COMMERCIAL SUMMARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12761, 7 September 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY

Saturday evening, September 5, MONEY ANI) TIUDK. Buying.—Demand, § per cent, discount; 30 days, jj per cent, discount; 60 days, $ per cent, discount; 90 days, ljj per cent, discount. Selling.—Demand lj per cent, premium; 30 days, 1 per cent, premium; 60 days, ij per cent, premium; SO days, i per cent, premium. Telegraphic Transfers to London.—2ss per cent., plus cable charges. Deposits.—By Bank of New Zealand: Fixed for three months, 1 per cent, per annum; six months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum; 24 months, 3£ per cent, per annum. By National Bank: Fixed for three months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum; 24 months, 3J per cent, por annum. By Australian banks: Fixed for six months, li per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum. The only movement at all affecting the local money market is the Dotation of the ('hriUchurch tramway loan of £250,000 at 4J per cent. Although thero is plenty of money available for thia loan, yet tho rata of interest offend is indicative of the gradual hardening of money. Tho advance in the London bank rate to 4 per cent, is evidence of tho movement in money tho world over, and although there are no indications of any immcciiate stress in New Zealand, hut rather tho reverse, yet in the long run the colony must feel the effect, and money will brconie gradually dearer. Trade is quiet in all branches, but business keep.! remarkably sound. BREADSTUFF!!. Tho stagnation which for some time past had cliaraeteri,scd the wheat market is now a thing of the past; prices are bounding upwards, c-xcitemciit is intense, and everyone is asking what it all means. Tho fact remains that within the last fow days wheat has hardened to tho extent of 3d to 4d a bushel, with every appearance of going higher—in faot, lines of prime milling wheat aro difficult to ob'ain at any price. Thero can bo little doubt that considerable quantifies of wheat have changed hands at full rates within the> last fow days, and although the exact extent of the operations is not disclosed, thero is every ovidc-nco of an organised attempt to "corner" the wheat market and boom prices. Just a week cable advice was received from Sydney of a movement to establish a pool in the imported wheat market .among tho holders in New South Wales and Yirtoi'ia, with the object of raising prices so as to enable holders to profitably unload their stocks before the new wheat comes 011 the market. Almost simultaneously with the receipt of this news a Canterbury firm of merchants, well known as bold speculators and big grain buyers, commenced operating in tho wheat market, with the result tihat prices began to firm. In anticipation of the market coming hack millers ail over the colony have been running on short stocks, and tins unexpected upward movement brought a. number of ,them into tho market, which still further enhanced _ values. And yet another factor operated in tlio same direction. Tho recent reduction in the price of iioitr to £9, f.0.b., was severely felt by the Timaru mills, who are not in tho association, and they havo evidently taken advantage of tlio movement ill wheat_ to turn tho tables 011 the, association. Whether acting 'in conjunction with the speculators boforo mentioned or on their own initiative is not known, but it is reported that the three Timaru milling firms havo also been operating, and have practically cleared the market of all milling lines.

It would thus appear -that tho speculators havo two objccts in v'iew: First, to keep the Now Zealand wheait market moving upwards in sympathy with the Australian wheat market, and thus prevent a collapse in priccs 111 tlio Commonwealth; and," second, by forcing tho associated millers to pay top values for their wheat, make it impossible for them to cut the price of flour down io an unpayable level. Tho latter result has a.ready to some extent been achieved, in tat tho price of flour, both in Cliristcliurch and Timaru, has already boon raised £1 per ton—from £9 to £10, f.o.b. 111 the loeal_ wheat market the principal effect of the rise has been the clearance of all parcels of medium milling and southern wheat 011 offer at prices ranging from 3s 6:1 to '3s 3d, ex store, and tho market is now hare of this description. Tho high prices asked for northern wheat arc forcing millers to turn their attention to medium milling grain for mixing purposes. Tlio hulk of tho lines of northern whoat offering in this market havo been withdrawn as "sold"; and as sajnple of the quotations made, sales are reported of 2000 bags velvet at 4s 2d, f.o.b. Timarn, and a largo lino of Tuscan at 4s Id, f.o.b. Timaru.

Despite tho advanco of £1 per ton in flour in tho north, so far tho local market lias not responded to the advance, but rather tho reverse. This is attributed to tho keen rivalry between tho associated and tho freo millers. For instance, one milling firm has made considerable sales of 50's to storekeepers _at £9 10s not, whilst at tho same lime other firms aro refusing to quoto at £10 15s less 7-j- and have reduced the discount to _5 per cent. Such is tho acerbity of feeling" amongst tho local millers that an attempt to raise tho price of flom- in sympathy with tho rise in wheat has signally failed, and present indications point to tlio price of flour in Dunedin being the lowest in tho colony.

Tho New Zealand Floiirmillers l-Associa-tion's tariff stands as follows:— £10 for sacks, £10 10s for 100's, £10 15s for 50's, and £11 for 25's. The freo millers quoto tho same rates. Millers aro vending 50's dircot to storekeepers at £10 15s, less anything from 5 to 12]r per cent. Tho shipping price for sacks for the colony is now £10, f.0.b., and thus at tho moment the shipping trade is more profitable than local busin,e«s.

The offal market is firmer, and bran is not now obtainable under £3 per ton, either for shipment or local orders. Pollard is quoted at £4 per ton.

Tho market is very bare of chick wheat, and good whole fowl feel has advanced, and is now quoted at 3s 3d to 3s 4d por bushel.

There is very little doing in tho oat market. There are inquiries from Australia for prime B grade nt Is 7jd, f.0.b., sacks in, but as prices ruo lower at the Bluff the business will probably bo done there. A' few seed oats aro seeing at Is 10(1 to 2s. There is nothing doing in Sutherland*. Cartons are worth Is and B grade. Is 6jd to Is 7d, both ex store. Oatmeal is quoted at £9 per ton for 25's, and pearl barley at £14 per ton for 25's and £15 for smaller quantities, al--1 hough these quotations are being shaded in some instances. riiODUCE MARKET. There is a better inquiry for potatoes, but supplies aro equal to the demand, and values are unchanged—viz., Prime Oamarti Denvents, £i to £4 ss; primo Canterbury's, up to £3 17s 6d per ton; medium and inforior, £3 5s to £3 10s.

No business is reported in the export butter market, and so far as can bo ascertained no sales of factory outputs havo yet been made.

There is 110 alteration in the local dairy produco market, and quotations remain as follow:—Butter: Dairy, 7d to 8d; salt, 8d to 9d; farmers' separator, 9d to 9^d; North Island faotory, MUd to lid; first-grade factor}-, lid for bulk and 11 Jd for pats. Cheese is firm, with mi advancing tendency. Akaroa, 6d fo 61d; and prime factory, 6411 to 6Jd per lb. There is a brisk demand for eggs, and all coming forward are readily taken up at lOd per dozc-n.

Tlio scarcity of pigs continues. Baconers (up to 1601b) aro firm at sjd per lb, mid sales are reported at 5Jd. Overweights, 3Jd to 4jd. 111 bacon, prime rolls are in good demand at B£d. Hams are quoted at 9d to 9id per lb. Supplies of chaff are ample for requirements, and only prime oaten sheaf is in demand at £3 to £3 ss. ALU AND STODT. (Duty: 2s per gallon, or 4s per dozen.) All the leading brands are in good supply, and values are unchanged. Following is the agents' list of prices, the quotations being for ordinary lots por dozen quarts, all duty paid:—Ale: Head's Dog's Head, 13a to 13s 61I; Porter's Bu'l Dog, 12s 6d; Foster's 12s; Burke's 12s; Tcnnant's, lis 6d to 12s; Youngcr's, lis 6d; M'F.wan's, lis; Ihlcr and Bell's, 10s 6d. Stout: Read's Dog's Head. 13s to 13s 6d; Porter's Bull Dog, 12a to 12s 6d: Burke's, 12s 6d to 12s 9d; Johnson's, lis 6d to 12s; Hall's Boar's Head, 12s; Foster's, lis 9d; Tennaiit's lis to lis 6d. BAGGIXB. (Woolpacks and cornsacks: Free.) Contrary to anticipations, the Calcutta market- has again declined, and latest cable quotations show a drop in cornsacks of Jd ifor 48's and 1 Id for 44' a, for November■Deeomber delivery. Tlio local market is quiet, and no business is reported. Quo. tations aro nominal—viz.: Cornsacks, 5s 3d for 44's; and woolpacks, 2s each. CAXDLES. (Duty: Id per lb.) There lias been 110 further increase in the prico of local candles, and the manufacturers' tariff stands as under:—Mining, Old por lb; Standard, 6Jd; Composites

(plain and fluted), s|d; Gold Medal and Exhibition, Magiic-t, Ducal Paraffin, and Superior Va.vPantlfiH/SJd; (Brilliants, s£d; Adamants, sd; Prize' Medal and Electrics and B'ockuts, '4j}d." Tliesk' rates are subject to a sliding stale'"of 'discount, according to quantity purchased. A small consignment of Burmese candles is expected in a- day or two, and forjhesp 6d is being asked. Of other imported W'an.d'3 Ogston's Aberdeen candles are selling freely at 6d to bid. Price's brands,are. in 'good demand at the following rates:—For London sperms, 6{d to 6Jd (duty .paid), -and- London wax and paraffins at D^d; Do Roubaix Jenar are quoted at 7-Jd 'to per lb. 1 ' 'CEMENT. (Duty:"2s per barrel.) Cement is still 'in very short supply, and the scarcity keeps the market firm. Tho lowest current quotation is 14s 6d per barrel, c-x store. dried Fitnrra. (Duty: Currants and raisins, Id per lb; ligs, nuts, shell almonds, evaporated apples, prunes, and dates, 2d per lb; t Jordan almonds, 3d per lb; Sicily almojids, free.) There is a better inquiry for dried fruits, and it is estimated that the limited stocks held locally will all be required before tho arrival of tho new season's fruit. The first direct steamer, bringing new fruit to Australia. is due to leave Smyrna on September 16, and will be due in Melbourne about November 3. . It will thus he (he middle of November before the new season's fruit is on this market. Already more cargo is booked for this boat than she will bs able to carry... latest advices from Patras state that the new currant, crop is progressing favourably, and that a- large yield of good quality is assured. Quotations to hand vary slightly, hut the market is reported firm, and opening prices are expected to he on an'average'level." Cable advice hao been received of heavy rains in Smyrna, causing damage to the new crop of sultanas, in consequence of which quotations for the new fruit have advanced £1 per ton. (tying, however, to the. largeness of the crop, prices are ruling low, and business has already been done for 'forward delivery at 3Jd to 4Jtl for the new fruit. Sicily almonds will he low this season, and for'ward business, is .reported at 83d. Mail advices state-that'a good yield of Jordan almonds is looked for, and prices should bo more moderate this season in coincidence. Favourable reports u'oro also received of the growing inmcatel crop, and it was cxpected that prices would open at about the same rates as last sca : on. The first of the new season's evaporated apricots are on the market. 'The' crt't is higher than 'last season, ami they 'are quoted at 7|d to ,8d per lb. Prunes in lib packets aro out of, tlte market, and the new fruit will not •he here until'the end of November. New figs are expected to open at the same level as last year, but old figs ore t-eavco, and are quoted at'7jd for layers, 7d for togs, and 6s fcd for, sqijill boxes. Other quotations for old fruit .are as follows:—Currants, 3jd to 3]d, or in lib cartons, 3?d to 4d: sultanas, 5d to sid: ncw.Lexias, 4jd for brown, and 5d for extras. Evaporated fruits: Apples, 6|d to 7d in -bulk and 8d in packets; apricota. 7Jd in bulk: prunes, std in bulk. Seeded raisins. 63 3d to 6s 6d ill 1607. cartons; dates, 4|d; Malaga muscatels. Is 2d to Is 3d : Jordan almonds, 2s 3d ;' Sicily almonds, lid per lb. risn. (Duty: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per cwt; potted or preserved, 2d per lb; paste, 20 per cent, ad valorem.) Latest advieC's confirm the intelligence that the new season's salmon catch has been very li#ht, and in the ataenco of firm quotations the position is uncertain, hut

prices ar*> expecicd to be considerably liigliM l . There, has been a brisk local domand, and the. market is pretty well cleared of flats, and prices have advanced all round. Current quotation.* range, as follow:—Flats, 9s 6d to 9s 9d, and 'tails, 8s to 8s 6d. Scroll brand, 9s 6:1. Albert sardines are still oik of the market. Other quotations arc as follow:—Herrings 'in tomato and kippered herring®, 7s 9d to B.}; fresh herrings, 63 3d; ling (Morten's), 6s; sardines, good quality, halves 6; and 6s 6d, and quarters 3s 6d to 4s: smoked sardines, 9.; 6;1 for halves and 5s for quarters; white herrings, 21s for 2-100's and 30s to 32s for two dozens; red herrings,'2os for 2-100's, 17s for one dozen; American cod fish, 'to 52d.

HOPS. (Duly: 6d per lb.) There is 110 business'naming in'hops, and for new Nelsons the nominal quotation is Is Id to Is 2d, f-0.b... Thero ajo 110 Ctilifornian hops in the markot, and for new Kcnts 2s 6:1 per lb- is asked. Packing hops keep firm at lOd to Is per lb. " METAL 3." (Duty: Galvanised* iron, £2 per ton: fencing > wire and barbed wire, free.) There 'is no change in the iron and hardware market, and business is faitly brisk. Current quotations are as follow:—Ingot. tin, foC colonial, Is sd. Lamb and Flag Is 6d','an'd ingot copper, 76s to 78s. Sheet lead, £20, with the usual extras; pig load, 16s 6d. Tin plates, 17s 6d—this price being shaded for parcels; wiro netting, £21; liar iron, £11; shoeing bars, £12 for ordinary brand.'; .Notherton's, 20s, and 8.8.11. 30s es[ra; iron hoops, £13 10s; steel plates, £13; .steel angles £12 10s; tee bars, £13: barbed, wire, £14 10s to £15;' fencing wire, ordinary brands, No. 8, £9 ss, special brands,. £9 10s; galvanised iron, £19; pig iron,-.£5 ss-per ton. • • -.oils. ■ (Duty: Kerosene, freo; other oils, 6d per • ■ gallon.) There is no alteration in tho kerosene situation. Between 15,000 and 16,000 cases of tlio Shell Company's oil were landed at this port from tho Windsor, of wfuoh about 5000 cases were transhipped south. A good proportion of tho balance was delivered direct from the.wlwrf .for local consumption, and the agents, report.that tho oil is soiling steadily ex store at 9Jd ner gallon, 4ho four-gallon it ins being regarded with favour by the retailer. Tho Shell Transport and Trading Company has evidently como to New Zealand to stay, the local agents (Messrs Briscoe and Co.) having received advice that further shipments of Borneo oil aro being arranged for. The next shipment may possibly be delayed 'in order to admit of better cases being provided, and tho Shell Company js calling for tenders for 3.000,0C0ft of New Zealand white pine for that purpose, instead of 1,000,000 ft, as previously announced. It is expected that tho steamers bringing tho oil to tho colony will be able to tako return cargoes of timber, and thus a new avenue of trade for itho colony will be opened up.

Tlio American kerosene* ox .T. T. Chapman was transhipped at Lyttelton into tho Upolu, and thus only 8000 eases will be put on this market instead of 20,000 as originally intended. It is exported that ths whole of this consignment will lie delivered from It-lie wharf at 9jjd per gallon, tho ex storo price still remains'at 9Jd. Tho next shipment of American keroseuo is on board tho Alice.

_ Tho turpentine ex Star of New Zealand is all sold, and tho market is hare, needing tho arrival of tho Alice with further supplies; the nominal quotation is 3s 5d per gallon. Tho Colonial 0:1 Company has made tho following reduction in the price of their by-products:—Benzine, from Is 2d to Is Id; naphtha, from Is 10j,d to Is 6d; and gasoline, from 2s 3|d lo 2s 1. These are all wholesale distributing orices for not spot cash and without Tcha'te. Linseed oil. is easier at 3s lid for raw, and As for boiled oil f> duty paid, for small lots. Cantor oil is easier, owing >to (the low quotations now ruling in Calcutta, and distributors are quitting stocks at about 3s.

OILMEN'S STOItES, ETC. Tho consumption of Duryea's maizena is increasing, and tho market is 'bare, do'pito rccont consignments from Cliristehureh and Melbourne. A further supply of 1000 boxes is duo next week, tho greater part of which lias been sold to arrive. Cornflour lias risen 10s per ton, and Brown and Poison's is quoted at 3£d. The arrival of tho Colbc-rt and the Europa has relieved the scarcity of a few much-wanted lilies, notably Symington's coffcc essence, Day and Martin's blacking, and Gaelio and Brown's Fourcrown whiskeys. . There is no whiting on the market, and lor the few small lots available 8s is being paid. Cable advices state that canary seed is dearer, and the market is likoly to rule higher. The market is fairly woll supplied with all other leading lines, and current quotations arc as follow:—Milkmaid milk, 6s 6d;' Colman's starch, 5Jd to 5Jd; Hudson's soap extracts, 38s; Neave's food, 10s to 10s 3d; Keillor's marmaladelib 7s 3il to •7s 6d, 21b 13s 6d; Bonviek's baking powder, 5s 3d; Crosse and Blackwcll's mawnalade—Hi jars 7s 9d to Bs, Zlb jars Hs to 14s 6d, lib tins 6s 6d; Lucca oil, 28s; Day and Martin's blacking, 3s 3d to 3s 6d; Morton's capers, ss; curry, 5s 6d; salad oil, 5s and 8s; and castor oil, 3s 9d and 6s 6d. niCE, (Duty: Free.) There is no alteration in tho rico market. Japan rico is quoted at £16 10s for a line and £17 for smaller quantities. Patna rice is scarce, and is selling at £17 10s per ton. SAGO AND TAHOCA. (Duty: Free.) Sago is advancing. Cablo advices report a riso of 9d in tho nlonth. Current quotations remain as follows:—Sago and pearl tapioca, lis 6d to 12s per cwt; (lake tapioca, 12s 6d per c\vt. SALT. (Duty: Free.) An average" business is passing in salt, and prices remain unchanged as follows:— ~~ WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS Supsrieito all pther spirits.

Liverpool, 60s to 555; Adelaide—Castlo (extra fine), 55s to 60s; pig (coarse), 50a to 52s 6d; Black Horse, 67s 6d to 70s, according to quantity. SUGAR. (Duty: jd per lb.) Sugar lias been steady, no change having taken place in the local price for a good few months now. The somewhat heavy imports from China have no doubt prevented tho market responding to the rather stiff rise in London. The Colonial Sugar Company's tariff stands as follows:— Finest whites (1 and la), £15 17a 6d.per ton, in bond, for five-ton parcels;; £16 per ton, in bond, for three-ton parcels; l £21 5s per ton, duty paid, for 6maller quantities. No. 2is quoted at 10s per ton lower than above prices,_ and brewers' crystals 15s per ton higher—i.e., £2115s per ton, duty paid. SOAP. (Duty: Yellow soap, 5s per owt; fanoj soaps, 25 per cent., ad valorem.) There has been no alteration in the price of soap, and the local manufacturers' tariff stands as follows:—Household, £13 per ton; Three Crown, £14- per ton; Prize Medal, £20 per ton. Laundrine, £22 per ton. These rates aro subject to * sliding scale of discount, according to the quantities purchased. SPIRITS. (Duty: Bulk, 16s per gallon; proof, bottled, 16s per gallon.) Tlie whisky trade lias now resumed its normal condition. Prices remain unchanged, and as an index to market values we quoto the following agents' list:—Brandies: Hennery's, 37s 6:1 to 38s per case; Martell's, 363 to 37s per case; Denis Mounie's, 31a per gallon and 22s 6d per case; Boomerang, 22s for parcels, in bond, 55s per singlo case, duty paid. Whiskies: Thorn and' Cameron's Old Highland, 7s to 7s 6d per gallon; Dewar's Special, 7s 6d per gallon; Lochiel, 7s 6d per gallon; D.0.L., 7s 6d per gallon: Bon ManDhui, 7s per gallon; Old Ship. 7s per gallon. Case whiskies:. Usher's Special Reserve, 22s 6d; D.C.L., 20s; Walker's WW, 20a; Gaelic Old Smuggler, 20s; Dewar's, 20s; Sanderson's, 20s: Buchanan's House of Commons, 20s: Old Ship. 20s; Usher's OVG, 19s; liimv'lln's, 15s; Burke's, 15s. Crawford's 54s (duty paid). Genevas: J.D.K.Z.—Two gallons 9s, three gallons 12s 6d, four gallons 15s; Key—two gallons 8s 6d, three gallons lit 6d, four gallons 13s 6d; Burnett's Old Tom— 12 bottles 13s 6d, 14 hotties I*■- 6d; Wolfe's Schnapps, 22s 6d; Gilbey's Schnapps, 15s to 15s 6d; Gilbey's Dry Gin. 13s to 13s 6d. Lemon Hart's rum, 4s to 4s 3d per gallon; Lamb's Imperial Kum, 3s 6d to 4a 6d per gallon; Lamb's Golden Grove Bum, 6s to li 3d. TEA. (Duty: £tl per lb.) There is nothing new to report in the tea market, and trade is normal, ■ being mostly confined to tho packet blends.

TOBACCO. (Duty: 3.5 6d per lb.) Juno tobacco ha? been in brisk demand. Tho Star of New Zealand brought 100 cases, which were all sold from the wharf. Current quotations am as follow:— Black tobaccos—Juno, is 3d to Is 4d, according to quantity; Derby, Is 8d to Is 9d; Harlequin, Is 2£d to Is 3id. Havfclock, Is 7jd; New Venus, Is 3d to Is 4d. Aromatic tobaccos—T. C. Williams's Welcome Nuggrt, 2s 4d to 2s sd; Ruby Bird's Eye Twist. 2s 4d to 2s sd; T. C. Williams's Royai Colours, Is lOd to 2s; Victory, Is lOd to 2s; Golden Eagle, 2s to 2s 2(1; Nosegay. Is lOd to 2s; Havelock, Is 9d to Is lOJd; Diadem, 2s, PROPERTY SALES. Messrs Todd Bros, and Co. report having sold, on account of Sir John London, bis freehold farm of 132 acres, being sections 1 and 11, block I, Greenvale survey district, at a very satisfactory price to ilr James .Ritchie, of Heriot.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) report having sold, on account of Mr W. Palmer (Kelso), his freehold farpi of 3-17 acres to Mr JohnKerse, of Park Hill, at-, a satisfactory price. The National Mortgage and Agency Company oi New Zealand (Limited), Dnncdin, report- having sold, on account of Mr Thomas Brown, his form, situated in the Tuturau district, and consisting of 30G acres, to Mr Michael O'Rourke, at a satisfactory price. The farm is admirably adapted for dairying, as it is one of tho most convenient and. handy farms in the district.

Messrs A. Harris and Co. held a sale of freehold property situated at South Dnncdin, at their rooms on Wednesday, August 19. There was .a very, good attendance, and, under spirited competition, the properties sold realised satisfactory prices. Section 13, block I, Hillside, containing 8 poles, and having a frontage to Phillips street, was purchased by Mr Symonds for £'25 10s; and allotment 19, pf.rt .of section 12, block VII, Percy avenue, containing 21.9 poles, with threeroomed house t,hereon, near Kensington crossing, was bought by Mr Elliij for £190. The National .Mortgage and Agcncy Company of New Zealand (Limited) report having completed the following sales of freehold properties air satisfactory prices—viz.: On account of Messrs Hislop and Creagh (Langlea Farm, at Glenavy), to 3ir James W. Scott (of Waikakchi); on account of Jli Robert Oliver .(Wainnakarua), 74 acres, to Mr Fleming Robertson (of Waianakarua); on account of Mr James A. Sinclair (Windsor), 137 acres, part of Windsor Park Estate,'to'Mr Robert Oliver (of Waianakarua ;■ on account of the New Zealand and Australian Irand Company (Limited), section IS, block XXVII, Town of Oamaru, to Mr A. G. Creagh. The Waitnhuri.v correspondent of tho Tuapeka. Times reports that Messrs Scott Bros, (sons of Mr John Scott, Waitahuna) havo bought 2300 acres of Roxburgh Estate, known as Scrubby Run. The price is 15s per acre. It is good grazing ground,' 'and' somo parts of it aro welt suited for growing oats and turnips. Splendid crops of oats wero grown on the lower portion of the run by Mr A. Rowe, who held please oi 400 acres about 13 years ago. Messrs Henderson und Batger report sales as under:—On account of Mr A. G. Bell: Lots 19 and 20, Wantwood subdivision, 416 actes, to Mr Alexander Patorson, of Quecnstown. On account of Mr Roderick M'Leay: Sections 35 and 30, block 111, Oteramika. Hundred, 247 acres, to Mr Richard Butson, Garston. On account of Mr William Stirling: Sections 29, 30, 31, block V. Toi-Tois district, 525 acres, to Mr S. Heath, lla'aura, Island. On account of Messrs il'Kellar; sections 7 and 24, Wcllcslcy Estate, to Mr I{. J. Gilmour.

Messrs Wright', Stephenson, aiid Co. report: *VTc have cold to Mr J. T. Marshall, of Dipton, part of scction. .48, Tarirgatura district, containing about 223 acres, and being part of Castlerock Estate, at £10 p°r acre. This is a very fino piece of land, and will grow wheat, oats, barley, or anything to perfection. There is probably not a better picce of land to bs obtained in Southland. It is also very conveniently situated lor communication by botli road and rail, and Jlr Marshall can be congratulated upon his selection. There is now a very keen inquiry for Castlerock land, and further sales arc pending. Messrs Park,.Reynolds, and Co. held a sale of city, suburban, and country property at their rooms at 12.39 on August 31. There was a very good attendance, and competition was keen, with the result that satisfactory prices were realised. Part of section.s, block XXIV, Royal tcrrace, Dunedih, with frontage to London street, and containing a. quarter.acre, together with an eight-roomed house, was sold to Mr Wilkinson for £IGOO, and scction 40, block XVI, Cumberland street, Dunodin, containing a quarter acre (66ft by 165 ft), was secured by Sir Scurr for i*3SO. Sections 35, 3G, and 37, Mock I, St. John's Woc-'J, ICorth-East Valley, containing 31.35 poles, together witli five-roomed house, were purchased by Mr D. Nicol for the sum of £2io.

Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report.— \Ye sold at a. satisfactory price to a northern client allotment 01, Castleroek Estate, containing about 2750 acres. This block of land has always been known as tlio Dipton ridges. It is a beautiful block of pastoral country, low-lying and warm, and very fine lambing country. Its situation, too, is good, as it is within five miles by a good level metal road of the Dipton Hailway Station. Inquiries with regard to sections on Cast!crock continue to be numerous, and further sales are pending.