COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16215, 28 April 1916, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

WHOLESALE TRADE BUSY.

ACTIVITY OF SHIPPING.

Tub short week has caused extra pressure in the wholesale houses in dealing with the orders in hand, the forward business booked this month being on a liberal scalo. Both town and country have shared in the activity, thero being a decided air of confidence, partly on account of tho strong financial position. Engagements are being well met, and traders are not afraid to operate, as a good healthy demand continues in nearly fill departments. Shipping business has been active since the holidays. Produce: Good business has been put through during the week, and, as several shipments have arrived, a large quantity has been distributed direct from ship's side. The Island steamer has taken in a fow substantial consignments. Potatoes! Tlio scarcity existing last week has been entirely removed by the arrival of several shipments from the South, but on account of the bare stocks on arrival an exceptionally large proportion sold at once, buyers taking advantage of the lower quotation ruling this week. The market in the South is fairly steady, but, as offers are now being received for delivery right up to August, whereas a week or two ago it was impossible to get long extended delivery, this may be taken as an indication that lower prices may rule before long. Onions: No change in price, either here or in the South.

Oats: Several small lots have arrived, and these have sold well, but forward business is not very active. There is no alteration in the South, but, in view of the good crop, there is a general expectation that low rates will rulo throughout the season. At present the market is kept up by the firm attitudo of fanners, the majority being content to hold.

The ; Wheat Market. Wheat: Business is reported very quiet in milling wheat. Last year there was a good deal of speculative buying when the season opened, but this year millers are more inclined to hold off. Pollard: Supplies are very small, and the market is firmer. The high price is attracting a little moro attention to ricemeal as a substitute, but the inquiry is only small compared with pollard. Chaff: Market shows a weaker tendency, and a slight reduction in price is reported from Blenheim. Small shipments are arriving from Marlborough at irregular intervals, but merchants aro afraid to operate heavily, oh account of the uncertainty of shipping facilities, and are more inclined to depend on North Island supplies. There appears to be plenty obtainable in the Waikato and more southern districts, but the price is high compared with South Island chaff, having regard to the superior condition of the lattv •.-. Barley : Tho low price for feed barley is not inducing much business.

Heavy Shipments of Maize. Maize : Unusually heavy shipments have arrived from tho coast during' the last few days, and as this had to compete with a large shipment of Java maize from Sydney, which was practically all sold to arrivo, it has been very difficult to dispose of the local article. Tho price has fallen, and consignments have been on offer at 4s 2d on the wharf in wholesale lines. Fertilisers : A cablo from Calcutta advises that it is impossible to book space for bonedust on the next steamer, but one shipment is already on the way. A higher landed cost is reported in superphosphates; Linseed: Not much is offering from tho South. Price is higher than it has been fcr years, and the prospect is not at all good for the supplies for the coming spring. Peas i Market is .-. little weaker, on account of the falling off in the Australian demand. This applies particularly to Partridge and White Ivory, but a good demand continues for Blue Prussian.

Dried Fruits: The Califomian markets aro already hardening in some varieties, although tho fruits avo hardly formed on the trees. New apricots are up 2s 6d per cwt, and this follows a slight firming tliat has been apparent for some time. New prunes have advanced 4s 3d per cwt. Chemicals: An extraordinary position has arisen in cream of tartar and tartaric acid, and according to cable]} advices from London those lines, are now unobtainable there. Fairly goojj stocks are held locally, but importers are very anxious about the future. Citric acid is also scarce and dear. Advance in Tin Plates. Tin Plates: Another advance of about Is per box has taken place. The advance has been so heavy that some local manufacturers have already been compelled to revise their price list of goods, solely on account of the extra cost of the tins. Paints and Oils: The busy season is generally over by now, but a good demand continues. Prices aro steadily advancing in nearly all lines. White lead is particularly scarce, and white zinc is unobtainable- I

Corrugated Iron: Selling very well considering the price. Tho general wholesale quotation is now £40 per ton. Fencing Wire: Both plain and barbed have sold well during the last few weeks, farmers being anxious to got in their supplies before the weather breaks, so that they can get on with the fencing during tho winter, A. AND N.Z. LAND COMPANY. INTERIM DIVIDEND. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. London, April 26. The Australian and New Zealand Land Company has declared an interim dividend of 5 per cent. WHEAT OPTIONS. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. London, April 26. Chicago May wheat options aro quoted at llli cents to 1132 cents, and July options at 112£ cents to 1144 cents. FLOUR AND BRAN. ' B* Telegraph— Association— Melbourne, April 27. Flour has been reduced 2s 6d a ton, and bran and pollard have advanced 5s a ton.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—

(Received April 27. 11.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 27.

Oats, Algerian 2s 6d to 2s Bd, Tasmanian white 2s lOd to 2s lid; barley, feeding 3s 3d, malting 3s 9d ■ maize, ,3s 10d to Is; potatoes, Tasmaniaus, £7 9s to £10; onions,'£4 10s to £5. Adelaide, April 27. Bran, ll|d; pollard, Is lid; oats, 2s to 2s Id.

JOHNSONVILLK STOCK SALE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—TOESS ASSOCIATION.!

' Wellington, Thursday.

At the Johssonvillo fat stock sale prime bullocks made £16 10s to £17; prime ewes. 26s 4d to 27s 9d; light wethers, 25s 2d to 275; lambs, 19s lid to 21s 3d.