COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, 27 April 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

Daily Times Office, Thursday, April 26. UOXET AND TItADK. Buying.—Demand 5s per cent, discount; 30 days, 10s per cent discount; 60 days, 15s per cent, discount. Selling.-Demand, 10s per cent, premium; 30 days, 5s per cent, premium; 60 days. par. ' 'j'clesraphic Transfers to London.—l 7« 6d per cent, premium, plus cable charges. Deposits.—Fixed for six months, 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, % per cent, per annum; 24 months, 3i per cent, per annum. Owing to the ample supply of money the banks doing business in tho colony, following tho example of tho Australian banks, have reduced the rate of interest on fixed deposits for not less than 12 months' at from 3 per cent, to 2J |kt cent. Otherwise there is no alteration in the local money market. Owing to the intervention of the Easter holidays, nothing of exceptional interest has happened in commercial circles, save only the announcement mado by tho Premier in regard to tariff revision. Mr Scddon has stated that tho Government intends to reduce Ihe present duty of !,(] per lb on sugar by 3s per cwt; to remit the duty on dried fruits, maizena. and cornflour, and on potatoes; to make tho ad valorem duty on cotton goods, forfars, and linens a uniform 10 per cent.; and to reduce, the duty on tobacco from 3s 6d to 2s 6d per lb. The natural effect of this announcement will be to restrict trade considerably during the next two or three months, until Parliament sits and the proposed alterations become law. Retailers will work down slooks of the lines mentioned to the lowest, possible level; whilst merchants will bo exceedingly chary of all their bond clearances. The outlook, therefore, is for dull times and depressed markets for a while.

BREAn.STCFFS. There is a decidedly firmer feeling in the local wheat market, and comparatively few samples are offering. Growers show a disinclination to accept iho rates lately ruling, and are asking moro money, incited thereto partly by the more favourable reports of the London market, and partly by the cheap freights offering by Homogoing boats. It is reported that wheat has been, or is being, shipped at. Timaru for London at a 15s freight, and this has Armed Iho South Canterbury market, from which centre the bulk of tho grain for this market has been drawn. Millers, however, having purchased considerable stocks, are not anxious to advance, their limits, except in ono or two cases, when absolute necessity has compelled them to pay the higher figure; consequently, quotations are nominal, no amount of business having linen clone at the advances asked. Growers will not quote milling wheat under 3s on trucks for velvet and red wheat, while Tuscan is firm at 3s Id on trucks—indeed, an effort is being made to make 3s on trucks the prico for mixed milling lines. Chick wheat, too, is firmer, the local market being very bare of this commodity, and 2s lid ex store has been paid for small parcels io fill orders. For good whole fowl feed 2s 9d on trucks is asked at southern stations; tho northern market, too, is firmer, 3s f.0.b., s.i,, being tho current quotation, although sales have been mado at 2s Hid. There is no change in flour. The New Zealand Flourmillers' Association's tariff stands as follows:—Sacks, £9 per ton, 100's, £9 10s; 50's. £9 15s; 25's, £10. The shipping price is £8 10s per ton f.o.b. In Iho offal market tho tariff is £5 per ton for pollard, both for local orders and for shipment. Bran is quoted at £3 15s per ion for local orders, and £3 10s per (on for shipment. Both bran and pollard aro in good (lemunil, pollard being in short supply. The oat market, 100. is firmer, owing to the smallness of offerings and the cheap freights to London. Northern holders have put. up their price, and aro now asking 2s f.0.b., s.i.. for B grade, without, however, doing business at this rate. No quantity of new oats is yet offering in the south, and the market cannot be said Io have opened. As the bulk of the grain is going into stack, the impression gains ground that oals will be scarce and dear until after the spring threshing. The local market' is bare, and difficulty is experienced in'filling the few small orders coming forward. Rood 1! grade is quoted at Is 10,', d to Is lid ex store. Oatmeal is unaltered at £10 per ton, and pearl barley at £13 10=. FI'.OmX'K MAP.KET. The market is only moderalely supplied with potatoes, and prices are firmer for all prime samples. A small shipment of Warrnambools, just to hand, is offering at 10s 6d per owt. Good Up-to-dates are selling at from £9 15s to £10 5s per ton, and Derwents at £9 10s to £10 per ton, according to quality. There is a good inquiry on the part of bakers and confectioners for farmers' dairy pate, and the local butter market has lirnicd slightly. Farmers' pats soil readily at 8d per lb, and up to for choice quality; farmers' separator. 9(1; bulk milled. 9d. First-grade factory, 10Jd in bulk, prints at Hid for spot cash and 113 d for booked. The cheoso market is quiet. Akaroa cheese is worth from, sid to s|d; factory up to 6d. The price of eggs has again advanced, and the current quotation is Is 8d per dozen, at which price the market is firm. Pigs are in good demand, baconers are firm at 3|d, overweights and underweights at 3d. Hams are quoted at 7d to 7-Jd, and bacon at 6Jd to 7d. Tho market continues well supplied with chaff. £3 15s is the Quotation for prime old oaten sheaf; new soiling at up to £3 12s 6d per lon. ALE AND BTOTJT. (Duty: 2s per gallon, or 4s per dozen.) An average business is passing in ale and stout. All leading lines are in good supply, anil values are unchanged.. Following

is the. agents' list ol prices, the quotations being for ordinary lots per dozen quarts, all duty paid:—Ale: Read's Dog's Head, 13s to 13s 6d; Porter's Bull Dog, 12s 6d; Foster's, 12s; Tennant's, 12s. Stout: Read's Dog's Head, 15s to 13s 6d: Porter's Bull Dog, 12s to. 12s 6d; Burke's, 12s 6d to 12s 9(1; Johnson's, lis 6d to 12s; Hall's Boar's Head, 12s; Foster's, lis 9d; Tcnnant's, lis 6d to 12s; Tennant's lager beer, 7s 6tl for pints and lis 6d [or quart?.

BAGGIXB. (Woolpacks and corusacks: Free.) The Calcutta market is somewhat, irregular. Latest cables quote woolpacks at 2s 6Jd, c.i.f. and e., for July shipment, or slightly higher than last quotation. Cornsacks also show a tendency to rise, the latest quotation being 6s s|d, c.i.f. and e., for 44's, July shipment. CANDLKS. (Duty: Manufactured in British dominions, Id per lb; foreign candles, ljd per lb.) Burmese decorated chamber candles ar« quoted at 7£d in 10-box lots, 7Jd for five boxes, and 8d for lesser quantities. The current quotation for Burmese candles is s|d for 16oz '6's. plain and fluted; and 6Jd for self-fitting and carriage, this tariff being subject, to the usual discount* The local manufacturers' tariff stands as follows:—Gold Medal and Exhibition, 6d; Mining and Standard, 6Jd; Composites (plain and fluted) and Magnet, sid; Ducal Paraffin and Superior Wax Paraffin, s|d; Brilliants.-5Jd: Adamants. sd; Prize Medal, Electrics, and Roeketa, 4Jd. These rates are subject to a sliding seals o' discount, according to quantity purchased. Ogston's Aberdeen candles are selling at 6d to 6|d. Price's brands are selling at th« following rates:—For London Sperms, 6id to 6Jd (dutv paid), and London Wax and Paraffins at 6d to 6Jd, OKUENT. (Duty: Manufactured in British dominions, 2s per barrel; foreign oemsnt, 4s per barrel.) No alteration has taken place in the cement market, and quotations remain as follow:—Under 20-eask lots, Us 6d (former price 15s); 20 to 99-cask lots, 13s 9d (former price-14s 6d); 100-cask lots and over, 13s (former price 14s), DRIXI) FRUITS. (Duty: Currants and raisins, Id per lb; figs. nuts, shell almonds, evaporated applos, primes, and dates, 2d per lb; Jordan almonds, 3d per lb; Sicily almonds, free.) The chief topic of conversation is the devastation caused by the earthquake a.nd firo in San Francisco, with the dislocation of business relations with that market, which is almost, certan to ensue. Two of tho principal firms who ship fruit, to Now Zealand—Messrs Guggenhime and Messrs Balfour, Guthrie, and Co.—have their warehouses and cleaning and uacking factories situate in Davis street. San Francisco, and from tho purport of the news already cabled it appears extremely probable that these promises have- shared in the general destruction in which the.business portion of the city is involved. This will mean, of course, not. only the loss of the stocks of fruit stored in the warehouses, both packed and ready for packing, but also tho ruin of all the cleaning machinery.

Advices from San Francisco received by this week's mail in regard lo Californian fruit state that the outlook for the apricot crop was poor, and that continuous rains had damaged the poach and prune crops, but to what extent could not, at 1-imo of writing, ho accurately ascertained. _ There is now added to this the probability that tho fruit-growim* districts of Calfornia may have been affected by the earthquake shock which, should it. prove to be the case, must militate against tfie production for the coming season.

San Francisco advices. aiso report that firmness characterised the spot fruit market, stocks in hand heinr the smallest [or years. Should the present good demand continue the. stocks would be barely sufficient to last until the new- season's fruit was available. If these stocks have been involved in tJvo general destruction the position will, of cour.se, be more acute. Local importers have considerable orders yet to Ik executed in San Francisco, and the prospect of getting these orders filled is, of course, exceedingly remote. This has already firmed the local market, and merchants holding stocks of seeded raisins and' prunes arc not. willing to quote at laic rates. A small lot of nrunes, ox Sierra,, nre quoted at'6id in bulk and 7s in cartons. For seeded raisins 6s 6d per dozen cartons is now asked, and Ihe market is firm at this price. The cutting off of California!) supplies, coming on be top of the failure of the Mildura crop, would seem to promise a. maiikct bare of raisins from now until the end of tho season.

The comparative failure of the apple crop in ,all producing countries has hardened the market for evaporated apples, and these are now quoted at 9d in bulk. This has been a poor season for the Teviot fruit canning industry. The company are only canning apricots this season, and they have already placed tho whole of their output. Quotations for canned apricots are as follows:—Southern Cross (second quality). 8s; Tui. (first quality), 8s 6d: pio fruits (assorted) are quoted at 17s per gallon. The company is also putting up jams in 2Lb tins, said to be equal to anything on the markol. These arc quoted at 8s 6a for aa-ortcd,

.Current quotations for leading dried fruit lines aro as follow:—Currants, 3{d to 3Jd in half-cases, and 4s 6d in cartons; sultanas, to 4d in 281b boxes, and 4s 9d in cartons: seeded raisins, 6s 64; dates—in bulk 4|,d, in l£lb cartons 8a 9d; figs, small boxes, 5s 6d to 6s. according to size; Malaga muscatels (finest), in trays. Is Id to Is 2d; Jordan almonds, 2s; Sicily almonds. 9Jd; Californian muscatels, lOd in 51b bags and 9Jd in 101b trays.

Evaporated apples and apricots are quoted as follow:—Apples, bulk 9d. Apricots, bulk BJd to BJd, lib cartons 9s 3d to 9s 6'J. Prunes in bulk are quoted at 6£d and 7s in cartons.

Ciliforniaii canned fruit is quoted as follows: —

PsJihes, Vims. Anricots. Asaul. Water .. .. 8/3 8/9 7/ 8/3 2nd Stamfords 8/9 10/ 7/9 9/ Standards .. 9/G 11/6 B'6 10/

Singapore pineapples are quoted at 6s to 6s 6d for 21b tins, and 5s 6d to 5s 9d for ljlb. A small shipment of Singapore alioed pineapples in tins, a special innlity of fruit, is quoted at 8s 6d. Tasmanian jack apples are quoted at 8d to BJd in bulk, and 8d to 9d in packets. rrss. (Duty: Dried, pickled, or salted, 10s per ewt; paste, 20 per cent, ad ralorem; potted and preserved—British, 2d per lb;' foreign, 3d per lb.) Indications point to unceasingly high prices for canned fish next season. "Latest English advices state, that the cost of fish will be high at the commencement of (lie season, as slocks are very small. Present, stocks aro expected to be completely cleared lieforo the new packing stalls in July. This will mean that the saltors will be early in the market, and Ibis will tend to force lip prices. Current quotations are as'follow':'-Salmon -Best Skeena River Flats 10s, tails 9s 3d, and half-flats 6s; Cohoos, Bs. Codfish—sJd' in 21b blocks and s£cl in strips. New season's herrings—Kippered and in tomato, 7s to 7s 6d; fresh, 6s per dozen. Sardines -Albert quarters. 7s 3d to 7s 6d; Albert halves, 10s 3d to 10s 6d; good qualitv halves 6s and 6s 6d. and quarters 3s od to 4s; smoked sardines, 9s for halves and 5j for quarters; white herrings, 21s for 2-100' a and 30s to 32s for two-dozens; red herrings, 20s for 2-100's, 17s for one-dozens. Pindon haddocks and bloaters are quoted at 9s od and 8s 6d respectively. ItETAM. (Duly: Galvanised iron, £?. per ton; fencing ■ wire and barbed wire, free; iron—plain, black sheet, rod, bolt, bar, and plate, not produced in British dominions, 29 per oent. ad valorem.)

The iron and hardware market continue* firm. Current quotations arc as follow: — Sheet load, £27 10s: ingot tin (colonial), Is 9Jd; Lamb and Flag, Is lid; bar iron, £11 for 10-ton lots up to £12 for smaller quantities. Shoeing liars: 8.15. H. £14 10s, Xetlierlons £13 10s, and ordinary brands £11 10s. Pig lead. 21b M. Galvanised wire netting, £25 10s for 36in x \\ x 17 gauge; three-mile lots, £25. Fencing wire—plain, £9 5s for five-ton lots, £9 15s for under one ton. G.C. iron, £21 10s, with usual concession.'; for 10-ton lots. Steel plates £13 10s, sleel angles £13. Galvanised wire, £10 15s to £11 10s, 6 to 8 gauge; galvanised iron, plain, 24s to 25s 6s—with the usual concession of Is per cwt less for lOcwt lots. Pig iron, £5 5s per ton. Tinplatca, in short supply, firm. 17s 6d. Iron hoops, £14; tee bars, £13 103. OILS. (Duty: Kerosene, free; other oils, 6(1 fir gallon.) The British and Imperial Oil Company quotes benzine at lid and naphtha at Is 2d net cash, in 14 days and without rebate, for wholesale distributing lots. • The Colonial Oil Company announces an alteration in the price of Tea Hose kerosene, from Bid to BJd per gallon, ex, store. The Drier. Huel brings 160,000 cases of oil and by-products for all parts of the, colony, of which 131,000 cases arc White Rose kerosene. The Dunedin cargo will not be available until well on in June. Tho Colonial Oil Company's latest quotations for wholesale distributing lots are as follow:—Ex-warehouse prices — Whito Rose kerosene, IOJd per gallon, net spot cash, with the usual rebate; 'Tea Eoso keroseuc, net. spot cash, and without

rebate ;■ benzine, lid to Is; gasoline, Is 8d to Is 9d; naphtha, Is 2d to Is 3d—all net cash in 14 days and without rebate. Sales, of turpentine, nave been made ex Perthshire at. 4s 4Jd ex wharf; tho c< warohousu price, is 4s 6d. The Brioz Uuel, with the next shipment of kerosene for this market, sailed from Philadelphia on March 28.

Owing lo an advance in the Home market, the price of linseed oil has risen, and now stands at 3s 4d for raw and 3s 5d for boiled for small distributing lots. Castor oil is quoted at 3s lOd for half-cases and 4s for drums.

OILMEN S STORIS. ETC. The approaching International Exhibition in Christchurch is likely to be the occasion for tho introduction ot a number of new lines to the New Zealand market. As an instance of this. Price's Patent Candle Company has announced its intention of exhibiting at Christchurch samples of its toilet soaps suitable for use in New Zealand. Willi a view of popularising these soaps the company is sending a consignment to Dunedin, which will shortly be placed on this market. There is an advance of -{d per lb in desiccated coooanut, and it. is now quoted at, 4Jd for chests and for half-chests. . There is an increase of 5 per cent, iif the cost of \V. M. Co.'s club cartridges. Two-in-one boot polish is quoted at 4s 9d per dozen. Brunner Monde carbonate of soda, is quoted at lis 3d to lis 6d. Cou- f . boot polish is quoted at 3s 6rf; tor small and 6* Gd for large. Tho price of Force Food has been reduced from 25s to 22s 4d. Haricot beans are quoted at 225, split lentils 225. and English peas 19s. Packet- hops. Is 4d.. New season's hemp seed 245, new canary seed 28s. Record boot polish, 3s 6d for small and 6s 3d for largo; Sadler's mustard, 4s 9d for quarters, 8s 3d for halves, and 16s 6d for lib tins. Paferson's camp cofl'eo, 12s. Tho following tariff has been fixed for Brown and Poison's and Brown's cornflours:— Brown and Poison's and Brown's maize, 15 boxes, 22d; 5 boxes. 2Jd; 1 to 5 boxes, 3d;' Brown and Co.'s Patent. 3d; Brown and Poison's Indian, 5Jd. Harvest Qneen corn flour is selling at to 3d. Tim market is well supplied with all other leading lines, and quotations are as follow:—Tartaric acidpowdered. Is sd; crystals, Is sd; Milkmaid milk, 6s 6d; Colman's starch. 5Jd to s]d;i Ncare's food, 10s to' 10s 3d; Keiller's mar-malade-lib 7s 6d, 21b' 13s 9d; Robert., son's Golden Shred marmalade—lib 7s 6d, 21b 13a 6d; Crosse and Blackwell's marmalade—lib jars 8s 3d, 21b jars 14s 6d, lib this 6s 9d; Lucca oil—C and 8., 265: Morton's, 245: Day and Martin's blacking, 3s 3d to 3s 6d; Morton's capers, 5s Gd; curry, 5s 6d>: salad oil, 5s 6d and 8s 6d: and castor oil, 4s and 6s 6d. Everett's boot paste. 6s 6tl to 6s 9d for large, and 3s 6d to 3s 9d for small; largo size. Abbey boot polish, 5s 9d to 6s 3d pee dozen; cream of tartar (French, in kegs), lid: Morton's cream of tartar in tin-lined cases, Is o£d: bathbrieks, Is 9d to 2s; bicarbonate of soda. £11 10s per ton; Quaker outs, 22s 6d; vermicelli and macaroni—Rinoldi's—in lib cartons, 4d per lb; cloves, Is 6d; whiting, 5s 3d. The tariff for Fry's cocoa is as follows:—Honirropathic, for 10 boxes, Is 3jd, and for lesser quantities Is 4d; concentrated, 3s 2d, and soluble Is 4d. The tariff fog Symington's coffee essence is as follows ; — Five-oase lots 12s 3d, one-ease lot* 12s 6d. Woods' peppermint cure, 13s 6d per dozen for small and 22s 6d for large. French beans in tins—lib ss. 21b 8s 9d. Mellor's sauce r s rases 12s, 1 case 12s 3d, lesser quantities 12s 6d. RICE. „, . (Duty: Free.) iliero is no immediate prospect, of a further decline- in the price of Japan rice which is quoted at, £16 10s to £17. Now season s Patna. rice is quoted at £16.

SiGO AND TAPIOCA. (Duty: Free.) The sago and tapioca market show signs of easing. Sago and tapioca are quoted at 21s to 225, and Mo at. 21s 6d to 22s 6(1

SALT. (Duty: Free.) The_ salt market is unchanged, and quotations nro unaltered. Wo append tho selling tariff arranged as between the wholesale and retail houses for Otago and Southland. Black Horse Salt -. , , . P'ne. Coarsa. 5-ton lots, per ton .. .. S2/ .. 7"/ 1-ton lots, per ton .. .. 85/ ~ 7.i/ Lesser quaatities, per ewt., 4/6 ..• </ Liverpool Liverpool Coarse Fine and ant l Pig Coarse. Castle Fins. Per Ton. Per Ton. 10-{<m lots .. r . en/ .., w .. 7o; , 5-ton lots .. .. 62/ ~ ~, ~ 72/ 1-ton lots .. .. 65/ ..' 75/ t ■ .... PerC wt- PerCfft. Lesser quantities 3/9 .. ~ ... 4/3 Parcels mar be made up of mixed lots, inese prioas may be reduced by 2s per ton when salt is delivered direct from the wharf, and they include cartage to any point within Dunedin or suburbs. The Salt Company has undertaken not to supply any wholesale firm which does not abide liy a tariff agreed upon by the majority. It is also understood that the imports of Liverpool salt will bo kept within a certain limit, so that proportionate quantities of Liverpool and Adelaide may be sold in the colony. SUGAR. .(Duty: Jd per lb.) The Colonial Sugar Company's tariff stands unaltered as follows:—Finest'white (No,' 1 and la), £16 12s 6d per ton in bond for five-ton parcels,' £16 15s per ton in bond for three-ton parcels, and £22 per ton duty paid for smaller quantities. No. 2 is quoted at 10s per ton lower than the above prices—viz., £2110s per ton duty paid; and brewers' crystals 10s per ton higher-viz., £22 10s per ton duty paid. SOAP. (Duty: Yellow soap, 5s per ewt; fancy. soaps, 25 per cent., ad valorem.) There has bsen no alteration »n the price of soap, and the local manufisturers' tariff stands as follows:—Household, £13 per ton; Three Crown, £14- per ton;i Prize Medal, £20 per ton; Laundrine, £22 per ton. These rates are snbjoct to • sliding scale of discount, accordinj to th« quantities purchased. Swaa floating soap is selling at Us per box. The prico of Levers dry soap is Ik 6d for 10-box lots and lis 9d for lessor quantities. Lever Brothers' "Vim" lis for single cases (three dozen) and 10s 9d for five-case lots. Lever Bros.' Divan Turkish bath soap, 7s 6d per box of 36 tablets, or at 7s as part of 10 boxes; coal tar and glycerine soap, 5s per box of one dozen tablets, or at 4s 6d as part of 10 taxes; Skin Soap at 10s per box of 36 tablets, and "Ye Goode Brown. Windsor"at 9s 6d per box of 72 tablete. SPIRITS. (Duty: Bulk, 16s per gallon; proof, bottlei, 16s per gallon.) Consternation has been caused in U-« ranks of the vendors of whisky in tlia United Kingdom by a. judicial decision recently given in England (says tho Wellington Trade Ho.viow). It appears that* much of the spirit on the market under the designation of Scotch or Irish whisky is really a mixture consisting chiefly of "palent .spirit." Prosecutions wcro instituted against, the vendors of theso spirits for selling them under a false name. Tho case lasted for some five months, tho best) legal talent being engaged for the defence; the whole matter was gono into ire fullest detail, and tho judge's decision, has at last, been given. As a-result tho defendants were convicted of having sold a mixlure mainly composed of "latent spirit" as Scotch or Irish whisky. It hi anticipated that the case will be carried to the House of Ijords if necessary, but in tho meantime such spirit must, bo sold unoVJ its true name as ''patent, spirit" or "grain spirit," and even a blend of true, malt whisky and patent spirit must bo labelled! "Scotch Whisky and Patent Spirit." This decision will, it appears, affect many of tho whiskies whiolt aro at present held in high repute, and will give a great imnotus to all malt, whiskies, especially if confirmed 011 appeal.

An average business ia passing- in wmea and spirits, and values are unchanged. Brandy tariffs have been arranged as fol« low: —Boomerang. 10 cases, 21s; five cases, 225; lesser quantities, 55s duty paid. Bisquit du Bouche—lo cases, 225; fivo cases, 22s 6d; one case, 55s duty paid. The folfowing tariff for Otago and Southland has been arranged by tho supplying firm:—Gilbey's dry gin, lease 45s dutypaid, 5 cases 15s in bond, and 10 cases 14s in bond, Tk« demand for whisky is brisk, and all tho leading brands hare good inquiry. The Haig and Haij 3-Slar is quoted at 20s for 5-ease lots and 48s for lesser quantities. Tho whisky tariff stands as follows:—Ten cases, 20s in bond; five cases, 21s in bond; and lesser quantities, 50s, duty paid. Tho braßds included in this arrangement are Dewar's Special, Usher's 0.V.G., White Horse, D.C.L., Walker's W.W., GaeJie Old Smuggler, and Buchanan's House of Commons. The price of Crawford's whisky now stands: For five-case lots, 23s in bond: le.sstr quantities, 525, duty paid. Watson's No. 10 Old Scotch Whisky is quoted at 20s in 10-case lots in bond, 21s in 5-ease lots in bond, and 50a for lesser quantities, duty paid. Walker's Red Collar special whisky is quoted at 55s per case. Other brands remain unaltered, and as an index to market values we quoto th» following HffmU- li*^BlMs»libJkt-

nos3y's, 37s 6<l to 38s per case; Marlell's, 26s to 37* per case; Denis Mouriie's, in case. 32s 6tl, Whiskies: Thorn and Cameron'ii Old Highland, 7s to 7» 6d oor gallon; Brown's 4 Crown, 7s to 7s 6d per gallon; Dewar'i Special, 7« fad per gallon; Lochiel, 7s 6d per gallen; D.C.L., 7s 6d par gallon; Ben ManDhui, 7s per gallon. Case whiskies; Ushor',« Special Reserve, 22? Gd; Sanderson's, 28s; Dimville's, 17s 6d; Burke's, 15s. Generis; JDKZ—Two gallons 9s, thres gallons 12s 6d, four gallons 15s; Key—l»« jallons 8s 6d, three gallons lis bi, four gallons 13s 6d: Burnett'* Old Tom— 12 bottles 13s 6d. 14 bottles Hs 6d; Wolfe's Schnapps, ?.2s 6d; Gilbey'i Schnapps, ]5> to 15s 6J; Gilhey's Dry Oin, ]3i to 13s 6d. Lemon Hart's rum, 4s to 4j 3d per gallon; Lamb's Imperial Hum, 3i 6d to 4i 6d per gallon; Lamb's Golden Grove Hum, 61 to 6s 3d. TEA. (Duty. Free.) An average business is passing in tea, trade for the most part being confined to (he favourite packet blends. TOBACCO. (Duty: 5s Cd per lb.) There is a slight alteration in the selling t:iritf of Juno tobacco, the price for less ihau one box b.-'hig now Is in bond, instead of s:> 3d duty paid as formerly. White Rose tobacco is selling in case lots at 2s 2d and in box lots at 2s 4d. The tariff of the British-Australasian Tobacco Company stands us follows:— Lesser Cast Box Quantities. Brand. Lots. Lots. Duty Paid. Haveioek (dark) .. J/9 1/10 5/4} If avelock (aromatic) 1/11 2/1 5/3 Mixtiire~2oz, 3,6: 4oz, 3/3. Mixture-Dark, 3,'3. Canary ngaretle tobacco—lib cartons, 2;7. .litno tobacco:—s cases, Is 4(1; one w, 1= sd: otic box, Is 6(1: lessor i.uaiilities, Is 6J<I. Thin tobacco is now supplied in Tr\o-tliß-lb rods, blocks, and pocket, pieces, and in 4j-to-tlie-lli blocks. The T. C. Williams's tariff stands at fellows; — One Lesser Case Box QuanBratid. Lots. Lots, titles. sd s d s d Victory (aromatic) ..... 111 2 1 5 9 Diadem 1 U 2 1 S 9 JCosega* . 11l 2 1 5 9 Roval Colours 111 2 1 B 9 Golden Eagle -.., .... 111 2 1 5 9 Lurv Ifintoii .. .. •„■ 2 1 2 3 511 Ruby 2 6 2 7 6 3 Welcome Nug-iet ...,2 6 2 7 6 5 TIIO T. C. Williams Coiupany "Golden Eagle-Cut Cold liars"—is quoted at. 6s. 9d for 20?.. tins. Current quotations for other brands arc as follow:—Derby, Is 8d to Is 9d: Harlequin, Is 3jd per case lots, Is 4Jd for box lota; 5s (duty paid) (or lesser quantities. Derby Mild Tobarco, m ?,oz tins, is quoted at 6s M. First. Water-Aromatic. Is Oil to 2s: Triumph (dark), la 2d to Is 4d. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. The following is a statement, of the average amount of liabilities anil assets of the Hank of New Zealand during the quarter ended 20th March last.Liabilities.—Notes in circulation, £502,2<!) 15s; hills in circulation, £17,307 18s 3d, balances due to other banks, £17,2-13 ss, Government deposits, £2.957,336 10s; deposits (not bearing interest), £4,514,601 7a Ud; deposits (bearing interest), .£4.402.033 12s Id. Total average liabilities, £12,071.032 Ss Oil. Assets-Coined sold and silver and other coined motal, £1.657.756 9s 4d. gold and silver in bullion or bnrs, £103,836 13 lid; notes and hills of other banks. £38.725 3s C-il: balances dins from olhcr banks, £2100 2s lOd; landed property, £102.100 Ss, amount ot all other securities—notes and bills discounted, £!.003.0<V1 lis 2d, colonial Government securi;ic=, X 533.071 ss, debts due to tho bank (exclusive of debts abandoned as bad) £4.826,056 12- 3:1, securities not included under the above head;-, .•.•285.107 17s 10(1, Total average swots, £0,007,821 6s lOd.

EXPORT OF PRODUCE. WELLINGTON. April n. A Nfkl has been issued by the Department oi Agrn: dttire showing the volume and valus of the exports of tho principal products for fit? year ending March SI. These ami the comparison with previous year in each case arc as follow -- Butter, 'J'in,4-tsi.'wt. of the -value of £1.443.153, a decrase of IMOScwt and £71,C03 in value. Cheese, 11)7,503cwt, of the value of £257,171, an increase of 25,052cwt. and £76,297 in value. Reel, 155,602cwi, oi the value of £18.866, a decrease of' 3.V,lcwt and £10.538 in value. Mutton. ■774,211ewt, the value of £1,093,417, a decrease of 191.202cwt, and £'2-25,383 in value. Lamb. 1.!1f15,717 carcases, of the value of £1,151.319, f!t increase of 11,350 carcases, and X2S.WI7 in value. •Wheat. 031.068 bushels, of the value of £U8.2-Sl. an increase of 439,269 bushels and £63.r,t!l '.u viilr.e. Oats, !).tt,oU> bushels, oi the value o! JE(iB,O-].'i, a decree, of !,:)ir..3;12 bushels, and £16,008 in Potatoes. 270 tons, oi the value of 8129, u d(crea=e of 3143 tons and £72911 in value. Ileum, 23.541 tons, of the value of £601.700, an incis-Asp of 335 tons, and a decrease in vaiue oi i' 39,043.