FINANCE AND TRADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3883, 28 October 1899, Page 6

FINANCE AND TRADE.

“New Zealand Times” office, Friday evening.. The Customs returns for to-day amounted to £1501) os 3d.

The report and balance-sheet of the Greymouth Gas Company, Limited, for the year ended 3(Jth September are to hand. The report states that the gas consumed by meter for the year has been 7,066,800 feet, snowing an increase of 217,200 feet over the previous year. The net receipts from gas consumption amounted to £2844 17s lOd; meter rents, £134 19s 3d; sale of residuals £l6O 5s 2d; and other minor receipts, together with £1797 10s 2d brought forward from the previous year, made tiie total receipts £5040 6s lid. The working and other expenses totalled £2429 17s 7d, which left an available balance of £2610 9s 4d. Out of this an interim dividend of 5 per cent., absorbing £SOO, was paid in April last, and the directors- propose paying a further 5 per cent, making 10 per cent, for the year, and carrying forward £l6lO 9s 4d.

According to the private cable message I received by Messrs Nelson Bros., there appears to oe a decided fall in the values of frozen mutton and lamb. It is dif-, ficult to say what is causing the depres-; sion, but it is possible that the with- ! drawal of so many men from mills and factories and other industries by the mobilisation of tne army and navy in ' Great Britain has caused timidity on the part of holders, who are probably forcing sales to clear off all pressure of supplies. It is usual for the market at-this period of the year to show signs of hardening, and the slump is,,therefore, all the more: disappointing. There was nothing in the position a month ago to suggest a decline. Writing on the '22nd ult., the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company state that the arrivals since the last monthly report have been —Gothic, with 44,063 carcases, and Star of Victoria with 9446 carcases, the last the only arrival in September, and probably the smallest monthly shipment ever received. The small numbers received this month reduce the large excess over last year, from 188,011 the end of August, to 94,793 the end of September. The increase of the nine months is still a large one as compared with k last year, but consumption kept pace with receipts, until the glut of shipments in July caused a slump in values, from which the market is only just recovering. The last fortnight has seen an improvement in prices, specially of North Island, and the, end of last week there seemed every prospect of 3’-d per lb being very generally reached, but competition again upset calculations, and while some sheep were being held for 3-Jd per lb, other consignees sold mutton of similar, quality at 3d and 3jd per lb., ... •

For some time past cheese has been making excellent prices in the Home markets, and there is a prospect of the high level being maintained for some time. There has, been a sympathetic advance in the colony, -but it seems that holders here are disposed to be too exacting in their demands. . In its dairy produce report the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company says: —“New Zealand cheese has been sold to arrive, but we ventm-e to think that the holding out for higher prices in the colony is a.-' mistake, considering the good offers which have been made f.o.b. and o.i.f. As, prices are likely to bo maintain hi" for. a few months, it .is of importance that early shipments should .bo made from New Zealand.” The advance-in the cheese, market' is attributed to the continued dry .weather in' England.'and the short make' 1 in both Canada and at Home. I

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited is iii receipt of tlis following cable message from its London office, under date 26th instant: Sheepskins—Merino and fine crossbred have advanced id per lb; coarse crossbred. Id per,lb. ■ ; The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Companv. Limited,- has received the following cablegram from its London house, dated 26th instant: —Frozen and preserved - meats—The market, prospects are not so good, and stocks are in excess of trade requirements. Canterbury mutton is quoted at 3Jd per lb.' Wheat and flour—The market is quiet. Spot and c.i.f. quotations have both declined Is per 4691 b since last report. Butter—Quotations are unchanged. Tallow —Good beef tallow has declined 3d per cwt since,last report.

COMMERCIAL CABLES. ' ' PRESS ASSOCIATION . iti LONDON, Thursday. .o WHEAT. The American visible supply of wheat is estimated at 72,493,000 bushels. 1 ' MOUNT LYELL. RETURNS. MELBOURNE, Friday. (Received October. 28, 1.10 a.m.) The Mount Lyell returns from 21st September to ,18th October are:—27,159 tons of ore were treated, the average assay value before treatment being—Copper, 3.03; .silver,‘2,3B; gold, .09 ounces. In addition to the above there were treated’ 2416 tons purchased ore. The converters have produced 764 tons of blister , copper, containing—Copper, 755 tons; silver, 63,3670 z; gold, 26660 z.

GOLD RETURNS. AUCKLAND. Friday. , The Mariposa mine crushed 256 tons of ore. for gold valued at £203. :i THE OATS MARKET. INVERCARGILL. Friday. The Grain Brokers’ Association reports good business in oats during the week. A grade are now quoted at 2s Id, B at 2s, C at Is lid, f.o.b. at the Bluff, sacks in. If continues ■ further advances may be looked for. DUNEDIN SHARE MARKET. ■I: DUNEDIN, Friday. The following sales are reported on the Dunedin Stock Exchange; Holden Run, 455.- ... Hartley and Rilev, 150 s, 1455, 1425, 140 s. Magnetic, 595, 58s 6d. Sales at nronumn:-r Alriine Consols, Bs. ' Cairn mu ir. 5s 9d, fis. Central Electric. 33s 6d. Hpntle Annie, 9d. Bd, Cold, Queen, 6s 6d. Holden Bed, 1»- lid. ’Halfway House. 7s, fid. Orwell Creek. 3s 3d. Second Magnetic, 9s. Upper Magnetic, 3s;, Otago Stock Exchange, premiums: Arrow Junction, fid. ; YEriekson’s Reward, 2s. Hrey Consolidated, 9dOld Dnnstnn, 3d. ■ ‘At. auction: Erickson’s Reward. 2s fid premium. First Chance (new issue), 3s 3d. Leaning Bock, par. Gibbston, Id. • HERR RASSMUSSEN. THE DANISH HERBALIST. Sufferers from blood and nerve affections. rheumatism, piles, liver and kidnev complaints, skin diseases, etc., etc., will be pleased to hear that Herr Eassmussen, the celebrated Danish Herbalist, of 547, George street. Sydney, has now permanently established a .branch at 91, Lambton quay, Wellineton, for the sale of his worldrenowned herbal remedies at Sydney prices. Blood Pills, boxes, 6s; course (equal to five boxes). 23s fid; nerve pills, same price; pile powders. 3s and 6s; rheumatic pills, headache tablets. Is; corn cure, Is: eucalyptus oil and jujubes. Is; liver and kidney pills, which cure indigestion, costiveness. etc., etc., boxes. Is. An early call solicited- 91, Lambton quay. Wellington, next to Mesara'Cameron and Christie.