COMMERCIAL.
The Customs duties received at this port for the _twooL. ontlinK November 5. were a= fnlloti'o t --
Business in the import market continues brisk, and has been more active during the past week than has been the case for some time back, both in town and country orders. We hear of no large lines to report, sales being confined to the customary requirements of the retail trade, and prices, owing to strong competition, continue low and unaltersd from our monthly quotations. Dried fruits are in fair demand, and currants are firm at 4Jd. to 4Jd. per lb. Bottled beere are overstocked, and cannot be quoted higher than lis. to 12s. per doz. for best brands of ale and stout. In spirit 3, brandies meet with moderate inquiry at 10sto 10s. Od. for Martell's and Hennessy's in quarters' case do., 30s. to 31s. per doz, Sugars have not improved, and quotations for I.C. remain at £43 15s. to £44 per ton ; C. £4l, and Y. £3O to £37 per ton. In new teas tho demand is active, and a large portion of the May's cargo has been distributed at fair rates. Flour remains at £l3 12s. Od. per ton for Oamaru, and £l3 2s. Od. for Canterbury, in sacks, and is in fair demand. Butter, in kegs, dull and neglected at Is. per lb. Cheese scarce, and worth 9d. to 9Jd. for prime Canterbury. Bacon and hams are scarce and wanted, McConnel's, in cloth, are worth lid. to 13d. Oats are in short supply and have gone up to os. 3d. per bushel, stocks "down South being either exceedingly light or held back. Potatoes continue in demand and are much wanted; a shipment of 75 tons from Melbourne, per Alhambra, realised £8 10s. per ton at auction. There have been no arrivals from London, although several ships arc now due, and the Star of India, which was spoken a day or two back, may bo looked for on the first shift of wind. SYDNEY AVOOL MARKET. The latest circular of Fanning, Griffiths & Co., of Sydney, is as follows ; The probability that owing to retarded receipts of the new clip the shipments for London February sales will be on a limited scale, and reports of small stocks in Europe, encourage those to ship their wools direct, who, some time since, were intent upon selling in this market. The experience of the past forbids any attempt to speak of the probable ruling prices next year; but it should be remembered that during tho last two years no benefit has been reaped by early shipments, and with tho prospective substantial increase of supplies, a similar occurrence may take place next year, and show that all who realise here will in the long run find it the best and safest plan. On whatever side we look, wo are forced to the conclusion that it is as important to the wool-grower as it is to the consumer, that the Australian wool-trado should bo established on a broader and more secure basis. To all acquainted with tho present system of sending all tho produce to one place, it is scarcely necessary to mention that, notwithstanding the excellent management of the London market, the greatest uncertainty attends wool business, and fluctuations now so frequent will, with say a production of some 700,000 bales to bo submitted next year, and an adequate increase in future years, reach such proportions as greatly to injuro station proprietors, dealers, and manufacturers. The point is certainly deserving tho consideration of all engaged In this important business ; and by establishing direct communication with all the consuming countries these violent and too frequent relapses would not only be materially avoided, but the trade, on the whole, simplified, besides saving much time, and economising charges. One pleasing feature in tho present time is, to know that American wool buyers do not leave progress to chance, but usually look a littlo beyond tho immediate futurejand by the arrival of several large wool buyers, it is satisfactory to seo that the United States and Australia are yearly becoming of greater importance to each other, and mutually their trading transactions are acquiring increased proportions. With a permanent market once established in Amorica for our increased production, other countries in want of good wools will havo to follow in its wake, and eventually establish markets for Australian wool, and place this article, like every other raw material, immediately at the consumers door. Next of importance to freedom of Intercourse between producer and consumer it may bo of interest to mention tfcat great progress In breeding has lately been made In this colony and Queensland, and with tho satisfactory result it is now no longer a question whether a good delaine or merino combing wool can or cannot be produced. All doubt is removed, a long and sound sample, well adapted for the American market can be producod, and we trust when those facts are known they may lead to greater attention being devoted to this quarter. This season the bulk of the clip will reach us in tho unwashed state, and wo are now approaching the tlmo when the wool arrives in large quantities from all parts. The moderate quantities offered at auction
have mostly sold at steady prices. Ordinary unwashed realised from Btl. to 10d., and good to superior from IOJd. to 12d , whilst a few extra fleeces touched as high as 13d. per lb. Scoured wool sells at2od. to 22Jd.; and one lot in a superior condition brought 24d. per lb., but no clip of good washed ileeca has as yet been offered. Wo deem it right to add, that for the American market only carefully classed and wellskirted wools are wanted, and we would earnestly advise wool-growers to send their wool in the best possible order. Inferiority may be overlooked in the period of scarcity, but not in the time of plenty. DUNEDIN IMPORT MARKETS. (From tho Otago Daily Times, November 2.) Being the end of the month, buyers have been holding back for some days, and during last week therefore, the market wore a somewhat dull aspect, except in shipping, which continued activo, With the new month wo may expect considerable improvement. Brandy continues inert; nothing beyond tho ordinary trade demand can be referred to. Holders are firm, and concessions not general; but they had little need to be, sinco current rates only cover London cost, to say nothing of expenses. In whisky a very limited business has been done. The favorites of the market are, however, somewhat low in stock, and for these a slight inquiry exists. In geneva thero has been very limited direct importations for somo time, and tho market is becoming rather bare. This will bo felt when tho demand increases, as it evidently soon must. In rum stocks are ample, and beyond retailers' limited requirements no enquiry exists. In tea the market is void of energy, buyers evincing the wisli to hold off operations until the new season'scargoes are to hand, when probably stocks of last season's still held will be moved more freely and to better advantage. For these holders are prepared at present to accept of rates from which moderate concessions have been made, but with prevailing ideas respecting tho coming crop seo no necessity for sacrificing. Fair low to medium are enquired for for station purposes. In sugar the season of laying in supplies was well started from the opening cargo, submitted to auction by Messrs. Whitelaw and Co., and which we furnished particulars of last week. The assortment was good, and the first white crystals certainly exceeded in quality the average seen here. This was evident from tiie way in which the retail trade jumped at some of the lines. Suitable qualities are finding their way fast up-country, and our 50 tons a week consumpt will soon require fresh supplies. Dried fruits of all descriptions are well held ; ' currants especially ara firmer. Butter is easier, supplies, answering to the genial showers we havo had, coming in more abundantly. Prime samples of cheese are scarcely to be had, and are worth from SJd. to 9d. In hams and bacon, good colonial, in continued very limited supply, is taken up as fast as it comes in. English imported, on the way, will help to supply the want, and wo hear of one shipment that has been sold to arrive at encouraging prices. In tobacco the market furnishes this week certain more positive indications of advance than hitherto. Stonewall Jackson twists, ex Oneco, are being held for advanced rates. One firm have sold out all the New Zealand Joys which they held, at improved prices. Another firm have disposed of 123 packages to a large Melbourno house at a considerable advance on late rates. This large parcel was shipped by the Tararua, and the transaction proves the genuineness of the rise that has taken place, and how slow and little sensitive is our market to note and profit by such fluctuations in cost value. Candles are dull, and have given way a shade. Kerosene, with the supply not extreme, has not receded at a rate corresponding to that of the Melbourne market; there is no change to note since last week. Hops are scarcely to be had, but enquiry has for the present lulled. Galvanised iron continues to improve. In fencing wire, there is inquiry for certain numbers which are scarce ; rates are maintained. Cement is in reduced stock again, and enquiry constant. Timber, with building materials in general, is in brisk demand; cargoes constantly arriving from all parts of the province and colony, and the neighboring colonies. Woolpacks are in enquiry, but at very low quotations. Enquiries for sacks exist. Flour remains unchanged; a fair town trade doing. Wheat is dull; prime samples have been bought at 4s. 91d. Oats remain exceedingly scarce, are eagerly sought for. Latest transactions have been at ss. Od. Barley continues scarce. Feeding is in demand at from 4s. fid. to 4s. Del. The quotations for malting are from ss. 3d. to ss. od. Bran and pollard are in good local demand, at £5 10s. to £olos. per ton. BY TELEOIUPII. AUCKLAND, Friday. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports :—Sales : Caledonian 105 s Buyers: Bank of New Zealand, 3605.; National Bank, 685.; South British, 425. ; Cure, 9s. Sellers: Colonial Bank, 125.; Tokatea, 9s. od.; Bank of New Zealand, 3055. Of fat cattle there is the usual supply. Prices are lower—2ss. to 30s. per lOOlbs. Fat sheep—last week's rates, 4d. to od. per lb.; half-bred hoggets, low condition, 13s. to 155.; lambs, 9s. to 10s. CHKISTCHUECH, Friday. The market report is as follows :—Quotations, free on board at Lyttelton—Wheat, ss. to ss. Od.; oats, ss. 9d. to os.; flour, £l2 10s. to £l3 10s.: bran and pollard, £0 55.; sharps, £7; cheese, Sd.; butter, Hid. to 12Jd.; grass seed, ss. od.; the market bare. DUNEDIN, Friday. The latest market report is as follows:—Fresh butter, Is. Od. to Is. 7d.; second quality, Is. 4d. to Is. od.; fresh, in lumps, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; prime salt butter (new season), Is. od. per lb.; aalt butter, in kegs (new season), Is. 4d.; good cheese, scarce, lOd. to Is.; side and rolled bacon, Is.; colonial hams. Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.; beef, 9d.; English, Is. 4d. to Is. Od.; eggs are still very plentiful, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.
£ a. i\ Spirits jigars.. Tobacco .. 497 15 11 27 15 0 .. 200 10 0 Wine .. Beer" .. .. Ill 13 7 .. 115 IS 0 Tea .. .. 154 12 0 Coffee an Sugar . - d Chicory 1 .1 0 .. 242 13 2 Goods by weight .. 441 14 8 Goods an valorem .. 916 6 7 Other du ies 6(1 4 ( Light du ;s, &c 80 11 11
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4254, 7 November 1874, Page 2
Word Count
1,962COMMERCIAL. New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4254, 7 November 1874, Page 2
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