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Otago Daily Times, Issue 4010, 23 December 1874, Page 3

DRIED, FRUITS. (Duty, Id per lb.)

A fair demand continues lo exist for all descriptions of these articles. About the beginning of the month currants were lively, much beyona what they have been for a Ions; time, realising from 4£d to 4Jd; but they can hardly be said to have steadily remained thus, for nlthougli there is not much to decline from at 4}d, there is difficulty in always obtaining that figure. In regard to bottled and preserved fruits, wo are surprised at the steady demand which prevails,' considering the superabundant supply which wo have in our gardens of every description of fruit.. .During the year ending 30th September last, we imported of fruit, bottled and preserved (including jams), £9305, an increase on the year preceding of £2087; of fruits, dried, £11,357, being an increase of £686; and of fruits, green, £9313, being an increaso of £1552. Led to remark on this subject, but in reference to the entire Colony, by the publication of the statistics for 1873, the New Zealand Herald, after noticing the riches of our orchards and gardens, goes on to say, '!Tet <lo we depend on a sister Colony for that which we could furnish in almost any quantity from our own gardens. In 3873 we imported into tha Colony bottled and preserved fruits to the value of LIB,OOO, and green fruit valued at 125,000. All this shows an unaccountable want of turning our native products to account. Here is L 43,000 sent out of the Colony for that which we produce, or should be able to produco for ourselves. Jams are an article of everyday consumption, in the Colony, and there is no fruit which is convertible into them we cannot grow., Quotations may be made as follows: Currants, 4}d ; Jordan almonds (shelled), 2s to 2s Id ; dried apples, B.Jd ; figs (71b boxes), 7d to 8d; Eleme raisins, fid to Ojjd ; Cape raisins, 6jd ; Valencia do, 6d; Sultana 3, 7d ; Muscatel layers, Is o^d to Is Id ; Barcelona nuts, GJd ; French prunesfglass jars), Is Sd to Is 9d ; bottled fruits, 12s •to 13s 6d ; Colonial do (in tins), 8s to 8s 6d

SUNDRIES. Bagging (Duty 10 per cent, ad valorem).— Corusacks have occupied some attention sinco our last. There was some inclination shown to speculate a few weeks ago-the'stimulating cause, probably, being advices from Calcutta of a rise in jute, by which bags liarl advanced two rupees, and which pointed to a probable advanco in the Dundfie manufacture. A considerable business has since been done, although at a wryslight additiou to cost, and 12s 6d was quoted for huge parcels; 12s 9d was readily got for small lots. Thcio continu. s the inclination to take up> parcels in prospect of the harvest, and quotations are of being rather firmer. Woolpacks are in excess, and neglected. Kerosene (duty, 6d per gallon), although in the midst of the season of reduced consumption, is in fair request, attributable to stocks being, light. Devoe's patent tap, now considered indispensable, is now quoted at Is 6d, I. 8., and in few hands. •• •

.-_ Hops (duty 3d per lb) are said to be emerging into fair demand, and selling in trade parcels at paying prices. On -turning to importations for the year, we detect the cause of the long neglect which Rent's have suffered. The amount is £15,762 as against £10,084 for the year preceding. SALES OF.PROPERTY. At a late sale by Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co., the following property in the city of Dunedin was disposed, of at the prices given below.:— Section 32, block XH, Elm row, £240; Church leasehold .at the corner of Jetty awl Bond streets, with a ground rental of: ,6171 3a, and nearly twenty years to run, bonus of £020; section 26, block XXXV, having,a frontage to Howe and Leith streets, with two dwellinghouses, containing five arid six rooms respectively, £890. The prices recently realised by tlie sale of some> land in the township of Milton are worthy of note, as showing tho effect the construction of railway \vork3 has upon the value of landed property in their vicinity. Seventeen acres, divided into 51 sections, realised £3433 15s,' the terms being 25 per cent, cash, the balance to be> paid at any time within seven years,' with' 8 per cent, added. The land thus realised an average price of about £202 an acre. It was originally purchased by its late owner at the rate,of 10s por acre. Again, some land in the Glutha district, in the neighbourhood of the lino, was latelytaold for £50 an acre. This laud is quite in a state of natuie, and not very promising in appearance.