Commercial.

Otago Witness, Issue 1461, 15 November 1879, Page 12

Commercial.

CUSTOMS REVENUE. The following revenue was received at the Customhouse, Dunedin, during the past week:— £ s. d. Thursday .. .. .. 3499 2 8 Friday 1581 9 4 Saturday .. .. .. 565 16 9 Monday .. .. Tueadav 2857 18 11 Wednesday .. .. .. 2182 1 3 Total .. .. £10,666 811 THE WEEK'S BUSINESS. Witness Offioh, Wednesday Evening. Saturday Evening. The past week has been a very busy one ia the import market, anticipated advances in Customs duties causing traders to lay in extra supplies of those goods on which an increased duty is expected. Teas and sugars have come in for the greatest amount of attention, and business ia these has been very brisk. Sugars are almost out of the market, and holders obtain almost any price they like to ask All goods seem at last to be on the rise, and quotations of leading lines hold good only from day to day. The season in which ales are in greatest demand is now at hand, and the market is well supplied with all descriptions. Bulk ale is somewhat slow of sale, but bottled is .improving in demand. The brandy market is in a transition state with us at present. News have been received of considerable advances in other markets, and these will no doubt have an improving effect upon ours, but as yet we cannot report any actual business at an increase on lately ruling rates. In whiskies a fair amount of business has been got through during the month, but the trade in these fills off ai the summer approaches. Geneva sells slowly, but rum has been somewhat scarce of late, and better prices have been obtainable.

, There has been a steady trade doing in tobacco, and although prices are unaltered, inquiry is improving. An anticipated advance of the duty on tobacco has caused a large retail demand during the last few days than usual, but as yet nothing has transpired to warrant the change. In dried fruits the market has been a little disappointing, but prices are now looking up, and foreign advices encourage importers to hold. Jams are freely dealt in, but with the number of makers cutting under each other, payable prices are not obtainable The hop market has been very materially affected byjHome advices, and sales have been making very fraely at advanced prices. Woolpwks are selling freely at 2s 6d ; corneacks are quoted at 7s ; but for both lines better prices are expected as the season advancer. Seaming twine we quote 1b Id to Is 34.

Wheat is in fair demand but prices are stationery. Prime samples of Northern command 4s ; ordinary to good, 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; fowlß* feed, 8s 6d to 83 9d. In oats there was a slight spurt a week ago, but prlcei have fallen away again, and supplies are much in excess of demand. We quote best feed, Is lid to 2s ; milling, 2s Id to 2s and 2d. In barley there is nothing doing. From Christchurch, under date November 6tb, we learn that business in the grain market during the past week has been exceedingly quiet. Transactions have neither been numerous nor of great magnitude. The weather continues moat favour, able for growing grain. Reports from all districts are of the s&rae tenor. Wheat remains at 4a lOd to ss. The millers are the principal buyers at the moment. Oats are without the slightest change, and the business done has been of the most limited character. Potatoes : The market was rather bare at the beginning of the week, and prices touched £6, but towards the end a few lots came forward, and rates receded to £5 and £6 10s. Flour : The quotations remain at £12 to £13. Dairy produce : But'er. good supplyl; prices range about 7d to 8d ; cheese, sJrl to 6d ; hams and bacon, 9Jd to lOd.

Messrs Goldsborough and Co report, under date Melbourne, 27th October, as follows : — Wheat — We held our usual auction sale to-day, and catalogued 779 bags, consisting chiefly of small lots in inferior condition. There was a good attendance of buyers; but, owing to the latost English advice!) not being so favourable, and thers being every prospect of an abundant harvest here, last week's rates were not maintained. We quote :— Prime milling, 6s ; medium to good, 5s 8d to 5s lOJd ; and inferior to medium, 4s 6d to 5s 4d pc/ bushel. Flour. — At our sale to-day wo offerer! 50 tons prime Wimmera, and bought it in at £12 163 per ton. We sold several parcels of good country brands during the week at £12 12s 63, and quote town-milled at £13 ss, and good country brands at from £12 5s to £12 10s sterling per ton. Oats are very dull of sale. We quote prime milling, 3s 3d ; prime feed, 3s Id ; medium to good, 2s 9d to 33 ; and inferior, from 2s 5d per bushel. Barley. — During the weok but few cws'gnments have come forward, although extreme rates are obtainable. We quote prime malting, 7s ; medium to good, 6s 3d to 6s 91 ; inferior to medium, 5s 3d to 6s ; Cape and Oregon, from 3 » 5d to 3s 9d per bushel.

WHOLESALE PRIDES. DRIED FRUITS.

Currants 4Jd;Sultanai6Jd | Elemea 6}d ; Muscatals Is

ALES. I Tennent'sorTounger'B,l2

M'Ewan's, 11s 3d

footer (duty paid). Blood's, Us 9d I Pig brand, 12a fld

Guinesß's, 12s 6d

tba (duty paid). Common. Is 8d to Is 104 Boxes, 20s to 30a Good med'm, 2ald to 2s 4d Orange pekoe, 2s 9d to 8s Superior kinds, 2s 7dto 8* Gunpowder, 2s 6d to 3s

sugar, (duty paid). Fine whites, £41 to £43 Rations, £35 to £36 Grey crystals, £39 to £40 Victorian whites, £40 to Yellow do, £38 to £39 £43 Second yellow, £36 to £37 Crashed loaf — Am'n— 6ls

RICE. Patna rice, £26 ; dressed rice, £27 per ton.

brandy:

Associated Yd, 756d85,23s I Do. in cage 383 Hennessy's 103 6d, lisp gal | Bisqult's 8s 6d and 24a

WHisKT. Dunville'S, 133 in case Glenury, @s 6d Glenlivet, 9s Scotch and Irish, 5s to 7s Rob Roy, in case, 193 Longjohns.in case, 18s 6d Old Highland, 10 J Hazelburn whisky, b'k, 6s

UM. I Lorn, bulk, 6s 6d, case 193,

In.bulk, 4s to 5s 6d

GBNBVA. JDKZ, per case, 13i 6d I Old Tom, per case, BurSwains Boord's, 133 I nott'a, 14s

KKROSENB . Noonday, 2s Id I Nonpareil, 2s 2d Astral, 2s 2d | Calcium Light, 2s 2d

THE MAI

Messrs Anderson and Co., millers, report, under date the 12th instant :— Flour, £11 10\ £11 15s, Pearl Barley, £24 per ton and £12 per ton Fowl's wheat, 3s 6d to 4 Oatmeal, £14 per ton per bushel Pollard, £5 10s per ton Oats, 2s 2d to 2s 4d per Bran, £5 5s per ton bushel. Barley duat, £5 per ton Sacks, 6d each.

Messrs M'Landrbss, Hipbdrn, and Co. report that they on Wednesday offered for sale by auction the first shipment of the new season's Mauritius sugars, just arrived per Jasper, on account of Messrs W.and G. Tarnbull and Co. There was a full attendance of the trade, attracted partly on account of the unusually bare state of the market, and partly on account of the supposition that the Government will in its Financial Statement on Monday next reimpose the old duty on sug&r. The rale at first hungfire, the trade having some difficulty in making up their minds to pay the extra price which the exigencies of the market required. Subsequently, however, a spirited competition set in, and the result wssthat the whole car.ro was cleared on tho f olio wintr terms: — Snowdrop crystals, £3B loa to £38 17s 6d ; finest white do, £36 12s 61 to £38 6s ; fine do do, in large hags, £36 10s ; fine do de, in small bugs, £36 5s to £36 10s ; finest grey do, £35 17s 6d to £36 2s 6d ; fineit yellow do, £34 17s 6d ; fine do do. £32 2s 6d to £34; brewing crystals in large bags, £35— a1l in bond. These prices establish an advance of fully £3 10s per ton on the last auction sale.

Mr Donald Stronach (on behalf of the N.Z L. and M.AI. Company, Limited) reports for the week ending 12th November as follows :—

Fat Cattle. — The smill supply of 89 came forward for to-day's market, but owing to the trade being well supplied there was little improvement in prices. Bullocks fetched from £10 5s to £14 5s ; cows, £7 to £10 2s 6d— equal to 27s Cd to 30a per 1001b for prime, and 25s for medium quaity.

Calves. —Fifteen yarded, and sold at 'about recent quotations. Fat Sheep. — Only 1019 penned ; sufficient, however, for the trade's requirements. Merinos iv wool brought 9a 9d to 10s ; cross-breda do, 11s 8d to 12s 3d ; do shorn, 9s 6d to 11s 3d. We quote mutton in wool at 2Jd per lb ; shorn do. If d. We disposed of a small draft on account of W. J M. Larnach, Esq., at quotations.

Fat Lambs.— 296 penned, and were sold at from 5s to 8s 6d each, according to size and quality. Country Sales. -We beg to call special attention to our sale of store cattle at Mosgiel, at 1 o'clock tomorrow, when we shall offer, on account J. F. Kitching, nearly 200 well-bred store bullocks in forward condition.

Wool.— Files of priced catalogues to hand by recent BrindUi mail show the continued depression which existed in the London market for medium and inferior cross-bred descriptions. Reports reviewing the whole of the third series represent the decline upon closing rates of June as varying from Id to 2d per lb ; but, as indicated by recent telegrams, a large portion of the decline has been recovered. We are hopeful tbat the next series, to commence on 18th current, with a probable available quantity of 130,000 bales, will fully sustain tho improvement, and that prices have now seen their lowestSheepskins,— Prices are a shade firmer than last week. We disposed of a small catalogue on Monday, with a fair attendance of buyers.

Hides. — Quotations were about the same as at date of our last report — viz., 2£d p*r lb for wet-salted, and 16s for green hides. Tallow.— The demand for shipment is very strong, and parcels suitable for export are readily quitted at improved prices. Telegraphic advices from London showing a riae to 43s per owt for prime mutton tallow, will tend still further to harden our market.

Grain. — Wheat : Very firm at last week's prices — say, from 4s 6d to 6a for ordinary to prime samples. Oats : Demand languid, at prices scarcely sustaining previous quotation!". Barley : No prime malting offering ; for milling we quote 3s 3d to 4s.

Maolban Brothers report for the week ending 12th November as follows : —

Fat Cattle.— A small supply of 89 head came forward for to-day'a market, which wore chiefly good to prime. Although the supply was small, bidding was anything but spirited, on account of the trade having large stocks on hand. We sold, on account of * James Bhand, Esq., 25 head at from £9 7s 61 to £11 17s Cd for bullocks ; cows, £10. We quote prime beef at 30a. Privately we have placed a prime lot of 40 head at satisfactory rates. Fat Sheep.— l6l9 were penned to-day, which were chiefly of good quality, all of which were sold at over last week's rates for shorn sheep. We sold on account of John Bruce, Esq. a prime draft of 330, at from 11s 6tl to 12s 9d. Prices may be quoted at 2d per lb for shorn, and 2Jd per lb in the wool. We have sold privately 1000 cross-breds at a price satisfactory to the vendor.

Fat Lambs. — 206 were penned, of good to prime quality, which were all sold at from 6s 6d to 93 6d. We sold on account of Mr James Lomond 34, at from 6s 6d to 63 9d.

Fat Calves. — 15 were penned to-day, and sold at an average of 12s.

Store Cattle, — On Friday we held a sale at Outram, when we disposed of 60 head in fair condition at— for bullockg, £7 ; steers, £6 ; cows, £4 10a to £5. There being an abundant supply of grass, we anticipate a good demand for some time to come.

Store Sheep. — We have no transactions to roport, and consequently quotations cannot be given with any degree of certainty. Wool. — We have no further advices from London. In this market we catalogued on Tuesday last a lot of 31 bales greasy wool, which we sold at— for merino, 7|d ; cross-bred, 7Jd. Sheepskins.— A£ our sale on Tuesday last we had a large catalogue, comprising 2000 skins. There was a large attendance of buyers, and all the lots were disposed of at very fair prices. Butchers' green skins fetched from 3s 3d to 83 8d ; dry skins, 1b 6d to 2s Bd, according to condition and quality. Hides are still in limited demand, and prices havo not improved since our last report. During the week we have quitted all the lots on hand, about 250, at— for wet-salted, 2Jd per lb ; butchers' green hides, 163 each.

Tallow,— We have had several inquiries for shipment during the week, but there are very few suitable lota offering, and we have no sales to report.

Grain. —Wheat : Stocks ia hand are very light, and any choice lots arriving are readily sold, but we canot report any improvement on our last week's quotations. Prime milling is worth 5 ), ordinary 4s 6d to 4s' 9d, fowl-feed 3s 6d to 3s 91 Oats are very slow of sale, there being no demand except for local requirements, and we fear that present prices, although very low indeed, will bave to give way still further before the very large stocks on hund are reduced to any noticeable extent. We quote feed at Is lOd to Is lid ; milling, 2s to 2s Id ; but in the absence of sales these prices are merely nominal. Barley is in very limited demand, except for prime malting, which is saleable, but there is none in tho market. We have no sales to report.

Messrs Wright, Stbfhknson, and Co. report for the week ending 12th November as follows :—

Fat Cattle.— Only 89 yarded. This number, although small, proved quite equal to the requirements of the trade, aa most of the butchers had considerable stocks in hand from last week's over-supply. Prices, if anything, showed a slight improvement on last week's rates. We sold, on account of the N Z and A Land Company (Clydevale Estate), 40 head bullocks and cows, the former at from £10 53 to £14 ss, and the latter at from £7 to £10 ss : on account of Messrs Craig and Wylie and others, 16 head bullocks, at from £7 16s to £10 17s 6d. We quote prime beef at 30s per 1001b, medium at from 25s to27s6d. Privately we have placed 15 head at quotations. Fat Calves. — Fifteen penned. Of this number we sold six. at from 10s to 169.

Fat Sheep were in moderate supply, 1619 being penned, consisting of cross-breds and merinos of from fair to good quality. The bidding was not at all brisk ; all, however, were disposed of at equal to late quotations. We sold on account of the N.Z. and A. Land Ce. (Olyflevale), 505 crosF-breds (shorn), at from 93 Cd to ITb 3d ; on account of Messrs Begg Brothers (Hillend), 210 cross-breds, in wool (small), at from 10s 9d to 11s 3d, and 200 merinos, at 10s ; on account of Messra Robs Brothers, 69 cross-bred ewes (small), at 83 6d ; on account of Jas. R. Elder, Efq., 18 crossbred ewes (in wool), at 12s Bd. We quote mutton in wool at 2Jd per lb ; shorn, 2d. Fat Lambs.— A fair supply came to hand, 296 being penned. Of this number we sold 341 at from 6s 6d to 88 6d, on account of Messrs James R. Elder, Robs Brothers, and William Strain. Store Cattle.— Well-grown three and four-year-old bullocks are in good inquiry, and meet with ready sale »t fair price?. During the week we have sold privately, and at auction, 367 head. At our monthly sale held at Palraeriton on Thursday last, three and four-year-old bullocks brought from £8 to £3 10s ; two-year-old steers »nd heifers, £3 12s 3d to £5 ; yearlings, 80s to 403. At Mosgiel on the day following we sold, on account of Mr James Wright, 150 bullocks and cows at from £4 12s 6d to £7 for the former, and from £3 10s to £5 7a 0d for the latter. We beg to direct attention to our sale at Mosgiel on Friday, 21st November, when we shall offer a splendid lot of three and four-year-old bullocks in very forward condition. Store Sheep.— We have no transactions to repeit. Country Sales. — We held our usual monthly sale at Palmerston on Thursday last, at which a large quantity of rheep and cattle were offered. We sold, on account of various vendors, 130 head mixed store cattle at satisfactory prices, and from 700 to 800 merino ewes and lambs at fair values.

Pure-bred Stock. —On account of Messrs Mea Brothers, Brighton, we have to report having sold their pure-bred four-year-old chestnut Clydesdale mare Lucy, by Forster'fl Wallace, out ot Doll, by M'Gavin's Hero, with foal at foot by Emperor, to Mr Wm. Patrick; also, on account of same vendors, their chestnut mare Doll, by Hero (imported), out ot a mare by Mrs Nimmo's Old Napoleon (imported), with foal at foot, to Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane ; on account of John Duncan, Esq., Cherry Farm, grey gelding, by Puddy's Prince (imported), out of Gip, and bay gelding, by Hero, out of K*te. both to Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co., at a satisfactory price. Horses. —We have to report a brisk demand for good useful draughts and strong light-harness horses. The entry for last Saturday's sale was the largest we have had for some time past, and nearly all the horses beoked were disposed of at very full values. We quote first-class draughts at from &iB to £50 ; medium, £25 to £35 ; good hacks and light-harness horses, £17 to £25 ; medium, £12 to £15 ; light and inferior, £3 to £8. Sheepskins.— Monday last being a public holiday, our weekly sale took place on Tuesday. There was a full attendance of the trade, and prices obtained showed a decided improvement on recent dates ; more particularly was the rise noticeable in merinos. Our catalogue comprised upwards rf 1800 skins, which sold as follows : — Butch ert.' cross-breds, at from 2s 8d to 3s 6d ; and merinos, at from 3s to 3s 9d ; station skins, at from Is 2d to 3s 6d.

Hides are in fair demand. This week we have sold 160 at 2Jd per lb.

Tallow (is in better inquiry. Our sales consist of about 10 tons inferior to good, at from £18 to £25 per ton ; and rough fat, at £15. Grain, — Wheat is in moderate request at from 4a 8d to 5s for prime to ex'ra choice samples ; ordinary, 4s 6 1 ; fowls' feed, 3s 6d to 4s. Oats are exceedingly slow of sale. Quotations merely nominal. Barley : Little offering. Values unchanged.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report for week ending 12th November as follows : —

Fat Cattle.— Eighty-nine were yarded, nearly all of prime quality. Although this w»b a very short supply, prices showed but little advance. Best bullocks brought up to £13 17s 6d ; good do, from £11 5s to £12 2s 6d ; medium and others, up to £9 15s ; be«t cows, up to £10 2s 63— or equal to, say, 30s per 1001b for prime. 25s for medium quality. Fat Calves.— Fifteen yarded, and sold at from 19a to 30s, according to quality. Fat Sheep were in short supply, only 1019 being penned, consisting of shorn cross-breds, and merinos in woal. All were taken up by the trade at prices a shade over last week's. Best croßs-breds brought 12s 6d ; <rood do, from 103 3d to 11s 6d ; merinos, in wool, 10s 6d. We quote prime mutton at 2Jd ; medium and inferior, Ifd to 2d per lb Fat Lambs —296 penned, mostly of medium quality. They were well competed for, and all sold at advanced prices— best making 8s 91 to 93; medium, 7s 3d; others from 5s 6(3.

Store Cattle are still in good demand, and quiet well-grown cittle are readily disposed of. Store Sheep.— Owing to shearing operations there are no transactions at present to report. Sheepskinß —Monday behur a holiday, we did not offer any this week. We will held our usual sale on Monday next, at our Btores, High street, at 2.30 p.m. Hides.— No alteration in prices Tallow.— ln consequence of recent advanced prices at Home, tallow shows signs of improvement, sales here having taken place at-prime mutton, 24s to 26s ; mixed, 20s to 22s 6d ; roneh fat, 14s to 18 per cwt. Grain.— The wheat market is quiet. Prices firm at last week's quotation*. Oats are dull of salo, and prices have suffered a further decline of Id per bushel. Barley : None offering. We quote wheat — prime milling, 48 9d to ss ; medium, 4s 4d to 4s Sd ; fowls' and inferior, 3s 3d to 4s ?d ; oats (milling), 2s to 2s Id ; bright feed, Is lCd to Is lid ; inferior. Is 9d to Is lOd ; barley (nominal), 4s 8d to fis ; ryegraes, 4s to 53 ; potatoes, £6 to £7 per ton.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have received the following cablegrams from their London office, dated November Bth : — " Tallow is in good demand. Supplies of town - molted and other stocks are light. Fine mutton is quoted at 43s per cwt ; do beef, 41s. Leather : Best sides are worth lid per lb. Wheat : New Zealand is quoted at 59s per 4981b5 ; do Adelaide, 60s. Kauri gum is in brisk demand. Stocks are light. Arrivals during past four weeks have been 220 cases. Good pale scraped sorts are worth 115s per cwt ; medium half-scraped do, 908. The Bank of Ecgland minimum rate of discount is 3 per cent."

DUJSEDIN LABOUR MARKET. November 12fch.

Mr Skene reports : -

A decided improvement iv the demand ; and now that station orders are coming in, things are gradually coming round. Men are submitting with a bad grace to the reduced wages, but they must grin and bear it till the good times come again. The certainty of a splendid crop will necessarily cause the employment of many hands. Couples are moving slowly, female servants are in fair demand, but many families are forced to economise, and do with fewer or none. Csrpenters are very quiet ; indeed, a good many tradesmen are forced to take ordinary work rather than go idle. Station cooks and bakers drag a good deal. Musterors are offered 403 per week. Country hotels are getting a little brisker, but town is quiet yet. Wa?es stand all over about tho same as last week.

MINING NOTES.

Mr J. F. Watson |roports for the week ending 12th November : —

Business for the week hns been quiet. Reefton.— The Keep-it-Dark Company's amalgam for tho week— l 67 ounces— was poor, iv consequence of ends ©f^blocks being taken out for tho [purposp

of filling in ground. The Energetic Company will shortly declare a dividend.

Macetown —The Tipperary Company will wash up on the 22nd inst. The Homeward Bound Company will have a rough waehing-up by the end of this month. The Gladstone Company are fitting out stone, and by the end of this month some returns of value will be shown. 1 have nothing new to report from other mines.

Keap-it-Dark, 17s 3d (ex dividend) ; Welcome, 33s ; Wealth of Nations, 21b ; Cromwell, 40* ; Tipperary, 14s.

OROCI Fresh butter, 8d to lOd

to Is per lb. 3alt, lOd per lb. Fresh eggs, is 2d per

dozen. Bacon, Is per lb. Ham, Is to Is 2d. Cheese, lOd to Is. Milk, 4d to 6d per quart.

HKETS. ;rie3. Honey, 8d per lb. Bread, over the counter, 5d ; do, delivered, 6Jd. Oatmeal, 261bs, 4s 6d. Dried apples, 6d to 8d per lb Jam, Ho tin, 8d to 9d. American salmon, lib tin, lid.

MEAT. Roasting boef, Bd to 8d .Mutton, 2}d to 6d. per lb. Pork, Bd. Steaks, 5d to Bd. Veal, 4d to 7d. Boiling, "d to 4d. Lamb, 8s to 6s. To hotels and boarding-houses the charge all round s 4d to sd. POULTRY. Fowls, 5' to 7» per pair Turkeys, 7a 6d to 17s 6d Geesa, 12s to 16s per p*ir each Bucks, 9i to 10s per pair Rabbits, 2] per pair VEGETABLES. Cabbages, 3d each Potatoes, 161b to 181b, Is Do per dozen,'2s New Potatoes, 4lbs, Is Carrots and turnips, Is 6d Cauliflowers, 4d to Is each per dozen Onions, 41bs, is FRUIT. Apples— eating, 6d to 8d Pineapples, Is to 2s 6d each per pound Oranges, 4 and 6 for la Apples— baking, 4d

The flah during the pist week have heen very irregu>

lar on account of the high winds prevailing. The following are Mr Melvillo'B|quotations :— Flounders, 2s to 6s per doz I Blue cod, 6d to Is 3d each Mullet, 2s per doz | Soles, 6s to 10s per doz Garfish, Is to 23 per doz Oysters, Is per doz, in the Crayfish, from 3s per doz shell. Red cod, 6d to 9d each

Messrs Nimmo and Blair report that the enquiry for clovers in decreasjng, and an active trade has sprung up for turnip seed and mangolds, the weather favouring the sowing cf these.

PRODUOB REPORTS;

Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports, under date the 12th instant :-

Round white potatoes, £5

Wheat, 4s 91 to 5s per bushel Fowl's wheat, 8s 9d to 4s Milling wheat i 3 firm at present prices Oats, per bushel, Feed 18 lOd to 2s, Milling 2s Id to 2i 2d bushel. Barley, 6s to 6s 6d per bushel Feed, 8s to 3s 6d per bushel Potatoes, £6 6s to 16 10s according to quality. Kidney seed potatoes, £6 per ton

to £X 10s per ton Hay. £4 per ton Chaff, £4 to £4 53

ton S^raw, £2 5s per ton Bran, £6 6s per ton Pollard, £6 10a per ton Flour, large sacks, £11 10b

to £12 per ton Oatmeal, £12 10s per ton Pearl Barley, &1Q per ton Onions, 20s per cwt Cheese, 8d per lb Baoon, rolled, B§<l per lb.