COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8865, 29 April 1892, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

. New Zealand Herald Office, Thursday evening. The Customs duties to-day amounted to £592 19s. The general movement of the week lias been townrds an improvement. Increased keenness in securing staple exports, particularly gum, and the change into colder weather has lifted trade somewhat out of the routine groove. Orders for the new month are also coming in freely. A belief that the arrival of the English mail exercises considerable influence on the markets is slowly being lost by the forco of repeated experiences. As the colonial trade is developed, there is less notable information by mail. The press and private cablegrams anticipate everything of real interest, and mail matter is now of very little market influence, except in regard to advice as to extent of quantities afloat. In dried fruits the demand is better, but currants and dates are lower. In jute goods there has been a good speculative inquiry for woolsacks, probably due to private cable advice. The latest report by mail, the '21st March, indicated fears of another scarcity in jute,- as rain was badly wanted in the jute-growing districts for the spring sowings, and unless it came early the prospect of a fair crop was gloomy. Exchange has slightly advanced from the point of the big drop. What with the climate and the fluctuating values of silver, the Calcutta market is a veritable puzzle even to the initiated. Others are simply unable to follow it at all. Heidsick champagne has advanced in London 10s per case, and it would occasion no surprise if there is not a heavy advance in all first-class brands through the severe frost in the champagne district advised by cable ; otherwise there is an absence of any new advice, and " from China to Peru," as the saying is, everything is tame and flat. From San Francisco, reports about the state of the salmon market are rarely obtained outside of the combination, and its manifold indirect influences. It is clear ' r. utiles is considerable doubt existing

as to the financial strength of the pool for carrying on another season, if buyers jib" at bolstered-up prices. If no doubt existed on this head, buyers would be more disposed to operate, because the catch of next season is intended to be limited to about 50 per cent, less than previously. Stocks overcarried from last season are, how ever, enormous, so that there is ample room for the exercise of Conservative or Liberal opinions. There has been a large business done in kerosene, nearly 2000 cases having been placed. Bed rock prices have evidently been touched, and the cutting era for established brands is nearly at its close. Demand for several months ahead should be good.

A sympathetic disposition has been shewn in the candle trade. Orders are reflective of stronger household enquiry. Stocks of " Derby" tobacco are now ample for a considerable time. The " run" on this brand, however, continues so strong that few importers can keep up regular stocks, and as soon as opportunity occurs retail distributors book reserves in "bond waiting for the inevitable and periodical scarcity. The stock of 14s in good black stuff is very low. Stocks of teas are very much reduced, and all shewing good to fair quality are distinctly worth more money. At this time, before the opening of the new Calcutta and Foochow seasons, there is always a disposition with buyers to try and tide over a pinch to get new season's tea, and this just now is making a shortage except in common qualities. The local confectionery trade have at last discovered the mistake of a continual case of cutting, and have arrived at a common understanding of one fixed price for boiled goods, which will be not against the buyers except that it will destroy the belief that it is possible to squeeze the sellers a little more. Milling wheat, local and Southern : Enormous arrivals still continue to come to the Auckland mills. The reported improvement in the Loudon market has caused a little more animation here. . Fowl wheat is difficult to quit at lower prices. Bran and sharps are wanted. Flour is in better inquiry The produce trade is reported good for the week. , „ Maize is plentiful, with free sales ofl rvh.vrf, ivt In yd to 1» B*<l. i . i Oats : There is a strong demand in the South for good shipping parcels for London, and although by reason of an occasional sailing vessel freight, the local prices ease one penny, we could not quote values to-day under 2s. Potatoes have remained at last, week s prices, viz. : Canterbury's, £3; Napicrs, -15s to 50s. There is a scarcity of good potted butter, with market value about lOd. In tin- local produce market the prices remain unchanged, as follows : — Best dairy butter, 10d ; second quality, 7d; and third quality, 5d per lb, wholesale. Eggs are Is lid per dozen wholesale, and Is Gd per dozen re tail. KAURI GUM MARKET. The following is the report of the gum market, and riding quotations, as furnished to us by the committee of gum merchants :— Ordinary ... £42 Poor „ £28 to £36 East Coast £72 to £73 Supplies from Ist instant to date, 700 tons. Superior lots, unpicked and extra cleaned, are worth from £14 to £55, according to quality and degree of cleaning. _ The market is steady. East Coast is more inquired for, and advanced to £73.