COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8471, 23 January 1891, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

New Zkaland Herald Office. Thursday evening. The Customs duties to-day amounted to £576 18e. January is usually a dull month, the strong buying of December in view of the Christmas trade generally leaving surpluses which traders try to work off. This season forms no exception to the rule, and slackness is the prevailing experience. Yet no inconsiderable business is passing through in a quiet way, imports, exports, and Customs returns are all at a gpod average. The fact is that the volume of trade is divided into so many different channels that while separately it looks nothing, in the aggregate it is cousiderable. The import market discloses no change of real importance, and prices are without much alteration. The difficulty In filling orders for Derby tobacco is more acute, ana a few other favorite brands are getting increased sale as substitutes. Pickles and vinegar are more in demand, and there is a general avoidance of colonial made. In such easily-made goods there ought to be no foundation for such prejudice, but the fault of many colonial caterers of household supplies is to aim more for cheapness than quality, and while it is very easy to preach about supi«ortiug native industry, a few disappointments soon prove the mistakes of fairh. There are some exceptions, and they are increasing, but there is still room for improvement. When we remember the many English and foreign goods that have been driven out of the iNeyv Zealand market by the successful industries planted in the colouy, we have good reason to be gratified. More liberal ideas of profits by masters and less dictatorial demands of men would largely increase local and colonial productiou, to the benefit of the whole community; but it won't do to pay " too dear for your whistle," or to consume or wear an inferior article for patriotic motives. The home cost of new material in candle manufacture has beeu steadily advancing for months past, and laid down costs of latest receipts show a corresponding advance. It is to be regretted that the New Zealand value of raw stuff, tallow, &c, does not rise in the same ratio, but the shipping companies take good care to sponge up everything extra in the way of margin. Certainly we are well served in a splendid steam and sail service, jut we pay for it handsomely. Calcutta tea statistics show an astonishjng growth in the demand from the Australasian colonies for Indian teas. From the Ist May to the loth December the shipments were, in pounds: 1888,2,027.963 ; 1890, 3,482,»00—an advance of over 70 per cent, within two years. The growth ot the trade with London is large, but very far short of the high percentage of improvement with the colonies. The tea season practically closes in Calcutta at the end of this mouth, and it is beginning to be generally felt that the shortage of supply to"requirements will be serious before the new seasou opens. We hear a good deal about large Southern business, but the Taeiri brought more tea to Auckland, than to any New Zealand port, and beat Adelaide by a large quautity. Maize has been selling, ex wharf, at 3s to 3s 2d during the past »veek. and a demand has set in at the moment for shipment by first steamer, which has hardened -prices somewhat. We presume this is in consequence of reports from Australia, about the damage by floods, which may be countermanded at any moment by further intelligence. Oats are firmer by recent reports from the South, and we understand there are Southern speculators in the market here for any considerable lines that are offering, which indicates this article is likely to be firm. Bright short feed, 2s Id to 2s 2d. Fowl wheat is very scarce. Pototoes are firm at the moment, and likely to rise in price. Milling wheat, local and southern : As usual at this time of the year farmers are too busy harvesting to attend the markets, and buyers are waitinf* till the crops are secured before making offers. The recent rains in the South have greatly improved the prospects of the harvest. Brau and sharps are again cheaper. The recent heavy arrivals of flour from the South and lower freights have had the effect of reducing prices by 10s per ton. In the local produce market the prices remain unchanged. Best dairy butter is 6d, second quality, sd, and third quality, 4<l per lb wholesale. Eggs are 10d per dozen wholesale, and Is per dozen retail. Both articles are very plentiful.

KAURI GUM MARKET. As we stated iu last week's report, buyers determined, for reasons mentioned, to lower prices, and they have, we understand, notiped sellers that on aud after Friday, 23rd instant, they will not pay over 40s for best ordinary, aiad they have also decided to discourage the picking of re-scraping gum out of the ordinary, by lowering the price for rescraped gum to 70s. For qualities of ordinary beloyv the value of 40s, prices are not yet established, and until the market settles our quotations for these qualities are nominal. Supplies for the 21 days of January are about 415 tons. We quote : —Poor ordinary (nominal), 30s to 38s; fair ordinary (nominal), 39s ; best ordinary, buyers 40s, sellers nominal; and East Coast (steady), 555. LIVE STOCK & PRODUCE MARKETS. auckland. Messrs. Alfred Bi;ckland and Sons' Report. —At the Uaymarket during the past week meadow hay has sold ireely at from 2s 3d to 3s3d: oaten sheaves, 2s 3d to. 2s 6d the cwt; choice old hay, £4 10* the ton; oats, Is lid ami 2s; maize, on wharf, 3s 2id the bushel; chaff, £3 10s to £3 15s the tonThere having been no hide sale last, week, that held on Tuesday was unusually larpe. horhe>vy hides there was a better inquiry, and medium hides ful y kept their values. Sheepskins are lower in price, which regulany occuig with the wool reason. The few bales of wool sold on Tuesday were freely comj)et*d for, and fully previous rates obtained, and i large number of bags and dumps of wool also sold satisfactorily. At the horse sale on Friday last bidding was slow and prices lower. Many lots remained unsold. At the Pukeno and Drury cattle sales few dairy cows were yarded, but store cattle of all classes were numerous. Bidding was brisk, and the prices obtained were the best for the season. At Kemuera, on Thursday, not many dairy cattle were yarded. Those were in request, and sold more fredy than for some tiin/r. Prices obtained ragged from £4 to £6 Sβ ench. Fat calves in moderate number, were at late values. Fat dttle, in excess of requirements, were lower in price about Is the 1001b. Prices for steers ranged from 15n to 10s: cows, 10s to 12s <5d the HiOlb—29o sold. .Sheep, in full numbers, kept their values—about 2Jd the n> for wethers »nd young ewes. J,auibs, in moderate supply, were at last week's values, and pigs sold freely - particularly young pigs fairly bred.

Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's Weekly RePout.—llor.sefeed, grain, seeds, etc. : A moderate supply has been brought forward, which met corresponding demand. Prices were unaltered. We quote : Feed oats, 2s to 2s 2(1 per bushel; maize, 3s to 3s 6d Rtr bushel ; bran, £3 10s to £3 15s per ton ; pressed meadow hay, £3 to £5 per ton ; chaff, £2 10s to £3 per ton. Horses : The market lias continued tolerably bri»k, and a jjood many sales have been effected at the previous week's value. Quite an average number wer« entered for disposal by auction at the Durham V'ards on Friday. Competition was good throughout the sale, and most of the lots were cleared. We quote hacks at from £4 5s to £10 10s; light harness horses, £(J to £9 15s; medium draught, £7 10a to £14. Wool, hides, and gKins; Average quantities were pitched at the Durham Yards on Tuesday. There was a steady demand without any noteworthy alteration in value. We quote : Wool, in bales, long, from to 6jd per lb ; in bags, orossbred, 6d to 7(1; long, fi om to 6Jd ; lambswool, eld to 6Jd ; locks and pieces, from ojd to 3d'per lb; stout ox hides, 4d to 5d per lb; medium, 3d to 4d; ox and cow, lid to 2}d pitr lb; calf skins, 2d to 4d per lb; sh> ep skins, 3s 3d; lamb skins, Is to 2s each ; p-Its, lid to Is 9d ; rough fat lid per lb. Gattle : Barely an average number has been disposed of, and there has been no noteworthy alteration in value. The Newmarket Yards were fairly supplied on Tuesday, and there was a steady demand. Dairy cows advanced slightly in value. Stores were in limited numbers, find sold at the previous week's E rices, as did also fat beasts, with exception of peraps a few pens which sold at prices a shade in favour of the purchaser, but 16s per 1001b was given for ox and 13s for cow beef. Some averages of fat steers were : £0 13s, £8 10s, £0 tts 3d, £5 16a 3d ; cows, £A 3s 6d, £4 7s, £3 2a Oα. Sheep were in average numbers at Newmarket on Tuesday, and prices were in favour of the vendor as compared with the previous week. Wethers sold at from 10s 6d to 16s 3d, ewes Bs'6d to lls 3d. Lambs were plentiful and sold at from 6s «<1 to 10a 3d. Pigs, in limited ntmi-bei-s, sold at from 2d to 3d per lb live weight.

Messrs. G. W. Binney and Son's Report.—At our weekly sale of hides, sheepskins, Ac, we offered an extra large catalogue (no sales being held the previous week). Values remained firm at late quotations. He.ivy, stout ox and light kip are scarce, but medium ox and cow are plentiful. We give as fair market value: Heavy stout, 4d to 4£d; prime, to s<l; medium, 2Jd to 3d ; cow, ljd to 2d ; light, kip, 2id to 3d ; calf, <d to 4Jd ; damaged, id to Id per lb. Sheepskins: Full wooUed are lower by i<l per lb. .Sailed pelts and lambs meet ready sale. Dry pelts are low, buyers preferring salted. Many lots now come to hand weevil damaged, and sell at very low prices. Salted pelts sell from 10d for small t> Is 8d for large. Lambs, is 3d to Is 9d ; dry, lei to 10d each. Wool: We cleared 200 bales, fadges and bags at fair values. Fleece and lambs sold equal to the regular sales. Locks and pieces are in good demand, hut values are about Id to l&d under last year's nales.

THE AUCKLAND MARKETS. [Corrected to noon of Thursday.] FARM AND DAIRY PRODUCE. Wholesale. Retail.

AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. AIICKUMI, JANUARY 22, 1891.

Joseph Newman, S. Vickers, J. Friar Clarke, R. Prater, J. M. Lennox, D. B. McDonald. D. G. MacDounell. Aitken Carrick, K. Spratt, Francis Hull, James Held, K. G. Mucky, T. A. Meuzieu, James Frater, Q. Jf. Briiublecombe. C. ALEXANDER, Chairman. CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST. CALLS. £ a. rt. Hazelbank U.M.Co. .. _ 0 0 3 - Jan. 21 Mountain Flower G.M.Co. ..0 0 1... Jan. 26 Consols U.M.Co. .. _ 0 0 2 „ Jan. 211 Pride of Kanika. G.M.Co. _ 0 0 3 „ Jan. 31 lied Mercury G.M.Co. .. 0 0 2 _ Feb 6 Golden Crown G.M.Co. - 0 0 1 ._ Feb. 7 Victoria u.M.Co. - - 00 I - Feb. 10 DIVIDENDS. N.Z. Insurance Company M IB % — Now. Union Insurance Co. .. — 10% — Now. CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALES. Chkistchurch, Thursday. — Over 6000 bales of wool were submitted to-day. Prices generally were much the same as at the last sales for bright, clean, well skirted halfhreds, but there was a tendency to a slight fall towards the end of the sale in crossbreds and merinos. John Dean's first combing halfbred brought 14d, and second combing lid, the highest price this season. LONDON COMMKRCIAL.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! London, December 12. The wheat market is quiet, as usual, at this time of the year, but prices are steady. New Zealand is firmly held, but fair to good Tuscan brines 373 to 38s, and short berry at from 35s Cd to 86s 6d. Australian is firm on the spot at 88s Cd to 38s 9d per 4tHslb, ex store, for the finest samples. Medium New Zealand barley is unchanged at 32s to 3m per 4-lSlbs ex store. New ZeaUud heavy oats, 25s 6d to •26s 6d, and beans, 32s to 83s. The fifth and last seiies of colonial wool sales close to-morrow. .During its progress U5,585 bales have passed the hammer—l3,o2B from New Zealand. Values show a tendency to harden a little, so that the initial decline has be*-n partially recovered. At present values may be quoted at about the following relation to those current at the end of the September ■ October auctions : — Superior Australian greasy merino, oar t" Jd higher ; medium to good, j-d lower; faulty and inferior, Id lower; good to superior Australian scoured, id to Id lower : short combiiu, inferior faulty scoured merino, id to 2d lower ; greasy crossbrv-ds including lainbe, par to Jd; ciossbred slipes, Id lower ; Australasian merino lambs, Jd per lb. Australian and New Zealand butters are taking a leading position in the London market, and with care in selection and packing are likely to hold a foremost place. The best qualities, packed in eases of neat appearance, and sent in the ship's, cool chamber, sell readily at 112s per cwt. For the same quality of butter, packed in kegs, only 108* is obtainable. Retailers are objecting to cases, and a weakness for kegs. One importer states that In a consignment sent to him good butter was placed on the top of the keg, and discoloured and rancid butter, the product of last season's dairying, was placed at the bottom. It was impossible to obtain a satisfactory price for the shipment. Retailers insist upon sampling every package, and a single indifferent package in a consignment reduces the value of the whole. Second qualities of butter sell lor 963 per cwt., but is not wanted. There is an unlimited market for best colonial butter, which takes equal rank with that of Normandy, and the produce of the Normandy dairies comes next to banish butter, which is the best in the market today, and sells for 13tJ» per cwt.

8. d. a. d. s. d. s. d Butter, fresh, dairy, lb 0 6 — 0 0 08—00 Do., second quality 06 — 00 07—0 0 Do., third quality ..04— 0 06—00 Do., Waikato " Anchor' brand .. .. 0 10 —00 00 — 00 Prime salt .. ..06 — 06 00 — 00 Do., inferior salt ..03— 4 04 — 00 Milk, quart .... ■■■':. 0 3J— 0 0 Cheese, local, Ib .04 — 0 6 0 6 — 08 Do., best factory m 0 6 — 0 0 m

Begs, dozen .. _ 0 10 - 0 0 10 — 00 Lard, bladder. lb ..06 — 06 06 — 09 Hams and Bacon, Pro. 0 6J— 0 01 nominal (;ant. Bacon, new (in cloth) .. _. 0 7 — 7J - Hams (in cloth) _ 0 9-0 10 ~ Jams, case udoa _ 23 9 —20 3 Fowls, each .. _ 0 6 — 1 0 14 — 2 0 Ducks, do. _ „ 10 — 18 Geese, do. _ _ _ 26 — 30 Turkeys, do. „ «. .. 8 6 — « 0 Feathers, lb _ ..16 — 10 -

Company. Business. Closing Prices. _________ ___________ . B U y er , # Sellers. Banks : _ a d £ a d. New 'Zealand, old.. — 4 18 6 5 2 fl National, cum .. — 1 IS 0 — Colonial _. — —230 Insurance: New Zealand .. - 3 10 0 - South British . . 25/a 15 0 16 0 National „ .. — 0 16 C — Standard .. .. — 0 13 6 0 14 0 Miscellaneous: Auckland Oμ, new — — 5 12 6 Thames Gas .. — 1 11 0 — Kauri Timber .. — — 0 10 0 N.Z.L.ifc Mercantile — 2 IS 0 3 0 0 Taupiri Coal Kxt... — — I 1 6 Northern Boot ... — —080 MINI Mi : May Queen.. .. 6/ ( i> 4 0 0 5 0 NewMoanatalari.. 18/3,13/8 " 1J 3 0 13 6 Saxon ... — — 0 3 10 Trenton _*.. — 030088 CanibrUi _, .. 8/1,3/3 0 3 2 0 3 3 Norfolk _ - 0 17Freedom _ — — 0 0 6 Victoria (T.) .. 1/8,1/9 0 17 0 19 Hazelbank .... - -020 Junction .. - AO, /9 0 0 8 0 0 10 -lryl'lulEe >. .. 6/8, 0/4 0 6 0 0 0 o Red Mercury .. — — 0 2 6 C«rbine „ .. 1/9,1/10 0 19 — Waitais. .. .. — Oil —