LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 826, 30 December 1887, Page 16

LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail Office, Thursday Evening. General trade during the first part of the month was stimulated by the approach of the Christmas holidays, aod a healthy time prevailed. During the month the arrivals from Home have been small, and no large stocks of any one line have accumulated, the principal rhipments being filling up lines. Cement is still a drug upon the market, and is difficult to quit except at low prices. Stocks are moderately light in all departments. The farm crops look very promising, but the low prices obtained at present for all kinds of produce keeps farmers cautious about speculating largely. The fruit crop will probably be a large one, and so far promises to be of good quality. The supply of butter is very large this season, and low rates' are ruling. There will be a large quantity for export, and the quality is exceptionally good. The wool clip is coming in fast, and wool vessels will now have quick dispatch. The stock and share market has been somewhat quiet during the month. Bank of New Zealand shareß are at date quoted at £l2 10s ; Colonial Bank, 42s ; National, 34s ; Loan and Mercantile, 60s ; Union Steam, £LI ; New Zealand Shipping, sellers 5s ; Wellington gas, £l9, £9 10s, and 40s ; Gear Meat Co, sellers, 70s, cum dividend. In mining matters there is little stirring, the gold mines being always very quiet about the end of the year. The various coal mines are at full work, turning out more than the average quantity. A new lode of copper of good quality has been discovered at Woodville, in the centre of the North Island, and some good coal has been found in the Wairarapa district. Rubies are also reported to have been found in the latter locality. Freeman R. Jackson and Co.’s Johnsonville stock report.—The yards were well filled with cattle, chiefly of prime quality. Bidding on the whole was rather dull, and prices receded about 20s per head. Beef made 14s to 14s Gd the lOOlbs. Mutton barely maintained last sales’ values. A large number of pigs came forward ; small stores were well competed for, but large pigs were neglected. "Lambs sold at rates equal to last sale. Cattle.—Best lines, £5 15s to £7 7b fid, average £6 5s ; other lines averaged £5 17s 6d, £5 10s, £5 15s 6d, and £5 12s; a few heavy Christmas bullocks, £7 5s to £7 10s ; heavy cows, £4 15s to £5 7s 6d. Sheep.—Wethers, 8s 9d to 9a ; ewes, 5s 8d to 6s 3d; lambs, 5s to 6s 2d. Pigs.—Small baconers, 20s to 23s ; porkers, 14s to 18s; g tores, 11s to 13s ; small pigs, 5s to Bs.

STOCK SALES. Christchurch, December 28. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report (per Mr E. G. fcstavelev) as follows :—At AddingtoD yards to-day there were small entries of stock. About 3,000 sheep were yarded. Business was slack owing to the holidays. Fat cattle L4loa to L6lss; beef, 14s to 17s 6d per 1001 b. Fat crossbred wethers, 8a to 11s 9d; medium and. mixed sexes, 6s to 7s Gd ; fat lambs 5s to 7s 6d ; [mutton, Id to lfd per lb ; fat calves, 7s to 15s. There was a good demand for store sheep, and cattle values are sustained. Dunedin, December 28. The New Zealand .Loan and Mercantile

Agency Company report (per Mr D. Stronach) as follows Cattle :94 were yarded ; best bullocks, LG 5s to L 8 17s 6d ; ordinary, L 3 10s to L 5 17s 6d ; beef, 15s to 17s 6d per 1001 b. Sheep—Bß 4 were yarded ; best . crossbred wethers, 9s 6d to Us; ordinary, 6s 6d to 9s 3d; best crossbred ewes, 5s Gd to 9s 6d ; no merino' wethers were offered for sale ; mutton, to per lb. Lambs, 3s Gd to 8a ; one pen to 1 is. Pigs -33 were penned ; suckers, 9s Gd to 153; slips, 16s to 19s; porkers, 21s to 245,