LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 880, 11 January 1889, Page 16

LATEST COMMERCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail Office, Thursday Afternoon. Although the holidays are well over, business matters have hardly yet settled down to their normal condition. Recent advices from England by the San Francisco mall point out that freights are still scarce and firmer in price. This will have the effect of keeping all imported goods firm for some time to come. Salt is somewhat firmer and is not heavily stocked. English makers of candles have advanced prices, in consequence of the rise in tallow. Currants are easier, owing to the splendid crop in the East, and several lota have been quitted at lower rates than the quotations of the past month. Provisions are easier. The recent rams in Australia have brought down_ the butter and oheese market, and it is doubtful whether limber rates will be reached for some weeks to come. There is a good demand for cornsacks, and local prices are—44in, 6s 9d to 7s ; 4Sin, 7s 3d to 7s 6d ; a local firm has stocked 700 bales lately. Several of the Chambers of Commerce are discussing the question c£ long credits, and are endeavouring to bring about an arrangement to reduce time from four months to three months, with prompt payment of duty. Oats have receded in prices. A month ago they were worth 4s to 4s 3d - to-day they can be bought at 3s. The stocks of old oats are very short, and there is a considerable shortage in Australia. Under these oircumstances it is not probable that rates lower than the present will be reached. The wheat market is a shade eaßier in tone. The same may be said of flour, although the margin is so small that millers have not yet .made any alteration.

STOCK SALES. Dunedin, January 9. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report (per Mr D. Stronachl as follows : Cattle —136 were yarded ; best bullocks, L 8 10s to LlO 10s j others, L 4 15s to L 7 17s Gd ; beef, ordinary, 17s Gd to 20s ; prime, 22s 6d per 1001 b. Sheep— B42 were yarded ; best crossbred wethers, 12s 6d to 14s ; ordinary, 11s to 12s ; best do, ewes 13s to 14s 9d ; ordinary, 10s to 12s Gd ; mutton, 2d tc 2£d per lb. 366 lambs, 5s 3d to 11s 4d. Pigs-313 pigs were penned ; suckers, 7s to 17s ; stores, 14s to 23s 6d ; porkers, 27s 6d to 32s 6d ; baconers, 35s to 56s each. KAYE AND CARTER’S WEEKLY REPORT OF THE CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. Wheat—Tuscan, 4s 4d; Pearl, 4s 3d ; Hunter’s, 4s 2d. Fowlwheat Good whole, 4s; broken, 3s Bd. Oats— Milling, 3s 8d; bright short, 3s- 6d; duns, 3s 6d; black, 3s Id ;■ Danish, 3a 4d. Barley Prime malting, 4 s 6d; feed, 2s 9d; Cape, 3s 3d; pearl, £2O. Peas Prussian blues, Sa ba; snlit £l4. Beans —Good whole, 3s Gd;’medium, 3ssd. Flour— Roller, £l2; stone, £ll. Bran, 100 s ; sharps, 95s ; pollard, 90s. Oatmeal (in 25 s), £l9 ; *“7 8, £2l. Ryecorn, 3s 9d Linseed, £ls. Ryegrass—Machine dressed, 3s 6d ; medium, 3id ; seconds, Id. Oatsheaf chaff £5 Hay (baled), £4 17s 6d. Butter, lOd, Cheese—Loaf, 6Jd ; medium, 6d, scarce Hams, 9d ; bacon, 7|d ; H and B, B£d. Lard (in bladders), 4£d. , The above prices current are all f.o. b., Lyttelton ; sacks and packages extra except when otherwise specified.