Commercial News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 426, 10 April 1880, Page 13

Commercial News.

Am' ii t of Customs duties collected at the port of Wellington for the month of March:—

Friday, April 2. Messrs Croskery, Hasell, and Co report sales this week .-—Flour, £l2 to £l2 10s per ton ; oatmeal, £l3 per ton ; pollard, £5 per ton ; bian, 7d per bushel;, potatoes, £3 10s per ton ; onions, 8s to 10s per cwt ; cheese, 6d to 6£d per lb ; apples, 7s to 8s per case ; pears, 10s to 13s per case; quinces, 6s per case ; fowls, 4s 6d per pair; eggs, 2s per dozen; Nelson hop*, 2s to 2s 3d. Mr o eorge Thomas sold by public auction at two p.m. to-day; by order of the mortgagee, two parts of section 206 in the Taratahi Plain Block, containing tegether a out 35 acres. There was but little bidding and the two lots were knocked down to Messrs Benjamin Smith and Co. for £IBO. It is understood that the property was bought in for the mortgagee. Mr. J. H. Wallace, acting under the instructions of the mortgagees, offered for sale at 2.30 p.m. yesterday several sections of town and country lan t. The first lot put up was a part of section 116, on the plan of the township of Carterton, and containing about 27 acres, subject to a lease two ye -rs and two months to run at a rental of £ls 15a per annum, with purchasing clause at £175 10s. This was bought by Mr Lewis, of Messrs Buller, Lewis and Gully, for £150; lot 2, pari, of section 131, fronting Abel Smith-street, and having a frontage to the said street of forty licks, by a depth of seventy-four links; it was started at £IOO, and run uj» by bids of £5 and £lO to £250, at which figure Mr Lewis obtained the property for the mortgagee. The third lot submitted was a property in Nairn-street, being part of sections 54 and 55, and containing 1 acre 1 rood and 23 perches. Four substantial cottages have been erected on the land. There was no bid for this, and LISOO having been quoted by the mortgagee, it was knocked down to him at that Agar*. Wednesday, April 7. Laery and Campbell sold at their market sale this day : —Quinces, 8s per case ; • Nelson apples. 8s to 8s 6d per case; do, half-case, 4s to 4s 6d; eggs, 2s 3d ; fowls, 4s 3d; ducks, 4s 3d ; salt butter, 6£d to 7d ; potatoes, L 3 3s to L 3 5s : household soap, Ids per cwt; candles, 9id to 9Jd ; oatmeal, 10s per 100; oats, 2s 3d; pollard, L 4 5s to L 4 10s. Messrs Bethune and Co. offered at public auction to-day the Mataikuna station, the property of Major J. V. Smith. The station is situated on the East Coast, a few miles to the north of Castlepoint, and is bounded on the north by the Mata kuna river. It eontains 25,268 acres, and was offered, together with 18,000 merino sheep, and some cattle and hors s. The arger part of the run consists of hills, parts of • hich are grassed there being some very good fiats on the banks of the river. As no bid higher thin 17s 6d per acre could be obtained, the property was passed in.

Laery and Campbell sold at their market sale on Sturday:— Hobart J own apples, 7s 6 i to 8s per case; peats, 6s per half case: grapes, 7s to 15s; Nelson apples, 8s to -s 6d per case; pears, 14s per case; ducks, 4s 6d per pair; fowls, 3* 9d ; onions, 9s ; potatoes, L3toL 33s ; cheese, 6d; lard, sd; maize, 3s 3d ; quinces, 6s; egg , 2s; candlesJlOd; bran, Bu.

The Anglo-Colonial and Colonial companies (Aus tralia and New Zealand) having stock registered in L ndon, paid the following dividends during the last year:— Banks. —Australasia (dividend declared April and October), 12J ; - nglish, Scottish, and Australian Chartered (div. January and July), 8; London Chartered of Australia (div. June and December), 7 ; Land Mortgage o; Victoria (div. January and July), 6 ; New South Wales (div. May and November), 1 7£ ; National of Australasia (div. January and July), 12£; New Zealand (div. May and November), 15 ; National of i\ew Zealand (div. January and July), 6; Oriental (div. April and July), 4 ; Queensland National (div. February and August), 10; South Ausiralia (div. May and November), 10 ; Union of Australia (div. January and July), 16 ; Victoria (div. April and October), 10.

Investment, Loan, and Agency.— Australian Mortgage, Land, and Finance Limited, (div. A oril and October), 10; British and Australian Trust and Loss

Co , 6 ; New Zealand Trust and Loan (div. January and July), 14—ordinary, s—preference ; National Mortgage ana Agency of New Zealand (Limited), 5 ; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, Limited, (div. February and July) 10; Otago and Southland Investment, Limited* 12£; Queensland Investment and Land Mart Company (div September), 6 ; Scottish Australian Investment, Limited (div May and November), ord. stock, 10—(diT January and July), preferential stock. 6 ; Trust and Agency of Australia, Limited(div May and November), 15 ; ditto, preferential interest at 6 per cent, 6. Miscellaneous.—Australian Agricultural Company, (div February and July), 1$ per share ; North British Australian Company, Limited (6 per cent guaranteed), 6 ; ditto, ordinary shares, no div ; Peninsular and Oriental Steam ihip Company idiv June and December), 3 ; Peel River Land and Mineral Company, Limited (div Januai y and July), l; Port Philip and Coin. Gold Mining Company, Limited (div January, then a« funds are in band), io ; Scottish Australian Mining Company, Limited (div May and November), 15 ; South Au tralian Land Company (div June, but paid half yearly), 8 ; Van Diemen's Land Company (div March), 6s per share. Advices by the Suez mail show that during the four weeks from 16th January to 13th February, the market in . colonial securities was well supported by the large supplies of money, which have led alike to considerable purchases, and to increased loaning facilities, the .bank, rate of discount continuing nominally at 3 per cent, but the actual market for the best trade bills, and for short loans, was still £ to | per cent, lower. ••.■;'

There had b°en considerable business in the larger colonial stocks of more recent issue, as, for instance, the last New Zealand 5 per cent, loan, whose optional 4 per cent, inscription, on most liberal terms, proved a great attraction, and sent up the value to about 7 premium upon the issue price. The New South Wales 4's and Victoria 4£ per cents, were als*> largely dealt in. There had also been large selling of South Australian and Queensland 4 per cents, in anticipation of new loan issues respectively, of which the South Australian has already appeared, while the Queensland was expected to follow towards the end of March

Prices gradually culminated with the realisation of the South Australian loan, since which there has been a little re action to the extent all round in the newer issues of £ to 1 per cent. The old issues have remained firm, and show generally some advance of price. The New South Wales 4 per cents, had recovered to' 98, but have since dropped again to 97. Victoria 4's, «» the other hand, which, as a comparatively old issue, are now well placed amongst investors, have advanced 3 per cent., and are now fully £ per cent, higher than the like New South Wales.

The tendency of prices has been generally upward throughout the list of the Government stocks, with an average advance of 1 to Is per cent. In New South Wales, the long term fives 1895-1902 have advanced £ per cent, and the 4 per cents., at 971, f per cent. In Victorias, the 6 per cents., April and October, at 107-110, are 2 per cent, higher, the 5 per cents, are J per cent, higher; the 4 per cents., at 97£, as much as 3 per cent., and the 4£ per cents, 1£ per cent higher. In South Australian, the 4 per cents., at about 94j, are 1 per cent, higher. The new loan is, for the time, rather flat at 94J

In Queensland the short sixes are 1 per cent, higher, and the 4 per cents., after rising to 93, are 1 percent. higher, at 92£.

In Tasmanian the 4 per cents., at 92 £, are ii per cent, higher.

The New Zealand stocks show the most general ri e. The 5 per cents, due, 1914, at 103, are 1 per cent, higher. The 6 per cents, of March and September have advanced 1 per cent., those of June and December 2 per cent,,.and those of January and July as much as 3 per cent; The 4£ per cents, are 1 j»per cent, higher, and the 5-30 5 per cents., the same. The 10-40 5 per cents, have advanced as much as 3 per cent., and the new fives (with option of 120 per cent; of an inscribed 4 per cent.) at 6£ 7 premium, have made the same advance.

In municipal and other debenture loans there hag been also a somewhat general advance. The Melbourne fives, at 106, are 1 per cant, higher, and the Brisbane, at 104, the same. Dunedin Consolidated .fives, at 97, are 1 per cent, higher. The Wellington loans have recovered, the Consolidated sixes, at 107, 1 3 percent., and the Improvements loan, at 109, 3t per cent.

The Otago Harbor 1 per cents., at 103-5, are 1 per cent higher. The Tasmanian Main Line 5 per cents.. at 75, are 2 per cent, higher. At the fifteenth annual general meeting of the New Zealand Lo*n and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) the report stated that the net profit for the year 1879, inclusive of £3824 4s 2d brought forward i jrom the preceding financial year, after deduction of expenses, interest, commissions, and income tax, writing off stationery and furniture, and making ample provision for all bad and doubtful debts, showed a sum of £53,215 14s 2d, of which the directors recommended the foiljwiDgappropriation, viz.:— To payment of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, and interest on calls paid in advance on old shares £30,060 12 4 To payment of bonus at 5 per cent .. 14,984 11 8 To be carried forward 8,170 10s 2 £53,215 14 2 The previous dividend in July was at the rate of 10 per cent, the 15 per cent for the year being payable on an increased share capital of £45,551 received during 1879.

BY TELEGRAPH. (PEJR PJtESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. Business in the grain market has been greatly interrupted by the holidays, and transactions have not been of an important nature.

Wheat.—The market is considerably easier i a tone, and buyers are not so anxious to secure parcels. Quotations —3s lOd to 3s lid, and for a first class lot, 4s. Oats are unaltered in value, and few lots are brought ior ward. Barley maintains the same feeling ; prime reaches up to 3s lOd, and good malting 3s 6d ; lower grades are not much in request, and range about 3s 3d. Flour is still quoted at £lO 10s to £ll by millers. Grass seed still continues dull. f sale.

Dairy Produce.—Butter, 7d to 7£d ; cheese, 4Jd to 6d; hams and bacon scarce.

Mutton is 2d per lb ; fat cattle, 18s to 21s per lOOlbs.

DUNEDIN. April 2. Prime beef, 32s 6d per lOOlbs : muiton. 2£d to 2£d per lb ; wheat, 4s to 4s 3d per bushel; fowls' wheat, 3s to 3s 6d ; oats, Is 3d to Is 8d : barley. 4s to 4s 6d ; feed, 2s 6d to 3s ; potatoes, L 3 to L 3 5s ; oaten hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 5s ; chaff, L 3 5s ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 4 ; pollard, L 4 ; flour, large sacks, Lll to Lll 10s ; oatmeal, LlO ; pe rl barley, L 2 2; onions, 7s ; new cheese, 5d to 6d ; bacon, rolled, lOd; hams, Is; sides bacon, lid.. Mr. Bradshaw reports:—Bank of New Zealand shares, Ll 9 10s to L2O ; National Bank, 30s; Colonial Bank, 42s 6d ; National Insurance, 20s 6d ; Union Insurance, 15s 6d ; Standard Insurance, 9s fc'd ; New Zealand Loan and Mercartile Agency, 90s ; National Mortgage and Agency, 21s ; Scottish and New Zealand Investment. 21s ; Otago and Southland Investment, 27s 6d; Union Steamship, 17s, ex dividend.

AUCKLAND, April 2. The Easter holidays have interrupted business, and very little has been done during the week in large lines. Bonedust is moving off at L 7 and L 8 ; market overstocked. Salt (bars), fine, 1.6 10s ; coarse, L 6; currants, advancing, large parcel sold at OJd. holders now asking 7d ; blasting powder, 300 kegs absorbed for the mines at 6£d to 7d ; flax, in demand at Ll 9 to L2l; oils. firm, lines of boiled and raw placed at 4s, in equal proportion ; keiosene, firm—star, Is 9d; Devoe, Is 9£d; breadstuff's, unchanged, local milling fully employed at Ll2 and Ll 4 per ton ; Southern, Ll2 to Ll 3 ; bran, L 4 5s to L 5 lus ; oats, Is 9d to Is lid ; gum, firm at L 45 ; best brands of beer in demand, market bare of bulldog brand. April t.

Buyers: Bank New Zealand, £l9 10s; JNew Zealand Insurance, 50s ; National, 20s ; 11 nion, 15s 6d; South British, 52s 6d ; Loan and Mercantile. £4 9s 6d ; Sash and Door. £4 17s 6d ; Auckland Gas, £& 5s : Alburnias, Css ; Moxnatairi, 57s 6d ; Kuranui, 9s ; Whau, 40s ; Caledonian, 22s 6d ; Thames, 20s.i

£ b. d. Spirits, perfumed 2 17 9 ,, 14s per gallon . 3259 14 7 Cigars and snuff . 213 6 0 Tobacco .. . 1747 0 9 .. 296 9 8 „ sparkling 31 14 0 ,, . Australian 63 4 10 Ale and Beer, in bottle .. 515 17 6 ,. „ in wood 75 0 0 326 3 8 Coffee, cocoa, Ac90 14 3 Sugar, raw and refined .. 916 6 10 .. 2 0 0 Goods by weight .. 1144 13 11 Ad valorem .. 8376 10 8 Other duties ..698 9 2 Total .. £17,760 3 7 The following is a : return showing the Customs revenue received at the port of We lington for the quarters ending respectively March 31st, 1880, and March 31st, 1879 :— 1880. 1879. £ a. d. £ s, d. Spirits, perfumed . 55 0 5 0 0 0 • „ 14s per gallon . . 10166 1 0 .. 12554 15 8 Cigars and Snuff .. .. 691 16 6 , .. 777 9 8 Tobacco .. .. 4990 11 0 .. 3966 5 0 „ sheepwash .. 20 3 0 0 0 0 Wine .. 928 19 10 ) „ sparkling 94 4 0 Y 1904 9 1 ,, Australian .. .. 181 6 10 ) Ale and beer in bottle .. 1379 16 11 .. 2207 6 3 „ ,, in wood .. 140 6 0 280 0 0 Tea.. .. 914 3 9 .. 3329 6 6 Coffee and cocoa .. .. 215 7 9 .. 394 2 6 Sugar and molasses .. 2377 19 1 .. 3943 8 2 Opium 2 0 0 35 1 3 Goods by weight .. .. 2924 9 1 .. 3982 5 5 Ad valorem .. 16905 15 7 .. 22743 6 0 Otber duties .. 1974 6 1 .. 2909 19 9 Totals £44,015 15 10 . . 59,027 15 3