COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8985, 24 February 1888, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Office, Thursday evening;. The week's wholesale business has been brisk, free orders in all departments of trade coming forward actively. , Steam connection with the Pacific Islands has again proved its great commercial value, especially with regard to Samoa and Tahiti. The Fiji trade, however, appears to be settling itself down to exchange of sugar and fruit with meats, soap, timber, oil, and farm produce. The orders for home and foreign imports are dwindling, doubtless because the chief distributors in Suva and Levuka are more closely connected with Australian importers. Owing to a proposition of an increased tax on sugar, to come into force shortly in Tahiti, considerable orders reached this market per Wainui. Such have only been executed with difficulty, at advanced figures. Large parcels of yellows, greys, and browns have lately been bought up for refinery use, causing a quick rise. We understand the planters have been induced to shin to Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, i>v_ the better prices obtaining there than in New Zealand, so that the customary dependence upon large supplies from Fiji cannot be placed until returns level up to the Australian equivalent. In whites the only new feature is a larger demand for crystal sugar. The market is very stiff, with noprospect of any downward movement until China sugar shipments are resumed.

In tobacco continued scarcity of Derby and small size Juno is reported. Some off-con-ditioned Over the Water sold at a low price at auction.

Soda crystals are held for full prices under late English reports, and the advance in freight rates. In the dried fruit market currants are not so scarce locally, but outside this market values are rising. Sultanas are a farthing dearer. Very little is doing in figs, dates, or dried apples. Rice is in good demand at the late rise. There is no alteration in kerosene. Boiled and raw linseed oil is in improved inquiry. There is a good demand for turpentine. In spirits there is only the usual trade inquiry, with some demand for the Island low price stuff. Maize is dull at 3s 5d for parcels on the wharf; oats are unquotable until the new crop comes to market; old milling wheat remains nominally at 3s 9d; fowl wheat is offering at 2s Bd. Potatoes are worth from £2 10s to £2 15s.

During the week the prices of flour, bran, and sharps have fallen 10s per ton. We are clad to report that J2wing's entire packing of last winter's catch of mullet has been cleared out, and the article is held only by local retailers. The new season's fishing commences on the Ist March.

In the local produce market prices remain the same as last week. Eggs, Is per dozen wholesale, and Is 3d per dozen retail,—while the best dairv butter is 8d per lb wholesale and lOd per lb retail, and "shell brand" lOd per lb wholesale and Is per lb retail.