COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9320, 25 March 1889, Page 12

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Hkp.ald Office. Saturday afternoon. O.vk month resembles another so much as regards the character of commercial business that a summary record must necessarily lose interest by iteration. We, however, review the past four weeks trade as usual. A rising wheat market has hod, singular to say, rather a prcjudical influence on trodq, instead of the reverse, inasmuch that the farmers are chiefly holding for higher figures, ami there is less circulation of harvest money than might have been anticipated. Except in oorns.icks, the country trade has been generally dull. The fact that fanners have been able to hold their grain from early realisation, evidences their improved monetary position, and induces the conviction that sooner or later this improvement must tell upon city business. The month's trade has been mainly one of ordinary distribution by merchants to trade clients, with some fair shipping orders from Southern ports, Australia, and the South Sea islands.

Spot lines running into money, placed within the month, have been conspicuous by their comparative absence, anil their fewness reflects the general dulness of the times. It must not be inferred from this that the country is not prosperous. There is an apparent contradiction in the fact that a general state of financial improvement, largely increased production, better prices for products, heavy reduction in trade liabilities, with an all-round state of confidence that the colony is entering on an era of prosperity based on the sure foundation of enormous material development, should, not be accompanied by increased trade, yet facts are stubborn things that arc not to bo reasoned against. One thing is, however, clear, namely, that exchange of domestic productions is increasing in a greater ratio than foreign import trade is decreasing, the one accounting, for the other. The industrial energy of the colony strikes Australian and British visitors as remarkable. Tweeds, blankets, hosiery, bottled ale, hops, malt, bar, rod, and sheet iron, cigars, cigarettes, preserves, soda crystals, candles, cement, paper and paper bags, canned fish and fruit, unrated wntes, boots and shoes, horse shoes, Hour bass, chicory, pickles, sauces, biscuits, vinegar, and a hundred other things of New Zealand make or production are steadily contracting the importation of corresponding goods, so that homo manufacturers, viewing the steady shrinkage of orders from this quarter, mast not be under the delusion that it is attributable to declining trade vitality. If that prospect of intercolonial reciprocity now advocated by the advanced school of Australian statesmen becomes unfa it uccwnpli, it will find a state of preparedness hero that will make New Zealand more than hold its own in all that contributes to national prosperity and importance. Considerable interest is felt about) the renewal of the San l'Yanciaco mail servieo, the present one expiring next November. Proposals have been submitted for the alteration from a four-weekly to a bi-monthly service, alternating via Auckland to Sydney, and via Wellington to Melbourne, with half the subsidy to bo paid by the United States Government, it is questionable if the private. interests of a knot of opponents in the Now Zealand Parliament will do allowed to override the public advantages promised by the proposal. The Union S.S. Company are starting a service to Tonga and Samoa next month, another extension Of the Hag of tho Company into the or Awhile strange waters of tho grout Pacific, ami another link in that) clia

of Island trade connection with Auckland which is so useful. The Kaikoura, direct steamer, took 350,(.KX)1b of frozen mutton, b"(X) cases of canned meats, and valuable parcels of kauri gum and pearl shell, and the barque Kingdom of Sweden left with a full cargo of gum, wool, tallow, &c, lor London within the month. The arrival of the Pleiades, from London, brings a useful cargo of merchandise. We run over the list of leading goods with smeh comment on thorn as called for. Bottled ale has been shipped in fairly largo parcels to Sydney and Dunedin. Stocks of quarts are, however, still large. Prices have not changed, the local trade being quiet. Almost the same remark may be applied to stout. Pints still keep scarce, and arrivals go quickly into second hands. In wines and spirits the only noticeable feature of the month has been the better demand for champagne, good clarets, Martell and ilennessy, and best ports and sherries, induced, perhaps, by the social gaieties arising from the presence of the squadron in port, and the many tourists who have been visiting the natural wonders of the province. In the ordinary hotel trade there has Ixien the usual demand for Walker, Usher, and Robertson's whiskies, with many enquiries for Distillers Oo.'s bulk, not obtainable until arrival of shipments afloat. Genevas and rum show a less than average consumption. ■ Low-priced brandies ami whiskies arc in I galore, chiefly on consignment account. Irish whisky is especially dull of sale, and Old Tom appears to be going out of use. Wolfe's : schnapps has met with a fair trade. i In the Hour and grain trade business is j active, an advance in flour of £1 per ton, resulting from a sympathetic colonial movement in wheat on the publication of the enormous deficiency of the yield in New South Wales. it is considered that South Africa will take all the surplus from South Australia and Victoria, leaving Queensland and New South Wales dependent upon New Zealand and California for breaddtulfs during the season. The English market, and the charter rates at Kan Francisco control values hero. We are able to record a considerable increased export trade in flour, especially with the several South Sea depots, since the introduction of the roller process. With the present rate of energy in agriculture and milling it can only be a matter of short time for the opening up of an extensive Hour trade with Java and Manilla. Cornsneks have been in active request, with values rising from 6s lid to 7s 3d per dozen. Woolpacks are out of season, with considerable stocks held for next shearing. Candles keep up in price. The demand is not over-strong, but as the days shorten it is bound to increase. We understand considerable shipments of English are to arrive from Melbourne. The great overstock in nearly every description of imports there is likely to influence prices in favour of buyers. Cocoa has been inactive, with drooping values in Van Houten. Epps , little asked for. Fry's and Taylor's, small business. Coffee -. No alteration, but a firm market resulting from Rio advices. Dried Fruits : Only a very limited business at unaltered rates. The season is against consumption to any extent. Canned Fruit: There has been considerable shrinkage in trade with Californium Locally put-up is rapidly coming to the front, reckoning the considerable difference in cost. Tinned Fish : With the advent of Lent, has come the usual good demand. Lobsters are scarce, and at high price. Salmon ; moderate sales, with stocks ample. Sardines; in improved enquiry- Kaipara mullet; very strong demand, the new season's catch being booked to forward delivery in large lots. Fresh and kippered herrings : good sale at (is Gd ami 10s respectively, duty paid. Ling ; small shipments selling quickly at 6d per pound. Matches: All P.. Bell and Co. Plaids not up to usual standard of quality, have been taken off the market, and shipped back to the factory. Competition is exceedingly keen between the agents of the two principal makers, and there is some talk of reduced prices as likely. Good Tanstickers or small Safety wooden matches are very scarce, the Old Tom brand has secured popular confidence. Building materials are in somewhat better enquiry, especially Cement : No English brands being at present in the market, with exceedingly strong Southern and East Coast demand. Wilson's Malnirangi make is answering all the requirements as to quality, but the output cannot keep pace with the demand. The New Zealand Government are preferring it to imported now that it is so greatly improved. The success of this comparatively new colonial industry is very gratifying. Galvanised iron lias been put up £1 per ton, the firmness of the home metal market and the high freights causing this. Fencing wire : The sale fell off under the pressure of immediate harvest work, but with the crops secured orders have again come freely. Sheet lead is scarce ; price advanced £1 per ton. Kerosene : The arrival of the barque Simeon from New York well supplies the market. Low test is worth Is, and high test Is 3d in bond. Castor oil is scarce, with firm to advancing prices. Colza, slow sale. Raw oil in casks good enquiry, as also boiled and raw in drums. Wire nails : Stocks plentiful, with' rather slow business. in Eastern produce: The rice market is porhaps a shade weaker, without any alteration in current rates. Excellent demand for pepper, inconsequence of the pickling season. Sago and tapioca unchanged, at about 2§d i wholesale. Hops : Tho near approach of the Nelson crop is waited for with keen interest by buyers inside and outside the colony. A very paying price is a certainty. Sales of last season have been made at prices withheld, but a concession to buyers is understood. Oilmen's stores fluctuate so little, and are generally list goods, with every importer knowing exact laid down cost, that comment is needless. Distributors' prices are not competitive, and few wholesale parcels change hands. Nestle's milk continues to bo largely imported, and quickly sold. Stephen's, Holdbrook's, and Pew's pickles have had good sales. Champion's and Burnett's bottled vinegar also mooting with strong request. These brands in bulk have sold freely, not- I withstanding tho extra cost to colonial-made, pieklors requiring the best malt vinegar. Column's, Huemann's, and Orlando Jones' starch practically divide the starch trade, j with a leaning in favour of tho premier i brand. Flax is a monthly increasing product. Several fine-conditioned, soft, bright lots have sold up to £23 10a pr? ton, a good advance on last month's prices ; lower qualities run from £19 to £20. Tow is more saleable at £2 per ton. Improve 1 mining prospects have helped business in quicksilver. Sales at 2s 7dar. reported. Sugar has advanced 103 per ton for Company standards; Fiji yellows arc very scarce, and worth fully £1 per ton over last , mouth's prices. Soino o M -coiiUitioiicd China

dull whites have sold at £18 10s upwards in bond. China crystals have moved freely at £20 per ton in bond. The market is better supplied with cubes since arrival of the Pleiades ; demand good at about £36. Only a limited trade lias been done in glucose and brewers' crystals, which remain at previous quotations. Tea: Fairly good lines have been placed. The weakness' referred to in our last continues. Compromises in Melbourne bave enabled sellers there to oiler at low rates medium and common sorts, ami the closeness of tho now China season is leading to a disinclination to buy even spcculativciy, at strong inducement in concession rates. Salt: A Steady trade at full prices; the advance in coarse cabled from London has not been followed here. No alteration less thanss per ton is considered worth disturbing rates for. Adelaide (taken from the salt bed of salt lakes during the dry season) is now an established favourite salt for many purposes other than curing meat. Rock salt is in good demand and supplies short. Tobacco keeps steady with less business in nearly all brands but Derby; supplies of this brand arc getting low, and there is no assurance of sufficient lots coming forward. Juno rods continue to hold oil localities that have not been under the Derby furore. Arom&tics are all verv dull. Snuff is in large stock with poor trade. The continually increasing sale of cigarettes, of which Duke's Cameo and the Old Judge hold undisputed sway, has largely ai Footed Iho sale of cigars. The month under review, however, gave a better enquiry for good Manillas than usual. Soda crystals move oil* moderately well at £7 per ton, and whiting at £4 15s. Pig iron continues scarce, the shipping companies having plenty of dead weight cargo, not caring to supply the market on ship's account, as when stiffening is required more urgently. Retail drapers have been taking advantage of the protracted hot dry weather to clear out balance of summer stocks, very few of them having yet made their first display of winter goods. Wholesale houses arc now fully stocked with now goods for tho approaching cold weather. Trade during tho past month has been fairly brisk, but the Largnr parcels were held over for delivery on the 20th. Retailers, now that term of credit has been restricted, not caring to lay in winter goods until actually required. Orders from travellers are now coming in, and a good sound half-year's business is anticipated. Towards the commencement of March the kauri gum market weakened for ordinary gum. Prices have since been somewhat irregular, but are now fairly steady at quotations at foot. On the 11th instant tho William Phillips sailed for New York with about 363 tons gum, and on the same dato the Kingdom of Sweden took her departure for London with about 279 tons. The Pleiades is loading for London, but is not likely to sail before the end of May. TheGustav Adolf is (loading, and has already four-fifths of her cargo on board for New \ork. Supplies continue comparatively light, being from mail to mail about 558 tons. \Ve quote : Poor ordinary, '-Its ; fair ordinary, ."0s to 31a; best ordinary, 32b ; East Coast, 435. Freights are by sailers : 40s to 45s per ton with 5 per cent, by steam, t>o3 to 70s with 10 per cent, primage: wool dumped greasy, by steamer §d ; washed ditto, fd, with 10 per cent primage; by sail, greasy, hd per lb., washed jjd, with 5 per cent primage!

SALES BY AUCTION. February 25. Mr. J. Aitkcn Council reports thu completion of sale of lot No. 270, parish of Wluuiganuirino, area 2i)2l acres, to a Victorian purchaser, for the sum of i."5342, being at tho rate of ,12 per acre. February 27. Messrs. B. Tonka and Co. to-day offered for sale at their mart an allotment in Syinondastreet, -11 feet by 120 feet, with a dwelling of seven rooms. After some brisk competition, the lot was knocked down to Mrs. Crossley for £530. A splendid property in Stanleystreet, Devonport, consisting of an allotment 59 feet by 118 feet, was also put, but the highest bid (£.>lo) did not satisfy the seller. At noon to-day Messrs. D. F. Evans and Co. put up for sale a property in Karangahape Road, near Howe-street, in the estate of Mr. J. Buchanan. The lot is a very desirable one, having three shops erected thereon. It was offered subject to a mortgage of £1000, but was pas3C(l a iu at £-6 per foot. A building site in Sentinel Road, 40 feet by 150 feet, was sold for £-11 ) February 23. Messrs. Cochrane and Son sold by auction at their mart to-day the well-known Bridge Hotel, Corouiandel, for £395. The Wliauivhau colliery property at Whaugarei was also offered, but did not find a purchaser. In tho afternoon the same firm disposed of a lot of unreclaimed luggage at tho Railway Station at fair prices. A freehold property, situate at Devonport, in close proximity to the Victoria Wharf, fronting the Beach Boad, was sold by Mr. T. M. Jackson to-day at his mart, realising £222. Mr. Dunning, of Dovonport, was tho purchaser. March 0. This forenoon Messrs. Tonks and Co. offered at their mart for sale a valuable block of 1512 acres coal-bearing land at Takoti Bay, but for the present it failed to find a purchaser. _ A block of 158 acres of land at Whangarei, with large frontage to the Awaroa River and the harbour, was put up, and after some brisk bidding, was disposed of at the figure of 12s per acre. At noon the well-known Chesterfield Estate, Mount Roykill, was submitted by order of tho Registrar of the Supreme Court, and was bought in by the mortgagee for £100. At Messrs. D. F. Evans and Co.'s mart, an improved farm oi: 49 acres at Pakuranga was sold for £200. An allotment in Sentinel Road, l'onsonby, realised £1 per foot. The Nelson Licensed Holding, Coromandel, which had to be sold to close a partnership account, was also submitted, and was bought for £150 by Mr. E. Cooper, acting on behalf of a syndicate. March 8. At Messrs. Vaile and Douglas' mart to-day a five-roomed house and allotment, 30 by 90, in Richmond Road, was sold by auction, for £170, Miss Benjamin being the purchaser. March 11. At Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son's mart this forenoon a number of suburban and country properties were sold. Tho Ruaroa Block comprising 729 acres in the Victoria Valley near was sold at -Is per acre, and 100 acres at Hunahi, Awanui, found a purchaser at Gs per acre. An allotment in Church street, Ponsonby, 37 x 100 with a cottage erected upon it, realised £140, and a section in Charles-street, Rocky Nook, 40 by 115, brought £00. March 12. Mr. J. Aitken Connell reports tho sale today of an allotment at North Cheltenham, with a frontage of 40ft to Church-street, by average depth of about 115 ft, together with a seven-roomed cottage thereon, on account of Mr. Henry Pitts, for the sum of x 330; and also on account of Mr. A. .leather. 2^ a acres oi unimproved land in the parish ox Omapere the sum of ££ A). !

March 9. A cottage and six acres of land at Otahnhu were sold by auction by Messrs. Buckland and Sons to-day for £130. March 13. Messrs. A. Buckland and Sons disposed of by auction the equity of redemption of the butcher s premises in Brown-street, Ponsonby; lately occupied by Mr. W. Cochrane, the allotment being 09 by 6S, for £700. March 14. At Messrs. E. and A. Isaacs' mart to-day a number of shares in local concerns were sold by auction. Somo Tliames Valley railroad shares were sold privately, while 6-1 New Zealand Stud Company's shares brought Is per share under the hammer. The lense of an allotment next Isaacs' bond wag disposed of for £1S above the value of the rental. March 20. Yesterday Messrs. Cochrane and Son sold by auction the screw steamer Ruby, so well known in the Mangawai trade, for the sum of £200. March 21. Mr. Gabriel Lewis held one of the largest sales of furniture and effects that has been held in this province, the whole of the magnificent furniture, statuary, and ornaments of Melrose Hall, Remuera. The sale commenced on Tuesday, and concluded at live o'clock this evening. The attendance throughout was very large. On Tuesday there were 800 persons present, 500 on Wednesday, and to-day it was even more crowded than on the previous days. The bidding throughout was spirited, and up till tho last it was almost impossible to satisfy purchasers' thants. This must be attributed to the fact wat all the lines sold were of a superior character. The balance of the lines, such as hothouse plants, fernery, horses, cows, bugics, lawn and garden tools, birds, stable and other implements, will be sold next week. The day of sale will be announced. At Messrs. Arthur and Buddie's mart this forenoon there wero sold by auction two six-roomed cottages and freehold allotments of SO feet frontage to Sun nyside Road, Devonport. The bidding was brisk, and the two lots were finally knocked down for £225 si-piece. Rates ok Exchange on London.— i M days, 1 per cent, discount; 60 days, i per cent. discount ; 30 days, J per cent. Demand, par. Selling: 00 days, J per cunt, premium ; CO days, } per cent. premium ; 30 days, l\ per cent. Demand, 1| percent. premium. Fixed deposit: 3 mouths, 3 per cent.; 0 months, i per cent.; 12 months, 5 per cent. Ales Asn Porter.Ale m bulk (duty paid) per barrel: Bass's, £7 ; Ashby's, £8. Ale (in bond) Torment's, quarts, -Is to fa ; Bass's Dogshead brand (Head's bottling): pints, 6s 3d: quarts, Ss6d (in bond); BnDdog (It. Porter and Co. s bottlin"), 0s and Ss ; W. Younger's, 5s and 7s 3d ; Ashbys, Oh 3d to Ss Od ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pmts,4s ; quarts (is (ki. Anglo-Bavarian: pints Da 6d and 89; Boar's Head Stout: quarts, Ss 9d; pints, Cs 6d. Guinness's Harp brand by Foster: pints, 6s; quarts, Bs. Norway ales: pints, Cs 4d; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, 9s; pinte, 6s 3d. Blood's: pints, f>s; quarts, 7s. Dogshead ( ruinness'9 (Read's bottling): pints, 6s 3d ; quarts, Ss lid. It. Porter and Co.'s bottling: pints, Us; quarts, Ss; Spark's Molino bottling : 6s, and 9s 3d ; Burke's : os, and Or. Other brands: 5s and 7s Cd. Duty : pints, Is Cd : quarts, 3s per dozen. Building Materials.—Cement very scarce. K.B. and Wldte's, worth ]7s. Slates: English Coiintessoslnro worth £11 to £12; American, .£8 to £10, scarce. Plaster of Paris, 15s. Bags and Bagoino.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, 2s 5d ; conisacks, 7s to ?s3d per dozen. Bread-stuffs axd —Local best silk-dressed Hour, £-13 to £13 10s ; household, £12 ; Southern brauds,.Cl2 to £12 10s. Wheat, milling, 4s 3d: fowl wheat, 5s od. Bran, £4 10s. Sharps, £4 lUs to £5. Maize : Local, 3s 3d. Oatmeal, £10 per 20001b. Barley (for malting), very scarce. Oats, 3s to iSs 3d (bagß given in). Pearl barley, ,21s. Potatoes, £-1. Cabin bread, £18 per ton. Cordage, rt.p. (Subject to trado discounts). —Manila hemp rope, all Sydney, £43 to £50 ; Auckland - made, £01 to £63; whale and lance lines, £S0 ; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £35 6s to £-"$7 Gs; Auck-land-made, £35; wool lashings, .£33; clothes lines, 5d par lb, subject to trado discount; Manila clothes line, &d ; oakum, froe, ditto, £-10; spun yarn two-yarn ditto, £48 to £55; twine, shop.d.p., per lb, Oil to Is 2d ; sowing twine, Is Id per lb ; local-tuako, 13 to Is Bd. Newcastle- 303 at ship's side, S2s in yards, and 3F>3 delivered, may bo taken as a fair quotation. Bay of Islands, 13s at tire mines, and '27s 0d to iiOs at yard, is quoted; Whanguxci coal, O.s Gil at mine ; ditto, Waikato, steam, &s; household, 12s. Coffee and SPICES (iu bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffeo plantation, Is 3d; ditto, Island, none in tho market; chicory, colonial, 45s perewt; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, Is ;Ud; Fry's, Is 3Jd ; Van Ilouten'a, 3s rA ; Epps's, Is 7d; Maravilla, Is (Sd ; chocolate, Taylor's, Is (id; Fry's, Is 4d. Spices, d.p.: ('loves, 2s; bleached finger, Is; unbleached ditto, iod; nuunegs, 3s tjd ; black pepper, ■whole, Is 3d; whito ditto, In 7d. Confectionery.— manufacturer;* are producing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. W&ters's colonial boiled, 4jd; dry, 7d ; jujubes, Is Id ; Meiinie and Dey's boiled, 4Jd ; KoiUer's assorted confections, 9Jd ; Gray's, 9A<l; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty, 6d per lb), lid; orange, Is • citron, Is 8d ; Kciller'e jnjubes, Is 4d ; Gray's jujubes, is Id to is 3d ; Compasnio Frangais* gums, is id. Gum, Flax, &c. —Wo quote: (Jum : Fair ordinary, £;'.O to £31 ; poor ordinary, £29; best ordinary, well cleaned and froa from swamp, £32 ; East Coast, £411. Max : First mmlity, £23 ; second, £19; tow, £2 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £1?; cocoanut oil (lino white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £0 to £12. Fungus, 3jd to 4d. IRONMONGERY.—GaIvanised corrugated iron, 5 to S feet, £21 to £21 10s; 0 feet, £22 to £22 10s; 10 feet, £23 to £23 10s ; Knglish bar iron, per ton, £9 to £>.) 10s; Onehunga (N.Z.) iron, .£3103 ; pig iron, £4 10a to £4 12s Gd ; plate iron, £10 to .011; fuiic.ing wire, assorted sizes, £11 10s to £12. Barbed wire, .£24 to £25. Sheet lead, £22; pis lead, £18; shoofc zinc, £20 to £27; powder, Curtis, Harvey, and Hall's, Gd to 7d; sporting (in canister), 2s; yellow metal, Sd to 0d ; Mnntz, S£d to aid Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty, 2d per lb. English marmalade-, lib., d.p., 7s 3d: Gray's, 7s; Moir's, 7s Cd ; Hobart jams, Knipht and Johnsun, 5s Oil ; Peacock's, 5s to 5s 3d; Murray's, Dunbdin, 4s 3d to ss; jars, Gkl to 7id ; Nelson (New Zealand), 0d to Gd ; new sultanas, 0d ; French muscatels, is 5d to Is Ski; Californian, none, nominally Is 2d ; olemes, Cd; currants, s|d; tigs, ?id ; Turkish prunes, 7d to Sd; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb), ordinary, in kegs and csisos, 7d ; evaporated, 7Jd ; dates, sd. d.p; Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, 9Jd to la 3d per lb ; kips. Is 2d to Is 10d ; runners, Is 7<l tolsSd ; calf, coluilal, 2s Cd to 3s 0d; basils, 8s to 18s per dozen ; closed uppers, 4s 6d to 93 3d per pair; hides, 2M to 4£d; calf skins, 3d to 5d per lb; sheopskins, Oil to 4s Bd. Man Australian bonedtist, £0 10s to £S; Auckland, £8 10; superphosphate of lime, £6 to £SK>* ; bonoflour,£S ; Peruvian gnano, £14 k> £17 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut ofl c<ike, none; linsaed cake, £12; Maiden Island guano, £8; Hnou Island guano, £5 to £0 ; Freezing Company's superphosphate, 32 per cent, £S; 25 per cent, £0 ; corn manure, £&; root manure, £S 103; gniss manure, £7 103 ; bonetlust, £S 10s ; ChesterHeld guano, £3 10s. Malt and llor-s.—English malt, no inquiry is experienced ; Colonial, 5s Cd to Oi Hops : Nelson, List season, Is M; old, Sd to 9(1; glucose, £20, d.p., delivered to brewery. Oilman's Stores.— Bolmont Candles, new duty, 2d, Sd, d.p.., per lb; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, 4d to 5Jd; Orient Candles, 7Jd (Dunodin make); Atlas Paraffins, 9d; * Panther fluted and plain, 0d ; Price's National, B|d ; Price's Battorsea, SJd; Young's British Wax, Sid ; Price's London Wax, 7Jd; local blue mottled soap, £20 pei- ton ; carbolic, £27 ; best yellow, £20 ; 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, 6d per lb— all subject to trade discount. Salt, 10s per ton duty: Coarse, W. & W.,£4 153. d.p.; fine Black Horse, £5 ss, d.p.: Jordan alrnouds, 2s 6d; Valeuciaa, Is; Bl" king paste, Day and Martin's, 4s 9d; Colman's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2d por lb): whHfl, 493 ; blue, ids ; Orlando Jones' starch, 45a, Gill and Tucker's starch, 445; Heiimann's,' 40s, jMuaUird, d.p. ; CUa,mpioja'3

genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 19s to 19s 6d; J-lb tins, 9s 3d to 9s 6d; (Dolman's 1-lb tins (red), lls 6d; half ditto, 9s; 7-lb tins<red to green), 7£d to Is; 1-lb tins (groen), 13s ; Mb dittos, 7s 6d; DSF 1-lb tins, 9s(scarce), lib, 19s; Keen's,os. Bine: Reckitt's Thumb, BJd; Pans, in circle, new make, 7d ; Keen's, B£d. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 260, per gross, 18s ; ditto, plaid, 4s 6d ; ditto, fancy oval, 24s 6d ; Bell and Black's, 17s ; plaids, 4s id ;R. 801 l and Co. 250's, 17a 9d; plaids, 4s 3d. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. Oil : Castor, in pints, 8s 3d ; halt. pints, 4s 9d; quarter-pints, 3s 6d. Salad t C. and 8., pints, 13s to 143; half-ditto, Os; Morton's pints, lls 6d; half - pints, 5s Cd. Pickles: Stephens' pints, 7s 9d; Croaseand Blackwell's, pints, 13s; Pool's, 9s: Morton's and others, from 9s ; McConnocbio b, none. Rice (ground), in tins, 4}<l. Sauces : Lea and Perrin's, half-pints, 13s M; C. and 8., half-pints, 93 6d; Mellor's, 7s Gd, pints 15s ; Stephens', Os Od; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 4d ; Pew's, Is Mto 2s ; Evans", 2s 2d ; Burnett's, Is lid ; Potts', Is lid; local malt. Is 7d. Vinegar, case : Champion's, 83 6d ; Burnett's, 7s to 7s 3d ; Morton's, 7s Od. Treacle, 2d ; Golden Syrup, bnlk, 2d to 2}d. American honey, gib-tins, 12s ' 6d., d-p. Sago, 3d; tapioca, 3d. Cornflour: Brown's, 3fd, d.p. : Brown and Poison's, 7d ; Johnston's, 6£d ; Wade's, sd; Mnnn's, Od. Preserved milk :" Nestle's, 7s to 7s 9d, according to parcel ; Milkmaid, 7s to 7s 3d. Tartaric acid, 2s 3d; cream of tartar, Is 8d ; bicarb, soda, £1110s; soda crystals, £6 ISs. Whiting, £4 10s, scarce. Oils and Paints.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drums, Us 9d ; bulk, 3a 6d ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s ; raw, drums, 3s 2d; bulk, 2s 10d ; castor, in drums, 3s 4d ; half-cases, 3s 6d to 3s 6d ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, Is Sd ; kerosene, in bond, WO test, Is to Is Id; 150 test, Is 3d. White load, ground, per cwt. genuine, 303; No. 1 whito lead, 28s in 50's, smaller packages more, according to size; red lead, dry, 225. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10.* to £1 18s. Turps, duty paid : drums, 4s 3d ; American, 4s ; resin, £3. American carriage varnish, 7s Od to lls per gallon. Provisions. — Cheese: provincial, sd; Canterbury, nominal, SM. Salt butter, 6d. Rico, i.b., Japan dressed, £12. Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, 7d; equal numbers hams and bacon, 7Jd; hams only, 9il. Fish: Linjj, Od; boneless cod, 4d ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 80s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 40s per barrel; Findon haddocks, Ss; lobsters, American, libs, lls 0d; 21bs, 18s; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., 10s Gd to lls; other brands, 0s 6d, d.p. ; pickled salmon, 6d ; sardines, quarters, 4s 0d to ss, halves, Ss Gd ; oysters, 63; mullet (Kaipara), 5s 9d. ScGAits.—Brewers' crystals, £32 duty paid (duty 3d per lb); New Zealand Company's Auck- „ land refinery, d.p., No. 1, £27 10s ; No. 2, £26 10s; No. 3, £24; MiDacpiln, none; Fiji, crystal, £19 to £20 in bond ; China, crystal, £19 10s ; soft, £18 10s; English crushed loaf, 3Ad to 4cl; French cube, 4d ; yellows, Lb., Fiji, £17 IOs; browns, £15 10s to £16 10s. Spirits.— Duty, 158 per gallon of proof spirits in bulk, 10s per gallon in case. Brandy: Itouyer, Oouillet and Co., :25s and 83; Marcellain'a, case, 22s Cd, i.b.; flask, 28s Cd; half-flask, 35s 0d; quarter-flask, 53.i Od, and I in bulk, 7s 9d ; Hennossy's brandy, bulks 13b Oil to 14s; case, 37s 6d; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'s p;ile, In hhds. and qr.-casks, 7s; Beehive, bulk, Ss; Courvoisier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29s (nominal) bulk, 10s 6d; Beelirve, case, 245; Bisquit, Duboucho and Co.'s, 255; Bine's, 2Ss; bulk, Ss ; Gantier's, 32s and 10s Cd ; Bui-gaud's, 7s 3d to 7s 9d; Mnller Frere's, 20s; Cavalier Frcre's, 24a; J. B. Hone's, case, 225; Meukow, 30s and TOs; Senimand, Cs; Dessandier's, 22s and 7s Gd. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Greenless and Colvi lie's, 5s 6d to os3d, and Greenless and Colville's VO, Ss Od ; case, Rob Roy, 18a ; case, Keith, Ross and Co.'s, 0s; Teacher's, 10s ; Vint's bulk, Cs 6d ; Vint-'s case, 20s 0d ; Dunville's, 5s Gil ; case, ISs ; Lome Highland, 21s ; S(>cy.side, 2's ; lied Doer, 6s 6d tots; case, li>s; Craig, Os 0d and 24s ; Royal Blend, 24b ; Teacher's old, 26ti; Encore, 19s; Banagher, 19s ; Walker's WW, 22.s ; Jeroboam, 28s; LI,, 223 Gel to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, 14s Gd ; 20 bottles, ISs ; key, Geneva, proof, 13s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s od. Gin, Booth's, ltis: Burnett's, 13s. Lowiule's mm, -30 0.p., 4s; lieu Heart, case, 25s Cd ; Burnett's case, 225. Key, 22.-;. Teacher's white nun, <52s Gd in bulk, d.p. Timber.—Quotations are as follows :—Kauri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 10.s Gd to lls first-class; 7s 0d second-class ; .at yards, Auckland, ItsC<l to 15s first-class; 7s 0d to 10s second-class. Flooring, 13sGd to 10s first-class ; 9s 0d second-class, rusticated, 169 6d to 17s. West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 6s to Ss; white pine (kahikatca), 5s 0d ; T. and G., 12s, f.o.b. at mills ; at yard, first-class, 13s ; secondclass, Ss; Holiart palhigs, 5 feet, 133 (sd; 6 feet, los ; Ilobart rails, £3 las.

Tobacco.—Duty, 3s Gd. Vcnns, 14s ; three-crttarter boxes, Is 3d"; Venus, Navy fiat work, Is 4d; duitble-thick ditto, Is 4<l; Ruby Aromatic, 2s 4d ; Victory, Is lid; Juno, black, all shapes, Is ;Ud to Is 4jd; Unique, Is 3d; low, 10's, lid; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is 8d ; T)erby, caso, lsCd; boxes, Is Sd ; Nailrod, Is 2d ; Signet, Is Ijd ; Oejn of the Sea, Is Sd ; Josephine, Is 3d; Columbia, Is 6d ; Watson and MeGiU'a twist, 26's, is 2d. Tf.as. —Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous, coimnou, Od to 7d; middling to fine kinds, lOd to Is Id ; Sarynnes and Panyongs, la 4d to Is 7d ; Souchongs and Kaiaows, Is 4d to Is (3d; Orange Pekoes, Is 3d to Is 7d. Indian teas are now largely used for mixing. Good broken, la 3d; eemi-broken and line Souchong kinds, Is 5d to Is lid, dtrty paid. Ceylon teas are coming forward more freely, and are in considerable favour. WraES.—Champagne, dtrty paid: Perier Jonet and Co., first quality, quarts, 105s; pints, 110s; halfpluts, 120s ; second (rnality, quarts, 85s ; pints, 90s. Montebello, quarts, 84s; Moot, quarts, 90s; pints, 90s; Roederer, quarts, 110s; pints, 115s; Uoidsick, same; Pol. Roper and Co., 100s and 105s ; Adolnhe Collins, 003 and 953 tlitto; extra, superior, 703, SOs ; St. Hubert's Australian, 32s per dozen ; Pcnfold's, 32s per dozen.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND SHARE LIST. The stock and money market has been very inactive during the month, and business transactions have not been frequent. Money is plentiful, but the 1-a.to is low —from 7 per cent, to C percent on -class securities. Land is improving in value; the Australian drought lias riven an impetus to agricultural land in New Zealand. Banks.—A steady market has prevailed for our banks. Colonials are firm ; National and New Zealand have quitted in parcels at market rates. Insurance.—These stocks are firm, and yield a fair percentage on the investment. There has been no decided alteration in price since last month's quotations. Shipping.—The New Zealand Shipping Company's shares have risen considerably in price, and confidence is felt in the future of the company. Miscellaneous Stocks.— fair business hasbeen transacted in gas shares. A heavy fall took place in Land Mortgage and River Plate shares, in consequence of an expected call on capital. No call, however, has been made, and the shares recovered in price. National Mortgage have risen to T2s 6d and over. Mining.—A very good business lias been done in mining shares. Saxon is the lion of the hour, and the prospects of the mine seem really good; another dividend of tid per share on 50,000 shares j this week. Cambrias and Moanataiari have also improved their prospects ; large numbers have been sold at advanced prices. It is reported that a rich find has been discovered in the Champion mine, Te Arohfi. On the whole great interest is being taken in mining. The output of gold warrants the inquiry for shares. Tile following list shows the rise and fall of the market in the different stocks :—

Stock anil Sbarebrofcor. Auckland, March 23, 1839. THE CUSTOMS REVENUE. The following is a statement showing the amount of Customs duties collected for the month of February, ISS9 : — Spirits, 15s per gallon £1671 1 0 Spirits, 16s per gallon 1141 4 (5 Spirits, perfumed, 21s nor gallon .. 13 9 10 Cigars, Cigarettes, ami Snuff, 7s per lb 723 7 1 Tobacco, manufactured, Ss (id per lb .. 3605 4 3 Tobacco, tinmanufactum!, 2s per lb .. 200 10 o Wine, 6s per gallon 368 7 1 Wine, Sparkling, Os per gallon .. .. 30 12 0 Wtne, Australian, os per gallon .. 53 1 2 Ale and Beer, (fee., in bottle, is 6d per gallon _ _ ... — _ 270 1 6 Tea, fid per lb 050 7 0 Coit'ee, Chicory, Cocoa, and Chocolate, 3d per lb 58 •{ 0 Sugar and Molasses, id per lb"« , v 375513 S Glucose, Id per lb.. .. .. _ 2 0 8 Saccharine, fts per oz ... „ ~ 4 0 & Goods by -weight — .. ... ... 1689 10 S Goods ad valorem .. .. <<. _ 16,719 19 4 Other dirties not specified „ 1051 10 Total - , - „ „ £32,317 6 7 Gold Duty .» „ _ _ „ 241 IS S Primage Duty _ ... „ 1231 11 Exciso DotyCigars, Cigarettes, antTSnuSr,' _ 35 16 3 Tobacco ... ~ „ » _ 1C 4 O Boer „ „ „ DOS S 11

Company. effected, Euycrs.| Sellers. I £ 8 d'£ 3 d Bank N. Zealand (old) ,. .„ S 2 0(new) 7/18/ Colonial do. .. ... .. 2 4 0.. N.Z. Insurance .. 3/10/ .. 315 0 South British do. .. 41/, 41/9, 42/ 2 1 0 2 2 0. National do. .. 0 18 9 _ Standard do. ... .. .. 0 14 9 _ Union do. .. .. 26/ 10 0,.. Colonial do .. ... 0-4 '3 N.Z.I,. & M.A 3 0'(l 3-4 0 National Mortgage .. 11/S JO 13. 0 ... Auckland Gas .. 10/7 ... ' .»' Thames do. (cum div.) X/11/0 Northern S.S. Co. .. ... ». 0 4 0 Coromamlol S.S. Co.. .. 0 COO 7 - 0 Gear Meat Pres. Co.. SI/ .. „ Accident Insurance .. .. 0 7.3 .. N.7,. Land Mortgage 16/6 .. 0 15 3 MINING. Cambria „ ... | 2/3, 3/3, 4/1 0 3 9 0 4 0 Saxon 7/, 8/10, 10/3 0 9 0 0 10 0 Caledonian .. . .1 1/1 0 12 Trenton j 3/4, 3/6 0 3 5 0 3 6 Now Moanataiari „ 2/,'2/2, '2/6,2/7 0 2.c4 0 2 6 Alburnia .. „ .. ... 0 17 Gem .. /7 -.0 0 7 Crown .. ... .. .. 0 3 6 .. Woodstock .> 2/ 0 2 0 .. Kenilworth .. .. ... 0 3 0 0 3 3 Royal Oak ... ... ... 0 3 0 ; Colonist .. „ „ „ 0 3 0 j Martha Extended . „ .. .. 0 0 8 i T. A. Mknzies.