COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4224, 3 October 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties received for the week ending October 1. 1574, were as under:

The Customs returns for the last quarter amounted to £35,451105. 4d., as against £22,551 14s. Od. for the corresponding period in 1573, showing an increase of £12,000 4s. 7d. "Last week's trade has been dull, the country trade having been to a great extent impeded by the continued wet weather andjfiooded rivers, which have stopped traffic for a short time both on the West and East Coasts. In town very little has been doing, and prices remain, without alteration, at our last quotations. There have been no foreign arrivals except the Malay, from Hobart Town, which brought a seasonable supply of potatoes, all of which have been quitted at £3 per ton. Sugars are still quoted at £44 to £4O 10s. for first counter; £4O to £42 for counter; and £37 to £3S per ton for yellow, duty paid, with but little demand beyond ordinary wants. Candles have met with improved enquiry, but quotations continue at 10Jd. to IOJd. per lb. Kerosene, moderate stocks, and mostly in the hands of dealers. Teas, little doing. The May's cargo of new teas has turned out well, but the consignees have not pushed sales. Old teas are becoming low in stock, but pricos still rule low. In ' DUNEDIN MARKETS. The latest report of the state of the Dunedin import market is the following : This past week has witnessed no improvement on those preceeding. A revived condition of things cannot, we believe, be very far distant. The only movement wo have to notice was in the auction-rooms, where the ships' stores were offered, and attracted large attendances. In one line, 1000 cases of Devoe's kerosene, with all faults, and on behalf of wliom it may concern, were offered, but withdrawn, biddings not reaching auctioneers' reserve. There were also presented, and knocked down in one line, 1250 mats, or about 50 tons, of Yarraville sugars, second qualities, the remainder of a previous consignment. The price realised was £3O per ton—a slight advance on previous rates, and indicating that these beautiful sugars are gaining favor, or rather, are giving a foreshadowing of that wider popularity which they are destined to attain when better known.. In brandies there continues to be a total cessation of business, nothing but the barest requirements of the market being sought to bo supplied. As producers at Home still maintain high rates, sooner or later Colonial markets will be compelled to respond. We have nn change to note in whisky, the market for which continues to meet the steady consumption that so repeatedly, we have said, exists for the higher descriptions, and almost for them alone as distinguished from low to ordinary sorts, for which there is no inquiry. Other descriptions of spirits require no remark. Bottled ale and stout remain dull, stocks still heavy. In bulk ale, the little' recurrent movement which we noticed in our last goes nothing beyond supplying the exceptional and very limited wants of a few retailers. There is a distinct market for bottled beer, but bulk comes into contact with the local brew in what lias been won as its own field, and which it will not cease to hold, to the virtual exclusion of tho imported. In tea, we hear of no special transactions ; quantities in bond, wo observe from the bonded stocks returns, keep gradually reducing, and wo believe the market is becoming marked by an absence of really good teas of all descriptions. Butter is in steady demand, the inquiry being for prime. Of cheese, stocks are moderate, anil really good commands from 7d. to 7M. Hams and bacon (Colonial) are in fair request, but the market for English is so circumscribed as to be hardly worth naming. In tobacco, prices are advancing, but the rise in cost has not led yet to much or any speculation. The beginning of the month may elicit some movements. In candles, stocks are fairly supplied—the demand rather .languid. Stocks of kerosene are low; sales during the week have been effected, according to size of parcel, at from Is. Sd. to Is. SW. In hops, a slightly better feeling has existed this week, and a few sales been effected. Malt is unimproved. Galvanised iron is in better inquiry; it is being looked upon as better stock. Fencing wire remains at broken rates, but a few sales have been effected. In timber, stocks have been largely augmented lately from cargoes of both Colonial and Provincial. We would remark, however, that the newspaper notice which we formerly referred to of exportation-) from Auckland to this port was incorrect to this extent —that several of the crafts enumerated had sailed and delivered their cargoes prior to that notice, and that some had been withdrawn from the berth without sailing. Flour still maintains recent prices; £lllos. in sacks, £l2 in small bags. There has been some shipping during the week. Wheat is quoted as before ; for prime 4s. Sd. Oats are firmer. Barley dull; juice nominal. THE CRISIS INLAUNCESTON. (Abridged from the Lav.nccslon Examiner.) The excitement in commercial circles still continues. Several meetings of the smaller firms have taken place within the past two days, and though the results have formed food for conversation and to some extent speculation as to the probable course of events, attention is centred on tho great meeting to be held on the 25th. A meeting convened by circular of creditors of W. B. Eldin and Co. was held in the office of Messrs. Douglas and Collins on Tuesday at -noon. A statement of the affairs of the estate was presented, which showed the assets to be hi round numbers £7OOO, subject to a large reduction for bad debts, &c.; liabilities between £19,000 and £20,000, tho principal part of which consisted of accommodation bills. Mr. Home, referring to a > person named Hanchett, who had a secured claim on the estate for over £2OO, asked who he was. The bankrupt replied he was his clerk. Mr. Home inquired what the amount represented ; bankrupt replied money lent. Mr. Ritchie expressed surprise at this statement, and bankrupt replied—" You would be surprised if I were to tell you "he had a thousand pounds." Messrs. Ritchie, and Ditcham simultaneously said they would be surprised, the latter observing that he knew tho family, and that it was quite impossible that the young man in question could have that money or be in a position to lend any. A conversation ensued in reference to a composition, Mr. Douglas remarking that had there been a larger attendance of creditors, he was in a position to offer a composition with security, but he declined to name it then. An adjournment having been mentioned, Mr. Home said by next steamer he hoped to have powers of attorney from the Melbourne creditors, and he should then know who he was to- represent. Mr. Ditcham then proposed an adjournment till Monday, which was agreed to, and it was proposed by Mr. Douglas that in the interim Messrs. Smith and Home should investigate Hanchett's claim. Mr. Ditcham •suggested that as ho was well acquainted with tho circumstances of the family, and would most likely be able to give valuable information, ho should be associated with the two gentlemen named. To this Mr. Douglas objected, stating that if Mr. Ditcham were appointed he should advise Mr. Eldin to refuse to produce his books for inspection, which the latter said he should do. Mr. Ditcham remarked that it seemed as if the insolvent and his solicitors wished to defeat the creditors in their investigation. Mr. Douglas asked if Mr. Ditcham meant to insult him; the latter answered —no, but it appeared very much like what he stated. Mr. Douglas then, in a very excited manner, ordered him out of the office, and as the latter refused to go, he seized him by the collar and tried to push him out of the door. His efforts were ineffectual, however, and Mr. Ditcham remained until the proceedings terminated, .which they did immediately after this scene. The same afternoon lovers of the sensational frequenting tho wharf were gratified by an episode which occurred alongside the Nautilus. It seems that Mr. Moton Moss, an energetic Hebrew from Melbourne, who has been bitten rather sharply by some of the firms over here, received information that some woolpacks bearing his brand were on board the Nautilus, and ready for conveyance to Hobart Town ; and believing he had a legal claim to them, obtained a warrant to scarcli tho vessel. Armed witli this, and accompanied by his solicitor, constables, &c, lie proceeded to the vessel, and finding the woolpacks, had them discharged from tho vessel, much to the delight of the wonder-seeking crowd of wharf lumpers and craftsmen who had quickly assembled. Mr. It. J. Sadler, who claimed the woolpacks, soon appeared on the scene, and protested against tho action of Mr. Moss, offering to prove that the woolpacks wero his (Mr. Sadler's) property, but all in vain, and the goods, ■ twenty bales, valued at £250, wero removed to the Police Office. The seizure is alleged to have been an unjustifiable one, and Mr. Moss has been served with notice of action. At a meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Dowic and Woodgate, hold on Tuesday afternoon, tho offer of 4s. made by that firm at a previous meeting was taken into consideration, and it is reported that it was accepted—2s. cash, and 2s. at three months. Messrs. Win. Cartledge and Co., corn factors, of Brisbane Street, and John Cartledge, junr., miller, of Delorainc, are taking steps for liquidation by arrangement. Mr. George Hubbard has aLso filed a petition for liquidation by arrangement. A meeting of tho creditors of Mr. James Roberts, grocer, has been held, and we understood a composition of 2s. in tho £ was offered. Messrs. l'etcrs, Barnard, and Co., have filed their petition for liquidation by arrangement, and tho first meeting of creditors undor tho Act has been fixed for 25th. Mr. Richard Green has been appointed receiver; Tho Mclbourno creditors aro . anxious for a full investigation. Our attention has been directed. to tho very anomalous condition of affairs respecting tho present commercial crisis. About a dozen bankrupt estates are carrying on business as though nothing had happened, and thero is no surveillanco over them.

BY TELEOJIAPH.

AUCKLAND. - October 2. ' Mr. Buckland reports ;—Fat cattle firm, at 375. Cd. to 50s. per lOOlbs. Sheep are soiling at lower rates ;in wool, 4jd., shorn, a farthing lower. October 2. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports:—Sales : South British, 615.; Crown Trince, 145.; Golden Calf, 4s. Id. Buyers: Bank of New Zealand, 3.W5.; Queen May, Bs. Sellors:'National Bank, 715.; I'iji Bank, Ms.; Standard, lis.

£ s. d. Spirits .. 421 7 10 Cigars.. ' 25 4 1 Tobacco 32 2 .3 Wine .. 17 r 7 Beer 0 0 0 Tea .. 170 12 G Coffee and Chicory.. 0 0 0 Sugar .. 101 10 1 Goods by weight .. 48 18 0 Goods ad valorem .. .. 405 15 7 Other duties 31 7 6 Light and shipping dues, &c. 30 10 3 £1380 10 s