COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16928, 14 February 1917, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

COMMERCIAIi CABLEGRAMS. Pim» Association —By Telegraph—Copyright Australian mid N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, February 12. (Received Fob. 13,' at 6 p.m.) Copper; Spot, £138 ss; three months, £134 ss. Tin, £200 7s 6d. Lead, £30 10a. Spelter: Spot, £56; three months, £53. Silver, 38 l-16d per oz.

CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. IPkb Umit«d Phess Associatiom.J ' CHRISTCHURCH, February 13. Fairly largo amounts of wheat are offerand botih millers and merchants are buying up to Government prices for milling wheat The position is gradually getting clearer, and as tho regulations arc being better understood, business is likely to bo carried on with little difficulty. Minor points, concerning which merchants have been in doubt, are being cleared up. Tho Hon. Mr Mac Donald has shown a desire to meet tho trade as far as possible, so as not to interfere with legitimate business that ma;v be carried on within the limits that have been fixed. Merchants will thus bo enabled to purchase milling wheat from farmers at Government prices and sell on a commission. ' There is a good inquiry for oats, but few arc offering, as little thrashing appears to have been done, and probably a good deal of grain grown in North Canterbury will be required for/feed and seed purposes. The supply of oats is not expected to bo plentiful until the, southern crops aro available. Quiet business is being done in barley, and there is no change in priccs. Tho grass seed market is fairly quiet,, there being _ fewer offerings. For cocksfoot 9d to lOd is being paid for 121b to 131b seed. Tho offerings so far havo been limited.

STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY. The annual report of the directors of the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand states that the net income for the year amounts to £139,611, and tho expenditure to £127,835, leaving a balance of £11,775, to which has to be added the balance carried forward from last year (£9225), making a total of £21,000. ■From , this amount an interim dividend was paid in June, absorbing £3750, leaving a balance of £17,250, wh;ch tho directors have dealt with in the following manner: —Add to reserve fund, £2500; and recommend that tho balance bo appropriated as follows : To pay a dividend for the half-year ended December 31 at the rate of Is 3d per share, absorbing £6250, and carry-, forward £8500 to next year.