COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Hebald Office, Thursday evening. As the last mail left the whole city was given up to holiday-making in honour of the birthday of His Majesty, and during the following week business was to a great extent interrupted by semi-holidays in connection with the races and the Agricultural Show. These disposed of, attention has been given to preparations for the Christmas trade, and the good sorting-up orders that retailers have lately been giving have kept most of the wholesale houses busy. Various reasons have been given for the apparent slackness of general trade during the spring months, but it can probably be partly accounted for by, the fact that most dealers laid in extremely heavy stocks just before the Royal visit, and it has taken a long while to work these off. If there have not been the usual signs of business activity there are at any rate signs of prosperity and confidence all round. Enlargements of business premises are the regular order of the day, and many firms have lately moved into more commodious quarters. This process has been most remarkable in Auckland during the last five years, and there is hardly a single large firm in this city that is now content with the space that was deemed sufficient only a few years ago. Without wishing to go into details, but to show how general has been this expansion, these alterations have been made in connection with soft-goods houses, both wholesale and retail, general provision merchants, both wholesale and retail, grain merchants, hardware merchants, druggists, saddlers, timber merchants, and last, but not least, the Auckland Gas Company. This prosperity seems to be general throughout the whole of the North Island, and is in marked contrast to the comparatively slow progress made by the South Island during the last few years. The census returns, which are a fair indication of the prosperity of a young country, make it very plain that the population of the South Island is almost standing still, represented by a bare increase of about 5 per cent, during each of the last three periods of five years, whereas during each of those same periods the population of the North has increased by from 17 to 20 per cent. And as this is in spite of the lavish expenditure of public money in the South, the conviction is forced upon us that the North Island in general, and Auckland in particular, is now just beginning a term of increased prosperity. _ Reports all agree in affirming that the Waikato district, which has long been in comparatively low water, has lately developed a most healthy condition under the influence of the dairy industry, an industry that will considerably affect the whole of this district as soon as waste lands are opened and means of communication are improved. The high values that have been lately ruling for stock continue still, and the high price of sheep will compensate farmers in some measure for the low price of the wool which has just been clipped. So much of our wool being of tho coarse crossbred stamp, which has felt most of last year's drop in values, the returns for this season's clip will bo terribly low, and in some outlying stations is hardly worth the trouble of sending to port. The sheep themselves have been at better values since it was realised that the number in the colony is not sufficient to keep up the export at the rapid rate at which this has been done of late. In Canterbury they have more than exported the natural increase of the flocks, as is shown by the annual returns, and a natural check comes through higher prices. Another important factor, in the North Island especially, is the systematic buying up of lambs every season for export, a trade which has only been pushed by the Freezing Company during the last three or four years, and which has completely altered the value of lambs.

In grain and produce the general tendency during the last few weeks has been downward. Wheat, on the other hand, is inclined to be a little stronger, and flour is not sold at such low cutting prices in other cities as it is in Auckland. Oats are in the same slate of glorious uncertainty. The price is now at such a high level owing to the heavy export for South Africa that Canada has been able to come in and execute a large order. As it is impossible to get reliable information regarding the total of last season's crop, operators here are working in the dark, and while reports from the South show small stocks available at the ports, suddenly there comes a cheaper offer for a few days to upset the market. The local distributing price has not altered lately, but much of the demand has been thrown on maize, which is now used in some of the large stables owing to its low price. Unfortunately the quality this year is far from satisfactory, some of the samples that wo have inspected being terribly bad, the chief cause being the frosts that came down on the crop before the grain was matured. A3 so much of the grain coming to the market is of inferior grade, the price of good quality has advanced, buyers been willing to pay a better price for the small, quantities of reliable quality that come to hand. In our usual weekly column we point out the effect of the Federal tariff in weakening the price. This time last year it was only worth twopence more, but there is no doubt that the difference is only so small because there is so little good stuff to be had, and growers have made their calculations accordingly, without reckoning on the largo export trado that usually takes place.

Old potatoes are nearly over, and growers in tho South must have been terribly disappointed in the collapse of the Sydney market, which would otherwise have relieved them of what they had left. As we pointed out when the Federal tariff was announced, the only time when we really depend on the Australian trade is to relieve us at the end of a season, and now that they have interstate freetrade there will be an incentive to production, in whatever districts are fairly suitable, of those articles which they used to depend on getting from the more fertile and productive land of New Zealand. Not being able to compete with the production from our richer land, when each State admitted ours on the same terms as from its neighbours, the present conditions will favour the future supply from within the entile of the Commonwealth, of course at a higher price to the consumers. In this wvy we frequently exported large quantities of butter and cheese at the end of the reason, and last year most remarkable prices resulted, leaving sleeks here smaller than they have ever been, but this season both Taranaki and Auckland have, as far as possible, contracted for the export of their produce to England, and this, at better prices through the whole of the season, is more satisfactory than only a rise at the end of the season, after a lower range during its currency.

People wore greatly alarmed at the imposition of threepence per lb on bacon and hams, but again, here it will not make much difference, as we should have had very little to export even if the Federal tariff had not barred our bacon. All that could be bought up before the tariff came in was eagerly secured, and this makes the comparative export look as if the tariff had disastrously affected our trade, but the fact is that farmers have not been giving as much attention lately to pigs as they have to calves. This may not seem very important, but is one of the effects of the stimulus to tho dairy industry. It is not very long ago since farmers in tho Auckland district killed their calves and fed their pigs on them and the skimmed milk. Now they go without the pigs and feed their calves on separator skimmed milk and linseed. No doubt the production of pigs will be_ again stimulated by the present high prices, for this is a branch of farming that pays handsomely.

The flax industry is in a very healthy condition, and millers are enjoying another period of remunerative work. The London market being; weaker makes buyers a little cautious for future delivery, but in most cases millers are not affected by the ups and downs from week to week, but on the basis- of prices and expectations they usually prefer to contract for the whole of their output for months ahead, as this enables thorn" to make better arrangements for the regular supply of green flax, labour, etc. Fungus has dropped nflei heavy shipments have been made for Hongkong. All that could be secured has been sent in time for the Chinese New Year.

The Federal Government having taken the duty off kahikatea or white pine, the export of this to Australia is under the same conditions as before, except that a strong light has been thrown on the subject, of which our timber merchants will no doubt take due nolo. In the first place we see clearly that Australia must have our kahikatea for making butter-boxes, cost what it will; and secondly, the rapidly diminishing forests of New Zealand make it unnecessary to throw away this timber for Australia when we shall very soon require still more here. Owing to the dry weather this season there will not be sc great an increase in the requirements for the butter trade ove. last season, which was a record year so far as weather conditions were concerned, but by the opening up of fresh land there will be an increase even this year, and next year it will be greater. The local' timber trade is good and mills are all busy, working night shifts. Building is rapidly progressing in many of the suburbs, being; no doubt stimulated by the electric tram service, which will soon be in working order. The contractors are pushing on with the work of laying down the rails, and a large amount of money is being spent in the city on this alone. The Gas Company have also lately extended their operations by pushing their mains further into the suburbs. Their faci-

lities for a further supply have been increased by building another enormous gasometer in Freeman's Bay. The gum. market is in a more satisfactory state, and makes trade with these districts much better. The gold returns are good and trade with these centres is accordingly also on a satisfactory scale. This affects not only the city-, from which most of the supplies are obtained, but also the. Waikato district, from which large supplies of produce are sent direct by rail. With the opening of the line to Waihi this trade would be greatly facilitated.

KAURI GUM MARKET. The quantity of gum that has arrived in town since last mail left has been small, as will be seen by figures given below. There is as yet no indication of any excessive supply during the coming summer. The bulk of gum arriving has sold without much difficulty, and generally at full rates. The very high prices that are frequently asked by sellers compel great caution on the part of buyers; the margin between Auckland and London prices cannot be said to be in favour of exporters, and it is only by the small production that prices are maintained at their present level. The arrivals of gum since last mail left have been about 400 tons. and the stock now hero in the hands of sellers and shippers is about 1890 tons. We quote as follows: White gum: Poor ordinary, 27s and upwards; fair ordinary, 47s and upwards: bold threequarter-seraped, free from nuts. 74s and upwards; East Coast, best quality, 70s and upwards; rescraped, 115s and upwards. Black gum: Nuts, shifted, 10s and upwards; medium, free from sugar, 18s and upwards; good, 48s and upwards. Shipments have been mado as under: For London, direct: Per s.s. Tonga riro, 227 tons : per s.s. Paparoa, 32 tons. For London, via Sydney: Per s.s. Elingamite, 3 tons. Total, 262 tons. The barque Star of tho East is loading for New York, and will be away during next weekAUCTION SALES, ETC. November 8. At Messrs. Samuel Vailo and Sons' auction to-day lots 32 and 33, each fronting Fencarrow Avenue, 66ft, brought 27s 6d per foot, and the house in Lincoln-street, Ponsonby, realised £380. November 11. At Mr. Thornes' auction to-day of Mr. Igoe's estate a cottage, at the corner of Earl and Bath Streets, was sold. The bidding started at £150, and rose to £235, at which price it was knocked down. November 15. Mr. J. Thornes sold at his mart to-day an aero section of land in Sehvyn-street, Onchunga, for £300; also, a house and allotment in St. Aubyn-street, Devouport, for £300. BANK RATES. BUYING SELLING. Demand .. § %\ Demand .. ii '/. \ 31 days .. §% I Bis. SO days .. IJ % Pretodays .. i % [count 60 days .. ■} % (uiiiua 90 days ..ViX) 90 days .. $%)

TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFERS TO LONDON.— 1J per cent., plus cable charges. rEPOSITS.—By Bank of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum. By National Bank: Fixed for 3 months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum; 24 months, 3i per cent, per annum. By Australian Banks: Fixed for 6 months, li per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum.

PRICES CHARGED BY/ THE "WHOLESALE TO DISTRIBUTING HOUSES: ALBS AND PORTER, duty 2s per gallon.—Ale (in bond): Bass' Dogshead brand (Read's bottling, quarts, 8s 9d; pints. 6s 9d ; Foster's Bugle quarts, 78 6d; pints, 5s 6d. Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d Franz Joseph's lager, quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d. Dunedin (duty paid), quarts, 8s; pints, 4s 6' 1 . Stout (in bond); Guinness' .Dog's head brand (Read's bottling), quarts, 8s 9d ; pints, 6s 9d. Foster's Bugle, quarts, 7s 6d ; pints, 5s 6d. Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d; Johnson's quarts, 3s; pints, 6s; Ashby's, 6s 3d; to 8s 9d. Anglo-Bavarian, quarts, 8s 9d ; pints, 5s 6d. Dunedin (duty paid), quarts, 8s; pints, 4s 6d. BUILDING MATERIALS.— K.B. and White's 14s. Slates: English Countesses are worth £12 to £13. Plaster of Paris, 14s to 163. All these quotations nominal. Firebricks, 2£in £8, 3in £9, less trade discount. BAGS AND BAGGlNG.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, Hid lb, bale 2s lid; less 2s 2d to 2s 3d; cornsacks, 48in, 63; 44in, 5s 9d; Hessian bags, 2s 7d to 4s 6d. BREAD3TUFFS AND GRAIN.—Best roller flour, in sacks. £6 15s to £7 15s, less usual discounts; 100's and 60's in proportion to extra bagging. Southern wheat, milling, 2s 7d to 2s 3d, f.0.b.. Southern ports, accoridng to quality", sacks extra. Bran, £4 15s ex store. Sharps, £5. Maize, ex wharf, 2s 3d. Oatmeal, 25's, £12 15s; 7's, £14 ss. Barley for maltin?, 2s 9d to 3s 6d; feed, 23 6d to 2s 9d. Oats, ox wharf, 2s 9d to 2s lid. Oats, ex store, 2s HJd to 3s OUI. Pearl barley. £12 10s. Split peas, £12. Potatoes, f.0.b.. Southern ports, £1 10s. Cabin bread, £13 per ton. Settlers' bread. £15. COAL.—Newcastle, ship's side, 24s 6d; delivered, £1 13s; Hikurangi Coal Co., 8s 6d f.o.b. Whangarei; Hikurangi Collieries Co., Bs, f.o.b. Whangarei. Taupiri Steam, at mine, 9s; do., household, delivered, £1 6s. CORDAGE — Manila hemp rope. all sizes, Auckland-made, best, £74 103; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes. £48; clothes lines, 6d per lb. subject to trade dncoant; point spun yarn, - £58; twine, shop, d.p., per lb. B£d to Is 2d; Hewing twine, 9d to Is 8d per lb.

COFFEE AND Spices, per lb.—Ceylon coffee plantation, No. 0, Is 7d; No. 1, Is 6d; No. 2, Is sd; No. 3, la 4d; Mocha, la 7d; ditto, Island, Is 2d; chicory, 36s per cwt in tins; Symington's Essence of Coffee, 12s 6d; local, 10s. Cocoa: Fry's, Is 3d; Van Honten's, 3s 3d; Epps'. Is 4Jd; Cadbury's, Jib, 9s 6(1, Jib 18s 6d, lib 36s 6d; Kowntree's, 3s 3d. Chocolate: Fry's, Is 3d; Vi-Cocoa, 3oz 7s 6d; Aioz, lis; 9*oz, 22s per dozen. Spices: Cloves. lOd; bleached ginger, lOd; nutmegs, Is 9d to 2s; cinnamon, 23 3d; black pepper, whole, in bond, 9d; white, do.. Is; chillies. Is.

CONFECTIONERY.— boiled. 3Jd ; dry goods, 4d, less trade discount; gum jujubes. Is; jelly ditto, 7id; Keiller's as-,, sorted confections, 7id; Gray's, 8d; candied lemon peel, d.p. (dHty, 3d per lb), 9d; orange, lOd to lid; citron, Is 3d; local, from 4Ad lor lemon to Is for citron: Terry's jujubes, Is Id, Denholm's, Is 2d; Keiller's fruit jujubes. Is 4d; jib chocolate creams, 4s 6d; cream sticks, Is 3d; chocolate sticks. Is 4d.

GUM, FLAX. ETC.— Gum: Poor ordinary, £27 and upwards ; fair ordinary, £47 and upwards; bold, three-quarter-scraped, free from nuts, £74 and upwards; East Coast, best quality, £70 and upwards; re-scraped, £115 and upwards. Dark gum: Nuts, sifted, £10 and upwards; medium, free from sugar, £18 and upwards; good, £48 and upwards. Flax: Fine, clean, Auckland, f.0.b.. £26 10s; good fair average quality, f.0.b.. £24 10s; tow, £4 10s per ton. Cocoanut fibre, per ton, £20. Copra, per ton, £12 10s. Fungus, 3|d.

IRONMONGERY. corrugated iron, (duty paid, £2 per ton), basis, £19 to £19 10s, English.bar iron, per ton, £10 10s basis; gal- ■ vanised fencing wire, 6 to 8 gauge, £11 10s to £12 10s; English barb wire, £15 10s; American, £14 10s; English pig iron, £5 ss; pig lead £15, sheet lead, £20; zinc, £35; I.C. coke tin plates, 20in by 14in. 18s 6d ; blasting powder, 8d; muntz metal, 9d; quicksilver, 3s.

Jams, Dried Fruits, Etc.—c and B. Marmalade, lib, d.p.. 6s 6d; Keiller's marmalade, lib, d.p., 7s 3d; Phoenix and St. George, Danedin. 5s 6d; Nelson (New Zealand). 5s 9d: Auckland-made, lib tins, ss; lib glass 4s 6d : English, 6s 6d : Smyrna sultanas, srt; American. 6Jd; Malaga muscatels, lOd; eleaies. 5d ; lexias, 6Jd; currants, 33d d.p. ; Californian prunes, 6d ; dried apples, 6*d; dried apricots, Btd; seeded raisins, lib packets, 6d. "

LEATHER AND HIDES.-Sole leather, 9W to Is 6d per lb; kips, Is 3d to Is 6d; runners. Is 3d to Is 6d lb; black harness. Is 2d to Is sd; brown harness. Is 4d ; calf, colonial, 2a 6d, basils. 8d to lid per lb; skirt, 17s to 20s per side ; closed uppers. 4s 6d to 8s 6d per pair; hides, ox, 4jd to 5Jd per lb; stou; ox. 6d to 6?d : cow, 4}d to 4§d ; calfskins, 4d to 43d per lb; sheepskins, 2s to 3s 4d.

MANURES.—Australian bonedust, £4 to £4 ss; Auckland, £7; superphosphate of lime. £5 ss; bone flour, £7 15s; superphosphates. A nolo Company, £5 15s; cocoanut oil cake, £5 10s; kainit, £4 ss. New Zealand Drug Company's manures : A superphosphate. £5 15s per ton; bonedust. steamed. £7 ss: bonedust. green. £7 15s; bonedust and blood, £6 15s; root manure, £7 ss; grass manure, £7: potato manure, £7 ss; turnip manure. £7; corn manure, £7; maize manure. £7 ss; orchard manure, £7 15s; onion manure, £7 15s; clover manure, £7; sulph. of ammonia, £16 10s; Coral Queen guano, £4 15s. MALT AND Colonial. 4s 9d to sa. Hops: Nelson, brewers', B|d to lOd; grocers' hops, packets, 8d to lOd; Californian ditto, lid. OILMEN'S STORES, ETC.-Price's National, 63d; Battsrsea War, 6*d: Price's London Wax, 6*d; Price's self-fitting, 7Jd; Price's carriage, 7jd; local sperm. AM to 5d ; wax, 53d to 6(1; mining, 6Jd; local blue mottled r,jap, £22 per ton; carbolic. £28: best yellow, £25; National, £22; double Crown, £23 : Golden Crown. £18 ; household, £14 to £16 : soft soap, in tin?. 5d per !b; toilet. 7d per lb; —all subject to trade discount. Salt: Black Horse, fine. £3 15s. coarse, £3 10k; other brands, fine £3. coarse £2 10s; rock salt. £5: Jordan almonds. 2s 3d: Blacking Paste. Day and Martin's. 3s 6d ; local. 3s 6d; Column's starch. No. 3 (duty. 2d per lb), white, 46s 6d; lib pictorial. 535: local, 37a ; 50 case lots. 355. Mustard, dp.: Column's, lib tins (DBF). 17s M; halfditto. 9s: Jib tins, ss; Kaen'a DSP, same price; Oilman's, 71b tins terpen), liid: Blue: Beekitt's Circular, 7s 6d per gross : Bas. 8s 3d : Colman's Azure. Bid per ' lb ; Eeckitt'a Square, BUI ;

Keen's scimire, 3Jd. Matches: Vestas, d.p.. Bryant and May's, 25Q's, per gross, 16s ; K. Bell and. Co.'s, 260's, 14s 6d by the cage; plaids. 33 4£d; other brands, 3s 2id to 3s 4d; cardboard vestas, 8a 6d. Oil: Castor, in pints, 7s; half-pints, 4s. Salad: C. and 8., quarts, 275: pints, 14s 6d; half-pints, 8s 6'l; Morton's, pints. 8s 6d; half-pints. ss. Pickles: Crosse and Blackwell's. pints, 17s 6d; (iillard's 17s 6d : Capt. White's. 14s 6d and 24s ; Morion's, 12s 6rl ; local, 7s 6d : Flag Brand, Bs, 5 cases, 7s 9d ; Rice, No. 1, Polished Japan, £16 ; ditto, ground, 2td. Sauces: Lea, and Perrin's. halfpints, 13s 6d; pints, 255: Gillard's halfpints, 7s Cd; Mellor's. half-pints. 8s; pints, 14s ; Holbrook's, quarterpints. 7s : half - pints. lis : pints, 225; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish, 7s. Vinegar, d.p.; balk. Champion's, per gallon, 2s; Sarson's, Is 10d; Holbrook's, Is 19d; Burnett's. Is lid: Notts'. Is lOd: local. Is to Is 3d. Vinegar: Case. C. and 8., 9s; Champion's, 9s; Burnett's. 7s 6d; Morton's. 8s 3d; Stephen's. Gloucester. 6s 9d; local. 4s to ss; Hill's and Underwood, bulk. Is lid; case. 7s. Treacle, bulk, lis 6d; golden syrup, bulk, 15s; tapioca, £16; sago. £15. Cornflour: Maize. 2j;d d.p.; Clemjnt's, 23d: Brown and Poison's patent. 6id; Indian, SM; W. Polson's Indian. 4'< d Preserved milk: Nestle's, 63 6d; Milkmaid. 6s: local brands. 5s 3d. Tartaric acid, in jars. Is 6d ; in keg. Is 4d ; cream of tartar, in jars. Is 2d; in bulk, lid; bicarb, soda. 10s; local soda crystals, £5 10s; ■whiting, £5 ss.

OILS AND PAINTS.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drams. 4s 9d : bulk. 4s 3d; linseed, boiled, drums, 4s lOd: bulk. 4s 8d ; raw. drums. 4s 8d ; balk, 4s 6d ; castor, in drums. 3s IOJd to 4s; half-cases. 3s 9d; Kerosene, 150 test, case, 7s to 7s 3d ; genuine white lead, ground, per cwt. S6lb n> Sib, 32s and 34*; red lead, dry, 345. in 231b: zinc, white, 58s to 445. Oil colours. assorted. £2 to £2 5s per cwt. Turps: American, 3s 4Jd; resin, £6 15s to £9. according to grade. Varnish, oak, Ss to 15s; copal. 12s 6d to 255; Benzine, Is 4id; Naphtha. 2s 9d; Gasoline, 3s 6d. Quotations regulated by quantities and qualities.

PROVISIONS.—Cheese : Factory. 4Jd to 5d ; dairy, 4d to 4Jd. Good keg butter, ' Cd ; second quality, Cd ; factory, lid. Egas, lOd. Bacon, sides only, 6*d to 7d ; hams, only, 73d to BJd. Fish (duty, 10s per cwt); Ling. 6|d; boneless cod, 6ld ; preserved red herrings, in tins, 33s per dozen tins (each 24 fish) : white, 39s per dozen ; fresh herrings. Gs 6d; Findon haddocks. 10s; lobsters. New Zealand, 10s 6d: Digbv chicks, 9s fid ; salmon, lib. Cocktail, lis ; Alaska, 7s 6d to 8s 6cl; British Columbia. B.s 6d to 9s 6d ; salt salmon, sd; sardines, quarters, 3s 3d to 6s 3d; halves, 6s to 9s 6d. according to brand; oysters, 8s; mullet, 5s 3d, 25 cases ss; whitebait, lis; boiled rabbit, 9s 6d; corned beef, 12s 6d ; sheep tongues, lib tins, 13s to 15s 6d, according to brand; 21b. 235.

SUGARS.—Duty, id per lb. Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland Refinery, d.p., No. 1, £20 10s; No. 2, £19 15s; No. 3, £18 ss: Cubes, £23; Queensland yellows, £18. Molasses, £5.

SPIRITS (in bond).— 16s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk or case. Brandy: Kouver. Gouillot. and Co., 255; Gilbey's Universal brandy, flasks 28s, J-flasks, 30s: Hennessy's, case, one star, 375; three star. 51s; Bisquit. Dubouche, and Oo.'s. pa.e. in hhds.. 7s. quarter-casks 7s 6d, octaves 8s; Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s case, 255; Boomerang. Australian, bulk 7s 6d, case 225; ChateauTanunda, case. 225. Whisky, bulk: Walker's WW, 8s 6d: Usher's SB, 10s 6d; Usher's 0.V.G.. 8s; D.C.L., old, 5s 6d ; very old, 8a 6d; VOS. 10s 6d; case. Old Scotch, 18s: very old. 225; VOS, 265; Gaelic, V2s; Buchanan's House of Commons, 225; Robertson's three star, 283: Dunrille's, 20s; Dunville's special liqueur, 32s ; Gilbey's Viceroy (Irish). 20s ; Jamieson's (Irish), one star, 25s ; three star, 52s ; Teacher's, 25s ; Walker's WAV, 22s ; Usher's SR. 23s 6d; Usher's OVG, 21s; Usher's OVG, flasks, 28s, half-flasks 355; White Horse, 225; Uam Var, 20s; Gilbey's Strathmill, 225; Hraernar, 18s: BOBS. 20s; LL, 22s 6d to 235; Cambus, 16s; Gordon's, 15s; Dewar's, 21s; Ilaig and Haig, 22s ; Geneva, proof, 4 gallons, JDKZ, 20 bottles, 18s 6d; under proof, 16s 6d; schnapps, Wolfe's quarts, 245, pints, 25s 6d ; Gilbey's' Silver-stream, 18s ; Gilbey's dry gin, 14s ; Tower dry gin, 12s ; Distillers' Company. 14s; Burnett's Old Tom. 14s; Gilbey's Old Tom, 13s; Lowndes' rum, 30 0.p., 4s 9d in hhds., 5s in quarter-casks, 5s 3d in octaves ; Key, 22s per case ; Gilbey's Governor-Gene-ral rum, 20s per case Champagne, d.p.: Pommery. quart 120s, pint 1255; Heidsieck. quart, 1255, pint, 130s; Ayala, quart 115s, pint 120s; Australian wines, quart. 335; Gilbey's port and sherry, d.p., 355, 455, 555, and 755, according to grade.

TlMßEß.—Quotations are as follows:—Kauri timber, at East Coast and Auckland mills: Ordinary building timber, undressed. 100 ft. first-class 15s. medium 12s 6d, secondclass 9s 6d ; flitches, all heart, 14s, flooring boards, dressed, p.t.g., first-class 17s, medium 14s 6d, second-class lis 6d ; lining boards, p.t.g., beaded,. or V-jointed, firstclass 16s 6d, medium 14s, second-class lis; rusticated weatherboarding, first-class 17s, medium 14s 6d, second-class lis 6d ; boat boards, planed two sides, gin 15s 6d. Jin, 16s. For widths over 12in. 6d extra per inch per 100 ft is charged, and for lengths over 24ft extra prices are charged. Logs, 4s to 6s 3d, according to girth.

TOBACCO.— 3s 6d. Ruby Aromatic, 2g 6d; Victory. Is lOd to 2a; Juno, black, all ahapes. la 3d to Is 4id; Ascot, le 6d; Derby, ten cases Is 7d. single cane Is Bd. box la 9d; Venus. Is 6d: Golden Eagle, red, 2a 4d ; Yellow, 2s 3d ; Welcome Nugget, 2s 6d; black twist, 26 to lb, Is; Golden Eagle, 4oz tins, 3s: 2oz tins, 33 3d; Wills' Capstan, full and medium, 4oz tins, 3s: 2oz tins, 3s 3d; mild. 3d more; Melrose cigarette tobacco, 2oz packets, d.p., 7s; Old Judge, ditto, Bs. TEAS (in Darjeeling. scarce ; good to fine qualities difficult to obtain, say, Pekoes, Is 4d to Is 6d ; Pekoe Souchongs, fine, lOd to Is; finest. Is to Is 2d; Dooar, good medium Pekoe Souchongs, 9d to lOd; Ceylon, fine Broken Orange Pekoe are scarce, medium to fine, Is 3d to Is 4d; finest. Is 8d to Is lOd; medium Broken Orange Pekoe, lid to Is 2d: Broken Souchong and Pekoe Souchongs, 7d to Bd. Fannings, good medium, say, 9d to lOd.