COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6496, 7 December 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, W»Jnesday evening. The amount of Customs Revenue received tn-day

en Roods entered for consumption was £222214 a Id.

Mr Donald Stronach (on behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Limited) reports for the week ending 6th December as follows :—

. Fat Cattle.—l9l head were yarded, including 45 stores and dairy cows. Tho supply was not by any means excessive, but last week's priceß were not maintained. Bu'locks brought up to £12, and cows from £6 to £710s per head. We sold a draft, on account of Mr Alexander Thomson, of 21 cows at £6 to £7 7s 6d ; and quole beef at 203 to 22s Gd per 1001b. .Fat Sheep.—l 692 were penned (about 200 of these being merinos), which were sold, under fair competition, at about equal to last week's prices. Cioss. breds, in the wool, broujhtfromlja to 15s 8d; thorn, 9a to 14s ;.merinos (shorn), 6s 6d to 9s 6d. Our sales today were as follow.:—Shora^erosßbreds: 241 on account of Fleming and Hedley, at from 3s to 13s 6d ; 81, Wilson Bros, at from 9s to 9s 9d; 30, H. and T. tittle, at 13s 6d ; 23, Robson, at 93 Gd; 40, P. Hunter, at oa. We quote crossbred mutton (shorn) 2d to 2Jd, and in wool 3d.

Fat Limbs.—The large supply of 874 was fojwarded to-day, and a reduction cf la to la 6d per head was experienced in consequence. We sold lots on account of Messrs Robuon, Cruickshank, J. and S. Wilson, Jessoji, and Wilson Bros, at market rates. Fat Pigs.—l 34 were yarded, and sold at prices ranging from 15s to 78s each Store Cattle and Shtep.—On Tuesday, 6th inst., we held a sale at Johnston's Yards, Waikouaiti, whon we offered a large quantity of cattle and sheep. The attendance of buyers was particularly good, and we succeeded in diaposing of bullocks up to £4 10s; cowa and heifers, 35s to £4; young cattle, 21s to 365; merino ewes, with lamb 3at foot, 9j Id. We purpose holding a sale at the same yards in another month, due notice' of which will be publishod. We would draw attention 'to our advertised sale at Mnpgicl on Friday, Bth inßt., when 150 head of well-grown bullocks and steers in forward condition will be offered.

Bheepekins.—We offered a good catalogue at our usual Bale on Monday. Tho attendance of buyers was fair, but biddings were cot animated, and last week's prices were not obtaintd (taking the quality of the

skins Into consideration), except for a few lots best gvcen butchers' hkins. The following was the range of prices realised. Station and dry Bkins fetched from 2i 7d to 4s 4d for crossbreds, and iis lid to 4s lid for merinO3; bitchors'greon crossbreds, 4a Yd toGs 3d ; merinos, is 6j to 63 lOd; lambskins, Is to Is Id; polts, 6d to lOd. - Ribbitnkins.- We disposed of a few bagb of mediiim quality under fair competition at the following prices-viz, lOjd to 15Jd; Vveil-fnrrcd,- properlysaved, thin-felted skihSi, i\V shipping condition, are nortn froni Is.f d to Is 6d per lb.

HldSs;—So Sllteratiou in values. • Tailiv*—Wo have again to report a weak nwkot. Wo offered and sold medium to fairly-runußred at from 24s to 2S.<; rough fat, at 183 611 to 209 lid.

Grain Wheat: We are yet unftb!9 to Voport auy improvement in cither demand olf Valuo for this cereal, and any quotations wo give are nominal. Good to prime, 4s 3d to 4s Cd; riiediuiri, 4s to 43 3d ; inferior and fowls* Wheat, Bs 3d to 3; Od. Oats: The demand is limited, and-, wilh increasing stocks, prices ftre lower. We quote prime milling, 3s Id to 3s 2d; good bright feed, 3s to 8s Id"; inferior and discoloured, 2s 9d to 8n lid; Barley: No transactions.

Mossra Wright, Stbfhekboh, and Co. report for thu week ending 6tb December a3 follows i—

Fat Cittle.—An averajre supply came to hand, ]91 head being yarded. Of this number, fully one fourth were no better than stores, and the rest ordinary to good quality. Bidding was by no means brisk, and last week's quotations wore not sustained, We yarded aid sold 93 head as follows:—On account cf Messrs Murray, Robert', and Co. (Gladbrook Estate), 20 bullocks ut from £9 17s !!d to £11 53 per head (average £10 8j per head), and 10 cows at from £7 5i to £7 10a (average £7 7s per head); on account of Jamoa Qow, Esq (Invcriuay Kstate), 10 'bullocks at j. from £9 2s 6d to £12 (average £10 6s Od per head), ami four heifers £0 15s; on account of Mr F. Grant, 18 bullocks at from £917s Cd to £10 15s; oil account of Mr A. Fleming (Siiandfleld), four bullocks at£o ]ss, and four cows at £5 15s J and on account of Messrs P. Miller, James fiarron, 11. M'Atastcr, and others, 28 head at up tb £8 for bullocks and £5 5s for cows. We tfuote prims boef at from 22s CJ to 25s per 1001b." . • Fat Sheep.— The number penned to-day (109?) wns scarcely equal to the requiremoijts of thet:ado; bidding in Kouseqatnco waa brisk, and piices, as compare! w'.th issi week's, showed an improvement of from le to Is 6d per head. We sold 696 elretp as 'follows: — For Mr John . Bathgato ('.Vest Taieri), 313 lialfbred ewes (in wool), at irom 14s 9J to 15s 9d; on account of Sir Edward Lee (Temuka), 66 very prime halfbred wethers (shorn) at 14s; on account of Edward Menlove, Esq. (Windsor Park), 124 priuic three-quarter-bred wethers (hhorn) at 14s; on account of Messrs Koss Brothers (Sleadowbank), 40 shorn crossbred wethers at 1 '.s (id; on account of Mr Robert Hurray (Tokonuiriro), « i-horn crossbred* at lls CJ; for Mr John Draper (Tok> mairiro), 57 shorn crossbreds at Us 9tl; for Mr L. D. UoberUon (SanJlly), 15 shorn crossbreds at lls.Bd • and for Jlr W. A. tudd (Mosgfel), 38 shorn halfb'rcls at lls 31. We quote prime mutton (in wool) at 3d per lb; thorn, lit 2Jd per lb. Fat iambs —The niarket was over-supplied, 874 being yarded ; va!uc9, in consequence, sulfertd a decline of fully la per head on last week's quotations. We sold 398, as follows:-For Mr E. Morrison (Alklay Bay), 18 at 8-, and for Mr J. James (Heibort), 19 at Cs; tor Messrs Ross Brothers (Meadowbank), 144 at from 6s 9d to 83 ; for Mr A. Sutherland (Ngaparn), 102 at from 63 6(1 to 6a 9J ; for Mr F. Freeman (Green Island), IS at from 63 to 7s; for Mr T. Finnic (Saddle Uill), 84 at 58; and for Mr John Draper (Tokomairiro', 61 at su. Pigs.—l 39 penned. We disposed of 93, as follows :— Four bicon pigs, at from 65s to 76j; 27 porkers, at from 24s to 38s; and H2 stores, at from 13s to Ua

each. Our stiles were, on account of Messrs James Scott (Dmm Oali), D. M'Callum, and R. Wink-field. ' Store Cattle.- Owing to the backwardness of the season, there is bu little inquiry for store cattle. Privately during tlio week we have placed 40 wallbred bullocks (half fat) at £0 per head. Next Wednesday, at Bjrniids, wo shall offer 35 three and four year old bullocks in very forward onditien. Sturo Shccji.—Tho demand for crossbreds, fullmouthed merino ewes, and young meiiuo ewes and wethera continues w.lhout abatement. There id, hovi-uvcr, but little ii.qniry for full-moiithrd merino wethers. Our private sales for tho past week comprise U.OOO thtep asfollows~viz., 10,5U0full-moutliud merino cwos, 1500 two-tooth halfurcd wethers, and 2000 crossbred hoggets, all at full nit. s. Flock Kams.—We lnvo to rqwit the sale privately of 100 two-tooth merino rams, on account of Mr John Johnston (Kaikiku), and cf 30 two-tooth merino rams on account of Mr Alexander Kobertjon (Waitepeka), both lots at satisfactory piices. Country Sale".—We hold our monthly sa!c at Palmoraton to-morrow, when wo shall offor a largo number of fat and sloie c»t le and sheep. Horses There is bus little d.-mand at present for either draughts or light-harness horsoj ; we look, however, for some improvement before another month is over. Me quote lirst-class draughts at from £30 to £35; medium, £15 to £2.V; good hacks and lightharness horse*, £15 to £-'0; medium, £10 to £12; light and inferior, £3 to £7. Wool.—The latest cablegram from London is as follows:—" London, sth December. -At to-day's wool sale the catalogue comprised 10,100 kales. Gyod competition was experienced, and prices firmly maintained." On Monday jaßt we disposed of a few bundles and bags, principally farmers' lots. Greasy croisbiei fetched up to 105.1, and merino up to 10JJ.■ Sheepskins.—We held our weekly sale on Monday last Thero was the usual attendance of the trade ; bidding, however, lacked animation, and values suffered a decline of from 6'd to Is per tkiu ; green crossbeds (butchers') fetched up to 5s 9d ; merinos as high as 5s 7d; and country skinj from Is Id to 5s ?d. Rabbitskins.— Winter skin 3 are becoming scarce, and pricoa in consequence are firmer. We quote b.'st winter skins (thin-pelted and properly saved) at from 17d to 18d per lb. Hides and Tallow.—We did not offer any this week. Grain.—Wheat: Since our last report wo have no change to report either in demand or values. Nominally we quoto best milling at from 4s 4d to 4s 61; ordinary, 4s 2j to 4s 3d; inferior, 3s 9d to 3s lOd. )ats are in very limited request. We quoto choice bright milling ac from 3s 2d to 33 3d ; heavy bright feed, 3s Id to 3s IJd. The tendency of the market is at present in favour of buyers. Barley: No demand.

Messrs Maclean and Co. report for the week endlDg 6th Decoraberas follows:— Fat Cattle.—l 46 head were .raided to-day for trade requirements, of which about 80 were prime quality, and the remainder fair to good. At the beginning of the tales there was good competition, and up to 25s per 1001b was obtained; but as the sales advanc. d prices receded from 28 (id to ss. Bullocks brought from £7 lCs to £12, cows from £1 15s to £7 10s. We sold 7 head bullocks on account of James Kutherford Esq., M.U.R., at from £10 tj £11; and on account of Messrs R. Daiziel, J. Cameron, and others, 20 head at quotations. We quote prime beef 220 (Id to 253 Her 1001b. Fat b'liccp.—ln all 1693 sheep were penned, and these consisted of 1492 crossbreds and 200 merinos. This number being an average lot, there was a brisk demand, with the result that all were cleared at prices about equal to last week's values. Crossbred?, in the wool, brought from 14s to 15s 9<!; do shorn, 0s to lis; moiinos, shorn, 5s 9d to 9d 6d. We sold 35 shorn crosbreds on account of Mr James Wilson (Balelutha), at 10s 3d; on account of Mr W. Barr(Mahono', 35 shorn merinos at from 5s 9d to 8s; oi account of Messrs A and J. Brown (Green Island), 48 shoru orossbreds at from 9s to 13s 6d; and mi account of Mr J. Finch (Jlilburn), 35 crosEbreds at Us. We quote crossbred, shorn, 2d to 2Jd per lb; do in the wool, 3d. fat Lambs.—Tho very large number of 874 was penned to-day, all being sold at prices ranging from 5s to Si 9d. We sold 35 on account of Messrs A. and J. Brown (Green Island.), at 7s fld ; on account of Mr Barr (Maheno), 40 at 8s 9d ; on account of Mr J. Pinch (Milborn), 46 at 8s Od ; and on account of Mr J. Wilson (Balelutha), 6 at 7s 3d. Fat Pigs.—To-day 134 were yarded, and Bold at from 15a to 765. Wo soid 25 porkers, on account <Jf M. Smdholme, Esq. (Wnimate), at from £2 Is to £3 2s. Horses. - We held our usual weekly sale last Friday, in consequence of Saturday being a racs day, when we offered a very large catalogue of all descriptions, but particularly hacks and light-harness horses. There was a good attendance, and iho following prices obtained :—Good hacks brough; up to £23 ; heavy draughts, £30 to £.40 ; medium, £18 to £25. We shall offer a number of hacks on Saturday first. See advertisement. Country Sales.—We would direct attention tjour

ealo to-morrow (Thursday), at Baldutha, when we shall offer 170 head store cittle on account of Messrs Cameron.

Shcepskinß.—Our usual sale was held on Monday last, when we catalogued and sold a large number of skins of all descriptions. There was tho ordinary attendance of the trade, and the following prices obtained :-SUtion skins brought from 33 M to 53 4(1 ; butchers' crossbreds brought from in 6d to 5s 6J ; merinos, 3a lOd to 5s 4d ; pelts, 9d.; limbskins, Is 2d tols4d.

Rabbitskins.—There is a good demand for wellfurred winter skins, and up to Is Bjd is obtained. Hides.—For well-conditioned heavy hides up to 4d per lb is obtained, and others in proportion. Tallow.—The market is hardly so brisk, but up to 28s for well-rendered tallow, and rouj;h fat 233 per cwt., is obtained.

Grain.-Wheat: The market is without alteration since receDt reports. Millers are disinclined to operate unless at very reduced prices, consequently little -business has transpired. We quote prime milling nominally 4s 4d to 43 6d ; medium, 4s to 4s 3-i; fowl feed, 2s 6d to 3s 6d. Oats: In this cereal there is almost nothing doing; still the market is showing a material improvement in Melbourne, and this' niiuht improve tho market here. Wo quote prime milling, 3s Id to 3s 2d ; good bright feed, 3s. Barley : Unless for prime malting, there ij Isttlo demand, but for lots of this description up to 5s U obtained.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. teport for week ending 6th December as follows :—

Fat Cattle.—l9B head came in to-day. About 45 of these were stores and dairy cows, and, excepting the Gladbrook draft, mo6t of the rest were medium quality. Thero was only moderate demand, at prices showing.a reduction on last week's rates.- A .few pens were turned out unsold. Bullocks sold at £6 2s 6d to £12 103 ; cows, £4 7s 6d to £8 ss—or equal to 22s 6d per 1001b for best beef. We yarded 66 head, and Bold—for Mr Purn'ott (Paimcrston), 13 bullocks, £3 76 6d to £i, 1 heifer at- £6 103: account Mr J. Summers (Oamaru), 10 bullocks, £6 103 to £8 17s 6d; account of Mr IVm. Adams (Otakia), 6 eow<), £7; account Mr J. M'Nab (Kuri), 2 cows, £5; account Mr H. Brown, 1 heifer, £5 12:1 6d; account Messrs Fleming Brothers (Saddle Hill), 7 heiferß, £4 2s 6d ; account Mr John Walloon, 6 bullocks, at £7 159: and for others, 7 stores, at £2 183 to £4 123 6d. Fat Calves.—None in. Fat fcheep.—l692 were penned. These were nearly all Bhorn cro3sbreds of medium quality. Only a few pens of really prime were offered. These brought last week's rates, but medium and inferior quality wero difficult ti quit at reduced prices. Crosßbreds in wool sold at 123 to 14s Dd ; shorn do, 8s Od to 13s; merino wethers (shorn), 6 < (id to 7s OJ. ; do ewej, 5a 9d to 6i 6d. Wo penned 255, and sold on account of Mr Ja?. Allan, jun. (Laktfreld), 14 shorn crossbreJs at 13s; on account of Mr S. Kobertson (Herbort),?44 shorn crossbreds at 11s fid ; on account of Mr A. Kobertson (Otepopo), 17 crossbred owes 83 9d, 24 mcrine ewes tij fid ; on account of Messrs 801 l and Currie, a draft at 10s 6d; on account of Mr. Win. Young (Clarendon), s'! crosebreds at 9s 9d ; on account of Mr John Finch

(Waihola Gorge), 01 crossbreds at 13s to 14s ; on account of IXf-k. Smith (Toiro), 22 crossbred ewes 10j 6d, 15 crossbred wethers 93 ; and for Mr Jas. Oughton (Janefteld), 18 croshbreds at 12d 6d. Wo quote mutton 2d per lb.

Fat Lambs The largest number ever yardod at Burnside were penned to-day—viz, 874. About half of these were prime, and tho rest mostly medium. The trade bought freely throughout, the whole find-

ing purchasers at slightly reduced prices. Best sold at 7s to Ss 9d ; others, 5i to 6a Od. We sold, for Sir John Andrews (Hampden), 40 at 8s 6d; for Mr J. Allan, 25 at (is; for Mr J. A. Townsend (Waikouaiti), 40 at 7s 3d to 7s 94; for Messrs Bell and Currie (North Taieri), 28 at 53 9d; /or Mr William Young (Clarendon), 31 at Cs 9d to 7s; and for Mr James Oughton (Jancfield). 22 a* 6s 9d.

Pigs.—l 34 penned. Mont of these were useful porkers, and brought advanced prices; while stores were in very moderate request. Porkers soM at 24a to 765; others, Us to 219. We sold a draft at 60s.

Store Catt o.—We have no transactions. Store Sheep.—We have numerous inquiries for young crossbred ewe; and wethers. Wool.—We shall hold our tecond sale of the season at the Wool Exchange, High street, on Tuesday next, 12th December, at 3 o'clock.

Sheepskins. —On Monday we offered a lengthy catalogue. There was the usual attendance of buyers. Bidding was scarcely up to last week, the decline being most noticeable on country crossbreds, which sold at Is 9d to 6s (id ; dry merinos, Is 4d to 5s Od : butchers' green skins, 4s Gd to 5s 7d ; pelts, 8d to 12d ; lamtskiue, Is 4Q to Is 7d ; station skins in bales, Gd to 7d per lb. Babbitskins.—None offered this week. Hidea are in very moderate demand, and unless in 6ound condition, and free from dirt and offal, there is a difficulty in selling. Some of the latest consignments are badly cut, tendering thorn aim Bt unsaleable. We quote best heavy hides, 4d; light, 3d ; cut. and damaged, 2d per lb. Tallow.—We did not sell any rendered this woek. We disposed of a few tons butchora' rough fat at £20 10s per ton Grain.—Wheat: Millers are inquiring for choice forts, which oould be placed at up to 4s 6d per bushel. With medium and inferior the market is overstocked,

and prices a shado lower—say 3s 7d to 4s 4d J chickfeed, 3s to 3s cdi Of (c are coming to hand freely, and as shippers arc at' v standstill, prices are rather in favour of buyers. . Wo quote bright feed and milling, 3S 2d to 3s 3d; discoloured, 33 to 3s lid. Barloy: Nothing doing.

Potatoes have again receded in price, and ate now almost unsaleable. At auction, potatoes havos.ld at £2 103 to £3 10s per ton. • ,:\

Messrs Stephbnson aso Co. report for the week ending oth Deuembur as follows t—

Pat dn.ttle.-i9l head yarded to-day at Bumsidbi ltiu;u.i!ii«f about 15 etorto and dairy co.is. Tho sup; p',.y, though fair, did not 'seem in any way excessive, and prices receded in a small degree as compared with last week Bullocks fetched up to £12, and cows trrjtfl £6 to £7 10s. Wo sold drafts on- account of Messrs Jenkins; Moypahan, M'Gill, arid others at quotations. Wo quote best beef at from 20j to 22$ 6d per 100!b. Fat Sheep.—l 692 penned, of which about 200 wore merinos, and sold under fair competition at about last week's prices. Crosabreda, in wool; brought from 14i to 15j 0<l; shorn, from 9s to lis; merinos; shorn, 63 6d to 9s Cd. Wo sold, on account of Mr Peter M'Laren, 151 crossbreds (thorn) at 10s to 10s 9J. Wo quote prime muttoi—shorn, 2d to 2iJ; in wool, 3d per lb. . . . Fat L»nibs.—B74 penned, and sold at, £ay, from Is to Is Oil per hbad lees than last week. Fat Pigs.—l 34 yarded, and sold at from 16s to 70j. Sheepskins.—Mora active competition was observable, ai.d better prices were obtained; at our usual auction sale on Monday than we were enabled to report on lajt occasion, and we cleared a good catalogue of well-Bblccted skins at highly-satisfactory prices, butchers' crossbreds fetching as high as Hi 7d, and merinos up to 53 Gd ; lambs to Is sd; and pelts to lOd each. Of country dry skins we had .1 liberal supply, chiefly boaring wool of fine quality, and fairly long in staple. Tliesj were well, and indeed keenly; competed for, and'the prices realised should meet tha most sanguine expectations of co-.signors, skins of medium weight fetching up to 6s 5d each for crossbreds and merinos indifferently.

Wool.—No auction sales of any importance to noto since our lust report, and although clips are now arriving in town pretty freely, few transactions have taken place. The prices obtainel in London for the bulk ot last season's purchase) must show a cous dcrable amount on the wrong side of the ledger in most cases, but speculators appear to have confidence in the future by securing all desirable lots of light grpasy fleece o[ fine quality at prices little under those ruling at this time last jear. The deeper-grown heavy wools are comparatively neglected, and must be quoted about 10 per cent, under last season's rates. Scoured wools o( (jO.il quality, especially uirino, getup and condition considered, are in good demand, and command prices atiout oa a par with those of last season ; but three-quarter-bred is difficult to quit at anything like remunerative piices We purposo lioliHnir our opening sale on Thursday, the 14th inst, at 3 o'clock. llidus must be quoted rathor lower in price, unless heavy weights-6Bj (iOlb or over—which ret-in their value at 2us to 21s each for green hiiles, aid 4d per lb for salted. Light weights are neglected, and fnii to meet purchasers unless' at a reduction, and we therefore quote 15s for cow and other green hides of 45 to sliib, and 3J to iJJd for similar weights in a dry, or salted condition. Itabbitskins of a desirable, well-furred claw am bocoming marce, but command high prices when offered. Tallow in good demand, and prices fully maintained ; and the same remark applies to butchers' rough fat. Grain.—Wheat: No transactions to report, so our quotations must be taken as nominal. Good milling we quote at from 4s 3d to 4s Oil; medium, 4i to i.i 3d ; fowls' fui.d, 2i 3d to 3s 9d. Oati •. Demand nut so bri-k, and prices h ye fallen slightly. We quote piiind iiiilliiijf. 3s to Si 2d ; good feed, 2s lOd to 3s; inferior nnU discoloured, up to U 9d. Barley.: Ho transaction). .

Potatoes.—Old ones are ceasing to be inquired for, and any lots cming to hand must Le sold for whut they will bring.

DUNEDIN PRODUCE MARKET.

J. II Kilgour, grain and produce broker, reports under date Oth December as follows :—

Fionr.—Th'Te is no shipping demand, and prices are very irregular, some uf the town millers selling in sacks as IjW as £10 6a, while £10 10s is the bighe-t price going lor town Hour in sacks, and £11 to £U 6s for small b.v.'s. Oatmeal remains at £15 10s to £16 per ton. Wheat.—There is nothing doing in tho locil market, and prices being down everywhere, there is no outlet. Prices are nominal:}' 4s Oil to 4s 7d for best milling; medium, 4s to 4s id ; fowl feed, 3s to 3s Bd. Oats.—Thire is very little ii.qu.iry, and prices are rather lower than lajt week's quotations-say, milling. Si 3d to 3s 3d ; and feed, 3s to 3s Id. Barley.- There aru not many good malting lots on hand, but such would be saleable at 5;. Milling and feed /ire nominally 2* to 3s bU Potatoes. -Tho market is pretty well supplied, and as new potatoes arc now boiog used more freely, buyers arc not numerous. Prices are so irregular that it is difficult to give a quotation. Kabbitskius do not show the same activity this wcelt, and the extreme prices ruling last wuek could not now be got. Well-furred winter skins in good coudlion and properly sorted for shipment nmy be quoied at 10|d to lrd per lb; inferior, ato li 2d.

b ides are iv fair demand at 41 pir lb for heavy and weil-trimmed, and 3d to 3J4 per ib for light and inferior.

T-llow is rather weak in demand, and prices 30s to 31s 6.1 for prime, and 21s (id to 27s for medium ; rough fat, 18s to 21s lid.

MINING.

NOTES FROM BEEFTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Rkeftok-, December 6th. A nun named Nugent arrived in town yesterday, and reported having found a gold-bearing reef near the right-hand branch of the Big Kiver, and about nine miles distant from the Big Kiver Ex-ended mine. Tho specimens exhibited show gold froely, and the appearance of the stone is similar to tho Jjig River stone. The reef is said to bo IS inches wide, and was discovered near the surface. Mr Thomas Hunter has made application for \\6> s acres of a lease embracing the ground.

Tenders were accepted list night by the Linkey Creek Company for tbe erection of their crushing plant. Messrs Sangster and Nieholl3 were tho successful tenderers, at £935. This includes the erection of machine-house, receiving-paddock, and a chimneystack of 40 feet, the work to be completed in 12 weelis from signing the contract.

A relief fund for tho benefit o! Ralph Hall, who was Boriously hurt in tho Impori.il mine, has been 6tart»d under very good auspices, and it is expected that a. handsome sum wll be collected. The poor man lies iv a precarious state at the Hospital, where his wife, who came up last week from Blueskin, in Otago, is attending to his comfort and alleviating his suffering.

What is probably tho first application under " The Assumpiionof Land for Mining Purposes Act, 1852," has been inado by the Gl.ibo Company. The land applied for U part of an agricultural leass now held by John Overend. The Conii.'any will require five acres for their contemplated water-race. The hearing is set down for the 21st inst.

The Hopeful Extended Company at Boatmans are engaged in opening out tho mine, so that a large number of n:en can be set to broak down stono after Christmas. The outside works in connection with the mine are now approaching completion.

A report is just now brought in from the Specimen Hill, but it is too late to-night to get particulars. The Daily Timej of 30th ult. states the last Fitece tonnage returns incorrectly a} 893 tons insiead of 393 tons.

UNITED VICTORY COMPANY.

At the meeting of tho United Victory shareholders yesterday it was stated that none of the directors had disposed of their eharca. We have been requested, however, by.the legal manager to cay that Mr Thomson, one of the Board, informed him that he had sold some of his. Tne other gentlemen on Ihe directory, however, had not, aa stated, parted with any of their interests.

WAIPORI MINING NOTES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tho Undaunted Company cleaned up on Friday, and turned out a cake which, though not quite up to expectations, is still sufficient to show them that their claim is a payable one; and as they have proved betler atone ahead, their property should yet prove valuable. Tho Cosmopolitan Company have erected a waterwheel and brought a race in to drive it. They expect to get their pump in and shaft drained about the middle of next week. Cox and Clifford are still crushing good stone from the Little Maude lose. They are now driving on a cress leader in tho Maori main tunnol. This leader they cut through and parsed some months since, but (lid not prospect it. They intend having a trial crushing of aboiit 10 tons. I have not heard of any change in the Victory Company's claim.