COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 7 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald Office. Saturday afternoon. The old adage that "no news is good news" is applicable to this month's record of business, for while being uneventful, it is not unsatisfactory, considered as a whole.

To write that times are improving may look like a grim sarcasm at a time when artizans and labourers are either leaving for fresh fields and pastures new, or bitterly complaining of want of employment, and mortgage foreclosures of town and country properties are not rare; but the opinion is nevertheless general that trade is better, business is sounder, and prospects more hopeful than has been the case for some time past. • The fall in values of city and suburban property has exercised no inconsiderable weight in accounting for two apparently opposite effects. It has steadied (to use a mild term) the disposition to invest in building, and which a few years ago made Auckland the most so-ahead place in New Zealand, and attracted skilled labour so largely. The high wages then ruling made a general state of prosperity, causing a large inflow of capital for investment in a place so conspicuous in natural advantages, and where very few could have anticipated any early retrogression. However, another illustration that "it is the unexpected that always happens," came home too forcibly. The necessity to put the break on the Government expenditure out of Loan money, the sudden drop of nearly every description of farm produce, the glut of American and Baltic timber to Australia, where we relied to take our magnificent kauri pine, the non-dividend character of many of our public companies, all combined to put a new face upon trade. Strictest economy of expenditure of all classes, and the complete reversals of position in too many cases, exercised a depressing influence on every ramification of business. The belief that the change was merely a passing cloud induced many to wait for the alteration, but patience and resources get exhausted sooner or later, and glowing accounts of almost fabulous prosperity in Victoria are causing an exodus of many of our most desirable colonists. The fact, however, that what the Americans call " bed rock " has been touched, and that there are now no hazy notions of value to deceive traders into false security, is restoring the commercial system to a fairly sound basis. The disproportionate number of retail distributors throughout the province has been rectified ; the difficulty of obtaining credit, except upon fair conditions of solidity, the steady progress of agriculture, wool- | growing, fruit culture, the introduction of English and Sydney capital in mining circles, the new values that have been given to our I auriferous areas by the discovery of more economical ways of treating ores, have all i combined to assist business, and to fix a belief that the dark days are about over. Coupled with these causes money has been litorally pouring into trade circles by the heavy supplies of kauri gum, chiefly bought up by American buyers. Timber and flax continue in good demand for export. _ Butter treated under the factory process is commanding high prices in Queensland and London. The harvest has been an exceptionally fine one. Shipping, largely owned locally, is more profitably employed. Admiralty expenditure has been liberal; Pacific Island orders have been above the average. Engagements have been generally well met, and although the month has differed little from its recent predecessors, the difference is distictly on the improving side. We review the course of the import market as usual.

Bottled Ales : There has been a slight improvement. Porter's brand is rather losing its position as a leading one. Pints stout has been in bare supply, enabling stocks of second brands to be cleared to advantage. An improvement in better class wines has been met with. Champagne has been wanted for special demand. Australian wines are largely taking the place of ports and sherries in General consumption. Brandies have been ull. An average trade in the leading brands of whiskv. Usher's continue in strong request. It is difficult to move any but well-known brands. The Speyside, a comparatively new line, is selling freely. Walker's, Teacher's, and Robertson's, with the above, command the bulk of orders. Rum at this season is little asked for. Fair sales have been made for export to the Islands. Quotations for all spirits are practically unchanged. The fact is clear enough that consumption of ardent spirits is steadily diminishing, and the new generation of New Zealanders will be largely influenced by the temperance crusade, now undoubtedly exercising a generally healthful influence on the community. Interest in the recent election for licensingcommissioners lapsed through informalities, and the usual struggle between the temperance party and the brewers was not this year of the usual keen character. The victory of the former is making the hotel trade a more hazardous one, owing to the banner of absolute prohibition being now distinctly unfurled for the first time. The trade in ginger ale is largely increasing, competition among the local and Southern makers being very strong. Flour is down 10s per ton, with more than a corresponding fall in the value of wheat. Quotations of the latter are, however, only nominal, until the market for new wheat opens. The difficulty of securing tonnage will be a serious hindrance to export trade, more especially in the South. Our provincial yield is a long way yet below our necessities. Maize is dull present value about os 4<l. The East Coast growers have secured excellent returns all through last season. Oats are likely to rule very low, owing to the heavy

crops in the South, and the difficulty of finding any outside market. Prices nave not been fixed yet with any degree of reliability. Unusually heavy crop of grass seed is reported from Taranaki and Poverty Bay. Corasacks are held firmly for full prices. The demand is strong, not only for grain but for copra handling, and from the mining districts for export of ore purposes. Sales tor export have been made at 6s lid.

Candles.Although at this season the demand has been rather slight, some supposed arrangement between the several New Zealand companies has led to a rise of a farthing per lb. Imported candles are without material alteration, and there has been no important business.

' Coffee is rather easier. The business is falling into a few hands. Cocoa remains undisturbed in quotations, with business only moderate. In confectionery, the excellent quality of Mennie and Dcy's local make is highly appreciated, with the result of a heavy increase in business. Only a very limited trade is now done in imported. Island orders for bottled lollies keep coining forward, but this trade is not catered for apparently. In chemicals, bicarbonate of soda is lower. Cream of tartar and tartaric acid are steady at our quotations. The business in dried fruits has dulled under the abundance of fresh. Several wholesale parcels of new currants have been placed. Stocks of old Elemes are low, with none in the Australian market. Sultanas have improved in value a farthing per lb. They are firm at 6fd, duty paid, very few Valencias have come forward this season. Muscatels may be said to be out of the market. Occasional orders for dried apples have come forward. These are scarce. Galvanised iron has rapidly advanced £3 per ton under the English advices. All metals have risen ill sympathy with the home rise. A good trade is being done in fencing wire. The increased value given to local hardware stocks through the remarkable advance in England and the Continent is very considerable. Building material has been in somewhat better demand. Slates have been run after, stocks being light, and principally in hands of one seller. Good supplies are afloat. Cement: There have been large arrivals with a poor market. Some shipments have been re-shipped to Sydney, where the market is hardening. American plaster is very scarce, and in demand at improved prices. In oils and paints the demand has been good, with prices little altered during the month. Stocks of boiled and raw linseed oil are not heavy. Turpentine has been wanted; stocks small. Kerosene is quiet, as at this season might have been expected. The rise in freight rates advised from New York, coupled ■with some alteration in value of tin, will keep prices steady. There is no large accumulation. of stock in New Zealand as generally. In matches a scarcity of R. Bell's 250s lias been felt, the strong demand for this brand overrunning the agent's supply. In plaids there is a reduction, the result of competition between the two principal houses. Fish, owing to the Lenten season, has moved freely. The lightness of stocks, except in one or two lines, such as so-called sardines, has prevented any reduction, but the full figures for some time existing for salmon and lobster has stopped the possibility of any further advance. New Zealand mullet has come into general requisition, and bids fair to become a standard line in canned fish. Ling has been sold at 4Ad and sd. Salt salmon, in barrels, has sold freely at (id. Hops have been in good demand at improved prices for first-class samples. Several parcels of old hops, with little strength, arc ill the market at low prices. Jams are steady at last month's rates. Peacock and Nelson brands are mostly in favour. Something new in this lineviz., strawberry conserve, in 21b glass jars, went rapidly out of supply. The usual good business is reported in condensed milk. Nestle's brand keeps the premier position, Milkmaid following closely in demand at about 3d per dozen less. We understand the Scandinavian is likely to be a competitor throughout New Zealand to the above.

Rice has been in strong request at fully £1 10s per ton advance upon last month. Stocks are very light, and the Australian market is high. Resin has been dealt in to a limited extent, one or two lots to arrive being placed. Sugar : The alteration in market value has been confined to yellows, which have rapidly advanced nearly £2 per ton, especially within the last week, owing to the demand for Tahiti, where an increased duty is probable, the traders being anxious to secure supplies prior to the new tariff' coming into force. Crushed loaf is worth 30s per ton more than last month, through lightness of stocks. All crystal sugar has been in demand for jam making. Brewers' crystals have been done at from £27 10s to £28 in bond.

Teas: There is nothing fresh to chronicle in this line. Matters remain just as expressed in last summary. Common China teas were never so low in price as now. Indians are being used more freely. Oilmen's stores are in better supply. There is more inquiry for lower price starch than Colman's, whose lib boxes have been scarce and in good inquiry. Bulk vinegar continues in over supply, but as the imported cannot well be sold without loss at lower quotations than formerly values have not given way. Soda crystals are somewhat firmer. Salt remains weak ; prices scarcely covering cost, storage, and haulage. Sago and tapioca are about the same. Tobacco : The run on Dunlop's and T. C. Williams' brands continues as strong as ever. Supplies of "Derby" have run out as fast as received. "Juno' has advanced one id per lb. " Aromatics" are unchanged. The consumption of these tobaccos is largely on the increase. Some off-conditioned "Over the Water Nailrod" has been auctioned and quoted at a low figure. Since last outward mail, notwithstanding heavy supplies, the demand for kauri gum (ordinary) continued firm and active until a few days ago, when, requirements being completed for vessels loading, the demand slackened ; prices are unsettled, and the tone of the market is weaker. Oil the 10th instant the Rebecca Crowcll sailed with 453 tons to New York, for which port the Mary A. Greenwood will sail about the middle of

March with about 4SO tons. The Waitangi will take about "200 tons for London, and will sail early in March. Supplies from mail to mail about 577 tons. We _ quote Prices current since last mail: Fair ordinary, 40s to 42s ; best ordinary, 4.'!s to 44s ; East Coast, 50s to 525. Prices nominally quoted to-day, but not yet established : Fair ordinary, 37s to 38s; best ordinary, 39s to 40s; East Coast unchanged, 50s to 525.

AUCTION SALES. February 6. At Messrs. Cochrane and Son's auction mart to-day a large amount of real and landed property, being the estate of Messrs. P. and I. McLeod, in the Helensville district, was disposed of at fair prices. The To Kauri block and stores realised £1000, and a piece of the Te Horo block, 18 perches in extent with an eight-roomed house thereon, only brought £90. _ Another portion of the same block, containing nearly In acres with seven-roomed house, was sold for £24"), while the premises known as the Helensville Soap Factory found a purchaser at £65. The half undivided, interest in the Pukewara block brought £86, and a corner lot in the township of Helensville was bought for £8. A quantity of shares (134, £5 paid up) in the Helensville Timber Company fetched 16s each, while a section of the Komoriki kauri forest, containing 120 acres, was knocked down at the very small figure of £16 ss.

February 10. At the sale of properties to-day, at Messrs Vaile and Douglas' Rooms, there was a very large attendance. The bidding was as a whole slow, but fair prices were offered for several of the lots. For Mr. Walker's property in the Karangahape Road, £52 per foot including the buildings was- offeree!. The reserve price was, however, £54.

February 13. On Monday at noon Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son submitted for sale the well-known Hurstmcre Estate in the Takapuna district. There was a good attendance of buyers, bidding was brisk, and the whole of the lots were disposed of at fairly satisfactory prices. Lot 9 was purchased by Mr. Kirk for £36 per acre; lot 10 for £35, by Mr. W. Phillips; lot 6, £34 10s, Rev. Mr. Houchen; lot 5, £34; lot 4, £32, Mr. Walker; lot 16, £38; lot 15, £24, Mr. Granger; lot 14, £24, Mr. Wakefield; lot 13, £28, Mr. Walker; lot 12, £25, Mr. Harrow; lot 11, £25, Mr. Shakespear ; lot 25, £9, Mr. Connor; lots 22, 21, and 24 brought £17, £20, and £10 10s respectively. A couple of other properties at Takapuna were put up but the reserve not being reached they were passed in. A section at Cambridge and another at Titinuigiwere offered and found a purchaser at i.200 lor both lots. _ , , _ February 15. To-day at Messrs. Cochrane and Co.'s mart a large number of country lots were sold, by order of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for non-payment of rates. As usual in a forced sale, the prices were not high. The figures realised for the lots sold were as follows Allotment 63, containing SS acres, Parish of Waiwera, 7s per acre ; allotment 31, containing 59 acres, Parish of Pukeatua, 2s 6d per acre; north middle portion lot 134, 40 acres, Parish of Waiwera, ; 4s per acre; north-west part lot G, containing 100 acres, Parish of Ararimu, Is 6d per acre; allotment 11, 110 acres, Waikomiti, 21s per acre; allotment 65, containing 40 acres, Parish of Waikomiti, 6s per acre; allotment 200, 6 acres, Parish of Waikomiti, 30s per acre; allotment 14, Paremoremo, 22 acres, fronting Hellyer's . Creek, 16s per acre; piece of land, 25 acres, fronting Lucas' Creek, 7s 6d per acre; south part allotment 77, and north part allotment 78,40 acres, Parish of Waipareira, 3s 6d tier acta. :

February 20. Several properties belonging to the estate o! the late Mr. B. Keane were submitted for sale by auction by Messrs. Cochrane and Co. to-day, and realised the following figures : —Brick dwelling in f Hobson-street with 66 feet frontage, £1500; 1603 acres of [and at the Wniroa River, near the Sandspit, £505. Allotments John-street, Ponsonby : One at 12s per foot, three at 13s per foot, and four at 14s per foot. Residence at Northcete, £180. Part of allotment 12, coiner of Wcl-lesley-street and Chapel streets, with two brick shops in Wellesley-strcet, shop comer of Wellesley and Chapel streets, and dwell-ing-house in Chapel-street, £11225. Several allotments at Grahamstown, as advertised, sold for £375. ~ , 01 February 21. A sale of mining shares took place to-day at Mr. G. Lewis' auction mart: 20 Cambrias realised (»s 7d per share, purchaser Mr. liekey: 700 Trentons, 2s ;d per share, Mr. Casey; ISOO Dubbos, 2d per share, Mr. M. &. Myers; 200 Rose, 2d per share, Mi'. I*. Woods. February 22. February 22. This forenoon an enforced sale of a largo number of country sections of land, by order of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for non-payment of rates, was held by Messrs. Cochrane and Son at their mart, Queenstreet The following were the lots disposed of and the prices realised --Allotment l.>o and east part of lot 159, parish of \\ anvera, containing 103 acres. 7s per acre : allotment 176, parish of Waiwera, containing 3 acres 2 roods and 5 perches, £11 Ills; allotment 194 and west part of lot 19ti, _ Waiwera, containing 100 acres, and middle part of lot 117, containing 58 acres, 2 roods 23 perches, 2s Gd per acre; lots S5 and SO, containing 107 acres, parish of Ararimu, 3s per acre ; lot 65, containing 10aeres, Paremoremo, fronting the_ Ararimu stream, 3s per acre ; middle portion of lot 209, Pukeatua, containing 40 acres, 3s 6d per acre; western portion of lot 123, 40 acres, Paremoremo, 3s 9d per acre ; eastern part ot lot 298, 40 acres. Paremoremo, 4s 3d per acre ; south-east part of lot 10 Arapolitic, and northwest part of lot 15. containing 200 acres, lis per acre ; north-east portion of lot I*, Matakohe, 40 acres, 4s 9d per acre; east portion of lot 35, Matakohe, 40 acres. -Is .hi per acre. A five-roomed house in r>ell Koau, Remuera, with lialf-an-acre of land, was salo sold by the same tirin, and realised £355.

ANNUAL SHEEP FAIRS. Mr. A. Buekland held his annual sheep fair at the Remuera Yards 011 Feb. 7. There was not a very large number of sheep penned, hut generally speaking they were of good quality, and the attendance of buyers being large in proportion to the number of lots for sale good prices were realised, ewes especially fetching very good prices, and the rains also realised well. Crossbreds were especially in favour with purchasers, and taken throughout vendors nave good reason to be satislied with the result of the sale . Messrs. Hunter and Nolan held their annual sheep fair at their paddocks, in Green Lane, on Feb. 9. There was a large attendance of buyers, and a very considerable number of sheep penned. Ewes and lambs sold at good prices, and rains of good quality also sola well.

Hates of Exchange on London.—Buying: 00 days, 11 per cent, discount ; 00 days. } per cent, discount; 30 days, A per cent. Demand, J. Selling : PC days. J percent, premium; 00 days, } per cent, premium ; 30 days, 1 per cent. Demand, 15 per cent, premium. Fixed deposit: 3 months, - per cent.; C months, 3 per cent. ; 12 months, 4i per cent. Ales and Pouter.—Ale in bulk (duty paid) per barrel: Ross's. £7 ; Ashbv's. £S. Ale (in bond) Tennent's, quarts, 4s to 5s ; Bass's Pogsheatl brand (Read's bottling); pints, 6s; quarts. Ss I'.d (in bond); Bulldog (Rl Porter and Co.'s bottling), lis and 8s ;W. onager's, 5s and 7s 3d ; Asliby's. lis 3d to is yd ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints 4s, quarts t's Gd. Anglo-Bavarian : pints 5s edand Ss ; Boar's Head Stout : quarts, Ss fid ; pints, Os (id. Guinuess's Harp brand by Poster: pints. Os; quarts, Ss. Norway ales: pints, 6s 4d ; quarts, 5-s. Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, Os; pints, lis 3d. Blood's: pints, os; quarts, 7s. Hogshead Guinness's (Read's bottling): pints, Os ; quarts, ss 3d. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling: pints, Os; quarts. Ss; Spark's Moline bottling : (is, and 9* :-:d ; Burke's : (is, and 9s. Other brands ; 5s and 7s 6d.

Duty ; pints, Is Od : quarts, is per dozen. Building Materials.—Cement may be quoted at K. 8.. 14s ; German brands proportionally lower. Slates ; English Countesses are worth £11 to £12 ; American, £5 to £10. Plaster of Paris, 15s. Bags and Bagging.— full weight woolpacks, 2s lOcl; cornsaeks, 7s 6d per dozen. Breadstuff's and Grain.—Local best silk-dressed dour, £12 10s; household, £10 10s; Southern brands, £10 15s to £11 10s. Wheat, 3s Od to 3;; 10d. Bran. £4 10s. Sharps, £5 ; Southern sharps, £4 10s. Maize : Local, 3s 5d ; Fiji, none. Oatmeal, £9 10s. Barley (for malting), 4 s to 4s 3d. Oats. 2s 3d to 2s 4d. Pearl barley, 20s. Cabin

bread, £16 per ton. Cordage, d.p. (Subject to trade discounts).—Manila hemp rope, ail sizes. Sydney, £60 to £70; Auck-land-made. £70 to £7S; whale and lanco lines, £80 ; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £40; Auck-land-made, £25; wool lashings, £33; clothes lines, fxl per lb. subject to trade discount; Manila clothes line, Si ; oakum, free, ditto, £40; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £48 to £55; twine, shop, d.p., per lb, Oil to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb; local-make, Is to Is 3d. Coal.—Newcastle is sufficient for requirements, 22s Cd to 25s at ship's side ; 2Ss to 31s in yards, may be taken as a fair quotation. Bay of Islands, 13s, at the mines, is quoted; Whangarei coal, 9s 0d ; ditto. Waikato, steam. Ss ; household, 12s. Coffee and spices (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, colfee plantation, Is 2d; ditto, Island, none in the market; chicory, colonial, 44s per cwt ; cocoa, d.p.. Taylor's, Is 3d ; Fry's, Is 3d ; Van Houten's, 3s Old ; Fpps's, Is 6jd ; Maravilla, Is Gd ; chocoTaylor's, Is 3d ; Fry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p.; Cloves, is lid ; bleached ginger, lid ; unbleached ditto, 9d ; nutmegs, 3s fid ; black pepper, whole, Od ; white ditto, Is 4d. Confectionery.— manufacturers are producing good amides, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Waters'* colonial boiled, 4id ; dr.-, 7d ; jujubes, Is Id ; Mennie and Bey's boiled, 4}d ; Keil'ler's assorted confections, Uid ; Gray's. 0?d ; candied lemon peel, d.p., Oil ; orange, lid : citron. Is 2d : Keillor's jujubes, Is 3d ; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d ; Comprtgnie Frangais' gums, Is Id. Cm, Flax, Ac.—We quote: Gum : Fair ordinary, £41 to £42; superior ordinary, £•):{; Fast Coast, £52 to £'.! (is. Flax : First quality, £13 to £21; second. £14 to £10: tow, £7 to £8 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, .£ls to £17; cocoanut oil (tine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £0 to £12. Fungus, 3}d to 4(1. Ironmongery.—Ewbank's nails, invoice, 10 per rent. off list ; galvanised corrugated iron, 5, 0, 7, 8 feet, £IS, £-1, £22, and £23 10s; 9 to 10 feet, £25; English bar iron, per ton, £9 to £10 ; pig iron, £4 Km ; plate iron, £10 to £11 ; fencing wire, assorted sizes. £11 10s. Sheet lead, £lx; pig lead, £13; sheet zinc, £25; powder, Kaimes', Curtis and Harvey's, 5d per lb ; Bail's, 6d to CJd. .sporting (in canister), 2s ; for 20 and 24, d.p. canister, No. 2 d.p., 3s Ou ; yellow metal, "Ad ; Muntz, 7Jd to Bd. duty. Ms, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty : Dried fruit, 2d, and preserves, Ijd; English marmalade, lib tins, duty paid, Os 9d; Gray's, Gs Od ; Moir's, 7s; Hobart jams, Knight and Johnson, 5s Od ; Peacock's, 5s to 5s 3d; Murray's, Dunedin, 4s 9(1 to £>s ; jars, Old to 7Jd ; Nelson (New Zealand), 5s to 5s 3d; sultanas. 6Jd: French muscatels, new fruit. Is Cd ; California!!, none ; eleir.es, s{d to 6ijd ; .lew, (id to Old; currants, ssd; figs, old, 7d to 8d; Turkish prunes, 7d to td~; dried apples, ordinary, in kegs and cases, 7d ; evaporated, ltd ; dates, C£d. d.p. Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, lCid to is 3d per lb; kips. Is Od to 2s ; runners, 2s Od to 2s 9d ; calf, colonial, 3s to 4s 3d; bafdls, 12s to2Bs per dozen; closed uppers, 4s Gd to 0s 3d per pair; hides, 2id to 4d; calf skins, 3}d to 3jd per lb ; sheepskins, Gd to 6s. Manures.—Australian bonedust, £0 10s to £3; Auckland, £8 10; superphosphate of lime, £7 to £9; boneflotir, £S ; Peruvian guano, £16 to £13 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake, rone ; linseed cake, £12; Maiden Island guano, £8; Iltion Island guano, £5 to £0 ; Hurst's chemical manure, £14 los; Freezing Company's superphospliate, 32 per cent, £8; 25 per cent, £6 ; corn manure, £8 ; root manure, £8 los; grass manure, £7 10s; bonedust, £9. Malt and Hops.—English malt, no inquiry is experienced ; Colonial, 5s Gd to Gs. Hops : Nelson, new sen-son, Od ; old, 5d ; glucose, £20 to £22, d.p., delivered to brewery. Oilmen's Stores.—Price's Belmont Candles, dutylid, 7-jd, d.p., per lb ; Brandon's, Gd ; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, 3jd to 5Jd ; Orient Candles, 7}d (Dunedin make); Atlas Paraffins, 9d ; Panther fluted and plain, Oil; Price's National, Bid; Price's Battersea, fed; Young's British Wax. /id ; Price's London Wax, TJd ; local blue mottled soap, £26 per ton ; carbolic, £27 ; best yellow, £20; household, £15 ; first Crown, £20'; second Crown, £17 ; soft soap, in tins, 4£d per lb ; toilet, 9d to lOd per lb; mould candles, 5d per lb—all subject to trade discount. Salt: Coarse, W. & W., £3 ss; lino Black Horse, £3 15s; Adelaide coarse salt, 35s to 40s. Jordan almonds, 2s 2d ; Valencia®, Is ; Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 4s Od; Colman's starch, No. 1: white, 325; blue, 32sOrlando Jones' starch, 27s ; Gill and Tucker's starch, 80s; Gladstone, 28s to 295; Henmann's, £26. Mustard, d.p.: Champion's genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 10s to 19s Gd ; J.lb tins, 9s 3d to 9s 6d; Column's 1-lb tins (red), 10s 6d; half ditto, Ss Oil; 7-lb tins (red to green), 7}d to la; 1-lb tins (green), 13s; J-lb dittos, 7s Cd ; DSF j-lb tins, 8s 9d, lib, 18s ; Keen's, 9s. Blue : Reckitt's Thumb, B£d ; Paris, in squares, lOd ; Keen's, BJd. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 15s 0d ; ditto, plaid, 4s ; ditto fancy oval, 22s 6(1: Bell and Black's, 15s to to 16o; plaids, 3s 10s ; R. Bell and Co. 259'5, 15s • plaids, 3s 10id to 4s. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. Oil : Castor, in pints 8s 3d ; half-pints, 4s 9d ; quarter-pints, 3s fed. Salad : C. and 8., pints, 13s to 14s ; halfditto, 6s ; Morton's pints, lis 6d ; half-pints, 5s fid. Pickles : Stephens' pints, 7s ; Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, 12s 9d ; Pool's, 9s ; Morton's and others, from 7s 0d to Ss ; McConnochie s, 6s Od. Rice (ground), in tins, 4Jd. Sauces : Market largely overstocked. Lea and Perrin s, half-pints, 12s Cd to 12s9d ;C. and 8., half-pints, 9s ; Mellor s, 7» cd ; Stephens', 6s 6d ; Ooodall's Yorkshire Relish, 6s ed ; cheaper brands innumerable. Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 4d ; Pew Is 0(1 to 2s ; Evans', 2s 2d ; Burnett's, Is lid ; Potts', is lid ; Dunedin pure malt, Is 7d. Vinegar, case : Champion's, 8s 6d ; Burnett's, 7s 3d ; Morton's, 7s Gd. Treacle, 2d ; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2d to 2Ad. American honey, 21b-tins, 12s 6d., dp. Sago, 8d ; tapioca, 3d. Cornflour: Browns, 3}d, d.p.: Brown and Poison's, Old; Johnston's, 6Jd ; Wade's, 5d ; Munn's, Gd. Preserved milk : Nestle's, 6s 6d to 7s 3d, according to parcel; Milkmaid, 6s 9d. Tartaric acid, 2s 3d ; cream of tartar, Is 8d to Is Od ; bicarb, soda, £11 ; soda crystals, £7. Whiting, £4. <.

Oils and Paints.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s 3d ; bulk, 3s 10d ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s 3d ; raw drums, 3s 2d; bulk, 3»; castor, in drums, 3s 3d ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, lsGd ; kerosene, In bond, 130 test, lid; 150 test, i? 3d. White lead, ground, per cw't, genuine, 2fls ; No. 1 white lead, 22s ; red lead, dry, £1 10s. Oil colours, assorted, £, 1 lOs to £1 18s. Turps, duty paid : drums, 3s fid ; American, 3s 3d ; whiting, per ton, £4; resin, iis 10s. American carriage yarnwh, 7s Cd to lis per gallon.

Provision's —Choose: provincial, 4(1. Canterbury, nominai. 6d. Salt butter, 6d for prime quality, inferior unsaleable. Bice, i.b., Japan dressed, £13 10- Mains and bacon (duty 2d per lb); Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, 7d; eoual numbers hams and bacon, lld ; hams only, C 3.1 Fish : Ling, 5d ; preserved red herrings, in tins' 80s to 32s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 30s per barrel; Find on haddocks, 8s ; lobsters, American, libs 9s 6d; 21bs, ISs; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., lliai 'scarce; other brands, 9s Gil d.p. ; pickled salmon, (id ; sardines, quarters, -is Git to ss, halves, &< 6d ; oysters, 6s (3d; mullet (Kaipara), 5s 6d. gun Aits.Brewers' crystals (scarce), £33 duty paid, (duty Jd per lb); Now Zealand Company's Auckland refinery, d.p.. No. 1, £23; No. 2, X'!T ; No. 3, £22; Millaquin, none; Fiji, white crystal, £26 10s ; English crushed loaf, 3.} d ; French cube 3}d; yellows, i.b., £15 to £10, very scarce. Spirits.—Brandy: Rouyor, Gouillet and Co., 25s and 8s; Marcellain'.i, case, 22s fid, i.b.; flask, 28s Od ; half-flask, 35s 6d ; quarter-flask, 53s 64. and in bulk, 7s Od ; Hennessy's brandy, bulks 13s 6d to 14s; case, 35s tid ; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'s pale, in hhds. and -casks, 7s ; Beehive, bulk, 8s; Courvoisior's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29s (nominal); bulk, 10s Od ; Beehive, case, 2-1 ; Bisquit-, Dubouche and Co.'s, 255; Hine's, 28s; bulk, as ; Gautier's, 32tt and 10s 6d ; Bnrgaud's, 7s 3d to 7s 9d; Muller Frero's, 20s; Cavalier Frere's, 245; J. B. Rene's, case. 225; Meukow, 30s and 10s ; Senimaud, (is to 6s Od ; Dessandier's, 22s anil 7s6d. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Greenless and Colville's. Os 6d to Gs 3d, and Greenless and Colvillo's VO, Ss Od ; case, Rob llov, ISs ; case, Beith, Ross and Co.'s, 0s; Teacher's, 10s; Vint's bulk, 7s; Vint's case, 20s tid; Danville's, 5s 6d ; case, ISs ; Lome Highland, 21s ; Speyside, 21s; Red Deer, 0s 6d to ,s; case, 10s; Craig, 6s Cd and 24s ; Royal Blond, 24s ; Teacher's old, 20s ; Encore, 19s ; Banagher, 19s ; Walker's WW, 21s ; Jeroboam, 28s; 1.1., 22s 6d to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof. 3 gallons, JDK/, 15 bottles, 14s Od ; 29 bottles, 17s (3d; key, Geneva, proof, 13s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s Gd. Gin, Booth's, l(>s; Burnett's, 13s. Lownde's rum, 80 0.p., 4s; Rod Heart, case, 25s Od; Burnett's case, 225. Key, 225. Teacher's white rum, S2s Od in bulk, d.p. Duty, 14s Od. TiMiiKU.—Quotations are as follows Kauri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., Fast Coast, 9s to 10s first-class; (is second-class ; at yards, Auckland, 13s to 14s Oil first-class; Ss (id second-class. Flooring, 13s Od to 10s first-class ; 9s lid second-class, rusticated, Ids 6d to 17s. West . ('oast, sawn kauri. It's; square baulk, 5s (id to Os ; white pine (kahikiitoa). 6s Od ; T. and (1., 8s (id, f.o.b. at mills: at yard, first-class, 13s; secondclass, Ss ; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 13s Od ; 0 feet-, 15s; Hobart mils, '-';(15s. Tobacco.— 3s od. Venus, 14s; three-quarter boxes. Is 3d"; Venus. Navy flat work. Is fid; double-thick ditto, Is old ; Ruby Aromatic, 2sOd ; Victory, Is lid ; Juno, black, all shapes,'ls Bjd to Is 4jtl ; Unique, Is 4d : low, 10's, 9d to lid ; Orion, 14's, is; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is_ Sd ; Derby, case. Is ;*4d ; boxes. is 7d ; Over the Water, flat work, all shapes, Is 2d ; Nailrod, Is Id ; Signet, Is ltd : Gem of the Sea, Is 3d ; Josephine, Is 3d ; Columbia, Is sd. Tkas.—Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous. common, Sd ; middling to fine kinds. Is to is id ; Saryunes and I'anyongs, Is 4d to is 7d ; Souchongs and Chiiurwo Kaisows, Is (id to Is 7d ; Orange Pekoes, Is 3d to Is 7d. Indian teas lire now generally used for mixing. Prices may be quoted for Semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, Is 5d to Is lid. duty paid. Winks.—Champagne, duty paid : Perier Jouet and Co., first quality, quarts, 80s; pints, c4s ; halfpints. ;Ms ; second quality, ouarts, Ots ; pints, GSs; lialf-pints, 7Ss. Montebelio quarts, Sis; Moet, quarts, 70s ; 'tints, 90s ; Roederer, quarts, 100s; pints. 105s ; Heiiisick, same; Pol. Roger and Co., 100s and 105s ; Adolphe Collins, 60s and 70s ditto ; extra superior, 70s, 60s ; St. Hubert's Australian, 32s per dozen ; Ponfold's, 30s per dozen.

Mil. A. SAUNDERS' STOCK AND SHARE POUT. No change of importance has occurred in this market since my last month's report. Most of the bank .stocks have maintained their price on last quotations, and the Colonial Bank of New Zealand has risen to 43, with buyers at that figure. Shares ill insurance companies have also shown an improvement, especially South British and New Zealand Insurance Companies'stock. In miscellaneous stocks, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile have advanced from 00s to 70s; Land Mortgage are quiet, whilst Taupiri Coal have risen to 475, recent discoveries on the company's property having proved of great value. Money is much cheaper, and the business of the colony in general seems sound. There is plenty of money for investment at cheap rates, but good sound mortgages are very scarce. In mining the outlook is most decidedly better. The Moanataiari mine has been floated in* London 011 fairtcrriSs. The Old Caledonian will also probably Iks floated, and the Kenilworth (Karangahake) is in good hands. It is believed that Mr. Meyers and his syndicate are more than satisfied with "the purchase 01 the Marototo claim, and a valuable property will be developed. Snell's claim, which adjoins this Marototo. is likely to be absorbed by that syndicate. The Cambria ana Saxon are still yielding'good returns of gold, and the Saxon will probably declare another dividend soon.

The tremendous boom in silver in Australia still keeps up, and from all accounts is likely to last. The wealth is undoubtedly there, and prices, it is said, have not by any means exceeded thrir true value. The effect of the boom in Australia has not been felt in New Zealand, but the plethora of money there should bo the means of some of it finding its way here, where there are many good investments awaiting capital. The following will show the present rates and course of sales lor the month :—

Company. j Buyers. Sellers.! ' £ s d .£ s il Bank of Now Zealand 11 17 6 12 0 0 237/8 Colonial do. .. I 2 2 6 2 3 3' National do. ..! 1 13 0 1 14 0 S3/ ex div. N.Z. Insurance ..3 8 0 3 9 0' 70,'to 03,0 South British do. ..I 2 0 0 2 2 0 39/,40,6,41/6 National do. ..! 0 17 0 0 17 6 17/ I'niondo. .. ..1 3 6 1 4 0, 23,6 •Standard do. ..! 0 12 0 0 13 6 : 12/6 Colonial do. .'0 4 9 0 5 6 Accident .. ..0 5 9, .. I 5/6 to 5'9 N.Z.L.&M.A. J, 5 0.3 10 o{^|N.Z. Land Mortgaco | 1 0 0 1 1 0 20/6 Auckland Gas (old) .. 10 10 010 ID 0'205/,207/6,ex Ditto (new) ..j .. ) .. 5/5/, ex div. Thames (J:t3 .. j .. .. j 34/ Auckland Timber .. .. | .. 60/to 70/ Taupiri Coal .. ..2 6 0; .. 40/ to 47/ MIXING. i j Cambria .. ..0 7 3 0 6 9; 7/, 7/3 Saxon .. ... 0 6 3 0 '6 6 : 6/3, 6,8 Caledonian ..' .. 0 7 0; 6/ New Prince Imperial j .. j 0 C 0 Trenton .. .. I .. j .. j 3/9 Royal Oak ... .. | 0 3 6' New Manukau ..10 1 6 0 1 9' 1/3,1/7 water ... .. I .. I •>/ Hand of Friendship.. I .. I .• I 2/ Alex. Saunders, .Stock anil Sharebroker. Auckland, February 25,1SS8.