COMMERCIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10008, 20 December 1895, Page 4

COMMERCIAL

New Zealand Herald Office, Thursday evening. Business on the Stock Exchange during the past week has been dull, there being an indisposition on the part of speculators to purchase, With a few exceptions, however, stocks are unchanged in price. Good investment stocks are firm, and are difficult to obtain at buyers' price. There are buyers of National Hank at £1 7s, aud of Colonial Hank at lis Cd. For New Zealand Insurance £3 14s is offered, sellers asking £3 15s Cd. South British have sold at £2145, and there are sellers at that price, buyers offering £2 l.'ls. Sales of National are reported at IDs 3d, with sellers at the same figure, buyers offering 19s. There are sellers of Standard at 19a, and of Accident at 17s 6d. Gas stock is very firm, and shares are difficult to obtain, sellers being scarce. There have been sales of new issue of Auckland at £6 2s (id, and buyers of old aro offering £12 Us. Thames Gas are offered at £1 Ss Od. Hikurangi coal have sold at Gs 3d, and there are buyers at Gs Id. Taupiri coal find buyers at 18s. A fair amount of business has been done in mining stock. Waihis are offered at £7. Sales of WaihkSilverton have been effected from £2 10.) to £2 17s Cd; Queen of Waihi from 2s lid to & Cd; Waitekauri at £4 3s; Waitekauri No. 4 at 2s 4d; lJuanui at Is Gd; Ovvlmroa at 4a and 43 2d. There are sellers ot Woodstork at £110s, with buyers at about £1 us. Talismans are offered at 9s, with buyers at 8s (id. In Thames proper a fair amount of business is reported in May Qui «iis from 9s to 9j 4d ; Moanataiaris from 5s 9d to Gs; Victorias at 2s 5d to 2a Gd; Cardigans from Is Gd to Is bd. Monowais have sold at 4s. In Coromandel stock there lias been good business in Bunker's Hill from 4s 3d to4s6d; Welcome Find from 2s 9d to 3s Bd. Kapai-Vermouts have sold at 10s ami 9s G.I. Once again we approach the divine time when charity, friendliness, and the Christian virtues that well up in the most stony-hearted, eminently practical British trader, are called upon. It is often said that there is no sentiment in business, and to a certain extent this is true enough, for few are fools sufficiently to give fifteen pence for what they can get for a shilling, but we deny the saying nevertheless. Confidence is sentiment; the shades of one are so blended that, no literary analytical chemist can trace where one ends and the other begins, and only thoso who know can tell that one of the most vital principles that remain in this age of change is the sentiment of confidence in good names, honest treatment, fair, square, plain talk, and no humbug. Why this preliminary? Simtily, that in reviewing the record of the last fifty-two weeks eince Christmas of 1894, we find that the rule of thought we have above indicated is still uppermost. This is no time to relate the latest advices about galvanised iron, wire nails, oil, sugar, or soap. Everybody who reads this column 1 knows nearly exactly as the merchant what 1 the market is, but at this festive season we

I are colled upon to dwell with some thought on the tradinc experience of the year without the question of mere profit or loss. Virtually the wholesale trade for the year is over. All retail distributors have taken time by the forelock, and laid in ample provisions for the thirsty and hungry during the next week when Rood cheer, Presentations, and the decorative feeling that is inseperable from toe season animates the buyin;? public. We are pleased to find a general concensus of opinion that demand has been exceptionally good. This reflects a wide embrace of prosperity, ami justifies to some extent the optimistic belief that so generally prevails ill spite of the serious droit in mining scrip that has followed tlio London and Paris relapse in speculative values. Tho rejection of the reciprocity treaty with South Australia is looked upon by the commercial public as just a fitting end to she theatrical idea of Mr. Ward to do something particularly smart. We have nothing to say against brilliancy and ability to get out of the common rut of conservative opinions, but we have uo faith in the ship of State being steered by a rash and self-confi-dent helmsman.

1895 we think as a whole has been a good year, and while as in every twelve calendar months there is, and will be. upa and downs, we believe our judgment will bo sustained by trado opinion tlml. 18 ( has had more ups than downs.

The prospects are bright and pleasant, Tho Socialistic' make, if not killed, is scotched; there is a greater and stronger link between what Mr, Gladstone called the Classes and the Masses, Men with octnmon sense on either side can see clearly that labour and capital are the twin agents for success, and a divorcement of the two by class legislation on ono side or the other must land the country in trouble. This is one item on the credit side.

Again, we have had full proof of the mineral riches of our fair province. We have secured good British confidence, and, what is more practical, good British sovereigns for mineral rights. On our auriferous hills the miner's hut, with the plain galvanised roof, stands out as a sign of progress. In the valleys men are damming tho clear water to utilise it for power and mining purposes, banks are cashing cheques for dividends, and traders are supplying what is practically a new field of output for groceries, drapery, produce, chemicals, and roil monkery. All this has come into vo»ue in 1895, and as the year closes let us not forget that some of our best and most honoured names have passed out, and have been called to the angels. Wo close these remarks by a wish that this column for tlx year has been one that has been followed by our readers in the spirit of faith in effort to put them in touch with the commercial feeling of the hour, and to give them the best and safest trade advices. and in the hope that the New \ear will bo one of great and continuous prosperity, we wish our friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In tho produce market orders have been free, and the enquiry for maizo strong. Something like 2000 bags liavo arrived from the coast during the week, 1500 of which have been exported, and the balance quickly placed to the local buyers. Oats are a trifle dull, but no specific drop can be mado in quotations. Cheese is in full supply, and there is a firmer tendency in the ham and bacon market, but the slackening off of distributive orders that usually' comes closo to the Christmas season, reduces the enquiry, and dulls an otherwise better market.

Milling wheat: Most favourable reports of the growing wheataro reaching us, and should this tine weather last for a few weeks longer New Zealand will probably be able, out of her surplus new crop, to partially supply Queensland and New South Wales. Although the English, Continental, and Americar markets aro all firmer, our own, aud most of the Australian markets, are decidedly weaker, entirely owing to the heavy shipinfills of Californian wheat to Sydney. Fowl wheat : There is hardly any offering. Bran and slurps are in poor demand. Flour: Auckland millers are extra busy filling up their customers' orders before the holidays. In the local produce market the prices are as followßest dairy fresh butter is Gd, second quality sd, and third quality 3d per lb wholesale, Eggs arc 10J per dozen wholesale, and Is per dczen retail.

KAURI GUM MARKET.

LONDON.

AUCKLAND MINING AND STOCK ASSOCIATION.

The following are the quotations for the kauri <;u:n market for the week ending December 18, ( J5 I'iicir Ordinary, which comprises weak and rough-coated pieces, pickings, and washed lints, £'JS to £34. Ordinary, meaning hard rough • scraped gum, varying in price according to the quantity of washed nuts, ranges train £3G to £42. Good ordinary, meaning hard, unpicked rango gum, price varying according to size, scraping, and freedom from weak pieces, from £41) and upward. Iviat Coast, £6S to £70. Supplies for 18 days in December, 340 tons. The demand for good and superior sorts is good, aid the supply short. There is a general firmness about the market for all sorts, save black gum, which is quite unsaleable,

Press Association.Elfjctiic Telegraph.—CopyHeb'. London', December IS. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdon is 2,220 000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,080,000 quarters. The American visible supply of wheat is 92,100,000 bushels. Til.; Loudon aud Manchester markets are flat. : American securities have fallen.

Business Don:;.- Auckland Gas, new, £0 in 8il; May Queen, 9s, 9 s 4d; New Moanatairri, Os; Cardigan, Is •d, Is bd ; Queen of W'aihi, 2s o*l, 2s Til; Waihi Consols, Is; Waihi-Silverton, Sis, Sis, .ITs Cd; (inco Darling, Is oil; Waitekauri No 4, 2s lil; Waihi Proprietary, Is; Jupiter, 5s ail; Golden II ill, 7il ; Hunker's 11111, 4s 6.1. IiuTKRS.-Colonial Hank, 14s Cd; National InWance. Ids ; South British Insurance, ,'i3s; Auckland lias, old, £12 3s; New Zealand Drue (£1 shares), 20s Oil ; Climes, Oil; J'uru Consolidated, i>Jd ; New Albumin, is; .May Queen, 9s; New Mo;..nataiari, is 9d ; Orlando, 4il ; Victoria, 2s ail ; Cilv of I)unedi:i, Is 4d ; K-iy.ii Is 2d; Gulden Point, Is; Cardigan, Is Oil; Waihi Extended, 4jd ; Byron Bav, lid; Queen of Waihi, 2s Oil ; VVuihi Consols, lid ; St. Patrick, 5(1; li-.lden Lion, 2d; Waihi ISiWertoii, fiM ; Woodstock, iias ; Union Hailing, Is 3d; Talisman, Ss id; Waveriey, i>d ; Central, till ; Young New Zealand, Is; Waitekauri Nt. 4, 'if 4d ; stinley, 3d; Waihi Proprietary, Is; laiisinan Extended, Is; Kapai-Vermont, Us Cd; Try Fluke, is ; Waltaia, its; Maoriland, 8d; Midas, yd; Jupiter, 5s 3d; Gulden Hill, id; llauraki No. 2, Is 3d ; Welcome Find, is Oil; Hunker ilill, 4s till; New Oolcomla, la; Pigmy, [ill.

Sm.LEIIS.-New Zealand Insurance, 75s fid; South ilritisli Insurance, 54«; New Zealand Accident Insurance, lis (id ; lliknrHma Coil, (is 3d ; freedom, Cd; Scaudinari in, Is; Moanataiari Extended, 8il; Cluiies, Is; l'liru Consolidated, Is ; Now Alliurnii, Os; Cambria, Is 4d; Hazelbank, 2s Cd ; .May Queen, 9s 9d ; New Moanataiari, (Is; Norfolk, 3s9il ; Orlando, &1; Victoria,'2s Oil; City ot Ihinediu, ls7d; Now Whan, !■>; Broken Hill, Is; Monowui, 4s; Comstock, fid ; Sheridan, Is Id ; Hoyal, Is Oil ; Golden lMnt, Is Cd ; Occidental, lnd; Alburnia liast, (id; 'lapu Fluke, Hid; Clnligan. Is id ; British Knipiio, l''d ; Wailii Extended, fid; Nil IH'speratmun., Cd; Byron Bay, Is id; lnglewood, hd; Karangaliake, lUd; Queen of Waihi, 3s ; Teutonic, Sd ; Wail'i Consols, is; Waihi Monument, is; Ward Proprietary, Kid; St. Patrick, Od; Zioii, Is; Opliir, fnl; Uolilon l.ion, 3d; Crown, 32s Od ; Waihi-Silvcrton a.s Oil ; Waihi, £7; Woodstock, 30s; Waitekauri, Sin ; (•race Darling, Is 8d; Port.sea, lOd ; Talisman, 9s; Wavorley, Is; Central, is; Wealth of Nations, lid ; Owharoa, 4s 2d ; Alpha, Cs; Clielt, 6d ; Excelsior, (id ; Youn* New Zealand, Is Sd; Imperial, Is Od ; Ivauhue. is; Victor, lis; Golden Spur, Is; Waitekauri No, 4, 2s Oil; Puriri, Bd ; Woodstock North, 4d ; ,South British, id Stanley, til; Mariner, 8-1; Wailii Proprietary, Is 3d; lluanui, Is inl; Talisman Extended, Is 6d ; Wpitelcauu South, 7d ; Day Dawn, (id ; Waitekauri No. 2, 1 (1 ; New Zealsnder, 8d; Oceania, Is :d ; KapniVermont, 9s 9d ; Try Fluke, 8s ; Gladys, 8d; Waitaia, 3s 3d ; Invicla, 9i; Kuaotiuiii, 'It; Golden Anchor, is ,'id; Maori Dream, Is 7d ; Aorere, Is 3d; Aurora, 4d; Maorlland, Is; Invlcta Nurth, 4d; Midas, Is ■».<!; Ureit l.'nltml, ltd; Jupiter, lis ; Al, 8d ; Alert, 7d: Golden Iliil, Is; Wynyardton, Is 4d ; Gulden Hill I'.);.ended, 2d ; llauraki Mo. 2, Is 7.i; llauraki Smith, 8d; llauraki Kxtended, id ; Welcome Find, i'.s Id ; Zealandk, BJd ; Process Castle-Hock, Kl(l; Harbour View, lid; Bunker's Hill, 6s; 111* Ben, 4il; Southern Cross, 10,1; Golden Lead, Is ; New Goleonda, Is 41 ; I'ukewliati, Sd ; New Tokatea, 2s; Kour-iu-Ilaud, Is; lirilannla, Is Id; North, 8«I; Pride of Tokatea, Is Id ; llauraki North, Is 9(1; Conquering Hero, Od; Coronuimlel Freehold, Is lit; Empress, 4d; Golden Tokatea, Is; Great lvap.inga, Cd; Katie, lOd; Napier, la 5(1; Pigmy, 8(1. J. M. I,unmix, Chairman. 4 p.m., Thursday, December 1?, 1895. CAM. AND DIVIDEND 1,1 IT. CALM : fi .1 <•.. Dale Orlando G.M.Co .. ..002.. Dec. 30 New (iolconda G.M.Co, ..001.. Jan. 8 Monowai Ainalgaiiiated G.M.Co ~ 0 0 3 .. Jan. 10 dividends: Wailii G.M.Co 0 2 0,, Now