COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9107, 2 October 1890, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times Ofiic.-, Wednesday Evening. AC the time of the despatch of oar last monthly summary the trade, not only of this city and district, but of the Colony generally, was in a state of collapse through the labour strike. The strike is not yet over, but trade has revived and got more into its old regular groove. It was feared at one time that supplies in the principal centres would run short, Cut that fear has vanished, all the markets being now well supplied with every commodity with the exception of coal. The import market has been fairly busy during the month. There have been several arrivals of vessels from the United Kingdom with cargoes of sorting np lines. In Wellington and Christchurch there has been considerable friction between the retail grocers and their merchants. Grocers’ Associations have been formed in each of these cities, and one of the cardinal points of the Associations is that the members shall not advertise their retail either In the newspapers or by means of tickets in their windows or shops. While most of the grocers have kept strictly to the letter of the law, others have gone on the old lines and freely advertised their wares. This had led to warm debates, and a request to the merchants from the Association that such retailers should bo »• boycotted” by the merchants, and in cases where the merchants continued to supply such ticketing retailors the Associations have “ boycotted ” the merchants* At present' the matter remains in abeyance,

The prospects of general trade are good. When once the strike question is ended, there is no doubt the Colony will rapidly progress after all the troubles. Notwithstanding the present strike disturbance the Customs revenue for September waa above the average for the past few months. The total receipts amount to L 128.780. While this sum is very good at tbo present time, it falls of the amount received in August (L 143,514). or the amount in September of last year (L140,.u0). The local rates for flour. potatoes, and other produce advanced considerably at the commencement of the strike, owing to the difficulties of transport; but at present prices have receded to their normal condition. Candles are still scarce, and prices are stiff; colonial makers are asking fi£d. The sugar market is unaltered. The New Zealand Sugar Company’s No. I’s are worth L 23; No. 2’s, L 27 10s; No. 3’s, L 25, Rice is still firm; fine Japan being worth L3O. In iron goods Blocks are fairly heavy, and prices are nothin favour of importers, Fencing wire is a trifle easier. There U not much demand for cement. Mr D. T. Stuart reports on the share market for week to date Banks—New Zealand, old issue L 5 2s 6d to Lf> ss; new issue, sellers 83s ; Colonial, buyers4os fid ; sellers, 425, ex dividend. Insurance —Colonial, sales 7» ; National, 15s to 15s fid; New Zealand, 66? to 67s fid: Standard, 13? 3d to 13s 61: Union, Bales 25s 4d. Financial—National Mortgage, sellers 10s fid; New Zealand Laan and Mercantile, 57» to 58.?; Equitable Building of Wellington, buyers L 7; Wellington Trust and Loan, Lolos to LC 12s fid; Wellington Building, sales L 6 ss; buyers LC ss. Sundries— New Zealand Shipping, sellers 97s fid; Gear Moats, Lsto L 52h fid; Meat Export, issue L 5 paid, buyers L 4 12a Cd to L 4 15s; Wellington Woollen, buyers 355; Wellington Gas, LlO paid, sales Llslos, buyers Ll 5 10s; L 5 paid, sellers LB. STOCK SALES. (from our own correspondents.) Christchurch, October 1.

At Addington saleyards to-day of fat sheep about 5000 were yarded, a good proportion being prime. The demand was good throughout. Beat wethers brought from 18s to 23s 7d and 25s 9d; for extra weights, mixed sexes, 17« to 20s; do ewes, 15s to 20s; merino wethers, 12? to 17s 6a ; mutton, 2£d per lb, less skins and fat. Of fat lambs there was a fair supply; prices, 10s to 14s, Of store sheep about 2000 were yarded. The demand was good. Fat cattle, a small supply and good inquiry. For beat bullocks, L 8 10a to L 9 15a ; medium. LC 10a to L 7 10a ; cows and heifers, L 5 to LBloa. Beet is selling at 21s to 26a per 1001 b. Of store cattle there was a good entry, with a better demand lor cattle in prime condition. Pigs—Medium supply of baconera. For stock porkers a good inquiry, Dunedin, October 1.

At the stock sales to-day 180 cattle were yarded. Best bollocks, L 7 12? fid to L 9 15s; extra heavy to Lll, others L 4 3s to L 7 7s fid. Beef—Prime, 22s fid; ordinary, 17s 6d to 20a per lOOlbs. 2310 sheep—Beat cross wethers, 14s to 18s 3d; extra prime, to 20s 3d ; medium, 13s 9d to 14s 9d; best do ewes, 14s to 15s 3d ; medium, lls to 13s 9d; merino wethers, 9s 6d to 12s. Mutton, l|d to 2£d per lb, 345 pigs— Porkers, 29s to 325; baconers, 34s to 40s each.