COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald Office. Saturday Afternoon. Our commercial barometer is eteadily rising, and the hand points to set fair. While the month's volume of business cannot be said to have increased to any considerable extent, its steadiness and soundness is a theme of general satisfaction among traders. In the drapery trade business has been quiet and restricted, with no inconsiderable interference in sales of direct importation by the fact of large Southern stocks being thrown on the market at a heavy discount. At the present time it is asserted that slop clothing is being retailed at lower prices than in England. Being harvest month the country trade has been active. The season has been all that could be desired for reaping and j stacking, and heavy yields of wheat are the I rule. The best lands are expected to thrash ! out 40 bushels to the acre. The South [ Island crop prospects are very bright, and I with a few more weeks of fine weather, the added wealth to the colony from a plentiful and safely-housed harvest coming on the heels of a heavy wool clip, will immensely improve the financial position. There is considerable difficulty in obtaining tonnage, and the farmers and merchants' necessity has been the shipowners' opportunity to advance rates of freight. The plethora of investment money is leading to a general consensus of opinion that the next loan to the Government should be offered in the colony. There is not the slightest doubt that a five per cent, loan for hall-a-inillion at par, and free from property tax, would be eagerly subscribed. This would be the best evidence of faith in the colony by the colonists, and would be the best answer that could be given to the London detractors of New Zealand credit.

The export timber trade continues rbisk. apparently only limited by the want of suitable vessels at a reasonable price. Cargoes are chiefly going to Australia. After next March the duties on balk and sawn will be reduced 50 per cent, in New South Wales, but not being preferential to this colony the competition from Baltic woods will not be less than at present. There will, however, be an advantage from some reduction in cost to builders.

Our mining report will tell of great vitality much stimulated by Australian reports of rich finds in various parts of the island continent. Good effect* upon trade by prospecting expenditure has been felt, and the continual shipments of auriferous ore to London and Germany is a new feature in our export statistics. The over supply and consequently low price, of dairy produce is being severely {fit by the small farmers, but the matter has been taken in hand thoroughly here and in Taranaki, and large shipments of butter and cheese have been made to London in steamers cool chambers, the experiments being anxiously watched. A lively interest is being felt in the exportation of fresh fruit, and in this product evidences are immistakeable that we have so far never tapped a source of wealth that properly handled would make the Auckland province of New Zealand a second California in regard to the fruit trade.

The low rate of interest offered by the banks is influencing a better enquiry for property, and unless there is a sharp rise in rates through war in Europe, the gradual filtering of unprofit ably invested money into new channels of enterprise makes the trade position much more hopeful. '1 he month has not been remarkable for market changes, if wo chiefly except sugar, which has advanced 10.-) j>er ton in first and second whites, '20s per ton on third whites and yellows. Brewers' crystals have advanced from 30s per ton to £2 per ton, and are extremely scarce. Teas have commanded a good deal of attention, all descriptions coining in for good trade requirements. Lower prices are ruling for common sorts. The best descriptions of Indians have slightly advanced, while stocks of fine teas of China growth are small and nursed for full prices. Orange Pekoe appears to be in larger use, best qualities are sought after. There has been no change in the value of wheat or flour during the month. In liquids trade has been of the usual sorting-tip trade character, varied by occasional auction sales, outside brands, as usual, fetching low prices, known brands of pood repute realising current market rates. Bottled beer lias been dull; pints' stout in short supply ; Walker's whisky very scarce, and the market dependent upon supplies from Dunedin. Small contents .JI)KX (ieiieva in demand for local trade, Key brand also being dealt in by Island traders in good parcels. Building materials have continued dull. There are large parcels of cement in the market, with no inquiry. Slates are concentrated ; galvanised iron scarcely maintaining the recent advance of £1 j>er ton. Tin plates continue high in price. Fencing wire has been in good request. Quicksilver is in better demand, but fluctuating rapidly every mail by C'alifornian advices. Sales have been made at .'is per lb. The Melbourne quotation, we note, is 3s 6d.

Candles are in less demand, the long days being on. Chemicals are in good inquiry, especially cream of tartar and tartaric acid. Soda crystals are in large .stock, and it is understood their manufacture locally will be shortly in full swing. Imported being handicapped by freight, and £1, per ton duty, should make local manufacture feasible.

Cornsacks are in demand, with a rise in quotations. When threshing is general trie demand will probably be very strong, and overcome the unwillingness of buyers now stocking for fanners' requirements to give the advance demanded by importer.-'. The dried fruit market, has been inactive; but London reports are so decided there is no disposition to quote at a reduction for the sake of immediate business ; while green fruit continues plentiful for the next, two months, the inquiry for dried is likely to be only moderate. California)! dessert fruit (canned) is in low stockprices ruling high. In candied peels lemon is higher, orange lower. Business, however, is slight. In oilmen's stores, the unloading simultaneously of the Canterbury and Waitangi shipments fills up all the gaps. Several new brands of starch have been introduced in favour of buyers. Kerosene is easier. It is understood that the Standard Oil Company, New York, are regulating all supplie to the colonies, with the view of keeping up prices in moderation. Telegraphic information of an advance of , ; |d per gallon, has been received from America.

In paint oils only a quiet business can be reported. Castor has been in excellent demand ; Colza scarce.

_ Fish has been in steady trade demand : Kaipara mullet finding a good market in all parts of the colony, and making its way as a regular line in Victoria. Salmon keep up at full figures ; Cocktail at 10s; and other brands, chiefly Alaska, springfish, at 9s fid, being current duty paid quotations. We have heard no complaints about inferior fall fish being distributed here, as is reported in other colonies, where consumers' discrimination respecting brands is regarded as less marked than in this market, Fresh herrings are moving freely, Moil's mostly in favour. Lobsters and oysters are at, unaltered quotations, with demad small. Sardines have met with better enquiry. Jains have had the usual steady run. The demand has been somewhat strong on Peacock's. Keillor's marmalade is slightly easier. A greatly-increased quantity of locally-made jam will be put up this season. Salt is in full supply, with a lower tendency of prices. The market is largely supplied with vinegar. It is doubtful if bulk will in future come forward as plentifully as heretofore, the local and Southern-made answering all reasonable requirements as to quality with a heavy difference in price. The price of labour and bottles will prevent for some Lime local competition in case. Sago and tapioca are slightly firmer, wholesale prices havo advanced one-eighth of a penny. Rice has hardened considerably. There are very short supplies and new crop, Japan cannot come forward for more than two months yet. The main feature in the tobacco trade of the month is the strong enquiry for " Derby" and "Juno." These two brands are undoubtedly at the top of the tree in market estimation. With only a short placing "Columbia" has come" into active enquiry, supplies quickly running out. The drought in the South and Western States last season will probably make itself felt in the colonial markets ere long, but manufacturers' advices have long since been discarded as unreliable, and although there '

is a greater firmness in the market, except in one or two brands that are going out of favour, there is no advance at all in sympathy with the rise in leaf reported in the States. In cigarettes the Old Judge .and Duke of Durham continue to divide fivesixths of the trade.

Shortly after the arrival of the last inward mail ordinary gum began to rise, and prices have since steadily advanced, and the demand still continues strong and active. East Coast and other qualities remain quiet and unchanged. The Margaret Gaibraith sailed on the l'2th instant with '260 tons for London, for which port the Waitangi isjnow on the berth, and will probably sail about the end of February. The Rebecca Crowell will load and sail about the 10th of February for New York, to be followed by the Mary A. Greenwood in March. Supplies still continue large, being from mail to mail about 693 tons. We quote ; —Fair ordinary, 41s to 4'2s ; best ordinary, 43s to 44s ; East Coast, 50s to 525. AUCTION SALES. January 11. Today Messrs B. Tonka and Co. offered for gale by auction several propertied, such as Park Home, Victoria-street, store in Durhamstreet, two-storied shops and dwelling in Karsngahape Koad, Newton, and cottage and allotment in Clarence-street, Ponsonby. These properties were offered by order of the trustees in the estate of Messrs Heaketh and Aitken, and by order of the .Registrar of the Supreme Court. They were all bought in by the mort» gagees. January 18. Messrs Samuel Cochrane and Son sold by auction this day the following properties 100 acres at Big Muddy Creek, at 10s per acre; allotment at Onehunga, 60 feet frontage to Catherine-street, for £14 1Q« ; 100 acres near Te Awamutu was alio offered, but withdrawn at 10s 6d per acre. The properties in "West-street, etc,, advertised for sale by Messrs VaiJe and Douglas to-day, were all bought in by the mortgagees, January 20. Messrs. A- and E. Isaacs yesterday put up thirty-two sixty-fourths'in the brigantine Darcy Pratt for sale by auction, and after some rutber dull bidding the share wag disposed ot for £'235, nut for the present the name of the purchaser la withhold. January 23. Messrs. E. and A, Isaacs disposed'of 32-64ths of the schooner Darcy Pratt, for the sum of £235- The shipping trade was well represented, but the bidding was anything but spirited, January 25. House and landed property does not appear to be greatly in demand at present, as several lots offered yesterday by auction at Mr T. M. Jackson's mart failed to find purchasers. Pine Island, at the head of the Waitemata harbour, nine miles from Auckland, and con* taining about 100 acres of land, was offered for sale yesterday by Messrs Tonks and Carr. Bidding commenced at £300, and went to £400, but the property was withdrawn at a reserve of £500, and is now open for private purchase. | MR. ALFRED BUCKLAND'S SALE. On Wednesday, J«>n. 11, Mr. A. Buckland held tho third of his wool sales at the Hay market, Durham-street. There wag a good attendance of buyers, and the bidding wag brisk, a large quantity of bales being disposed of at very satisfactory prices. ME3SR3. HUNTER AND NOLAN'S SALE. On Jan. 12, Messrs. Hunter and Nolan held their third wool sale. The lots offered were but few. Fair prices, however, were obtained. MESSRS. G. W. BINNEY AND SONS' third wool Bales of the season took place on Jan. 12. The competition was keen throughout. No merino was offered. Crossbred sold from 7}d to 7JJ ; loncwool, in good condition, Bjd to 62; heavy, 6£J ; lambs, 6J;I to C£J. mis shows an advance on previous sales. DUNEDIN WOOL SALES. Dunedin, January 10.—The second series of wool sales was commenced to-dsy. when tliero was a good attendance of local and foreign buyers. Bidding for clstn, well got up merinos was brisk, and tho prices I realised were about the same as last sules : 111 some j instance!, for special lots, a shads hi,her (Ir-my ' merinos brou?l<t up to 10} d ; do crossbred, CJd to £}<l > <lfl halfbrod, 7Jd to lOd ; pieces, 4jd to 7jd ; lucks, 2d to4}d, CUSTOMS RETURNS. Comparative returns showing the amount of Customs duties (after deducting refunds) collected at the port of Auckland for the quarters ending respectively i?lst December, 1887, and olst December, 1886 Quarter ended Corr#sponding December 31, quarter in 1837. previous year. £sd £ a d Spirits, 14s Gd gal .. 13,030 14 3 7 7 do. 21«ga1.. .. 163 6 8 47 14 3 Cigars and snuff, 6 s lb.. 1,582 5 0 1,G)1 14 2 do. N.Z. tnan., la lb.. 115 1 0 55 10 11 Tobacco, 3s 6d lb . • 12,009 17 8 11,329 11 8 do. N.Z. man., Is lb.. 79 2 0 213 0 0 do. unman., 2s lb ~ 357 12 0 223 2 0 Wine, ssß.i gal .. 797 l'< 7 981 1 8 do. sparklinijjßs gal 170 10 0 134 8 3 do. Austral'n,4s6dgal 2SS 13 7 IbS 14 11 Ale, beer, etc. in bottle, Is 6*l gal.. .. 903 7 0 1,124 14 0 do. in wood, Is 3d gal 26 0 0 80 16 3 Tea. 4d lb „ .. 3,318 15 8 2,535 2 0 < effee, cocoa, etc., 3d lb 528 5 3 374 13 3 Sugar ii inol-sses, id lb 11,306 5 2 9,787 9 11 Opium, 20)1 lb .. 41 10 0 31 4 0 Goods by weight .. 6,004 4 7 6,220 2 5 do. art val. 15 percent 11,002 17 4 12,720 2 lo do, ad val. 20 per cent 621 10 0 570 15 0 Total .. .. £86,113 10 6 £65,05* 5 8 .September quarter .. 66,720 3 6 83.394 9 8 June quartsr.. .. 08 907 19 10 71.0 dl 18 10 March quarter .. 79,550 6 0 79,50J 18 11

Total for year £281,300 19 10 £270,021 13 1

Rates op Exchange on- London.—Buying : 90 days, li per cent, discount; 00 days, 3 per cent, discount; 30 days, } percent. Demand, j, .Selling; 90 days, jj per cent, premium ; GO days, i pur cent, premium ; 30 days, 1 per cent. Demand, 1J per cont. premium. Fixed deposits : 3 months, 2 per cont.; 0 months, 3 per cent.; 12 months, 4J per cent.

Ales and Porter. — Ale, in bulk (duty paid) per barrel, Bass's, £7 ; Ashby's, £8. Alo (in bond), Tennent's, quart*, 4s to fts; Bass's Hogshead brand (Road's bottling), pints, Gs; quarts, 8s Od, In bond; Buildup; (It. Porter and Co's bottling), 6s and 8s; W. Younger's, 5b and 7s 3d ; Ashby's 0s 3d to 8s 3d ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints, 4s; quarts Gs Od, Anglo-Bavarian: pints 5s Cd anil Ba. Boar's Head Stout: quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 0s Od. Guinness' Harp brand by Foster: pints, 0s; quarts, Bs. Norway ales, pints (Is 4(1, quarts Bs. Foster's Bugle stout, quarts 93, pints Gs 3d* Blood's, pints, ss; quarts, 7s; Hogshead, Guinness' (Read's bottling), pints, Os; quarts, 8s 3d; R. Porter & Co.'s bottling, pints (is, quart* 8s: Spark's Moline bottling, Gs and 9s 3d; Burke's,(is and its ; other brands, 5s and 7s od. Duty : Pints, Is Od; quarts, 33 per dozen

Building Materials.—Cement may bo quotud at K.B. 14s; German brands proportionally lower. Slates : English Countesses are worth £11 to £12; American, £8 to £10. Plaster of Paris, 15s.

Bags and Bagging.Calcutta full weight woolpacks 2a iOd ; corn sacks, 7s 6d per dor. Breadstuff# and Grain-.—Local best silk-dressed flour, £12 10a; household, £10 Os; Southern . brands, £10 Ids to £11 10*. Wheat, 3s yd

to Kg 10s. Bran, £4 10.-. Sharps. £5 : Southern sharps, £4 10s Hui/e : Local. 3s art ; Fiji, none. Oatmeal, £9 10s; i'.arley (for malting). -is to 4s 3d. Oats, 2k 3d ;o 2j 4d ; po*rl barley, 20s. Cabin bread £16 per ton. CoKDA'ib, D.i'. (Subject to trade discounts) Manila hemp rope, all sizes, Sydney, £00 to £70, | Auckland made, £70 to£7S; whale and lanca lines, £50; Now Zealand tiai rope, all sizes, £40. Auckland made. £35; wool lashings, £35; clothes lines, 5d per lb., subject to trade, discount; Manila clothes lines, ad; cakum, free, ditto, £40; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £45 to £55; twine, shop, d.p., per lb., 9d to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb.; local make, Is to Is 3d. Coal.—Newcastle is sufficient for requirements, 22s Gd to 25s at ship's side; 2is to 31s in yards, may be taken as a fair quotation. Day of Islands, 13s, at the .mines, is quoted ; Whanjjarei coal, C's tiJ ; ditto, Waikato, steam, Ss; household, 12s. Coffee and Spices (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, Is 2u, scmce ; do., .Fiji, 4d to Od; chicory, colonial, 46s per cws ; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's. Is 3d; Fry's, Is 2d; Van Houten's, 3s od ; iipps's, Is tijd; Mara villa, Is 6d; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 3d; Fry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p.: Cloves, Is lid; bleached ginger, lid ; unbleached do., 9d ; nutmegs, 3. 8J ; black pepper, whole, yd : white do., is -id. CoNKEcrio>; v. — Local manufacturers are producing good articles, and consumption is cnir-Uy in tfluir good-. Waters's colonial boiled, 4}il: dry, 7d; jujubes. Is Id; Keillers assorted confections, 9<d; Cray's, Ujd ; candied lemon peel, d.p., 9;!; orange, lid; citron, Is 2d; Keiiler's jujubes, Is oil; Gray's jujut**, Is Id to Is 3d ; Cumpig.iiß K.-..n'Jals' sums, Is Id. Gum, lax, 4c. —Wo ijuote : Cum : fair ordinary, £41 to £42; superior ordinary, £43; East Coast, £52 ti £54 ti-. Flax : First quality, £19 to £21; second, £14 to £16; tow, £7 to £3 p?r ton. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £17; Cocoanut oil (fine white), per ton. £24 Copra, per ton, £9 to £12. Fungus, 3;d to 4d. Ironmongery. —Ewb,ink's nails, invoice, 10 per cent, off list: galvanized corrugated iron, 5, 6, 7. 8 feet, £13, £'-'1, £.2. and £23 10s; 9 to 10 feet, £25; English bar iron, per ton, £9 to £10; pig iron, £1 los; plate iron, £10 to £11; fencing wire : assorted sizes, £11 10s. Sheetlead, £1S; pig-lead. £16 ; sheet-zinc, £25. Powder, Kaimes', Curtis and Harvey's, 5d per lb. ; j Halls. ikl to Md, sporting (in canister), 2s ; for 20 and 24, ti.p canister, No. 2, d.p., 3a 6<l. Yellow metal, 7jd ; Mur.tz, 7»d to id. duty. JAils, Dkiui> Fruits, ic.—Duty: Dried fruit, 2d, and preserves, IJd. English marmalade, lib.-tins, duty paid, t.,s yd; Gray>, 6s o<l; iloir's, 7s ; llobart jams. Knight and Johnson, 5s Gd ; Peacock's, us to os .'ill ; .dturay s, Uui.eUin, 4* 'Jd to 5s ; jars, ojd to 7>,d; Nelson (New Zealand), 5s to f.s 3d; sultanas.Ojd; : rencli muscatels, new fruit, Is Cd; CaliloruiM , mm-: denies, ojd toojd ; currants. 6sd ; I figs, 7d to fed ; Turkish prunes, 7d to fed. Dried apples, ordinary, in a.-gs and cases, id ; evaporated, fell. i ales, /jd, d.p. Leather and Hides.Sole leather, lOd to Is 3d per lb.; kips, Is ed to 2s ; runners, 2s Gd t023 9d; calf, colonial, 3s to 4s 3d ; basils, 12s to 2fes per dozen ; closed uppers, 4s (3d to Us 3d per pair. Hides, 2;d to 4d ; calf skins, 3id to 33d per lb.; sheepskins, Gd to Gs. Uaxukls.—Australian bonedust, £6 10s to £3; Auckland. £fe 10s : superphosphate of lime, £ to £9 lnDnetiour, is; Peruvian guano, £16 to £18 per ton ; animal lnsvnure, none; cocoanut oil cake (none): linseed cake. £12 ; Maiden Island cuatio, £S ; Huon Island guano. £5 to £0 ; Hurst's chemical manure, £14 K's; Freezing Company's sujeiphuspite, 32 per cant.. £i ; 25 percent., £6 : corn manure, £3; rod manure, £S 10»; grass n-anure. i 7 lys ; bonedust, £9. Malt and Hops.—English malt.no inquiry is experienced. Colonial, c-s'Jd to os. Hops: Nelson, lie* teas .id, yd, old ad ; glucose, £29 to £22, (1.p., delivered to brewery. Oilmen's Stdp.es. — Price's Belmont Candles, dutr, IJd, jijd. d.p., per lb.; Brandon's, t>id ; McLeod's Dunediu (f vatiotis brands. 3jd to sju; Orient Candles 9}l, d.p.; Atlas Paraffins, 91 ; Panther dated and plain, 9d ; l'rice'» National, fejd; I'r.ce's Ilattersea, fejd. Young's British Wax, 7jd; Prioc's London Wax, 7Jd. Local blue mottled soap, £20 per ton; carbolic, £27; best yellow, £26; household, £15; first Crown £26; second Crown. £17 ; soft soap, in tins, 4}d per lb.; toilet, !'d to lOd per lb.; mould candles, 5d per lb.; all subject to trade discount. .Salt: Coarse, W. &W. £3 10s; line B.uck Horse, £3 17s, t > £4, soiree ; Adelaide coarse sal;, 35s t > 4 's. Jordan almonds, 2s 2d: Va'.'n -ias, If. Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 4s 6d; Colman's starch. No. 1: white, 325; blue, 325; Orlando Jones' starch, 'iss. Gill and Tucker's starch, :iU-. Gladstone, 2Ss to i9j. Mustard, d.p. : Champion's genuino 1-11). bookshaped tins. 19s to ins Gd; 4-lb. tins, 9s 3d to 9s (i d ; Colman's 1 -lb. tius (rod), 10, Od half ditto, 5s 9d ; 7-lb. tins (red to green), 7id to Is; 1-lb. tins (green;, 13s ; j-lb. dittos 7s Cd; DSK 5-11). tins, fes 9d lib., l&s; Keen's, 9s. Blue : Keckitt's Thumb, Sid ; Paris, 111 squares, 10d; Keen's, fejd. Matches : Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 15s 01; ditto, plaid, 4s ; ditto, fancy oval, 22s Od; Bell and Black's, lis to 10s: plaids, 4s ; It. Bel) and Co., 250's, lfis ; plaids, 3s l»Jd to 4s. Oil: Castor, in pints, Ss 3d; half-pints, 4s 9d; quarterpints, 3s fid. Salad : C. and 1!., pints, 13s to lis; half-ditto, (is; Morton's pints, lis (id; half-pints, 5s 9d. Pickles : Stephens' pints, 7s; Crosse and Blaekwell's, pints, 12s 9d; Pool's, 9s ; Morton's and others, from 7s Cd to as; McConnuchie's, 0s 6d. Bice (ground), in tins, 4jd. Sauces: Lea and Perrin's, half-pints, 12s 6d to 12s 9d; C. and 8., half-pints, 9s: Mcllor's, 7s Cd; Stephens', lis 6d; Goodall's Yorkshire Kelish, 0s Od. Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 4d ; Pew's, Is 9d to 2i ; Evans', 2s 2d ; Burnett's, Is 11a; Potts', Is lid; Dunedin pure malt, Is 7d. Vinegar, case : Champion's, Ss 6d ; Burnett's 7s 3d ; Morton's, 7s 6d. Treacle, 2d; Golden syrup, bulk, 2d to 2jd. American honey 21b tins. 12s od, d.p. Sago, 3d: tapioca, 3d. Corn flour: Brown's, 3jd, d.p.: Brown and Poison's Gjd; Johnston's. 6Jd; Wade's, su; Muun s. 6d Preserved milk : Neatle's, 6s Od to 7s 3d, according to p .reel ; Milkmaid, lis 9d. Tartaric acid, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ; cream of tartar, Is Sd to Is 9d ; bicarb, soda, lis ; soda crystals, £7. Whiting, £4. Oils and Paints.—Duty 6d a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s 3d; bulk, 33 lOd; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s 3d ; raw drums, 3s 2d ; bulk, 3s ; castor, in drums, 3s 3d ; keroseno, d.p., 130 test, Is Od ; kerosene, in bond, 130 test, lid ; 159 test. Is 3d. White lead, ground, por cwt., genuine, 265; No. 1 white lead, '22s ; red lead, dry, £110s. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s. Turps, duty paid ; drums, 3s Cd ; American, 3s 3d ; whiting, per ton, £4 ; rosin (siarce), £9 IDs; American carriage varnish, 7s Gd to lis per gallon.

Provision.*.—Cheese— Provincial, 4(1 to 4}d ; Cantorbury, nominal, 5(1. Salt butter, Gd for prima quality, inferior unsaleable. Rice, i.b.. Japan dressed. £12. Hams and bacon (duty, 2d per lb); Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth;, sido.i only, 7d ; equal Mos. tarns and bacon, 7i<l ; hams only, BJ>l. Fish : Liny, 4d ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s to 32s per dozen (2-ll> tins); white, 3ds per barrel; Findon haddock?', 10s; lobsters, American, libs., 9s (id; 2lbs., IS ; salmon, lib. cocktail, d.p., 10s, scarce; other brands, 9s Oil d.p.; pickled salmon, 3d ; sartlinos, quarters, 4s Cd to is ; halves, 8s Cd ; oysters, (is Gd; mullet (Kaipara), 6s lid. Suoa its, p. l'.—Brewers' crystals (flcarco), £33; New Zealand Company's Auckland Kellmry, d.p., Wo. 1, £28; No. 2, £27; -No. 3,.£22; Millaquin, none; Fiji, bout white crystal, £-0 Ills ; second quality, £20; English crushed loaf, 3Jd; French cube, Hid; yo lows, i.b., £14 to £15; grey counters, £20, d.p.; yellow, Jt2o to £21. Spirits.—Uramly : Ilouyer, Gouillet anil Co., 25s and 8s; Murcollain's, caso, 22s Oil, IB; llask, 28s Od ; half-flask, lias Od; quarter-Bask, 53 C<l, and in bulk 7s'Jd; Honnessy's brandy, bulks 13s Od to 14s; case, 3.'» fid; liisquit Oubouchu and Co.'s pale, in iilids. and qr.-casks, 7s; Beehivo, bulk, 8s; Courvoisicr's, case, 31s; turd's, case, 20s(nominal); bulk, 10s (Id; Beehive, case, 245; Blsqult, Dubouche and Co.'s, 25s ; Mine's 28s; bulk, 8.1 ; Gautior's, 32s and 103 (id-; Burgaud's, 7s 3d to 7s ad- Mullor Frere's, 20s; Cavalier Frore's, 245; J. B. Rone's case, 228; Meukow, 30s and 10s; Senimaud, (is to Cs 6d; bessandier's, 22s and 7s (id. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Greenless and C'olville's 5s Od to Gs 3d, and Greenless and Colvlllo's v.0., 8s Gd; case, Rob Hoy, 18s; case, Beitli, Ross and Co.'s, (is; Teacher's, 10s; Vlnt's bulk, 7s 6d to 8s; Vini's case, 20s 6d; Dunviilo's, 53 Cd; caso, ISs; Lome Highland, 21s; Speysido, 21s; Red Beer, Gs Gd to 7s; case, IDs; Craig, Gs Cd and 245; Hoddle's old case, 16s Od; Royal Blend, 24s ; Teacher's old, 265; Encore, 19s; BanagherlSs; Walker's WW, 21s; Jeroboam, 235; L.L., 22s Od to 235; all in - bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gal. lons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, Us Gd; 20 bottles, 17a <Jd ;

key, geneva, proof, 13s Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s 6d! Gin. Booth's, 16s: Burnett's, 13s. Lownde's rum, 30 op., 4s; IJed Heart, case, 2os Cd; Burnett's case, 225. Key, 225. Teacher's white rum, 32s in bulk, d. p. Duty, 14s Ci Timber. — Quotations are as follows : — Kanri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 9s to lOg ; firstclass ; 6s, second-class ; at yards, Auckland, 13s to 14s 6d first-class ; Ss 6d second-class. Flooring, 13s 6d to IBs first-class; 9« (id second class ; rusticated, 10s6d to 17s West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 5s 6d to 63 ; white pine (kahikatea), 5s 6d ; T and G, 8s fid f.0.b., at mills! at yard, first-class. 13s; second-class, 8s; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 133 6d ; 6 feet, 15s t>d ; Hobart rails, £3 15s. Tobacco.—Duty, 3s Cd. Venas, 14s; three-quarter boxes, Is 31; Venus, Xavr fla; work, Is fid; double-thick ditto, is 5Jd; Ruby Aromatic, 2s tid ; Victory, Is lid ; Juno, blacs, all shapes, Is 31 to Is 4d ; Unique, Is 4d ; low, 10s, 9d to lid; Orion 14's, Is; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is fed ; Derby, case, Is 5Jd ; boxes, Is 7d; Over the Water, fiat work, all shapes, Is 2d; Nailrol, Is Id; Signet, Is lid ; Gem of the Sea, Is 3d; Josephine, Is 3d ; Columbia, 1« sd. Teas.—Prices range as follows (in bond): Congous, common, &d; middling to fine kinds, Is to Is Id; Saryunes and Panyongt. Is 4d to Is 7d; .Souchongs and Chingwo Kaisow», Is 6d to Is 7d. orange Pekoes, is 3d to Is 7d ; Indian teas are tow generally used for miring Prices may be quoted for Semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, Is ad to Is lid, duty paid. Wines.— Champagne, duty paid : Ferier Jouet and Co., first quality, quarts, 80s; pints, S4s; halfpints,, 945; second quality, quarts, 645; pints, 68?; -pints, 78s. ilontebello quarts, S4>; 84s; .Moet, quarts, 70s; pints, 965; Koederer quarts, 100s ; pints, 105s ; ilelosick, same ; Pol. Koger and Co , 100s and 105s; Adolphe Collins, 60s and 70s ditto, extra superior, 70s, SOs St. Hubert's Australian, 32s p. r dizsn ; I'euf old's SOi per dozen.

Dcxedin- Grain and Flour Markets, Week isdiso Jan. 26, 1888:—Kobert Anderton, grain merchant ana miller, reports Market firm. Wneat; Best pearl or velvet, 3s lOd per bushel; ruscan, 33 lOd ; Hunter's white, 3s Sd ; fowl wheat, 3s. Oats : Heavy orders from Melbourne have almost clewed stocks. »tocns of bett oats very light, »nd prices firming. Heavy milling, Is lOd per bushel; prime short feed. Is 9a ; medium short feed, Is Sd. earley: Malting, 41 per bushfl; milling 3s ; feed, 2s 6d. Flour, superfine patent. £9 per ton ; oatmeal, twenty-fives, £8 10s; I)ran, £3; sharps, £4; all f.o.b. and sacks included. —t'raucifl A. Xwiname, agent for Auckland.