COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9381, 22 March 1892, Page 5 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Saturday evening, 19th March 1892,

Since the despatch of. our last mail summary business has been fairly good, and values have been fairly well maintained. One or two lines were a little depressed in consequence of the heavy floods, but the damage to the crops has turned out to be less than was anticipated, and things are recovering again. Stocks of seasonable lines are moderate, and the tone of business is hopeful. The arrivals during the month include the s.s. Kaikoura and the Opawa, from London; I s.s. Upolu, from Glasgow ; s.s. Fuzilka, from Calcutta; J. H. Marsters and Annie Reed, from New York; Laira, from Mauritius ; and Akaroa, from Santos.

ALE AND STOUT. ■ (Duty: Is6d per gallon, or 3s per doz.) The demand for ale and stout keeps steady, the bulk of the business of course being done in the lines which have established themselves as favourites in the market. There are regular agents' list prices for these according to quantity, and the rates very seldom vary. As an index to market values, we quote the following:— Bass' ale, bottled by Foster, 12s to 12s 6d per dozen; Bull Dog, 12s to 12s 6d; Alls,opp's, lls to lls 6d per dozen ; Burkes, 11s 3d to lls 6d; Boar's Head, 10s 6d to lls; Daukc's lls to lls 3d ; M'Bwaij-'s, 9s 9. d to 10s ; Tennant's, 9s; Inde Coope's 10s ; Aitchison's, 10s 6d to lls ; Guinness'stout, bottled by Burke, 11s to lls 6d; Foster'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 Gd to lls; Johnson's 10s to 10s 6d; Blood Woolf's, 9s 6d to 9s 9d der dozen —all duty paid. BAGGING. (Duty: Woolpacks, 2s 6d per dozen; corn? sacks free.)

The prospects of holders of jute goods were very bright las,t month, Calcutta advices indicating that prices would continue to rise, and a plentiful harvest here pointing to very large supplies being required. The damagedoneby the floods, however, weakened the bagging market a little, and although quotations for cornsacks are not being made at less than 6s per dozen, the market is not very sbroiig. At the same time holders are disposed to consider cornsacks good stock. In woolpacks there is not much doing at this season —the nominal quotation is 2s 2d per pack.

CANDLES. (Duty : 2d per lb.) As usual, the principal business in candles is done in locally manufactured stock at tariff rates, ranging from s|d per lb upwards, according to quality, with a sliding scale of discounts regulated by the quantity. The outlet for imported candles is very small, and requirements continue to be filled at about 7^d per lb, duty paid.

CEMENT. •(Duty: 2s per barrel.) Stocks of cement are being reduced, and there is a slightly firmer fouling regarding this import. We cannot quote, however, higher thaif 15s 6d per barrel, duty paid, for good sized lilies.

DEIED FRUITS. (Duty: 2dper lb.) The usual business is passing in dried fruits, without, however, anything special to report. Values keep steady for good samples. We quote currants, 4-Jd to 5d per lb ; sultanas, 6£d per lb; elemes, s|d to 6d per lb. All duty paid. FISH. (Duty: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per cwt; potted or preserved, 2d per lb; paste, 20 per cent., ad valorem.) This being the Lenten season, there has been an improved business doing in fish during the month. Good brands of American salmon sell freely at 7s 6d per dozen, the leading brand — Cocktail—securing up to 9s 9d per dozen. Sardines go steadily into consumption at 6s 9d to 7s per dozen for halves and Is per dozen for quarters. Ling fish keeps quite firm, prime parcels.securing up to 5d per lb. All duty paid.

hops. (Duty: 6dperlb.) New Nelson hops have' come into the market during the month. The crop has been affected by the red spider to some extent, and the quantity of prime quality is not, therefore, so large as usual. For best samples Is per lb is secured on the spot, and in Nelson considerable business, has been done at about lid per lb. In imported hops there is very little doing, and values are nominal.

METALS. [Duty: Galvanised iron, £2 per ton ; fencing wire, £1 per ton; barbed wire, £2 per

ton ; pig iron, free.)

We have to report a fair business in iron and j hardware lines during the month. Prices are a little unsettled at present, as importers are waiting to see how the coal strike at Home is likely to affect values. Meantime the local prices of leading lines are slightly weakened by the competition of the various holders. Galvanised iron is selling in ordinary lots at L2O 10s per ton, usual extras. Fencing wire is being placed at Lll 10s per ton for No. 8, usual extras. Business in pig iron is passing at 95s per ton. Sheet lead sells at L2O ts L2O 10s, per ton. Block tin is easier, and is offering at lid to Is per lb. In I.C. coke tin plates business has been done at up to 18s per box.

OILS. (Duty : Gil per gallon.) We have no change to report in the position of kerosene. There is a good supply on hand, and prices keep low. For parcels of high test oils Is 3d per gallon is readily accepted, and for ordinary lines up to Is 4d per gallon, duty paid. A few holders of special brands stand out for better prices, but they do net find much business result. Raw aud boiled oils are in better supply, and prices, after a temporary advance, have again receded to 3s 3d for raw aud 3s 4d for boiled. Colza oil sells at 4s 3d for lubricating and at Id to 2d per gallou more for burning purposes. Business is passing in castor oil at about 3s per gallon for trade lots. Some parcels, however, have been placed ex steamer at less money. DICE. (Duty : 6s per cwt.) There is a steady although a limited business passing in rice. There is no speculation, and trade is confined to the supply of requirements. New I'atna rice sells in trade parcels at Lls ton, in bond. Dressed Japan is taken up at L2l to L2llos per ton, duty paid. SPIKITS. (Duty : Bulk, 15s per gallon proof ; bottled, 16s per gallon). We have to report the usual business in spirits for the month. Favourite brands command a steady sale at agents' list prices. As an index to market values we quote

the following :—Brandies: Hennessy's, 37s per case; Denis Mounie's 10s per gallon in bulk and 32s 6d per case; Biscuit, Dubouclie, 6s 9d to 7s per gallon and 21s Gd to 22s 6d per case ; Associated Vineyards Company's, Gs to 7s por gallon and 21s to 22.-> per case ; Champagne Vineyard, 7s per gallon and 20s to 21s per case ; Dessandior's, (is to Gs 9d per gallon and 20s to 22s per cuso ; Lucien Foueauld's, 7s Gd per gallon and 20s por case. Whiskies : Old Highland (Thorn and Cumeron), 7s to 7s 6d per gallon; Lochicl, do, Gs 9d to 7s per gallon; Dunvillo'a Old Shamrock, 5s 6d; Ardbeg, 5s 6d ; Longjohn's, 5s 6d ; Usher's Glunlivct, 7s per gallon, special reserve 9s to 9s 6d per gallon. Of case whiskies, Grpenlees' Old Highland commands ISs; Uunville's, 16s tj l'/s; Burkes, l(Js ; Loch Dim, 16s; Usher's Glonlivut, 19s, special reserve 22s 6d per case; JDKZ geneva, 13s per case; Burnett's Old Tom, 13s ; Woll'e'sschnapiJS,23s ; Lemon Hart's rum, 3s 6d per gallon. HUOAIt. (Duty: -jUlperlb.) A good business has been done in sugar during the month, and as stocks are well hold values are very firm, and holders anticipate an advance on present quotations, which are: For finest whites, L 26 to L 26 10s por ton ; and for fine greys and good whites, L 25 10s to L 26 per ton, duty paid. New Zealand Company's No. 1 sugar is selling at L 26 per ton, duty paid. TKA. (Duty : 6d per lb.) There has been some speculation in tea during the mouth, and the marlcet.is if anything a little firmer. Indian and Ceylon teas continue to advance in public favour, and their increased sale affects business in China teas to a considerable extent. Most large dealers in teas adopt special brands of both blended and original teas. The firm which affects the " Spring Blossom " brand reports having handled locally over 20 tons of toa during this week. '