COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8501, 27 February 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

' New Herald Office. Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately the most important record of the month as regards trade matters is the serious loss of "the provincial harvest through successive downpours before the crop could be stacked and covered. The estimate varies as to the extent of sprouted and discoloured grain, but it is very heavy, and the farmers' losses will be sovore. The season has altogether been a remarkably wet one. The deficient yield from the South Island, through checked growth in consequence of a very dry spring season, will largely shrink the hoped for exports of the year, but the variety of production, other than grain, is now so wino and large, that there is little doubt of the continnanco of that expansion by leaps and bounds which is so much a matter of favourable comment everywhere. Locally tho export trade was never so satisfactory. The rapidity with which space is booked by home carriers by sail or steam contrasts strongly with the experience of only a few years back. The Mamari, of '5000 tons, leaves early next month direct for London with all hex- cargo consisting of frozen meat, flax, wood, glim, butter, cheese, honey, apples, &c, already engaged. Our intercolonial and island trade is "well maintained. The San Francisco service has been expedited, which will further enhance the value of this link with the great American States, tho trade with which has so far been very onesided. With, however, a probable change in their fiscal policy at the next Presidential election, the preservation of this service to New Zealand is most important. We expect that before long the Americans will be strong buyers in their winter season for meat, onions, apples, lemons, and dairy produce, which can be so abundantly and cheaply supplied during our summer, and a tlireo weeks' steam crosses the Pacific. . The forward booking of winter goods in the drapery branch has been spirited, but in ordinary consumptive goods, buyers rarely purchase more than the needs of the month, as sorting up can be done as wanted. An average business has been maintained. Building material has been more wanted, and the inquiry from the South for kauri pine is so growing that tho provincial mills are kept busy. The labour agitation at home has stopped timber shipments to London and Glasgow, and they are not likely to be resumed until the strike outlook is less portentous. Financially, matters continue very satisfactory. Another mining spurt, based upon excellent yields, has inspirited the speculative division, and in some favourite stocks London investments have been a feature of interest. It is evident that the wet battery process must be discarded in the case of many of the ores peculiar to the Thames and Upper Thames mining districts, for under more scientific treatment what has hitherto been considered poor ore has been proved to be abundantly payable. The advent of a new Ministry has been taken quietly by commercial and financial circles. The declaration by the Premier that there shall be no more borrowing, has given very general satisfaction. If ho could follow this up by commencing to reduce indebtedness by accrued savings from sinking funds, lie would still more please the long-suffering taxpayers, and enhance the credit of the colony. Turning our attention now to the market, we report a good business iu grass seeds. The uncertainty of grain-growing lias been so proved by this exceptional season, that there is a general disposition to grow wool and raise meat. Dried fruits have not been in active demand because there is a full supply of fresh at this season. Currants are, however, perhaps an eighth better, Elemea are extremely scarce at 7sd d.p.; sultanas without business at lid, nominal, d.p. Small business is reported in Californian prunes at i)d. Nothing doing in dates, dried apples, or muscatels, but in the latter tho remarkable keeping quality of the Californian Avill do much to secure increased business, although, as compared with tho Mediterranean muscatel, the smallness of the fruit makes it take a secondary position. Chemicals are all steady, and full rates are asked, the market being by no means heavily supplied. Corusacks become weaker for two reasons, one that the farmers are not threshing, and another that the continually reduced figures cabled from Calcutta make buyers uncertain where to touch bottom. Woolpaeks are not wanted at this season, but their price has suffered a serious relapse. Cornflour : The best business has been done in Brown and Poison's, and agents' rates are unaltered. Cement: Very moderate business ac quotations. Candles: The mid - snminsr season makes demand slow. Prices are, however, all very firm, with a tendency towards about a farthing rise, in sympathy with a fractional advance in laid down cost. The local candle company is doing the bulk of the business in common to medium qualities. Fish should at this season, and on account of Lent be active, but there are no reports of any brisk business. Boneless cod and salt salmon have moved better, but the whole total sales do not amount to much. The production of tinned mullet is shortly to be reduced, through the closing of oue of tho canneries, until there is a recovery in the demand. A shipment of this lish has been sent, to Port Natal. Lobsters have become a luxury, their price having steadily advanced for months past. Ling is in good request. Hops are exceedingly scarce, and full prices are being paid to the few fortunate holders. The Nelson new growth will not come to market before the early part of April. Jams : Considerable purchases have been made by merchants from the various makers, but the distribution for the month has suffered from the supply of green fruit. Wire nails : Better business, with a scarcity of large sizes. Fencing wire: Strong demand. One of the most useful lines for the month in the metal trade. Steady inquiry in all directions. Galvanised iron: Prices have remained , stationary, but the country trade has been ' good. There is unquestionably more vitality ', in the requirement, but so far the town trade is only kept up by need of repairs, most of the building contracts having terminated, and few are commencing. Tin plates : At this fruit season thero is generally an active demand. Stocks are low and buying has been free. Blasting powder is in steady demand with the market not overstocked. ! Matches : Some competition from Brussels 1 has come in as against the favourite brands ; of Bryant and May and R. Bell and Co., but ! very satisfactory trade is reported in the ; latter brands, although there is more complaint about " burnt's" than there u&od to be. ', In Tansticker's only small business can be reported. The market was cleared last 1 month in anticipation of a strong advance iu • duty in Tahiti. Oilmen's stores : Crosae and Blackwell's 5 pickles are more inquired for, but stocks have not been kept up. Burnett's vinegar is in ■ strong request at agents' rates, shipment after ■ shipment being cleared at once on arrival. " Pint sauces are in low stock. Morton's > vinegar is scarce,"and wanted. Starch is in full supply of all repntod brands. HudI son's extract is less called for owing tc » the introduction of so many fancy soaps 1 of which apparently " Sunlight" takes the I the lead. Lucca oil its scarce. i Kerosene oil is having a very weak market • ami there are full supplies afloat. Importer! • are offering at cost rather than store. Castor « notwithstanding the fall in Calcutta, main 1 tains its local price during the month. Pain' oils have been in good s-ile, as also the good reputed brands of wiiite lead. Commoi qualities of this are now , practically un .j saleable. Colza : The demand has been ven [. slow. Quicksilver: There have been plenty o n inquiries, but little business. The earb v starting of some new batteries will probablj 0 clear the market, as it is almost bare. s Rice has been rather slow. The receni ;. very high price has apparently turned off tin [\ consumptive demand largely, and the usua sales in summer have shrunk in volume [' With an easement in prices the public d< j'. not get the advantage quick enough, the re • tailers keeping up figures as long as possible Present value is, suy, £15 las per ton for No 1 Japan. There is> no import of Patna n whjle there is a drooping market for Japan d which this market has been so long usei is to. Rangoon is held on sale with buyer ■°. scarce and market receding. d Sago and tapioca are worth from 2d to 2&i " per lb, with a yearly falling off in busines '![ for reasons not at all clear. d Teas: This line continues to puzzle tb '' best authorities. The market is strong i l ® Indian, and weak in Chums. Boxes ar '"• ceasing to be handled to any considerabl 3 ' extent. Blenders have "jumped the claim 3 ' and have tiie whole trade practically t *" themselves. Rivalry is very keen, and th 1C public have good value for money. Th *■' taste of consumers has been educated up t a high appreciation of quality, and loi "* descriptions are unnoticed unless for foundc *" tion purposes, and even then they must h !a sound flavoured. Sugar has as usual commanded large bus ie ness, the preserving and lerated water seaso a, being active, as also the greater consumptio e, of ale has made a strong enquiry for mam !., facturers and brewers'sugar, in addition t al grocery counter sorts. Values have not bee jr disturbed materially. The important featur Iβ of the month in respect to this line has bee the importation of a first consignment froi

SH.a. lnsuranco isuuciings, A.ucKi;ynu,anii Aiours-utr* Messrs. Spreckels and Co., of California, the owners of the Oceanic mail steamers. Their sugars in over 2cwt barrels are most favourably spokou of both for colour and strength. A consignment of about 400 tons was cleared within a week, largely to South Island buyers. The demand for yellows is rather slow, and browns have been in less request than usual at this season. Tobacco sales have been active, and in favour of Derby, Columbia, Juno, and Victory brands, tho first named getting the lion's share. The shortness of supply of this has divided business with a variety of other , brands. Cigarettes : Full business is reported 1 in Old Judge. In liquids, trade has been about the usual run, ami without special feature. Favourite brands of bottled beer and stout have secured considerable business. Owing to the tourist season and tho many visitors to the Hot Lakes, the better class of wines and champagne have been in more request. Penfold's Australian wines are in good demand. Bottled limejuice has "sold freely. Spirits have had an average month's trade, all classes getting a share. The bulk of the sale has been in case and bulk whisky of leading brands. Increased business is reported in Bisquit Dubouche brandy. The market is full of a variety of common makes, and very low prices (wholesale) have been accepted to clear. Geneva is firm at last month's quotations, with good business reported in JDkZ, twenty-bottle, four-gallon. Rum at this season is in slow sale, but a little trade at quotations has been passing through. Old Tom and gingerwine have dropped out of call. Townshuud's sarsaparilla : Quiet business. Kautu GtJM Makkkt.— Notwithstanding our unusually wet summer, the quality of all ordinary gum coining forward is very poor. This is greatly due to diggers and others picking out what good gum there is in the ordinary for sale as resoraped gum, and there appears little prospect of much improvement in ordinary until tho demand for rescraped gum is diminished, or until prices for rcscraped gum are lowered. Since last mail an attempt was made here with the above object to lower price for rescraped gum, but it has so far been unsuccessful. Quotations for ordinary are lower, but if poor quality is taken into account they may possibly fall further before end of our summer. East Coast is unsettled. The Prospect sailed on 22nd instant with about 34 tons gum for New York, for which port the Essex sailed on '24th instant with about 543 tons, and the Hermione is loading for London. Supplies from mail to mail are about 585 tons. This market being unsettled, we can only quote prices that have been paid since last mail as follows :—Poor ordinary, 32s to 37s ; fair ordinary, 38s to 39s ; best ordinary, 40s ; and East Coast, 555.

:. AUCTION SALES, &C. ■■■■■]■■ January SO. Mr. Thorncs, land agent, 81, Queeu-street, reports the sale of a residence and 10 acres at Miuigere, on behalf of Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, to Mr. John Gore, of Hawera, for £1062. February 13. There was a large attendance at the salo held to-day by Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons in their new sale-room, 85, Queen-street. There was good bidding for some of the lots, but in most cases not up to the owners' reserve. An ei|;ht-roomed house in Graf ton Road, with outbuildings and allotment 37 by 90, realised £555, and two of the other properties offered are likely to be sold. February 14. Mr. Thornes, land agent, 81, Queen-street, reports the sale to-day of a fruiterer's business in Queen-street, on behalf of Mr. VVilkinson, and a four roomed cottage, with allotment 40 by 90, situated at John-street, on behalf of Mr. Greenwood, for £105. February 20. There was a good attendance at the land auction held by Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons at two p.m. to-day, and there was fair competition for some of the lots. The only property actually sold, however, was a cottage and shop in Mount Roskill Road for £155.'' ■" ■■■" ,;: ■'■■'' '"'■' Mr. C. Williamson, land agent, reports the sale of house and allotment in Ponsonby for Mr. King for £105; also allotment in Shelly Beach Road for Mrs. Adams for £126. Mr. Thornes, land agent, 81, Queen-street, reports the sale of house and allotment with 50 feet frontage to Sentinel Road, Ponsonby, on behalf ', of Mr. Constable, of Melbourne, for £750 cash. , , The following recent sales through the Auckland branch of Messrs. Baker ■■ Bros. agency, serve to confirm the prevailing impression that the property market is firmer : — Devonport, Beach Road, corner Garden Terrace, dwelling on land 54 by 150, sold for Captain Slattery for £425. Victoria Avenue, Eden Terrace, 54 years lease of shop • and dwelling on Lot 40, sold for Mr. H. O. • Hanchard to E. J. Taylor. Mount Roskill, , Mr. Castle's house and la lr 3p, bought by > Mr. Stewart for £400. Newmarket, Lot 2on the Manukau Road, with the two shops , thereon, the freehold sold subject to a lease i for 4* years at £21 l'2s, to Mr. H. Gilmour , for £o'oo. For the interest in the lease on - behalf of Messrs. A. Clark and Sons the t firm procured £250. Hokianga, Rotokanae, ■ Block No. 4609, comprising 72 acres with i store thereon sold to Mr. J. Hunter for £275. r Rates of Exchange on London.—: Dec mand, i per cent, discount ; 30 days, J per cent. 1 discount; CO days, J per cent, discount; DO days, f li per cent, discount. Selling: Demand, 1& per ' cent, premium ;. 30 days, 1J per cent, premium ; GO days 8 per cent, premium; 00 days, & per cent. i. premium. Fixed deposit; 3 months, 2J per cent.; a (i months, 3£ per cent.; 12 months, 4 J per cent, 1 ALES and PORTER— in hulk : None now imported to warrant market quotations. Ale (in bond) Tennent's, quarts, 4s to ss; Bass's Dogshead 3 brand (Read's bottling): pints, 6s 9d ; quarts, 8s Oil (in bond); poster's Bugle ale, quarts 8s 9d, pints 6s 3d; Foster's Bugle stout, quarts, 8s Od, pints Os 3d; Bulldog (R. Porter and Oo.'s bottling), 6s and 8s; W. Younger , *, 5s and 7s 3d; Ashby's, ' (is 3d to 8s 0d ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints,4s ; '■}' fiuarts 0s fid. Anglo-Bavarian : pints 5s Cd and 8a ; 1 Boar's Head Stout: quarts, Bs-; .pints, 6s 6d. s Ouinness'a Harp brand by Foster: pints, 6s ; quarts, Bs. Norway ales: pints, 6s 4d; quarts, 1 "8s Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, 9s; pints, 0s = 3d Blood's: - pints, ss; - quarts, 7s. Dogshead auinness's (Read's bottling): pints, (is 5d ; quarts, 8s Cd It. Porter anil Co. bottling : pints, 6s; 3 quarts, 8s; Spark's Molino bottling: Os, and 9s 3d; a Burke's : os, and 9s. Other brands: 5s and 7s 6d. e Duty: pints, Is 6d: quarts, 3s per dozen. e building Materials.—Cement. K.B. and White's', " worth Xss. Slates: English Countesses are worth o £11 to £12; American, unsaleable. Plaster ol Paris, 18s to 21s according to the size of the cask. All these quotations nominal • . ' : f «f ~ Br.eadst.upfs and Grain.—Local best roller flour, in sacks £1010s; household, £1U; stone Hour, 103 per v ton less; Southern brands, £10 in sacks r 100 s l * and 60's in proportion to extra bagging; Wheat, e old milling, Ss ed to Ss 9d; fowl wheat, 3s 6d. Bran. £3 Sharps, £3 10s. Maize, 2s Bd. Oatmeal, £.10 I. per, 20001b. Barley (for malting),. 3s. Oats, .. 2s to 2a 2d (bags given in). Pearl barley, £17. Cabin „■-' ' bread £16 per ton. ■ ; ' : ' / '' Bags and Bagging.—Calcutta mil weight wooll" packs 2s 3d, d.p.; comsacks, 44in. by Stiiin., 6s; 0 48in., 7s. :..'--'.'.••. i- : : , .. \ ' 1 Coal.—Newcastle, 30s ; . Bay .of Islands, ISs ac the e mines, and 27s 6d ,to 30s at yard, ,is quoted; n •'■ AVhaugarei coal, 10s at mine ; ditto, »aikato n steam, 10s; household, 20a "" ■■-■■' '/" ■

I CohOaoe, D.r. (Subject to trade discounts).— hemp rope, all sizes, Sydney, £4(i to £53 ; Auckland-, made, £04 to £00; whale ami lanco lines, £80 ; :>. wl Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £37 to £39; Auck- V laud-made, £37; wool lashings, £33; clothes I 1 lines, f)d per 11), subject to trade, discount; Manila clothes line, 8d; oakum, free, ditto, £40; spun varn two-yarn ditto, £48 to £55; twine, shop, il.p., per lb, 9tl to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb ; local-make, Is to is 3d. Coi'i-KH and Spicks (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, No. 1, Is 2Jd; ditto, Island, (Hi; chicory, colonial, 40s per cwt. in tuts ; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, Is 3d; Fr/s, la 3d; Van Houtens, 3s ad ; Epos's, Is 7d ; Maravilla, Is Cd; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 5d ; Fry's, Is sd. Spices, d.p.: Cloves, la Oil; bleached singer, lid ; nutmegs, Ss 3d ; black pepper, whole, m bond, 3d ; white ditto. Is lid. Conkectionkuy.—Local manufacturers are producing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Waters'* colonial boiled, 4 ; ? d ; dry, 7:Wi; jujubes, Is Id; MelUlle and Doy's boiled, 4Jd; Keiiler's assorted confections, 9Ad; Gray's, U.Jd, less trade discount; candbel lemon peel, d.p. (duty, 5d per lb), Is ; orange, la ; citron, Is 8d ; Keiller's jujubes, Is 4d ; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d; Compazine Franyais' gums, Is. GUM, FLAX, --"We quote: Gum : Poor ordinary, £32 to £37 ; fair ordinary, £33 to £39 ; best ordinary. £41); Bast Coast, £55. Flax : Best clean Auckland, £10 t-j £17 ; special brands, £18; good, £15; ordinary, £12; tow, £2 10s per ton. Uocoanut iibre, £15 to £17; cocoanut oil (fine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 to £12. Fungus, 3d. , . IRONMONGERY, Galvanised corrugated iron, r> to 8 feet, £22; 9 feet, £23; 10 feet, £24; English bar iron, per ton, £10; Onehunga (New Zealand) iron, £10 10s; linglish pig iron, £4 15s; plate iron, £11; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £13. Barbed wire, £22 10s. Sheet lead, £22; pig lead, • £10; zinc, £32; powder, Curtis, Jlarvev.and Hall's, (Jit; sporting (in canister), 2s to ;$3 9d; Muntz metal, 7jd. Quicksilver, 3s 7,1 Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.— 2cl per lb. Keiller's marmalade, lib., d.p., 7s 3d ; Gray's, 7s; Moil's, 7s ; Peacock's jam, ss; Murray's, Dunedin, 4s 6d to 4s 9d; jars, (Ud to 7i>.l ; Nelson (New Zealand), 5s to 5s 3d; sultana*, IOJd (d.p.); Malaga muscatels. Is 6d; Californian, 10d; new elemes, 7jd ; Valencias, 7id ; new currants, sjd; tigs, Til; Californian prunes, 9d; dried apples (duty, Ski per . lb). ordinary, in kegs and cases, 7d ; evaporated, lOd ; dates, 51d. Lkather and IJides.— leather, «d to Is 3d per lb ; kips, Is 2d to Is Oil; runners, Is Cd to Is 8d ; calf, colonial, 2* (id to 3s Ud; basils, 8s to ISs per ! dozen; closed uppers, 4s Oil to as 6d per pair ; ; hides, Id to 4d; calf skins, 3d to 4Jd per lb ; ; sheepskins, Gd to 6s. i Manures.— bonedust, £0 ios to £S; Auckland, £8 10; superphosphate of lime, £0 to '. £810s ; bonetiour, £S ; Peruvian guano, £14 to £17 ' per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake,

none ; linseed cake, £12 ; Maiden Island guano, £S; lluon Island guano, £5 to £0 ; New Zealand Drug Co.'s Manures : Superphosphate, B Hi per cent. S.P.L., i tons, £A 2s 6d ; 5 tons, £4. Superphosphate, C 25 per cent. S.P.L., 2 tons, £5 7s (id ; 5 tons, £5 ss. Superphosphate A 32 per.cent. S.P.L.,'-' tons!, £7 ss; 5 tons, £7 Bonedust, pure, 2 tons, £7 10s; 5 tons, £7 ts ; Bonedust aud blood, 2 ton*, £13 10s; 5 tons, £6 7s tid. Root manure, 2 tons, £7 Wα ; 5 tons, £7 6s. Corn manure, 2 tons, £7 ss; 5 tons. £7. Grass manure, 2 tons, £6 15s; 5 tons, £0 lUs. Potato manure, 2 tons, £7 10.s; 5 tons, £7 (is. Maize manure, 2 toin, £7 Ss; 5 tons, £7. Orchard aud tobacco manure, 2 tons, £8 15s ; 5 tons, £8 10s. tIALT and HOPS.—English malt, no inquiry is experienced ; Colonial; Cs. Hops: Nelson, last season, is id to is 2d; glucose, £23, d.p., delivered to brewery. OILMEN'S Storks.—Price's Belmont Candles, duty, •2d, none, d.p., per lb; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, Ojd to 7d, less trade discount; Orient Candles, 7UI (Dunedin make); Atlas Paraffins, Std ; Price's National, Sid; Price's Battersea, none ; Young's British Wax, 7id; Price's London Wax, 7:!<1; D. It. Jeimrs, 8d; Price's self-titting, S.'.d; local blue mottled soap, £20 per ton ; carbolic, £27; best yellow, £20; No. 1 household, £15; Ist Crown, £26; 2nd Crown, £17; soft soap, in tins, 4£d per lb; toilet, 9d to 10d pur lb—all subject to trade discount. Salt, 10s per ton duty: Coarse, \\. it W., £4, ex store, d.p.; ox ship, 5s pur ton lower; ilno Black Horse, £5 5s ex store, d.p. ; .Jordan almonds, 2s 3d; Yalencias, Is; Blacking pasto, Day and Martin's, 4a ed; Cohnan's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2(1 perlb): white, 495; blue, 5Us; Orlando Jones starch. 455; Gill and Tucker's starch, 445; lleuinann's. 455. Mustard, d.p. : Champion's genuine Mb book-shaped tins, 10s to 19s 0d; J-lb tins !)s 3d to Os 0d; Cohnan's 1-lb tins (red) 11s Od: half ditto, 9s; 7-lb tins (red to green), 7.U1 to Is; 1-lb tins (green), 13s ; J-lb dittos, 7s Od ; DSF i-li) tins, Us, lib, 19s; Keen's, 9s. Blue: Kuckitt's Paris, in circle, new make, 7d ; Keen's, Bkl. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant aud May's 250 per gross, ISs 0d ; ditto, plaid, 4s 0d ; ditto, fancy oval, 24s 0d ; Hell and Black's, 17s ; plaids, 4s 4d ; R. Bell and Co. 250's, 17s 3d ; plaids, 4s fid. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. Oil : Castor, in pints, 8s 9d ; half-pints, 5s ; quarter-pints, 3s Od. Salad : C. anil 8., pints, 13s to 14s : half-ditto, Os ; Morton's pints, 11s Cd ; half - pints, 5s Cd. Pickles: Stephens' pints, 7s 9d; Crossu and Blackwell's, pints, 13s ; Morton's, 10s , McConnochie's, 7s od. Rice (ground), in tins, 4ld. Sauces: Loa and Porrius, halfpints, 13s Gd; C. and 8., half-pints, 9s Oct; Slellor's, Ss, pints 15s 6d, ; Stephens', 0s 0d ; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 2d ; Pew's, Is 9d; Holdbrook's, Is lOd ; Evans', 2s 2d ; Burnett a, 2s; Potts', la lid; local, Is sd. Vinegar, case : Champion's, Ss 6d ; Burnett's, 7s Cd; Morton's, 7s 3d. Treacle, 2d; Golden Syrup, bulk, 21d. American honey, 21b-tins, 12s Oil., d.p. Sago, aid ; tapioca, 2jd. Cornflour : Brown's, 3Jd, d.p. : Brown and Poison's, Ojd ; Johnston's, 6Jd ; Preserved milk : Nestle's, 7s to 7s Od, according to parcel; Milkmaid, 7s 3d to 7s Gil. Tartaric acid, iu jars, 2s; cream of tartar. Is 8d; bicarb, soda, £13 ; ISnglish soda crystals, £8, d.p. (duty, £2 per ton). Whiting, £0, Oils and Paints.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s 3.1; bulk, 4s ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s (id; bulk, 3s 4d; raw, drums, 3s 4d ; bulk, 3s2d ; castor, in drums, 3s 7d; half-cases, 3s 6d; kerosene d p , 130 test, Is 0d ; kerosene, in bond, 130 test Hit; White Hose, 150 test, Is 2d i.b. ; other hiph test brands from Is. White lead, ground, per cwt, 5Gs and 112s; genuine, 30s; No. 1 white lead, 28s in 50's, smaller packages more, according to size ; red lead, dry, 21s. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s pet- cwt. Turps, duty paid : American, 3s IOd ; 1C tinplates, 20s ; resin, £7 10s to £S. Varnish, 7s 0d to 11s per gallon. Quotations regulated by qualities. Provisions.—Cheese : provincial, 4d to sd. Salt butter, market glutted, 4d to 6d. Rice, Lb., tinest Japan dressed, £16; No. 1, £15 16s. Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only 7d; equal numbers hams and bacon, 7Jd hams only, Sjd. Fish : Ling, 0d ; boneless cod, Old ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 33s pei barrel; Marshall's white, 3s per tin ; Findon had docks, 8s; lobsters, American libs, 13s; 21bs, 18s; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., 9s6d ; other brands ; 7s 9d to Ss, d.p.; salt salmon, 6d ; sardines, quarters, 5s to 5s 3d ; halves, 7s 'Jd to Ss ; oysters, 7s; mullet (Kaipara), 5s 6d. Sugars.—Mauritius brewers' crystals, £33 duty paid (duty Ad per lb); Colonial Sugar Company's Auck land refinery, d.p., No. 1, £26 ; No. 2, £26 ; No 3 £22- Queensland whites, £22 10s to £24 Fiji crystal, none ; China, crystal, £24 ; Eng lisii crushed loaf, 3id, d.p.; French cube 4Jd • California cube, £30 per ton ; Queenslam yellows, i.b., £15 15s; China yellows, none browns, £15. Spirits .— Duty, 15s per gallon of proof spirit: in bulk, 16s per gallon in case. Brandy Rouyer, Gouillet and Co., 25s and 8s; Mar cellain's, case, 22s 6d, i.b. ; flask, 28s 6d half-flask, 35s 6d; quarter-flask, 53s 6d, anc in bulk, 7s 9d; Hennessy's bulk, not in the mar ket; case, 37s 6d; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'i pale, in hhde. and qr.-easks, 7s; Beehive, bulk, 8s; Courvoisier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29; (nominal); bulk, 10s 6d; Beehive, case, 24s Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 255: Hine's, 28s bulk, 8s; Gautier's, 32s and 10s 6d; Burgaud's 7s 3d to 7s 9d; Muller Frere's, 20s; Cavaliei Frere's, 245; J. B. Rene's, case, 225; Senimaud 6s. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Distillers old, ss; very old, 7s; VOS, 8s; case, Oli Scotch, 15s ; very old, 19s ; VO.S, 22s ; Greenles: and Colville's, 5s to 5s 6d, and Greenles: and Colville's VO, 8s 6d; case, Rob Roy, 18s case, Teacher's, 10s; Vint's bulk, 6s 6d; Vint'i case, 20s 6d; Dunville's, 5s (id; case, 18s Lome Highland, 21s; Speyside, 21s; Roya Blend, 245; Teacher's old, 265; Encore, 19s Walker's WW, 22a; LL, 22s 6d to 235; all ii baud. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 1

bottles, 14s 6d ; 20 bottles, 18s; key, Geneva, proof, ISs; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s 6d. Gin, Booth's, 10s; Burnett's Old Tom, 13s. Lowndes , nun, 30 0.p., 4s (id to 4s 9d; Red Heart, case, 25s 6d ; Burnett's , case, 225. Key, 225. TiMisKit.—Quotations are as follows :—Kauri boards and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 10s 6(1 to lls first-class ; 7s Gα second-class ; at yards, Auckland, 14s6d to 15s first-class; 7s (ici to 10s second-class. Flooring, 13s6d to 10s flrst-class ; 9s Oil second-class, rusticated, 16s 0d to 17s. West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 5s to 6s ; Hitches, i)s <kl ; white pine (kaliikatea), 5s 0d ; T. and G., 12s, f.o.b. at mills; at yard, flrstclass, 13s; sagond-class, Ss; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 13s 6il: 0 feet, 15s; Hobart rails, £3 15s. Tobacco.—Duty, 3s 6d. Venus, 14s; three-quarter boxes, Is; Venus, Navy flat work, Is; doublethick ditto, Is; Ruby Aromatic, 2s 4il; Victory, Is lid; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3d to Is 4Jd; Unique, Is 3d; low, 10's, 11<1; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is 8d ; Derby, case, Is ftid ; boxes, Is 7Jd; Nailvod, Is 2d; other nailrod, from Is Id to Is 2.U1; Signet, Is ; Gem of the Sea, Is 2rt ; Josephine, Is; Columbia, Is 3d; Watson and McGill's twist, 26's, Is 2d ; 14's, Is Id. Teas.—Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, 7d to 3d ; middling to tine kinds, 9d to 10d; Saryunes and Panyongs, Is to Is 3d; Souchongs and Kaisows. Is to Is 2d; Orange Pekoes, Is to Is 2d, no enquiry. Indian teas are now largely wanted for blending aud are scarce. Darjeelings, Is 7d. Good broken, Is 2d; semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, Is 4d to Is lid, duty paid. Ceylon teas in considerable favour ; from Is 10d to 2s 3d, d.p., is the range. • Winks.—Champagne, duty paid: Pener Jouet and Co., first quality, quarts, 115s; pints, 120s. Moiiteliello, quarts, 90s ; Moet, quarts, 90s ; pints, 90s; Roederer, quarts, 110s; pints, 11.5 a; Heidslck, same ; St. Hubert's Australian wine, 22s per doz.; Penfold's, 32s per doz. AUCKLAND STOCK AND SHARE LIST. The market is dull in all stocks, but large quantities of shares have changed hands at slightly reduced prices; money is cheap and plentiful, and land is increasing in value. Altogether the prospects for the future of the colony s«{eai bright all round. In mining circles, the Tararu Creek is attracting a great deal of attention, principally on account of the prospects of the Sylvia and Kaiser mines. It is understood that the Sylvia plant is •working excellently, and pood results are expected. BANKS.—Nationals are firm, Colonials and New Zeaiands a trifle easier, and not much business reiNSUfiANCE. —Nearly all of these stocks are firm, and several sales have been made at satisfactory prices. Coal.—Very little business is reported. Mortgage Company's have receded in price. Business has been dull in this class of stock. Mining is dull, but fluctuates very much. Tararu Creek is the centre of attraction ; the Sylvia plant with the new process seems to have proved successful. This industry, so beneficial to New Zealand, is again assuming greater oroportions, and the return of gold will probably be largely increased. The Kaiser claim at Taraiu lias a good future before it. The following list shows the rise and fall in the market.

; SAUNDERS AND CO. , Stock and Share Brokers. s 2, N.Z. Insurance Buildings, Auckland, February : 27th, 1891. ___________________

, SHARE INVESTORS' GUIDE.—FEBRUARY 26,Jjgjl. ■ — ■■ i ■ ■ ■ ■■-.- , '111 ' " NeV Shares Total! I Suf- ■ Paid-up Amount M^nd jgjg* jS«4 ; f^0^car '■ Compame, i«ned.Capitll. gjg CapiJ. Undivid'd s |£ e< <***&»• SB? ' .. C1 ° SeS - •" B '"-.'■' : .. 200,000 150,000 1,275,000 , 9ofeoo . SQoJoOO ' MS lOoflSO/ "" - 100/ * 138/ e SeptTo mS^I ' National .1 5 :: 200,000 100,000 1900,000 900 000 250,000 11,790 9 & 10 $$'$H£*M$ J 0 3 fKlAueust 31 Colonial .. ..... ..400,000 2Oo!oOO 2;000;000 1,000>0 400,000 63,883 5 2 0 0 7 2,3 0 0 w l<eb. 2J, August dl lN No'Sla"ml .. .. 100,000 '100.000 1,000,000 1,000,000 200,000 205,177 |j; 20 0 if iff *S; gSSas : National 2C9.000 100,115 -S 000 000 1961 150 98,057 178,874 10 0 10 0 10 0 16 3 « '/ Wust 31 28 South British .. .,100,000 84 628 1900000. 122? 032 64,688 100,431 19 100 ~ Aupwt fl. lofclSS Standard.. ::: .. 100,000 ino.ono l.OOO.OOO l,000,000 ; 76,000 : 22.W0 ; 10 0 15 0 ;.;S| .111 :UV Mayt'souo : Union ■. .. •• 100,000 100,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 100,000 72,260 20 10 0 10 1 jj » 7 15 0 December 31 Accident,. ... .. 100,000 20,000 5,000 9,253 1 0 5 0 12J 0 8 0 ?« December SI L Loan* Mercantile iSO.000 100,000 4,500,000 4,000,000 863,685 318,687 25 2 10 0 ' 10 3 00 86 8 »ecemb e r31 National Mt'fjc&Ag'ncy looiooo ioo|oo0. l.ooolooo 1,000,000 100,000 21,567 10 .- 10 0 S- ; .0 10 6 » « a , Juno 30, Dec. a \ N 'lllnd n MovtsagV .*.? 200,000 200,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 200,000 26,0-14 10 100 6 ,0100 1200 October 31 G &and./ -.'■.'. 50,000 20.243 250,000 '• 146,215 111,8571 10,135 5 100/|50/ • 15 215/& 107/6 7 0 0 June 30 Dec. M Thames -;.«'•.. : 10,000 O.OSO 25,000 24,055 18,065 1,165 2| 118 0 6| 1 12 O 6 13 4 June30 Dec 31 Gisborne .. ,..>,.. ,15,000 11,000 isioOO 11,000 11,000 ... , 1 100 . 63 ; 100 bid* J une du, wee. 61 T Timber ,„.. 600,000 600,000 1,200,000 1,200,000 .. 16.7S0 2 40/& 22/ 3 & 10t .. ... August 31 S, Onion°".. : r.»: : '. : '.-: 50,000 40,000 ::' 500,000 400,000 400,000 138,972 10 10 0 0 8. • 12 5 0 6 18 4 J^^gJ^ ; New Zealand ... ... 100,000 08!) , ; 800,000 477,512 360,405 ... 8 0 0 0 .6 4 0 0 9 0 0 December^ DevnnportHteamForry 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 250 1 10 0 10. 15 0 8 0 u Tune 30 Coromamlet Stoam .. 4 BOO 8 087 4 500 ' 3,037 027 ... ' 1 I,. 0 ., 0 . ■" 1" « U , % 450 March 31 ; Northern Steam ,.. 150,000 116i784 • 108|750 84,008 46,560 ido 14/6 14/6 & 7/ 2J 0 4 3 4 5 0 March 31 C Inlands - .. 4,000 3,000 4,000 3,000 3,000 , .. ; 1 1 0 0 . . Old 0 -• Q . J™* '0 Dec'31 , Taupiri ,..,.:.. .. r 24,000 000 000 24,000 16,000 3,915 1 0 13 0 llj 1 0 0 11 10 0 June A, J)ec. 41 Miranda .... ! .. 30,000 19,007 30,000 ■ 19,007 19,007 .. 1 1. 0 0 ... ' •• " . Januaiy Taupiri Reserve.. '... 25,000 19,215 25,000 ,19,225 13.539J .. •• miaiiii „ " • — ; :"" , / M .. 100,000 ' 67,874 200,000-135,748 87,444 15,853 2 40/&20/ ' ; _ 1OO "'?£*? Jan 31 July 31 Auckland Fibre., .. 25,000 18.045 25,000 18,945 ' 18,945 .. 1 10 0 « -i -. oJtnber31 Northern Boot and Shoo 15 000 12 022 15 000 12,622 , ,.8 520 000 1 0 13 6 .. 0 7 0 .. p c X mb^30 • T. and S. Morrin .. 30,000 30,000 ' 150,000 150,000 150,000 .. 5 5 0 „ • .. ,.., September30 Tramway..' .. .. 25,000 85,138 125,000 85,138 85,138 .. 1 J " " -• n ■; . in ■?' n Sentember «9 Union Oil, Candle 150,000 36,850 5oioOO 36.S50 25,795 .738 1 O 14 0 8 0 11 0 10 3 0 September -J Mining (Gold & Silver)— , , ! . - , . , n • ■ n m « . ' , New Moauataiari .. 50,000 50,000 25,000 25,000 12,500 -. tnon , " " nVo .-.'"*• " Caledonian -.. ..24,000 24,000 6,000 6,000 2,400 .. i » - " ,-• . " * » — . —, Waiotahi.. '.. ... 0,000 . 0,000 : 18,000 18.000 15,000 .. 3 2 10 0 ,. Air .,._ , " . ,-, . Prince Imperial.. .. 1S.000 18,000 18,000 18,000 2,250 .. v 1 • 0 - 0 - 0 l n „ Cambria 44,700 44,700 44,700 44,700 12.851J .. 1 u ° » - „ ■ n Crown .. .. .. 65,000 65,000 65,000 65,000 .. .. 1 •• •- « " " •• " Silvertoii ....... 24,000 24,000 ' 12,000 12,000 .. ... i ■• - n 9 » .. Albumin ,. ., .. 20,000 20,000 , 10,000 10,000 , 1,250 '■' .. JO13- u i. o - .. ■ " Saxon .. „ .. 50,000 50,000 25,000 25,000 4,733 ... 4; -• - n 9 fi " Trenton .. .. .. 86,000 36,000 t 18,000 18,000 , 7,200 .. i 0 4.9 - O^β.. Royal Oak . ... .. 18,000 .8,455 .. 34,500 .. .. - •• n,"*on; "* " ° Marototo .. " .. .. 100,000 100,000 .100,000 100,000 82,500 .. 1 Ton "~ i 12 (i *" ' • Waihi .' .. .. 150,000 150,0:)0 150,000 150,000 150,000 .. 1 1 0 0 „ n in Lone Hand .... 30,000 30,000 15,000 lR.ono .. « i n ■■ „ •• " In MayQueou .. ■ .. 50,000 50.000 25,000 -25,000 2,083 .. 4 0 0 1 . 040 " '• \ Try Fluke.. „ .. f-0,000 50,000 12,500 12,500 1,250 .. 1 0 0 . 6 Fob 25, 18 0 6 » Norfolk .. ... .. 50.00D 50,000 25,000 ■ 25,000 .... I " " n 1 n " " Otaina ' .. ' .- .. 40,000 83,600 20,000 10,800 .. .. i '■••■ •• " : i " " . ■ " ., Orlando ... .. .. 40,000 40,000 10,000 10,000 .... i " ., " a 1 fi " Dives 30,000 30,00!) 6,000 0,000 .. .. ... •• ■• *• •• "J ° Mercury .. .. 30,000 30,000 7.500 7,500 • m ... i 0 1 3 « 0 10 " " Victoria .. .. .. 100,000 100,000 25,000 8H.O0O .. .. i ■■ « » 3 0 " - Pnliipnhi Prospectors .. B3.360 43,755 20,680 21,87/ .. .. 4 *'*' n >--'■ on 0 " ,". Sylvia .... . 100.000 .. 100,000 ■■ - 1___JLJJ! °. .. 0_13_0 .._. ■ , ■ ,■- .__. . —~ —r~r: . ' .. ."" ...."" , m , 4./-H.1 : « *ni,«i«int.omi nn r.s »iis shams. PnATF.i!. Bro3.. Sharobrokers.

Company. effected. Buyers- Sellers. BANKS. " £ S. d. £ S. d. New Zealand, .. 98/ .. 5 0 0 National ....... 37/ ex 1 17 0 .. Colonial .. .. 42/6,42/ 2 2 0 2 3 0 INSURANCE. < New Zealand .. 71/, 72/6 • • .. 3 12 6 , South British .. 27/9,28/6 18 6 ... National.. .. 10/10 0 10 6 „ , Union .. .. •• • 15 9- ' MISCELLANEOUS. . Auckland Gas, old .. 10 10 0 .. • . „ new 5/7/6 6 7 6 5 10 0 • N.Z. & K.P. L. M. .. ... 0 10 0 '• N.7..L. and M. .. 58/9,59/ .. 3 0 0 ; TaupiriExt. Coal .. .. 116 Union, Oil, it Soap 10/9 0 10 6 0 11 0 ; Northern Boot .. .. 0 7 ,0 0 7 6 i Curornandel St'am .. ... 0 14 3 ; MINING. i May Queen .. 4/3.4/0,4/7,4/ 0 3 9 0 4 6 . Moanataiari .. 11/9,12/9,11/, .. 0 10 9 i Saxon .. .. 3/9. 6/, 5/9,6/3 0 6 10 6 4 : Alburnia .. .. 3/3, 2/5, 2/6 0 2 3 0 2 6 Magnolia .... . . . .' 036 . Trenton . .. 2/11, 3/, 2/6 0 2 3 0 2 9 I Caledonian .. '2/, 1/9 „ 0 1 10 i . Dives .. .. 1/, 1/2, 1/7, 1/8 - 0 19 ; Cambria .. .. 3/5,3/6,3/3,3/ .. 0 3 0 s Norfolk .. .. 1/4,2/, 2/2, 1/9 0 16 0 19 ; Freedom .... ... ..009 3 Orlando .. .. .. .. 0 11 i, Victoria .. .. 1/8, 1/11, 1/S 0 17 0 19 ; Manukau.. .. .. ..0 0 10 : Golden Age .. .. ..010 Waihi .. .. 9/, 19/3, 31/6, 25/ 110 6 1 13 0 3 Silveiton .. .. 2/9,2/4,2/3,2/0 .. 0 2 9 , Adeline .. .. /3, /4 0 0 4 0 0 6 ; Flying Cloud .. .. ... 0 0 5 , TryKluke.. .. 7/, 9/3,9/6,10/,6/6 .. 0 6 6 - Red Mercury .. 2/6,3/, 3/1, 3/ .. 0 3 0 ; Carbine .. .. 2/3, 2/1 .. 0 2 0 : Bonanza .. .. 1/2, 1/ 0 10.. ; Otama .. .. IS, /9 0 0 10 8 Miriposa.. .. 7d, 1/4, 1/5, 1/2 0 10 0 13 i Waitaia .. .. .. .. 0 14 , Kapai .. .. 1/, 1/6, 1/8, 1/3 0 10 0 13 i Sylvia .. .. 13/, 14/, 14/3, 14/ .. 0 14 0 - Lady Carringbon ' l\ /4 .. 0 0 6 ; John Bull.. .. IS, 19 0 0 8 0 0 10 ; Owera ..... 9/ 0 0 8 0 0 9 : Kuaotunu .. lA> 1/S, 1/6,1/2 .. 0 1 5 ; Pride of the Hills /5 0 0 4 0 0 6 , Alfred .. .. IS. /9, IS, /9 .. 0 0 9