TIN CONSUMPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22643, 3 February 1937, Page 9

TIN CONSUMPTION

INCREASE LAST YEAR

RECORD RUSSIAN TOTAL EFFECT OF MOTOR INDUSTRY According to the December issue of the Hague Statistical Bulletin of the International Tin Research and Development Council, the apparent world consumption of tin in the 12 months ended October, 1936, totalled 153,709 tons, showing an increase of 13,925 tons over tho total for the preceding 12 months, while world production increased by 36.200 tons to 167,000 tons. Although the production of tin has exceeded consumption by about 13,300 tons during tho year ended October, 1936, world visible stocks have increased by only 3130 tons in that period. This discrepancy is partly due to the time lag which occurs between the export of ore from tho producing areas and the appearance of tho metal on tho market, but it also indicates that there was an increase in smelters' stocks which had not appeared in the statistics up to the end of October. In November, 1936, world visible stocks of tin increased by 4162 tons to 22,137 tons. These stocks now represent 14.5 per cent of tho current annual rate of consumption, compared with an average ratio of 11 «£r cent in the first 10 months of this year. A comparison of the statistics of apparent and actual consumption indicates that the present level of consumers' stocks is approximately tho same as at tho beginning of the year. The increase in tin consumption tins year has been largely duo to tho tinplate industry, in which there has been an increase of 17.7 per cent. In tho year ended October, the world output of tin pi ate reached a new record of 3,630,000 tons, against 3,083,000 tons in the previous year. There was also an appreciable advance in the motor industry, tho world output in the year ended October, 1936, being 5,650,000 vehicles, compared with 4,509,000 vehicles in the previous 12 months. Considering the consumption of tin by countries, in the United States of America there was an increase of 12,209 tons to 72,149 tons in tho year ended October, 1936, as compared with the preceding year. The United Kingdom consumption was 21,512 tons, which represents a slight decrease of 369 tons. Russian consumption continues to increase at a rapid rate, a new record of 9227 tons having been reached in tho year under review, representing an increase of 33.4 per cent. Substantial increases are recorded also for tho following countries:— Franco, 19 per cent; Japan, 16 per cent; Canada, 12.8 per cent; Czechoslovakia, 25.7 per cent; Belgium, 19.3 per cent; and Poland, 31.4 per cent. In Germany thoro was a decreaso of 23.6 per cent.

GOLD DREDGING COMPANY GREY RIVER PROPOSITION SHARES OFFERED TO PUBLIC The prospectus is published to-day of Grey River Dredging Company, Limited, a West Coast gold dredging proposition which has already aroused keen interest in mining circles in the Dominion. Behind the flotation is the Rimu Gold Dredging Company, Limited, a very successful company operated by American interests a few miles south of Hokitika. The Grey River company is being formed to acquire from tho Rimu Company certain options and agreements which the latter has obtained over freehold and leasehold lands and certain special dredging claims near Ikamatua, on tho Grcymouth-Rcefton railway, about 33 miles from Grevmouth. Tho Rimu company has tosted many properties in Now Zealand and this property is stated to be the best it has encountered. The proposed company has an authorised capita! of £300,000 in 600,000 shares of 10s each. A total of 200,000 shares is to be credited as fully paid to the Ilium Gold Dredging Company, or its nominees, in payment of the rights being acquired, expenses, etc., and the company has agreed not to sell these shares in New Zealand or Australia prior to January 1, 1939. Tho Rimu company is to subscribe and pay in cash for 120.000 shares. A further 250,000 are now being offered to the public and 30,000 are to be held in reserve. The directors of the company aro the directors of the Rimu company, three of whom are resident in New Zealand, four others living in New York, where they are associated with a group of dredging companies operating in South America. Modern equipment is proposed and the anticipated returns represent an estimated annual yield varying from approximately Is 3d a 10s share to 2s 3d a 10s share, or a weighted average of about Is lid a share, representing approximately 19 per cent per annum over a period of 14 venrs on an issued capital of £285,000.

LAMBS FOR EXPORT SCHEDULE AGAIN RAISED BREEDERS' PROFITABLE SEASON Keen competition for lambs for export lias resulted in a further rise in tho export schedule, which lias been advanced -}d per lb. over all grades. Prices are now on the basis of 9d per lb. for lambs up to 361b. Tho number of lambs offering is now declining, the peal? having been passed. Even so, a prolonged season is expected. To date it lias been exceptional in many respects. Wet weather provided an early setback and consequently the bulk of the killing has been done mucli later than usual, but prices have been very profitable. Schedule values today aro Id to l.sd per lb. higher than the level at this period last year, while the enhanced value of wool has created a strong demand for ewe lambs for breeding purposes, and prices have risen to high levels. Pigs are still offering freely and there has been no movement in the schedule. Yard prices for beef cattle continue to preclude exporters from operating to any extent in this market and neither a beef schedule nor one for mutton has yet been issued. Schedule prices for lambs and pigs on hooks at freezing works at Southdown for this week's killings aro as follows: — Lambs. —Up to 361b., 9d; 371b. to 421b., Bid; over 421b., Sid; seconds, BJd; light seconds, 7Jd; shorn, Id less all grades, with usual deductions for seedy. Pigs.—Up to 801b., 6,'jd; 811b. to 1001b., 6d; 1011b. to 1201b., 5Jd; 1211b. to 1001b., 6d; 1611b. to 1801b., 4»d; 1811b. to 20011)., 2-Jd; over 2001b., 2d; choppers, exportable, 2Jd: porkers, unexportable, Id less; baconers, uncxportable, over 1201b., less;' choppers, uuexportable, Id per. lb,,