KEEN INTEREST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 7

KEEN INTEREST

INVESTMENT ACTIVITY BUSINESS WELL MAINTAINED BANK OF NEW ZEALAND RISE Activity was well maintained on the Auckland Stock Exchange during the past week, although'the market did not possess the same zest as was in evidence in the previous week. Buyers still displayed keen interest, but there was a tendency to steadier levels. Profittaking was responsible for a certain amount of reaction at the outset, but the market closed strongly for most issues. / Australian industrials remained prominent and overcame a turn to lower figures which developed in the middle of the week. New ,Zealand industrials for the most part maintained a steady to slightly firmer market. There was a continued demand for Government loans, with buyers largely outnumbering sellers. Finn levels were maintained on a steady turnover. Local body loans were rather more plentiful and were readily absorbed. Following is a comparison of the levels ruling a year ago for a selected number of Government loans, compared with tjiose of the last two weeks: —

Nov. IS Last This 1938 "Week Week Stock, 15/1/53-57, 3% O.'iVi 92 92 Ditto, 15/4/16-49, 4 . 95% Ditto, 15/0/52-55, 4 . 90 07%* 07 1 /-,* ' 'Buyers. Bank Shares Firmer Bank shares were dealt in rather more freely, the feature of the seption lifting the further progress made by New Zcalands, which advanced to their best point of the year at 41s 9d. Nationals of New Zealand changed hands fairly steadily at 44s 3d, while leading Australian issues showed a firmer tendency. Insurance quietened after the previous week's activity, steadying on a slightly lower basis of values. ' Outstanding points of the classified sections were the rapid improvement in Auckland Gas and the rise in Dominion Breweries following the announcement of the new issue of shares. Gas shares, which rose 4d in dealing at 16s, were wanted at the close at lGs 3d, with supplies firmly held. Colonial Sugars Rise

Broken Hill Proprietary was the only Australian issue to show any marked reaction, selling down to 82s early in the week. From there, however, they improved to close Is higher,_ Rumours of a further Broken Hill issue were' halted by an official intimation from Australia that there was nothing further beyond the statement made by the chairman at the annual meeting. Colonial Sugars closed strongly on the declaration of a higher dividend, buyers vainly seeking supplies at £53, while Australian Consolidated Industries, British Tobacco and Electrolytic Zincs were among other leading issues to maintain their strength. Further reports of Taranaki Oil progress also had a favourable effect on these shares.

The following comparative table shows levels during the past two Aveeks compared with the highest and lowest prices since the opening of the year:—

This Year Last This High Low "Week "Week Corn. Bk. Aus. 30/10 34/2 16/2 30/5 Nat. Bk. XiZ. 4S/6 42/- 44/- 44/3 E.. S. and A. 306/- 90/- 100/- 100/; Bank N.5.W... 630/- 570/- 600/-* 00./G Bank N.Z. .. 41/9 37/- 41/- 41/9 Union Bank.. 173/0 343/0 3 52/0* 352/6* Nat. Ins. .. 38/- 35/5 17/75 1 </» N.Z. Ins. . . 59/- 00/0 59/- 56/0* South British 48/- 41/- 40/6 46/0 Golds.-Mort . . 32/- 27/- 32/- 32/Pukemiro .. 17/- 14/0 14/- 34/Auckland Gas.. 30/G 35/N.Z. Breweries 41/- 33/- 35/9 30/2 Doin. Brew. . . 35/- 28/9 32/0 34/A.C.I. •• 41/0 30/9 41/0 41/0 Broken Hill .. S4/3 50/- 83/3 83/British Tob. .. 52/9 45/- 52/0 <>2/9 Bycroft . . 30/3 35/0 34/0* 35/9 Col. Snsrar .. 3057/6 010/- 305,/0 3000/Bunion Perdrian 22/- 38/2 22/- 22/El. Zinc (pf.) 03/9 40/0 03/0 04/-t Farmers' Trad. 20/3 3 0/0 3 0/8 37/G. ,T. Coles . . 80/- 70/3 80/3 80/0 Wilsons Cement 10/-' 35/4 30/- 38/3"§ Martha .. 32/0 8/0 8/0 8/0* Ml. L.vell . . 35/3 20/6 33/6 32/-* •Buyers. JSellers. §Ex dividend.

THE CITY MARKETS GOOD DEMAND FOR APPLES PRODUCE IN HEAVIER SUPPLY Supplies of hothouse tomatoes are increasing rapidly, and Tallies apa in fell at the City Markets yesterday. There was still a good demand for good c.nality coloured dessert apples, and also for good quality Sturmers. The demand i'or New* Zealand grapefruit was keen, and for Nelis pears the inquiry was good. Strawberries have increased in supply and values yesterday were firm, with the demand good. Gooseberries were in heavier supply and values fell. Prices for new potatoes were lower than last week, with much heavier supplies on the market. Good quantities of green peas and beans sold at recent rates. Cabbages and cauliflowers were in heavy supply, and prices for these were a 'little lower. Good quantities of kumaras were on the market, and high prices were realised. Hates were very high for carrots, which were in fair supply. .Rhubarb caine forward in good quantities. Beetroot and parsnips brought recent rates. The demand for poultry was poor. Egg and butter values are unchanged. Prices arc: — FRUIT Apples, Delicious, 10s to 10s a raso; Dougherty. I IS (o 17s; Tasma, large sizes, JOs to 13s; Stunner, 10s to 15s; pears, Peter Barry, 13s to 14s; Winter Nelis, 15s to 20s;*tomatoes, hothouse, extra choice, Is to Is Id lb; others, Oil to lid; grapefruit, New Zealand. 10s to 10s a ease; lemons, according to grade and count. Os to ISs (id; bananas, repacks, 18s !>d to 21s 3d; original ripes, 27s (id to 2Ss !)d; crapes, California!!, red, 37s fid; black, 30s to 10s; strawberries, Captain Cook, 2s to 2s 7d a chip; Marguerite, Is lod to '.is 2d; gooseberries. Os to Ss. FIELD PRODUCE Asparagus, Vilh bundle, 5d to 7d a bundle; lib bundle, 8d to Is 2d; beetroot, Is to -Js 3d a dozen; broad beans, 3d to Id per ll<; carrots, 10s to 18s Od a bag, or -Js to 3s (>d a dozen; cauliflowers. 5s to 7s a sack; on benches, 'Js to 'ls a dozen; cabbages, 2s to -Is Od a sack; on benches. Is to 'Js Od a dozen; cucumbers, hothouse, 3s to ss; outdoor, 3s (Id to 7s 0(1; beans, hothouse. !)d to Is 5d oer In; (jrccu peas, 3 to sd; kumaras. Island, ,l,"is to 38s a cwt.; leeks, <1(1 to Sd a bundle: lettuce, 2s 0(1 to 8s a case; marrows, new season's, 4s to its a dozen; potatoes, new, No. 1, 2d (o H(j per lb; No. 2, 2s (id to 7s Od a tag; pumpkins, choice Trhmible. 35s to 1 0s a cwt.; parsnips, 4s to 7s Od a bag, or Is ltd to —S a dozen; radish, Is 0(1 to 2s 3d; rhubarb, '_s Od to Is Od; spinach, Is to 2s; spring omens. Is 3d to Is Od a bundle; swedes. 3s to 4s C(1 a bag; turnips, Is to Is Od a dozen. 'poultry Cockerels, heavy breeds, prime, 4s to (is each; not prime, 3s (id to 4s; lisrht. p'ime, °s to 4s; not prime, 2s (id to 3s 0(1; fat hens, heavy. 3s to 4s; light, 2s to 3s; laying l ens, heavy, 3s to 4s; light, 2s 0(1 to 3s; drakes, voting, prime, 3s Od to 4s; smaller. IsJml up; old "s to 3s; ducks, young, 3s Oil to j>«; citi, 2s 'to 3s; geese, 4s to Hs; turkey hens, os to 7s; gobblers, average price. Is per lb. BUTTER AND EGOS —Hen, first grade, Is s'/ a d a dozen; B Is oy 3 d; C, Is l%d; duck, first grade, .Is 8V,(1: B, Is 7Vad; C, Is iVid. Farmers' butter. —Is lVad to Is 3d per lb. MOTUROA OILFIELDS The directors of Moturoa Oilfields, Limited, have advised the Stock Exchange Association that they are iccom it lending payment of a preference dividend for the year ended August 31, 1038, at the rate of 6 per cent. A payment of preference dividend for the year ended August 31, 1939. will bo deferred in the meantime and no dividend will b® paid $n ordinary sliajes.