COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 3 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Oflico. Thursday evening. Business on the Stock Exchange during the 1 past month has been fairly brisk. In bank stock Colonials aud Nationals have been in better demand, and sales of the latter have taken place from 16s 6d to £1, and the market closes with sellers at £1, and buyers at 19s. Colonials have lold at from 19s to £1 Is 6d, to £1 0* 6d. Insurance stock continue in demand, and a &till further advance in prices has taken place. New Zealands sold up to £3 lis 6d, but are now obtainable at a shade under this quotation. Sales have been reported in South British from £2 0s to £2 10s, the market closing with sellers at £210 a, and buyers £2 9s. Nationals have been in request, and have sold from 18s (id to 19s, and there are buyers at the latter figure, with sellers at 19s 6d. There have been sales of Standards at 18s and 18s 2d, cumdiv, and there are now buyers at 17s 96% ex div. Accident Insurance are inquired for at 13s 3d. Auckland Gas fully maintain last month's quotations, there being sales at £11 12s 6d, and there are sellers at £11 15s. Thames Gas have sold at £1 5s and £15s fid, ex div of Is, and there are now buyers at Ll ss. Northern Steam have advanced in price, there being now buyers at 4s 4d. New Zealand and River Plate Land Mortgage have sold at from 58 6d to 5s 9d, and there are buyers at 53 3d, sellers asking 6s. There are buyers of Union Oil at 13s (id, and sellers at 14s (id. There has been a large business in mining stock of all classes, and the market continues fairly active. Waihis have sold at £6 3s, cumdiv, and £6 Is ex div, and there are small parcels offering at £6 4s. Heavy transactions are reported in Silvertous, prices ranging from 12s to 15s 6d to 14s, market closing with sellers at 15s. Woodstocks have sold from 16s fid to 18s. There have been numerous transactions in Talismans from 7s to 7s lid, and there are now sellers at 7s 7d, buyers 7s 4d. New Bonanzas have sold at about is Gd, and there arc sellers at Is 4d. Imperials have been in demand, and there has been a heavy business transacted at from Is to Is 6d to la 3d, and there are now sellers at Is 3d, buyers Is Id. The less important mines in the Karangahake district have also had a fair amount of attention. Golden Cross have sold at £1 lis and £1 llsGd. In Thames proper Alburnias sold from 3s 3d to 3s 9d to 3s 3d, and there are now sellers at 3s 4d. May (Queens remain at about last month's quotations, sales at 4a and 4s 2d. .Numerous sales in Moanataiaiis are reported at from 4s 3d to 4s. Hazelbanka have sold freely at about Is. Monowais (Waiomo) have been in better request, and numerous sales are reported from 4s to 5s 6d, buyers now offering ss. Kapai-Vermoutß (Kuaotunu) have fallen iu price, sales having taken place at 2s 6d, and there are now sellers at Is 9d.

The commercial history of the month can be written small. There is little room for novelty; there are the same conditions of exchange between the productions of the colony and the requirements that must be received from other countries. . Dependent as New Zealand is as a large interest-payer, it is only natural that the closest eye should be given to the home prices of our leading products, such as wool, meat, gum, butter, cheese, oats, wheat, tallow, etc., because upon these and our credit hangs all the monetary system. Producers are finding themselves ground to powder between the upper and lower millstones, viz., the continuous fall in prices, and the necessity to pay rent, interest, and labour that have not accommodated themselves to the entirely changed conditions brought about by a variety of circumstances. The hollowness of much of the professions that have led away the fickle and uncertain is beginning to be evident, and a great wave of fresh opinion is most distinctly seen, particularly in the trading division. To have callings harried to death by unwise laws will soon be detected as the most fatal of mistakes. ,

The steady advance in gum and the discoveries of important gold-bearing country with a wide area, have been the leading features of the month. Investment stocks have been well supported. There is a marked frugality in general expenditure, and traders are apparently unable to explain whether it comes from compulsion or choice. A fairly healthy evidence of faith in the future is illustrated by a revival of building activity. The tourist trade has been particularly activa. Distribution had been somewhat of a halting character, with as & rule unsatisfactory prices in the general scramble for orders from undoubted buyers. Stocks are ample except in a few lines of oilmen's stores, which until arrival of Aotea will remain scarce. We have revised the following price list, but must remark that there is not much stability, as both wholesale and retail dealers arc being pressed by competition to adopt a system of cutting almost farcical. , ■•-"■ > ".

The sharemarket still shows an upward tendency, the firm feeling noted last mouth being fully maintained, with several instances of a substantial rise in prices. Insurance stocks chiefly dealt in during the past few weeks ; and all of them considerably higher. Wo fully expect the present feeling to continue as mortgages are scarce, although lenders are willing to accept 5 per cent, for acceptable securities. Consequently stocks in well-established and flourishing institutions and companies must experience a further rise; as at present rates the bulk of them return from 7 to 9 per cent. Our goldtields are now attracting much attention. A number of investors have the past few weeks purchased largely in the leading mines. One good feature is the rapid erection of suitable reduction machinery, the completion of which will, we feel sure, place the Haunfki Peninsula soon among the largest gold producing portions, of the world.

Banks.—We had several sales in Colonials

at an advance on last month's rates ; the reduction in dividend from 7 per cent, to 6 per cent, still gives a high return on the price of the stock. Business done at 19s up to 21s cum dividend. Nationals also improved about 2s; sales, 16s 9d to 20s. Nothing doing

Green fruit has been veiy plentiful and cheap ; but holders of currants, elemes, and sultanas report the market firm, even with only a slight demand at present. Kerosene has a rising tendency. Fencing wire and building material show an improved demand. Bagging is little noticed. # The harvest deficiency in Australia is making cornsacks cheaper in Melbourne and Sydney than they can be imported for from Calcutta. The Lenten season has given very little strength in demand for canned fish, and passing business is of the_ most limited character. Flat tin salmon is in increased favour.

Hotel liquids have shown some falling off in demand, but prices remain as last month. Gil bey's dry gin and Gaelic whisky continue in full request. Wines show some recovery in inquiry, particularly the. best Adelaide Varieties.

Enquiry has been good for vinegar and pickles. Salt lias also been freely handled. In produce we are pleased that we can report a splendid crop of maize on the East "Coast. Oats have receded but we notice large shipments going to London which will probably have an effect towards greater firmness, particularly as the new season's quality is especially tine. Considerable lots of Southern malting barley have been purchased.

Flax is utterly neglected. There are good indications of trade expansion in timber. Our exports to Melbourne alone show an excess over lust year in white pine of three million feet, equivalent to £10,000. Much of this has been used in the butter export business, but it is evident that the wood is also used for other purposes. Our supplies are uractically inexhaustible, at least for two generations. In kauri, while the demand is stronger for Australia, prices are the same, due to forward contract figures. Locally the increased value is equal to 7i per cent, and the tendency of demand for our splendid building timber warrants a belief in a fair all-rouud rise in results of exports. The drop in butter reported by cable is having a had effect on a business that a little while ago was regarded as a mainstay, otherwise the state of trade has varied little from the normal course, and quotations are ill most cases unchanged from last mouth.

KAURI GUM. The demand during the past month has been very active, and prices have now an upward tendency. The following are the average prices for the month, as supplied by the Gum Merchants' Committee :— Poor ordinary, which comprises weak and rough-coated pieces, pickings, and washed nuts, £28 to £32. Ordinary, meaning hard, rough -scraped gum, varying in price, according to the quantity of washed uuts, ranges from £35 to £40. Superior ordinary, meaning hard, unpicked range gum, price varying according to size, scraping, and freedom from weak pieces, from £45 and upwards. East Coast, £G8 to £70. The supplies from mail to mail amount to 569 tons. The stock held locally for sale at date amounts to 196 tons. The exports have been as follow: —Per barque Alice for New rork. 591 tons; per R.M.s. Arana for San Francisco, 1 ton; per s.B. Tarawera, for London, via the South, 21 tons ; per s.s. Waihora, for London, via Sydney, 45 tons ; per s.s. Manapouri, for London, via Sydney, 8 tons; per barque Lutterworth, for London, 270 tons : per s.b. Waikato for London, via the South, 204 tons; per s.s. Mararoa, for London, via Sydney, 29 tons: total, 1170 tons. The barque Ophelia is loading for London, and the barque Star of the East for New York. AUCTIONEERS REPORTS, AC. March 2. Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons held a land auction to-day, when a store with 1414 acres of land at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, was sold to Mr. YVm. Clark for £630. March 11. Messrs. Cochrane and Son sold by auction to-day 10 acres of laud at Manurewa, part of Olendon'a grant, for the sum of £12. Mr. Thorn land agent, reports thesaleof lots 11 and 12 of allotment 11 of seotion 6 suburbs, situated in Stokes's Road, Mount Eden, with seven-roomed house thereon, on behalf of Mr. Callendar, Wellington, for £460; lot 144 of lot 33, section 8. having 40 feet frontage to Richmond Road by 100 feet deep to Mrs. Roebuck's, for £80. Messrs. Baker Bros., land agents, report the sale, on behalf of the B.N.Z. Estates Co., of lots 1, 2, and 3, of allotment 117, three roods, Orakei Road, to Mr. J. Goodyear for £160; to Mr. Swales, on behalf of Mr. C. Daw, of 33 feet by 100 feet, in Dublin-street, with five - roomed house thereon. Price, £240; N.E. portion of lot 9, Maraetai, 67 acres, on behalf of Thomas Eckford's estate, to Messrs. Trice Bros.; lots 2 and 3, section 13, block 13. Hillshro', Mount Roskill district, containing 5a 3r 38p, for £105, sold on behalf of Mrs, Gibbons, to Mr. M. Hogan,

BANK BATES. BUYING. SELLING. Demand .. i 7.\ Demand.. 13%) 30 days _ i'/A Dis- 30 days .. 11% [ Pro--60 days ... 3 %fcount 60 days .. 3% mium 90days .. l}%J 90 days .. i% ) Telegraphic Transfers to London.—2J '/., plus cable charges. Deposits.— By Bank of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 months, 2 % per annum ; 6 months. 3 '/. per annum ; 12 months. 4 X per annum; 24 months, ik % per annum. By National Bank: Fixed for 3 months, 2 % per annum ; 6 months, 3 % per annum ; 12 months, i '/. per annum. By Colonial Bank : Fixed for 8 months, 2 % per annum ; 6 months, 3 '/, per annum ; 12 months, 4 "/.parannum. By Australian Banks: Fixed for « months, 2 % per annum; 12 months, 3J '/, pur annum.

Ales and Porter.—Ale in bulk: None now imSorted to warrant market quotations. Ale (in ond); Bass's Dogshead , brand (Read's bob. tling): pints, 6s 3d: quarts, 8a 6d (in bond); Foster's Bugle ale, quarts Sa 9d, pints 6s 3d; Foster's Bugle stout, quarts, 8a 9d, pints 5s

FRATER BROS.' SHARE INVESTORS' GUIDE.—MARCH 21, 1895.

in Zealands, but there are buyers about 203, call of 68s 6d paid. Sales New South Wales up to 30s. « i Insurance.—A quiok rise took place in ; Zealands from 67s 6<l to 71s 6d, but shares since that have been sold at 70s. South British rose from 45s to 50s, aud few of them obtainable even at the latter quotation. Nationals and Standards sold at 19s and 18s 3d respectively, the latter cum div.; but would now be taken at 17s 9d ex div. Accident in small parcels are wanted at 13s 3d. This is an advance of Is on last month's rates. > Gas. —These shares maintain high rates, and may be said now to.be at full values. Sales—Aucklands. £11 Pis 6d ; Gisborne, 30s 'to 3ls; Thames, 24s to 20s, cum div. of Is per share, and there are now buyers about 25s 6d ex div. Shipping.—Excepting in Northerns at 4s to 4s 4d, there has been no business iu thi3 class of investment.

MisoELLANKorjs.— Coal firm at 20s

ex div. Union Oil sold at 13s 6d to 14a, wit! buyers still at 14s ; sellers, 14s 6d. New Zealand Drug sold at 19.1 6d cum div., and still wanted at this, sellers asking for 20s. Land Mortgage in fair demand at ss, sellers wanting 6s.

3d: Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), Gs yd and 83 9tl ; Allsopp's. quarts, ale and stout, 8s (id ; pints, ale and stout, tis 3d ; W. Younger's, 6s and 7s 3d ; Ashby's, (is 3d to as 9d ; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints, 4s quarts (is Od. AngloBavarian : pints 5s Oil and 8s ; Boat's Head Stout : quarts, 8a lid; pints, fls (id. Guinness'a Harp brand by Poster : pints, 6s; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout : quarts, 9s ; pints, (is 3d. Blood's: pints, 6s; quarts, 7a. Hogshead Guinness's(Read's bottling) . pints, (is 3d; quarts, 8s Od. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling ; pints, (is ; quarts, 8s; Burke's : Gs, and 9s. Other brands: as and 7s (id Duty : pints, Is (id : quarts, 3s per dozen.

Building Materials.—Cement, K.B. and White's worth lis Od. Slates: English Couutosses are worth £11 to £12; Plaster of Paris, 14s to 10s. All these quotations nominal. Breadstuffs and GRAIN. —Best roller flour, in sacks, £8; 100's and 50's in proportion to extra bagging, Southern wheat, milling, new 2s fld, old 2s Bd, sacks extra ; fowl wheat, 2s 7d, sacks included. Bran, £210s. Sharps. £3 15s, Maize, Is lid. Oatmeal, £9 10s per 20001b in 2o's. Barley (for malting), 3s Od; feed, 2s Od to 2s 9d. Oats, is Gd (bags given in) ; f.0.b., Southern ports, Is 4d (bags in). Pearl barley, £15. Cabin bread, £15 per ton, sacks included. Bags and Bauuinu.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, 11 Jin., is lid, d.p. Corn-sacks, 44in. by 20.Jin., 4s fld ; 48in., 4s 9d, wholesale lots. Coal..—Newcastle, ship's side, 22s Od; delivered, £1 10s, isquoted; Whangaroi coal, lis at mine • ditto, Waikato, steam, (0s ; household, 20s. Cordage, d.p. (Subject to trade discounts).—Manila hemp rope, all sizes, Auckland-made, £58 for best, £52 for next best ; whale and lance lines, £80; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £2a ; wool lashings, £34; clothes lines, 5d per lb, subject to trade discount; Manila clothes line, 8d; oakum, free, ditto, £40, point spun yarn, £03 ; twine, shop, d.p., per lb, yd to Is 2d; sewing twine, Is Id per lb Coffee and Spices (in bond), per lb.— Ceylon, coffee plantation, No. 1, Is 2d; ditto, Island, 10d ; chicory, colonial, 35s per cwt. in tins; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, Is 3d; Fry's, Is 3d; Van Houten's, 3s Od; Epps's, Is Od ; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 4d; Fry's, Is 4d. Spices, d.p.: Cloves, 7d; bleached ginger, lOd ; nutmegs, 2s 3d to 2s 9d ; black pepper, whole, 111 bond, 3Jd tv 4d ; white ditto, 6d to 6id. Confbctionery.— maiiuiacturers are producing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Waters's colonial boiled, 4d ; dry, 7Jd; jujubes, is hi; Mennioand Dey's boiled, 4d, less trade discount; Keillor's assorted confections, 94d; Gray's, 9jd ; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty, fid per lb), Is; orange, is ; citron, Is 8a ; local, from Od for lemon to Is 3d tor citron ; Keillor's jujubes, Is 4d ; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to is 3d.

Gum, Flax, &C.We quote: Gum : Poor ordinary, £28 to £32; ordinary, £35 to £40; superior, ordinary, £45 and upwards ; Hast Coast, £08 to £70. Flax: Best clean Auckland, £16 at the local mills only; fair average quality, £10: tow, £3 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £17; cocoanut oil (Hue white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 6s to £0 10s. Fungus, 3Jd. Ironmongery, &c.—Galvanised corrugated iron, 5 to 8 feet, £16; 9 feet, £17; 10 feet, £1*; English bar iron, per ton, £8 10s; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £9 ss; Barbed wire, £10 10» to £16; English pig-iron, £4; pig lead, £11; zinc, £24; 1.0. coke tin plates, 14s to 14s (id; charcoal ditto, 17s ; powder, Curtis, Harvey, sid. Muntss metal, li.Jd. Quicksilver, 2s Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty, 2d per lb. Keillor's marmalade, lib., d.p., 7s yd: Gray's, 7s; Moir's, 7s ; Phoenix, Dunedin, 4s to 4s Gd ; Nelson (New Zealand), 4s 9d ; -Smyrna sultanas, s}d (d.p.); Malaga muscatels, is (id ; Californian, new, 9d ; denies, new, 4jd ; currants, ljit in bond for new; tigs (140z.),< new, per dozen, d.p. ; Cal. prunes, 7il ; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb), ordinary, in kegs and cases, 7d; evaporated, 8d ; dates, 4|d. Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, 3d to is 3d per lb; kips, Is 2d to Is Gd ; runners, Is (id to is 8d ; calf, colonial, 2s Od to Ss Od; basils, 8s to 18s per dozen ; closed uppers, 4s (id to 8s 6d per pair ; hides, Id to 4d; calf skins, 3d to 4}d per lb; sheepskins, Cd to 6s.

Manures.—Australian bonedust, £5 to £0; Auckland, £5 15*; superphosphate of lime, £0 ; bonoflour, £6; Peruvian guano, £14 to £17 per ton ; animal manure, none ; cocoanut oil cake, none; linseed cake, £12; Coral Queen Island guano, £5 ; New Zealand Drug Co.'s manures : >\ aupoipnosphate, £6 per ton; A.A mineral superphosphate, £5 15s; bouedust, steamed, £3 15s, bonedust, green, £6 15s; bonedust and blood, £5; root manure, £6 10s, A grass manure, £6 10s; B grass manure, £6 10s; potato manure, £7; turnip manure, £0 10s; corn manure, £6 10s ; maize manure, £6 10s ; orchard manure, £7 10s; onion manure, £7.105; hop manure, £7 10s; clover manuro, £« ss; tjulph. of ammonia, £16 ; guano, 00-57 cent., £& 6s. , i Malt and Hops.—English malt, no inquiry rs oxEerienoed; Colonial, 6s to 6s Od. Hops : Nelson, rowers, Is; grocers' hops, bulk, 9d. Oilmen's Stores, Ac. — Atlas Paraffins, BJd ; Price's National 7Jd; Price's Belmont, 7id; Young's British Wax, 7J<t; Price's London Wax, 7£d; D. K. Jdnar's, 7Jd, scarce; Price's self-fitting, 9d; local blue mottled soap, £21 per ton; carbolic, £30; best yellow, £26; To. 1 household, £15, Ist Crown, £26; double Crown, £20; soft soap, in tins, 4Jd per lb ; toilet, 9d 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, d.p.; rock salt, £3 10s bagged, or £0 loose; Jordan almonds, 2s 3d; Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 4s 3d : Column's starch, No 1 (duty, 2d per lb): white, 48s ; blue, 48s; Heuinann's, 465; Hoffmann's, 455. Mustard, d.p.: ; Champion's genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 19s to 19s 6it; tins, 9s 3d to 9s6d, Column's Mb tins (red), Ha Od; half ditto, 9s: 7-lb tins (red to green) 7Jd to Is; lib tins (green), lSs; J-lh dittos, 7s 0d; DSF Alb tins, 9s, lib, 18s; Blue, Keckitt's Pans, in circle, 7d; Colman's Azure, Sid. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 18s 6d; ditto, plaid, 4s 6d; ditto, fancy oval, 24s 6(1; K. Bell and Co. 260*8, 15s 6<l in large parcels,' and 17s by smgele cases; plaids, 4s. All match quotations regulated by quantity of parcel. Oil: Castor, in pints, 8s 9d ; half-pints, 6s; quarter-pints, 8s 6d. Salad: C. and 8., pints, 14s ; half-ditto, 6s «d ; Morton's pints, 12s ; half - pints, Cs 3d; Pickles: Stephens' pints, 7s 9d; Crosse and Black well's, pints, 13s; Morton's, 10s; McConnochie's, Suffolk, 8s 6d. Rice (ground), in tins, 4Jd. Sauces : Lea and Perrin's, halfpints, 13s 6d; C. and 8., half-pints. 9s 6d; Mellor's, 7s 6d, pints 15s; Stephens', fis 6d ; . Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 6s 9d; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, . ,2s. 3d Holdbrook's, Is lOd; Evans', 2s 2d; Burnett's, Is lid; Potts', Is lOd local, Is Id. Vinegar, case: Champion's, 7s 6d; Burnett's, 7s; Morton's, 7s 3d. Treacle, - 2d ; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2Jd. Sago, 13s to 14s per cwb; tapioca, 14s to 15s per cwt. Cornflour : Brown's, 3d, d.p. ; Clements', <Jd; Brown and Poison's, 6jd ; Preserved milk: Nestle's, Gs 9d to 7s according to parcel; local brands, 6s 6d. Tartaric acid, in jars, Is 8d ; in keg, Is 4d ; cream of tartar, in jars, Is 4d, in bulk. Is 2d; bicarb, soda, £12 10s ; Knglish soda crystals (duty £2), £7 10s, nominal; local, £5 15s ; Whiting, £4 6s. Oils and Paints.—Duty, fid a gallon. Colza, in drums, 3s 3d; bulk, -3s; linseed, boiled drums, > 3s Id; bulk, 2s lOd , raw, drums, 3s ; bulk, 2s 9d ; castor, in drums, 2s 8d ; half-cases, d.p, ,2s 6d ; kerosene, in bond, White "Rose. 160 test, 9d; other high test brands from BJd; these prices are for largo lots. White lead, ground, per cwt,

Mining.—As reported last month, we had a continuance of a very lively market, numerous transactions daily taking place. Small sales in Waihi £6 Is, ex div. ol 2e, but shares are difficult to procure at anything like that sum. Woodstock occasionally selling at 18s; these shares should be worth buying, as there appears to be an enormous amount of quartz worth from £5 to £6 per ton ; but the Company's battery plant of 10 stamps is too small for so important a mining property. Talisman Battery is approaching completion, and shares in good favour ao about 7s 9d. Silvertou rose from 10a 6d to 15s 6d, but are now slightly easier, sales being made at 14s (id. This and Talisman we consider both good buying as an investment. Golden Gross sold from 30s 6d to 325. A large turnover in Karangahake small stock. Imperial, Is to lsGd ; Bonanza, lssd ; United, 6d to lOd ; Alpha, Is to Is 2d ; Waverley, 3d ; Marmion, 6d ; Wealth of Nations, Cd, More activity in Thames shares the past few weeks: Moanataiari, 4s ; May Queen, 3a lOd to 4s 4d ; Alburnia, 3s to 3s 6d ; Waiotahi, 15s; Monowai, 4s 6d to 5s 6d. The Monowai shares should advance, as the crushing is showing more than payable, and dividend may soon be announced.

Frater Bros.

50s and 112s; genuine, 255; No. 1 white lead, 23s in 50's, smaller packages more, according to size; red lead, dry, 245. Zinc white, £2 per ton more. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s t« £1 18s per cwt. Turps, duty paid: American 2s lOd, scarce ; resin, £6 Iftsto £7 10s according to grade. Varnish, oak, 9s Od to 12s 6d ; copal, 12s Od to 16s. Quotations regulated by quantities and qualities. Provisions.—Cheese Southern factory, 4Jd to scl. Salt butter, prime Bd, second quality unsaleable. Taranaki, yd. Rice i.b., Hunter's Standard Japan, £12. Canterbury bacon and hams (iu cloth), sides only, osd ; equal numbers hams and bacon, 7Jd ; hams only, Bd. Fish . Ling, 5Jd: boneless cod, sJtl ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 36s per dozen (21b tins); white, 33s per barrel Marshall's white, 3s per tin; Mdcconochie's fresh herrings, 0s to Gs 3d ; Findon haddocks, Bs , lobsters, American libs, 12s ; salmon lib Columbia River, d.p., 9s 6d, Alaska, 75 3d to is 6d, d.p., sale salmon, fid , sardines, quarters, 4s to 4s (id; halves, 0s (id to 7s (id, according to brand , oysters, 7s: mullet (Kaipara), 5s Bd. Sugars.—Mauritius brewers'crystals, £32 dutypaid (duty Jd per lb) ; Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £22 : No. 2, £21 • No. 3. £19 10s ; Queensland whites, £21 ; English crushed loaf, 3Jd, d.p., nominal French cube, 4Jd; Queensland yellows, i.b.. £13 browns. £13 10s, in bond, nominal. Spirits.— Duty, ins per gallon of proof spirits in bulk, 16s per gallon in case. Brandy: Rouyer, Gouillet and Co., 26s and 8s; Marcellain's case, 22s 6d, i.b.; flask, 28s fid; half-Mask, 35s 6d; quarter-flask, 53s Od ; Hennessys; case, 30s 6d; Martell, 365, Bisquit, Du. bouche, and Co.'s pale, in hhds. and qr.-casks, 7s; Dennis Mounie 345; Courvoisier's, case 34sOtards, case, 29s (nominal) ; Bisquit, Dubouchi and Co. s, 255; B .omerang, Australian bulk, 7s 61 ; case, 21s ; Muller here's, 20s. Whisky, bulk : « alker s WW, 10s ; Distillers old, 5s , very old 7* - VOS, 8s ; case, Ok; Scotch, 15s , very old, 19s : VO.s. 22s ; Gaelic, Old Smuggler, 21s , Buchanan's House of Commons, 21s; Robertson's On» Star, 225; Dunville's, 5s 6d; case, 18s; Royal Blend ' . 24 , 5 , A„ Teacher's old, 28s, Encore, 19s: Walker's WW, 2is ; LL, 22s 6d to 23s ; all iii bond. Geneva proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, 14s Od; 20 bottles, 17s 6d , key, Geneva, proof, 10s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s Od. Gilbev's icy gin. 15s; Distillers' Company, 14s ; Burnett's Old Tom, 13s. Lowndes* rum, 30 0.p., 3s 8d ; in hhds., is per octave ; Red Heart, case, 20s. Key 22s Timber.— Quotations are as follows :— Kauri board and scantling cargoes, 100 feet, at mill, f.0.b., East Coast, 10s 6d to lis first-class ; 7s fid second-class • at yards, Auckland. 14s 6d to 15s first-class; 7s 6d t» 10s second-class. Flooring, I3s(id to 16s first-class • 9s fid second-class , rusticated. 16s 6d to 17s. West Coast, sawn kauri, 10s; square baulk, 5s to (is . flitches, 9s 6d ; white pine (kahikatea). 5s fld; T. and G., 12s, f.o.b. at mills; at yard, firstclass, 13s1; second-class, 8s ; Hobart palings, 5 feet, 13s fld . C feet, 15s; Hobart rails, £3 15s. IOBACCO.—Duty, 3s 6d. Ruby Aromatic, 2s 2d: Victory, Is lOcl; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3d to Is 4{d; Unique, Is 4d to Is 54 , Octoroon, Is id to Is 5Jd ; low, lo's, lOd ; Cameron's Fancy Aromatic, Is Sd ; Derby, cases ten, Is 7Jd ; single case, Is BJd ; Venus, Is 7Jd ; Nailrod, lOd to Is id. Teas.—Prices range as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, fid to Sjd ; middling to tine kinds td to „ 811 ', Saryunes and Panyongs, Brt to Kid; Souchongs and Kaisows. 3d to lid • Darjeelings, Pekoes, Is 3d to Is Bd. Peko« Souchongs, OJd to 9d. Good broken, 7d •to <4d; semi-broken and fine Soucnong kinds jd to is Id. Ceylon teas from Is to is 4d, d.p. duty Od per lb. The sale of China teas is now much restricted. Indians are in strong demand in nearly all descriptions, for blending purposes with Ccyloiis having a continually increased sal©

" ; ' I ' '■'/..:. ■.". ; I ' ' rt"' " •"■'■ ■■' •'• '■''<'<' ■ Last* . - , l Number QWm Tna l Sub-' «„,,,„„ 'JSfSt Amount Paid-up Dividend Latest iMSS' " Financial, . Companies. of ££«" £$& scribed SHnSdwSd per per . %per A Market a J2,*fJ2*J Half-year or Year = Shares. , Issued - Capital. Capital; Capital. Undmd.d £™, £ are . Annum. Quotations. at gg? ■ ■• Was. ,\, Banks— j . & £ £ £ - & e s. d. £ . £ s. a, £ s . d. New Zealand «... 200,000 150,000 1,275,000 900,000 900,000 82,730 105/.150/ .. ' > c ■- " .. March 81, Sept.30 , National .. .. '.. 200,000 100,000 1,750,000 750,000 250,0011 15,175 7/10&10 2 10 0 ' R 10 0 12 10 0 March 31, Sept. 30 Colonial .. »..i : ... 400,000 200,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 400,000 73,227 '6 200 10 0 12 0 0 Feb. 29, August 31 Insurance— ■ . ,03 *'- "•&<'# New Zealand „ .. 100,000 i 100,000 1,000,0001 1,000,000 200,000 257,619 .'.' 10 2 0 0 •}?,* 3 10 0 7 14 0 May 81, Nov. 80 u*l£ National .. ... .. 200,000 190,115 2,000,000 1,901,150 98,057 , 110,855 10 0 10 0 \'l 0 19 0 7 18 0 March 81, Sept. 30 South British .. .. 100,000 04,028 1,900,000 1,227,032 04,628 146,2*9 19 10 0 i„ 3 10 0 6 0 0 Feb. 28, August 81-* Standard .. .. 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 75,000 43,409 10' 0 15 0 -„, 0 18 0 8 0 8 June 30, Deo. 81 t Accident .. ... .. 100,000 20,000 100.000 20,000 5,000 15,994 10 5 0 T" 5 ° 13 ° 5 0 0 December 31., Loan— ' .'.*..■'■ ■,-;.. r ■■ < x ...■,. : , '.'-. ', N.Z. Loan & Mercantile 520,010 480,000 3,900,000 3,760,000 .. .. [£10,70/&30/ *« £2 pr'f r'nce _ National Mt'Ke&Ac'ncy 100,000 100,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 150,000 29,352 10 1 10 0 ° •• - June SO, Dec. 31 * N.Z. ami River Plato i- ' ,. Land Mortgage .. 200,000 200,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 200,000 ... 10 10 0 ""■""*" 0 6 3 ... October 31 '- ' " Gas— lr Auckland ... .. 50,000 20,243 250,000 140,215 . 111,8574 26,549 5 100/&50/ ',;, 235/& 117/6 6 7 3 June 30, Dec. 31. Thames ... .. .. 10 000 9,980 25,000 24,955 18.9C5 1,300 2} 1 18 0 ,,,* 15 0 9 9 6 Jan. 31, July 31 Gisborne .. M .. 15,000 12,000 15,000 12,000 12,000 .. v 1 100 lu 1110 690 June 30, Dec, 31 Timber— ' • ... « ....:■! Kauri Timber _ .. 000,000 600,000 1,200,000 1,200,000 .. 16,786 2 10/&22/ ~ - - August 31 Shipping— Union .. ... .. 100.000 53,692 1,000,000 690,920 596,920 189,414 10 10 0 0 ? 6 10 0 9 5 0 March 31, Sept. 30* New Zealand .. .. 100,000 59,089 800,000 477,512 369,495 '4,324 8 8 0 0 in 3 10 0 9 18 0 June 30, Dec. 31 Devonport Steam Ferry 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 2,225. 1 100 - r 1 15 0 5 14 3 December 31 Coromandel Steam .. 4,500 3,037 4,500 3,037 3,027 .. 1 10 0 2 0 10 0 10 0 0 June 30 Northern Steam .. 150,000 116,784 108,750 84,668 46,560 571 14/6 14/6 & 7/ 0 4 6 9 6 8 March 31 ■,; :■■-. COAL— Hikurangi.. ... ... 30,000 30,000 15,000 15,000 9,375 ./ • J 0 6 6 ,'A, 0 4 0 .. June 30, Dec. 31 Taupiri .. ... .. 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 - 19,200 1,318 1 0 10 0 "* 1 0 0 10 0 0 June 30, Dec. 31 Taupiri Reserve.. .. 25,000 19,215 *. 25,000 19,225 18,539} .. .. 20/&13/ - .. ~- Miscellaneous— . m. • New Zealand Drug .. 100,000 70,994 200,000 141,808 87,604 18,143. 2 40/&20/ '* 10 0 7 10 0 Jan. 31, July31 Auckland Fibre .. .. 25,000 18,945 25,000 18,945- 1S.945 .. 110 0" ... .. April 30 Northern Boot and Shoe 15,000 12.622 15,000 12,622 8,520 1,091 1 ' 0 18 6 *;, .. .. October 31 Union Oil, Soap& Candle 150,000 30,850 60,000 36,850 25,795 1,300 1 0 14 0 i* 0 14 0 9 10 0 September 29 Sharlaml A Co 50,000 60,000 50,000 50,000 31,250 1,709 1 0 12 o 8 - „ November 30 Mining (Gold & Silver)— New Moanstaiari .. 50,000 50,000 25,000 25,000 - «. J 0 5 0 „','<, „,/. 0 I 0 „ .. Waiotahi 0,000 0,000 18,000 18,000 -. .-. 3 210 0 p " 0v,ia, ' ! ' 0 0 15 0 „ .. •' Cambria 44,708 44,700 44,700 44,700 .. ..1059'" 008 „ .. , Crown 100,000 78,400 100,000 78,400 ... .. 110 0" 080 .. .. Silveiton .. „ .. 40,000 40,000 »1,000 20,000 _ ... k 0 2 8 " 0 14 6 Albumia .. ». .. 60,000 60,000 30,000 30,000 „ «. 402 0 ! „ ' < ; nn 033 _ .. Wailii .. „ .. 160,000 160,000 160,000 160,000 >. „ 110 0 uec - /J < 1H 6 2 6 _ .. May Queen _ .. 79,000 79,000 39,500 30,500 „ „ 4012" 044 „ . Try Fluke.. „ .. 50,000 50,000 12,500 12,600 .. ... J 0 0 6*" 0 SO „ "' Norfolk „ .. .. 50,000 60,000 25,000 25,000 .. ..... J- 0 6 11 - 0 0 8 .. .. Orlando 40,000 40,000 10,000 10,000 .. .. J015~ 006 _ Victoria 120,000 120,000 30,000 30,000 .. .„ 1 ' 0 1 10 ~ 0 0 5 _ Woodstock United ., 55,000 56,000 27,500 27,600 „ .. |, 0' 5 0" 0 17 6 ... „ Hazelbitnk .. .. 42,000 42,000 21,000 21,000 .. _ J 0 2 3 0 12 Golden Cross .. .. 24,000 24,000 24,000 24,000 , «. „ 1 I 0 0 - 1 11 6 „ Grace Darling ... .. 60,000 63,000 30,000 20,501 .. . ... i 0 5 0 " 0 0 7 M.mowai 60,000 60,000 15,000 15,000 '.. .. i *• 0 6 9 „ „ Talisman.. „ .. 66,000 55,000 16,250 13,750 2,750 ■„ 1010-* 0 7- ., „ Bonanza .. .. .. 65,000 67,500 16,260 14,375 « „ \ .. i - 0 10 „ Kapal-Vermont.. .. 100,000 100,000 25,000 ... „ _ J 2s&4s " o 2 0 ., ** Hetreat ... „ .. 70,000 70,000 10,500 - - m..3/« *• 003 ... _