COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13442, 21 March 1907, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Heraxd Office,

Wednesday evening. Foe the period under review 'unco last mail left general business has.been most satisfactory. The result of tho unusual weather conditions reported in our last ha?, as anticipated, had the effect of making the- rut' ing prices of our field products very high, and, the figured-out expectations of the crops taken at the end of last year have proved to lie rather above the yield. The weather effects have also impaired the fruit crops, and the local jam and preserve factories have found it necessary to advance their prices.

A notable proof of the prosperity of the colony is the need of more accommodation for transacting the growing trade and industries, and many of our leading merchants and tradespeople, have erected more spacious warehouses and business premises. In the country districts the basis of our present prosperity is undoubtedly the increased number of dairy lactones that have been erected in the last year or two, and the butter output for the Auckland province is now very near the highest in the colony. The import returns for New Zealand for the last quarter of 1906 disclose a substantial increase in the declared value of our importations. The total value, apart from specie,'shows an increase equal to over 13 per cent. This may bo attributed to the International Exhibition ami the higher prices which arc ruling for many commodities in the present day, but it must also be conceded that the spending habits of the community are far from being niggardly or parsimonious, and the importing houses generally seem quite satisfied with their turnover. . The announcement that the Oceanic Company have decided to withdraw their steamers "indefinitely has been received with regret. The withdrawal has taken place at what may bo termed the "slack" season so far as cargo is concerned, as undoubtedly the cargo to be brought down is heavier from September to January than at any other timo of the year. The new pack* of salmon and canned and dried fruit are ready for shipment, from 'Frisco in the months named, and it is to be hoped that in another six months at latest the service will be resumed. The alternative at the present time is. of course, foi goods to bo brought down via Vancouver, which will mean two transhipments, i.e., one at Vancouver and another at Sydney. A cable inthe papers a few days back hinted that the Canadian Pacific railway were considering the question of putting on steamers from Vancouver to Australasia, and if this scheme eventuates it. might not be a very difficult matter to arrange for the steamers to call at San Francisco and from that port to go right through to Suva and thence to Auckland. That a more frequent service across the Pacific is needed is proved by the fact that immediately after the earthquake in San Franciscc efforts wore made to get cargo down to New Zealand by the C. and A. lino, but these steamers were well booked up with freight weeks ahead of the advertised sailing dates. It is to be hoped that in the commercial interests of the colony a substitute will be quickly forthcoming to take the place of the Oceanic Company's boats, and the matter is one that should engage the earnest attention of the New Zealand Government. The position of the butter market, has undergone rather a serious change during the last month or two, owing to the slackening of the market at, Home. A good many buyers' who had purchased for shipment Home have consequently decided to store their purchases in Now Zealand. Everything points to a loss through holding, as the production is keeping up much later this year than usual. The Gothic took less than 25,000 boxes this month, against. 40.000 boxes which were shipped at the same time last year, whereas the larger production this season would probably have caused an increase to about 45.0C0 if the Home market had kept right. It can be assumed that the balance is being stored in New Zoalund, and the quantity already in cold store is variously estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 boxes. The particularly favourable season can safely bo reckoned to make a substantial addition to these stocks before the factories close down for the winter. It is interesting to note that a good many factories have gone in for dual plant, and they are reaping the benefit from it this year in being able to manufacture Cheese' and get, tho high rates ruling at Home. '.- ,: J' ,' ; The cheese market is keeping. very high indeed, the last shipment Home being 5769 cases, against 4320 at the same time last year. ( ;_ . '. ■. , The bacon factories are not, having a very prosperous season, as pigs have been forced up to such a high price that very little profit is left to the factories. This is especially the case in Taranaki, where, in addition to the heavy buying for Wellington factories, the freezing works are. strong competitors in the open market for shipping Home frozen pork; consequently most of tho factories are pretty well starved out, except those, co-operative companies that can be assured of supplies from shareholders. Wool: The wool sales have coino and gone for season 1906-7 as far as this colony is concerned. Contrary to our last expectations, prices were fully maintained up to the end at the last sale, at which there was practically no fine wool offered, the bulk of •the offerings being lambs' wool. It speaks volumes for the ever-increasing consumption of wool that in a season when there was practically no speculation such rates should have lasted throughout the season. Supplies never at any time were sufficient to meet the demand. It is evident that much more has been shipped Home on account of the grower this year than last, as much less lias been sold privately and less has been sold in public sale. It now only remains to be scan whether those growers who were not satisfied-with prices offered in this colony --with the further advantage of getting their money at once—will lose or benefit by shipping to the Home market. The usual weekly sales are held, small lots from back country settlers continue to arrive, for which there is uood'competition from local buyers, and realise prices equal to those obtained at.the last sale held on February 19. Hides: The hide market continues very firm. Owing to supplies not being so heavy as usual at this time of the year prices maintain the level reached some three months at Australian shippers operating freely Sheepskins Only very few come to hand at this season, but they meet with good competition. ■ " Pelts and lambskins to hand in fair numbers, ami there is a good demand at full rates from the local fellmongers.' Tallow: Prices remain firm, and all coming to hand is eagerly sought for by local soapmakers and shippers. Frozen Poultry: A shipment has been made by the s.s. Kumara of 10G4 ducklings and 84 thickens for the London market. Urn season there has been considerable delay in getting birds to Auckland for the export trade. The class of birds is evidently improving, and should tho shipment realise a good price it should give a great impetus to the export of this produce. M any poultry farmers fail to recognise the fact that good birds sent away from Auckland in time to catch the best market in London, fitLV 'm °V April - are Wy to be profitable. 1 he h«ram-i will be taking another shipment a the end of the month. (.lulled Eggs: Thin venture has proved a great success, and if sufficient offerings are obtainable a trial shipment, may be forwarded to London shortly. u sf^,k eat: » Milling—The market is very steady; stock, ) are strongly held < and extra tor Ki S lavo .-, <-*" keenly competed full'v M V 9t n , ia ! P ? C€S have advanced under ti,;- Very r little locally-grown comes under this heading. Fowl—Supplies have been on the light side, and local growers are holding for better price. This market is being supplied to some extent by Victoria! hi- r io^r V<?ry l,ttlC likp! ''0«l of values £ end itelv 1 ; a t VVry Str ° ng demand ««*« and is likely to be maintained. Maize: Local supplies are nearly exhausted: small shipments arrive each week ! from Sydney, and in the absence of prime local are promptly distributed. There " a ' svmTtf; d€n - ia , nd , aml prico has advanced in sympathy with the rise in oats. The value i tendency" th °, W . harf " 3 * 4d ' ™ th » *5 Oats: During the last month prices have firrW ISld<, , a,,ly - ,- Ho,d *" arcshowing" fill tie tl' and supplies so far do not nearly fill the demand. A few weeks back Southem merchants .started offering it 2, 9d e-i.f., Auckland. These were readily Taken 01 Uid c.l.i The Southern merchants are i finding « impossible to cover themselvet ' herewl^ 68 ' a "d aS it if "«''kely that i for h. * ~, S" ? ufficlent , oat « i'< the colony for n the next nine months to me-t the d" maud Further rises may take place. , fungus: The price is being well kept tin contrary to the usual state of things I t Is time of year supplies faeipg 3X tremely small. It is possible that settlers have been too busy repairing the damage effected by the recent floods to gather, and arrivals may be larger in the near future mm'i : i Supp,ie *,. f . tho last mo » totalled 5933 bales, equalling 871 3 tons, and tor the 20 days of this mouth 4282 bales or 778 tons.

G.F.A.Q. is still very scarce; the proper "■ tion of common.continues, in exec** of ufa it, ought to .be.; Fine weather has : now, m hope, -set in, and we look for an improvet ment in quality of outputs. There ha* beet a gradual lowering of values during the pa* two weeks. / Thin was anticipated by th*l rather weaker London position, but within the last few days the market has suffered' what may almost be termed a collapse, and the only way we can account for 1 it is' that the financial crisis in New York and London 1 ' is the cause. It i* impossible to make con. p tract* at the present, time, and spot ]tn«« are worth £29 , for f.a.q., and £31 f or g.f.a.q. , t "... .. y-.;:, Tow : there is a good local demand, and supplies not being heavy prices remain about the same. Timber has again since lan 'Frisco mail had the benefit of inclement weather, «. pertonced during the middle of February which had the effect of still increasing the supply of logs, a large quantity being brought down to the boms by the freshes The kauri timber mills have ail experienced very busy Time*, being kept going full time to cope with orders on hand and those coming in both foi export purpose* and local demand, the amount of building going on in the city and round the suburb* bemo very large. An advance of 1* per loot* is announced to take effect on April 1, The totara mills have also had a very busy time with every prospect _of a continuation of good times. The white pine mills arc kepi busy getting ready to execute orders for next season's wants, which are expected te be very extensive. KAURI GUM. The exports since last mail left read M follows: -Per Sonoma, for Han Francisco February 6: America, 1 ton; total, l ton' Per Manuka, for Sydney, February 18Europe, 2 tons: total, 2 tons. PerWim' mora, for Sydney, February 25: Europe, 20 tons: total, 20 tons. Per Tokomaru, for London, February 26: America, 97 tonshurope, 19 tons; total, lib tons, Pei In". dralerna, for London, February 27: America 41 tons; total, 41 tons. Per* Kumars, for London, March 4: America, 86 tonsKurope, 73 tons: total. 159 tons. per barque H. S. Charleotte, for Sydney, March 7: Kurope. 20 tons; total. 20 tons. Pr Kent, for London. March 8: America, HI tons; < Europe, 104 tons; total, 245 ions Per Star of Scotland, for London, March 8: America, 139 tons; Europe, 15 tons; total', 154 tons. Per Opawa (to sail): America. 76 tons; Europe, 37 tons; total, 113 tons. P«r Marore, for Sydney, March 14: America v 17 tons; total, 17 tons, Per Manuka, for Sydney, March 18: Kurope, 15 tons; total, 15 tons. Exports to America and Europe for 49 days: America, 598 tons; Europe, 305 tons; total, 903 tons. Exports to America and Kurope for February: America, 337 tons; Europe, 116 tons; total, 453 tons. Production, February: 681 tons. Statistics. Exports: January! to Feb™. ary 553, 1907—America, 94C tons; Europe 420 tons; total, 1360 tons; production, 1426 tons. 1906—America, 347 tons; Europe, 406 ton*; total, 753 tons; production, 1402 tuns 1905—America, 897 tons; Kurope, 454 tou»; total, 1351 tons: production, 1485 ton*. The barque Viking is due to load this month 'or New York.

lhe supplies for last month reached 681 and for 20 days of this month 496 tons, and are short by 125 tons comparing 20 days of March with same period of last year. Prices are strongly upheld, and supplies of most grades do not, meet requirements. This is particularly the case with bright rescraped, three-quarter scraped white, bold and rescraped blacks, and in fact the superior grades of all classes. Good all round business ha* been done, and stocks in broken' hands at the present time are extremely light. Transparent and Pale Select: There is only a, limited supply, and all lines that do not contain bush can bo quitted at satis, factory rates. '; Resorapcd ordinary is coming in a little more freely, but not sufficient to meet the demand. There is no alteration in values. Ordinary: Good hard three-quarter scrap. Ed of good colour is keen!) competed for, and commands high figures if free of chips and dust. White tints if sieved arc in good) request at slightly higher rates. There has also been a better demand for, medium grades. Tho inquiry for, hard swamp continues, and generally the market is very firm. ■ -:' / , f 1

Last Coast; There is very little, offering, and good lines- meet with steady demand at lato rates. ■-.■.. ':■-.. , ST"

Black: Although supplies aro still a trifle, abovo the average, good business has been done at the old rates. Three-quarter scraped, bold swamp and retcraped are readily quitted. Mixed lots, consisting of No. 1 and lower grades, aro the most difficult linos to place, unless offered at, a reduction. Nuts are in good request, and rough bold sugar is asked for. ~,.■■. Bush : There ■is a good demand for t* scraped. 'Good hard nut« are' wanted, and sales of mixed lines have been effected at slightly reduced rates. . ' ' Chips and Dust: All grades have received attention. Bright chins and dust; are in good inquiry.- Bled chips sell readily at old prices. Ordinary chips havo had more attention. Ordinary dust, is in short supply. During the last lew days a strong demand ! set in for black riddlings. Good black china have also been asked lor, and steady business has been done in black dust.

STOCK AND SHAREMARKET. Since pur last Summary tho local Stock Ex. change has been active, and a good volume of business has been transacted. '■:'■:, ;v Banks: Now Zcalands have been in strong demand, with sales up to £10 10s, but the market closes slightly easier, with sellers at £10 ss. Nationals sold at £5 6s 6d and £5 6s, closing with sellers at £5 Bs, and buyers at £5 4s 6d. Insurances: This class of stock has been in good request. New Zcalands sold freely at, £4 3s and £4 4s cum div. of 2s per share, and from £4 2s 6d to £4 6s 3d ex div., closing with sellers at £4 6s 3d, and buyers ai £4 ss. South Britishs cold from £5 8s to £5 5.s to £5 7s to £5 6a 6d, closing with further sellers at £5 Bs. Nationals sold from 26s to 26s 6d. Standards sold up to 22s 3d cum div., and close with further buyers at 20s M ex div.

Uoals: Not much doing in these. Hiku> rangis are wanted at lbs 6d. Northerns (10s paid up) sold at 16s 3d, and more are wanted at 16s; sellers ask 16s 6d. Taupiri* sold from 19s 6d to 20s 6d to 20s, closing with sel..?r» at 20s 6d, and buyers at 19s 9d. Drurys sold at ss, 5s 3d, and ss. Gas: Auckland* sold at £14 18s 6d, £15. and £15 Z* 6d ex div. Gisbomes sold at £2 13s 6d, £2 14s, and more arc wanted at £2 13s-6d.

Shipping: A fair inquiry for Northern Steams. Paid up sold from 17s 6d to 18a to 17s 9d, and contributing from 8s Id to 8s 3d, Deyonport Forrys sold at £1 16«. , , Timbers: Kauri Timbers have been 111 demand. Paid tips aold at 17s 6d, 17s 9d, and 18s. Contributing sold freely from 5* to 6s 6d to 6s 4d to 6s Bd. LeVland and O'Briens are offered at £26« 6d. Parker and Lambs sold at £1 5s 6d. Mountain Kimus are wanted at 20s 3d. *

Miscellaneous: Auckland Tramways have had good inquiry. Six per cent, preference shares sold freely from 22s 6d to 235. Ordinare (£lO shaes) sold from £12 6s to £12 : Bs. New Zealand Portland Cements sold tip to £2 Is 6d, but close easier, with sales at £1 I9s, and further sellers at' £1 19s 6d, and buyers £1 19s. Wilson's Cements are in demand, with buyers of preference] at 263, and of ordinary at 25s 6d. D.S.C.'s. sold at 7s 4d. 7s sd, and 7s 4d. New Zealand Paper Mills sold at 23s 9d and 245. Union Oils sold at 20s 6d.

Mining: There has been a largo turn-over in mining stocks, the leading mines receivins a Urge amount of attention.' Waihis sold freely from £8 19s to £9 4s to £9 3a cum ' div., and from £9 to £9 2s en div., closing with sellers at £9 3-!, and buyers at £9 Is 6rl. Waihi (Jrand Junctions sold from 50* to 37» M to 43s 6d. Wailii Extended* sold from 6s 4d to 7s 6d to 6s 6d to 7s 6d to \ 7s 4d. Waihi Consolidated* from Is 4d to 1* lOd to Is 6d. There has been large busines* in Talisman Consolidated* from i.l 12« 6d to £1 15s to £1 12s 3d. Crowns also sold freely from 8s to 6s to 8s 6*l to 7s 8d to B*. Komata Roofs sold from Is lOd to Is 9d. Tairua Broken Hills Fold from 2s 9d to 4» Id to 3s 5d to 4s to 3s 7<l. Champion Minei (paid up) sold from Is 6<l to 4s to,2s 6d, to | 7d, and contributing from Is to 3s to Is 6d.'' **Vaiotahis sold from 32s to 33« cum div.. and from 31s to 27s to 29s 3d to 2% 3d ex div. Waitangis sold from 4s 4d to 3s 3d. New May Queens sold from 3s*« to 3s lid to 3s 4d to 3s 6d. Maharartar* Copners (20s paid up shares) sold from *» to 12s rxl to 6s to 10s. PISTRinUTINO houses. Ar.Ks aid PORTER (duty. 2s per gallon).— (in bond): Bass' I)»ssli<-ikl brand (Read'* bottling), quarts. 9* M ; pints. 7«. Foster's Bugle, quarts, 7s od ; pints, 5* 6d. Bulldog • (Ft. Porter and Co.'* bottling), .quart*. 9*'. ■';'.. pints. in. Franz Joseph's lager, quarters, 9»; • pint*. 7s. Local (duty paid), .quart*. 8a; plots, ■ 4* 6d. Ward's (Chrtstcnurch bottling), quart*, ■'■ 9* to 10s; pint*. Is M to as. Stout (in bond): Guinness' . Dogshead brand (Read's bottling'),, quarts, 9s 6d ; pints, 7s. Foster's Busrte, quart*. 7s 6d; pints, 5» M. Bulldog (E. Porter anil Co.'s bottling), quarts, 9s; pint*, 7«. Jointson's, quarts. £- 6.1 ; pints, 6a 6d. Aahbr'a, ; 6» 3d to 8s 9d. Anglo-Bavarian, quarts. 8s ML; pints. 5s 6d. Local (duty paid), quarts,' g«? ' pints. 4s (id; Crown ale. quarts, 8s 6d; pints. ; 4s 6d. ' .;. ,|v Buildixg Kstbrials Portland cement, 12j M Slates: English Countesses are worth £13 t'» £13. Plaster of fail*. 14s to lis. All these quotation* nominal'. Firebricks, iJiin, £?; Jm, . £9; lea* trade discount. Booting tiles, £13 10* .

BMADSTVP's and Grais—Beat roller ' flour, in - sacks, £9 15s to £10 15s, less usual ;. dis- - count*; 100's, 1 &o's, and • 25's, in proportion to ■ extra baggings. Milling wheat, 3s 5d to > 6<i ' f.o.b. i Southern ports, according to quality, '■I sacks extra.' Fowl wheat, ex store, 3s 7d to 3s Brl, sacks in. - Bran, ,£4 15a , ex store. Sharps, £5 6s. Maize, ex wharf. 3s 40. Oatmeal, 25' i, £16; 7's, £17 10s; local 25's, £16, lew discount Barley— malting, 4a 6d to 5a 3d: reed, 3* 4d. Oats, on wharf, 3s to 3s Id. Pearl barley, £15. Split peas, £16. i Cabin bread, £17 per ton. Settlers' bread, £19, Potatoes, £6. Onions, £5. Bags and Bagging,— Calcutta full-weight woolSacks. 1111b, 2s 5d to 2s 7d. Cornsacks, 48in, i; 44in, 8s; Hessian bags, 3s to 4s 6d. Ooai>.—Newcastle, ship's side,- 24s 6d ; delivered. £1 12s; Hikurangi Coal Co., 8s 6d f.o.b. Whatfgarej. Tauptrl Steam, at mine, 9s 6d; do., household, delivered, £1 7s. Northern Coal Co. '■ coal, f.o.b. at Whangarei, 8s 6d. Cohdage.— Manila rope, Auckland-made, best, £72; second, £68. Europe rope, £64. New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £40: flax clotheslines, per lb, sd; twine, shop, d.p.. per lib, lOd to Is 2d; sewing twine, lid to Is 2d per lb; plough lines, 8d to 9d. COFFKK and Spices, per lb.—Ceylon coffee, plantation. No. 0, Is 7d; No. 1, Is 6d ; No. 2, Is sd; No. 3, Is 4d;Moclm, Is 7d; ditto. Island. Is 2d; chicory, ground, 6d; Symington's essence of coffee, 12s 6d ; Camp essence of coffee, 12s; local, 9s to 10s Cocoa: Fry's. Is 3Jd ; Van llouten's, 3» 2Jd ; Babia, 2s 6d ; Cadbury'a, ilb 9* fid. Jib 18s fid, lib 36s fid ; Howntre'e's, 3s 3d. Chocolate: Fry's, Is 3d. Spices: (.'loves. Is 2d; bleached ginger. lOd; nutmegs, Is 4d; cinnamon, 2* 3d; black pepper, whole, lid; white do., Is l£d! do., ground. Is 2d; cayenne, Is 6d; chillies, Is; mace, 2s 9d. Cosfectiosery.— Local, boiled, Zi<l; dry pood?, 4d, lees trade, discount', gum Jujubes, lOd to Is; Jelly do., 7;d; Keiller's assorted -rmifcctions, 7lld: Cray's, Bd. Candied peel: Local, Jemon, 4Jd to Sii; orange, sjd: citron, Is. Keiller's fruit jujubes, Is 4d ; local, 7J<l ; Hb chocolate creams, 4* 6d ; cream sticks. Is 3d chocolate sticks, Is Ed. iKONMusuEnv.— Galvanised corrugated iron, ' basis, £21 10s. English bar Iron, per ton, £11 10s basis: galvanised fencing wire, 6 to 8 gauge, £12; English barb wire, £16; American, £14 10s; English pig iron, £5; pig lead, £22; sheet lead. £27; zinc. £42; I.C. coke (imitates, 20in by Kin. 17s; blasting powder, Bid; liiiint/. metal bars. Is Id; sheets, §d; quicksilver, 2* 6<l. Jams, Dried Fauns, Etc. (duty paid).— Currant* and raisins, Id: all other dried fruits, 2d; jams and marmalade, 2d. Moir's marmalade, lib, 7s; Keiller's marmalade, lib. 7s 9d. Phoenix and St. George, Dunectiu, Ms 6d; Nelson (New 'Zealand), Cs 9d ; Auckland-made, lib tins, ss: lib glass, 6s 6d. Jam: English. 7s 6(1; local, 3s fid to 4s fid. Smyrna sultanas. 4d; American muscatels, in trays, M to Is; loose, td; currants, halt-cases, 4d ; Csllfornian prunes, sjd ; dried apples, 6id; peaches, 9d; pears, 9Jd ; apricots. Is Id: seeded raisins, lib packets, 7d. Leather, HIDES, Etc Sole leather, lljd to Is fid per lb; kips. Is Ed to la ad; wax, split, Is Id to Is 3d; white lace, 16s per side: oiled lace, 19s; black harness, Is 3d to Is fid; brown harness, Is Ed: calf, colonial, 2s 9d; basils, 18s to 3f»B dozen skirt, 22s to 24s per side. Hides : Ox, extra stout, 7,td to 8d : stout. bid to 7Jd ; • medium. Tid to 6'd ; cow, 4Jd to Sad: calf, 6d to bid. Butchers' pelts. 2s 3d to 2s 6d : lambs, $ 29'.-2d to 2s lOd each. Tallow: Best mixed. 22s to Ma 9d; good, 20s to 20s 6(1; seconds, 17s to 19s 3d. MASUKE3.— bonedust. £7 ss. Calcutta steamed bonedust, £7; Auckland, £8; superphosphate, £4 10s ; boncttoiir, £8; oocoanut oil cake, £7: kainit, £4 2s fid ; New Zealand Drug Company's manures : A superphosphate, £4 15a per ton; bonedtut, steamed, £7; bonedust, green, £7 15s; bonedust and blood, £6 17s 6d ; root manure, £7; grass manure, £6 17s 6d; potato manure, £6 15s; tut nip manure, £6 15a', corn manure, £6 lbs: maize manure, £7; orchard, immure, £7 10s; onion manure. £7 10s; clover manure, £6 ss; BUlph. ot ammonia, £17; guano, £4 to £5 7s 6d. Malt and Hopb.—Colonial, 6s to 7s. Hops: • Nelson, brewers', 2s; grocers' hops, packets, '.'la 4d. . Oilmen's Stores, Etc.—Price's National, 6d; Price's self-fitting, 7id; Price's carriage, 7J,d *, local sperm, 5d to sid ; wax, f>.,d to oid ; mining, 7d; Burmnh candles, Local blue mottled soap, £27 per ton; carbolic, £30; best yellow, £29; Hydroleiue, £28; Apollo, £42 10s; Peerless, £24 to £28 ; National, £24 to £26; double Crown, £22; Golden Crown, £13: household, £15 to £16; soft soap, in tins, 6d per lb; toilet, 7d per lb; Barilla, 7d (all subject to trade discount). • Salt: Black Horse, tine £3 108. coarse £3 ss; other brands, tine £3, coarse £2 15s; rock salt, £4; Jordan almonds, 2a 6d; blacking paste, 3» 3d; Colniau starch,; No. 1 (duty, 2d ■ per lb), white 465, lib pictorial 545; local, . in papers or packets, 345. Mustard, d.p.: Colman's, lib tina (DSF) 17s 6d, half ditto 9s, lib tins 6»; Column's 71b. tins (green), Hid. Blue: Reckitt'e circular, 7s 6d per gross; bag, 8i 3d; Colman'a azure, BJd per lb; lleokitt's ■quare, Bid. i Blacklead : Nixey's, 6s to 7« 3d; J Reckitt's, 7s; Zebra paste, in tina, 3s; Nixey's, . 3s. Matches: Vestas, R. Bell and Co.'a, 250's, -16s 6d; plaids, 3a 6d; trays, 9s. Oil: Cas'tor, in pints, 7s; half.pints, 4s. Salad, C. and 8., quarts, 26a; pints, 15a; half-pints, 8s 6d. Morton's, pints, 8s 6d; half-pints, 5». Local, pinta, 7s •6d ; half-pints, 4s. Pickles: Crosse. mud Brackwell's, pints, 17s. fid; Gillard's, 17s 6d; Capt. White's, 14» 6d to 245; Morton's, 13e: Whittome, Stevenson's, 7« 6d: Flag brand, •fc; 5 cases 7a 6d. Rice: No. 1, Polished Japan. *17; do., ground, 2d; Rangoon, £11. Sauca: Lea and Perrin's, half-pints, 13a 6d; Junes, 255. GilUrd's, half-pints. 7s 6d. Melor's, half-pints. 7s 6d; pinto, 14s- Holbrook's, quaxter-pirrta, 7a; half-pints, lis; pints, 225. Ooodall'a Yorkshire Relish, 7s. Vinegar, d.p.: , Champion's, per gallon, 2s 3d; Burnett's, 2«; Daaaaux Fill, la 9d; local, lOd to Is 3d. 1 Vinegar: Caae-C. and 8., Chamj)ion,-. Bs. Id-.Morton's, 8a 6d; Morton's crystal, 9s 6d; local, 4t to sa; Hill and Underwood's bulk. Is 10d; case, 7s. Sir Robert Burnett's, in case, 7« 6d dot. ; bulk, 2s gallou. Tapioca: Flake. 255; pearl, 24a. Sago. £24. Cornflour: Maize, 3d d.p.; Clement's, 3d; Brown and Poison's, stent, 6|d.; Indian, 5Jd. Preserved milk: Neatle's, 6s 6d ; Milkmaid, 6s 6d: local brands, (m. Tartaric acid : In jars, Is sd; in kegs, la 3d. Cream of tartar: In jars, la 2d; in kegs, lfMd.' Bi-carb. aoda, lis 6d; local soda crystals, £S ss; whiting, £5. Oils asd Paints Colza: In drums, 4s 6d; bulk, 4s. Linseed : Boiled, drums, 3s 6d ; bulk, 3s 4d ; raw, drums, 3s sd; bulk, 3s 2d. Castor: In drums, 3s 9d; half-cases, 3s lid. Kerosene, 150 test, gallon, lOJd. Genuine white lead, ground, par cwt 561b, 355; red lead, dry, 325; white zinc, 45a. , Turps, 4a 9d; resin, £6 15s to £9, according to grade. Varnish : Oak, 8s 6d to lis ; copal, 12a 6d to 25«. Benzine, Is 2d; naphtha. Is 3d; gasoline, 2s 9d. Quotations regulated by quantities and qualities. Provisions.—: Factory, 7d; dairy, 6]d. Good keg butter, lOd; second quality, 9d ;' milled. Is; factory, Is. Eggs, lid. Bacon, sides only, 7Ad ; hams only, 7Jd to Bd. Fish (duty, 10s per cwt): Ling, 6id; boneless cod, 7d; preserved red herrings, 33» per dozen tins (eaou 24 fish); preserved salt, herrings, 42s per doaen tins (each 24 flab), 24s per dozen each of 12 fish ; kippered herrings, 7s fid ; herrings in sauce, 7s 6d to 9a 6d ; fresh herrings, 6a; Findon haddocks, 10s; lobsters. New Zealand, 10s 6d; American, 12s to 18s. Digby chicka, 9a 6d; salmon, lib Cocktail, lis 6d; Alaska. 8s 6d: British Columbia, 9s 6d to 10s; pink salmon, 7s 6d; sardines, quarters 3s to 7s, hakes 5a 6d to lis, according to brand; oysters, 8s; muUet, 4s 9d to ss; boiled rabbit, 9» 6d; corned beef, lis; sheep tongues, lib tins 109 fid to 13s, 21b 225. BUGAB (duty, id per lb).—Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland refinery, d.p., No. 1, £19 15s; NoT 2. £19 5»; No. 3, £18 oa; cubes, £22 6s. Treacle, bulk, 12s 6d; golden syrup, bulk, 16s; molassee, in quantities not less than half a ton, duty remitted by Customs, £4 10a; in drums, 5a cwt. Spirits (in bond), duty 16s per gallon of proof spirits, in bulk or case— Brandy: Rouyer, Go-nil-lot end Co., 255; Oilbey's Universal brandy, flasks 28s, half-flasks 30s; Hehnasay's, One Star 375, Three Star 51s; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co.'s, pale, in hhds-, 7s; quartet-casks, 7s 6d ; octaves, 8s 6d ; case, 255. Boomerang, quartercasks, 7s; octaves, 7s 6d ; case, 225, Chateau-Tannnda. case, 225. Whisky, bulk: Walker's WW, 8s 6d ; Usher's SR, 9s 6d ; Usher's 0.V.G.. 7s 9d ; D.C.L., old 5s 6d ; very old 8a 6d; VOS, 10s 6d; case, Old Scotch, IBs; verv old, 225; VOB, 26*; Gaelic, 225; Buchanan's House of Commons, 225; Robertson's Three liqueur, 325; Oilbey's Viceroy (Irish), 20«; .Tamieson's (Irish), one star 2Ss, three star 325; Teacher's, 255; Walker's WW, 225; Usher's SR, 225; Usher's OVO, 20s; Usher's OVG, flasks 28s, half-flasks 355; White Horse, 225; Braemar, 18s; Bobs, 20s; LL, 22s 6d to 235; Canibus, 16s; Gordon's, 15s; Dewar's, 21s; Haig and Haig, 225; Geneva, proof four gallons, JDKZ, 50 botles, 18a 6d ; under proof, 17s. Schnapps: WolkVs, quarts 245, pints 25s 6d; Royal Club, 18s per case (quarts); Oilbey's Silverstream, ,18a; Gilbey's dry gin, 14s; Distillers' Company's. 14s; Burnetts Old Tom, 14s: Gilbey's Old Tom, 13s. Lowndes rum, 30 0.p., 4s 9d in hhds., 6s in quartercasks, -5s 3d in octaves; Key, 22s per ease; Gilbey's Governor-General rum, 20s per caw. Champagne, d.p.: Pommery, quart 120?, pint 1255; Hcidseck, quart 1255, pint 130s: Australian wines, 335; New Zealand wines, 255. Goulet champagne, quarts, 120s; pints, 1255. Timber.— Ordinary building timber, undressed, 100 ft, first-class 17s 6d, medium 14s, secondclass 10s 6d; flitches, all heart, 16s 6d : flooring boards, dressed p.t.g., nrst-class 19a 6d, medium 16s, second-class 12s 6d ; limngboards, p.t.g., headed or V-Jointed, first-class 19s, medium 15s 6d, second-class 12s; rusticated weatherboarding, lirst-clasa 19s 6d, medium 16s, second-elae* 12s 6d ; boat boards, planed two aides, gin 18s 6d, Jin 18s fid. For widths over 12in, 6d extra per inch per lOOtt is charged, and for lengths over 24ft extra prices are charged. Logs, 5s to 7s, according to girth. Tobacco (dutv, 3r Ruby, aromatic, 2« 6d to 2a 7d; Victory, Is lid to M 3d; Juno, 10 cases Is 4d, single case Is sd, box Is 6d: Ascot, Is fid; Derby, 10 cases la 7d, single case is Bd, box Is 9d: Havelock, case Is fid, box Is lOd ; Venus, Is 6d; Golden Eagle, red 2s 4d. yellow 2» Id; Welcome Nugget. 2s 7<l; black twist, 26 to lib, Is Id; Golden Eagle, 2oz tins, 3s 3d; Wills' Capstan, full and medium, 4oz tins 3s, loz and 2oz tins 3s 3d, mild 3d more; Melrose cigarette tobacco. 2oz packets, 3» 6d; Old .Tudgo ditto. 4s 3d; rough rut, 5H> tins, dark 2« 3d, aromatic 2s 3d ; Golden Long Cut, loz and 2oz, 3a 3d d.p.; llavelock, dark and Aromatic, 2o» 3s 3d, 2oz mixture 3s 6d, 4oz mixture 3s 3d. A man named Burke fell from the Paeroa to Frankton train on March 18, but, fortunately, escaped injury. It uppears that Burke was one of the passengers travelling on the trucks, doing service for carriages, when the door swung open, and lie fell out. The train was then it) the vicinity of Motuiitaoho. There was some delav in communicating with the guard, during which time the train went a considerable distance. The train ' then ran back a mile, but nothing was seen 'of the man. and the train continued on its journey. Burke subsequently reported himself. Ho hud, after falling, immediately started to walk back to Morrinsvillew .-, •-. ■ .. >-.v. : ;