COMMERCIAL SUMMAKY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8686, 25 December 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMAKY.

Tuesday evening, December 24. The improvement which wo noted in out last summary has continued during the month, and, with the Christmas demand to satisfy, and the extra trade occasioned by the success of the exhibition, a considerable amount of business lias been done during the last four weeks, and there is every appearance of it keeping up. Stocks of general merchandise are not excessive, and prices have been fully maintained, while advances in a few leading lines have been established. Trade generally is sound, and the tone of the market is more hopeful than it has been for some time past. The arrivals during the month include the steamer Tongariro, from London; Lutterworth, from Liverpool; Thurso, Laira, and Salado, from Mauritius. ALE AND STOUT. (Duty: Bottled, Is 6d per gallon, or 3s per dozen.} There hss been a good demand for both ale aud stout during the month, chiefly for ale, and several brands that occupy a leading position in the market are at present low ia stock. Values are not changed but holders Lave no difficulty in securing their list prices, which range somewhat as follows: — Bass' ale, bottled by Foster, 12s to 12s 6d per dozen; Bull Dog, 12a to 12s 6d; Burkes, lla 3d to lls 6d; Boar's Head, 10s (Id to lls; Dauke's, lls to lls 3d; M'Ewan's, 9s 9d to 10s; Tennant's,' 9s; Ind Coope's, 10s; Guinness'stout, bottled by Burke, lls to llsdd • Poster's, lls 6d to 12s; Bull Dog, lls 9d to 12s 3d ; Boar's Head, 10s 6d to lls; Dauke's, lls to lls 3d; Pig, 10s 6d to lls; Johnson's, | 10s to 10s 6d; Blond Woolf's, 9s Gd to 9s 9d pjer dozen—all duty paid.

BAQQIN3.

(Duty: Woolpacks, 2s 6d per dozen; corn'

sacks, free.) The Bothwell Castle arrived at Wellington in the early part of the month with a full cargo of Eastern goods for New Zealand markets. Southern supplies were transhipped at Wellington and reached Dunedin by coastal steamer. Imports from Calcutta have also come forward via Melbourne, and She markets ore now well supplied. luquiry for cornsacks has been rather dull, and the prices secured for psrcels hardly cover the import cost. It is expected, however, that values will improve, as there is every prospect of a bountiful harvest, and we can hardly look for supplies coming from Australia, as it is anticipated that all stocks there will be required for the good harvest which i 3 looked for ther« this season. The nominal price for trade lots is 6a per dozen, but some Urge lines have been placed ex ship at 5s 9d. In woolpncks there is no business doing, and any demand can be supplied at 2s per pack.

CANDLES. (Duty: 2dperlb.) As usual there has been very little demand for imported candlos, the local manufacture securing the bulk of any business passing. A very good article is supplied locally from 5Jd to 7d perlb, according to quality. Best brands of imported candles sell at 7£d per lb, duty paid.

CEMENT. (Duty: 2s per barrel.) There has not been much business done in cement during the month, but the market is. if anything, a shade firmer, 17s per barrel, duty paid, being the lowest quotation.

DRIED FHUITS. (Duty: 2dperlb.)

A large business has been done in dried fruits during the month, principally, however, in old fruits; prices required to cover cost of new being so much in excess of the current rates of old fruit that very little of the former has been purchased while old fruit of good quality was procurable. At the moment Elemes and sul-taa.-.s are firmest in tone, supplies not being very large. Currants are more plentiful, and do not show the same tendency to harden. The rates at which business is doing are as follow:—Currants, 4|d per lb old, and 5Jd per lb new; Elemes and sultanas, 6Jd per lb; new muscatels, Is 3d to Is 4d per lb; figs, 6s 6d per dozen—all duty paid.

(Duty: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per cwt.; potted or preserved, 2d per lb; paste, 20 per cent, ad valorem.)

There has not been any particular demand for fish during the month, and there is consequently little of interest to note. American salmon is a shade easier, and is beiug offered at 9s 6d to 93 9d per dozen—Cochtai], tho leading brand, securing np to 10s 9d. Lobsters move off at 10a per dozen, and oysters at 6s per dozen. Strdines are not quite so firm, and are quoted 8s 6d per dozen for halves and 4a 9d per dozen for quarters. Ling fish goes into consumption at 5d to I 5Jd per lb: all duty paid. ! HOPS. (Duty: 6d per lb.)

Thr>re i 3 very little doing iv hops. A few bales o£ Nelsons are taken up now and then at Is Id to Is 2d per lb if of prime quality. For iaiported hops there is almost no sale.

METALS. (Duty: Galvanised iron, £2 per ton; fencing wire, £1 per ton; barbed wire, £2 per ton; pig iron, free.)

Business in metals and hardware lines has b.>.en fairly active during the month, and in response to the advances in Homo markets holders an; now hardening their prices. The latest telegraphic quotatiou for galvauisert iron iv the Home ttis:-ki:t is £26 per ton., and holders here are now ..okio^ £21 ptr ton, mid show a di-posi-ti:>n to stand out for it. For No. 8 fencing wire £13 per ton is aslted, usual tztras. As stocks of hardware lines here are not large, and cannot be replaced except at a considerable advance upon previous prices, there is every prospect of a further increase of price.

OILS. (Duty : 6d per gallon.)

A steady demand has continued for oils during the month, and although it has been falling off a little lately, prices have been fully maintained. Raw and boiled linseed oils have been selling freely at 3s to 3s 2d per gallon. Colza oil in unchanged at, 3s 9J per gallon. Castor oil has been iv f«ir inquiry, and commands 3s 9d per gullou. Turpentine is a!so in fair demand, ar.d secures 3s 10(1 per gallon. Kerosene, as to be expected at this season, is not much inquired for, Mid thii market has a slightly downward tendency.' High lest oils are suliiug iv iraile luts at Is 7d to Is 7£d per gallon—all duty paid. KICB. (Duty :6s per cwt.) Both Patna and dressed Japan lice have been iv fair demand during the month, but at the moment the market for rhe former is not quite so stioug us for Japau. Patna sell" iv ordinary quantities at £22 per ton, mid Japan is firm at £21 pec ton—both duty paid. SPIRITS. (Duty: Bulk, 15s per gallon proof; bottled, 16s per gallon.) A largo trade in spirit* ai.d light seasonable wines has been donu during the mouth, and

stocks of leading brands have been largely drawn upon. Brands of spirits have a fixed market value, according to their quality and the hold they have taken upon public favour. These values alter very little from month to month, Ail nil index wo givn the current quotations of somo of tho best known brands:— Brandies: Hennessy's, 36s 6d per caso; Denis Mouuie's, 10s per gallon in bulk and 32s 6d per oaso; Ksquit, Dubouche, 7s per gallon and 22s Gd per caso; Associated Vineyards Company's, 7s per gallon and 21s to 22s per case; Champagne Vineyard, 7s por gallon and 21s to 22s per caso; Dessandier's, 6s to 6s 9d per gallon and 20s to 22s per case. Whiskies: Old Highland (Thorn and Cameron), 7s 3d to 8s per gallon; Lochiel, do, 7s per gallon; Dunville's Old Shamrock, 5s 6d; Ardbeg, 5s Od; Lougjohn's, 5s 3d. Of case whiskies, Greenlees' Old Highland commands 18s; Dunville's, 10s to 17s; Burka's, 15s to 16s; Loch Dim, 16s; JDKZ genova, 12s to 12s Od per case; Burnett'sOld Tom, 12s; Wolfe's schnapps, 21s 6d; Lemon Hart's rum, 3s 6d per gallon.

3UOAR, (Duty: Jd per lb.) There has been a good business done in sugars daring the month, and at the beginning of lost week stocks had run down pretty low, and further supplies were being eagerly looked for. Tho arrival, however, of three cargoes together from Mauritius—theLaira, Thurso.and Salado— had a slightly unfavourable effect upon values, and in consequence the Laira's shipment, whi was the first offered at auction on Friday last, did not command the prices that might have been expected. The entire cargo, howaver, was cleared off at £20 12a 6d to £21 per ton for finest whites, £20 to £20 5a for fine whites, and £20 to £20 10s for fine preserving crystals. The Thurso's cargo was offered at auction the following day, and the biddiug show«d an advance of 15s to 20s per ton on the previous day's prices. Importers, however, looked for better prices still, and the greater portion of the cargo was withdrawn for higher rates. Snowdrops were passed in at £22 per ton and finest whites at £2117s 6d per ton, but a few lines of fine whites were quitted at £21 to £21 5s per ton and brewers' crystals at £2217s 6d per ton. Just after the sale a lino of 150 tons was placed privately by the anctioueers at a satisfactory advance on sale prices. The Salado's cargo was offered at auction yesterday, and a large portion was quitted at prices ranging from £2110s to £21 17a 6d for finest whites, £21 10s to £21 12s 6d for fine whites, and £21 15s to £22 103 for snowdrops. These rates show an advance upon the former sales, aud as the preserving season is now on, and sugar is in good demand, while there are no advices of further shipments afloat from Mauritins, we may fairly look for rates being maintained and probably increased. (Duty: 6d per Ib.) A quiet trade has boon done in teas during the month, but there ia nothing calling for special notice. OUR EXPORTS. The following particulars of export* of wool, skins, and flax from Port Ohalmeri and Oamaru for the pait season have been supplied to us by the National Mortgage and Agency Company (Limited):— ■*-■ FBOM POHT CHALMHES. Wool ... ... ... ~. 34,808 baleß iheepikins ... ... ... 629 ~ ltabbitefclns ... ... ... 2,283 flax •■• ... ... ... 3,903 „ 41,826 „ FROM OiMARU. Wool ... ... ... ... U|2 is bates Sheepskins ... ... ... 198 „ Habbitskins ... ... ... 8 14,421 „ thus making a total of 56,247 baleß from both ports. Of the above, the ships and steamers of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co. carried 31,276 bales, and those of the N.Z. Shipping Co. 20,925 bales, the rest consisting of 4046 bales loaded jointly by the two lines m Mie Btearaera Fifeshire ana Elderslie. The following aro the principal shippers of wool ana skins:— , Bales. Bales. urray, Roberts, and Co. ... 8,051 Murray, Roberts, and Co., us agents for tho B and NZII and A C 0..,. 2,339 10,390 rational Mortgage and Agonoy C 0.... 3140 National Mortgage and Agency Co., amgeutsfortueJNZandALCo. 2,570 Dalgety and Co. ... ... ... 4440 Rattray aud Co. ... ... ... 4,864 J Kettlewell... ... ... ... 2,946 1{ Campbell and Soni... ... „. 2,923 New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co- ■•■ ... ... ... 2,<?31 Arthur M'Donald and Co. ... ... 1,820 Jioss and Qlendining ... .. ... 1,406 Pulton. Stanley, and Co. ... ... 1,204 Allan Maclean ... ... ... 1,201 New Zealand Agricultural 00. ... ... 1,037 J W Addy ... ... ... .... 1,(105 WB Anderson ... ... ... 986 Wright, Stephenson, and 00. ... ... 984 Kakiinul Meat Preserving 00. ... ... 796 J Broacibont ... ... ... ... 708 DKeidandOo. ... ... ... 702 ACBegg ... ... ... ... 597 TO Kills ■ 525 ( Shippers of less than 5001)3103 apiece ... 5,969 82,344 Flax ... ... ... ... 3,1^3 !. 56,247 The largest shipper of ;flax was G. H. Campball, with 1154 bales. Theie figures compared with last year's show a decrease in wool ana skins of no lets than 18,252 bales, which is accounted for by the almost entire cessation of shipments coastwise'from Timaru aud Bluff. The decreaie in wool is ... ... 17,251 bales „ sheepskins ... 487 „ „ rabbitskins ... 514 „ 18,252 bales

Flax Is altogether a new export here, and there is every indication that the quantity shipped (3903 Dales) will be largely exceeded during the current I THE WOOL SALES. The lint joiui wool sales of this season of Mr fiunild Stronauh (N»w Zraland Loan and Mercantile Agency Company), Messrs Wright, Stepheuson, and Co., Keid, Maclean, mid Co., Donald Heid and Co., and Mr John Grindley (Farmerj' Agency Co.) were held at the Chamber of Commerce Hall, Crawford street, on Th'ursdty, the )2th inst. There was j

n fair attendance of buyers, though hardly as many p. 3we had at the opening shies list season, but this is accounted for by thiß seaiun's »(iles being held nearly a month earlier. There were several Home buyers present, also a Dumber from Ohriitohuroh, beaide all the local purchaser!, including representatives of three woollen factorie«—namely, Koslyn, Moglel, and Oamaru, the highest priced greasy wool sold by us going to the Bo3lyn factory. There wju a very good demand experienced all through, but it wai quite plain that the advices to hand lately reporting the market at Home weaker had some considerable influence on the mode of procedure, and we wonld not be astonished to find growerß somewhat disappointed with the prices obtained; at tho Bame time competition for all light tine combing greasy wool was spirited, the top price for crusibred showing ljd to 31» for the advance ou Ust

season's rates, merino participating in the rise, while heavy and coar6e deteriptioo* ot oroaibrcd were in less demand, but nevertboless showing a rise of Jd to Id per lb. Slipe, washed, and scoured, with the exception of extra fine lots, were not so keenly competed for, and a considerable portion of the offerings were pasted in unsold. About 3000 bale»

were catalogued. Merino grea»y made 8d to lid; greasy halfbred, 9Jd to 12jd; do croisbred, Bid to lljd; pieces, 3^d to Sd; slipe halfbred, 12} dto 18M : do crossbred, 10|d to llfd per lb.

LAND SALES.

Meisrs Wbight, Stephkxsos, and Co., in con-

junction with the Farmers' Agency Company, report having offered by auction on the 6th inst.. at their wool stores, High street, the well-known AbboUford estate (West Taieri), sub-divided into 10

farms. Contrary to general anticipation, no buyers from beyond this district were present at the sale, but there was a very large gathering of settlei-B from the Plain and surrounding districts. Mr Stephcnson conducted the sale, remarking at the ouuet that it gave him great pleasure in affording the public an opportunity of acquiring what, in his opinion, was probably the best farming and grazing land in the colony. The lirßt lot submitted was a. small farm of 20 acres within half a mile of Greytown railway station, and this, after keen competition, found a purchaser in Sfr William Laurence a> £23 5s -jer acre. J.ot 2, adjoining, and also consisting . P f 20 acres, fell to Mr Alexander Hastio's (senior), bid at, £25, and the same buyer acquired lot 3. say 52 acres (nil in oats, estimated to 3 ield 100 bushels per acrej, at £31 per acre. Lot 4, the homeßtead block (319 acres), was bought by Mr John B. Blair, of Dunedin, at £2i per acre; and the same buyer took that splendid paddock ot 154 acres (all in wheat and oats), adjoining Ciranton farm, at £26. Lots 6to 10 were passed in at £Vi per acre, but the auctioneers report having private negotiations pending for most of them. Mr It. B. Makti : reports holding a sale of runs at the rooms, Watoi- street, on 4th iubt,, under instructions from Die Board ut Governor, of the Boys' and Girls' High Schools, the leases for 10 years of tho following rm;3, now iv the possession of Mr J C. Huckland. situalod In the HocU and Pillar and southern division of Taieri Lake run, were offered:— Hun 205 A, containing 0376 acres, upset Is per acre per annum ; rur. 205k. 0584 acres, up et Is per acre per uuouro; run 213 a, 761ti acres (iii./ludiue ee-tionir 14 and 18, Muck 11, Strnlh-Taieri, 674 acres) un<et 9d pfraere per annum; and run 213 d. 9703 ncrcs (including suction 1, block V, Strath-Taieri), upset 9d per acre per annum, 'Jhere weret.ujers jjreteut.but Ihe upset .itemed above their limit. Mr Bucklaiid was tlw purchaser of run 2!3a at the upset of 9d per acre. Negotiations are pending for the sale of some oCthen.ns passed in. Weight, utephekson, and Co.. in conjunction with tlje Fnrinars'Agency Company, report haviuK sold privately lot 10 ua the Abbr.tsford estate, consisting if 202 i.erra, known as Ochtertvne Farm, nearly all iv crop (wheat, and oats), at £25 per acre to Messrs Webslsr ami Unllender.