COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11253, 25 October 1898, Page 2

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Monday Evening, 24tfr October, 1898.

The anticipations that October would show ] an improvement in the import trade have been realised, and we have'to report a very fair business as transacted during the month. Values of goods generally are fully maintained, and stocks of some important lines have run rather low. The arrivals during the month include the s.s. Duke of Devonshire and Waimate, from London ; tho Akaroa.from Liverpool; Norwood, from New York; and Liv, from Hamburg. ■-,-.. . ALE AND STOUT. 1 (Duty: 2s per gallon, or 4s per dozen.) Tho usual business has been done in ale and stout during tho month, but there is nothing of special interest, to report. Orders are pretty evenly distributed over the brands that' have secured leading positions in the market, and these sell at agents' list . prices, ruling according to quantity. As an index of market values we quota 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; Burkes, 12s to 12s 6d; Boar's Head, lls 6d; Daukes's, lls 6d to lls 9d; M'Ewan'u, 10s 9d to lls; Guiuness'e, stout, bottled by Burke, 12s to 12s 6d; Foster's. 12s 6d to 15s; 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 9cl; Pig, Us 6d.; Johnson's, lls to lls 6d per dozen, all duly paid. BAGGING. (Woolpaeks and eorusaeks, free.) It looks as if the imports of woolsacks for the Eeason wero too light, as price 3 have advanced considerably, ami holders are not anxious sellers. After the arrival of the Onda last month sales were made freely at Is 6£d to la 7d per pack Uilb, but holders now do not quoto under Is 8d to Is 9d. There is no inquiry yet for cornsacks, the season not having begun. , CANDLES. (Duty: 2d per lb.) Last month tho local manufacturers advanced the price of their cheapest lines id per lb, and this advance has been maintained. The ordinary business in candles has been done, as usual the bulk of it going to local manufacturers. Their prices range from 4d per lb for Electrics to s£d per lb for Paraffins. , Of imported candles bestl London sperms sell at 6id to 6£d per lb, duty paid. CEMENT. (Duty: 2s per barrel.) Cement is.selling for requirements at 14s 6d to'lSs 6d per barrel, duty paid, according to quantity. Stocks are only moderate, and the market is firm. . ■ • DUIED FRUITS. (Duty: 2d per lb.) During the last few days small shipments of new season's raisins and figs have reached the market, but tho principal amount of business doing is in last season's fruit. Stocks of this are small, and holders do not find much clifSiruliv in quitting. Currants are Eeliing at 4 3-Ccl to 4id per lb. Sultanas are taken up at 6|d per lb. Eieines are selling at 61d per lb, and new Valentias at 5Jd per lb. Of figs last season's arc selling for requirements -it 5Jd per lb, in bags, am! for boxes, in layers, 6d to 6£d per lb. Small boxes are scarce, and securo 5a 6d to 6s per dozen, according to weight. Some new figs have reached the market, and for these 7d per lb, in bags, is asked. (All fruits duty paid.) risn. (Duly: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per cwt; potted or preserved, 2d per lb; paste, 20 per cent., ad valorem.) Business in fish has not been brisk during the month, and we have no changes in values to report. Vancouver salmon is selling at 7s 3d per dozen for tails and 7s 9d per dozen for flats. Of American salmon, " Cocktail " brand holds prido of place, and secures 8s 3d per dozen. Sardines move off at 63 6d per dozen for halves and 3s 6d por dozen for quarters. Of ling some small lots have been placed at 5d per lb. New ling has not yet reached the market, but importers say that in consequence of the increased cost this season it will not bo possible to sell best brands under s£d per lb and leave a margin. All fish duty paid. HOI'S. (Duly: 6d per lb.) Hops have been quiet during tho month, and Die market is in very much the same position as last reported. There are still a few Nolsons in first hands, and these are offering at Is 4d per ib net, f.o.b. On spot a few small lots have changed hands at Is 5d to Is 6d per lb. Californian hops are disposed of at Is 6d per lb, duty paid. The sale for Kents is. small, but,a few bales areplaced here and there at 2s per lb, duty paid. METALS. (Duty: Galvanised iron, £2 per ton; fencing wire and barbed wire, free.) A fair amount of business has been transacted in iron and hardware lines during the month. In our last mail report' we reported j that holders'ware putting up the price of galvanised iron 10s per ton. This advance is lvaintained, and holders do not quote less than £1S per ton, usual extras for parcels, and slightly higher rates for trade lots. Fencing wire is in the same position as last reported, and sells at £9 to £9 10s ncr ton, usual extras, according to quantity. is some competition for business in barbed wire, and sales of parcels are made at as low as £11 10s per ton; ordinary trade lots securo 10s to 20s per ton advance on these prices, according to quantity. Sheet lead is without change, sales passing at £19 10s to £20 per ton. Block tin has advanced, and now secures 9d to 9£d per lb. There is not much change in I.C. coke tin plates, nominal quotations are 13s 6d to 14s per box. oils. (Duty: 6d per gallon.) Tho Norwood, which arrived from New York during tho month, only brought a small shipment of 2500 cases of kerosene for this market. Stocks, however, are quite equal to requirements, as at this time of the year the consumption becomes materially reduced. Many traders still hold the balance of purI chases made when the special demand arose ■ at the outbreak of hostilities between America and Spain, and the market continues in an unsatisfactory condition for holders. • Parcnis are offering at 8d per gallon in bond, and ssiall duty paid lots at Is 2£d per gallon. Raw and boiled linseed oils show a tendency to harden, but sales have been passing during tho month at 2s lid to 3s por gallon respectively. Turpentine has not advanced during the month, a.3 was anticipated, and is still selling at 2s 3d to 2s 6d per frallon, according to quantity. Castor oil is low in stock, and the market is firm at 3s 8d per gallon for trade lots, duty paid. Kiel!. (Duty: 6s per cwt.) The market for Japan rice is very firm, as stocks are low, and they cannot bo replenished until tho new season's arrive. Advices from Japan, however, indicate that although tho growing crop has been damaged by insects, tho output will be large, and prices are likely to rule lower. Meantime stocks in hand on spot secure £19 per ton in bond for parcels, while ordinary lines are selling at £25 10s, duty paid. Stocks of Patna rice are almost exhausted, but the demand is not great. Sales are passing at £24 per ton, duty paid. srraiTS. (Bulk, 16s por gallon; proof, bottled, 163 per gallon.) An average trade has been done in spirits during tho month, the principal inquiry being for whiskies. There is . nothing, however, specially interesting to report, and no altera-« tions in value. Tho market is kept regularly supplied by the brands that have established themselves as favourites, and this does not leavo room for fluctuations in prices. Sales are distributed over the brands, according xo -the hold they have upon public • favour. As an index to market yalueß, we quoto the following:— Brandies^: Hennessy's 36s 6d por case; Denis Mounie's, 10s per gallon in bulk and 31s 6d per caso; Bisquit, Dubouche, 6s 9d to 7s per.gallon and 21a 61! to 22s 6d per case; Associated Vineyards Company's, 6s to 7s por gallon and 21s to 22s per case; Champagne Vineyard, 7s per gallon and 20s to 21s per case; Dessandier s, 6s to 6s 9d por gallon and 20s to 22s per case; Lucien Poucauld's, 7s 6d per gallon and 20s per cite. Whiskies: Old Highland (Thorn and Cameron). 7s to 7b 6d por gallon ; Lochiel. do, 6s 9d to 7s por gallon; Dunvillo's Old Shamrock, 5s 6d;. Ardbeg, 5s 6d; Longjohn s, 5s 6d; Thorn and Cameron's finest Scotch, 3s 4d to 3s 6d per gallon; Usher's Glonlivot, 7s per gallon, special reserve 9s to 9s &d per gallon. Of case whiskies, Groenleoa's Old Highland commands 18s; Dunville'e, 16s to 17s: Burkes, 16s; Loch Dhu. 16s; W. W. whisky, 21s per case; Usher's Glenlivet, 39u, special reserve 22s 6d por case; JDKZ Geneva. 12s 6d per case; Burnett's Old Tom, ]2s 6d to Ks; Wolfe's schnapps, 22b to 23b; Lemou Hart's rum, 3b 6d per gallon. SUGAII. I (Duty.: id per lb.) An active trade has boon done in sugars during tho month, and vnluos are absolutely without change The Colonial Sugar Company controls tho sugar market in New Zealand, and, while they keou their prices unaltered,, other descriptions remain stationary. The supplios in the market at present aro <.f Queensland and Colonial Sugar Company s output. Tho former aro selling at £15 5s to £15 10s per ton, in bond, and at £20 5s to £20 10b per ton for duly paid lots. Colonial Sugar Company's continue to sell at £15 15s por ton, , ia bond, or £20 15s per ton, duty paid. : ;,tka.. . ..'. (Duty: Id por lb.) There has been the usual active demand for teas during the month, principally for blended teas in packets. Competition-between the various blenders is very active, and tho consumers bonefit by this in the quality. NEW ZEALAND WOOL SHIPMENTS AND SALES. In the useful annual review of the Christchurch wool, grain, and stock markets, issued by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, are given the following particulars of wool shipments and sales from Ist March. 1897, to 28th February, 189S:—

.: ■• Total • ' . ' . Ship-: . Total Sale 3. ments. OfEered. Sold. Inrercargill . ,' ... 21,835 ' '9,953 9,455 Diinedm ... .. 30,712 ,19,308 16,790 Oamaru • ~ , .... 16,475 — —. Timaru .. .. 30,943 ■ 10,616 7,M6 Christchurch ",... 70,527 . 34,613 26,585 Blenheim .'..,' .. 10,694 —' . — , Wellington .. ~., 94,756 11,884 6,639 Napier .. .. 60,145 15,394 10,898 Gisborne ..., .. 21,583 1,600 912 Wanganui ... ~., 16,793 — — Auckland .. .. 18,115 10,781 9,600 Totals .. .. 392,578 114,149 88,325 1895-96 ... •■•:■.• ■■— ■■■ _• _ 1896-97 ... >. 374,584 112,887 86,871 Increase .. 17,994 ■ 1,262 1,454 GRAIN, PRODUCE, AND SEED RBPOK'lI. Messrs William E. Reynolds and C0,,-mer-chants, report for the month ending 24th October as follows:Since ours of a nionth ago we cannot say that the weather, has been any tool seasonable, especially during the last fortnight. However, notwithstanding this, tho country, generally speaking, is looking very well, especially .the cereal crops, of which there is, we think, a larger area sown than usual. There is little doubt that if we aro favoured with seasonable weather from now on till harvest we will have very fair yields indeed. I Wheat.—Owing to the small advance in,tho I markets at Home,, this grain is meeting with a tittle more attention. Certainly the depression which existed a month ago seems to have lifted at tho same time that buyers are chary of operating largely. The disturbed state of matters on the other sidp of the world prevent us from saying much regarding a, rise or fall,and we content ourselves with repeating quotations, which are—4s for prime velvet; prime Tuscan, 3s led; good sound quality, 3s 9d; and fowl feed in full supply, up to 3s 2d per bushel of 501b (f.0.b., sacks in, net cash). Oats.—Despite the fact that nearly everyone in tho trade looked for prices reviving with the spring, wo have agp.in to report a duller market than wo did a month ago. We have frequently pointed out that there was little chance of the market maintaining its own, much le&s advancing, unless a good demand sst in from Australian ports. So far the demand expected has not come, and tho result is a somewhat depressed state of things existing, at the same time wo do not think prices will incline any lower. Much, however, will, depend 0:1 tho weather experienced in Australia during the next month or so. We quote to-day—Prime Sutherlands, .2s 3d; prime spnrrowbills, 2s 2d; good sound B grade, 2s lid; ordinary C grade, 2s Id per bushel of 40lb (f.0.b., sacks in, net cash). Barley.—The position of this grain has not altered at all, and we merely repeat that any placed on the market finds ready buyers at up to 5s 2d for choice malting; good from 4s 4d ts 4s Kid; milling up to 3s 5d per bushel of 501b (f.0.b., sacks in, net cash). Grass Scons.—Stocks of ryegrass are moving off fairly well, and it would appear as if we were going to be favoured with a more even demand this season than usual, lasting right up till the new seed comes on the market in January. Stocks are light, especially of heavy descriptions of old pasture, which we quote up to 4s 3d; 271b seed, 4s 2d to 4s-4d; smaller weight, 3s 9d to 4s; and fan-dressed, 3s 6d pelbushel of 501b (f.0.b., sacks extra, net cash). Cocksfoot.—We have no alteration to report, and quoto 13!b seed, 4kl to 4jd; 161b seed, 4Jd (f.0.b., sacks extra). Clovers.—We advised in our last that importations wore heavy, and aa the demand has not been an exceptional one in any way, stocks aro fairly large. However, as most has been landed at, comparatively speaking, low cost, holders are firm in their demands for a profit." We quote as follows:—White clover from 65s to 80s; cowgrasa (colonial), up to 655; imported, as low as 48s; red, 4Ss; and Alsyke, 60s to 655. Chaff.—This market is without alteration, and in too good demand locally to admit of exportation. We quote: £3 12s 6d to £3 15s, ex rail (which is equal to £4 10s f.0.b., sacks in). Potatoes.—The supply coming to hand daily is small, and consequently prices are high. Very, littlo shipping, however, is being done, owing to the risk of decay in transit. To-day's value in this market wo give at £8 10s (f.0.b., sacks in). ■ Butter.—Owing to the recent advance at Home, butter has firmed somewhat recently, though a considerable number of factories sold their output at B£d to 3d—some, we understand, at less. Our market during the summer is ruled entirely by London, and if today's value is maintained there prices will remain here at what they are to-day—viz., 9Jd to Old,—but we look for a slight easing with tho advance of spring. Cheese.—For two consecutive months we have reported fho market very bare of stocks. This nionth we can report stocks completely exhausted, nhd actual business has been .done at s£d to 5Jd for loaf size, medium s>d, and large 5d (f.0.b., cases in). The new Season's make we cannot expect to reach the market inside a nionth from date, when no doubt prices will ease considerably on the above quotations. ; Bran.—This has kept exceptionally firm, and despite the high prices stocks continue low. Wo quote: £2 17s (id to £3 (f.0.b.). Pollard ia in much the" same position, and worth £3 17s 6d to £4 (f.0.b.). Oatmeal, in sympathy with oats, has eased, and can now be quoted: .£l2 for bulk, £13 10s for 7's; 25' a (short ton), £12 (f.0.b.). Flour we advised in our last as having fallen. Tc-day we can give tho same price aa last; despite the fact that the wheat market is steadier. IWo quote: 200's, £11; 100's, £11 10s; and 25's, £12 (f.0.b.). Tho amount of revenue collected at the Customs House at Dunedin on goods entered for consumption in the month of September was £37,922 10s 4d, and the beer duty amounted to £1390 5s 6d. The amounts for the corresponding month of last year were £25,897 18s Gd and £1341 5s Sd respectively. For the September quarter the customs revenue was £106,285 8s lid as against £101,854 for the corresponßiug quarter of last year, aud the beer duty collected was £1052 7s as against £3739 16s 5d for the September quarter of 1897.