COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13054, 20 December 1905, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Heuald Office, Tuesday evening. The sharemarket was active to-day. In investment lines South British Insurances were done at £5 7s 6d and £5 Bs, and closed with demand at £5 6s, sellers asking £5 9s, New Zealand and River Plates changed hands at 28s 3d, and more were, wanted at the ; -' price, late sellers 23s 6d. In mining stocks Waiotahis had sales at £5 13s 6d ; late sellers demanded £6, and buyers offered £5 17s 9d. Talismans were dealt in from 25s 6d to 25s Id, and further parcels could have been placed at 25s Id, late sellers holding for 25s 4d. Kuranui-Caledonians sold at Is 9d; late sellers Is lid, buyers Is Bd. New May Queens were at Monday's rates, with sales from 5s lid to 6s to 5s 10c!; late sellers 5s lOd. buyers 5s 9d. New Moanataiaris improved, and were done at Is lid and :2s; late sellers 2s, buyers Is lid. New Monowais sold at. 6^d: late sellers 7d, buyers 6d. New Saxons sold at 9ii; Into sellers 9gd, buyers 9d. Victorias had sales at 2s; late sellers 2s Id, buvers Is lid. Aucklands had buyers at 2s 3d, and more were available at the price, hue buyers 2s 2d. Golden Bells (paid up) sold at ss, and contributing shares in the same company at 2s 4d. Paid up shares closed with sellers at 5s Id, and buyers at 3s. and contributing shares with sellers at 2s sd, and buyers at 2s 3d. Pride of Waihis were firmer, with business at Is 7s, Is 6cl, and Is sd; lata sellers Is sd. buyers Is 4d. Tairua Broken Hills sold at 3s 3d; laic sellers 3s 3d, buyers 3s Id. There was further improvement in Wathi Extendeds, and free sales from 10s 3d to 19s 5d to -9s Bd. Late sellers quoted 9s 9d, and buyers offered 9s 7d. General business is still on 0. brisk scale, with activity in all department's. The chief interest for. the rest of the week will centre in the retail, as the- wholesale trade is practically, over until after Christmas. The Karamea has brought another large shipment from the west of Euglaud ports, and the next large- shipment to arrive is by the Kaikoura, due on Sunday from London with general merchandise. The maize market is quiet, the only arrivals since last report being the Mangapapa with SO sacks, and' the Waiotahi with about 200. Even for this insignificant quantity there was not a keen demand, all stocks being fully supplied from the recent'heavy arrivals, and merchants report business rather quiet at present. There is no ehauge. in price since last week.

Local potatoes are offering a little'more freely this week. Samples vary somewhat, but, on the whole, they must bo classed as good, most of the surrounding districts sending in their new potatoes free from blight, Reports on/the blight, are very conflicting, but there- can be no doubt that the recent fine weather has cheeked the blight considerably, although in tho South a. good many districts are still suffering. Up-to-Dates seem to have withstood the blight best, and these are arriving in fine condition, being worth 16s, poor samples of the various varieties being sold according to quality. It is probable that, new potatoes will-be offering from Australia before long. The American potatoes arriving are hardly of the best variety that could be selected, but they arc in splendid condition, and meeting a ready sale at 12s to 13s. It is reported that the next mail steamer has a much smaller shipment than last. r There is no alteration in oats. An order /is expected in the South for Africa, and if ' this comes off the market will advance, but in the meantime the price is steady The wheat market is very firm, milling samples being well held. Stocks are light, and old grain will be in demand for millers for a good while after the new is harvested. •-■'' Fowl wheat is selling well at 3s Sd to 3s 9d ex store. ■ " . Bran is in rather poor demand, and market; is lower. Pollard is selling well at late rates. ./Turnip seed is selling well, also the various manures. There is a better demand /for superphosphates, experience showing that this fertiliser is more suitable for a good many classes of soils. Onions are much lower, the heavy arrivals from Melbourne and Sydney having brought the market down. It is difficult to see how . consignments can pay at the present prices, so that shipments are not likely to continue on a heavy scale; but in the meantime a largo quantity are stored here, and are offering at low prices. About 7s 6d ex store may be quoted as the riding value. : Really prime Canterbury chaff is scarce, and commands £1 lis €-x store, but there are a good many inferior samples of Southern which have arrived and -have gone into store. This week marks tho first offer of local chaff for delivery in about throe weeks, as it is intended to cut direct from stock. It is reported all, round that. oats are looking splendid, so that this district should have enough during the year without importing. A little rust has appeared in some of the white varieties, but as a rule the Algerians seem to be free. The metal markets are very strong at Home, fully corresponding with the great activity prevailing in America. Pig iron has been fairly active, and though there have been some fluctuations in prices, yet values are steadily advancing. There is a large demand for Scotch and Cleveland iron, while the great activity in the steel trade causes a large inquiry' for hematite pigs. Consumers are covering iheir prospective requirements,, but find producers disinclined to book for deferred delivery. The upward tendency in values of manufactured iron has called out a considerable volume of orders, affording full employment to the various makers. Prices are steadily advancing, and may likely go higher. The demand for sheets continues very active. There is.now a much larger Home inquiry, 60 that galvanism's' specifications for export ' markets aro proving less attractive. The demand for various classes of steel con- , tinues on a large scale, and fully equals the productive capacity of the various mills. The shipbuilding industry is very active, and a good extent of other constructive work is being given out. Tho great American demand has considerably curtailed suppliers from tho United States. British and Continental producers are now experiencing a largo inquiry, and prices are much firmer. Altogether, , this industry is in a very satisfactory position, and unless matters are unduly rushed it is likely to continue bo for some time to come.

Operators in copper are now less disposed to discount market prices even for deferred delivery, as tho largo tonnage going into consumption is reducing stocks, and is calling out a fair extent of buying. There have' been some fluctuations in _ price, due to tho political position in Russia, but the market has recovered most of what it has lost, and there is a. strong undercurrent. The American demand continues to expand, and the. large producing companies arcs well sold forward. t ' . Business in tin has been somewhat quiet, but values are well maintained. It is understood that the stocks in producers' and consumers' hands are. very light, and that the latter must soon come into the market as buyers. Eastern smelters being well sold forward are firm at their quotations, which meanwhile are above the parity of the London market. Owing to the advance in price of steel bars and of raw materials generally makers of tinplates have appreciably advanced their quotations. Even at the advance producers aro restricting their engagements, as tinplates may soon he at higher levels of value. On the other hand consumers and merchants want to cover up their requirements, but can only arrange, this at full prices.. Wire nails are now held for better prices here, the latest advices showing a much higher landed cost. The Wellington factory L sending up small supplies'of matches, not sufficient for the demand.

NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE - AGENCY COMPANY'S Ltd., REPORT. Horses: At the Durham Yards on':Friday we ' had a very large yarding of horse*, and prices for useful sort:) were good. Heavy draughts told at from £25 ;w to £38; medium do., £18 10s to . £31- hacks and light . harness, £3 .53 to £20; ■ weeds, £1 las to £6 ss; spring-cart, £12 los ; tax cut, £8 l£s. At the Woiuku Yfirdfi on Saturday there was a •■.; good muster of stock of all descriptions. Com- ■:. petition was keen. Dairy cows sold at from £3 to £3 In fid: empty do., £1 15s to £3 7s 6rl; crown vit'.M s £5 b« to £6 7s; calves, Ids to £1 lis; beef Newmarket rates; bay mare, £13; ... stilkv, £3 IDs-, sulky, £8. At the ■ cli-ariiif sale of dairy stock held on " account of Mr.. Thomas llayr cows in milk.so : at-from £4 10s to £7 10s; backward do., £-. to i\ £(i lfts. '■-"-' Cattle: At the Newmarket Yards on Tuesday :''■;'■ we had a full vyrdhig of dairy and store stock. Dane cows sold"at from £3 10s to £5 L's: empty : do., '£1 18s to £3 2s; calves, 17s to £1 18s. Leer ..■■■•was voided in full numbers, and met a steady competition, at advanced rates. Ox beef advanced in prices, and sold up to 23s per. 100, cow, 17s -to 20«. Steers sold at, from £6 to i.lO ; :! 10s; cows, £4 to £7 2s 6d. Bidding for oxen was brisk but cows showed no improvement. A ■' draft of 20 steers from F. W. Manning, l'aparata, averaged £9 17s. . Sheep were varded at the Newmarket Yards on :ii Tuesday in average numbers, and advanced in prices. Wethers'sold at from 15s Sd to £1 2s '' fad: ewes, 13s to 19s. Lambs, in full supply, sold well, well-fatted at from 10s 9d to 17s 9d, other :*: sorts 3-3 to 9s 9d. " I'is*: Porkers sold at from 19s 9d to £1 17s td; bacoiiurs. £2 ,3 To £3 Is; weaners, os .6d ;.-.,:'t0.T93 9d. At PuktkoliP on 'Wednesday there was an ex- ■' ceptionallv large urn hr, compel being good. Dairy cows sold at frAiu £3 15s to £8 10s; empty do.. £1 15s to £3 13&; grown steers, £5 os to ."\,....',. ■■ ■

£6 10s; two to three-year-old steers, £2 15s to £4 10s; calves, 17s to £1 14s; beef, at Newmarket rates. . We submitted a large catalogue of hides, skins, etc., on Tuesday, all lines being sold under good competition. Hides: Prime ox, Bid to BJd; extra stout do., 7|<d to 8d; stout do., 6§d to 7|d; medium do., 5Jd to 6|d ; light do., 4|d to sd; cow, best lines Bid to sjd, good 43d to 5Jd ; stags', 3id to 3Jd; laps, 4Jd to SAd ; calfskins, Sid to 6jd ; damaged hides, 3J,d to 4d. Sheepskins: Market easier. Best skins, 4s 9d to 7s fid; good, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; pelts, Is 9d to 2s sd; lambs', 2s to 2s 10d. Hones, £4 15s. Cowtails, Is 6d down '.'••"' Horsehair, Is Id to Is 3d. Tallow': Best mixed, in shipment casks, 23s 6d to 24s 3d; broken casks and packages, 22s 3d to 23s 3d: seconds, 17s to 19s 6d; rough fat, lid to lid per lb. Maize : Supplies short and price firm at 3s 7d on wharf. Oats: In good demand at 2s 7d ex store. Chaff: Slow of sale at £4 15s to £5. Potatoes: .Americans selling at £14. Butter: Choicest separator, 9d- to Old; fair, B,',d to BJd. Cheese: Factory. 40's, ; loaf. -6'd. Our next sale will be held 011 January 4, 1906.

AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. The following are Tuesday's closing prices, the business done being:—South British Insurance, £!) 7s od. £5 its; New Zealand and River Plate, 28s 3d; Wniolalii. £5 18s 6d: Talisman Consolidated, 25s od, ?.5s 3d. 25s Id: Kuranui-Caledonian, Is 9d, Is Od : New Mav Queen, 5s lid, 5s lid, 6s, 6s, 5s lid. f,.-5 lOd ; New Moanataiari, Is lid, 23, Is lid, 2s; New Monowai, 6id; New Saxon, 9d ; Victoria, 2s: Auckland, 2s 3d; Golden Kelt (paid up). 3s; Golden Belt (contributing), ■ iJs 4d ; Pride of Waihi, Is 7d. is 7d, is bd. Is 5d : Tairua Broken Hills. 33 3d; Waihi Extended. 10s 3d, Ids 4d, 10s 2d, 10s Id. 10s sd. 9s 9d. 9s lOd, 9s 9d, 9s lOd, 9s 9d, 9s Sd, 9s 9d, 9s Bd. Sellers. Buyers. £ B. d. £ 8. d. BANKS— Now Zealand — 7 5 0 National 6 0 0 5 15 0 INSURANCE— New Zealand 5 14 0 5 11 0 National ; 1 4 6 13 9, South British 5 9 0 5 6 0 Standard 0 IS 6 — FINANCIAL— N.Z. and River Plate ... 1 S 6 18 3 COALllikurangi — 0 14 6 Kort. Coal, Ltd.. 10s paid 0 12 0 — Nort. Coal, Ltd., 7s 6d paid Ogll 9 _ GASAuckland. 14 12 6 14 5 0 Palmerston North — 5 0 0 SHIPPING- * . Northern Steam, paid up 0 17 0 0 16 9 Northern Steam, con. ... 0 8 6 0 8 2 Devonport Steam Ferry ... 1 17 0 1 16 3 TIMBER— ■ Kauri, contributing: ... 0 5 6 0 3 2 Leyland-OThicn, Ltd. ...2 4 0 — Barker-Lamb.. Ltd. .. — 14 6 MISCELLANEOUS— Auckland Tramways Co. 11 5 0 — D.8.C., Limited ." ... 0 8 6 0 8 0 Milne and Choice, prof. 12 6 — New Kealand Drug, £2 ... 2 7 0 2 5 0 N.Z. Portland Cement Co. 1 11 6 111 0 'J'onsoa Garliek, Ltd. ... 0 19 0 — Union Oil — 10 6 Wilson and Co., pref. ... 019 0 017 6 MININCi-Kuranui-Caledonian, paid 0 1 11 0 13 Kuramii-Caledonian 'rights' 0 0 3 — .May Queen Extended ... — 0 0 3', New Dart ... ... 0 0 3..- — New Slav Queen 0 5 10*" 0 5 9 New Moanataian 0 2 0 0 1 11 Mew Monowai 0 0 7 0 0 6 Ncx Saxon 0 0 91 0 0 9 New Svlvia ... ...0 0 6* 0 0 4 . Old Alburnia 0 19 0 17 Victoria ...- 0 2 1 0 1 11 Waiotahi ... 6 0 0 5 17 9 Auckland 0 2 3 0 22 Crown . ... ... ... 0 6 0 0 5 6 Golden Belt,, paid up ... 0 3 1 0 3 0 Golden Belt, contributing 0 2 5 0 2 3 Kirikiri 0 0 5 — Komata Reefs 0 22 0 2 0 Bride of Waihi ... ... 0 15 0 14 Rising Sun — .005 Tairua Broken Hills ... 0 3 3 0 3 1 Talisman Consolidated ... 1 5 4 15 1 Waihi ... 7 0 0 6 18 0 Waihi Beach 0 12 0 10 Waihi Consolidated ... 0 22 0 2 0 Waihi Extended 0 9 9 0 9 7 Waihi Grand Junction ... — 3 13 0 Waihi Standard 0 0 7 — Bunker's Hill .. ... — 0 0 5 Hauraki Freehold 0 0 5 . — Old Hauraki, paid up ... 0 0 10 0 0 6 Sunbeam Gold and Silver, Limited ... ... ... 0 10 0 0 91 H. P. HtTDI.ES to s, Secretary. G. A. Buttle, Chairman. 3.15 p.m., December 19. 1905. CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST. Dividends. Due. Mount Lycll Mining and Railway 0 13 Now Kauri Timber ... ... ... — NowNational Bank of New Zealand 10 p.c. Jan. 3 Calls. "=- Moanataiari Extended, Nov.' 10 0 0 1 Now Kuranui G.M. Co., November 14 0 0 1 Now Vanguard. November 30 ... 0 0 2 Dec. 23 Waihi Consols, December 14 ... 0 0 OJ. Jan. 15 New Four-in-Hand, December 11 0 0 1 Jan. 4