COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10132, 15 May 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald Office. Thursday evening. The general improvement in mercantile business that we have been able to report for several months past continues, and a satisfactory four weeks' trade has been experienced siuce our last monthly Summary. It is not the result of the great mining development alone, although this has certainly stimulated work in a variety of ways, but the general prosperity of the province is attracting attention with an influx of population of the rightsortin quest of rural, speculative, and manufacturing occupations, and diffusing something like a new life into the place to the clear benefit of all engaged in commercial business.

The Pacific Island trade shows vigorous expansion, encouraged during the month by the Government subsidy for an additional steam monthly service with Rarotonga and Tahiti.

The timber trado of this port bos always been one of special significance to the welfare of our community, and we report it as satisfactory during the month in every respect. Building is brisk, and architects inform us that the tenders from contractors for all new work shows a less number of tenderers every month as indicating that many have more contracts on hand than they can attend to. This, of course, means a large distribution of weekly wage money to the general benefit of trado.

The agricultural statistics recently published evidence a growth of wealth which few could have imagined. There is an increase during one year of over 80 per cent, in the number of sheep returned as held in the province, while there is a very satisfactory increase also in the number of horned cattle. Farmers have been busily occupied in grass seed sowing and enclosure work, and the tone in the agricultural and pastoral districts is pleasing. " " ' It seems a remarkable thing to connect the serious troubles in South Africa with the returning prosperity to New Zealand, but the feeling of Home capitalists to withdraw from further speculative mining investments in the Hand until' the situation is clearer, coupled with the steady growth of confidence in goldmining, and other investments in this, colony, is bringing about a most marked influence in the improved value of mineral, and other property. This is dealt with more fully in our other columns in the proof they afford of the excellent yields of gold per ton of auriferous ore, and the lodgment to credit at the banks, which is the most convincing of all writing. We report the financial position as good. All sound investment stock has been well sought after, with holders chary of selling good securities in the .present downward tendency of money. The satisfactory way in which trade settlements continue is a set-off to the shrinkage of percentages in importers' profits, as, with comparatively few trade losses, coupled with a larger turn-over, it has been seen to mean bettor results in the end than fuller prices and more risk. . Transactions in freehold estate's show a better feeling, but there is a general restriction in all these investments, due to the uncertainty of prospective legislation, majority in our present Parliament are imbued with a desire to tax property us the ideal of political wisdom. The import market as a whole has ruled strong, but demand has been inaccurately estimated, and importers' desire to rub along under the lowest stocks is responsible to many , shortages, and a lot of hand-to-mouth' business. It is a common remark that if we are to Held the cliency due to our own teographical. position, as well as to our mineral and other resources, the inadequacy of stocks must no further handicap us in our trade with the; Western ' Pacific 1 and other outlets* inland unci outwards. •

In manufacturing enterprise there is more alertness, and, orders . are tilled with • the < desire to cultivate repeat business. ' Business is changing every year, and j a': revolution in the distributing trade has. come about by the cargo steamers, which; give importers a chance of selling to arrive < with the due date fairly estimated to a few, days. Forward business' is therefore becoming the rule in all large lines. The maize crop on the East Coast is likely to turn out better than we reported last month, fine rains, although late, have vivified the plants, and on the very fertile flats the yield is looked forward to as likely to be good. • The weather has been all that could be desired by up-country settlers, and those who are engaged in sheep-farming regard the future as promising, especially considering the shortage of 180,000 bales of last clip of wool estimated from "Australia, with a cor* responding deficiency of breeding ewes. This serious loss in the Australian flocks must affect the wool market for the next two years under the most favourable circumstances. . On the whole, it is easy to see we take a very hopeful view of the future, and we have the best means of judging that the present is eminently satisfactory. Turning to market report ( we have to remark that scarcity in particular goods does not affect prices as formerly: for the rapidity of supply from Southern and intercolonial markets, brought about by telegraphy and steam freights, prevents a change in list prices, except under urgency, as handlers put up with temporary shortages rather than disturb the current of general business by continual variation in market i rates. With general orders from substantial clients the bad lines are accepted with the good. Fencing wire has had a remarkable run, especially 6 inch " Porcupine " in barbed. • 10 tin plates, 20 by 14, are scarce, and many ironmongery lines are rising under the influence of home advices, with good local demand. Building material has been in good request. • Kerosene has advanced fully tyd per gallon during, the month, particularly in the favourite " White Rose " brand. The cargo of oil coming by the C. 6. Rice has been sold, and there will bo no further arrivals from New York until July. Imported candles have moved freely, especially Price's National Sperms and London Wax, but in large lines these goods are, now quitted at the very barest margins. Castor oil is somewhat firmer, but we cannot alter the quotation from last month. Rice has advanced under cable advices from Japan. , Cocoa iiAB received the usual winter imnetus, but at unaltered quotations. Oatmeal lias risen £1 per ton. Fish is quiet, and inclined towards dullness, in consequent of the season. There is a good export inquiry for Kaipara mullet, with not any plentiful supply. l'resorved milk, especially Neatle'a, has been very scarce, with the market kept going by drawing upon Sydney stocks. The once fine trade done in the "Dairymaid" brand appears irretrievably lost. Sugars are unchanged from last month. This is the off season for teas, and there is little doing in bulk. What there is is confined to good to medium flavoury Indians ,and Ceylon?, j There is a scarcity of "Black Horse" coarse salt, hut the market is heavily stocked with Adelaide.

In jute goods there is ft fair inquiry for 48-inch cornsacks, with the market rather bare. None are due until August next. Hotel liquids have sold freely. The Upper Thames and Coromandel demands have increased largely. Read Bros, 's " Dog's Head' ale and stout has been scarce. Forster's "Bugle" has hod more attention. Champagnes have had more inquiry. Dewar's whisky and Usher's special reserve have commanded good business, with heavy sales of "Gaelic." The demand for Australian wines lias slackened off somewhat, but clarets liave moved freely notwithstanding the season for consumption is closing. In tobacco, the popularity of Dunlop's Derby is as strong as ever, and this brand holds fully eight-tenths of the trade. In cigarettes, Old Judge has been unobtainable wholesale. Supplies are, however, handy. Explosives have been in strong demand, and in consequence of the shooting seasonpowder has booh selling freely. In New. Zealand goods and produce, the. local biscuit makers and jam manufacturers report strong business. Provisions have been handled largely. The consumption of bacon, butter, and cheese has considerably increased, particularly in the mining districts. Factory made butter and cheese is rapidly displacing farmers' make. Oats have advauced 3d per bushel within the month, and are firmly held in the South. Onions are likely to be scarce mid dear, owing to the Canterbury crop suffering extensive damage by rain.

KAURI GUM.

The market during the past month has been active for East Coast and re-scraped ordinary, with a slight advance in the price of the former. The majority of local buyers, however, consider that the limit has been reached, aud it is probable that prices will recede as soon as present orders are filled. The quotations for poor ordinary, ordinary, and good ordinary as a merely nominal, as there is very littlb actual business even at these prices. The only business that is being done is for superior, well-cleaned ordinary, re-scraped ordinary, and East Coast. It is estimated that fully 600 tons are in the hands of local brokers, for sale ; but buyers do not seem inclined to give the prices asked. With such a largo stock in hind, it is feared that prices may decline, especially as the American demand has eased off considerably during the past week or two. The following are the quotations :— Poor ordinary, which comprises weak and rough-coated pieces, pickings, and washed nuts, £27 to £31. Ordinary, meaning hard, rough scraped gum, varying in price according to the quantity of washed nuts, ranges from £36 to £40. ! Good ordinary, meaning hard, unpicked range gum, price vising according to size, scraping, and freedom from weak pieces, from £44 to £50. East Coast, £75 to £77. The supplies from mail to mail amount to 586 tons, and the exports have been as follow:— s.s. Anglian, for London via Sydney, 9 tons; per s.s. Hawke's Bay, for London via the South, 66 tons; per s.s, Tarawera, for London via Sydney, 35 tons; per S.s. Rakaia, for London via the South, 110 tons; per s.s. Tasmania, for London v{a Sydney, 28 tons; pers.s. Waihora, for London via Sydney, 37 tons; per s,s. Kaikoura, for London via the South, 74 tons; per barqueatine R. A. C. Smith, for New York, 315 tons: total, 674 tons. The barquentine R. A. C. Smith is rsady to sail for New York, but has only about half a cargo. The barque Hudson is loading for London, and the barque Charles G. Rice will shortly go on the berth for New York.

AUCTION SALES, to. April 17.

The lease ot the City Market was submitted at auction to day, by Messrs. Wilding, Bastings and Co., and after a good deal of competition, was knocked down to Mr. A. R. Dunne, at a rental of £41 per month. Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons' auction sale to-day was largely attended, and all the lota submitted except ' 3 were sold. The bidding generally waa brisk, and a better tone than usual pervaded the room. Matakana Island was sold for £310; part of Hinuera No. 2, for £250; Mr. Haraunt's farm, at Raramu, for £370; and the cottage in Claybrook Road, Parnell, {or £280. » May 4. Messes. S. Cochrane and Son sold by auction to-day the following properties Victoria-street West, 46 feet by 281 links, with two dwelling-houses, £420; allotment Wood-street, 38 feet by 100 feet, £49 9s; Wood-street, 38 feet by 100 feet, £4116s ; Arthur-street, 88 feet by 60 feet, £41; an acre allotment at Hamilton East, £21. The Remuera property was passed in at £700. May 7. Mr. R. C. Carr sold by auction to-day a number of properties in the estate of the late Mr, W. Edgecombe, the following being the lots sold and the prices realised Eighteen semi-detached houses in College Road, £1700; two semi-detached two-storey houses on the : Great North Road, £500; Newcastle, lot 380, quarter-acre, £3; Newcastle, lot 400, quarter-acre,, £2 15s. The Pukekohe properties realised the following prices Lot 1, £13 per acre; lot 2. £13; lot 3, £14 10s; lot 4,£11 lis; 10t5,£5 ss; lot 6, £11; lot?, £6 15s; lot 8, £6 153 j lot 39 (Southern part), £6 May 11. Messrs. S. Cochrane and Sok sold by auction to-day the following properties Allotment, 122 i feet frontage to Richmond Avenue and 208 feet to Wilton-street, Richmond, £60 two other' lots in the same locality, £6 and £5; allotment at Arohhiil, 40 feet by 110 feet, £44; 80 acres at Ruarangi, £13, .•

Telegraphic Transfers to London,-2J '/„ plus cable charges . ; . v Deposits.—By Bunk of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 months, I\% per annum; a months, 2 ft per annum! 12 months, Simper annum; 24 months, 3}'/. per annum. 'By National Bank; Fixed for 3 months, 2/, per annum; ■ 8 months, ,8 / per ; annum; .12 months, i % per annum ; 24 months, 4 % per annum. ' By Australian Banks: .Fixed for 6 months, 12 /. per annum; 12 months, 8J % per annum. >■',

Albs and Porter— in bulk None nowimSi ported to warrant market quotations. ; ■ Ale (in i bond); Bass's; Dogshead , brand^(Read a botv tling): pints, te: 3d; ; quarts, 8s Od (inbond); •v Foster's Bugle ale, quarts, •; Bs. Bd, pints; 6a ■ 3d;. Foster's Bogle' stout, quarts,:Bs 9.1, Dints 6s : 3d; Bulldog (a Porter, and Co.'s bottling), 6s M and 8s Oil; Allsopp's, quarts, ale and stout, 83 Gd; pints, ate and stout, (Ja 3d: Bernard s iile, quarts (in bond; Os Od; 'W. Youngers,; 5s and 7s 3d; Ashby's, 6s 3d to Ss Od; .(Blood bottlers),' pints, "4s "quarts 63 6... _ AngloBavarian: pints 55.6 d and 8s; Boars Head Stout: quarts, 8s 9d; pints, Os (id. Guinness a Harp brand by Foster : pints, 8s; quarts, Bs. Foster's Bugle stout : quarto, 0s; pints, Os 3d. Blood's: pints, ss; quarto, 7s. I)ogshead Guinnesses (Read's bottling): pints, (is 3d; quarts, Ss 6d. R. Porter and Co.'s bottling: pints, 63; quarts, Ss; Burke's: 6s, and 9s, Other brands: »6s and 7s 6d Duty: pints, Is 6d: quarts, 3s per dozen. Building Materials.—Cement, K,B.aud White's 12s to 13s. Slate: English Countesses are worth £11, to £12, Plaster of Paris, lis to 16s. All these quotations nominal. HfiEADSTUFFS and Grain. —Best roller flour, in sacks, £10 103; 100's and 60's in proportion to extra bagging. , Southern wheat, milling, 3s 6«, sacks extra; local wheat, 3s 6d, sacks extra; sacks included. Bran, £4. Sharps, £4 las. Maize, 3s. Oatmeal, £11 to per 20001b In 25 s. Barley (for malting), 33 6d; feed, 2s 9d to 2s Wd. Oats, 2s id (bags given in); f.0.b., Southern ports, Is lid (bags in). Pearl barley, £13. Cabin bread, £16 per ton, sacks Included. Bags and' Bagging,—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, lljln., out of season." Cornsacks, 44in. by ~2o] in., 4s lOd; 48in.. 6s 3d, wholesale lots. Coal.—Newcastle, ship's side, 22a (id; delivered, £1103, is quoted; Whangarei coal, Us at mine; ditto, Waikato, steam, 10s; household, 20s. Cordage, o.l'. (Subject to trade discounts). hemp rope, all sizes, Auckland-made, £53 for best, £62 for next liest; whale and lauce lines, £80; Now Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £28; 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, ltd to la 2d; sewing twine, Is Id per lb. Cqi'fek and Spicks (in bond), per lb.—Ceylon, coffee plantation, No. 1, Is ljd to Is 2jd; ditto, Island, 9d; chicory, 35s per cwt. in tins; cocoa, d.p., Taylor's, Is 3d; Fry's, is 3d; Van Houten's, 3s 3d; Epps'a, Is 0d; chocolate, Taylor's, Is 4d; Fry's, Is 3d. Spices, d.p.: Cloves, 7d; bleached ginger, lid; nutmegs, 2s 2d to 23 6d; black pepper, whole, in bona, 4jd to fid; white ditto, 5Jd to 6d. Confectionery.—Local manufacturers are producing good articles, and consumption is chiefly in their goods. Mennie and Bey's boiled, 4d, less trade discount: Keillor's assorted confections, 9Jd; Gray's, 9jd; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty,6d per lb), Is; orange, Is; citron,lsßd; local, from Gd fur lemon to Is 3d lot citron; Reiner's jujubes, Is 4d; Gray's jujubes, Is Id to Is 3d Gum, FiAx, &C.-We quote Gum: Poor ordinary £27 to £31; ordinary, £36 to £40; good, ordinary, £44 to £60; East Coast, £75 to £77, Flax: Best clean Auckland, £13 to £13 10s, nominal; fair average quality, £10 to £11; tow, £5 to £0 per ton. Cocoanut fibre, £16 to £17; cocoanut oil (fine white), per ton, £24. Copra, per ton, £9 to £9 lus. Fungus, 3d. Ironmongery, Galvanised corrugated iron, duty paid (duty £2 per ton), 5 to 8 feet, £18; 9 feet, £19; loteet, £21; English bar iron, per ton, £8 10s; fencing wire assorted sizes, £8 6s to £s 10s; Barbed wire, £13 to £13 IDs, according to brand; English pig iron, £1 10s; pig lead, £13; zinc, £24; I.C. cokfl tin plates, 14s to 14a ed; powder, Curtis, Harvey, od. Sluntz metal, 6jd. Quicksilver, 2s 2d. Jams, Dried Fruits, etc.—Duty, 2d per lb, Keiller's marmalade, lib., d.p., 7s 3d; Gray's, 7s; Moir's, 7s; Phoenix, Dunedin, 4s to 4s (id; Nelson (New Zealand), 4s Gd; Smyrna sultanas, 6Jd (d.p.); Malaga muscatels, Is Gil; Califomian, Od; eleines, 4}<l; currants, ljtl in bond ; figs (140z.), 0s (kl per dozen, d.p.; Cal. prunes, 7d; dried apples (duty, 2d per lb), ordinary, in kegs and cases, Ojd; evaporated, 7d; dried apricots, B]d; dates. 4jd. Leather and Hides.—Sole leather, 8d to Is 3d per lb; kips, Is 2d to Is fid; runners, Is (ill to la Bd ; calf, colonial,2s Gd to3s Od; basils, 8s to 18s per dozen; closed uppers, 4s (id to 8s Oil per pair; hides, Id to 4d; calf skins, 3d to 4}d per lb; sheepskins. Oil to 6 s Manures.—Australian bonedust, £5 to £0 • Queensland bonedust, £3 10s to £3 15s; Auckland, £5 16s; superphosphate of lime, £0; bone-flour, £6; Peruvian guano, none. Superphosphates: Anglo Company, £6 10s; l.awes', £5 6a. Animal manure, none; cocoanut oil cake, £5; linseed cake, £9; Coral Queen Island guano, £4 7s 6d; New Zealand Drug Co.'s manures : a superphosphate, £510s per ton; bonedust, steamed, £0 lis flo, bonedust, green, £5 12s Gil; bonedust and blood, £41,55; root manure, £6 ss; A grass manure, £6 6s; B grass manure, £6 6s; potato manure, £6 15s; turnip manure, £6 6s; corn manure, £0 5s ; maize manure, £0 ss; orchard manure, £7 6s; onion mannre, £7 Is; clover manure, £6 6s; sulph. of ammonia, £16; Coral Queen guano, 64 Der cent., £4 isftjil. MaLt and Hops,—English malt is not imported ; Colonial, 5a to Da Od. Hops: Nelson, brewers, Is; grocers' hops, bulk, 9(1 to lOd. 31!, hen's Stores, Ac. — Atlas Paraffins, B}d; Price's National 7jd; Price's Belmont, 7|d; Price's Loudon Wax, 7}d; Price's seif-flttiug, 9d; local blue mottled soap, £21 per ton; carbolic, £30; best yellow, £-26; No. 1 household, £16; Ist Crown, £26; double Crown, £20; soft soap, in tins, 4jd per lb; toilet, 9d to lOd per lb-all subject to trade discount. Salt, 10s per ton duty: Coarse, W. & W., £3 lfta ex jitore, d.p.; ex ship, 6s per ton lower; Alio 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, 48a; blue, 48s; lieumatin's, 4Us; Hoffmann's, 455. Mustard, d.p.: Champion's genuine 1-lb book-shaped tins, 19s to 19s 0d; i-lb tins, 9a 3d to 9s Od; Colman's 1-lb tins (red), Us (id; half ditto, 9a; 7-lb tins (red to green) 7Jd to Is; 1-lb tins (green), 13a; J-lb dittos, 7a Gd; DSF }-lb tins, 9s, lib, 18s. Blue, Reckitt's Paris, in circle, 7d; Colman's Azure, BJd. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bryant and May's 250, per gross, 18s Od; ditto, plaid, 4s 6>l; ditto, fancy oval, 24s (id; It. Bell ami Co. 250's, 13s Od in large parcels; plaids, 3s 4d for wholesale lines only. Oil: Castor, in pints, & 9d; half-pints, ss; quarter-pints, 3s 6d. Salad: C. and 8., pints, 14s; half-ditto, 6s Gil; Morton's pints, 12s ; half pints, 0s 3d; Pickles: Stephens' pinto, 7s 9d; Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, 14s; Morton's, lis; McConuochle's, Suffolk, 8s od. Rice (ground), in tins, 4}d. Sauces; Lea and Perrin's, half pints, 14s ; Mollor's, pints 10s ; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s Gd; Vinegar, d.p.: Champion's, per gallon, 2s 3d ; Holdbrook's, Is lOd ; Burnett's, Is lid; Potts', Is lOd; local, Is Id. Vinegar, case: Champion's, 7s Gd; Burnett's, 7s; Morton's, 7s 3d, Treacle, 2d; Golden Syrup, bulk, 2Jd. Sago, 12s per cwt; tapioca, 13s per cwt Cornflour . Brown's, 3d, d.p.; Clements', 3d; Brown and Poison's, 6}d ; Preserved milk: Nestle's, 7s to 7s 3d according to parcel; Milkmaid, 7s to 7s 3d; local brands, 6s Bd. 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), £710s, nominal; local, £s 15s; Whiting, £4 6s. Oils and Paints.—Duty, Oil a gallon. Colza, in drums, 3s 3d; bulk, 3a; linseed, boiled drums, 3s Id: bulk, 2s lOd; raw, drums, 3s; bulk, 2a 9(1 to 2s lOd; cast.. . in drums, 2s lOd ,to 3s ; half-cases, d.p., 2s 9d; kerosene, in bond, White Rose, 130 test, lid nett; other high test brands from BJd; those prices are for large lots, White lead, ground, per cwt, 561b and U2lb; genuine, 2Gs; No. 1 white lead, 24s in 66's, smaller packages jnore, according to size; red lead, dry, 225. Zinc white, £2 per ton more. Oil colours, assorted, £110s to £1 18s per cwt. Turps; American, 2s 6d; resin, £0 15s to £7 10s according to grade. Varnish, oak, 9s Gd to 12s Od; copal, 12s 6d to 10s. Quotations regulated by quantities and qualities. Provisions.—Cheese: Southern factory, 4}d to sd. Corned butter, prime Bd, second quality scarce. Tsrnnaki, 7d. Rice i.b., Hunters Standard. Japan, £13,105. Canterbury bacon and hams (in cloth), sides only, Gd; equal numbers hams and bacon, «Jd; hams only, 7Jd. Fish: Ling, 65(1; boneless cod, 4Jd d.p.; duty 2d, preserved red herrings, in tins, 30s per dozen (2-lb tins); white, 333 per barrel; Marshall's white, 3s per tip; Macconochie's flesh herrings, Os to Gs 3d ; Findon haddock', 83; lobsters, American libs, 12s; salmon, lib Columbia River, d.p,, 0s Gd; Alaska, 7s Od to 7s 9d, d.p.; British Columbia, 7s 9d to 8s 3d; salt salmon, 6d; sardines, quarters, 4s fid to 6s ; halves, 7s Gil to Bs, according to brand; oysters, 7s; mullet (Kaipara), 5s Sugars.— Sugar Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £23; No. 2, £22; No. 3, £2010s; English crushed loaf, B}d, p., nominal; French cube, 4}<l; Queensland yellows, i.b., £11; browns, £910s, in bond, nominal. Spirits.—Duty, 10s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk, IDs per gallon in case. Brandy Rouyer, Gouillet and Co,, 25s and Ss; Marcelhun's, case, 22s Od, i.b.; flask, 2Ss Cd; half-flask, 36s Gd; nuarter-flask, 53s 0(1; Hennessy's; case, 30s 0(1; Martell, 365; Bisquit, Dubou'che, and Co. pale, in hlids. auil qr.-casks, 7s; Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s, 253 ; Boomerang, , Australian bulk. 7s 6d; case, 21s; Muller Frere's, 20s. Whisky, bulk: Walker's WW, 19s; Distillers old, 6s Od; very old, 7s 9d; VOS, 8s 0d; case, Old Scotch, 16s; very old, 19s: VOs, 225; Gaelic, Old Smuggler, 21s; Buchanan's House lot Commons, 21s; Robertson's S Star, 28s; Dunvillo'e, 6s Od; case, 18s; Royal Blend, 245; Teacher's old, 2Gs, Walker's WW, 2'is; LL, 223 Od to 235; all in bond. Geneva, proof, 3 gallons, JDKZ, 15 bottles, 14s 6d; 20 bottles, 17s Od; key, Geneva,proof, 10s; Schnapps, Wolfe's, 21s Od. Gilbey's dry gin, 16s; Distillers' Company, 14s; Bluett's Old Tom, 139. Lowndes' rum, 30 0.p,, 3s 8d; in hlids., 4s per octave; Red Heart, case, 20s. Key, 225, Table Waters.—Apollinaris water, 0s Od per dozen.

Timber.—(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, 8s; flitches, all heart, 12s', flitches, with B*p, Us, flooring boards, dressed, p.t.g., first-class, 153; medium-class 12s; second-class ' 10s; lining boards, p.t.g., beaded and Vjointed, first-class, 14s fld; medium-class, Us Odj second-class, .9s (Id; rusticated weatherboarding, first-class, IBs: medium-class, liis; second-class, Ids; boat boards, planed twosides, jths-inch, 14s; J-inch, 14s (id. For widths over 12 inches (id extrr. per inch per 100 feet Is charged, and for lengths over 24 feet extra prices are charged. Logs, St.to 8s 3d. Tobacco.—Duty, 8s fid. Ruby Aromatic, 8s 2d; Victory, li lOd to 2s; Juno, black, all shapes, Is 3d to is 4}d; Ascot, Is 7id; Derby, ten cases, Is 7}d; single case, Is B}d; Venus, Is 7jd; Nailrod, 10d to laid. Teas,—Prices ranee as follows (in bond). — Congous, common, 6u to s}d; middling to fine kinds, 7d to Sd; Saryunes and. Panyongs, 7d t« 9d; Souchongs and Kaisows, 6a to 8d; Daijeelings, Pekoes, Is 3d to Is Bd. Pekoe Souchongs, TJd to 9jd. Good broken, 7d to 7Jd; semi-broken and fine Souchong kinds, 9d to Is Id, Ceylon teas from Is ?d to Is 6d, d.p. duty, 3d per lb. Fine China teas are neglected. Indians' are in good demand in nearly all de- ; scriptions, for blending purpose* with Ceylons | having a continually increased sale.'

BANK BATES. BUYING. SELLING. > Demand .. } %"l Demand .. 1} '/. ) 30 days .. 1 % I Dla- - SOdays .. 11 % ( Pre60 days ... i % l count 60 days ..it [mium .90 days ,. 1J % J , 90 days .. J '/. ) .