INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1682, 16 February 1884, Page 10

INTERCOLONIAL.

[By. Eleotrio Tblegbaph.— Coptbigbt.]

(Renter's Telegrams.) Melbourne, February 7. At their wool sale this week the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) offered 1550 bales, of which 1370 were sold at satisfactory " prices. Low crossbred wools and inferior qualities were generally easier, in sympathy with the ' London market. For scoured and high class wools good competition was experienced, and present quotations are equal to those ruling during the [ season. Several parcels of New Zealand wool sold fairly well. February 11. The Marchioneas of Normanby, who has been seriously indisposed since the 3rd mat., is now much better. Mr Speight, chairman of the newly-consti- , tuted Railway Board, has arrived here by the Lusitania. ! . February 12. i The Melbourne manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) reports of the local grain market as follows : — Wheat is rather firmer, 1 and in active demand at 4s 3d to 43 8d ; New Zealand oats (duty paid), 2s 8d to 3s ; market much steadier. New Zealand oats under bond ' quiet at 2s 4d to 2s Sd. Sydney, February 7. It is announced that it is the intention of the Government to propose some modification of the scheme of taxation set forth in the Trea aurer's Budget. It is stated that personal effects, such as furniture and wearing apparel, will be exempt from the property tax, and that the limit of exemption will be increased to £500. It is further stated that the tax will be fixed at id in the pound, instead of Id as proposed. * February 8. ' Further details in connection with the proposed tax on property have transpired. Under the bill tb be introduced the banks will pay the full amount of the tax on the whole of their shares, charging proportionately asainst each shareholder. Foreign banks will be called upon to pay in proportion to the extent of their operations in the Colony. New Zealand wheat (per bushel), 3? 4d ; New Zealand oats, 2s lid ; maize, 4s ; Sugar Company's No. 1 pieces (per ton), £34. Adelaide, February 8. For wheat to-day's quotations are : Buyers, 3s 96. ; sellers, 4s. Flour has slightly recovered the recent tall. Town brands are now quoted at £9 15s to £10 ; country do, at £B, los to £8 15s.