COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9155, 10 September 1888, Page 12

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Oillce. Saturday afternoon. A UNIVERSAL opinion that business is improving may be accepted as based upon some evidence. The change in the commercial tone since our last monthly summary report is most gratifying. The volume of trade has not appreciably increased, but risity business is now so largely avoided that some shrinkage in mere iigures is often regarded as moie satisfactory than an increased turn over. Engagements are very well 'net. -k, last fourth of the month was simply like an ordinary banking day, lie renewals being extremely slight. . . Property is somewhat recovering 111 value, and the belief is largely shared that. Australian capital will be heavily invested here, the inflated values ruling 011 the Island Continent deterring re investment there 011 the part of those who have realised in the booming 1 The season has been everything that could be desired. A remarkably mild winter has given place to an early spring ; grass is abundant, and a considerable rise in value of stock is reported. . . . Dairy produce has ruled scarce and high, and although the sharp movement in wheat, owing to the great deficiency of the European crop has come too late for any immediate help' to the farmers, the promise of an excellent home market after next harvest should be a distinct gain to the colony, notwithstanding that the British ship-owners secure the lions share 01 the profit. Indeed, the freight difficulty looms up portentously, the colony is virtually in the grip of the shipping rings. 1 ie advance in freight rates in consequence of the scarcity of tonnage and from the cessation of competition among the shipbrokers is hardening values in all imports, particularly 111 goods of which the bulk is out of proportion to the value. Export trade is greatly restricted too in consequence of the high rates demanded, some of which are often prohibitory. Intercolonial trade is excellent, but owing to the coal strike at Newcastle, New South Wales is just now handicapped by increased freight rates. Should the strike continue for any length of time, the vast coal measures of New Zealand will doubtless be developed to a much greater degree. The arrivals of the Crusader and the Killochan, from London, the Albert Russell, from New York, and the steamer Whampoa, from Japan and China ports, supplies the market with nearly all the usual requirements. . . . , , The Deva is overdue, and it is feared that the Trcvelyan, coming from Glasgow to a Southern port, will be recorded as a lost ship. She had considerable cargo 011 board for transhipment to this port. Island trade has been up to the average. The building trade continues depressed. Activity once more reigns at the various timber centres in connection with the export business—in fact, it is not too much to say that the new management of our provincial timber trade, and the. large introduction of outside capital in connection with it, has principally helped to alter the tone referred to at the commencement of this article. We give our usual monthly review of the market: — . Bottled ales have commanded only a limited trade. Large parcels have been shipped to Sydney. A scarcity of pints in leading brands continues. There has been an improved demand for stout. In spirits stocks are not heavy, the non-arrival of the Trevelyan throwing calculations out, more particularly in whiskies. Usher's various grades are scarce. This brand continues heavily supported by consumers. Walker's Kilmarnock, both in bulk and case, is freely handled. Sales of Teacher's have been under the average. Robertson's has had a good run of trade. A newly-introduced brand, the Distillers Company (Limited), is getting well distributed. Greenless' scarcely holds its own under the competition of the other leading brands. The usual quiet trade in brandies is reported. An improved _ demand for second-rate brands is met with, increased merchants' price, and additional duty, forcing hotelkeepers, with rare exceptions, to the purchasing of lower grades. Wines have had little notice. Some small lots of champagne have been bought for Melbourne account. In rum and geneva, sales have been confined to small trade lots. Schnapps meet with fair inquiry, business is chiefly in the well-advertised Wolfe aromatic. In building materials there has been a steady demand for galvanised-iron, principally for coastal shipment. Values unchanged, but firm. There is a good supply of cement, with not much demand, and scarcely any inquiry for American plaster. Sheet lead : A fair demand at £19 per ton. Wire nails during the early part of August were very scarce, hut recently arrived ship ments have replenished stocks. Sales have been somewhat brisk. Cornsacks have slightly advanced, Melbourne values having risen. The Te Kapo, direct from Calcutta, will bring full supplies; in the meantime the market is regulated by Australian quotations. Woolpacks are being inquired for a little, but there are no sales worth reporting. Flour has risen 30s per ton during the month, with every indication of a still further advance. There is excitement in the wheat and oat markets, and for the former many holders will not quote at the moment. A rise of sixpence per bushel took place in oats in one day. Oatmeal quotations are suspended. Coffee, ricc, pepper, sago, _ tapioca, and in fact all eastern goods of this class are held stiffly; c.i.f. quotations are withdrawn until the strike at Newcastle has ceased, the freight rates being so liable to heavy advance. Candles have moved off slightly owing to Melbourne demand in consequence of the coal strike and its effect on the consumption of gas. The improved quality of the New Zealand make is everywhere commented on, and there is a large increase in sales of the higher qualities. The miners are taking to the use of them as against imported, and this has given great encouragement to manufacturers, Dried fruits are steady. Currants command ssd, duty paid ; elemes Gd, with good inquiry. The expected demand for dried apples at this season has not been met with —attributable to Tasmaniari consignments of green fruit being quitted at low rates. Muscatels arc unobtainable. Figs are scarce, parcels locally and in Southern markets being bought up for Melbourne, where there is a brisk demand for dessert goods, the influx of visitors to the Exhibition giving a grand carnival character to social life there. Sultanas are worth from 6Ad upwards, duty paid, according to parcel. In canned fruits business has continued limited.

Fish baa ruled dull, the winter season and the increased duty of one penny per lb practically stopping business. Kaipara mullet has been shipped to Australia, where its fine quality is being better appreciated as it becomes more widely known. Hops : Considerable purchases have been made from Nelson for export to Australia. Quotations are about' 10£ d f.o.b, Local brewers generally buy direct.

Jams continue dull. The long persistency of the public in expecting really good jam, marie from fruit at tile prices of the so-called cheap article retailed 111 many of the shops] is being broken down, Hut the taste has been vitiated and consumption lessened with no one the better. Sooner or later the brands that keep up consistently good quality will come to the front again. For months past they have been elbowed out of he market by the prejudice in favour of "cheap" stuff. Marmalade lias been extremely dull in demand. Jellies arc not asked for. Matches, excellent all round demand, with stocks rather low. The Government have consented to the bonding of these goods, after mercantile representation of the effect of the recent heavy advance in duties. Kerosene has been scarce, with high range of values. Stocks of low test are only moderate, notwithstanding a late arrival. From the large proportion of high test in cargo it would seem that demand is running principally on it. The Island trade requirement is, however, all low test, and it is understood a large portion of existing stock is reserved for that trade.

Boiled and raw linseed oil is more asked for as the spring advances. There is a good supply of castor, with fair inquiry. The importation of half eases is increasing, as in these small packages the liability to leakage is greatly reduced, and the cost of drums is saved.

Colza is dull at 3s 7d per gallon for bulk. Fencing wire has been in strong request, an excellent indication that the hitherto waste lands are being utilised and converted into wealth producers. On the steady opening up of the country we all rely for prosperity. The mere ups and downs of market prices of imported goods are of secondary importance in relation to general trade. The season has not been favourable for business in pickles, vinegar, or cornflour. There is a demand, however, for small-size bottles of the former for the cheap trade, and for export to the Islands. Quicksilver has been somewhat dull, the mining boom on which so much was expected not having come off. Golden syrup and treacle have been in brisk demand.

In oilmen's stores, Coleman's D.S.F. mustard and paper-packet starch have been generally wanted. Carraway seed extremely scarce. Fair business is reported in Van Houten and Taylor's cocoa. "Fry's has not been obtainable until very lately. Salt has fluctuated a good deal, a shipment ex Crusader at moderate freight l ate being quitted much under previous market quotations. Values have again moved up slightly. Stocks are good, but are in hands that do not press the market. Sugar keeps at last month's quotations for Company's standards. A parcel of China whites was received ex Whampoa, portion of which quickly placed at corresponding to Company's prices, according to grade. Fiji yellows and browns ex last Wainui found ready purchasers from steamer's side. Prices are still very full for this class. Cube and Dutch crushed in cases and barrels have been in good demand. Brewers' crystals move off slowly in small lots ; prices a point easier. Tea is more active than was the case last month. Trade purchases are made with less hesitation. The extra duty of 2d per lb begins to be better realised in its effect upon quotations. Lines have been quitted at auction and privately at satisfactory prices. A parcel of very fine Ceylon teas found ready buyers. Flavouring teas have, however, moved off slowly. The bulk of the demand has run 011 good medium Panyongs in halfchests, and common teas of 110 particular district, both in half-chests and boxes. Assam broken teas have been generally wanted. Choice teas in half-chests and boxes are held very firmly, but demand for these sorts is not brisk.

Soda crystals are in heavy supply, but prices are steady owing to the advance in freights. Sales arc a good deal regulated by the matter of store room, the same as with whiting, the market price of which is rather hardening as the asrated water manufacturers' season approaches. Resin has been placed in one or two wholesale parcels to the soap makers, values depending upon grade. Tobacco.—Business has been greatly influenced by the remarkable run on the Derby brand, which continues as strong as ever. Several erstwhile market favourites are being rapidly displaced. The local demand for Juno is less; the small, handy size of the boxes, however, assist business. Josephine and Gem of the Sea trade has suffered from the furore over Dunlop's makes, Aromatics are rather dull. The Island buyers have taken up large parcels of IMailrod and twist, stocks of which are now low. Cigarette business has been very active, especially for Duke's Cameos and Old Judge. The flax trade keeps active, but prices are not as good. The difficulty of freight to London is considerable. During the wool shipping season it is expected that the trouble will be increased. The fact that we are importing paper, paper bags, &c., at great cost, and exporting .'lax tow, nearly all the profit on which is swallowed up in freight, while the fibre makei, splendid tough paper, ought to suggest a stoppage of the contradiction, and the establishment of a new local industry.

The kauri gum market steadied after last mail left, and latterly a firm and active demand, due to local speculation, has been apparent for nearly all qualities of gum, especially for anything in the way of good ordinary, which is very scarce, considering the season of the year. The Albert Russell is now ready to load, and should sail about the 15th instant with about 650 tons for New York. The Crusader is loading for London, and will take about 500 tons for that port. Supplies from mail to mail are about 626 tons. We quote :—Fair ordinary, 30s; best ordinary, 31s to 32s ; East Coast, 435.

Rates of Exchange on London.—Buying: 90 days, 1 per cent, discount; 60 days, J per cent, discount; 30 days, J per cent. Demand, par. Selling: 00 days, i, per cent., premium; CO days, } per cent, premium ; 30 days, li per cent. Demand, 1$ percent, premium. Fixed deposit: 3 months, 2 per cent. ; 6 months, 3 per cent.; 12 months, 4J per cent.

Ales and Porter.—Ale in bulk (duty paid) per barrel: Bass's, £7 ; Ashby's, £3. Ale (in bond) Tennenu's, quarts, 4s to ss; Bass's Hogshead brand (Read bottling): pints, 6s ; quarts, 8s Cd (in bond); Bulldog (It. Porter and Co.'s bottling), 6s and 8s ; W. Younger's, 5s and 7s 3d ; Ashby s, 6s 3d to 8s 9d ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints 4s, quarts 6s 6d. Anglo-Bavarian : pints 5s 6(1 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 4d ; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, 9s; pints, 6s 3d. Blood's: pints, ss; quarts, 7s. Dogshead Guinness's (Read's bottling): pints, 6s ; quarts, 8s 3d. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling : pints, 6s ; quarts, 8s ; Spark's Moline bottling: 6s, and 9s 3d; Burke's : 6s, and 9s. Other brands : 5s and 7s 6d. Duty : pints, Is Gd : quarts, 3s per dozen. Building Materials. Cement may be quoted at K. 8., 14a 6d; 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, 2s 7d ; cornsacks, 7s 6d per dozen. BRKADSTUi'FS AND Grain.—Local best silk-dressed flour, £12; household, £11; Southern brands, £10 to £11. Wheat, nominal, 3n Od; no local sellers. Bran, £4 10s. Sharps, £5 ; Southern sharps, £110s.

Maize : Local, 2s 3d. Oatmeal, £11 10s per 20001b. Barley (for malting), very scarce. Oats, 2s 10il (bags ven in). J'carl barley, 21s. Cabin bread, .£l6 per ton. Coiumok, D.p. (Subject to trade discounts).— hemp rope, all sizes, Sydney, £43 to £50 ; Aucklandmade, £01 to £63 ; whale and lance lines, £80 ; New Zealand (lax rope, all sizes, £:i5 6s to £37 6s; Auck-land-made, £35; wool lashings, £38; clothes lines, 5d per 11), subject to trade discount; Manila clothes line, Sd ; oakum, free, ditto, £40; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £-18 to £55 ; twine, shop, cl.p., per lb, Od to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb • local-make, Is to Is 3d. Coal.—Newcastle is almost unobtainable, owing to miners' strike, 35s at ship's side, 36s 6d in yards, may be taken as a fair quotation. Bay of Islands, las at the mines, and 27s 6d to 30s at yard is quoted; Whangarei coal, 9s Gd ; ditto, aikato, steam, 8s ; household, 12s. Cci'FKK and Spices (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, Is 2d ; ditto, Island, none in the market; chicory, colonial, per cwt; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, lssd ; Fry's, Is 4d, scarce ; VanHoutens, 3s 7d ; Epps's, Is 7d ; Mara villa, Is 6d ; chocolate, Taylors, Is 5d ; Pry's, Is 4d. Spices, d.p. : Cloves, 2s; bleached ginger, Is; unbleached ditto, lOd ; nutmegs, 3s 3d ; black pepper, whole, Is 2d ; white ditto, Is od. Confectionery.—Local manufacturers are producing _ good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Waters's colonial boiled, 4sd ; drv, id ; jujubes, Is Id ; Mennie and Dey'ts boiled, 4}d ; Keillors assorted confections, 9Jd; Gray's, 9id; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty, 5d per lb), lOd ; orange. Is ; citron, Is 4d ; Keiller's jujubes, Is 4d ; Gray jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d ; Compagnie Francai3' t gums, Is 2d. Gum, Flax, <fcc.—We quote: Gum : Fair ordinary, £30; best ordinary, £31 to £.32; East Coast, £43. Flax : First quality, £19; second. £17; tow, £6. C'ocoanut fibre, £15 to £17; cocoanut oil (fine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 to £12. Fungus, 33d to 4d. Ironmongery.Galvanised corrugated iron, 5 to 8 feet, £18 10s to £19 10s ; 9 feet, £19 10s to £20 10s ; 10 feet, £20 10s to £21 10s ; Knglish bar iron, per ton, £9 10s to £10; pig iron, £4 5s to £4 los ; plate iron, £10 to £11 ; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £1110s. Barbed wire, £23 10s to £25. Sheet lead, £20 10s ; pig lead, £19; sheet zinc, £25 ; powder, Curtis, Harvey, and Hall's, Od to 7d sporting (in canister), 2s; yellow metal, 8d to Od ; Muntz, Bjd to 9M. Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty, 2d per lb. English marmalade, lib., d.p., 7s 3d: Gray's, is; Moir s, 7s Od ; Ilobart jams, Knight and Johnsoil, 5s Od ; Peacock's, 5s to 5s 6d ; Murray's, Dunedm, 4s 9d to ss; jars, 6Jd to 7}d ; Nelson (New Zealand), 5s to 5s 6d; sultanas, 6jd; French muscatels, scarce, Is 6d ; Californian, none; elemes, s}d to tid ; currants, sjd ; tigs, 9d, scarce ; .Turkish prunes, 7d to Sd ; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb) ordinary, in kegs and cases, 6M: evaporated, 7Jd ; dates, fid. cl.p. Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, lOd to Is 3d per lb; kips, Is 2d to is lOd ; runners, Is 7d to Is 8d ; calf, colonial, 2s 6d to 3s 6d ; basils, 8s to 18s per dozen ; closed uppers, 4s 6d to 9s 3d per pair ; hides, 2Jd to 4}d; calf skins, 4d to 5d per lb; sheepskins, 6d to 4s Bd. Manures.— Australian bonedust, £0 10s to £8; Auckland, £8 10 ; superphosphate of lime, £6 to £8 10s ; bonettour, £8 ; Peruvian guano, £14 to £17 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake, none ; linseed cake, £12 ; Maiden Island guano, £8; Iluon Island guano, £5 to £6 ; Freezing Company's superphosphate, 32 per cent, £ ; 25 per cent, £0 ; corn manure, £8 ; root manure, £8 30s ; grass manure, £7 10s ; bonedust, £8 10s ; Chesterfield guano, £3 10s. Malt and Hoi's.— English malt, no inquiry is experienced ; Colonial, 5s 6d to 6s. Hops : Nelson, new season, lid; old, 7d; glucose, £26, d.p., delivered to brewery. Oilmen s Stores.— Belmont Candles, new duty, 2d, 7Jd, d.p., per lb ; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, 4d to 5Jd; Orient Candles, 7Jcl (Dunedin make) ; Atlas Paraffins, 9d ; Panther fluted and plain, 9d ; Price's National BJd ; Price's Battersea, BJd ; Young's British Wax, B*d ; Price's London Wax, 7fd ; local blue mottled soap, £26 per ton ; carbolic, £27 ; best yellow, £26 ; No. 1 household, £15 ; Ist Crown, £26; 2nd Crown, £17 ; soft soap, in tins, 4jd per lb ; toilet, 9d to lOd per lb; mould candles, 5d per lb—all subject to trade discount. Salt, 10s per ton duty: Coarse, W. & W., £4 ss, d.p.; fine Black Horse, £4 10s, d.p.; Adelaid coarse salt, 555. Jordan almonds, 2s 4a j Valencias, Is ; Blacking paste, Day and Martin 4s 9d; Colman's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2d per lb): white, 49s ; blue, 495; Orlando Jones' starch, 445; Gill and Tucker's starch, 445; Heuraann s, 445. Mustard, d.p. : Champion's genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 19s to 19s 6d; j-lb tins, 9s 3d to 9s 6d; Colman's 1-lb tins (red), J Is 6d ; half ditto, 9s ; 7-lb tins (red to green), 'id to is; 1-lb tins (green). 13s ; J-lb dittos, 7s 6d ; DSF J-lbtins, 9s(scarce),lib, 19s ; Keen's,9s. Blue: Reckitt's Thumb, BJd ; Paris, in circle, new make, <d ; Keen's, BJd. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 18s ; ditto, plaid, 4s 6d ; ditto, fancy oval, 24s 6d ; Bell and Black's, 17s ; plaids, 4s 4d ; R. Bell and Co. 250's, 17s yd ; plaids, -is 3d. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. 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, lis 6d ; half - pints, 5s 6d. Pickles: Stephens' pints, 8s ; Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, 13s ; Pool's, 9s ; Morton's and others, from 9s; McConnochie's, none. Rice (ground), in tins, 4Jd. Sauces : Market largelyoverstocked. Lea and Perrin's, half - pints, 14s; C. and 8., half-pints, 9s 6d; Mellor's, 7s ed ; Stephens', 3s 6d ; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s; cheaper brands innumerable. Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 4d ; Pew's, Is 9d to 2s ; Evans', 2s 2d ; Burnett's, Is lid ; Potts', Is lid ; Dunedin pure malt, is 7d. Vinegar, case ; Champion's, as 6d ; Burnett's, 7s Cd ; Morton's, 7s 6d. 1 Teach;, 2d ; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2d to 2Jd. American honey, 21b-tins, 12s 6d., d p. Sago, 3d ; tapioca, 3d. Cornflour: Brown's, 3}d, d.p. : Brown and Poison's, 63d ; Johnston's, CJd ; Wade's, sd; Mann's, 6d. Preserved milk : Nestle's, 7s to 7s 9d, according to parcel ; Milkmaid, 7s 3d to 7s 6d. Tartaric acid, 2s 3d. ; cream of tartar, Is 8d ; bicarb, soda., £11; soda crystals, £6 15s. Whiting, £3 15s. Oils and Paints.— 6d a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s; bulk, 3s 7d ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 6d ; bulk, as 3d; raw drums, 3s 4d; bulk, 3s ; castor, in drums, 3s 3d ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, Is 8d ; kerosene, in bond, 130 test, Is to Is 1 d ; 150 test, Is 3d. White lead, ground, per cwt, genuine, 26s ; No. 1 white lead, 22s ; red lead, dry, £18 10s. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s. Turps, duty paid : drums, 3s 6d ; American, 3s 3d ; resin, £S. American carriage varnish, 7s 6d to lis per gallon. Provisions.—Cheese : provincial, scarce, 5d ; Canterbury, nominal, sd. Salt butter, lOd to 13, extremely scarce. Rice, i.b., Japan dressed, £12 15s to £13. Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, 7d; equal numbers hams and bacon, 8d; hams only, 9d. Fish: Ling, sd; boneless Cod, 4d ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 37s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 30s per barrel; Findon haddocks, 8s ; lobsters, American, libs, 10s (3d; 21 bs, 18s ; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., lis; other brands, 10s 6d d.p. ; pickled salmon, 6d ; sordines, quarters, 4s 6d to ss, halves, Ss Od ; oysters, 6s ; mullet (Kaipara), ss-3d. Sugars. — Brewers' crystals, £32 duty paid, (duty id per lb) ; New Zealand Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £27 ; No. 2, £26 ; No. 3, £23 10s; Millaquin, none; Fiji, crystal, none ; China, £20; English crushed loaf, 3Jd ; French cube 3Jd ; yellows, i.b., Fiji, £16 10s ; browns, £15 10s. spirits Duty, 15s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk, 16s per gallon in case. Brandy: Rouyer, Gouillot and Co., 25s and Ss; Mareellain's, case, 22s 6d, i.b.; flask, 2Ss 6d ; half-flask, 35s 6d; quarter-flask, 53s 6d, and in bulk, 7s 9d ; Hennessy's brandy, bulks 13s 6d to 14s ; case, 36s 3d ; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'s pale, in hhds. and qr.-casks, 7s; Beehive, bulk, 8s; Courvoisier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29s (nominal);'bulk, 10s 6d; Beehive, case, 245; Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 255; Hine's, 28s; bulk, 8s ; Gautiers, 32s and 10s 6d ; Burgaud's, 7s 3d to 7s 9d; Muller Frere's, 20s; Cavalier Frere's, 245; J. B. Rene's, case, 225; Meukow, 30s and 10s; Senimatid. 63; Dessandier's, 22s and 7s 6d. -Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s ; Greenless and Colville's, 6d to 6s 3d, and Greenless and Colville's VO, 8s 6d ; case, Rob Roy, 18s ; case, Beith, Ross and Co.'s, 6s; Teacher's, 10s ; Vint's bulk, 6s 6d; Vint's case, 20s 6d ; Dunville's, Bs 6d ; case, 18s ; Lome Highland, 21s ; Speyside, 21s; Red Deer, 6s 6d to 7s ; case, 19s; Craig, 63 6d a.nd 24s ; Royal Blend, 24s ; Teacher's old, 26s ; Encore, 19s; Banagher, 19s; Walker's WW, 225; Jeroboam, 28s; LL, 22s 6d to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, 14s 6d ; 20 bottles, 17s 6d ; key, Geneva, proof, 13s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 213 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 fid in bulk, d.p. Timber.— Quotations are as follows:—Kauri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast. 9a to 10s first-class: 6s second-class iJ

at yards, Auckland, ISs to 14s Oil first,-!, 6a second-class. Flooring, 18a Od to : 5. Os 6d second-class , rusticated, 16s (kl t/, n S Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk 1 £ , W *>' white pine (kahikatea), fis Oil • T ins 8s f.o.b, at mill*; at yard, flrst-cia-ss.' 13' 0 ' 1 1? -<, v,' I J obrt palings, 5 feet, 1& 6( i• «"? n<l- - ; Hobart rails, £3 15s. 6(1 ' 6 feet, Tobacco.-Duty, 3s 6d. Venus, 14s • thro*, boxes, Is 3,1; Venus, Navy flat ' wort T BT, '' r double-thick ditto, Is Hi ; Ruby Aromatic ? 4,1 1 Victory, is lid; Juno black all „ 1 «; iid- to is 4 *'? : Unique, if' 4f ,' ; fr-U lid Cameron's Fancy Aromatic iJ 10 *. Berby, case, is 7d; boxes, Is 8d ; Over' the v.- 8,1 ■ flat work all shapes, Is 2d ; Nailrod, law i; Ur , Is Ud ; Gem of the Sea, Is 3d ; Josephine' Columbia, Is sd. l llne , Is 34 Teas.— Prices range as follows (in bond* gous common, ticl to 7d ; middling to fi nß V'" n ' |>d to Is; Saryunes and Panvon." i! j'. r " ls . Is ,d ; Souchongs and Kaisows", laVl to n l " Orange Pekoes, Is 3d to Is 7d. Indian t w I now largely used for mixing. Price* L ar,) quoted for Semi-broken and fine Souchong' Is 5d to Is lid, duty paid. luc »oiig klr "t-, Wines.—Champagne, duty paid : Perier J0,,,. , , Co., first quality, (marts, 86s; pints q, ' l , an, pints, 94s ; second quality, quarts, 04s-' ni„V ' w:; - half-pints, 78s. MontoLcllo quarts 'm, V**; quarts, 00s; pints, 06s; Roederer ,' mar V, J? 121 , pints, 115s; Heid.sick, same; Pol Ktiwi... . l> ', ""i "100s and 105s ; Adolnhe Collins, litis and -f,"' extra superior, 70s, 80s ; St. Hubert's a/, ,V l Uo; 3iis per dozen ; Peufold's, 32s per dozen an .