COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

FINANCE AND TBA6E. London, May 6. The Bank of England reserve amounts to .£25,460,000 (,£634J000 less than last week), the proportion of the reserve to liabilities being 51 "60; Three months’ bills £tre “discounted ftt 1 1-16 per ceilt. ’ The following are'thb latest quotations iof Government securities •

♦lnterest payable in May ana November, tlnterest payable in January and July. Mutton—First quality, 3§d ; second quality, 3d. Lamb, 4fd. The English wheat market is heavy and inactive, and the Continental depressed. The American is declining and weak: Califorhiai No. I milling, 31s ; Kussiari cargoes, 295. fid j London quotations No. 1 bard Duluth, fi3s. At the wool sales good business was transacted, though the selection was poor. Prices are unchanged. The sugar market is firmer. German beet, 8s 10£d ; Java, 10s 9d. Iron, 44s Hd. New Zealand Mail Office, . May 12, 1897: '1 lie sharemarket shows $ little ihore activity. Natiorial.. Banks Hatre, chiiiigea hands at 33s 9d. YVestport Codl hardened slightly, a sale having been effected at 595. Equitable building. Shares., have seen biisiness at .£7 10s, and New Zealand Burance at 725. Wellington Woolletls ire iii demand at par for the old issue ei div;, which is a slight advance on previous quotations: Palmerston North Gas continue in favoiir, buyers offering 725, with no declared sellers. Business in mining shares is restricted, a few parcels of Mehara Koyal alone have changed hands at 6s Bd,

Lloyd’s annual statistical tables show the continued progress of the British mercantile while the number of sailing vessels show a reduct’on of 342 of 138,173 tons, the net demxrino. In 1896 there was again an increase of 144 steam vessels of 239,981 tons to the register, crease being 198 vessels, but an increase of 151,808 tons. The vessels on the register of the United Kingdom on the 31st December last were approximately as follow :

The commerce of the world has drifted into the control of the steam engine from the. more uncertain motive power of wind. In nine years thore has been an increase of 1900 steam vessols on the register, equalling 28 per cent., and an increase of 3,939,525 tons, or 62 per cent. The size of the vessels have increased proportionately more than, the tonnage ; in 1887 the average was 950 tons per vessel, as against 1207 tons per vessel in 1896. During the same nine years the number of sailing vessels decreased by 3719, or 23 per cent., and the tonnage was reduced by 599,401, or 17 per cent. The sailing vessels averaged 218 tons in 1887, and 230 tons in 1896. The change from sailing vessels to steamships, and the increase in the size of both, are due mainly to economical considerations, accounting largely for the reduction in freights and fares which have been made. The world’s traffic in passengers and merchandise is now conducted with greater celerity, safety and economy than in any previous time in history—and Great Britain is Btill to the fore. From the excellent paper on “ The Dairy Industry in the Colonies,” read by Mr Samuel Lowe, formerly the produce commissioner for New Zealand, but now of W. .Weddel and Co., at the Imperial Institute on the 9th March last, we extract the following interesting figures.—ln the year 1891 the number of cows in the three principal dairying colonies in Australasia was 945,575, and in Canada 1,857,112, and the quantity of butter pro-

duced was 23,000 tons and 51,700 tons respectively. The amount of cheese produced was 6700 tons in Australasia and 51,000 in Canada. In 1895 these figures had grown to 1,100,000 cows in Australasia and 1,950,00() in Canada. The butter made in Australasia reached the total of 36,000 tons, and in Canada 52,000. The manufacture of cheese in Australasia was 11,500 tons, and in Canada 68,000 tons. Thus, in four years, the total number of cows in the colonies increased by 247,350, or nearly 9 per cent., the production of butter by 13,000 tons, aud that of cheese by 21,800 tons. The United Kingdom in the year 1896 imported 151,897 tons of butter, valued at .£15,344,000, and 112,227 tons of cheese, of the value of .£4,900,000, making a total import of 264,124 tons of dairy produce, worth .£20,244,000. Of this enormous import, the colonies supplied 15,368 tons of batter, valued at J 51,425,000, and 64,472 tons of cheese valued at £12,705,000, or, in round numbers, 80,000 tons of butter and cheese, worth 44,130,000. Mr Lowe-’s paper, which the Hon W. P. Reeves described as “ logical and bacteriological,” is suggestive and interesting, and might very well be distributed amongct the dairy farmers of the colony in the form of a leaflet from the Agricultural Department. The paper seeks to show the . absolute necessity of dairy farmers —(1) Improving their dairy herds; (2) adopting a system of winter feeding; (3) confining the manufacture of butter and cheese entirely to the factory system; (4) making a careful study of the latest scientific discoveries in bacteriology; (5) adopting universally the system of pasteurisation ; and (6) establishing dairy schools and experiment staiions for the highest education of all' engaged in the industry. A communication from Mr Benjamin Jones, one of the delegates of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, who visited Australasia last year, is embodied in the annual report of the Emigrants’ Information Bureau, of which Mr Jones was formerly a member of the Managing Committee. Mr Jones’ views on the dairying industiy are thus stated, “ I found that butt :r of tho first quality could be profitably produced and shipped to England all the year round at 75s to 80s per cwt, and even less, and that cheese in a similar manner could be landed in London at 35s or 36s a cwt, while tho prices being realised in December, 1896, are 106 s for butter, and 50s or 52s for cheese. It will be readily understood what a magnificent opportunity there is for dairy farmers who emigrate to these colonies. Speaking from a life-long knowledge of the butter and eheese trade in England, I do not hesitate to say that there is a magnificent future for the dairying industry in the Australasian colonies, and that just as rapidly as they can increase their production, they can take possession of the British market, at the expense of their foreign competitors, and with great profit to themselves.” The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, and Messrs Levin and Co., and « Murray, Roberts and Co. have wisely determined to hold fortnightly public sales of wool, sheepskins, hides, tallow and other produce. The second sale was held Friday week, with excellent results. The prices realised for sheepskins were in advance of the London equivalent. Farmers and station holders will be studying their own interests in supporting these sales. Many, we know, prefer to sell to itinerant dealers, but a moment’s reflection will show that sales so made are almost invariably to the disadvantage of the farmer. The dealer has a more intimate and accurate knowledge of the market prices and the tendencies of the market than the farmer can possibly hope to possess, and under such circumstances the farmer seldom if ever gets the full value for his produce. By driving the dealers to seek for supplies at the public sales, tbe element of competition, together with the expert knowledge of the auctioneer,„ secure for the farmer the full market price. We understand that the firms named will hold sales regularly so long as supplies are forthcoming, and confidently look for the support of the pastoralists. These sales should in time develop considerably enough to include hay, corn, chaff, potatoes and such other produce.

FROZEN" MEAT. Latest advices from London are not reassuring concerning the state of the meat market. Every circular which comes to hand but serves to emphasise the necessity for combination and inspection at this end, together with proper marking, grading and shipping. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company, under date March 2G, report as follows : —‘‘ There is little change to report, certainly no improvement in either demand or values, prices being if anything weaker, and quotations difficult from the diversity of qualities in the same parcel Holders seem more inclined to realise, and meat that has been kept for months in hopes of better prices is now being forced on the market, and trouble experienced in finding buyers for it The best Canterbury’s marketed sell at for a very few, down to 2£d per lb, averaging probably 2|d per lb. Southlands and Dunedius have sold at 2|d to 2|d per lb, will barely average 2id per lb. North Island sheep at to 2fd, and sales at 2£d and. 2 3-lGd per lb are reported. 'The majority of the lamb-;, so far, imported have been very good, size of many being the only drawback, buyers thus early in the season Spooking for the smaller, Sfilb, lamb-*, rather the larger more matured toll). Pr cos so firm as they w«-ro, sJ.no v i> figure, plainer sorts, and the heavier, to |d per lb les3 money.” M. Stephenson, of the Colonial Conand Distributing Company, has retu /■ a London from a visit to . . whither he was sent in order to the probabilities of the successful of Australian frozen meat into Mr Stephenson visited the towns in Cape Colony, Natal and 'C' I }*:^H£B vaa l> and has come to the eoncluat present, is fairly cheap in HH&cs, and that visible supplies are meet requirements for some time the rinderpest . spreads HHHKe an opening for the imported quality of the frozen beef and HHBHhHHK to Capetown from Australia given satisfaction. AND CHEESE. Co.’s circular of the same demand for Australian and -f4l’^P a nd butter continues active, especi- “ choicest ” goods, which are at the close of the week. Fine a shade easier. The lonic’s butter arrived in good condiHHTis meeting with a ready sale, though of some brands shows an irregular The same steamer’s New Zealand in good condition, and fancy

qualities made 56s to f Bs, while irregular lots • brought 54s to 555. . I

AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION. In the course of a paper on Agricultural Co-operation, read at a meeting of the Surveyors’ Institution, Mr Horace riunkett, | M.P., stated that, as the result of seven • years’ work, 140 co-operative agricultural associations had been established in Ireland, j including 58 creameries, with a total membership of 14,500 ; while 45 more societies were J in course of formation, and were expected to J add 4500 to the total of co-operative farmers. ■ This is a splendid result, clearly disproving the discouraging declaration of certain critics, made at the commencement of the movement, that Irish farmers can conspire, but cannot combine. It is the farmers themselves who have provided the capital for the great cooperative business that has been established, the only benevolent contributions having been those devoted to the Agricultural Organisation Society, a purely propagandist and advisory body. Mr Plunkett strongly urged English agriculturists to follow the Irish example. But English dairy farmers would not be satisfied with 3.76 d per gallon for milk, with the separated milk back free, the average allowed by the Irish creameries, though in some remote part 3 of England farmers who make butter probably do not get better returns. While the demand for milk continues as large as it is in all parts of Great Britain, with the exception of a few districts remote from large towns, it will be difficult to get farmers and dairymen to take part in co-operative creameries. THE COMMERCIAL NAVIES OP THE WORLD. The latest edition of the Repertoire General de la Marine Marchande, published by tho Bureau Veritas, contains tho usual general summary of the steamships belonging to the different maritime nations, and measuring 102 tons gross and upward, as also tho accustomed list of sailing vessels measuring 50 tons net and upwards, and likewise a list of the smaller vessels which are classed in the Veritas Register. The following table shows the number of steamers of over 100 tons, and the collective gross tonnage belonging to tho 16 principal maritime nations —that is, whoso aggregate gross steam tonnage surpasses 100,000 tons :

Besides the steam tonnage set forth in the above table, there are 2667 small steamers (below 100 tons), measuring altogether 4 5,069 tons gross. The number of existing steamers -whose measurement is between 5000 and 6000 tons is 131 ; between 6000 and 8000 tons, 59 ; those over 8000 tons, 25 ; and of these eight are of more than 10,000 tonnage — viz., the Campania, Friedrich der Grosse, Georgic, Lucania, New York, Paris, St. Louis and St. Paul. The general total of the steamers over 100 tons is given in the Repertoire as 11,155, representing 17,019,596 tons gross, and 10,761,025 tons net. The sailing tonnage is divided among the principal maritime nations as follows—l 3 nations possessing sailing tonnage of 100*000 tons : \ Ships. Net tons. 1896. 1896.

CANTERBURY STOCK AND PRODUCE MARKET. CirmsTCHUitcu, May 5. Although there were heavy entries in all classes of stock and a large attendance at the live stock market to-day business in nearly every department was in sympathy with the country markets. It was of an unsatisfactory nature, so far as the vendors were concerned, for everything but first-class quality. Fat catde —This class was in over supply, and as the entry consisted mostly of light weights and young stock, the rates ruling were very low, and this result was helped considerably by the lack of competition. Primebeef brought 15s to 17s per 1001 b ; other sorts, 12s to 14s; prices per head : steers, £4 to £7 15s ; heifers, £2 5s Od to £5 2s 6d ; cows, £2 17s 6d to £4 15s. Dairy cattle The yarding of cows and springers contained very little of good quality, and the sale was dull, but really good springers realised £G 10s to £8 10s; others from .£3 to £O. Very little was done at the auction with stores. Fat sheep —The entry of fat sheep was smaller than last week. Prices were good— Freezing wethers, 12s to 14s ; mixed sexes, 10s Gd to 13s; prime young ewes, 8s to Us 9d ; good trade ewes, 6s to 7s 9d. Fat lambs —a medium entry of this class contained a larger proportion than usual of lines which should have been store pens. Really : good freezers alone held their own, selling at from 10s to 11s lOd. There was a lack of competition for trade sorts and inferior lambs, which brought from 5s 6d to 8s Gd. Store sheep—A very heavy yarding of store sheep was made up mostly of forward crossbred wethers and lambs, with a few small lines of crossbred ewos in lamb. Owing to dry weather and the backwardness of artificial green feed, there was very little competition for sheep and lambs, except for those in a very forward condition, which maintained late rates, Anything backward was a perfect drug. Three-quarters fat wethers, 10s to 11s Gd; backward do, 7s to 9s Gd ; forward lambs, Gs to 7s 5d ; backward and small do,

3s to 5s ; ewes in lamb, Gs to 8s lid. Pigs—This department was well represented as to numbers, but the proportion of really prime fats was smaller, and a firmer tone prevailed, from 3gd to 3£d per lb about representing the prices ruling. The produce market remains firm. Following are the current prices:—Wheat Pearl (prime milling) and velvet chaff, 3s lid ; Tuscan and Hunters, 3s 9d to 3s 10£d ; good seconds, clean; 3s to 3s 4d. Oats Milling, Canadians, 2s 4d to 2s 5d ; tartars, 2s 3d ; stout feed, 2s 2d to 2s 3d ; duns, 2s 3d; Danish, 2s to 2s 2d. Barley— Medium, 3s Gd to 3s 9d; feed, 2s to 2s 4d. j Flour Millers quote roller,' £ll 10s; stone, £lO 10s. Sharps, £4. Bran, £3 ss. Oatmeal, £l2 10s ; oatsheaf chaff, 52s Gd to 55s (at handy country stations) for good samples. Beans, 2s Gd to 2s Bd. Peas Blue Prussians, 3s 9d to 4s ; partridge, 3s. _ Potatoes—Derwents, 40s, at country stations. Onions, £3 10s at Christchurch. Grass seed Ryegrass, in farmers’ lots, 2s 8d to 2s 8d ; machine-dressed, 8s 9d ; heavy-weight, 4s to 4s 3d ; cocksfoot, farmers’ lines, disooloured, 3d; bright

seed, 3§d to 3|d ; town machine-dressed, 4£d to 5d Dairy produce—Cheese, 3d to 4d; loaf, 3Ad to 4Jd. Butter—Fresh factory, lOd; prime dairy, 7d to 8d ; salt (in boxes), 6d to Bd. Bacon and hams, GAd to 7§d.

WOOL SALES. The following is a copy of a London cable received by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, on May 5 :—Wool—The sales opened at an average decline of about 5 per cent, on last sales’ closing rates. There is much irregularity in the bidding. Competition by both Home and foreign buyers is fairly active, but the American demand is limited. Attendance of both Home and foreign buyers is good. The total quantity available, including wool held over from last series, is 269,000 bales, 102,000 bales of which have been forwarded to the manufacturing districts direct. Following is a copy of the London.market cable received by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited Tallow Market quiet. Tallow has declined 6d per cwt since last report, Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co. have received the following wool market cablegram from their London House, Messrs Sanderson, Murray and Co., dated 4th May : —Sales opened with limited competition, and the market has declined five per cent. Messrs Levin and Co., Limited, have received from their London agents, Messrs Dalgety and Co., Limited, the following cablegram, dated the otli May:—“ The sales continue with fair spirit, but without improvement in prices. English and French buyers are operating moderately, German buyers are operating cautiously, while the Americans are very reserved in their operations. As compared with the closing rates of last series, prices of qualities suitable for America are, on the average, sto 10 per cent, lower. Other descriptions are at par to 5 per cent, lower.” condon, May 4. The wool sales opened to-day. Prices were irregular, ruling from par to 15 per cent, decline. London, May 5. At the wool sales, Buxton, Ronald anl Co., Charles Balme and Co., Jacomb Sons and Co. submitted catalogues consisting of 13,195 bales. An excellent selection of wool was offered, especially in New Zealand crossbreds. There was a good attendance of buyers, but only fair competition, owing to the absence of American representatives. All good and superior crossbred wools and merino wools similar to what the Americans purchased at the March sales declined fully 10 per cent., medium to inferior from par to 5 per cent, and the choicest New Zealand crossbreds to 15 per cent. LoifßoN, May 5. At the wool sales to-day the prices were firm and the bidding spirited. Quotations are unchanged. London, May (5. At to-day’s wool sale the American buyers took a few lots. London, May 8. At the wool sales the competition for crossbreds was keen, but for merinos weak.

London, May 9. Yesterday’s sale was the best of the series. Crossbreds advanced 5 per cent., and medium crossbreds suitable for Bradford reached previous rates. Merinos were neglected, but a little was withdrawn. “ Tukituki ” brand (New Zealand) crossbreds realised B:|d. Hides—New South Wales heavy ox, 3gd ; light, 3jjd ; cow, 3gd. Basils—New Zealand, BAd. THE WHEAT MARKET. London, May 4. The price of wheat has fallen Is during the week. gJThe American visible wheat supply is estimated at 49,684,000 bushels. Melbourne, May 5. Wheat is steady at 5s 9d to 5s 9Ad. Flour, £l4 17s Gd to £ls. Oats —Algerian feeding, 2s 2d to 2s 3£d ; milling, 2s 4d to 2s sd. Maize, 3s Id to 3s 31 d. Barley—Cape, 2s lOd ; English, 3s to 4s 4d. Bran and Pollard, Is. Potatoes, 37s 6d to £2. Onions, £5 to £5 10s. Adelaide, May 5. Wheat, firmer tone, but barest business, 5s 3Ad to 5s 4Ad. Flour, £l3 ss. Oats—Dun, 2s 9d ; Algerian stout white, 3s Gd. Barley—Cape, 3s 9d to 4s 3d ; milling, 4s Gd to 5s 3d. Bran, Is 4d. Pollard, Is Gd. Sydney, May 5. Wheat—Prime chick, 3s 3d to 3s 4d ; milling, 4s GJd to 4s 7Jd. Flour—Californian, £lO 15s to £11; Manitoba, £l2 10s to £l2 15s; local, £l2 10s. Oats —Prime Now Zealand feeding, 2s 5d ; medium, 2s 4d ; seeding, 2s Gd Maize, 2s sd. Barley—Capo, 3s 2d. Peas—Prussian blue, 4s Gd. Bran, lOd. Pollard, IOAd. Potatoes —Circular heads, £2 15s to £2 17s Gd. Onions—Melbourne grown (prime), £G 10s ; New Zealand, £7 to £7 10s. Butter—Brisk demand, factory, Is to Is Id; creamery, Is Id. New Zealand factory, lid to Is. Cheese—Prime, 4d to sd. Bacon, 4£d to sd. Hams —New Zealand, 9d.

The New Zealand Doan and Mercantile Agency Company, Dimited, report on the produco markets for the week ending 7th April : Wool.—Since last report wo have had advices of the Antwerp sales, and also of the opening of the fourth series ih London. These fully confirm our previous anticipations, a distinct drop in values of over 5 per cent, being recorded. The most noticeable feature in the reports is the very large quantity of wool which has gone to the manufacturing districts direct, showing the tendency consumers have for purchasing in the colonies in preference to waiting for the London sales. Sellers who patronised \ our local auctions have undoubtedly made more I money tli -n those who shipped to London, and we think small growers would be consulting their own interests by offering here in future, in preference to taking the risk of the English market. Locally, we have no transactions to report, all coming forward being held for our next sale, on the 14th inst. We anticipate a good demand then for crutchings, and can recommend our friends to send forward all they have available. Sheepskins.—Our efforts to promote auction sales of these have already borne fruit, and our numerous clients express their appreciation of our endeavours in this direction. Our next sale, which will take place on the 14th inst., promises to be a large one, as we have already nearly 1000 skins catalogued, and on the date named we hope to be able to offer buyers fully 1500 for competition. As all skins are now held for auction, wq have no fresh quotations to make. Hides.—We have deoided to hold our consignments for our auction sale on 14th inst., and already we have on hand a considerable number to offer buyers. The market in Australia ia strong for heavy well-llayed ox, and we anticipate a good demand for similar quality here. Light and budlyilayed hides, however, are not in nnch request. Tallow.—Cable advices from Home report, a still declining market, and we can see no inducement for shipping to England. Locally, the supply exceeds the demand, and although there is no quotable change in values to record, the market is not so strong. We quote: Prime mutton tallow, 15s per uwt; good mixed, 14s to 14s 3d ; inferior and badly rendered, 12s to 13s per ewt. Wheat.—The demand for milling wheat here is very limited, but for whole fowl-wheat there is ready sale. Wo quote for the latter 4s per bushel, sacks extra, ex store. Oats.—There is no quotable change to report, but the market is still very strong and reports from the South indicate an advance very shortly. We understand that threshing operations in Otago and Southland are very disappointing, and a very considerable quantity of damaged grain will shortly be on the market. Quotations are —For prime short feed, 2s 7d, sacks in, ex stoie; seed Tartars and duns. 2s 9d to 2s lOd per bushel.

Maize.—There is none on the market, and we can recommend consignments. We quote prime dry up to 3s 6d per bushel, sacks in, ex wharf. Chaff. —All coming forward finds ready buyers, and there is every indication that the quantity available will not meet the requirements of the trade. We quote prime bright heavy in oats, 77s Gd, sacks extra, ex store. Fungus.—The consignments have been very small Ift e’.y, but all coming forward finds ready buyer “at up to 3£d per lb.

Messrs Abraham and Williams report as follows : —Since last report we have only held the Palmerston sale of Thursday. The entry of cattle was below medium. Beef sold freely. Beyond a pen or two of store steers, the remainder were dull of sale. Sheep were in excess of advertised numbers. Store ewes advanced in price, wethers, perhaps, a shade easier, though the demand was not satisfied. Lambs did not come forward. This class is inquired for. We quote :—Forward wethers, 9s 2d to 9s 3d ; small stores, 7s Id ; fat ewes, 7s Id; stores, 5s to 6s 8d; f.m, breeding ewes, 4s Bd, with lambs 8s 6d ; fat bullock

£5 2s to £5 8s ; 3-yr steers (forward), £3 13s 6d ; 2-yr do., 40s to 43s ; 15-months do., 34s ; 15 to 18-months heifers, 31s.

Messrs A, G. Taine and Co. report as follows *n their horse sale on Saturday:—The entry was a jrood one, the attendance fair and the sale above the average. Included in the entry we had a few draughts, which sold from £2O to* £27 ; harness horses, £8 to £l2; aged, £4 to £7 ; crocks, £1 to £3 10s; gig, £ls. Buyers were about for good draughts and good spring carters and express horses, and any good sorts coming forward will find buyers.

Mr Matthew Henry reports as follows on the live stock trade:—A very..moderate entry of sheep and cattle came to hand on Thursday. The former were chiefly mixed close wools, and consequently were dull of sale. Ultimately, there was a practical clearance of the yards, bar one pen of sheep, for which good value was offered. Subjoined are quotations:— Cattle —Yearlings, 30s; weaners, 20s to 21s 6d ;do small, 10s ; forward cows, £2 7s ; dairy cows out of profit, £2 10s. Sheep—Store ewes, 5s 2d to 5s Gd ; mixed crossbred sheep, 5s 9d ; cull ewes, 2s 9d.

Freeman R. Jackson and Co., Wanganui, report: —ln addition to our usual sale, we have held three clearing sales during the week. The attendance was large, as settlers from all parts of the Coast were present. At the Liilybank sales the sheep were keenly competed for, coming from Wairarapa and other places, but the present owner of Lilybank (Mr J. Wilkie) secured all the ewes and ewe lambs. The stud rams sold at full prices, considering the time of year. Those bred by Mr F. Sutton brought from GJ to 17J guineas; J. B. Sutton, 5£ to 17 guineas each. Mr Fleming’s cattle were a tip-top lot and sold to advantage, a good many going to Hawke’s Bay and to Lilybank. Mr Fleming’s sheep also commanded good prices, and were well competed for. At the different saleyards both cattle and sheep maintained their value.

Cattle. —At Mr John Hair’s—Purebred cows from £6 5s to £7; milch cows, £4 2s to £5; 91 milkers averaging £4 4s 3d each ; 18 months old steers, £2 2s Gd; yearling steers, 33s Gd; heifers, £2 2s Gd to £3 ss; yearling heifers, 25s to 28s; weaners, 17s; bulls, £4 15s to £7. At St. Hill street—Milch cows, £3 10s to £4 2s 6d; heifers, £2 2s to £5 ss; store cows, 38s Gd to 41s ; yearlings, 275. At Lilybank— Cows to £8 2s Gd; heifers, £3 7s 6d to £7 10s; yearlings, 325; one three-year-old bull, £7 2s 6d; yearling bull, £5 ss. At Waverley—Two-year-old steers, £2 11s Gd to £2 17s Gd; heifers, £2 ss; weaners, 21s Gd to 225; fat cows, £3 9s. At Mr Fleming’s sale on Saturday, purebred cows brought from 8 to 19 guineas, averaging about 12 guineas; bulls, 14 to 24 guineas each. Sheep.—At Mr Hair’s —Wethers and ewes, 7s to Bs. At Wanganui—Fat ewes, Gs Gd to Bs. A few extra heavy sheep, 11s 9d ; store wethers, 7s 5d to 7s 9d ; ewes, 5s 2d ; lambs, 3s 3d to Gs 4d ; old ewes, 2s 9d to 3s Id. At Miss Watts’, Lilybank—Fourtooth owes, £2 lGs to £2 17s ; full-mouth ewes, 37s to 45s ; two-tooth ewes, 31s; six-tooth ewes, 355; ewe lambs, 27s ; stud rams, those bred by F. Sutton, G.V to 17V guineas; J. B. Sutton, 5J to 17 guineas. At Waverley—Breeding ewes, Gs 4d to 8s ; lambs, 5s 7d ; old ewes, 3s lOd to 4s Gd. At Mr Fleming’s— Purebred ewes, 39s to 44s ; ewe lambs, 11s ; ram lambs, 18s Gd. Pigs.—Porkers, lGs Gd to 17s Gd ; smaller pigs, 11s Gd to 13s 3d ; young pigs, 3s to 5s Gd. Horses. —At Mr Hair’s sale—Daughts made from £24 10s to £2B 10s ; unbroken, £lO to £l3 ; hacks, unbroken, £5 2s Gd to £0 ; light harness horses, £ll Gs ; ponies, £4 12s Gd up to £ll 10s. At the yards— Weeds and screws, 30s to £3 ; light draughts up to £l4.

WELLINGTON MARKETS

Messrs Laert & Co. report current wholesale values as under : Hat and Corn Market.

SHARE MARKET. The Wellington Stock and Sharebrokers’ Association reports on the share market as follows:

Members of the Association : A. T. Bate R. W. Kirkby E. Bucholz R. Leary R. Gardner D. T. Stuart (Chairman) Harcourt & Co. A. G. Taine & Co, James Henderson L. H. B. Wilson

— Price. - Variation Afi compared, tfith last week. 2f% imperial Consols .. 4% N.S.W .. .. .; 34% N.S.W. 3% N.S.W. .. 4% Victorian .; 3$% Vib’totian 4% South Australian 34% South Australian .. 4% Queensland .. 84% Queensland .. 4% New Zealand* 3.1% New Zealdndt .: 3% New Zealand .. .: 31% West Australian 8|% Tasmania J , s; d. 112 10 0 122 .0 0 107 15 0 101 10 0 113 0 0 107 0 0 112 15 0 112 15 0 114 10 0 107 5 0 114 5 0 107 0 0 ioi 5 0 109 10 0 108 15 0 io/-highei-. Unchanged; Unchanged. 5/- lcWer. Unchanged. Unchanged; 51- lcjwer; 5/- lowei; 20/- higher. 51- higher. 15/- higher. Unchanged; 25/- higher. 10/- lower. 5/- higher;

Paid up per Share. !j Buyer. © 1 £ £ s. d. £ s. a. £ s; d; BANKS. National .. .; .2* 1 18 9 — I 19 6 Australasia .. . 1 40 . New South Wales.. 20 36 10 0 Union 25 — — INSURANCE. National i — — 0 18 8 New Zealand 2 3 12 0 3 11 6 South British 1 — _ Standard 0 15 6 — N.Z. Accident — — # SHIPPING, New Zealand 8 — 4 15 0 Union 10 — — _ FINANCIAL. Equitable Building 5 7 10 0 — Wgta. Trust & Doan 5 — 6 0 0 _ Wgtn. Building 5 — • National Mortgage 2 0 12 9 — — N.Z. & River Plate 1 0 15 6 — 5 GAS. Wellington.. 10 — 18 0 0 18 10 0 Wellington.. 5 9 0 0 —• — Napier 10 — 19 0 0 — Napier 1 — — '' Wanganui .. 10 — — 16 0 0 Palmerston North 3* 3 12 6 3 12 0 Gisborne 1 — — * COAL. Kaitangata .. 10 — — — Kaitangata .. 1 — - — Westport 3 2 19 0 — — WOOLLEN, Kaiapoi 5 — — 6 0 0 Mosgiel 3§ — — — Wellington .. 4 — 4 0 0 —: Wellington .. 1* — — 1 8 0 MISCELLANEOUS. Ge ir Meat .. 10 — — Gear Meat .. * 4 6 10 0 6 7 6 6 10 0 Meat Export 5 — — — Meat Export 4 — — Meat Export .. 2§ -Si- — 2 10 0 W. and M. Rails .. 1 5. 1 2 fi N.Z. Drug .. . i 2 — —u 2 8 (3 N.Z. Drug . . _. s, — — — Sharland & Co. .. g — N.Z. Candle .: 10 — — 14 0 0

Vessels. Ton3. ~ Steamer 8,530 10,242,192 Sailing 12,275 2,902,021 20,805 13,144,213

Steamers. Gross tons. Great Britain and colo189 fj. 1896. niea 5,G90 10,215,577 Germany ... 83 L 1,360,472 France 532 931,244 United States 477 761,707 Spain 365 519,315 Norway 551 491,612 Italy 222 314,523 Holland 2 4 320,794 Japan 267 313,563 Russia 314 277,302 Austria-Hungary 153 241,269 Denmark ... 265 248,773 Sweden 427 233,427 Greece 107 144,975 Brazil 314 139,305 Belgium ... 66 139,300

Great Britain and colonies ... 8,726 3,267,625 United States ... 3,881 1,358,467 Norway ... 2,810 1,176.174 Germany ... ... 1,026 566,973 Italy ... 1,692 472,032 Russia ... 1.753 363,046 Sweden ... 1,444 285,665 France ... 1,425 252.940 Greece ... 1,059 ' 256,196 Turkey ... 1,247 241,096 Spain ... 1,175 167,143 Denmark ... 7; *5 1 19,813 Holland ... 66 $ 149,649

£ a. D. £ a. D. Feed barley ... 0 2 7 Maize ... 0 3 6 Oats, feed 0 2 6 Wheat, milling 0 4 4 Fowl Wheat ... 0 3 11 Rye Corn 0 3 3 Seed Barley ... 0 3 9 Hay, ton 4 0 0 Oaten, ton . ... 3 10 0 Straw, ton 2 10 0 Chaff, oaten sheaf 3 10 0 Whea e , straw... 2 fi * 0 Beans ... 0 3 4 Onions ... 5 10 0 Peas (I'lue) c... 0 4 6 Roller flour ... .;. 11 0 0 Pollard 4 7 6 Oatmeal 12 10 0 Bran 3 10 0 Cape Barley ... 0 3 2 Potatoes. Potatoes, round 3 10 0 Kidneys 3 10 0 Seeds. Ryegrass, Farmers’ lots 0 2 9 to 0 3 4} Ryegrass, Machine dressed 0 4 0 to 0 4 e Cocksfoot, lb ... 0 0 3i to 0 0 4* Farm vnm Dairt Produce. Milk, quart ... 0 0 3 Butter, fresh farm, lb 0 0 4 to 0 0 6 Butter, separator 0 0 8 to 0 0 10 s i.lt butter 0 0 7 Cheese ... o 0 4 to 0 0 4* Loaf 0 0 Eggs, doztn (fresh; ... 0 1 10 Eggs (lime.!) ... 0 1 2 • Bacon, lb ! latn, 1!) 0 0 h 0 0 7 Fowls, pair 0 2 ti Ducks, pair ... 0 3 0 Geese, p ir 0 4 n Turkeys, pair... 0 G 0 to 7 0 6

j BUSINESS SELLERS buyer;. LOCAL. j £ s. d. £ s. d. £ e. d. Wellington Woollen £1 (ex) s _ 4 0 0 Wellington Woollen £1 10s (ex) _ 18 0 Wellington Gas, £10 paid . . I _ 18 10 0 Equitable Building and Investment .. j 7 10 0 Manawatu Railway — 1 2 G — Gear Meat, £4 paid.. — G 10 0 G 7 6 Wellington Meat Export, £212s Gd paid , 2 10 0 _ N.Z. Candle Co. — 14 0 0 — BANKS. New South Wales (cum) 3G 10 0 National 1 18 9 1 19 G ■ INSURANCE, New Zealand 3 12 0 3 11 G SHIPPING. Union Steam Ship (cum) -950 N.Z. Steam Shipping — 4 15 0 — GAS. I Christchurch .. < 9 15 0 Napier .. ..j — — 19 0 0 Wanganui (cum) . ,i — 10 0 0 — Palmerston North.. — 3 12 0 Greymouth (ex) — 8 7 — MISCELLANEOUS. Kaiapoi Woollen (ex) G 0 N.Z. Drug, £2 paid .. — 2 8 — Westport Coal 2 19 0 — —