COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 14

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Office. Thursday evening. No important change has occurred in the general state of business since our last sum mary report. Oversea and coastal arrivals have been heavy; but, as there is no serious overstock, the inference 'is legitimate that demand has fairly kept pace with the supply, notwithstanding a general report of flatness from both the wholesale and retail divisions of distributors.

We are now in the midspring season— time usually bringing a forward movement in business. Improvement is, however, only very moderate, but a steady well-sustained inquiry exists, caused, doubtless, by the high ruling prices of good ordinary gum from the Northern fields, increased employment in the timber industry, an active demand for flax, with several new mills starting, and important discoveries in the Upper Thames mining district, making altogether a very presentable trade report, even if devoid of strong points of interest;. Shearing has commenced in several parts of the province, and, as the season has been an exceptionally favourable one. an abundant well-grown clip may be confidently expected. The dull state of the wool trade at home will lower the value, but farmers and pastoralists have been doing so well out of nigh prices for stock and general produce that they can well afford the fall in p.-ice of wool that seems such a probable thing this year. Perhaps the most important, and certainly the most interesting, event of the month has been the heavy reductions in fares and freights to and from Southern ports and Australia, brought about by the rivalry to the well-known Union Steam Company by a new company formed in England and Australia, who have built two fast boats to start the opposition service. Fares are now so reasonable that travelling has been stimulated with its good result to trade. There is every indication that there will be many tourists during the coming season now that the great Saturnalia of Australia—viz., the Melbourne Cup—time is over. The influx of visitors from Victoria for some time past has been the reflex action of a steady loss of population to that country for the year, but while on broad grounds this is a boon, local traders in all the great centres of business state, that Melbourne holders are unloading stuff at all sorts of prices, so that it is a question whether either to take unpayable rates, or see their clients' business leaving them to what they call outsiders. The reduction in intercolonial freights has therefore a reverse as well as a bright side. The Government are assisting the various industries of the colony when assistance is legitimate upon economic grounds. Warkworth cement is displacing the English and German-made article in all Government works. The locally-corrugated iron is not only assisted by the tariff, but receives support to the extent of the Government requirements, and a large contract has been made with the locally-placed jNnw Zealand Ammunition Company. It is being noticed, also, in general trade, what a large proportion is being done in articles of New Zealand make, and that the old conservatism of users and consumers in favour of imported goods is steadily being broken down as the quality of the home-made articles improves. Many imported lines which a few years ago were in every-day call, have suffered almost a total eclipse. There is a large interchange of productions between the several provinces of the colony. With an increase of population, justifying investment, and the labour problem not perhaps so deterrent, the importation of manufactured goods is likely to be still further checked, and confined to such goods that it would be impossible to successfully manufacture in the colony. Growers of maize on the East Coast continue to receive excellent returns, and shipments are being made to Sydney by nearly every steamer. Flax has been in strong request, with fairsized lots going to New York. Millers are very prone to high expectations on the smallest evidence of improvement, and the old mistake of not accepting a certainly payable price, and risking a verv uncertain market under scarcely-warranted hopeful beliefs, is

likely to be again proved. _ The heavy rains of a fortnight ago and this week again are expected to have somewhat lowered the quality of the fibre. Island trade has been exceptionally dull. At Tahiti the new duties are prohibitive, while affairs are so unsettled in Samoa that there is scarcely any hope for ordinary trade. A mild excitement exists among the retailers as to the particular day of the week on which to fix for the half-holiday now prescribed by law. As regards demand in consumptive goods, the alteration in temperature has brought out a better inquiry for summer lines, while with more social festivity what are termed luxuries have had greater attention. Flour and oatmeal have eased 10s per ton during the month. In the metal trade, galvanised iron has had more attention. Quotations are lower all round by 103 per ton. Holders are willing to reduce stocks if sales only bring cost. In fencing wire there is a fair demand for plain, with No. 7 mostly wanted, with sales of barb increasing every clay. Tin plates: There are full supplies, with a drooping market, quotations from Sydney overstock being lower than those ruling for some time past! Wire nails continue in very heavy supply. Pig lead and zinc are £1 per ton lower. In the oil trade, owing to the good spell of fine weather for painting, with the season coming on, fair business is passing in boiled and raw, prices being slightly lower. Kerosene is held more firmly, although the demand is lessening. The new line, called " Luxene," is getting into favour. Castor oil is slightly easier. Turpentine is scarce. Blasting powder has had full inquiry on account of Government works and coalmining companies. In the grocery trade there is a general admission of a large proportion of unprofitable business, and no intelligent explanation is given why trade in this particular section should be so cut up. The tea trade in packets and tins is active, but business in original packages is in the hands of only a few handlers, who chiefly blend. Indians in Cacliar, Dooars, and Assains up to 8d in bond continue to be in strong demand. Calcutta advices report a general rise in good mediums. Imports from Foochow have dwindled, and holders of all descriptions of China teas contemplate their slow sale with no equanimity, especially in box descriptions. Ceylons are only movable if having character. The bulk of those offering are unsuitable to the requirements of the market. In oilmen stores there is a reduction in the demand for Morton's goods, many new well-got-up lines being competitive. Champion and Burnett's vinegars are having increased inquiry as the season extends.

Starch is in improved demand. Since a drop in the quotation of the Dunedin-macle Eagle brand, it has received more trade inquiry. Column's and Huemann's command leading business. Fish: Sardines have moved up a little, as also salmon. Other goods are unaltered, with few sales.

Dried fruits : The rule of activity at this season lias been well kept, in regard to currants more particularly. An advance of from 20 to 25 per cent, has taken place within the last six weeks. Good old fruit now readily commands ad in grocers lines. Elemes have not advanced in sympathy, the scarcity not being so pronounced. There is very little doing in sultanas or dried apples, but figs, prunes, and muscatels are'well asked for, the former being very scarce. Barcelona nuts and .Jordan almonds are firm at 6\l and 2s per lb respectively. In Eastern goods rice has had full business at £13 103 to £14, according to parcel for Japan in bond. Other sorts receive little or no attention. In Singapore lines, there has been little doing, with the market weak. Jute : Woolpacks are very scarce. A shipment transhipped at Melbourne ex Argus from Calcutta is looked for under the dilliculty of otherwise meeting shearing shed requirements. Corn sacks are in short spot supply, but large parcels are afloat for this port. The market is a little stiller. Salt: The season for coarse is now practically over. Stocks of Black Horse line in lewt bags are still heavy, and in excess of needs. Dairy salt in 7, 14, and 281b bags is in good inquiry. Soda crystals : The local make is doing all the business Whiting : Demand is improving, owing to greater consumption of aerated waters. Tobacco : With ample supplies of Dunlop's Derby, there are few chances of selling other brands of black. In aromatics, T. C. Williams' Victory rods, Imperial Ruby, and Golden Eagle, have had good inquiry. Some clearances have been made in Black Swan twist. Cigarettes : Three Castle sales are increasing rapidly. Old Judge retains a large demand, and shipments do not remain long in first hands. Agents' rates are unaltered. In the wine and spirit trade, wholesale business has been confined to agency lines under the tariff system of quautity. The favouritism to Gaelic whisky is conbated by new brands. The trade report is towards a good average demand with the change of consumption usual at the alteration of temperature. Read Brothers' brand of pints and quarts ale, lias been very scarce, with a greater call for Porter's and Forster's. .Stocks are lower than usual. Hennessy one-star is somewhat scarce. Wines are neglected, especially sherry. Pints stout are scarce. There is a slight intercolonial inquiry for limejuice, which has not been so cheap for years. Australian wine and clarets are meeting with generally improved demand. KAURI GUM MARKET. Ordinary ... £51 to £52 Poor ordinary £40 to £4.') East Coast £70 to £72 Supplies from mail to mail 650 tons. Superior lots extra cleaned are worth from £5") and upwards, according to quality ar.it degree of cleaning. Since our last monthly report there has been an active market with keen buyers, and prices have advanced £7 per ton for ordinary gum. The exports for the month are : Rimutaka for London, 30 tons ; Essex, for New York, 483 tons -, Mariposa, for San Francisco, 5 tons : Total, .724 tons. The following vessels are loading: 1 or London, Kangatira and Forfarshire; for New York, Doris Eckhoff, Mentone (at Wellington). AUCTION BALKS, Ac. _ , „ , October 10. To-day Messrs. 8. Cochrane and Son offered for sale by auction various properties in the city, Purncll, and Mount Albert. Three allotments in the city and some leasehold premises in Manukau Road, Parnell, were bought in by the mortgagees. An eight-roomed house and an allotment of three-quarters of an acre at Mount Albert were sold for £295 October 31. Mr. J. Thornes, land agent, 81, Queenstreet, reports the sale of lot 3, parish of Takapuna. 61 acres, with farm and all buildings, for £500 cash ; the following building allotments;— Lot 1, of a sub-division of

allotment 14, section 14, with frontage to Brighton Road, Bemuera, for 15s per foot cash, to Mr. T. E. Bright, on behalf of Mr. James Groom, ana allotment 1 of a subdivision of allotment 10 of section 1, Suburbs of Auckland, with frontage to Albion-street, Parnell. on behalf of Mr. Pee, for £1 per foot cash ; and lot 6 of section 4, of allotment 34, and others of section 8, corner of Great North Road and Mackelviestreet, on behalf of Mr. A. Kelly, to Mr. J. Roberts, for £225 cash ; lot 5 of a sub-division of allotment 26, of section 8, having 37 feet frontage to Beacli Road, with a six-roomed house thereon erected, to Mrs. J, Craig, on behalf of Mr. G. E. Rhodes, for £550; part of lot 15 section 49 in the city, with cottage thereon erected, onbbhalf of Mr. J. Hannah, to Mrs. E. Heading, for the sum of £145 cash ; also, part of lot No. 1 block 2 Surrey Hills estate, with 52 feet frontage to Great North Road, and the three shops theroon erected, on behalf of Craig's trustees, Mrs. Roberts being the purchaser ; t a farm, partly improved, at Taupaki, being lot 4, section 4, Waitemata County, 31 acres, with dwelling-house and buildiugs thereon, to Mrs. Hudson, for £100, on behalf of Mr. Job Lilley: Messrs. Baker Bros., auctioneers, 73, Queen street, report the sale of lot 27a, Manurewa, containing 75 acres, for £150; sold on behalf of Mr. James Kemp to Mr. G. Martyn.

RATES OF EXCHANGE ON LONDON. BUYING SELLING. Demand .. par 1 Demand .. Ij| % ) 30days .. \7, I Oh- 30days .. 1* [ Pre--00 days .. J f count GO days ..' i I mium 90 days ..1 J 90 days ..J ) Telegraphic Transfers to London.— per per cent., plus cable charges. DEPOSITS.— of interest on money deposited in the colony: Fixed deposit : 3 months, 3 per cent, per annum ; C months, 4 per cent per annum; 12 months, a per cent, per annum.

Ales and Pouter.—Ale in bulk : None now imported to warrant market quotations. Ale (in bond); Bass's Dogshead brand (Read's bottling) : pints, Cs Oil; quarts, 8s 9d (in bond); Foster's Bugle ale, quarts as 9d, pints (is 3d; Foster's Bugle stout, quarts, Ss Od, pints Cs 3d ; Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), 0s Oil and 8s 0d ; Allsopp's, quarts, ale and stout, 8s Cd ; pints, ale and stout, Os 3d ; W. Younger's. 5s and 7s 3d; Ashby's, Cs 3d to 8s Od ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints, 4s quarts Cs Cd. AngloBavarian : pints 5s Cd and Ss; Boar's Head Stout: quarts, as Oil; pints, Cs Od. liuinness's Harp brand by Foster : pints, Cs ; quarts, a«. Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, 0s ; pints, Cs 3d. Blood's: pints, ss; quarts, 7s. Dogshead Guinness's(Read's bottling): pints, ossd; quarts, as (id. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling : pints, (is ; (marts, as; Burke's : os, and os. Other brands : 5s and 7s Cd. Duty : pints, Is Cd : quarts, 3s per dozen. Building Materials.—Cement. K.B. and White's worthl'Zs. Slates: English Countesses are worth £11 to £12; American, unsaleable. Plaster oi Paris, las to 20s according to the size of the cask. All these quotations nominal. Breadstupfs and Grain. — Best roller flour, in sacks, £10 ; household, £9 10s ; stone flour, £1 per ton less ' 100's and Mi's in proportion to extra bagging. Wheat, milling, 3s Od ; fowl wheat, 2s 9d. Bran. £4. Sharps. £3 155. Maize, 2s Od. Oatmeal, £11 per 2Wolb. Barley (for malting), 3s ; feet, 2.1 Cd to 2s Oil. Oats, 2s Cd (bags given in); f.0.b., Southern ports, Is lid (bags included). Pearl barley, £10. Cabin bread, £10 10s per ton. Bags and lUooing.— Calcutta full weight woolpacks, lUin., 2s id, d.p.; cornsacks, 44>n. by 20jp11., 5s Uil; 48in., 3d. COAL.-Newcastle, ship's side, 22s Cd ; delivered, £1 10s ; Bay of Islands, 15s at the mines, and 27s Cd to 30s at yard, is quoted; Whangarei. coal, lis at mine; ditto, Waikato, steam, 10s; . household, 20s. p Cordage, D.P. (Subject to trade discounts).— Manila hemp rope, all sizes, Sydney, i.b. £00, d.p. £70 ; Auckland-made, £04 to £00 ; whale and lance lines, £80 ; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £37 to £30 ; Auckland-made, £37 ; wool lashings, £38 ; clothes lines, 5d per lb, subject to trade discount; Manila clothes line, Sd ; oakum, free, ditto, £40; point spun yarn, £03 ; twine, shop, d.p., per lb, 9d to Is 2d ; sewing twine, Is Id per lb ; local-make, Is to Is 3d Coffee and SPICES (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, No. 1, Is 3d; ditto, Island, none; chicory, colonial, sSs per cwt. in tins ; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, Is 3d; Fry's, Is 3d; Van Houtens, 3s Sd ; Epps's, Is 2d ; Maravilla, Is Cd ; cliocolate, Taylor's, Is 5d ; Fry's, Is sd. Spices, d.p. : Cloves, 8d; bleached ginger, Is; nutmegs, 3s 3d ; black pepper, whole, in bond, 4d to 5d ; white ditto, 7d. Confectionery.— Local manufacturers are producing good articles, and consumption iJ chiefly in their goods. Waters's colonial boiled, 4jd; dry, 7Jd; jujubes, Is Id ; Mennie and Dey's boiled, 4Jd, less trade discount; Keiller's assorted confections, Old; Gray's, OJd; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty, Oil per lb), Is; orange, Is ; citron, is 8d; local, Is 4d; Keiller's jujubes, Is 4d ; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to la 3d; Compagnio Franyais' gums, lid. Gum, Flax, Ac—We quote: Gum: Ordinary. £51 to £52 ; Poor ordinary, £40 to £45 ; East Coast, £70 to £72. Flax : Best clean Auckland, £18 to £19; fair average quality £17 to £17 10s; poorer descriptions, not obtainable ; tow, £2 to £3 per ton. Cocoanut tlbre, £15 to £17 ; cocoanut oil (tine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £8 10s to £0 10s. Fungus, 2jd. IRONMONGERY, Galvanised corrugated iron, 5 to 8 feet, £18 10s ; 9 feet, £19 10s ; lOfeet, £20 10s ; English bar iron, per ton, £9 10s ; Oneliunga (New Zealand) iron,£9 (nominal); English pig iron, £4 6s ; plate iron, £10 ; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £10. Barbed wire, £20. Sheet lead, £19 ; pi|j lead, £14; zinc, £20; I.C. coke tin plates, His; charcoal ditto, 18s ; powder, Curtis, Harvey, and Hall's, Od. Mtintz metal, 7d. Quicksilver, 2s 4d. Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.— Duty, 2d per lb. Keiller's marmalade, lib., d.p., 8s ; ray's, 7s; Moil's, 7s ; Peacock's jam, 4s ; Phienix, Dunedin, 4s to Is cd ; jars, Old to 7Jd; Nelson (New Zealand), ss; Smyrna sultanas, Cd (d.p.); Mali muscatels, Is Cd ; Californian, lod ; new elemes, 5Jd ; currants, 5d ; tigs, 7d ; Californian prunes, 7d ; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb), ordinary, in kegs and cases, Ojd ; evaporated, 9Jd ; dates, Bid. LEATHER and Hides.—Sole leather, 8d to Is 3d per lb; kips, Is 2d to Is Oil; runners, Is Cd to Is 8d ; calf, colonial, 2s Cd to 3s Od; basils, 8s to 18s per dozen ; closed uppers, 4s Cd to as Od per pair ; hides, id to 4d ; calf skins, 3d to 4jd per lb ; sheepskins, Od to Os. MANURES. —Australian bonednst, £0 10s to £8; Auckland, £8 10 ; superphosphate of lime, £0 to £810s ; boiieflour, £8 ; Peruvian guano, £14 to £17 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake, none ; linseed cake, £12; Maiden Island guano, £8; Ilium Island guano, £5 to £0 ; New Zealand Drug Co.'s manures : Superphosphate, B Hi per cent. S.P.L., 2 tons, £4 2s Cd ; 5 tons, £4. Superphosphate, C 25 per cent. 5.P.1.., 2 tons, £5 7s Cd ; ft tons, £5 ss. Superphosphate A 32 per cent. S. P.L., 2 tons, £7 ss; 5 tons, £7 Bonedust, pure, 2 tons, £7 10s; 5 tons, £7 fcs ; Bonedust and blood, 2 tons, £0 10s; 5 tons, £0 7s Cd. Root manure, 2 tons, £7 10s; 0 tons, £7 os. Corn manure, 2 tons, £7 ss; 5 tons, £7. Grass manure, 2 tons, £0 15s ; 5 tons, £0 IDs. Potato manure, 2 tons, £7 10s; 5 tons, £7 (is. Maize manure, 2 tons, £7 ss; 5 tons, £7. Orchard and t&acco manure, 2 tons, £8 15s ; 5, tons, £S 10s. Malt and Hops.—English malt, do inquiry is experienced; Colonial, ss. Hop.4i Nelson, old season, none, new season, Is to Is Id for small and brewing, grocers, lid. Oilmen's Stores, &c—Price's Belmont Candles, duty, 2d, 7id, d.p., per lb; McLeod's Dunedin of various brands, Cd to 7d, less trade discount; Orient Candles, 7Jd (Dunedin make); Atlas Paraffins, BJd ; Price's National, 7Jd; Price's Belmont, 7Jd; Young's British Wax, 7*d ; Price's Loudon Wax, 7}d ; D. it. Jenar's, 7}d ; Price's self-fitting, Bid; local blue mottled soap, £21 per ton; carbolic, £30; best yellow, £20; No. 1 household, £15 ; Ist Crown, £26 ; . double Crown, £18; soft soap, in tins, 4jd per lb; toilet, Od to lOd per lb— subject to trade discount. Salt, 10s per ton duty: Coarse, W. & W., £3 10s ex store, d.p.; ex ship, 5s per ton lower; fine Black Horse, £4, ex store, tip. ; rock salt, £3 10s bagged, or £3 ' loose ; Jordan almonds, 2s Cd ; Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 4s Cd ; Colman's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2d per 11)) ; white, 4as; blue, 48s ; Orlando Jones' starch, 455 ; Houmann's, 445. Mustard, d.p.: Champion's genuine l-lb book-shaped tins, ICs to 19s Oil; i-lb tins, 9s 3d to 0s Cd; Colman's Mb tins (ted), lis Od; half ditto, 9a; 7-lb tins (red to green),

7JiHols; l-lb tins (green), 13s; J-lb dittos, Ts M; DSF J-lb tins, Os, lib, 19s. Blue: Reckitt's Paris, in circle, new make, 7d ; Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant ami May's 250, per gross, 18s Cd; ditto, plaid, 4s Gd ; ditto, fartcy oval, 24s Od ; Pace and Go.'s, 17s ; plaids, 4s 4d equal to 3s in bond ; R. Bell and Co. 250's, 17s 3d or lis Cd in bond ; plaids, 4s sd. AH match quotations regulated by quani tity of parcel. Oil : Castor, in pints, 8s Oil ; half-pints, 5s ; quarter-pints, 3s (id. Salad : C. and 8., pints, 13a to 14s ; half-ditto, 6s ; Morton's pints, lis Oil ; half - pints, 6s 6d. Pickles : Stephens' pints, 7s 9d; Crosse ami Black well's, pints, 13s ; Morton's, 10s; McConnochie's, Suffolk, 8s (3d. Rice (ground), in tins, 4Jd. Sauces : Lea and Perrin's, halfpints, 13s Cd; C. and £~ half-pints. 9s Oil; Mellor's, 7s 9d, pints 15s Gil, ; Stephens, 6s Cd ; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 2d ; Holdbrook's, Is lOd; Evans , 2s 2d ; Burnett's, Is 10(1; Potts', Is 10(1 ; local, Is 3d. Vinegar, case : Champion's, 8s Cd ; Burnett's, 7s Cd; Morton's, 7s 3d. Treacle, 2d ; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2|d. American honey, 2lb-tins, 12s 6d., d.p. Sago, 2d ; tapioca, 2d. Cornflour : Brown's, 3Jd, d.p. : Brown and Poison's, Old ; Johnston's, Okl ; Preserved milk : Nestle's, 0s Od to 7s ed, according to parcel; Milkmaid, 7s to 7s Oil. Tartaric acid, in jars. Is lid ; cream of tar-> tar, in jars, Is sd, in bulk, ls3d ; bicarb, soda, £11 Knglish soda crystals (duty £2), £8 ; local, £710s ; Whiting, £4 10s. Oils and Paints.— Duty, 0d a gallon. Colza, in drums, 4s ; bulk, 3s Oil ; linseed, boiled drums, 3s ; bulk, 2s lOd ; raw, drums, 2s lid ; bulk, 9d; castor, in drums, 3s ; half-cases, 2s 9d ; kerosene, d.p., 130 test, Is 3d ; kerosene, in bond, 130 test, 8d; White Rose. 150 test, Bid; other high test brands from 7Jd. White lead, ground, percwt, 56s and 112s; genuine, 'lis; No. 1 white lead, 27s in 50's, smaller packages more, according to size ; red lead, dry, 245. Zinc white, £2 per ton more. Oil colours.'assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s per cwt. Turps, duty paid: American, 3s ; resin, £7 10s to £8. Varnish, oak, 9s 6d to 12s Cd : copal, 12s Cd to 10s. Quotations regulated by qualities. Provisions.—Cheese : provincial, 5d to sjd. Salt butter, prime Is, second quality about lud. Rice, i.b., finest Japan dressed, £14 ; No. 1, £13 10s. Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, CJd; equal numbers hams and bacon, 7d ; hams only, Bd. Fish : Ling, std; boneless cod, CJd ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 33s per barrel ; Marshall's white, 3s per tin ; Bruce's fresh herrings, 6s ; Findon haddocks, 8s ; lobsters, American libs, 13s;, 21bs, 18s ; salmon, lib cocktail, d.p., Os Cd; other brands, 6s 9d to 7s 3d, d.p. ; salt salmon, Bid ; sardines, quarters, 4s to 4s ml; halves, Os Cd to 7s Cd ; oysters, 7s; mullet (Kaipara), 5s 6d. Sugars.—Mauritius brewers' crystals, £32 duty paid (duty Jd per lb) ; Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £25 10s ; No. 2, £24 10s ; No. 3, £21 ; Queensland whites, £22 10s to £24 nominal; English crushed loaf, 3M, d.p.; French cube, 4Jd ; Queensland yellows, i.b., £14 to £15(veiy scare) ; American yellows, £19, d.p.; Fiji browns, scarce, £14 to £15, in bond, nominal. SPIRITS .— Duty, 15s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk, 16s per gallon >in case. Brandy: Rouyer, Gouillet and Co., 25s and 8s; Marcellain's, case, 22s Cd, i.b.; flask, 28s 'Cd : half-flask, 35s Oil; quarter-flask, 53s Cd, and in bulk, 7s Oil; Hennessy's bulk, not in the market; case, 37s Cd ; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'s pale, in hhds. and qr.-casks, 7s ; Dennis Mounie 345 ; Courvoisier's, case, 345; Otard's, case, 29s (nominal); Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 255; Muller Frere's, 20s; Silver Cup, 15s. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Distillers old, ss; very old, 7s ; VOS, 8s ; case, Old Scctch, 15s; very old, 10s ; VOs, 225 ; Gaelic, Old Smuggler, 21s ; Buchanan's House of Commons, 21s ; case, Teacher's, 10s ; Vint's bulk, CsCd; Vint's case, 20s Cd; Dunville's, Gs Oil; case, 18s ; Sneysii.e, 2ls ; Royal Blend, 245 ; Teacher's old, 2Cs, Encore, 19s ; Walker's WW, 22s ; LL, 22s Cd to 23s ; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 hottles, lis (id ; 20 bottles, 17s0d ; kev, Geneva, proof, l()s ; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s Cd. Gin, Booth's, 10s; Burnett's Old Tom, 13s. Lowndes" rum, 30 0.p., 4s Cd ; in hhds., 5s per octave ; Red Heart, case, 25s Gil. Key, 225. TiMHF.it.—Quotations are as follows :—Kauri board and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 10s Cd to lis first-class ; 7s (id second-class ; at yards, Auckland, 14sCd to 15s first-class; 7s Cd to 10s second-class. Flooring, 13sCd to 10s flrst-class ; 9s Cd second-class, rusticated, 10s Cd to 17s. West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 5s to (is Hitches, 9s Cd ; white pine (kahikatea), 5s Cd ; T. and G., 12s, f.o.b. at mills; at yard, firstclass, 13s ; second-class, 8s ; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 13s Cd ; 6 feet, 15s ; Hobart rails, £3 15s. TOBACCO.— 3s Oil. Ruby Aromatic, 2s 4d; Victory, Is lid; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3d to Is 4'd; Unique, Is 4d; low, 10's, lOd ; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is 8d ; Derby, case, Is 9d; boxes, Is LOd; Nailrod, Is id; Josephine, lOd; Columbia, is 5d ; Watson and MeUill's twist, 20's, Is Id; 14's, Is Id. Teas. — Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, Ojd to 7(1 ; middling to line kinds, 0d to lOd; Saryunes ami Panyongs, Is to Is 3d; Souchongs and Kaisows. Is to Is 2d; Orange Pekoes, Is to Is 2d, no enquiry. Darjeelings, Is 4d. Good broken, Is Id ; semiUroken and fine Souchong kinds, Is 3d to Is lOd, duty paid. Ceylon teas from Is Id to Is Cd, d.p. duty, Cd per lb. The sale of China teas is now much restricted. Champagne, duty paid : Pommery, quarts 120s, pints 1255; Moet, quarts, 90s; pints, 90s; Itoederer, quarts 115s; pints, 120s; Heidsick, quarts, 1255; pints, 130s. Smith's, Yalumba Australian wine, 27s to 32s per doz. ; Penfold's Adelaide, 3is to 34s per doz. AUCKLAND STOCK AND SHARE LIST. The market since our last report keeps steady, though the volume of business done last month has hardly kept up, not many transactions taking place. Holders of stocks are relying on the future prosperity of the colony, and are by no means eager to realise. Real estate is increasing in value, and mortgages on good property are hard to get at 7 per cent. Though everything is rather dull, we see no reason to take anything but a cheerful view of the future. Many of our oldest citizens can remember periods of depression, followed afterwards by a rebound to prosperity. Banks. New Zealand are fairly steady, business being confined chiefly to the old issue. In Colonials, several transactions have taken place. Nationals remain about the same, and shares in this market are scarce.

Insurance.— Most of these stocks are inquired for, but not much business has taken place. New Zealands are a trifle weaker. Nationals have hardened od the near approach of the dividend. Standards are quiet. South British paid 10 per cent, dividend, and transferred £20,000 to the reserve fund. The shares are firmly held. New Zealand Accidents are asked for, and are firm.

Gas.—Aucklands have advanced in sympathy with the accrued dividend. Thames Gas "have been asked tor at market rates. Gisborne and Napier Gas find ready buyers. Shipping.— The New Zealand Shipping Company have passed their dividend. There is nothing doing in steamship companies shares. Miscellaneous.—New Zealand Loan and Mercantile are firmly held in this market, though a receding tendency is manifest in the South. National Mortgage : There are a few buyers of these. New Zealand Drugs are not easy to f;et. Union Oils have advanced, and are firm in the market. Land Mortgage : No business to report. Mining.—This industry is thriving, and we expect a considerable output of gold from the Thames and Ohinemuri between this aud Christmas, and probably dividends. There are great hopes that mining operations will prove remunerative during the next few months, especially in the Alburnia and adjacent claims, the Hazelbauk, Moanataiari, Cambria, and others. The Waihi continues to yield good returns of gold. Some discoveries or gold have been made not far from Mr. H. Russell's claim at Komata, which may lead to very important developments. It is reported that rich gold has been struck in several places, and at Paeroa (Upper Thames) the news has created some excitemeat* - -

The following table shows the fluctuations for the month and present rates of stocks

Saunders and Co., Stock and Sharebrokera. Auckland, November 3, 1892.

Company. effected. Buyers. Sellers. banks. - ' & s. d. & ». d. New Zealand, old 98/ to 100/ _ 5 0 0 ,, , „ new .. .» 6 17 0 National.. .. 30/6 .. I 11 0 Colonial .. .. 39/6 1 19 0 2 0 0 INSURANCE. New Zealand ,. 70/ J 9 0 3 10 0 National .. .. 10/6,16/9 0 16 9 0 17 3 South British .. 30/ 1 10 0 .. Standard.. , .. .. 0 15 6 0 16 0 Accident .. .. 8/ 0 7 9! 0 8 0 MISCELLANEOUS. ! N.'/.L. and M. .. 53/ 1 12 6! 2 14 0 Niit'nul Mortgage 5/0 0 5 6 0 6 6 Auckland Gas, old 10/10/ 10 10 0 _ ,, „ new 105/ 5 6 0 Thames Otis .. 27/ .. 18 0 Gisborne Gas .. 23/6 1 2 6 1 5 0 Union Steamship .. .. 6 10 0 N.Z. Shipping .. ... ,, 2 10 6 Ooroinanuel S.S. .. .. 0 13 0 Northern S.S. .. ..046 Taupirl Coal .. ., .. 0 13 0 N.Z. Drug' .. .. 0 18 6 0 19 6 Auckland Kiliro.. .. ..069 Northern Boot .. .. .- 0. 6 0 Union Oil.. .. 15/ 0 15 0 MINING. A11 mrilia. .. .. 8/0 to 9/3, 8/6 0 8 6 0 9 0 Calliope .. .. 10 to 1/ 0 0 8 0 1 0 Cambria .. .. 1/11, 2/. 1 AO .. 0 2 0 ila/.elbank .. 3/0 to 2/10 0 2 10 0 3 0 Junction .. .. IS, /V), /7 .. 0 0 7 May Queen .. 4/ to 3/ 0 3 C 0 4 0 Moanataiari .. 6/, 6/3 0 6 0 0 C 6 Norfolk .. .. 1/2, 2/ 0 1 10 0 2 0 Orlando .. .. 1/4,1/7,1/3 - 0 10 Saxon .. .. 1/6,1/2 ~ 0 13 Phoinix .. .. /4, /5 .. 0 0 0 Sylvia .. .. .. .. 0* 2 0 Victoria „ .. /10, /9. /8 0 0 7 0 0 9 Silverton .. .. 2/5 .. 0 2 6 Waihi .. .. 15/ 0 15 0 1 0 0 Woodstock .. 3/6,3/ 0 2 9 0 3 3 Great Mercury .. .. .. 0 3 0 Kuaotunu .. .. 0 0 2 0 0 4 Mariposa.. .. /II 0 0 10 0 1 0 Owera .. .. 1/10 .. 0 1 11 Red Mercury .. 1/9, 2/ _ 0 2 0 Try Fluke.. .. 3/4 ■■ 0 4 0