LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 860, 24 August 1888, Page 16

LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail Office, Thursday Afternoon. There are hopeful signs of improvement in trade. True, it is only small at present, but business matters are reported to be in a slightly healthier state. The representatives of the business houses report that orders are coming in more freely from the country districts, both in the North and South Islands. The recent fresh gold discoveries m Marlborough and the commencement of the work on the Midland Railway, near Greymouth, have had an influence in stimulating trade, while the improved demand for cattle on the West Coa3t of the North Island has materially assisted in giving business an impulse in that district. Although country trade is improving there are great complaints from business people in town. It is stated that town trade has not been so quiet for years past as it is at the present time. There is not much alteration in prices m aDy lines. Grocers’ dried fruit is firmly held at full prices ; sugars are without change ; tea is moving 6ff slowly and at ordinary rates ; cement is firm, and the demand is increasing. Stocks are not over heavy, and, should no fresli shipments arrive l , a slight advance may be looked for. The barque McLeod, fr6m New York, brought a full supply of-domestic machinery and notions, and some 6000 oases of kerosene consigned to one firm. This Article still maintains its price, and has this •week been quoted at Is 3d. Galvanised iron is firmly stocked, and Bales have been effected at £l9 There is a better demand for bottled Btout "and the market is not heavily stocked at present. There is no material alteration in wines and spirits. Reports qf a drought in the Indian jute districts 13 somewhat hardening cornsaqkß, but, whether the strong imagination of speculators for a rise supplies the cause, nobody knowsi In these goods, the price of the rupee and the rate of freight have nearly as much to do with cost as the price of jute to the Calcutta millets. W r e give Messrs Heelcer’s report of sth July, as under Gunnies ; The market for all has been steady,- and a fair business has beep done for export to Europe and the colonies, the latter taking about 5000 to 6000 bales cornsacks for September-October delivery, atßa3ofor Australian, and R&3l Bann. for New Zealand standards. Woolpacks have been inquired for, but no business has resulted. In bran-bags a sale w sported of 250 bales July delivery, at Rs23_. At a recent meeting of the Mills Association it was resolved to continue short time for a farther period of twelve months from -bob* raary next. Our market closes steady, but no business is practicable, telegraphic communication with the colonies being interrupted.”