and Dried Fruit*. — WhoUiale: Dried Prunes, 6Jd to 7d; Preserved Ginger, Sd; Peanuts, 2d to SJd; Barcelona, ejd per lb.; Shelled Nuta, 9d to la; Brazil. 6d to yd. Retail: Dried Prunea, 8d to IOd; Shelled Nuta. Iβ to la ed: Brazil. 9dtola. Mancr«B.— Bonednat, Sydney, prime, £810 ato £9 inferior. £7 16a to £8; Bonenour, £9 to £10; Auckland £8; Peruvian guano, £14 14s to £17; Coral Queen do., £6; Long Island do.. £4 10s, bags included; Superphosphate of Lime, 26 per cent, to 28 per cent. £6 to £6 10a ; do., do., 36 per cent, to 38 per cent. £8 U £8 10s ; Hurst's Chemical Manure, £18 ; freezing Company's Superphosphate, 32 per cent., £8 ; do. do., 26 percent. ,£6; Corn Manure, £8 ; Hoot Manure £8 10s; Potato Manure, £8 10a per ton; Grass Manure, £8 ; Bonedust. £9. Kauhi Oum and Flax Market. —Supplies for the month to date, 200 tons. Wβ quote prices: Poor Ordinary, scarce, £26 to £32; Fair Ordinary, £40 to £41; Superior Ordinary, £42 to £44; Bast Coast, £50 to £63 ; Flax, per ton. £16 to £18 ; Tow, do., £5 10s to £7 10s; Fungus, per lb., 2jd to Sid; Cocoanut Fibre, per cwt., 16a to 17a; Beeswax, 7d to 10d per lb. BwruMHo Materials.—Timber: Boards and Scantling, 109 ft., 10a to 12a, best dressed, 15a to 16s; second class, 7a to 10s; rustic weathe; boards, 16a to 16s. Mills: Cargo, best, 9s to 12a, second class, 6s to Bs. Balk, 6s to 6s. Brlcki (at Whau), 80s to 40a; Town Yards. 86s to £2 per 1000. Lime, la to la Ud per buahol Drain Pipes, per 1000, 0 inches bore, £16; 4 laches, £7 10d; 8 lnchea, £6; 2 inches, £210 a per 1000; Socket Glazed Pipes, 18 inches, 4s; 16 inches, 4a 6d; 12 Inches, 8s; 9 laches, 2; 6 inches. It; 4 inches. 9d ; 3 lnchea, 7d per foot; English elates, £1 1 per 1000. Nkw Z k aland Flax Rope.—Prices irabjoct to trade terms. Bope of all sties, per ton, £36 to £40; Tarred Yarn do., £36 to £40; Wool Lashing, do., £36 to £38. Butchim' Meat.— Retail: Roasting Beef, per b, 4d to 6d ; Boiling Beef, do., 3d to ed; Mutton, hlad quarter, do., 4d; do., fore-quarter, do., 3d; Pork and Veal, per lb., do., 5d to 6d; Steaks do., 6d to 8d; Chops and Sausages, 4<l to 6d. WhoUtale: Tallow, mutton, per cwt., 28a to 40s; mixed, do, 32a to 86s. Miscellaneous.—Keroaene, ISO' test (duty paid) from la 6d to Is 6; 150' test (duty paid), Is 0d to Is 10d; Fencing Wire, No. 6, 7, and 8, assorted, £18, £13 10a, and £12 respectively per ton ; Lime, slacked, Iβ per buskel; Quick Lime, in atone, Iβ ed to 2s. New Zealand Palings, 6ft., 7a 6d to 13s; 6ft, 14s; Ti-trae Rails, £2 10s to £4 per 100; Purirl Posts, £6 to £7 : Shingles, 13a to 16a 6d per 1000; Hobart Palings, 6ft., 17s u> 20s; 6ft.. 18s to 21a; Hobart Rail*, 80s to 90b ; Wire, 6in., £12 ; 71b., £12 10a; Bin. £13; Barbed Wire, 30s per cwt. Buying and selling notations. Coax and Firewood Mamjct—Coal: Newcastle (ship's side), cargo, 22s 6d to 26s per ton ; yard, 28s to 31b ; Bay of Islands, at yards, 22s 6d; screened, 26a; ditto at the mine, ISa; ship's aide. 20s; Waikato, steam Bs, household, 12a; in Auckland, 18s to 22a. Kamo, 12a per ton at loading ground. TanSlrl at mine, 8a to 12s; at yard (steam), 17s 6d, ousehold, 22a. Whangarei, al mine, 9a 6d; yard (steam), 17a; household, 20a. Firewood: Uncut at wharf (cargo), 9e to 10a per ton; delivered, 10i to 12a cut. 13a to 16s.

LITE STOCK AND PRODUCE MARKETS. AUCKLAND. Mb. Alfred Bucntr,A»D's Weekly Report.— the Haymarket on Fridty, 12th instant, loose fodder brought from la 0d to 3a 9d per cwt; pressed hay, £4 per ton ; oats, 2s 6J to 2a 8d ; maize, 3i 3d per bushel; bone dust, pure, £8 ton. Horse stock were yarded in fall number, useful medium draught brought from £9 to £14 ; riding horsea, £1 to £16 each. There was a large sale of hides and skint, on Tuesday. Late prices ruled. Sound hides brought Sid to 4id ; calfskins, 4d to 4gd per lb. Tallow is better worth, and reached 16s 6a p«r cwt. Station sheepskin*, from 2s to 4.i 6d each. At the wool sale, on Wednesday 150 bales, and as many damps and bags were offered.' Bidding was steady throughout the sale at an advance of about fire farthings to three halfpence the lb over last Mason's sales. Merino wool brought from 7jd to Bjd ; crossbred and long wool from 6J<l to 7}4 the lb. Large numbers of ntore cattle are being sold at the country cattle saloi the tendency ii to lower values, particularly for grown stock. At Pokeao on Monday there was a larger number yarded than usual ; all were sold to local buyers at prices higher than are ruling at the Auckland market. At the Drury sale,' on Wednesday, there was a large number of cattle yarded, consisting principally of quiet cows, heifers, young cattle, and a few grown steer*. The steers brought £3 15s ; cowi ana springing heifers from £2 to £6, and yearlings from 2Sa to 40s each. There was a numerous attendance and a fair demand for all stock offered. At Romuera, on Thursday, dairy cattle were in limited number, and late values ; store cattle, in usual supply sold freely at a alight advance. Fat caitle: In usual number, were lower in price than for the past fortnight (about 15s each), prices ranged from Iβ* to 18s the 1001 c Fat sheep: In moderate supply, were firm. Lambs: Plentiful, and lower in price fully one-third ; prices for good lambs ranged from 6s to 9i. Calves: In full numbers, maintained their price. Well-bred store pica maintained their price, but heavy fat pigs at ower values. Messrs. Hcnter and Nolan's Weekly Retort.—Horses: A great number have been brought forward, and most of them found purchasers, and the previous week's values were sustained. The Durham Yards on Friday were crammed, and tbero was a large attendance, attracted by shipments from Waverley and Wanganui. With but few exceptions, the strangers found purchasers, and many local horses changed owners at fully as high values as on the previous week. Medium draught sold at from £16 to £20 10s ; harness horses, from £11 to £1610s ; hacks, from £10 10s to £22 10s. Wool, hides, and skins: A good many hides were pitched, but principally mediums. Heavy weights were scarce. Pelts are being substituted for skins, consequently the latter are being brought forw?,id in limited numbers. There is an upward tendency in the value of tallow. Wool scarcely reached the expectation of vendors. We quote : Cow hides from 3d to 3}d ; ox hides, 3|d to 4|d; calf skins, 3d to 4}d per lb; sheep skins, 2a 10d to 6a 3d each ; tallow, £13 10s to £14 16s per ton ; small lota of wool, 6Jd per lb. Cattle : A good many fat beasts have been brought forward, but few stores, and an average number of dairy cows. Prices for fat oxen declined fully 20s per head, but other descriptions were unaltered In value. Barely an average number of fat beasts were yarded at New market on Tuesday, but few stores, and the usual number of dairy cows. The latter were unaltered in value, but fat beasts declined fully 6a per 1001b. bheep were yarded on Tuesday in fully average uumbars, and were without alteration in value. Ltmbs were in excess of requirements, and sold at from 7a 6d to 12a ed. Pigs: Scarce, but there was no advance in value, Missus. G. W. Binney and Bon's Rbport.—At ocr sales on Friday and Tuesday last, we sold full catalogues of hides. The competition throughout was good for all but damaged and stag hides. Ox sold up to Hi per lb for prime dry salted. Local butchers' extra heavy rsalised 28s each; heavy, averaged 22* 6d ; cow hides, 11s to 14s each ; country hides, ox, 81d to 4jd ; cow. 2}d to 3d ; kip, 3d to Sid ; calf, 3§<l to 4jd per lb We sold over 600 at quotations. Sheepskins: All to hand sold at full rates, the supply not being equal to the demand, has given a firm tone to the market. Full wool skins sold up to 6s 3d each; country, dry, from 4s to 4»9d for best; medium, 3s to Sβ 9d; inferior, Is to 2s 6d ; pelts, dry, 3d to 5d each. Tallow, 12s to 18s 6d per cwt; bones, 4s to 4s 8d per cwt; wool, small lots, 6}d per lb. THAMES CATTLE MARKET. Messrs. Bauks and Co.'e Wkeixy Rbport, by telegraph.— Parawal on Thursday, the demand for fat cattle was limited, and was easily met. Though the number in the pens were smaller than usual, they were sold at about the same rates as last week Steers, smaller than usual, but of good quality, brought from £5 to £7 '2s ed ; heifers, from £4 to £4 7s Bd. The supply of sheep was rather under the average, but appeared to be equal to the requirements. Wethers, in wool, bought from 14s to 14s 3d each ; yearlings, mixed sexes, shorn, 6s 9d to 7* 9d. Lambs were penned in large numbers, but the advanced season caused .a proportional demand, and all the pons were cleared, though the prices were lower than last week, being from 6s to 7s 6d.

Amount „ Capital. Invest. paid g g § d & « £ % g 0 g 0 j Colonial 2,000,000 g £ N. 356 10 1,000,000 g 1 0 1,000,000 g. 0 « 7 ► O 0 Co. ® 1 0 Insurance 6 1 7} Co. 9 Gas 25,000 17 5 & Co. 7 13 1 - 12,000 Taupiri 200 Auckland 120,000 "W 7 Co. 1,000,000 g £ 12 S.S. 100,000 F 7 7 Mortgage g 500 & 5 & 8 Co 200,000 Drug

OALL AND DIVIDEND tlST. Trenton O.M. Oo. - - 0 0 8 — Nor. 22 Tokataa a.ll.Oo. .... 0 2 0 - Not. 80 Anoklind Agricultural and _. e Mero»ntUeOo... „ ..026 — Feb. 8