FINANCE AND TRADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3639, 13 January 1899, Page 2

FINANCE AND TRADE.

; "New Zealand Times ” office, t ■ Thursday overling. The Customs returns for to-day amounted to -CHOS Is 4d. Those who were under tho impression that there was an increased export of dairy produce during ' 1898 will be surprised to learn that tho contrary was the case. Tho quantity of butter shipped iu 7897 was 98,518 cwt, and in 1898 95,827 cwt, or 2691 cwt less than in the previous year. The value of last year's exports, notwithstanding the decrease in quantity, was JC3S more than in 1897. The average price in 7897 was about BJd per lb, and in 1898 about 9d per lb, and this difference explains the position. The shrinkage in the exports is probably due to the lateness in shipping, and it will, no doubt, be found (hat for the current season the export of butter will exceed that of the season ot 3897-98, Tho quantity and value of the monthly 1 shipments of butter for 'the past two years are shown in the following tnltln,

IF the exports of thb last quarter bo compared it will be seen that the., opening mouths of the current season show an improvement of 2-151 cwt over its predecessor. Tho shipments of cheese in 1838 exhibit a shrinkage of 8703 cvvt in volume end ,£11,275 in value. The tendency of tho dairymen in New Zealand in towards the manufacture of butter in' preference to cheese, but the high prices now ruling for tho latter will probably give an impetus to its manufacture this season. It will hardly be politic to neglect the manufacture of cheese altogether, for there m a prospect that now markets will ho found for this product. The monthly shipments of cheese for the past two years: are ap-

A telegram has been received by the chairman of the Koaring Meg Sluicing Company that work was commenced on Wednesday. The company possesses two licensed holdings of 50 acres in extent and rights to 00 heudt* of water. Hydraulic and other machinery of the very latest description has been erected, and good results are expected. Most of the shares in the company are held in Wellington. ENGLISH COMMERCIAL. . PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, Jancary 11. WHEAT. According to *• ** estimate, tho Aine>'i(un vibihle ruppiy of wheat east ol tho Rockies amount* t0M.057,U00 bushels, aa ugtiiost 50,120.000 bushels laat week. TALLOW. At the tallow sale* iii7s casks were offered and 1025 auld. Mutton, fine, brought 2is Od per owt; medium, 2 in; beef, fine, 22s Od ; medium, 21a Od. Tho rtew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) has received the following cablegram from its London bouse, dated Uth iuot. s—'* Tallow—There is a good demand; New Zealand fioo mutton is worth 23s Oil per owt; Now Zcaiaud good betf, 22s per owt/'

table: — 1897, . 1898. ,Cwt. £ Cwt. £: January 14,058 55,17-1 18,021 70.370 February 10,926 11,422 17,253 68,219 March 15,065 60,194 11,5111 44,993 April 7,163 28,789 3,752 16,619 May 7,293 31,651 6,018 32,489 June 6.512 30,387 2,953 16,408 July 2,918 14,387 9<5 5,410 August 1,063 5,010 321 1,622 September 1,221 5,026 212 1,169 October ... 3,928 15,185 3,520 15,112 November 13,326 50,016 15,227 61,527 December 15,016 62,601 15,974 66,483 98,518 400,445 95.827 400,180

pemlod: — 1837 , 1838 Cwt. £ Cwl. 4: January 2085 5584 11,015 20,836 Pebrnaxy •• . 17,818 33,980 11,413 23,830 XIarch . 11,333 27,821 13,928 20,016 April Slay ... . 12,181 . 11,095 .. -MOl 24,771 20,080, 9091 9351 >52)7 4388 17,389 9998 8797 July '• August September . October 2132 4229 1693 3531 853 1808 789 1899 3570 1655 1896 2030 1302 3914 4467 3057 November 812 1648 171.0 3818 December .. 8098 15,629 4640 9580 77,316 149,938 68,613 135,063