COMMERCIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 22

COMMERCIAL

The customs duties received at tie custom houst*, on goo Is cle ired for consumption, for the month of Aligns 1833, was L:«S,34i 5s 6d ; and the beer duty was L 951 4s -<!d. ' The returns for the corresponding moutu for the previous year were, ou goods cleared for consumption, L41,M)9 2s 8d ; on beer, L 333 4s 5 1. •,•/'" . „ ' Messrs Dalgety and Company (Limited), Dunedin, have received the following cablegram from their head office, dated Londorf,- August 24:— At the public sales of wool in Antwerp there were a small number of buyers, who .competed with fair animation for the moderate selection of wool offered. Prices obtained are on a par with average rates of last London sales." Referring to the Addington market on Wednes day, the Lyttelton Times says :— "The sale of fat sheep dragged very much throughout. It was evident at the ouset that a screw was loose somewhere, and though it was difficult at first to learn the cause, diligent inquiry elicited the fact that the frozen meat trade is greatly at the mercy of shipping companies, and that -they are to blame for the sudden collapse of the .market. One company has sent a direct liner to 1 Norway, thus leaving a blank in the regular running for a whole month, besides which threecargo vessels are now in Australian waters in the hope, it is said, of establishing a connection with the meat exporters there. Those engaged in the trade here think it is quite possible that in the near future the company controlling the movements, of these vessels will be found speculating in Australian meat ; "but it is to be hoped, in the interests of New Zealand flockownera, and the reputation • that has been gained by New Zealand moat' in 1 the Home market, that if Auatralim meat is introduced to English consumers steps will be taken to make it clearly understood that the meat is not from this colony, because in default of such precautions the mere fact of the meat being sent in vessels known to be regularly trading from -here is bound to injuriously affect New Zealand growers. The company's action in leaving this colony without a steamer for a month and courting the Australian trade is being viewei with very great dissatisfaction by many leading stock owners. The market yesterday was seriously affected by the absence of a vessel for so long, prices .falling from Is to Is 6d per head on all sheep suitable for export, and many lines of good sheep were witk drawn." •',' , The directors of the Woodlands Dairy Factory Company in their annual report congratulate shareholders on the successful work of the year. Tho milk received will make 3Jd per gallon. They recommend a dividend of 8 per cent, on" the capital. The bulk of the cheese manufactured was consigned to John M'Nairn.and Co., Glasgow, and the directors are quite satisfied with the manner in which their cheese was handled and the prompt way in which accouut sales were* handed in. On two occasion? the firm cabled out the remittance, and this enabled the company to make up their books to date. . No outstanding consignments, but all accounted for. About 15 tons of cheese, the last of the season's making, was sold for delivery in Dunedin at a satisfactory price at the factory. The-chee3emaker has been re-engaged for a period of two year,s. The retiring directors are Messrs G. Divwson, W. Hamilton, and E. Taylor. Messrs G. Dawson and W. Hamilton are eligible for re-election. The prospects for the coming season are favourable, ,With shipping facilities at the Bluft\ instead of Dunedin a saving of Jd per lb could, be made. The first meeting of creditors in the estate of Samuel Orr, of Dunedin, accountant, was held at, the office of the ofiicial assignee on Monday afternoon. The statement ' snowed' debts to the amount of L 416 10s lid, and ' assets L 65. Bankrupt, examined by the, assignee, said \t was the trouble over past debts that had caused him to file. He had been in bad health. He had 1 made heavy losses in grain 'at the time tho debts were incurred. Since he had, known his position he had not incurred further debts. ' During three years' time he had lost 'ahoui L 4030 in grain transactions, on shares, and oh horses. He lost about L3OO over racehorses. When he went in for them he was earning LIOOO.-a year. His recent earnings were L 250 a year. In.reply to a question as to whether he had an offer to make, Bankrupt said he was simply looking for -a situation now. He could only say that when he was in a position to pay he would do so. Mr" Baxter moved, Mr Park seconded, and it was carHed— " That bankrupt be recommended for his discharge." Messrs Wright, Stephenson; and Co. report having sold privately during the week, on account of Mr John Grigg, of LongbeaCh, Ashburton, the well-known stud horse Camel, to" Mr W. J. Taggart, of this city, at a very high price. The Scottish and New Zealand Investment Company has sold its Pine Bush property of 1800 odd acres to Mr G. C. Tothill of Invercargill. The exact price has not transpired, but about L 4 per acre would be the figure.— Southland Times. The New Zealand Loan and' Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) have received the following cablegram from their London office :— ' ' Wheat : Market dull ; there is little demand. The quality of the crop here is indifferent. The condition of New Zealand wheat is,defective, therefore sales difficult. New Zealand wheat, f.a.q, is worth, c.i.f., to arrive, 27s 6d per 4^olb, nominal value. New Zealand wheat," long-berried, first quality, is worth 31s per 4961b,. and second quality ia worth 26s 6d. New 'Zealand wheat, average first quality is worth 303,' and, second quality 26s per 4961b." -* The failure of Redfern, Alexander, and Co.. of London, will be viewed with regret by many who at one time or other have had, businejs relations with them in this colony. .The firm has been over 30 years in existence under, its present style, and it is over 50 yeara since the business was founded by the late James Alexander. The dea.th of one 'of the principal partners, Mr Philip Vanderbyl ; a few months ago nas no doubt ,led to the family complications which are referred to -as the principal cause of the failure. At one time they were the v largest importers of- wool' from the Australasfan colonies. '• „ . , The following is the number of bags of grain and produce received at the Dunedin railway stations during the week :— 1 Bar- Pota- ProWheat. Oats. Bran, ley.* toes. duce. Tl. Friday 240 1450 „..6 173 1869 Saturday 84 483 — — '156 66 789 Tuesday 389 1157 582 320 2648, Wednesday 4.8 719 — — 180 776 20)