COMMERCIAL,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL,

New Zealand Herald Office,

Wednesday evening. For. sheer impudence and wilful misrepresentation of facts commend us to the two Berlin newspapers, the Neue Presse and Kreuz Zeitung, which, if the cable speaks correctly, are reported to have urged that Germany and America, should co-operate to secure the maintenance of the open-door policy in South Africa. It would appear that nations are like individuals sometimes, and judge others by their own standard. The Continental nations are so accustomed to putting barriers around their own trade and that of the territory that comes under their control, after causing their conquered enemies to pay the expenses of the war, that these newspapers have the impertinence to assume that England will adopt .the same plan. An attempt is made to drag America into the scheme of coercion, forgetful of the fact that America is only too willing to profit by what she knows will be England's policy in South Africa without being so foolish as to stir up enmity. As we mentioned in this column by last mail, American manufacturers have large quantities of goods which will be poured into South Africa through the door that England opens in every country under her rule, a policy totally different to that of other Powers. The only exception to this rule has been in the preferential tariff which Canada has introduced of her own free will; and all the other colonies, including the Transvaal itself, when affairs there are sufficiently settled for selfgovernment, will probably be found more and more willing to adopt a policy that will strengthen their connection with the ?»lother Country. No wonder England finds colonising so easy while other countries find it so difficult, when the former makes freedom the bond of union, while the latter exploit them for the benefit of themselves. We are of opinion that this very freedom will make the colonies more inclined to legislate for the benefit of British trade, and we await with much interest the practical outcome of the conference which will shortly commence between the colonial representatives and the statesmen of the Empire. So far as trade is concerned, the conclusion of the war is not so likely to benefit . New Zealand as much as it will America and those clamorous Continental Powers who have done so much to assist those who were once our enemies. We may include amongst those who will principally benefit by peace the Continental shareholders in the Rami, and although it would be far from England's policy to make her opponents in the war pay for the cost, as was done by Germany after the siege of Paris, or more recently by Russia and others in China, a fair way of recouping the expenses would be by a tax on the output from the mines, seeing that under the old Government, which so many pretend to admire, a good proportion of the production would be, and has been, annexed. Look at it how one will, the financial aspect of the war points to the already wealthy owners of these mines as the principal gainers, and as they have now been made secure in their property by the expenditure of British blood and treasure, it is only right that they should stand a good part of the cost. We in New Zealand can see in South Africa a good market for some time to come, but we must assume that eventually that country will change from that position and become a competitor. Adapted as those huge tracts of country are to the output of similar products to our own, we may take it for granted that under the spurt that will now be given to every kind of agriculture, the development of the country will proceed most rapidly, and after soon becoming self-supporting, so far as New Zealand is concerned, another one will be added to the growing list of our competitors. During this month of June many of our products appear to have reached a climax, after steadily advancing for some time, and some weakness is seen in a good many lines. This does not by any means apply all round, as we shall see as we proceed, but any appearance of weakness makes us more ready to look to outside markets, such as South Africa. Values bad reached such a level that the opinion has been freely expressed that even with a regular line of steamers established between New Zealand and South Africa, it would lie impossible to induce substantial shipments. Our most important export so far has been fodder, and we must expect this to be a diminishing quantity. Oats will probably be required for some time, and the Epsom arrived at the Bluff this week lo load with this grain for Durban, thus holding up what would otherwise have been a. weaker market. The export to Australia has not yet come on to anything like the extent that one would reasonably expect after the accounts of starving stock there, although wo notice a few small lines in most of the steamers bound for Australia, including such products as carrots, which are more likely to be for Sydney stable-fed horses than for starving stock. If the drought continues we may expect the demand to increase. In maize, however, the price has been forced up to such a high level here that Sydney has been compelled to lock elsewhere for supplies, and as it is stoH-d that the Argentine can supply at fully sixpence per husnel less than our price, shipments thence are already on the way, and the demand is not likely to come back to us until our price recedes considerably.

Potatoes and onions have declined in price somewhat, after most conflicting reports concerning the damage caused by floods and continued wet weather in'the South. Onions appear to have been so badly injured that their keeping qualities have been almost destroyed, and sales are pushed in consequence. Peas have been largely exported to Australia, and the price is now much higher. This is the off season for barley, all the malting having been already placed, but there i 3 a small trade in feed barley, perhaps a little better than usual, on account of the comparatively high prices of oats and maize. The Ventura has landed another lot of American flour, and a further shipment is due by the Sierra next week, but we are informed that there will be no more arriving after that. We have already mentioned that the advance in the price in California does not allow the margin that these shipments have shown, but there will be a certain quantity to arrive which has already been purchased at the old price. Some of the brands that were imported were of a lower grade than would suit this market.

The meat business keeps in a very satisfactory condition as regards demand, but it is expected that supplies will soon be short. In Australia it is reported that beef is very scarce and much higher, inducing the shipments from New Zealand that we have already reported. This has al«o thrown more of the demand for the Islands on Now Zealand, and we may expect a better share of any trade with South Africa.

Flax only reflects the London market, and as that is weaker the local market is also depressed. This has not made much difference to the millers so far. as they generally contract ahead for a fairly long period, but it will cause those to hesitate who were proposing to open new mill' The supply of green flax is steadily growing less, and the subject of its systematic cultivation is well worth the attention of those concerned.

The local timber trade keeps up well, but with the South it is decidedly weaker. We are feeling the effects of the trade being so overdone by the dredging boom in Ofcago. Small shipments are also being made to Australia, but not so much as could he desired.

In dairy produce there is the hardening in price of both butter and cheese that is only natural at this time of the year. It was seen from the first that this winter we would again have good prices, but we must not expect such prices as we have had this season and last to continue in future years. Those who are looking ahead see the coinpetition of Rusia, the Argentine, and other countries looming up, and although for the present and possibly for some time we may expect to get our price on account of the superior quality of New Zealand butter, it may be only a. question of a few years before the endless plains of Russia are able to produce equal quality under the improved methods now being introduced. When a steamer of 10,000 tons ran load at Philadelphia with a cargo valued at half-a-million dollars, consisting entirely of agricultural implements for Odessa, wo see flic scale upon which agricultural pursuits will be carried on in Russia.

Limejuiee is likely to be scarce next season, although it is probable there will I* l a lot of inferior quality. There is a good demand, and all the consignments to hand have been readily placed. The Taviuni brought ill) 115 oa*ks, which have been sold for shipment to Sydney. Some of the copra by the same steamer went on by the Mararoa, and the rest has been purchased by local manufacturers. There is a good demand, both here and in Australia, and the price keeps up to its high level.

The improvement in the wool market is a decided gain for this colony. In Australia the drought, has wrought such havoc with (lie flocks that there is not so much wool to benefit bj the rise, but our production is more likely to steadily increase as cultivation extends, especially if the Government would expedite the opening up and settlement of the huge tracts of land now lying idle. Communication by rail and road must also be pushed on. In both these departments there is a decided cause for dissatisfaction. The Main Trunk line is definitely promised by a responsible Minister to be open for traffic in 1904, but few expect the promise to l>e re.deemed, while other Bines further North that are probably even more necessary are not even looked at. As foi roads, a Parliamentary party tour the North during

the rammer while the roads arc good, but as ,saon as winter approaches we have the ridiculous spectacle of a Minister of the Crown cancelling his engagement to visit the North, because he knew the roads were impassable. And yet the settlers are supposed to carry not only themselves, but also their produce over these very roads. The distributing trade is rather quiet this month, partly on account of the had weather, which interferes so largely with trade in the country. The town trade keeps up fairiy well, and there are still large works in progress in the city, circulating a good deal of money. This, of course, keeps trade better than it would otherwise be, but it savours of living on borrowed money. The returns of exports and imports for last year also point in the same direction, as there is not that surplus of exports which we would like to see from a colony that owes so much in annual interest. KAURI GUM MARKET. We have again to report small arrivals of gum, and a steady market. All gum arriving sells freely at prices fully equivalent to those quoted for last mail: any alteration there may be is rather in the direction of a further upward move. The weather for near upon three months past has been so excessively wet that gumdiggers have been unable to work anything like full time, and this is no doubt the main reason why arrivals have lately stood at such' a low figure. But in spite of this, the production for the first six months of the present year will be about 9 per cent, in excess of the production during the same months last year. The arrivals since last mail (20 days) have been about 330 tons, and the stock now here in the hands of sellers and simmers is about 1800 tons. We quote as follows: —White gum: Poor ordinary, 34s and upwards: fair ordinary, 54s and upwards; bold three-quarter-scraped, free from nuts. 85s and upwards ; East Coast (good quality), 82s and upwards; recraped, 125s and upwards. Black gum: Nuts. 14s and upwards; medium, free from sugar, ?.0s and upwards; good, 60s and upwards. Shipments have been made as follows:—For London, direct, per s.s. Matatua, 45 tons ; per s.s. Niwaru, 94 tons ; for London, via Sydney, per s.s. Elingamite, 100 tons; uer s.s. Mararoa, 32 tons; per s.s. Zealandia, 97 tons: total, 353 tons. The barque Charles G. Rice is just commencing to load gum for New York direct. AUCTION SALES, ETC. dune 11. _ Messrs S. Cochrane and bun sold by auction to-day an allotment, 50ft frontage to Great North Road by 196 ft, with a residence of eight rooms, for £400. Under the provisions of the Rating Act the following properties were sold:—Eden Crescent, 32ift to Eden Crescent by 54ft. £160; Hackett-street, 71ft frontage to Hackett-strcet by 110 ft. £51; parish of Ngaroto, 81 acres. £53; parish of Whangamarino, 100 acres, 4s 6d per acre; parish of Hoteo South, 37 acres, £5 the lot.

June 13. Messrs. It. Arthur and Co. sold by auction to-day an allotment in ill-street, Onehunga, 44ft by 100 ft, with a four-roomed cottage, for £160. BANK RATES. BUYING SELLING. Demand .. § %\ Demand.. 11- X 1 OOdiys .. § /.; I Dis- so days .. l} y. [ Pre'M days .. I%C count 60 days .. ; f % i miuni 00 days .. Jjj '/J 90 days .. k% ) TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFERS TO London.— 1} per cent., plus cable charges. DEPOSITS.—By Bunk of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, i 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, 34 per cent, per annum. By Australian Banks: Fixed tor 6 months. 1£ per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum. PRICES CHARGED BY THE WHOLESALE TO DISTRIBUTING HOUSES: ALES AND PORTER, duty 2s per gallon.—Ale (in bond): Bass' Dogshcad brand (Read's bottling, quarts, 9s; pints, 7s; Foster's Bugle quarts, 7s 6d; pints, 5s 6d. Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, 9s; pints, 7s. Franz Joseph's lager, quarts. Ps; pints, 7s. Dunedin (duty paid), quarts, 83; pints, 4s 6 fl . Stout (in

Spirits (in bond).—Duty, 16s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk or case. Brandy: -Homer, Gouillot, and Co., 255: Gilbey's Universal brandy, flasks 28s. 1-flasks, 30s; Hennessy's, ease, one star, 37b; three star, 51s; Bisquit. Dubouche, and Oo.'s, pa.e, in hhde.. 7s. quarter-casks 7s 6d, octaves 8s; Bisquit. Dubouche and Co.'s case, 255; Boomerang. Australian, bulk 7s 6d, cape 225; ChateauTanunda, case, 225. Whisky, bulk: Walker's WW, 8s 6dj Usher's SB, 10s 6d; Usher's 0.V.G., 8s; D.C.L., old, 5s 6d ; very old, 8s 6d; VOS. 10a 6d; case. Old Scotch, 18s; very old, 223; VOS. 265; Gaelic, -.'2s: Buchanan's House of Commons. 22a; Robertson's three star. 28s: Diinvillo's, 20s; Dunville's special liqueur, 32s ; Gilbey's Viceroy (Irish). 20s ; Jamieson'a (Irish), one star, 25s ; three star, 32s ; Teacher's, 23s ; Walker's W.W, 22? ; Usher's SR. 23s 6d; Umber's OVG, 21s: Usher's OVG. flasks, 28s, half-flasks 355; White Horse. 225; Uam Var. 20s: Gilbey's Htrathinill, 225; Braemar, 18s; BOBS, 20s; LL, 22s 6d to 2is; Gambits, 16s; Gordon's. 155; Dcwar'S. 21s; Haig and Haig, 22s ; Geneva, proof, 4 gallons, .TDK/,, 20 bottles. 18s 6d; under proof, ]6s 6d ; schnapps, Wolfe's quarts, 245, pints, 25s 6d ; Gilbey's Silverstream, 18s ; Gilbey's dry gin, 14s : Tower dry trna. 12s : Distillers' Company. 14s; Burnett's Old Tool. Ms; 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.: Bonmiery. quart 120s, pint 1255; Tleidsieck. quart, 1255, pint. 130s; Ayala, quart 115s, pint 1203; Australian wines, 335.

TlMßEß.—Ordinary building timber, undressed, 100 ft, first-class 15s 6d, medium 13s; second-class lOs; Hitches, all heart, 14s 6d; flooring boards, dressed. p.t.g., first-class 17s 6d, medium 15s, second-class 12s; lining boards, p.t.g., headed, or V-jointed. firstclass 17s, medium 14s 6d, second-class lis 6d; rusticated weatherboarding, firstclass 17s 6d, medium 15s, second-class 12s; boat beards. planed two sides. gin 16s, *in 16s 6d. For widths over 12in. 6d extra, per inch per 103 ft is charged, and for lengths over 24ft extra prices ara charged. Logs, 4s to 6s 3d, according to girth.

f'rn-.AC Dnt-v. 3s 6d Ruhr Aromatic, 2s 6d; Victory, Is lOd to 2s; Juno, black, all • napes. Is id to Is 4i<l; Ascot. Is6d; Derby, leu cases Is 7(1. single, case Is Bd. box 1* 9d ; Venus. Is 6:1; Golden Eagle, red, 2s 4d ; yellow, 2s 3d ; Welcome Nugget. 26d; black twist, 26 to lb, IS; Golden Ragle, tins, 3s: 2oz tins, 3s 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, 7s 9d. I'EAS (in Dar.jeeiing, scarce ; good to fine qualities difficult to obtain, say. Pekoes, Is 4d to Is 6d ; Pekoe Souchongs, fine, 10c to Is; finest. Is to Is 2d; Dooar, good meilium Pekoe Souchongs, 9d to lOd; Ceylon, fine Broken Orange Pekoe are scarce, medium to fine, Is 3d to Is 4(1; finest, Is 8d L o Is lOd; medium Broken Orange Pekoe, lid to la 2d; Broken Souchong and Pekoe Souchongs, 7d to 8d Fannings, good medium, say, 9d to lOd. bond); Guinness' Dog's head brand (Bead's bottling), quarts, 9s; pints, 7s; Foster's Bugle, quarts, 7s 6d ; pints, 5s 6d. Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, Ss ; pints, 7=<. Johnson's, quarts, 8s 6d; pints, 6s 6d. 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.—Cement. K.B. and White's. 13s. Slates: English Countesses are worth £12 to £13. Plaster of Paris, 14s to 16s. Ah these quotations nominal. Firebricks, 2Jin £8, oin £9, less trade discount. BAGS and Bagging.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, Hid lb, bale 2s JJd; less 2s 2d to 2s 3d; cornsacks. 48in, 5s 9d; 44in, 5s 6d; Hessian bags, 2s 7d to 4s 6d. BREADSTTTFFS AND GRAIN.— roller flour, in sacks, £10 12s 6d to £11 15s, less usual discounts; 100's and 50's in proportion to extra bagging. Southern wheat, milling, 4s to 4s 6d, f.o.b. Southern ports, according to quality, sacks extra. Bran. £6 ss, ex store. Sharps. £6 15s. Maize, ex wharf, 3s 3d. Oatmeal. 25's. £16; 7's, £17 10s. Barley for malting, 4s to 4s 3d: feed, 3s 4d to 3s 6d. Oats, ex wharf; 2s lid to 3s 2£d. Oats, ex store, 3s 3d to 5s 4d. Pearl barley, £15. Split peas, £15 10s. Cabin bread, £16 per ton. Settlers' bread. £13. Potatoes, f.o.b. Southern ports, £3 ss. Onions, do., £4 lCs. —Newcastle ship's side, 24s 6d; delivered, £1 12s; Hikurangj\rjoal Co., 8s 6d f.o.b. Wbangarei; Tan).™ Steam, at mine, 9s 6d; do., household, delivered, £1 7s. CORDAGE — Manila hemp rope. all sizes, Auckland-made, best, £77 10s; New Zealand fiax Wipe. ail sizes, £51; clothes lines, Cd per lb, subject to trade discount; point spun yarn, £59; twine, shop. d.p. per lb, Bid to Is 2d; sewing twine, lod to Is 6d per lb. Coffee and Spicks, per lb.—Ceylon coffee plantation. No. 0. Is 7d : No. 1. Is 6d: No. 2. Is sd: No. 3, Is 4d; Mocha, Is 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 Houten's. 3s 3d; Epps". Is 4\d : Cadlmvy's. Jib. 9s 6d, Jib 18s 6d, lib 36s 6d : Rowntree's, 3s 3d. Chocolate: Fry's. Is 3d; Vi-Cocoa, 3oz 7s 6d; 4Joz. lis; 9ioz. 22s per dozen. Spices: Cloves, lOd; bleached ginger, lOd; nutmegs, is 9d to 2s; cinnamon. 2s 3d; black pepper, whole, Is; white, do.. Is 3d; chillies, Is. Confectionery.—Local boiled, 23d; dry goods, 4d. less trade discount; gum jujubes. Is; jelly ditto, 7Jd; Keiller's 'assorted confections. 7sd; Gray's, 8d; candied lemon peel, d.p. (duty. 3d per lb), 9d; orange, 10d to lid ; citron. Is 3d; local, from 4id for lemon to is for citron; Terry's jujubes. Is Id, Denbolm's, Is 2d; Keiller's fruit jujubes. Is 4d : I'b chocolate creams, 4s 6d; cream sticks, Is 3d; chocolate sticks. Is 4d.

GUM. FLAX, ETC.-White Gum: Poor ordinary, £54 ami upwards; fair ordinary, £54 and upwards; bold, three-quarter-scraped, tree from nuts, £85 and upwards; Bast Coast, best quality, £82 and upwards; re-scraped. ,£125 and upwards. Dark gum: Nuts, sifted, £14 and upwards; medium, free from sugar, £2f. and upwards; good. £6-) and upward*. "lax: Fine, clean, Auckland. f.0.h., £23; good, fair a-rerage quality, f.0.b., £25; tow, £4 10s ton. Cocoanut fibre, per toi:, £20. Copra, per ton, £15. Fungus. Hi.

IRONMONGERY.—GaIvanised corrugated iron, 'duty paid. £2 per ton) basis £19 to £19 10*. English bar iron, per ton. £10 10s basis: galvanised fencing wire, 6 to 8 gauge, £11 10s to £12; English barb wire. £15 103; American, £15; English pig iron. £5 ss: pig lead, £15; sheet lead, £20: zinc, £oo; I.C. coke tin plates. 20in by Kin, 20s; blasting powder. Sd; rauntz metal, burs is, plates lOd; quicksilver, ss.

JAMS. Dried Fruits. ETC.—Moirs Marmalade, lib, d.p., 6s 6d; Keiller's marmalade, lib, d.p., 7s 3d: Phoenix and St. George, Dunedin, 5s 6d; Nelson (New Zealand). 5s 9d: Auckland-made, lib tin*. ss; lib glass 6s 6d; Jam, English. 6s 6:1; local. 5s 6d to is 9d; Smyrna sultanas. 6d: American, 6J<S; Malaga muscatels. lOd; denies, 3d; currants, 4d; California!; prunes, 6d; dried apples, American 9tl. local 6id; dried apricots, 3d; seeded raisins, lib packets. 6<d.

LEATHER AND HIDES.-Pole leather, 9Jd to Is 6d per lb; kips, Is 3d to Is fid; runner.?. Is 3d to Is 6d lb; black harness, Is 2d to Is sd; brown harness. Is 4d ; calf, colonial, 2s 6d. basils, 3d to lid per lb; skirt, 17s to 20s per side : closed upper-. 4s 6d to Ss 6d per pair; hides, ox, 4Jd to 5d per lb; stout ox, 5Jd to 63d: cow. 4id to 4^(1; calfskins, 3d to 4d per lb; sheepskins, Is 9d to 3;.

MANURE?.—Australian bonedust, £4 to £4 ss: Auckland, £7; superphosphate of lime. £5 ss: bone flour, £7 15s: superphosphates. Anglo Company, £4 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, £6 153; 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 IUS; Coral Queen guano, £4 15s.

Malt AND Hops.--Colonial. 4s 9d to ss. Hops: Nelson, brewers', Sid to lOd; grocers' hops, packets. 3d to lOd; California!! ditto, lid.

Oilmen's Stores, Etc.—Price's National, 6id; Battersea Wax, 6>.d; Price's London Wax, 6Jd; Price's self-fitting, 7Jd; Price's carriage, 7Jd; local sperm, 4|d to Sd ; wax, 53d to 6d; mining, 7d; local bine mottled soap. £22 per ton: carbolic. £28; best yellow. £26; Peerless, £22 to £24; National, £22; double Crown, £20; Golden Crown, £18; household, £14; soft soap, in tins, 5d per II); toilet. 7d per lb; —all subject to trade discount. Salt: Black Horse, flue, £3 15s, coarse. £3 10s: other brands, fine £3, coarse £2 10s: rock salt. £5; Jordan almonds, 2s 3d; Blacking Paste, 3s 6d; dolman's starch, No. 1 (duty, 2d per lb), white, 46s fed; lib pictorial, 53"; local, 37s ; 50 wise lots. 355. Mustard, d.p.: Colman's, lib tins (DSF). 17s 6d; halfditto, 93; Jib tins, ss; Keen's DSP, same price; Colman's, 71b tins (green). Hid; Blue: Keckitt's Circular. 7s 6d per gross ; Bag 83 3d : Colman's Azure, BUI per lb ; Reckitt's Square, Bid ; Keen's square, BJd. Black lead: Nixey's, 6s to 7s 3d; Reckitt's, 7s. Matches: "Vestas, d.p., Brvant and May's, 250's, per gross. 16s; K. Bell and Co.'s. 250's, 14s 6d by the case; plaids, 3a 4}d; other brands, 3s 2d to 3s 4d; cardboard vestas, 8s 6d. Oil: Castor, in pints. 7s; half-pints, 4s. Salad: C. and 8., Quarts, 275: pints, 34s 6d; half-pints, 8s 6d; Morton's, pints. 8s 6dj half-pints, ss. Pickles: Crosse and Blackwell's, pints. 17s 6d; Oillard's 17s 6d ; Capt. White's. 14- 6d and 245; Morton's, 13s; local. 7s 6d; Flag Brand, Bs, 5 cases, 7s 9d ; Pice, No. 1. Polished Japan. £15; ditto, ground, 2Jd. Sauces: Lea and Perrin's. halfpints, 13s 6d; pints, 255; Gillard's halfpints, 7s 6d; Mellor's. half-pints, 8s; pints, 14s ; Holbrook's, quarterpints, 7s ; half - pints, lis : pints, 225; Goodall's Yorkshire Relish. 7s. Vinegar, d.p.; bulk. Champion's, per gallon, 2s; Sarson's, Is lOd; Holbrook's, Is lOd; Burnett's. Is lid; Potts', Is 10(1; local. Is to Is 3d. Vinegar: Case, C. and 8.. 9s; Champion's, 9s: Burnett's. 7s 6d ; Morton's. 8s 6d; Morton's Crystal, 9s 6d ; loca*.. 4s to ss; Hill's and Underwood, hulk. Is lid; case, 7s. Treacle, bulk, lis 6d; golden syrup, bulk, 15s; tapioca, £15; sago. £14. Cornflour: Maize, 2gd d.p.; Clement's. 2|d; Brown and Poison's patent, 6kl; Indian, 5Jd. Pieserved milk: Nestle's, 6s 9d; Milkmaid. 6s; local brands, 5s 3d. Tartaric acid, in jars. Is 6(1; in keg. Is 4d; cream of tartar, in jars, Is 2d; in keg, 10id; bicarb, soda, 10s; local soda crystals, £5 10s; whiting, £5.

OILS AND PAINTS.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drams, 4s 9d ; bulk. 4s 3d; linseed, boiled, drums, 4s 6d; bulk, 4s 4cl; raw, drums, 4s 4d; bulk, 4s 2d; castor, in drums, 3s 8d; half-cases, 3s 6d. Kerosene, 150 tost case, 6s to 6s 2d; genuine white lead, ground, per cwt. 561b and 281b, 32s and 345; red lead, dry. 28s; zinc, white, 38.. to 445. Oil colours, assorted, .£2 to £2 5:, per cwt. American turps, 3s 9d; resin, £6 15s to £9, according to grade. Varnish, oak, 8s to 15s; copal. 12s 6d to 255. Benzine, Is Bd. Naphtha, 2s iOd. Gasoline, 3s 6d. Quotations regulated by quantities and qualities.

PROVISIONS.— Cheese: Factory. 43d to s\d; dairy. 3*d to 4d. Good keg butter, lOd; second quality, 8d: factory. Is Id. Eggs, Is 3d. Bacon, sides only, 6£d to 7il; hams only, 7d to Bd. Fish (duty, 10s per cwt); Ling, 6£d; boneless cod, 6id ; preserved red herrings, in tins. 33s per dozen tins (each 24 fish); white, 42s per dozen; fresh herrings, us 3d: Findoii haddocks, 103; lobsters. New Zealand. 10s 6d : Dishy chicks. 9s 6d; salmon, lib. Cocktail, 9s 6il Alaska, 7s Cd to 8s 6d; British Columbia, 8s 6d to 9s Sd : salt salmon, skl; sardines, quarters, 3s 3d to 6s 3d; halves, 6s to 9« 6d. according to brand; oysters, 8s; mullet, ss, 50 cases 4s 3d; whitebait, lis; boiled rabbit, 9s 6d; corned beef, 12s 6d ; sheep tongues, lib tins, 12s 6d to 14s, according to brand; 21b, 235.

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

The cable from Mr. J. M. Briglmm, .secretary to the Auckland Harbour Board, was discussed at a meeting of the Board on Thursday, the 12th of June. Apparently the Admiralty desire the use of about an acre and a-quarter of reclaimed land, which is part of the scheme for the equipment of Calliope Dock as a naval station, and the Board agreed to grant the '.and providing the Admiralty subsidy is sufficient to pay interest on the cost, and to extinguish the amount required to effect the reclamation, and that the right of access be retained by the Board. As the result of a meeting convened by the council of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, a sketching club lias been formed. The object of the club, as explained by -Mr. J. M. Nairn, is to encourage the understanding and love of what is best in art. This, he said, would be achieved by members submitting for criticism and discussion at monthly meetings sketches of their own on selected subjects, a vote being taken each evening to decide which sketch showed the most promise. The club was formed on these lines, to be managed by the council of the Academy, and about 50 names were handed in for membership. Any person over the age of 15 is eligible, and it is hoped to bring together artists whose business engagements prevent them attending the Technical School. The session will extend from April to November. At each meeting a short lecture will be given on the principles of art. As the Union Company's steamer Waikare was being berthed at the outer western tee of the Queen-street Wharf on 17th of June, her stern crashed into the main wharf, doing a considerable amount of damage, the piles, planking, and decking being greatly smashed, and some cargo from one of the steamers, which was on the wharf at the time, also being damaged, and the bed of the large crane somewhat broken. A large seven-inch steel wire hawser, which extended from the s.s. Niwaru to the wharf, brought the Waikare up, catching under her stern, and checking her further progress, or the damage would probably have been much greater. The Waikare got off with a couple of dents in her hull on either quarter, and the denting of a couple of her ports. The accident is said to have occurred through a misconception on board as to the orders given for going ahead, the steamer going astern instead. The accident did not interfere with the Waikare's departure for Fiji. . Eggs are very scarce and dear; in fact, cornered. lie is fond of pastry, and like a man, he said, " Try that egg powder, mother used to send me for, when I was a boy." Tucker's. SULPHOLINE SKIN LOTION. The only uffective remedy for SKIN TROUBLES. Snlpholine quickly drives awaj Eruptions, Pimples, Eczema, Acne, Blackheads, and all Disfigurements, developing a fair, spotless skin and beautiful complexion. Try Snlpholine Lotion, the English Skin Remedy. DON'T TOOK OLD. With advancing years greynt»*s increases. Slop this with LooKYKii's Suli'iiuk Hair RESTORER, which darkens to the former colour and preserves the appearance. Lock rer's, the English Hair Restorer, keeps of! ravages of time, by darkening the grey streaks, also causing growth of Hair.