COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 2

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Monday evening, September 26, IS9B. A fair amount of business, has been transacted in ■ tho import market during the past month. The return of spring usually makes trade a litter brighter, and for many leading lines there has been an improved demand since tho publication of our last mail report. With one or two exceptions values of goods are maintained, and holders look forward to a good spring trade. The arrivals during the month include the s.s, Kangatira and s.s. Banffshire from London, s.s. (Jnda from Calcutta, and the ship Pleione from London. ALE AND STOUT. (Duty: 2s per gallon, or 4b per dozen.) A fairly good business has been done in ale and stout during the month, and, as, usual, thero are no changes in values to report. Orders have been pretty evenly distributed over the brands that have established them--selves as favourites in the market, and these are quitted at agents' list prices, which ruie according to quantity. As art index to market values, we quote the following: — Bass's ale, bottled by Foster, 12s 6d to 13s per dozen; Bull Dog, 12s 6d to 13s 6d; Allsopp's, 10s 6d to lls 6d per dozen; Burko's, 12s to 12s 6d; Boat's Hoad, 118 ud; Daukcs's, lls 6d to lls 9d; M'JEwan's, 10s 9d to lls; Guinness's, stout, bottled by Burke 12s to 12s 6d; Foster's, 12s 6d to 13s; Bull Dog, 12s 6d to 13s; Allsopp's, 10s 6d ] to lls 6d; Boar's Head, lls to lls 3d; Daukes's, lls 6d to lls 9d; Pig, Us 6d; Johnson's, lls to lls 6d per dozeii, all duty paid. BAGGING. (Woolpaoks and corr.saeks, free;) ■ The chief item of intereost is the arrival of the Onda from Calcutta with tlio supply of woolnacks for the season. As usual the bulk of her shipment is placed, and the quantity imported for salo in tho open market is not very largo. A few bales are changing hands at Is 7d per paek (lliin, fast or Jodie tops). This being the off season, there is nothing doing in cornsacks. OANDLBB. (Duty: 2d per lb.) r Business in candles has been pretty active during the month, the bulk of tho orders, as usual, going to tho local manufacturers. These have advanced the price of Electrics id per lb,

and their tariff rates now range from Id per lb for Electrics to sid per lb for Paraffins, with a sliding scale of discount according to quantity purchased.. Best brands of imported candles are. in fairly good domand at up to 6£d per lb (duty paid). "'/ .

; OEIIEIJT. (Duty: 28 per barrel.) Although tjiere ia no actual advance in quotations, the cement markot. is decidedly firmer, and sales are beifig made at frdm 14s 6d to 15s 6d per barrel (duty paid), according to quantity. .

DIUED FOTITS. (Duty: 2d per lb.) A fair demand for fruits has been kept up during1 the month, and prices of most descriptions liave been fully maintained. Currants are firm at 4id per lb, and sultanas at 6gd to 6id per lb. Elemes go into consumption at ,1s 4d per lb. Malaga muscatels move off at Is 2d to Is 3d per lb. Figs are light in stock. Bags secure s£d per lb, boxes (in layers) 6d per lb; lib boxea are scarce and secure 5s 6d to 5s 9d per dozen. All fruits duty paid.

(Duty: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per owt; potted or preserved, 2d per lb; paste, 20 per cent., ad valorem.) There is not very much business passing in' fish, but the market is "firm. The reported failure of the catch in .Vancouver and the uncertainty as to the Alaska output have mado holders disinclined to sell except at their own rates. Theso are, for best Vancouver, 7s 3d per dozen for tails arid 7s 9d per dozen for flats. Of American salmon, "Cocktail" brand secures 8e 3d per dozen. Second brands are offering at 6s to 6s 6d per dozen. Ling fish sells at 5d per lb for best brands, and latest advices from Home indicate the probability of an advanco. Sardines move o/f quietly at 6s 3d to 6s 6d por'dozen for halves, and at 3s 6d par dozen for quarters. All fish duty paid. ■■■■■:

.:■ hops. ' (Duty:' 6d per lb.) There is not much business passing in hops. A few local sales of Nelsons are passing at Is fid per lb. The price -for parcels is Is 4d net, f.o.b. Nelson. Californians are placed at Is 7d per !I>. duty paid; and best Kents at 28per lb, duty paid. MKTALS. (Duty: Galvanised iron, £2 per ton; fencing wire and barbed wire, free.) A moderate business has beon done in iron and hardware lines during the month. The only item calling for remark is the advance in galvanised iron. Holders have put their prieo up 10s per ton, and their quotation now stands at £18 per ton, usual extras. Fencing wire is unchanged, and moves off at £9 to £9 10s per ton. Barbed wire is selling a little more freely at £11 15s to £12. per ton. Sheet lead is easing off slightly, and is'offering at £19 10s to £20 per ton. Block tin' is slightly firmer, and is quoted B£d to 9d per lb. OILS. (Duty: 6d per gallon.) In our last report we mentioned the fall in the price, of kerosene. The'" market has not recovered, but if anything'has gone back. The very low rates at which freight is offering from New York are partly' responsible for this. Parcels can lx> purchased in bond at Bid per gallon, aiid duty paid lots are readily oblainablo at Is 2|d to Is 3d per gallon. _ At these ■ prices there is a fair business passing. Turpentine has also receded in value, and sales have beeii made as low as 2s id per gallon. This state of things, however, is not exported to last, and some holders will not sell under 2a 6d. Kaw.and bailed linseed oils are in fairly good demand at 2s lid to 3s per gallon, together. The Oni^has brought a supply of caetor oil, and sauSUjJjo passing ex wharf at 3s 6d per gallon,'ifi§!7slr: small lots ex store 3.5 £d per gallon "jSj^ftoL

(Duty! Gspoi-cwt.) There is not muck tius'irtess doing in rice, atid prices are unchanged. . Small lots of dressed Japan securer £25 10s per ton, and Patna £23 10s to £24 per ton, duty paid. . arrows..' (Bulk, 16s per gallon;. proof, bottled, 163 per gallon.) Thoro has been the usual, trade in spirits during tho month, but nothing calling for special mention. Orders have been pretty evenly distributed over .the leading brands, and as the market is kept regularly supplied with these, tliere is no room for fluctuations in value. Agents make their sales at tariff rates, which are regulatecl by tho extent of the purchases. As an index to market values, we quote tho, following:—Brandies: Hennesey's, 36s 6d per case; Denis Jlounift's, 10s per gallon in bulk and 31s 6d per case; Bisquit, Dubouche, 6s 9d to 7s per gallon and 2U 6d t0,22s 6d per case ;._ Associated Vineyards Company's. 6s to 7s per' gallon and 21s to 2.?.s,per case;,.Champagne. Vineyard, 7s per gallon and 20s to 21s pik, ense; Peseandier's, 6s.to 6a 9d per jrallqn and 20s to 22s per case; Lueion Foueaulil's. 7e 6di per gallon and 2Gs per case. Whiskies: 01d Highland (Thorn and Cameron), 7s to,7s 6d,por gallon ; Lochiel, do,. 6s 9d to 7s per gallon; .. Dimville's Clcl Shamrock, 5u 6d; Ardbeg ( -5s 6d; Lchgjolui's, 5b 6d.; Thorn and Carhefoo's finest Scotch, or, 4J to 3s 6d per gallon;'Usher's Glenlivet, 7s per gallon, special reserve 9s to 9s 6d hot gallon. Of case, whiskies, Greenleos's Old Highland commands 18s; Dunville's, 16s to 17s; Burke's,' 16s; Loch Dhu, 16r,;. W. W. whisky, 21s per oaee; Usher's Glonlivot, 39s1, special reserve 22s 6d per ease; JDKZ Geneva, 12s 6d per case; BumetVs Old Tom, ]2s, M to 14s; Wolfe's schnapps, 22s to 235; Lemon Hart's rum, 3s 6d per gallon. SUGAR. ■ (Duty: id per lb.) Sugar has been in.good demand during the month,, and a large quantity of Queensland sugar has been disposed of. Current rates for finest whites are £15 5s to £15 lO.s per ton in bond, according to brand. Duty paid .lots secure £20 10s to £20 15s per ton. As usual, there is a good deal of Colonial Sugar Company's selling, then quotation for finest whites remaining at £15 10s Iper ton, i.o.b. 'Auckland, while small duty paid lots on spot are selling at £20 15s per ton. TEA. - , (Duty: 4d per lb.) Tea has been in fair request during tho month, the demand running principally upon blended teas in packets.! Thero is keen competition amongst the various blenders for what trade is offering, and the public benefit by this and secure a good article at a modorate cost-