COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4264, 19 November 1874, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

The improvement in the weather during the past month Ms led to a corresponding improvement in trade, which has been more than usually good. We cannot, however, report any material alteration in prices from our last month’s quotations, and while stocks continue heavy and competition keen we can scarcely expect a different result. Shippers should bear in mind that there is a limit to our consuming powers, notwithstanding the daily increasing prosperity of the colony and tho large influx of immigrants. In several descriptions of goods shipments have been enormously in excess of, our wants, more especially in the articles of oilmen’s stores and bottled beer. At a large auction sale, held by Mr. It. J. Duncan, 200 casks of Xennent’s bottled ale were sold at 11s. perdoz. for quarts; Jeffrey’s stone ale, 10s. od. and 11s. per doz.; Alloa ale, Bs., and Blood's stout, 9s. per doz.—prices which must have left a loss to the shipper, while the greater portion of the lots offered were withdrawn, the bidding being insufficient; and in oilmen’s stores the prices obtainable can scarcely leave a margin of 2 per cent, profit on cost and charges. The arriva’s during the month have been the Helen Denny, The Douglas, and the Star of India, from London, all with considerable cargoes of goods for this port. The Halciono has nearly completed her loading, and will shortly sail for London, being the first wool ship of the season. Wool is coming in freely from tho stations, but beyond a small sale by auction we hear of no sales, the clip being mostly shipped on growers’ account. About thirty bales wove sold nt auction on thclCth by Mr. G. H. Yenncll at the following ratesl2 bales long woollcd fleece, in grease, at Is. per lb. ; 8 bales washed fleece at Is. 23d. per lb.; 4 bales greasy wool, at Is.; 4 bales Jocks at Did.; 3 bales washed fleece at Is. Lid. Bank rates of discount are unaltered. Ale and porter (duty paid—-bulk, Is. per gal.; bottled, Is, 3d.).—Our market is still overstocked with bottled beer, and sales by auction have been mode during the month at prices that must leave a loss to shippers. Good brands of ale and stout are quoted at 12s. per doz., though sales have been made of Tenncntsatlls. perdoz.; and Jeffery’s, in stone bottles, at a similar figure. Bags, woolpacks (duty, 10 per cent.).—Cornsacks arc dull, and quoted at 12s. Cld. to 13s. per doz. Woolpacks meet with more inquiry as tho season advances; but prices rule low, and sales are reported at 3s. (id. to 3s. 9d. Candles (duty, Id. per lb.).—Sperm candles are in moderate demand —for trade requirements onlydealers showing no disposition to speculate. Owing to the largo stocks on hand, prices show no improvement on last month's quotations of 101 d. to 10id. per lb. Cement (duty, Is. per barrel). —Portland cement is in fair supply; and sales have been made at 20s. Gd. to 21s. per barrel. Coffee (duty, 3d. per lb.). —Baw Coffee, in bond, moves off slowly at la. 3d. to Is. 4d. per lb. Moderate stocks. Chicory (duty, 3d. per lb.).—Stocks ample for trade requirements, the demand for the imported article being much checked by the good quality of the colonial-grown. It is quoted at OJd. per lb. Confectionery (duty, 2d. per lb.) Koiller’s make meets with the usual demand, and prices are unaltered. We quote 10id« to 10|d. per lb. Sales moderate. Flour (duty, 20s. per ton).—Adelaide flour is quoted at a reduction on last month’s rates, and sales have been made during tho month at .£lO per ton. Fruits (duty, Id. per lb.).—Stocks of currants have been increased by recent importations, and fruit of good quality is now worth 4Jd. per lb. Eleme raisins meet with moderate Inquiry, at Old. to 03d. per lb. Sultanas are in fair supply at 7d. to 7jjd. per lb. Figs, Bd. to 9d. Dried apples continue scarce, and are worth 9d. per lb. Hops (duty, 3d. per lb,). —The stock of old hops in importers’ hands is quite unsaleable. New hops continue firm at la. Od. to Is. lOd. per lb., most of the recent Importations having boon taken by the brewers. Malt (duty. Is. Od. per bushel). —English malt at this season meets with little favor from the brewers, who can use the colonial grown, which is much lower in price. It is quoted at Ills, per bushel ; tanks, £4 103. ; but we hear of no sales. Metals (duty, 10 per cent.). —Tho increased activity in tho building trade leads to a good demand for corrugated iron, and best brands are readily saleable at £35 to £3O per ton ; stocks moderate. Fencing wire moves off slowly at £25, £2O, and £27 per ton, according to number, the demand having slackened. Sheet lead and zinc in moderate stock and saleable at £44 and £3O per ton respectively.

Oils (duty Cd. per gallon),—Tlie arrival of the Oneco has supplied the wants of this market for kerosene, which is now quoted at 2s. 3d. to 2s : 4d. per gallon, duty paid. Haw and boiled oils are m active demand at 4s. Sd. to ss. per gallon. Colza, ss. Gd.per gallon. Oilmen’s Stores (duty, 10 per cent.)—Our stock or articles under this head continues large and prices low. Ilico (duty, id. per lb.)—Patna rice of really good quality is in demand, at 28s. to 30s. per cwt. Stocks moderate. Inferior rice unsaleable. Salt (free.)—Stocks heavy; worth 80s. to 85s. per ton. Spirits (duty, 12s. per gallon.)—The spirit trade has been moderately active during the month, with little or no alteration in Quotations, stocks being rather in excess. MarteU’s and Hennessy's brandies, in quarters, are worth 10s. to 10s. 3d. per gallon ; case do., 30s. to 31s. per doz. B.P. Rum, 30 0.p., is quoted at 4s. Gd. per gallon ; 10 per cent, do, 3s. 9d. to 3s. lOcl. per gallon. Geneva nominal at 12s. Gd. to 155., according to contents. Dunvillc’s case whisky is quoted at Cs. 9d. per gallon, with little doing in other brands. Old tom, no inquiry. . . Sugar (duty, Id. per lb.)—The quotations for sugars remain unaltered from our last months rates, nrst counters, £43 10s. to £44 per ton : counter. £4l; ana yellow £3O to £37 per ton, duty paid. We report sales of Yarraville sugars for shipment to several of the outports, which will somewhat ease the stock in tins market. . , , , Tea (duty. Cd. per lb.)—A fair trade has been done during the month in the last shipment of teas per May, at fair prices. Old teas meet with little inquiiy. Tobacco (duty, 2s. Gd. per lb.) —Prices continue firm for choice brands, and a fair trade lias been done during the month. We quote—St. Andrew s twist, Is 7Ad. to Is. Bd. ; Black Swan, Is. CAd. ; Shellard s, la. 6d. per lb. ; Tens, no demand. Cigars (duty, ss. per lb.) —Prime samples of Havannah cigars are much wanted, and are worth £ll to £lO per 1000. Manillas are in fail* supply at 755. German do, 40s. to 80s. per 1000. Wines (duty, 4s. per gallon.)—Business in ports and sherries has been unimportant, and restricted to the ordinary wants of the retail trade. Little doing in other wines. COLONIAL PRODUCE. Butter.—Butter in kegs is unaltered in value, and meets with scant inquiry for shipment. Quotations are nominal for prime ,butter at Is. Id. to Is. 2d. per lb. Cheese. —Cheese continues low in stock, and in active demand for good Canterbury makes at 9d. in 9Ad. per lb. “Flour.—Flour remains firm at £l3 12s. Cd. per ton for Oamaru, and for Canterbury £l3 per ton for sacks, the great scarcity of potatoes having considerably influenced the consumption. Hams and Bacon.—Hams and bacon of prime cure in cloth are scarce, and are woi’th Bd. to lOd. per lb. Grain.—Oats, owing to stocks being low, and prices in Canterbury advanced, have been sold at a higher figure than has ruled for some years. Prime feed oats are worth Gs. 3d. toGs. Gd. per bushel, with every prospect of higher rates ruling before the new crop can come in. Potatoes.—None. Worth £lO to £ll per ton. Timber, —In good demand. Matai, £7 10s. to £S per 1000 ; white pine, £7 per 1000 ; totara, £0 to £lO 10s. per 1000 for shipments of mixed boards and scantling.