COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16590, 13 July 1917, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

BUSINESS REMAINS QUIET.

PRODUCE LITTLE CHANGED.*

Business continues rather quiet, with very few features of startling interest beyond continual additions to the list of imported goods unobtainable or advanced in price. So far the principal inconvenience is being- experienced in the shortage of iron and steel, and numerous lines in general hardware, but the recent decision ot the Imperial authorities to drastically conserve the food supply, by prohibiting export is already beginning to be felt here. New Zealand is one of the last places in the world to be seriously affected by any shortage of imported foodstuffs, as substitutes of a kind can generally be obtained in ample quantity, either locally or from America and the East, but the shortage of infants' foods will probably cause trouble.

Produce: The markets show very few changes, and business on the whole is quiet , 0 *? 4063: Stocks are now much lower, but the next two steamers have larger supplies, and these will arrive to a good market. Price is unchanged at £7 5s ex store, and the market does not appear any weaker to arrive, although Southern shippers seem more inclined to quote. . Seed Potatoes: There is no improvement in the demand, the severe weather making planting almost impossible. Onions: Market has fallen, on account of larger supplies of Australian onions having arrived, via Wellington, and the quotation « now 16s ex store. Large quantities afre offering m Australia, but the scarcity of shipping is likely to keep the local supplies moderate throughout the season. Oats: At present there are ample supplies available _ locally, due to the exceptional opportunities for getting large shipments from Australia, but for the future it seems that shipments wiil be limited to seed oats. and very little more feed oats will be brought over. The scarcity of direct freight 13 very inconvenient, and Auckland merchants hold bills of lading dated in Melbourne as long ago as May 31, for oats that are still somewhere on the coast of the South Island. A larger proportion will probably bo drawn from the South for the future, but very few are offering just now. Quotation remains at 4s lOd ex store, with an easier feeling in the South. Seed Oats: Very few are selling at present, but the big demand is expected next month. Bran: Market is rather bare of supplies. Poilard: _ Merchants are refusing orders, as it is impossible to get sufficient supplies, either locally or in the South. Chaff: The market is much better supplied, as two steamers have arrived from Picton. Besides this ' fair quantities are now arriving from Canterbury each week. Good quality is in keen demand, and is selling at £10 10s ex store. The bad weather is Preventing any local coming in. Maize: Old maize is rather scarce at the moment, but a shipment is expected from Gisborne before long, and when the weather inrnroves it is expected that larger supplies will be coming from the Bay of Plenty. Most of this will be new grain. Fertilisers: More inquiries are now beginning to come in. as large quantities will be required for oats and potatoes. Bonedust is scarce and basic slag is unobtainable, but a shipment of phosnhato has relieved the position somewhat. This line met a particularly good market, and most of it was sold on arrival for immediate' delivery. Hams and Bacon: From present indications it looks as if hams are going to be scarce during the coming season. Tea.: The market is receiving considerable attention on account of the recent advance ; in Ceylon, and the possibility of local suppl«"» running short. Flax: H>».avy supplies are in store m Auckland, br* an occasional shipment is sent away. The market is very firm, and buyers are now giving £52 for good fair. BUTTER AND EGGS. The Dairy Produce Committee has fixed the wholesale prices of butter and eggs for the week ending July 19, as follows: —Farmers' butter, first grade, lid per lb; fresh eggs, Is 6d per dozen. PROPERTY SALES. Acting under instructions from the registrar of the Supreme Court, at the request of the second mortgagee. Smith and Haloombe will offer for gale, at two o'clock to-day, a city freehold, 36 and 33 Grey Street, Auckland, comprising frontage of about 55ft, together with two dwellings, having also a. frontage to a right-of-way known as Neal's Avenue of 125 links; both houses are leased. Full details are advertised. Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons, Ltd.. will offer by auction, at their rooms, at 2 p.m., to-day. at the request ot the mortgagee, under conduct of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, a four-roomed cottage, on a section fronting Avon Street. Parnell. Messrs.? T. Mandeno Jackson will offer for sale by public auction,- at their rooms. Customs Street East, at 11 a.m. to-day, by order of the first mortgagee, a handy dairy farm of 160 acres, one mile and a-half from Patumahoe, together with five-roomed house and all outbuildings. LONDON MARKETS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 11, TALLOW. There was a brisk demand at the tallow sales. Thers were offeied 1172 casks, and 1112 were sold. Mutton, fine, 60s; medium, 5Ss 6d. Beef, fine, 64s 6d; medium, 58s. CHEESE. The first distribution of colonial cheese will be made to-morrow. Applicants will obtain 50 per cent, of the amount they asked for. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 12. Oats: Algerian feeding, 2s 6a to 2s 8d: milling. 2s 9d to 23 lOd; Tasmanian, 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Maize: 3s 3d to 3s 4dr Potatoes: £7 10s to £8. ADELAIDE, July 12. Oats: 2s Id.