COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10036, 24 January 1896, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Office; Thursday evening. The local Slock Exchange during the past week lias been quiet, the volume of business transacted being small. There lias been a rather better inquiry for investment Stock, although prices do not advance, except for orie Or two favourite lines. No business is reported in bank stock. New Zealand Insurance are offered at £3 12*, and South Hritish at £2 14s. ' Sales have been reported in Nationals at 18s 6d and IS* lOd, and there are sellers at 19a. Sellers of Standard ask 19a, add of Accidents 17s 6d. Auckland Gas are very scarce, and difficult to obtain. For old issue buyers offer £12 Ba. Northern Steam have sold at os 9d and 6s. There are sellers of Taupirl (Jfltil at 19< 6d. For mining stock there are very few buyers, except at low rates, and it is difficult to effect business. Sales of Wailli Silver tons are reported at £2 19s and £2 18s, and there are sellers at £2 18s 6d. Queen of Waihisold at 2s 9d to 2s 6d. There Me buyers of Waitckauri at £4 2a, and sellers as £4 Os G<l. Owharoas have sold at 3s Gil, and Talismans at 8s toß:<3d. In Thames proper May Queen have sold from 8s 6d to Bs. A good business in Victorias from 2s 9d to 3s 2d to 33. Alburnum have sold lit 4i 9d and 4s lid. A fair amount of business has been done in Bunker's Hill from 5s 9d to Os 9d to ss. In Kuaotuiiu stock, Kapai Vermont have sold at Bj 3d ; Try Flukes at 5s Od and ss. For late notations we refer our readers to the stock and share list published in another part of this Issue. The chief interest of the week has been wool. Navy League, and price of sugar. The second wool sales look place yesterday. There was ft good display of wool, but somewhat inferior in quality as compared with the previous sales, the highest price being B}o lb. The Navy League has been dealt With in other columns, but it is a matter that concerns commercial interests, and we hope will meet with true commercial support. I Sugar has advanced 10a per ton, and stocks of No. 3 quality are temporararily exhausted. Comsacks : Fairly good business has been done for the South) and our market is bare of 48' a. Large business is reported in corrugated iron. We understand the whole of the shipments of "Orb" and "Adams-Mars" per Rartgatira hate been sold to second hands. Fencing wire : The Rangatira has arrived opportunely to replenish low stocks of pig i wire, but We anticipate a bare market again shortly for this article. An improved demand is noted for Johnson's galvanised wire, in spite of extra cost. Castor oil is dearer, and shipments to land per Chilka, due in a fortnight, cannot be sold profitably under lis 9d to 3s per gallon. Oats are dragging. Maize : There are no sellers Under 3s off wharf, but buyers are more Inclined to hold off, and thematketlnay be regardedaaslightly weak. . Potatoes ; These are worth from 8s Od to 4s, with at the momenta hardening" tendency. It is, however, doubtful if this will be maintained. . . Kerosene is firm. Stocks of " Gem," in first hands, have been cleared. We nave to note a new _ departure in shipping circles. Complaints (just or Unjust, we danubt pretend to judge) .having been made re the service of and freight; charged by the Richmond, have led up to the charier of the Stella for a cruise 16 Rarotonga and possibly other islands; Milling wheat: Most of the English and Australian iharketß are, if anything, a shade stronger, but there is scarcely any Wheat offering, either locally Or in the South. The fact is, farmers are working hard, early and late, securing ft tnost excellent crop, and while this brilliant harvest weather lasts, coimot spare the timo to attend markets anywhere. Bran and sharps are dull of sale. In the local produce market, tho prices of both butter and eggs have advanced during the week. They are now quoted at: Best dairy fresh butter, Od: stolid quality, very plentiful, 4d; and third quality 3d per lb wholesale. Eggs have advanced to 8d per dozen wholesale and lOd pet-dozen retail. ~ ;.l KAURI GUM MARKET. The following aw the quotations for the kauri ?um market for the week ending January 22,1896:-' Poor ordinary, which comprises weak and rough-coated pieces, pickings, and washed nuts, £28 to£34. '.'.. " Ordinary, meaning hard. rottgli-Bcrapcd gam, .varying in price according to the quantity of washed nuts, ranges from £38 to £44, I Good ordinary,'meaning hard, unpicked ratigogum, price varying according to size, scraping, and' freedom, from weak pieces, I ' from £48 and wards.- • a-stow." f ■•'< y, j i Eaßt"UoasV£7otc-£72.; " .'.■''" ••'" l -:

Supplies for 22 days in January, SfiO tons. The small supplies coming forward have steadied the market, which is fairly active for Mod and superior ordinary, good rescraped, and East Coast. East Coast is scarce. ■ -...■■