COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Office. Thursday evening. The course of mercantile business during the past four yeeks has beeu uneventful, but none the less satisfactory. It has chiefly been noted for steadiness, all tile main sources of tile trade flow have distributed business iu various channels with fair strength. The timber industry has beeu especially active. Bushmen and those accustomed to use the jack arc in request at high wages, and all machinists and mill hands are busy, with the timber mills working full time. Wheat returns are excellent, with quality first-class. The goldtields demand is strong, although the Ions; spell of dry weather has caused a reduction in water power, and a corresponding reduction in the number of stampers at the batteries.

It is becoming a serious question with holders of mineral properties where to find the requisite number of skilled miners, as those mines who have secured the Warden's Court protection pending the result of sale negotiations in Loudon, must soon man the properties, accordiug to the iniuiug regulations.

We doubt if the salubriousness of the climate, the good supply of water, and the comparatively low cost of provisions on the goldtields of the colony, situated as they are within three days' communication at most from business centres, is sufficiently known outside of the colony, otherwise labour would be more plentiful. This must, however, soon be rectified, and will bring more general "business with the increase of population. I Stocks have been heavily replenished (luring the month, and there are very few articles of trade scarcity. Prices have as a whole been well maintained.

Island trade exhibits a satisfactory expansion, except in the case of Samoa, the condition of which distressful bland is a disgrace to British, Herman, and American diplomacy, and indilfercntism to the moral and material interests ot a country under their so-called protection. The recent cable advice of a strong and advancing market in London for wool occasions universal rejoicing. Those who believe that cycles of good and bad trade come like certain climatic periods, argue optimistically from the signs of the times, with the result of a certain all-round buoyancy quite refreshing; still more so because it takes no extravagant form, the word " boom " being more often used as a danger signal than an incentive.

We regret to report severe losses have been sustained by our Northern settlers through ! bush fires. Valuable forests have either been wholly destroyed, or, what is left of them, must be cut down immediately to prevent total loss of splendid timber. Our import division has been considerably exercised over the edict of the Government insisting on a tax of J per cent, on the value of all foreign consignments. This tax was legalised during the last session of Parliament, and under the hopeless minority of theOppositionargument against it practically went by default. Now that the mischief is done everybody but the thoroughgoing partisan can see its absurdity. Efforts are being made to point out to the Commissioner of Taxes both its injustice and its error in national economics, so that the enforcement be delayed until a nullifying Bill can bo passed next session. New Zealand exports overlap imports by between two and three millions sterling per annum, ami a similar tax levied in the United Kingdom 011 consignments from the colony would be a serious loss to producers on whose broad shoulders rests the ability to keep the rate of exchange on bills Bold in London low and so minimising the laid down cost of imports. If the treasurer is stubborn in this matter,

the Associated Chambers of Commerce wil

very likely be approached to bring the subjeot before the Secretary of State, but as the New Zealand Parliament have thought fit to tax foreign shippers, it is doubtful if the Minister can do anything, as it is improbable he would consent to any retaliatory legislation which would serve us very well right. The month has shown heavy business in share transactions, as will be seen in our separate report. Engagements continue to well met, and there is general reduction of trade losses, largely due to stricter watchfulness over accounts, and the shorter credit resulting from smaller profits both wholesale and retail.

Much interest is being felt in the idea o State fire insurance, now under the consideration of the Government. Firo losses since the commencement of the year have been exceptionally heavy, hut what is termed the moral hazard is considered not sufficiently cared for, so that an all-round rise in insurance rates means that the innocent have to pay for the unscrupulous. Whether under State management, especially where political colour is considered nearly everything, there will be any improvement, is doubtful. Although advices are cabled weekly of capital for mining ventures being subscribed, the amount actually placed at local disposal is not ovor large, documents in many eases not being completed. When the transactions now pending are settled, there must follow much trade activity, through more vigorous mining operations. On the whole, we consider the trade position at this centre was never better. The above sufficiently indicates the state and prospects of trade at the time being, and we have only to briefly report on the leading lines of the market, the principal one being sugar, which has advanced £1 per ton, in sympathy with the general advance all over the world. The consumption of crystal sugar has been unusually heavy this season. Teas are without noteworthy change. Imports are slackening off, as the Indian season is now closed, and indents for the 1895 6 seasons are completed. Blenders report receipt of very useful qualities during the season, except in flavoury Darjeelings, which are below the reputation of this famous district teas, in consequence of heavy rains. The rise in Eastern exchange has led to advances in Singapore goods, Japan rice, jute goods, castor oil, and Ceylon plantation coffee, the average turn-over iu which has been sustained.

Dried fruits have been quiet, which is usually the case up to April, From then we may expect a better demand right through the winter.

In metal goods there has been a satisfactory enquiry, with no variation in quotations. Kerosene has maintained its firmness. There is likely to be a scarcity of the favourite White Rose brand.

Paint-oils . continue in over-supply, with prices giving poor returns to importers, Pish has had fuller enquiry owing to Lent, As many retailers of herrings are now importing direct from Homo canners, the wholesale buyers report a contracting business. The main lino in canned fish is, however, American salmon, which has this season been in good demand. The consumers demur to the relatively higher prices of the British Columbia fish to red Alaska.

In bagging: There is a shortage in 48 inch corn sacks, with none likely to come forward until the July direct steamer from Calcutta. This is one of the lines that caunot be sorted up from Australia, as the sizi is not imported to that Continent. Coarse salt: Black Horse brand is in low stock. There is, however, an excess supply of Adelaide.

In hotel liquids: There has been a good enquiry for bottled ale, and a noteworthy increased consumption ot all light liquids, especially Australian hock, chablis, and claret. Kop's non-alcoholic ale has been well sought after. Henuessy's one star brandy lias been somewhat scarce. The Australian Boomerang brandy has secured a firm hold on the New Zealand market, and illustrates what ought to be the aim of colonial Governments, viz, to exchange products among the intercolonial group, and make the commercial ties between ourselves stronger, instead of each endeavouring to tariff out its neighbour's productions, or only to put them on the same level as those of France and Germany. The normal demand for tobacco, cigarettes, ami cigars has been sustained. Very few outside brands of the former will sell, no matter how low the price. The main business is held by Derby, Ascot, and Venus, in the order named, with the double thick pocket-piece shape more in favour. In cigarettes, Vanity Fairs are more asked for than formerly. Three Castles is, however, by tar the leading brand. Stocks of whiting are getting low. It is noticeable that there is now little necessity to consign dead weight cargo on ships account, which years ago was quite a common tiling. Merchants aud dealers require to order now instead of relying upon shipments being offered to clear cbst and nominal freight. »

For tho sake of our Honolulu readers, we quote potatoes at £4 5s ton, and onions at from £6 to £7 ton; cases extra. The enormous demand for .Sydney and Queensland this year for potatoes is likely to make prices very satisfactory to growers all through the season.

KAURI GUM MARKET. The market during the past month has been active for East Coast, good, sound, rescraped, and superior ordinary. The ordinary coining in during the past month has been of such a weak, chalky, swampy nature, as to make busiuess very slow iii this grade. IMack gum, except three-quarter scraped and re-scraped black, is almost neglected. Ordinary is dull of sale. Bush has been sold during the month at lower rates. On account of tho long stretch of dry weather, very small quantities of good range gum have come forward. The following are the quotations l'oor Ordinary, which comprises weak and rough-coated pieces, pickings, and washed nuts, i'.'M to £'M. Ordinary, meaning hard rough • scraped gum, varying in price according to the quantity of washed nuts, ranges from £38 to £14. (iooil ordinary, meaning hard, unpicked ranu'e gum, price varying according to size, scraping, and freedom from weak pieces, from £9.) and upward. Kant ('wist., £74 to £75. The supplies from mail to mail amount to GilS tons. The exports for the month amount to 70 tons; and the stock held locally for sale at date in '280 tons. The exports for the month are as follow Per s.s. Anglian, for London, via Sydney, 12 tons; per s.s. Mamari,for London, via the South, 17 tons; per s.s. Manapouri, for London, via Sydney, 17 tons; per s.s. Waihora, for London, via Sydney, 14 tons; per s.s. Maori, for London, via the South, 10 tons; total, 70 tons. The barques Tana and Hudson are loading for London, and the barque Nellie Brett for New York.

AUCTION SALISS, &c. February 21. There was a very good attendance at Missis. S. Vaii.k an'd Sons' land sale today. Hie bidding for the Onchunga properties was spirited, and the .'i acre lot was sold for £VJ."j; the corner lot and stables for £90; and the cottage and allotment for £115. The other lots were passed in.

Mr. R. C. Caiir sold by auction to-day one half interest in the property in Short-land-street, adjoining the City Club Hotel, with the buildings occupied by the Commercial Insurance Company and Mr. H. F. Windsor, having 21 feet 3 inches frontage to Shnrtland-street.. The price realised was £18.','), Mr. W. Gorrie being the purchaser. March '2. Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son sold to-day a property having 57$ feet frontage to Wellington and Union-streets, with a depth of 201) feet on one side, a varying depth on the other, and 73 feet at the back, with large shop and five cottages, for £.">SO. Thirty acres of native land at Maungakawa, Coromandel, realised £10. The other properties were passed in. March 6. Messrs. Samuel Vailk and Sons' land auction to day attracted a large attendance and the following lots were sold:—House and larire allotment, at Church-street, Devonport, £310; house, Princes-street (for removal, £10. March 11, Messrs. Gabriel Lewis and Co. held an auction of properties at their mart. Queenstreet, to day. An allotment at Remuera, fronting Orakei Road, with a house of nine outbuildings, brought£77o. Eighty acres in Hikurangi parish, Wlmngarei, brought £142 10s; 112 acres in Okaliu parish, Hobson County, £20, and an allotment in Russell township £3. For the Tauranga block, parish of Hikurangi, containing 197 acres, coal-bearing land, £2500 was offered, at which figure the property was withdrawn. Other properties withdrawn were an allotment at Epsom, for which £300 was offered, and 53 acres in Wi'angarei parish, for which £350 was the highest bid. March 13, There was a good attendance at Mr. Thoknes' land auction, yesterday. The allotment with 40 feet to Brown-street, and old cottage, fetched £100. The leasehold property was withdrawn. March 16. Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son offered by auction to-day a number of allotments at Richmond, the following being sold Lots 77, 78, 70, and 80, 12'2.J feet frontage to Richmond Avenue, and 159 feet 10 iuches to Francis-street, £50; lot 26, 50 feet frontage to Salisbury-street, by 120 feet, £5; lot 81, 50 feet frontage to Francis-street, by 120 feet, £7. The farm of Mr. W. F. Buckland at Pukekohe, was passed in at £2000. 1 BANK BATES. 1 BUVINO. SELLING. ' Remand .. J ;n Demand .. 1? /M 30diys .. J% 1 Dis- 30 days _ll % f Pre--60 days .. J% f count CO days .. sf, [ mium i ill days .. 1J % J 90 days .. JX / Telegraphic Transfers to London.— '/„ plus cablo charges I DEPOSIT».-By Bank of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 mouths, 1J % per annum; 0 months. 2J % per annum! ' 12 months. 3} '/. per annum; 24 months, 3J % per annum. By National Bank; Fixed for 3 months, • 2 / per annum ; C months, 3 % per annum; 12 1 months, 4 % pur annum; 24 months, 4 /, per annum. By Australian Banks: Fixed for 6 months, > 2'A per annum; 12 months, 3J % pet annum.

Ales and Porter.—Ale In bulk: None now imported to warrant market quotations. Ale (in bond); Bass's Dogshead brand (Head's bottling): pints, Os 3(1; quarts, 8s Cd (in bond); Foster's Bugle ale, quarts 8s 9d, pints fls 3d; Foster's Bugle stout, quarts, 8s 9d, pints (is 3d ; Bulldog (R. Porter and Oo.'s bottling), (is !)d and 8s 9d ; Alisopp's, quarts, ale and stout, 8s 6d ; pints, ale and stout, (is 3d ; Bernard's ale, quarts (in bond', Os Cd; W. Younger's, 6s and 7s 3d; Ashby's, (Is 3d to 8s Oil; Bass's (Blood bottlers), pints, 4s quarts Us Oil. AngloBavarian : pints 5s (id and 8s; Boar's Head Stout: quarts, 8s 9(1; pints, (Is Od. Quinnoss's Harp brand by Foster; pints, 0s; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout: quarts, ps; pints, (Is 3d. Blood's: pints, 6s; quarts, 7s. Hogshead Quinness's(Boad's bottling): pints,(is3d : quarts, 8s Od. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling: pints, fls; quarts, Bs, Burke's: (is, and 9s. Other brands: 5s and 7a (id Duty; pints, Is Od; quarts, 3s nor dozen. Building Materials,—Cement, K.B.aud White's 12s to i:is. Slates: English Countesses are worth £11 -to £12; Plaster of Paris, 14s to 10s, All these quotations nominal. Brkaustukps and Grain.— Best roller flour, in sacks, £10 10s; 100's and 50's in proportion to extra bagging. Southern wheat, milling, 3s 6d, [ sacks extra; local wheat, 3s Od, sacks extra ; fowl wheat, 3s od, sacks included. Bran, £4 10s. - Sharps. £4 las. Maize, 3s. Oatmeal, £11 Ins per 20001b in 26's. Barley (for malting), 3s (id; feed, 2s till to 2s l'Jd. Oats, 2s (bags given in); f.0.b,, Southern ports, Is BJd (bags in). Pearl barley, £13. Cabin bread, £16 per ton, sacks included. Bags and Bagging.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, lliin., out of season. Cornsacks, 44in. by 20jin., 4s lOd; 48in., 5s 3d, wholesale lots. Newcastle, ship's side, 22s 6d; delivered, £1103, is quoted; Whangarei coal, Us at mine ; ditto, Waikato, steam, 103; household, 20s. Cordage,'o.p. (Subject to trade discounts),-Manila hemp rope, all sizes, Auckland-made, £53 for best, £52 for next best; whale and lance lines, £80; New Zealand flax rope, all sl/.os, £2»; wool lashings, £31; clothes lines, 64 per lb

subject! to trado discount; Manila clothes line, Ed' oakum, free, ditto, £40; point spun yam, £03; twine, shop, d.p., per lb, Od to la 2d; sewInn twine, Is Id per lb. Coffee AND SriCES(in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, No. 1, Is lid to Is 2}d; ditto, Island, OdtalOd; chicory, 36s per cwt. in tins; cocoa, dp. Taylor's, Is 3d; Frys, Is 3d; Van Ilouten's, 3s 3d; Epps's, Is Cd; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 4d' Fry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p.; Cloves, 7d; bleached ginger, lid ; nutmegs, 2s 2d to 2s Od; black pepper, whole, in bond, 4Jd to 6d; white ditto, 6}dto<id. , t Confectionery.— manufacturers are produc- • ing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Mennie and Day's boiled, 4d, less trade discount; Keillor's assorted confections, 9Jd ; Gray's, 9jd; candled lemon peel, d.p. (duty, 6a per lb), Is; orange, Is; citron, Is Sil; local, from 6d for lemon to Is 3d for citron ; Keiller's jujubes, Is 4d; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d 1 Gum, Flax, Ac.—We quote: Gum: Poor ordinary £30 to £34; ordinary, £38 to £44; good, ordinary, £50 and upwards; East Coast, £74 to £75. Flax : Best clean Auckland, £13 to £13 10s, nominal; fair average quality, £10 ; tow, £5 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £15 to £17; cocoanut oil (line white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 to £9 ss. Fungus, 3}d. Ironmongery, Ac.—Galvanised corrugated iron, duty paid (duty £2 per ton), 3 to S feet, £17 IDs to £13; 9 feet, £18 10s to £19; 10 feet £20; English bar iron, per ton, £8 10s; fencing wire, assorted sizes, £8 6s to £s 10s; Barbed wire £12 10s to £13, according to brand ; English pig iron, £4 10s; pig lead, £12; zinc, £24; 10. coko tin "plates, Us to 14s (id; powder, Curtis, Harvey, 6d. M»"tz metal, ojd. Quicksilver, 2s 2d. Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty, 2d per lb. Roller's marmalade, lib., d.p., 7* 3d ; Gray's, 7s; Moir's, 7rf; Pluenix, Dunediii, 4s to 4s Od; Nelson (New Zealand), 4s 0d; Smyrna sultanas, 5Jd (d.p.); Malaga muscatels, Is Od; Califtrnian, 9d; clemos, 4jd ; currants, ljtt in bond ; figs (140z.), 0s fid per dozen, d.p.; Cal. prunes, id; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb), ordinary, in kegs ami (.uses, 6}d; avaporated, 7d; dried apricots, Sjd; dates. 4jd. Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, 8d to Is 3d per lb; kips, Is 2d to Is 6d; runners, Is Od to Is 8d ; calf, colonial, 2s Od to 3s Od; basils, 8s to ISs per dozen; closed uppers, 4s Od to 8s Od per pair; hides, Id to 4d; calf skins, 3d to 4jd per lb; sheepskins, fid to Os. Manures.—Australian bonedust, £5 to £0 ; Queensland lionmlust, £3 10s to £3 15s; Auckland, £5 15s; superphosphate of lime, £0; hone-flour, £0; Peruvian guano, none. Superphosphates; Anglo Company, £5 10s; Lawes', £5 ss. Animal manure, none; cocoanut oil cake, £5; linseed rake, £9 ; Coral Queen Island guano, £4 7s Oil; New Zealand Drug Co.'s manures : l superphosphate, £510s per ton; bonedust, steamed, £o lis Oil, bonedust, green, £5 lis Od ; iionedust and blood, £4155; root manure, £6 ss; A grass manure, £0 ss; B grass manure, £0 ss; potato manure, £6 15s ; turnip manure, £0 6s; corn manure, £0 5s ; main manure, £0 ss; orchard manure, £7 6s; onion manure, £7 ?>s; clover manure, £6 ss; Bulph. of ammonia, £10; Coral Queen guano, 64 per cent., £4 7s Od. Malt and Hops.—English malt is not imported; Colonial, 5s to 5s fid. Hops: Nolson, brewers, Is; grocors' hops, bulk, Od to Bd, Oilmen's Stores, Ac. — Atlas Paraffins, BJd ; Price's National 7Jd; Price's Belmont, 7}d; Price's London Wax, 74d; Price's self-titling, 9-.1; local blue mottled soap, £21 per ton; carbolic, £30; best yellow, £28; No. 1 household, £15; Ist Crown, £26; double Crown, £20; soft soap, in tins, 4jd por 11); toilet, 9d to lOd per lb-all subject to trade discount. Salt, 10.4 per ton dutv: Coarse, W. & IV., £3 IDs ex store, d.p.; ex ship, 5s per ton lower; fine Black Horse, £3 15s to £4 ; rock salt, £3 10s bagged, or £3 loose; Jordan almonds, 2s 3d; Blacking paste, Day and Martin's, 3s 9d to 4s ; Colman's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2d per lb): white, 48s ; blue, 48s; Henmatin's, 4Us; Hoffmann's, 455. Mustard, d.p.: Champion's genuine Mb book shaped tins, 19s to IDs 6d; J-lb tins, lis 3d to 9s fid; Column's 1-11) tins (red), lis Od; half ditto, 9s; 7-11) tins (red to green) 7Jd to Is; Mb tins (green), 13s; J-lb dittos, 7s 6(1; DSP j-lb tins, 9s, lib, l.ss. Blue, Hcckitt's Paris, in circle, 7d; Colman's Azure, BJd. Matches: Vestas, iLp., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, lbs Oil ; ditto, plaid, 4 Od ; ditto, fancy oval, 21s Cd; It. 801 l anil Co. 2.10'5, 13s (id ill large parcels; plaids, 3s 4d for wholesale lines only. Oil : Castor, in pints, 8s 9ii ; half-pints, ss; quarter-pints, 3s Od. Salad : O. and 8., pints, 14s ; half-ditto, (is Oil ; Morton's pints, lis ; half • pints, Gs 3d; Pickles; Stephens' pints, 7s 9d; Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, 14s; Morton's, lis; McConnocliie's, Suffolk, 8s fid. Rice (ground), in tins, 4ld. Sauces: Lea and Perrin's, half pints, Ms ; Mellnr's, pints l(is ; Uoodall's Yorkshire Relish, is 6d; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 3d ; Uoldbrook's, Is lOd ; 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, hulk, 2jd. Sago, 12s tier cwt; tapioca, 13s per cwt. Cornflour: Brown's, 3d, d.p.; Clements', 3d; Brown and Poison's, (>jd ; Preserved milk : Nestle's, 7s to 7a 3d according to parcel; Milkmaid, 7s to 7s 3d; local brands, 5s Oil. Tartaric acid, in jars, is lOd ; In keg. Is 8d ; cream of tartar, in jars, is 7d, in bulk, Is 2d; bicarb, soda, £13 ; English soda crystals (duty £2), £7 10s, nominal; local, £5 15s; Whiting, £4 ss. Oils and Paints.—Duty, Cd a gallon. Colza, in drums, 3s 3d; bulk, 3s; Jjnseed, boiled drums, 3s; hulk, 2s lOd; raw, drums, 3s; bulk, 2s 'Jd to is lOd; castor, in drums, 2s Khl to 3s ; half-cases, d.p, is 9d ; kerosene, in bond, White Rose, 150 test, 9}d to led liett; other high test brands from 9(1; these prices are for large lots. White lead, ground, per cwt, 501b and 1121b; genuine, 20s; No. 1 white lead, 24s in 50's, smaller packages more, according to size; red lean, dry, 225. Zinc white, £2 per ton more. Oil colours, assorted, £1 10s to £1 18s per cwt. Turps: American, 2s Od ; resin, £6 15s to £7 IDs according to grade. Varnish, oak, 9s Od to 12s Od; copal, lis Gd to 10s. Quotations regidated by quantities and qualities. Provisions.—Cheese : Southern factory, 4jd to id, Corned butter, prime Sd, second quality scarce. Taranaki, 7d. Rice i.b., Hunter's Standard. Japan, £13 to £13 Ids Canterbury bacon and bams (in cloth). sides only, 6d; equal numbers liams and bacon, i-jd; haius only, 7}d. Fish : Ling, 5Jd; boneless cod, 4jd d.p.; duty 2d, preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s per dozen ('Mb tins); white, 33s pur barrel; Marshall's white, 3s per tin ; Macconochie's fresh herrings, Os to 0b 3d ; Findon haddocks, 8s; lobsters, American libs, lis ; sahnoij, lib Columbia River, d.p., 9s 6d; Alaska, 7s 3d to 7s (id, d.p.; British Columbia, 7s Hi to 8s 3d ; salt salmon, 5(1; sardines, quarters, 4s (id to ss; halves, 7s Cd to ss, according to brand ; oysters, 7s; mullet (Kaipara), 5s Sugars.—Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland refinery, d.p.. No. 1, £23; No. 2, £22; No. 3, £21 Ills; English crushed loaf, 3jd, d.p., nominal ; French cube, 4Jd; Queensland yellows, i.b., £11: browns, £:) Ills, in bond, nominal. Spirits.-Duty, 16 per gallon of prooi spirits in hulk, I(sh per gallon in case. Brandy Rouyer, Gouillet anil Co., 25s and 8s; Mar cellain's, case, 22s Od, i.b.; flask, -As Od; half-flask, 35s (Id; quarter-Mask, 53s 0o'; Hennessy's; case, 36s Bit; Mart-ell, 365; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co. pale, in hhds. and qr. casks, 7s; Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 255; Boomerang, Australian bulk. 7s fid; case. 21s; Muller Frero's, 20s. Whisky, bulk : Walker's WW, 10s; Distillers old, ss, very old, 7s; YDS, 8s; case, Oli! Scotch, 15s; very old, 19s; VO-i, 22a; Gaelic, Old Smuijler, 21s ; Buchanan's llouso of Commons, 21s; Robertson's 3 Star, 20s; Dnnville's, 5s Gil; case, lis; Royal Blend, 245; Teacher's old, 265, Walker's WW, 2Ss; I,L, 22s Cd to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDK'/, 16 bottles, 14s 6d; 20 bottles, 17s Cd; key, Geneva, proof, Ids; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s fid. Gilhev's drv gin, l.'is; Distillers' Company, 14s; Burnett's Old Tom, 13s. Lowndes' ruin, 30 0.p., 3s 8d ; in hhds., 4s per octave ; Red Heart, case, 2tis. Key, 225. Table Waters.—Apollinaris water, 6s fid per dozen. Timdkr.—Quotations are as follows Kauri timber f.0.b., coastal and Auckland mills: Ordinary building timber, undressed, 100 feet, firstclass 13s; medium - class, 10s ; second • class, as; flitches, all heart, 12s; flitches, with sap, lis, flooring boards, dressed, p.t.g., first-class, 15s ; medium-class lis; second-class 10s; lining boards, p.t.g., beaded and Vjointed, first-class, 14s 6d; medium-class, lis fid; second-class, Os 6(1; rusticated weatherboarding, first-class, 16s; medium-class, 12s; socond-class, 10s; boat boards, planed twosides, gtlis-incb, 14s; 1-inch, 14s Gd. For widths over 12 inches 6(1 extra per inch per 100 feet is charged, and lot longths over 24 feet extra prices are charged. Logs, fis to 6s 3d. TOBACCO.— 3s fid. Ruby Aromatic, 2s 2d; Victory, Is lOd to 2s; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3d to ls4}d; Ascot, Is 7}d; Derby, ten cases, l»7Jd; siuglo case, la B}d ; Venus, Is 7Jd; Nailrod, lOd to Is Id. Teas.— rango as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, 6d to sjd ; middling to lino kinds, 7d to 8d; Saryunes and Panyongs, 7d to Oil; Souchongs and Kaisows, Oil to 8d; Parjceliiigs, Pekoes, is 3d to is Bil. Pekoe Souchongs, 7Jd to 9jd. Good broken, 7d to 7jd; semi-broken and flno Souchong kinds, wl to Is Id. Ceylon teas from Is ''d to Is Od, d.p. duty, 3d per lb. Fine China teas aro neglected. Indians are in good demand in nearly all descriptions, for blending purposes with Ceylens lining a continually increased sale.