COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9083, 18 June 1888, Page 12

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald Office. Saturday afternoon. Various causes have contributed to give unusual importance to the business of the past four weeks, the new tariff' proposals being well discounted, and a lot of free buying being done under the belief of a rise in values consequent upon increased duties. The state of trade for the next few weeks is expected to be dull until the load of duty paid stocks is relieved.

The proposed new tariff appears in another column. It is not a model production, and must be read side by side with the fact of a heavy deficiency having to be wiped out, and of the growing political force of the Protectionists. It would be easy tojremove some of the most glaring objections, and now after a lot of inconsequential chatter, and theoretical argument upon the merits and demerits of Frectrade or Protection, the House of Representatives in Committee have faced the practical work of revision, we may see great alteration and improvement. No conclusion will be arrived at until some time this week, and in the meantime trade is being done under serious difficulties.

The placing of the two million -1 per cent, loan at the average of £97 l">s 7d with a subscription of over eight millions, is referred to elsewhere. The low price of money in London since Mr. Goschcn's conversion scheme 110 doubt contributed largely to the success of the loan, but undoubtedly the great material development going on all over New Zealand, combined with the immense savings being effected in public expenditure were instrumental in securing such a satisfactory result.

Our other columns give particulars of the sale of the various kauri timber interests to a syndicate of Australian capitalists. The transaction has been the most comprehensive one yet completed in this city. Local interests are represented to no inconsiderable extent under the new management. Export business keeps steadily increasing. Australian demand for dairy produce is causing a satisfactory range of prices for butter and cheese—usually such a glut. The marked improvement in quality of the last year or two is being appreciated in London. The direct steamers, and their cool chambers, affording means of developing a great future trade.

Mineral discoveries are scarcely up to expectation, but progress is being steadily maintained, and in the various mining centres work is being well proceeded with. Quiet confidence fairly describes the general trade position ; but, until prices have settled down to something definite in respect to new duties, there is not expected to be any but hand-to-mouth business.

Our review of the course of trade, under the particular circumstances, will have to be read as written under the difficulties of the moment, and necessarily brief. Bulk ale (imported), no sale. Bottled, fair business in leading brands, at unaltered rates. Pints stout scarce.

In spirits a rise of Gd per gallon in duty lias been generally accepted as moderate. Orders to London are now being framed under the new regulation that contents under two gallons of case stuff will be charged duty as for two gallons, this regulation coming into force on Ist December next. A scarcity of Usher's bulk whisky and Hennessy's threestar brandy is the only alteration worth mentioning for the month. A new brand of whisky, bulk and case, '' Pull brand," is to be put upon the market and pushed on behalf of an Edinburgh Distillery Co. There will be no advantage in importing underproof spirits after .'loth November except for export to Islands. The levy of "20 per cent, ad valorem 011 ginger ale and aerated waters, formerly admitted free, can have no other effect than practically stopping such importations for the future.

The usual quiet order of business lias been maintained in wines.

Building materials continue inactive. A rise in timber will be one of the first results of the new combination monopoly, and few can reasonably cavil at any moderate advance on the late low prices, the result of severe competition and great financial necessity. Corn Sacks : The demand is only trifling. With but small local stocks prices are the same, but under the fall in silver, and farmers' demand in Australia satisfied, an easier market can be reported. This being the offseason, there is no business in woolpacks. Cement: Little or no business done during the month. A shipment arrived by the Arawa, but was sent on to Wellington. Coffee has somewhat recovered the late fall. Ceylon advices are tinning the market, and a farthing per lb better fairly gives the alteration.

Chemicals arc the same- as last month. Stocks of soda crystals arc heavy. A good trade enquiry for bicarbonate of soda has been experienced. Cocoa : Excellent business is reported, and free sales of Fry's at agents' prices have been made ; Van Houten is unaltered. Candles : The advance on duty from l£d to 2d per lb has been confirmed by the Parliamentary Committee. At this season enquiry is always good. Stocks are plentiful. I)c Reibaix > Jenar's have again been introduced after being out of the market for many years. Trade in imported has been done mostly in Price's and Young's make. Dried Fruits : Only a moderate demand all through the month, currants declining an eighth to a quarter, dates one halfpenny, the only firm-priced fruit being sultanas and figs, the latter being very scarce. Elemes steady, but not brisk demand from the trade. Lines cleared at auction rathor under last month's values considering quality. There has been an improved demand for dried apples, with one or two wholesale lots placed at satisfactory figures. Fish : The demand for herrings, notably Macconochie's lib fresh, is excellent. Salmon: Stocks small, but inquiry much better than could have been anticipated considering the season and the full prices asked. Should the increased duty of one penny per lb be passed, as very likely, the greater cost will inevitably restrict consumption. An increasing business is reported in Kaipara mullet. Southern and Australian inquiry is rapidly improving. Fencing wire : Very limited business. The proposition of an extra duty on this essential line is felt to be one of the most serious mistakes of the tariff, most discouraging to pastoral enterprise, of late years not so highly favoured by good prices as to stand any fresh handicap. Glucose : The proposed duty of 2d per lb prohibits in bond business. Under this impost it is expected that imports will practically cease, the brewers' consumption of crystals increasing proportionately. No intelligent reason has so far been advanced for such a heavy levy upon an article that at

present is not among the probable products of the colony. Hops : The new crop of Nelson is of good quality, and exports to Victoria are likely to increase. From lOd to Is per lb is market value of new season ; old season's remnants vary as usual, but with fair strength and colour a limited business has been done at about Sd. Jams : No particularly brisk business; stocks ample, prices steady, there being no disposition of holders to concede, notwithstanding a rather quiet trade. Kerosene: Market animated. Stocks low. Values rising rapidly. A heavy shipment to the youth is now four months out, and pending arrival this market is being pressed for quotations for moderate quantities. The White Rose brand of high test is selling at Is 3d to Is Id in bond ; low test runs from l'ijd to Is Id per gallon in bond. Castor Oil : Firm, but not large business. Until it is well known that the timber mills will be kept going as usual, orders for lubricating oils will be limited. Paint-oils in fairly good demand, stocks of raw being exceedingly short. Quicksilver : A dull market. Values about 2s lid to 3s per lb. Matches : Large business has been going through in leading brands, such as R. Bell's, and Bryant and 'Mays. The effect >of the tariff is curious, inasmuch that the increase on plaids per gross is the same as on 250's, although in the latter the number of matches in a box is more than double, the change from ad valorem to quantity duty having this singular result. Rice : In rather strong demand at £13 10s in bond. Prospects for holders good for another month, at least, and then dependent upon Eastern freights which have quickly advanced. Sugar : No alteration in whites ; a better demand for yellows and browns, value, however, about the same. In Dutch crushed and French cubes the market stringency has relaxed and supply is now cood. Starch : The remarkable bid for the starting of starch factories within the colony by the proposition of a tax of £18 13s 4d per ton (formerly £3 per ton) has revolutionised quotations. Last month's prices are given below as the increase may be reduced. Merchants simply for the present add £16 per ton to old quotations, the difference allowing for discount and primage duty. Salt: There is a great scarcity of black horse coarse. The same brand of fine is in more plentiful supply, a considerable quantity arriving per Arawa; good business is reported. The proposed duty of £1 per ton on this article is everywhere ridiculed as little short of absurd, seeing our need to encourage export of butter, meats, etc. This mistake < will probably be threshed out in committee. Meanwhile our quotations give the price of duty paid. Spices: The usual steady business ; the local grinders of pepper are exercised at the possibility of Australian grinders competing under the change proposed in the duty on whole pepper. Tea : A somewhat heavy business has been done in all descriptions, not so much by reason of consumption as to secure stocks under the old 4d per lb duty. Lines arc very much broken, and at this time, so close to the new season's tea arrival, choice numbers are very scarce, particularly in boxes. Orange Pekoes of good quality are unusually scarce. Low to medium China teas arc not held so strongly, and the disposition is to meet buyers by only charging half the new duty. The usual steady business has been done in Indians. Tobacco: One word almost suffices to express the business of the month, that word being Derby. We have never known such a remarkable run on any brand as the one now existing on this. Smokers only take other brands when Derby is not obtainable. The Columbia is rapidly gaining favour. Juno, Venus, Josephine," Signet, "and Gem of the Sea all have a moderate share of the trade. Values have not appreciably altered. Cigarettes : Duke's Cameo and Old Judge continue to carry everything before them in this line. Whiting : Stocks are full, values remaining as last month. Vinegar: At this season almost i the only inquiry is for shipment to the Pacific Islands. Stocks are reported ample. A continually increasing export of flax and tow is helping trade. The East Coast maize crop is said to be deficient in quality. A low range of prices is looked for. A few first parcels have come forward, the market price for good conditioned being 2s lid per bushel. The kauri gum market, after last mail left, was quiet and dull, until steadied by the operations of occasional buyers and by some local speculation. There exists now a stronger demand for good qualities, specially good ordinary, for which this market is firmer, while poor and fair ordinary are more neglected. ■ East Coast is steadier, and the free supply of black has stopped till our next summer. On the Bth instant the Oamaru took about 200 tons for London via Wellington, where this vessel is to complete her loading. The s.s. Arawa sailed on the 9th instant via the South, with about 50 tons for London. The Elinor Vernon, with 455 tons, sailed on' the 15th instant for New York, to be followed next month by the Essex. Supplies from mail to mail arc about 658 tons. We quote -.—Fair ordinary, 33s to 34s ; best ordinary, 35s to 37s : East Coast, 44s to 465.

AUCTION SALES. May 28. Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son sold by auction, at their rooms, Queen-street, to-day, two dwelling-houses and a leasehold allotment in St. Stephen's Avenue, Parnell, for £800; also a leasehold and residence in St. Stephen's Avenue for £390. June 8. Mr. Alex. Aitken reports a sudden rise in the value of salt butter. At his auction sale yesterday medium quality realised 9d to 9.jsd per lb. all that was offered being quickly taken at that figure, while any quantity could have been sold at similar value. June 15. At Mr. T. M. Jackson's mart yesterday, a 7-roomed house and 5 acres of land at Otahuhu were sold by auction for £350.

Rates of Exchange on London.—Buying: 90 days, 1 per cent, discount; 60 days, * per cent. discount; 30 days, J per cent. Demand, par. Selling: 90 days, i per cent, premium; 60 days, J per cent. premium ; 30 days, 1J per cent. Demand, If percent. premium. Fixed deposit: 3 months, 2 per cent.; 6 months, 3 per cent.; 12 months, 4} per cent. Albs and Porter.—Ale in bulk (duty paid) per barrel: Bass's, £7 ; Ashby's, £8. Ale (in bond) Tennent's, quarts, 4s to ss; Bass's Dogsliead brand (Read s bottling): pints, 6s; quarts, Ss 6d (in bond); Bulldog (It. Porter and Co.'s bottling), 6s and 8s; W. Younger*s, 6s and 7s 3d ; Ashby s, 6s 3d to 8s 9d ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints 4s, quarts 0s 6d. Anglo-Bavarian : pints 5s 6u and 8s; Boar's Head Stout: quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 6d. Guinness's Harp brand by Foster: pints, 6s; quarts, Bs. Norway ales: pints, 6s 4a; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout quarts, 9s: rOits, . .1

3d. Blood's: pints, ss; quarts, 7s. Dogshead Guinness's (Read's bottling): pints, 6s ; quarts, 8s 3d. 11. Porter and Co.'s bottling : pints, (!s; quarts, 8s ; Spark's Moline bottling : 6s, and 9s 3d ; Burke's : 6s, and 9s. Other brands :5s and 7s Gd. Duty : pints, Is Od : quarts, 3s per dozen. Ruildinci Materials.—Cement maybe quoted at K. 8., 14s Od; German brands proportionally '"'■ *r Slates : English Countesses arc worth £11 < &S.. American, £S to £10. Plaster ->f Paris, 15s.

Baos and Bagging.—CalcutU ». Q weight woolpacks, 2s lOd ; comsacks, 7s Cd per dozen. Brkadstxiffs and Grain.—Local best silk-dressed flour, £11 10s; household, £10 10s ; Southern brands, £10 153 to £11 10s. Wheat, 3s to 3s Id. Bran, £1 10s. Sharps, £5; Southern sharps, £4 10s. Maize : Local, 2s lid. Oatmeal, £10 10s per 20001b. Barley (for malting), very scarce. Oats, 2s 2d to 2s 4d (bags given in). Pearl barley, 245. Cabin bread, £16 per ton. Cordage, n.i\ (Subject to trade discounts).—Manila hemp rope, all sizes, Sydney, £43 to £50 ; Aucklandmade, £61 to £03 ; whale and lance lines, £80 ; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £35 tis to £37 6s; Auck-land-made, £35; wool lashings, £38; clothes lilies, 5d per lb, subject to trade discount; Manila clothes line, 8d ; oakum, free, ditto, £40; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £48 to £55; twine, shop, d.p., per lb, !)d to Is 2d; sewing twine, Is Id per lb; local-make, Is to Is 3d. Coal.Newcastle is sufficient for requirements, 22s Od to 25s at ship's side ; 28s to 31s in yards, maybe taken as a fair quotation. Bay of Islands, 13s, at the mines, is quoted; Whangarei coal, 9s 6d ; ditto, Waikato, steam, 8s ; household, 12s. Coi'TKK and Spices (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, colfee plantation, Is 2d ; ditto, Island, none in the market; chicory, colonial, 42s per cwt; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's. Is 3d ; Fry's, Is 3d ; Van Houten's, 3sojd; Eppss, Is 7d; "Maravilla, Is 6d ; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 3d ; Pry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p. : Cloves, Is lid ; bleached ginger, lid ; unbleached ditto, 9d ; nutmegs, 3s Sa ; black pepper, whole, 8d; white ditto, is 3d. Confectionery.—Local manufacturer-, aro producing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Wators's colonial boiled, 4jd ; dry, 7d ; jujubes, is Id ; Mennie and Doy's boiled, 4}d ; Keillor's assorted confections, 9J<l; Cray's, 9jd ; candied lemon peel, d.p., 9d; orange, lid ; citron, Is 4d ; Keillor's jujubes, is 4d ; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d ; Compagnie Francois' gums. Is 2d. Gum, Flax, ic-We quote: Cum : Fair ordinary, £33 to £34 ; best ordinary, ,£35 to £37 ; East Coast, £44 to £40. Flax : First quality, £19 to £20; second, £17 ; tow, £6. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £17; cocoanut oil (fine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 to £12. Fungus, 3Jd to 4d. IRONMONGERY.—GaIvanised corrugated iron, 5 to 8 feet, £19 to £20 ; 9 feet, £20 to £21 ; 10 feet, £21 to £22 ; English bar iron, per ton, £10 to £10 10s ; pig iron, £4 10s ; plate iron, £10 to £11; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £11 10s to £12. Sheet lead, £20; pig load, £19; sheet zinc, £25 ; powder, Curtis, Harvey, and Hall's, Od to 7d, sporting (in canister), 2s ; "yellow metal, 7Jd to £BJd ; Muntz, Sd to 9d, duty. Jams, Dai Fruits, etc.—Proposed Duty, 2d on jams. English marmalade, lib., d.p., 7s 3d : Gray's, 7s; Moir's, 7s 6d ; Hobart jams, Knight and Johnson, 5s Gd ; Peacock's, 5s to 5s Od; .Murray's, Dunodin, 4s Dtl to 5s ; jars, OJd to 7id ; Nelson (Now Zealand), 5s to 5s 6d ; sultanas, Gj(d; French muscatels, is 6d; Californian, none; elemes, (id to GJd; currants, spl; tigs, 7d to Bd, scarce ; Turkish prunes, 7d to 8d; dried apples, ordinary, in kegs and cases, Gd; evaporated, 8d ; dates, sd. d.p. . Leather and Hides.— leather, 10u *c "$ 'd per lb; kips, is 2d to Is lOd ; runners, is 7d to Is Sd ; calf, colonial, 2s Gd to 3s Gd ; basils, lis to 2Ss per ' dozen ; closed uppers, 4s 6d to 9s 3d per pair ; hides, 2.3d to 4jd ; calf skins, 4d to 5d per lb ; sheepskins, Gd to 4s. Manures.—Australian bonedust, £0 10s to £8; Auckland, £8 10; superphosphate of lime, £6 to £.8 10s ; boneflour, £8 ; Peruvian guano, £14 to £17 per ton; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake, none ; linseed cake, £12 ; Maiden Island guano, £8 ; lluon Island guano, £5 to £6 ; Freezing Company's superphosphate, 32 per cent, £8; 25 per cent, £6 ; corn manure, £8 ; root manure, £8 10s; grass manure, £7 10s ; bonedust, £8 10s ; ChesterHeld guano, £.'> 10s. Malt and HOPS.—English malt, 110 inquiry is experienced ; Colonial, 5s 6d to 6s. Hops : Nelson, now season, 9d ; old, 5d ; glucose, £20 to £22, d.p., delivered to brewery. Oilmen's Storks.— Belmont Candles, new duty, 2d, 7Jd, d.p., per lb ; McLeod's Diuiedin of various brands, 4d to f>Jd; Orient Candles, 7*d (Dnnedin make) ; Atlas Paraffins, 9d ; Panther tinted and plain, 9d ; Price's National, Bjd ; Price's Hattersea, Sid; Young's British Wax, BJd ; Price's London Wax, 7Jd ; local blue mottled soap, £20 per ton ; carbolic, £27 ; best yellow, £2(5; No. 1 household, £15; Ist Crown, £20; 2nd Crown, £17 ; soft soap, in tins, 4}d per lb ; toilet, 9d to lOd per lb ; mould candles, 5d per lb— subject to trade discount. Salt, £1 duty : Coarse, W. its W., £5, d.p.; tine Black Horse, £5 10s, d.p.; Adelaide coarse salt, 45s to 555. Jordan almonds, 2s 2d ; Valencia*, Is ; Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 4s 9d ; Colman's starch, No. 1, (see reference at heading re duty): white, 325; blue, 325; Orlando Jones' starch, 275; Gill and Tucker's starch, 30s; Houmann's, £27 10s. Mustard,d.p.: Champion's genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 19s to 19s 6d; i-lb tins, 9s 3d to 9s 6d; Colman's 1-lb tins (rod), lis 6d; half ditto, 9s ; 7-lb tins (red to green), 7<d to is; l-lb tins (green), 13s; }-lh dittos, 7s 6(1 ; DSF J-lb tins, 9s, lib, 19s; Keen's, 9s. Blue : Reckitt's Thumb, Bjd ; Paris, in squares, lOd ; Keen's, B}d. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 15s 6d ; ditto, plaid, 4s ; ditto, fancy oval, 22s 6d ; Bell and Black's, 15s to to 10s ; plaids, 3s 10s ; It. 801 l and Co. 250's, Lis ; plaids, 3s IOJd to 4s. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. Above are last month's prices, on which the extra duty is now charged. Oil : Castor, in pints, 8s 3d ; halfpints, 4s 9d ; quarter-pints, 3s 6d. Salad : C. and 8., pints, 13s to 14s; half-ditto, 6s; Morton's pints, lls6d ; half-pints, 5s 6d. Pickles Stephens' pints, 7s ; Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, 12s Oct; Pool's, 9s; Morton's and others, from 8s 6d to 9s ; McConnochie's, 6s 6d. Bice (ground), in tins, 4Jd. Sauces : Market largely overstocked. Lea and Perrin's, half-pints, 13s Gd ; C. and 8., half-pints, 9s Od ; Mellor's, 7s 6d ; Stephens', 6s 6d ; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 6s lOd ; cheaper brands innumerable. Vinegar, d.p.: Champions, per gallon, 2s 4d ; Pew's, Is Od 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 6d ; Morton's, 7s Od. Treacle, 2d ; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2d to 2Jd. American honey, 21b-tins, 12s 6d., d-p. Sago, 3d ; tapioca, 3d. Cornflour : Brown s, SJd, d.p. : Brown and Poison's, Ojd ; Johnston's, 6Jd ; Wade's, Bd ; Munn's, Od. Proserved milk : Nostle's, 7s to 7s 9d, according to parcol ; Milkmaid, 7s 3d. Tartaric acid, 2s 3d ; cream of tartar. Is 8d ; bicarb, soda, £11 ; soda crystals, £7. Whiting, £3 lbs. Oils and Paints.— Od a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s 3d ; bulk, 3s lOd ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s 3d; raw drums, 3s 2d ; bulk, 2s lid ; castor, in drums, 3s 3d ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, is 7d ; kerosene, in bond, 130 test, Is to Is Id ; 150 test, Is 3d. White lead, ground, per cwt, genuine, 26s ; No. 1 white load, 22s ; red lead, dry, £18 10s. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s. Turps, duty paid : drums, 3s 6d; American, 3s 3d; resin, £8 10s. American carriage varnish, 7s Gd to lis per

gallon. Provisions.—Cheese: provincial, Id to 5(1; Canterbury, nominal, 6d. Salt butter, lOd (prime quality), inferior, all prices according to condition, from fid to Bd. Rice, i.e., Japan dressed, £13 10s. Hams and bacon (duty, 2d per lb); Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, ; equal numbers hams and bacon, BJd ; hams only, 9ld. Fish : Ling, fid; preserved red herrings, in tins, 34s per dozen (2-lb tins): white, 30s per barrel; Findon haddocks, 8s ; lobsters, American, libs, 10s 6d ; 21bs, 18s ; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., 10s 9d; other brands, 10s d.p. ; pickled salmon, 6d ; sardines, quarters, 4s (id to ss, halves, 8s 6d ; oysters, 6s 6<l; millet (Kaipara), 5s 6d. Sugars. — Brewers' crystals, £32 duty paid, (duty jd per lb); New Zealand Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £27; No. 2, £26 ; No. 3, £23 10s; Millaquin, none ; Fiji, white crystal, £26 10s ; China, £26 10s : English crushed loaf, 3Jd ; French cube 3id ; yellows, i.b., Fiji, £16. Spirits.—Proposed duty, Iss per gallon of proof spirits. Brandv: Rouyer, Gouillet and Co., 25s and 8s; Marcoj.ain's, case, 22s 6d, i.b.; flask, 28a 6d ; half-flask, 85s 6d; quarter-flask, 53s 6d, and In bulk, 7s 9d ; Ilennessy's brandy, bulks 13s 6d to 14s ; case, 86s 3d ; Bisquit. Duboucho, and Co.'s pale, in hhds. and qr.-casks, 7s; Beehive, bulk, 8s; Courvolsier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29s (nominal); bulk, 10s 6d; Beehive, case, 245; Bisquit, T)ubouche and Co.'s, 265: Hine's, ; bulk, 8a: Gautier's, 32s and 10a Cd; Burgaud's, 7s 3d to la «1; Mailer Frere's, 20s j Cavalier

share investors' GUIDE.-JUNE 16, 1888.

N.H. Insurance Buildings, Auckland, and Albert-street, Thames. Frater Bros., Sharebrokers.

Frere's, 245; J. B. Rene's, case, 225; Meukow, 30s and 10s; Senimaud, 6s; Dessandier's, 22s and 7s 6d. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Greenless and Colville's, ssodto 6s 3d, and Greenless and Colville's VO, 8s 6d ; case, Bob Roy, 18s ; case, Beith, Ross and Co.'s, fis; Teacher's, 10s ; Vint's bulk, 0s 6d; Vint's case, 20s 6d ; Dunville's, 5s 6d ; case, 18s ; Lome Highland, 21s ; Speyside, 21s ; Red Beer, 6s 6d to 7s ; case, 19s ; Craig, 6s Cd and 24s ; Roval Blend, 24s ; Teacher's old, 26s ; Encore, 19s; Banagher, 19s ; Walker's WW, 22s ; Jeroboam, 28s; LL, 22s 6d to 23s ; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, 14s6d ; 20 bottles, 17s 6d; key, Genova, proof, 13s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s 6d. Gin, Booth's, 16s; Burnett's, 13s. Lownde's rum, 30 0.p., 4s; Red Heart, case, 25s 6d ; Burnett's case, 225. Key, 225. Teacher's white rum, 32s 6d in bulk, d.p. Timber.—Quotations are as follows :—Kauri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 9s to 10s first-class; 6s second-class ; at yards, Auckland, 13s to 14s 6d flrst-class; 8s 6d second-class. Flooring, 13s 6d to 16s flrst-class; 9s 6d second-class, rusticated, 16s 6d to 17s. West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 5s 6d to 6s ; white pine (kahikatea), 5s 6d ; T. and G., 8s 6d, f.o.b. at mills; at yard, flrst-class, 13s; secondclass, 8s ; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 13s 6d ; 6 feet, 15s ; Hobart rails, £3 15s. Tobacco.—Duty, 3s 6d. Venus, 14s; three-quarter boxes, Is 3d; Venus, Navy flat work, Is 6d; double-thick ditto, Is sjd ; Ruby Aromatic, 2s 6d ; Victory, Is lid; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3Jd to Is 4Jd; Unique, Is 4d; low, 10's, 9d to lid; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is Sd; Derby, case, Is 7d ; boxes, Is 8d ; Over the Water, flatwork, all shapes, Is 2d ; Nailrod, Is 2d ; Signet, Is lid ; Gem of the Sea, Is 3d ; Josephine, Is 3d ; Columbia, Is sd. Teas.—Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, 6d to 7d; middling to fine kinds, lid to Is; Saryunes and Panyongs, Is 4d to Is 7d ; Souchongs and Kaisows, Is 4d to Is 6d; Orange Pekoes, Is 3d to Is 7d. Indian teas are now largely used for mixing. Prices may be quoted for Semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, Is 5d to Is lid, duty paid. Wines.—Champagne, duty paid : Perier Jouet and Co., first quality, quarts, 80s; pints, 84s ; halfpints, 94s ; second quality, quarts, 64s ; pints, 68s ; half-pints, 78s. Montebello quarts, 84s; Moet, quarts, 70s; pints, 965; Roederer, quarts, 100s; pints, 105s ; Heidsick, same ; Pol. Roger and Co., 100s and 105s ; Adolphe Collins, 60s and 70s ditto ; extra superior, 70s, 80s ; St. Hubert's Australian, 32s per dozen ; Pcnfold's, 80s per dozen. MR. A. SAUNDERS" STOCK AND SHARE REPORT.

Since my last report the state of business in general has shown improvement. The determined efforts of the Government to meet the pressing needs of the colony, as shown in the Financial Statement of the Tr«a«urei thou'.h pressing hard on importer and com "fin J'ike. ■• ''ustitute a guarantee of the good faith of th> people of tin. colony to meet all their liabilities, and a determination to retrench in the future. The heavy piutective tariff shows the willingness and power of the colony to gradually wipe off its indebtedness. In spite of the depression gone through, and in a measure still existing, business shows signs of improvement, and money is plentiful. So great is the amount of money for investment, that in Australia it is surely and steadily approaching English rates. It would be no surprise at all to see New Zealand reap the benefit of this in the spring, and a great revival in the price of stocks and property. Even now it is difficult to obtain first-class securities at former rates. Bank stocks are firm, and increased prices have been obtained. Insurance shares are all in demand, Newjiealand Insurance finding buyers at 81sJ; Union, 24s 9d, and others have found an equally good market. Loan and Mercantile have risen to 81s, the reports of this company's great business giving every satisfaction to investors. Auckland and Thames Gas find ready buyers at quoted rates, and holders are loth to part. The timber industry is at last in a fair way, the Australian syndicate having made all arrangements to take over the valuable New Zealand mills and properties. Competition will now be reduced to a fine point, and the trade worked on a basis advantageous to all. Mining : This great industry, the Dackbone of Auckland, has suffered slightly on account of the collapse of the silver market in Australia. Our rich fields, however, have not been puffed and boomed as has unfortunately been the case with Australian fields, and though the collapse of the Broken Hill silver boom in Australia has temporarily checked the introduction of capital to develop our own rich goldflelds, we shall reap the benefit of the panic; as we have goldfleld properties of undoubted value awaiting energy and capital for their development. Some of our famous Thames mines are producing good returns. The Cambria has touched the reef showing gold at No. 4 level; this may lead to a patch. The Saxon is a steady gold producer, and as work in the ground progresses large blocks of gold-bearing country will be opened up. The Marototo goldfield has unfortunately received a check in the shape of an apparent effort to Eass off ground as valuable (and which may prove to e v ry valuable) on the assay <t ore obtained it seems from an adjacent claim. This, however, should not act to the permanent detriment of the field, as assays from all parts have proved its undoubted wealth. The Coromandel field is assuming more prominence under Captain Hodge's management. The Kapanga mine is producing a good yield of gold. The Royal Oak is also yielding rich stone, and other important work is contemplated to be done on the field. The following list shows course of sales for the month and present prices :—

Alex. Saunders, Stock and Sharobroker. Auckland, June IS, 188 S.

Number e haraa ~, a . Sub- ,,„,,, „„ «w. e 7«,i Amount Paid-up «,!{¥* j Latest investment „ , Financial Companies. of Shares Total ib d Paid-up Fund and . * Dividend Markot *SoSi5i2* Half-year or Year Shares. Issued Capital. CapitaL Capital. Individ d s g are s g are> A £per Quotations. at Closes - Banks— £ £ £ £ £ £ s. d. £ £ g. d. £ s. d. New Zealand _. .. 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 525,861 10 10 0 0 7 11 17 6 6 17 10 Sept. 80, March 31 National .. ... .. 200,000 100,000 1,900,000 000,000 250,000 4,300 9&10 2 10 0 6 1 18 0 6 11 7 Sept. 30, March 31 Colonial .. « .. 400,000 200,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 400,000 53,120 5 200 7 246 66 10 Feb. 29, August 31 Insurance— New Zealand .. .. 100,000 100,000 1,003,000 1,000,000 200,000 249,616 10 200 420 764 May 31, Nov. 30 National .... .. 200*000 I 106,115 2,003,000 1,061,160 98,057 189,693 10 0 10 0 io 0 18 0 5 11 1 Sept. 30, March 31 South British « ..100,000 | 64,628 2,000,000 1,292,560 129,256 85,673 20 200 8 210 7 16 1 August 31, Feb. 28 Standard.. .. .. 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 75,000 22,415 10 0 15 0 7$ 0 14 6 7 15 2 June 30, Due 31 union .. _ .. 100,000 100,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 100,000 56,695 20 100 10 146 833 May 31, Nov 30 Colonial 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 50,000 .. 10 0 10 0 .. 0 4 6 -• March 31 Accident 100,000 20,000 100,000 20,000 2,000 10,850 1 020 25 070 72 10 December 31 ' N.Z. Loan <fe Mercantile 140,000 140,000 3,600,000 3,600,000 350,000 285,053 25 210 0 15 4 0 0 9 7 6 December 31 N.Z. Loan & Mercantile 140,000 140,000 3,500,000 3,500,000 350,000 285,053 25 210 0 15 4 0 0 9 7 6 December 31 National Mt'ge&Ag'ncy 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 100,000 21,622 10 10 0 5 0 10 0 10 0 0 June 30, Bee. 31 N.Z. Land Mortgage .. 200,000 200,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 200,000 20,081 10 100 8 100 800 October 31 Gas— Auckland 50,000 29,243 250,000 146,215 111,8574 15,000 5 100/&50/ 17, 220/& 112/6 7 14 6 June 30, Dec. 31 Thames .. „ .. 10,000 9.9S0 25,000 24,955 18,965 1,490 2J 1 18 0 8 1 18 0 8 0 0 Jan. 31, July 31 Oisborne ' 20,000 12,000 20,000 12,000 12,000 .. 1 100 10 140 86-8 Timber— Union Sash and Door.. 40,000 30,000 200,000 150,000 150,000 .. 5 5 0 0 m .. _ Dec 31 Auckland 30,000 30,000 180,000 150,000 120,000 47,491 5*00.. 450 „ June 30 New Zealand «. .. 16,000 10,984 80,000 54,920 54,920 26,604 5 500., 250 „ January 31 Mercury Bay M .. 100,000 49,980 100,000 49,980 37,485 13,708 1 0 15 0 _. 0 13 0 _ Jan. 31, July 31 Helensville .. .. 4,000 1,777 20,000 8,885 8,869 5S2 5 6 0 0 _ „ m Waikato .. „ .. 2,500 1,099 25,000 19,990 9,995 .. 10 5 0 0 „ „ Shipping Union .. „ ... 50,000 40,000 500,000 400,000 400,000 115,830 10 10 0 0 3 10 15 0 7 8 10 Jan. 31, July 31 New Zealand .. .. 100,000 59,689 1,000,000 606,800 477,512 29,227 10 8 0 0 „ .. .. June 30, Dec. 31 Bevonport Steam Ferry 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 .. 1 100 .. 120 .. Dec. 31 Coromandel Steam .. 4,500 3,046 4,500 3,046 3,046 .. 1 10 0 10 0 10 0 20 0 0 June 30 Northern Steam .. 150,000 110,784 150,000 116,784 77,676 ... 1 12/6&20/ .. 0 3 6 .. Mayl COAL— Bay of Islands «. .. 4,000 3,000 40,000 30,000 30,000 .. 10 10 0 0 6 .. .. June 30, Dec. 31 Taupiri .. _ .. 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 7,800 11,320 1 0 13 0 38J 2 9 0 10 4 1 June 30, Dec. 31 Miranda .. „ .. 30,000 19,067 30,000 19,007 19,067 .. 1 1 0 0 .. ... „ January 31 Waikato S0.000 72,500 80,000 72,600 49,000 „ 1 1 0 0 _ „ „ Whangarel .. .. 40,000 19,857 40,000 10,857 19,857 .. 1 1 0 0 „ „ „ July 31 Taupiri Reserve.. .. 25,000 19,225 25,000 19,225 11,918 .. .. 20/&11/ ...... MISCELLANEOUS— ,.„„. , , „. Now Zealand Drug .. 100,000 06,874 200,000 133,748 83,574 10,250 2 40/ & 20/ 7 0 19 6 7 3 1 Jan. 31, July 31 Archill Brick and Tile.. 12,000 10,330 12,000 10,330 6,595 .. 1 20/& 5/ m m „ September 30. Auckland Fibre .. .. 25,000 18,945 25,000 18,945 18,945 „ 1100„ „ „ April 30 Northern Boot and Shoe 15,000 12,622 15,000 12,022 8,520 _ 10 13 6.. ... _ October 31 N.Z. Frozen Moat .. 40,000 20,363 200,000 101,815 101,815 .. 5 5 0 0.. „ _ June 30 T. and S. Morrin ..1 30,000 30,000 150,000 150,000 181,645 _. 5 75/&100/ _ .. _ September 30 Tramway ' 125,000 85,138 125,000 85,138 85,138 «. 1 1 0 0 .. 026 » Union Oil, Soap& Candle 60,000 36,850 50,000 36,850 26,795 _ 1 0 14 0 .. ... m February 28 North N.Z. Woollen ..100,000 21,203 100,000 21,203 20,673 _ 1 0 19 6 .. .. „ January 31 Mining (Gold & Silver)—, ,„ . Last Div. Moanataiari .. ..I 13,500 13,600 135,000 135,000 135,000 .. 10 10 0 0 per Share. 0 10 0 „ - Old Caledonian .. ..I 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 10,800 «, 1 0 18 0 .. 0 5 0 .. Waiotahi ! 6,000 0,000 18,000 18,000 15,000 .„ 3 2 10 0 May 2, 2/6 0 17 0 Prince Imperial.. .. 18,000 is.000 18,000 18,000 900 10.. 030 .. Adeline .. .. 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 333 .. J 0 0 4 .. 010 „ - Cambria .. .. 44,700 44,700 44,700 44,700 12,8511 1,300 1 0 5 9 April30,6d 0 8 3 m «. Crown .. .. 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 2,000 .. $020.. 030 « .. Humphrey's Gully .. 150,000 139,984 150,000 139,984 136,834 4-5 ... 1 19/&20/ .. 1/& 2/ .. - Ross United .. .. 150,000 140,475 150,000 149,475 148.325J ,. 1 19/0&20/ .. .. _ Silvorton 24,000 24,000 12,000 12,000 .. ... J .. 0 2 0 >. _. Alburnia 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 1,000 .. J 0 1 0 Sept. 7,6d 0 2 3 .. - Saxon 60,000 60,000 25,000 26,000 .. 1,000 £ .. Mar.l4,4d 0 4 0 „ Trenton . .. . 36,000 36,000 18,000 18,000 3,600 .. $020.. 028 .. _ Royal Oak .. . 9,000 8,300 .. .. .. .. .. .. Nov. 5,6d 0 2 6 «. Paroquet . . .. 25,000 25,000 12,500 2,500 1,250 .. 4010.. 020 «. Hand of Friendship .. 16,000 15,000 .. .. .. .. i - 0 1 0 Gold water .. . 25,000 25,000 12,600 12,500 .. .. i •• «. 0 16 » Marototo . .. 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 .. .. 1 10/ & 20/ 0 10 0 ~ Te Aroha . 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 150,000 „ 1 0 16 0 „ 0 15 0 _ " Colonist " '.' " 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 .. „ } .... 0 4 0 _

Company. Buyers. Sellers. e g^^ & s d£ s d [£12 Bank of New Zealand .. 12 0 0 £12£12J£12J National do. .. 1 17 6 .. 37/to 38/ Colonial do. ..236 .. 43/6 to 44/6 N.Z. Insurance .. .. 4 2 0 78/ to 81/ South British do. ..210 .. 41/ to 41/6 National do. .. 0 17 6 .. 17/6 Standard do. .. 0 14 8 .. 13A0 to 14/3 Union do. ..146 .. 24/9 Auckland Gas 11 5 0£lli,£514sn Thames Gas .. .. 2 0 0 N.Z. Land Mortgage 10 0 10 6 N.Z.L. &M.A. ..400 .. 79/to 81/ National Mortgage ..099 ... Pevonport Ferry ..116 .. .. Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co 0 19 3 MINING. Cambria .. ..0800848/9, 7/4, 8/0 Saxon .. .. 0 3 10 0 4 0 3/11,3/6,3/9,4 New P. Impel ial .. .. 0 3 6 Old Caledonian .. .. .. 4/ to 4/1 Trenton .. ..023 . . 2/6 to 2/7 Manukau 0 2 0 Moanatoiari 0 11 0 Alburnia 0 2 0 Paroquet 0 2 6 Gem 0 0 a 0 10 5d to 1/ Golden Drop 0 16 Goldwater 0 16 1/6 Marototo 0 16 o Crown, Karangahake 0 2 8 Woodstock .. ..020 worth .. ..026030 Fearnought .. ..006 Colonist 0 4 3 3/9 to 4/3 f* jscrvcr Qd Royal Oak '.'. '.'. '.', 0 *2 3 to 2/3 Brogan ., 0 10 1/