COMMERCIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2102, 7 June 1894, Page 24

COMMERCIAL

The revenue collected at the Dunedin Custom House during the past month on goods cleared for consumption amounted to £28,132 11s 3d. The bear duty for the month amounted to £1161 Is Bd. During the corresponding month of last year the sum of £32,999 3s 5d was collected on goods cleared for consumption, and £1189 11s 4d as beer duty. At a meeting of shareholders and milk suppliers of the New Zealand Dairy Farmers' Co-operative Company held at Portobello, with Mr Duckmanton in the chair, it was unanimously decided to adopt the scheme of reconstruction outlined by Mr W. R. Cameron. An Auckland- telegram states that private cable 1 advice relative to the monthly sale of kauri gum which took place in London on Thursday is to the effect that three-quarter scraped advanced £2 per ton in price. No particulars were received regarding the price realised for black gum. This advance is in spite of the fact that the Morten had arrived at London with 600 tons. Assisted in part by a falling off in the supplies available from the River Plate, the French trade in Australian sheepskins has continued to develop. The quantity imported at Bordeaux from the River PJate in 1893 was only 36,000 bales, against 49,000 bales in 1892,, the decrease being possibly due, according to the report of H M. Consul, to the desire of Argentine sheepowners'to renew their flocks after the severe sufferings from epidemic diseases. The imports at Bordeaux from Australia amounted to 16,000 bales in 1893 against 10,003 bales 1892 and 5000 bales in 1891. The imports last year were almost entirely made in the first seven months, as the prices paid in the colonies in April and May left no margin for French importers during the latter part of the year. The trade, however, gives promise of continuance, as Mr Consul Ward remarks that '" Australian isneepskins have now definitely taken up an important place here in the general consumption, and are in general much sought after owing to their qualities." — Argus. The following is the number of bags of grain and produce received at tho Dunedin railway stations during tho week :—: — Bar-Pota-Pro-Wheat. Oats. Flour, lev. toes. duce. Tl. Thursday — 275 — 325 240 241 10SI Friday ... 181 551 — — 87 304 1123 WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. Wednesday June 6. Fat Cattle. — The entry to meet the week's requirements at Burnside to day was again below the average, only 110 head being yarded, comprising several pens very fine beef and useful weights, but none extra heavy. The greater portion, however, were only very medium. The attendance of buyers was good, and owing to the small supply to hand on this and the former week cotnpstition was very spirited, best cattle fetching 20s to 25s per head more than last week. Best bullocks brought £9 10s to £11 ; medium to good, £8 5s to £9 7s 6d ; light, £5 5s to £7 17s 6d ; best cows, £8 53 to £9 53 ; medium to good, £5 17s 6d to £7 12s 6d ; light and aged, £2 10s to £5 7s 6d.— The New Zealind Lind Association (Limited) sold for a southern client several pens at quotations. — Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold : For Mr James Clark (South Canterbury), 12 nice quality steers and heifers (medium weights) at from £7 to £10 2s 6d ; Messrs George Daplyn (Kaikorai Valley), James Mathieson (Highcliff),' William Townley, George Edwards, Richard Mitchell, John Campbell, Philip Hellyer, James Carrick, James Townley, Alexander Campbell, James Mills, John Moloney, and George Geddes,'23 at "quotations. — Donald Reid and Co. yarded 59, and sold : For Mr John Findlay (Findlayston), 8 prime bullocks at £11 (top price to-day) to £8 7s 6d, 2 heifers at £8 10s to £7 ss ; Mr John Blackie (East Taieri), 5 heifers at £6 15s to £5 15s, 4 steers at £3 10s to £3 ss ; Mr Thomas Holland (Greytown), 4 bullocks at £10 to £8 5s ; Messrs S. and W. M'Leod (Granton), 1 bullock at £9 2s 6d, 7 heifers at £5 12s 6d to £4 10s ; Mr W. Lindsay (Greytown), 2 bullocks at £7 17s 6d, 2 cows at £5 2s 6d ; Messrs Robert M'Caw, W. Currie, and others, 24 head at quotations. — The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) yarded 54 head, and sold : Tor Mr A. Dalton (Happy Valley), 18 heifers at £5 to £9 ss ; Mr M 'Donald (Anderson's Bay), 2 cows at £4 17s 6d ; Mr Hegarty (St. Clair), 1 cow at £3 17s 6d ; Mr R. M'Caw (Greytown), 2 cows at £4 ; Messrs A. and J. Williams (Outram), 11 bullocks at £6 10s to £8 ss, 1 heifer at £6 2s 6d ; Mr W. Lindsay (Greytown). 2 bullocks at £7 10s. 2 cows at £5 17s 6d ; Mr W. Jaffray, jun. (East Taieri), 8 heifers at £5 to £5 10s ; Messrs Townley, Holmes, Grey, Henry, and Craig, 7 cows at quotations. Fat Sheep.— 2o22 were penned, including 225 merino wethers, good to prime. Most of the crossbreds were aiso prime and heavy weights — more especially the wethers ; one or two pens of the ewes were very heavy weights ; the rest only medium and aged. There was a very good demand experienced on this occasion, besb wether mutton showing an advance of Is to Is 6d per head ; ewes hardly so much. Best wethers brought 15s to 16s 6d ; good to best, 13s to 14s 9d ; ordinary, 10s to 12s 9d ; best do ewes, 103 to 12s 6d— one pen extra heavy 153 ; ordinary, 7s 9d to 9s 9d ; merino wethers, 7a 6d to 12s 6d.— The New Zealand Land Association (Limited) sold, for a southern client, three pens mixed crossbred wethers and ewes to 14s 3d.— Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold : For Mr George fiutton (The Willows), 40 crossbred ewes at 10s 3d to 123 6d ; Mr Peter Duncan (Waikouaiti),'6s half bred wethers at from 12s 9d to 14s 3d ; Messrs Murray, Koberts, and Co. (Gladbrook pstate), 66 half bred ewes (small) at 9s 6d to 10s 3i; Mr R. R. Amyes (Hillhampton), 62 crossbreds (small) at from 9s 3d to Us ; Mrs C. Miller (Maungatua), 60 crossbred ewes at 9s 3d to 12s ; Mr John Nimmo (The Grange), 80 do wethers at 13a 6d to 14" 3d.— Donald Reid and Co. yarded 731, and sold : For Mr R. i?. Inder (Naseby), 41 crossbred wethers at 14s 9d to 14s 6d ; Mr Anthony Pateracn (Herbert), 66 crossbred ewes at 8s 6d to 6s 9d ; Mr William Calder (East Chatton), 64 crossbred ewes at 11s 3d to 12s 6d ; Mr John Allan (Taurima), 150 crossbred wethers and maiden ewes at 14a 3d to 13s ; a client, 26 crossbred wethers and ewes at 123 9d, 23 crossbred ewes at 93 9d ; Messrs M'Donald and Muir (North Taieri), 90 crossbred wethers at 11* to 10s 6d, 31 crossbred ewes at 9s 3d ; Mr It. B. Whitton (Middlemarch), 70 halfbred wethers (small stores) at 4s ; Mr John M'Guiness (Whare Flat), 30 crossbred ewes at 7s 3d ; a client, 72 merino wethers at quotations. — The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) sold : For Messrs J. and S. Wilson {Papakaio). Messrs M'Donald and Muir, and others drafts of crossbred ewes and wethers and merino wethers at up to 15s for crossbred ewes (top price) and to 12s for merino wethers.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) penned 60J, and sold : For Mr P. M'Kenna (Gore), 14 crossbred wethers at 16s 6d, 41 crossbred ewes at 12s 3d to 13s 3d ; Messrs R. Campbell and Sons (Otekaike), 44 merino wethers at 10s, 26 do at 83 9d ; Mr W. Taylor (Waipahi), 62 quarter-back ewe 3at 5s 9d to 7s 9d ; Messrs James Smith and Sons (Greenfield), 245 crossbred ewes at 10.3 6d to 13s, 92 halfbred do 9s to 9s 3d ; Mr John Nimmo (The Grange), SO crossbred wethers at 13s 9d. Lambs. — SO were penned, which sold under very fair competition at from 7s 6d to 9a 9d. Fat Lambs.— Donald Reid and Co. yarded 67, and Hold : For Mr Johu M'Donald (Whare Flat), 31 at 7s 6d ; Mr John M'Guiness (Whare Flat), 3(5 (small) at 3s.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) sold 74 at 7s 3d to 9s 6d for Mr A. C. I Thompson (Otakia). Pigs. — 14U were penned, representing all sorts, none of which, however, met with a very brisk sale, prices all round being in favour of buyers. Suckers brought 7s 6d to 9s 6d ; slips, 11s 6d to I 16s 6d ; stores, 18s to 20s ; porkers, 21s 6cl to 29s ; baconers, 33s to 495 ; a few extra heavy, 56a to

60s. — Donald Reid and Co. yarded 14, and sold : For Mr James Brown (Mosgiel) 5 at 10s : MrF. Tonner(Fairfield), 4 at 393; Mrl>. Marshall (Bentasken), 3 at 40a to 41s 6d ; a client, 2 at 42s Gd.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) sold 17 suckers at 5s 6d to 7s 9d. Store Cattle. — The market lately shows a downward tendency. Buyers have much less difficulty in securing supplies at prices more in accordance with their idea of values, also more likely* 0 leave graziers a margin for fattening The demand at present existing is confined to grown cattle, threeparts fat, for finishing off on root crops. Store Sheep. — While the demand is not exceedingly brisk, a moderate amount of business is still being transacted, although at prices very much more in favour of buyers, especially mixed ages and odd lots, which are not so eagerly sought after. Young crossbred wethers and maiden ewes are not in over-supply, and for these prices are piid relatively higher than those obtaining for odd lots. Country Sales.— On Friday, the Ist mat., The New Zealand Land Association (Limited) held their regular auction sale at Balclutha, and the day being fine helped to draw a very good attendance. A moderate entry of both sheep and cattle was presented, and competition was fairly active up to certain limits, at which most of the lots offered were placed. Sellers are realising the fact that prices ruling earlier are not now obtainable. Crossbred wethers brought up to 12s 6d ; crossbred ewes, 3s Id to 9s ; do lamb 3, 28 6d to 63 2d ; cows, from £4 to £5 53 ; yearliDgs, £1 15s. — Donald Reid and Co. report as follows : -Taieri stock fair and horse sale : There was only a small attendance at our sale at Greytown Bridge on Tuesday. The entry of stock was tbe smallest this season, only 33 cattle, 80 sheep, and 7 horses being entered. Farmers did not seem inclined to purchase except at ridiculously low prices, and consequently very little business was done. Dairy cows sold at £4 to £5 5s ; young cattle, £2 to £3 ss ; calves, £1 to £3— The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) report holding their regular fortnightly sale at Crown yards, Balolutha, on Friday, Ist inst. There was a fair number of sheep penned, but on account of their being all aged eweslthere was not much demand, and nearly all were passed. We yarded 150 head of store bullocks and heifers, all of which changed hands at satisfactory prices. Bullocks brought from £6 10a to £5 2s 6d ; heifers, from £5 2s 6d to £4 10s ; cows, from £5 7s 6d to £4 ; young stock, from £3 10s to £2 7s 6d. At Palmerston, on sth inst., we held our usual monthly sale, when there was a fair entry of both cattle and sheep, nearly all of which changed hands at satisfactory prices. Wool. —There is nothing of any consequence being done in the local market. The small lots coming to hand are being offered weekly, and meet with very good attention considering the position. Sheepskins.— For the auction sales on Tuesday last average catalogues were submitted, consisting chiefly of country butchers' lots and station dry skins, there being only a very small proportion of green skins from the city and suburban butchers. With the usual attendance of buyers, business proceeded fairly satisfactorily considering that the tone of the wool market at Home offers so little encouragement. Country dry crossbreds, inferior to medium, were fetching la 8d to 2s 9d ; do do merino, Is 5d to Is 9d ; medium to full-woolled crossbreds, 3s to 4s Bd— extra heavy slightly more ; full-woolled merinos, good to best, .2s to 3s 6d — extra heavy a shade more ; dry pelts, Id to Is 4d ; best green crossbred skins, 3s 6d to 3s 9d— extra heavy, 3s lOd to 4a 3d ; medium to good, 3s to 3a 3d ; green merinos, la 3d to 2s 3d. llabbitskins. — Moderate catalogues were persented for the sales held on Monday, comprising all sorts. Competition was good, and in one or two instances, where some prime skins were submitted, asubstantial advance was secured, while medium and inferior sorts showed no difference in prices ruling. Best winter brought lOJd to llfd ; late autumn, 9d to lOd ; early do, 7d to B|d ; summer, 4Jd to 6id ; suckers, halfgrown, and mixed, 2Jd to 4Jd per lb. Hides. — Market unchanged ; the demand fair at late quotations, which may be repeated— say, for heavy, 2d to 2Jd ; extra do (601b and over), 2}d to 3d ; medium, ljd to ljd ; light and inferior, Id to lid per lb. Tallow.— Market steady, best rendered mutton being worth 19s to 21s ; medium to good, 16s to 18s 6d ; inferior to medium, 13s to 15s 6d ; rough fat— best mutton caul, 13s to 133 6d ; medium to good, 12s t0,12s 9d ; inferior to medium, lls to lls 9d per cwt (ex store). Grain. — Wheat : The trade of the past week has been fairly satisfactory, and if a fuller supply of the right sort were available a good deal more business could be put through at prices on a par with last week's quotations. Considering, however, the position of tho English market and reduction of values in Melbourne and Adelaide, buyers will not readily operate meantime— at any rate at any appreciable advance. Still, the local market is very firm, and all really prime lots offering are readily placed at the following prices —say, for prime milling velvet, 2s lOd to 2s lid ; medium to good do and best Tuscan, 2s Sd to 2a 9d ; medium to good red wheat, 28 5d to 2s 8d ; inferior and giod whole fowls' wheat, 2s to 2s 4d (ex store, sacks weighed in, terms).— Oats : The market, though firm, at last week's quotations, has not further improved, and beyond the disposal of a few lots suitable for milling and an occasional lot for shipment the business being dope is limited, and until a more pro- j nounced improvement in prices is in evidence in the Australian markets shippers will not be in a position to operate with any freedom. Quotations : For prime btout bright milling, Is 6d to Is 6Jd ; short stout bright feed, Is 5Jd to Is 6d ; medium to good, Is 5d to Is 5Jd ; inferior to medium. Is 4d to la 4Jd (ex store, sacks extra, net). Barley : The bulk of the business in this cereal is now pretty nigh fixed up for the season. A few small lots still come to hand, and there is a moderate demand for prime malting, but medium has very little attention, and feed sorts in little or no demand. Quotations : For prime malting, 3s 6d to 3s 9d ; medium, 3s to 3s 3d ; milling, 2s 3d to 2s 9d ; feed, Is 6d to Is 9d (ex store, sacks extra). Grass Seed. — There is some little business being done in best dressed ryegrass seed, but medium and farmers' dressed is difficult to place. Quotations for best dressed, 2s 9d to 3:i3d ; choice perennial, 3s Gi to 4s (ex store, net). Cocksfoot : Best dressed, 5Jd to 6d ; medium, 4d tosd per lb. Potatoes.— The supply being more than ample, a weaker tone pervades the market. Transactions are only of a retail character, best Derwents only fetching £2 2a 6d to £2 7s 6d ; extra prime, £2 10s ; medium, £1 15s to £2 ; kidneys, for seed, £2 to £3 2s 6d per ton (ex store, sacks weighed in, net). Chaff.— There is a fair demand for bright heavy, well-cut parcels at from 503 to 555 ; medium to good, 35s to 45s ; inferior to medium, 25s to 30s per ton (ex truck, sacks extra, net). Dairy Produce. — Prime salt butter, dairy-made, is in moderate demand at from 6d to7d ; medium, 4d to 5d : factory-made, 9d to lOd per lb. Factory cheese: Medium size, to 4sd; loaf do, 4Jd to sd ; dairy-made, 2d to 4d per lb. Flax.— There are no transactions of any consequence passing. Deliveries are small, but more than sufficient for requirements. Quotations nominal— say, for medium to good, £13 10s to £14 10s ; inferior to medium, £10 to £12 per ton (ex store). 12 he individual reports 0/ Wool, Rabbittkin, or Grain Brokers can be inserted in the Daily Time* and Otago Witnesi at Special Rates.} GRAIN RBPOItT. Meßsrs William E. Reynolds and Co., Stafford street, report for the week ending [6th June as follows :—: — The weather continues fine and mild for winter —better, we think, than we have experienced for some years. Wheat.— This grain has been in very fair demand, and larger sales could be effected if the condition of the grain were better, but nearly all lines offering are either soft or shrivelled, and millers consequently continue to draw from the north. We can safely quote old wheat at 3s ; prime new, if very) good, within a penny of this figure, or even 3s too ; good medium, 23 8d to 2s 9d ; ordinary (in very poor demand), 2s 5d to 2s 6d ; fowl feed (somewhat scarce) at up to 2s 3d (sacks in, terms). Oats. — We cannot report any distinct change in this market, and values run about par with our last quotations ; at the same time business doing is exceedingly small and confined almost entirely to New Zealand, consequently it is uot easy to find

buyers for any very large lines unless at a slight reduction. Australian advices to hand per mail to-day are the opposite of encouraging, for there stocks appear to be heavy, and it is questionable if the consumption of New Zealand grain will be as great there as in former years. Altogether, prospects are none too hopeful. We quote: Prime milling, 181 8 Gd to Is 6id ; stout feed, Is sid to Is 6d ; ordinary, Is 4d to Is sd. Barley.— So little of this grain now remains in growers hands that we might almost say the season is over. Really prime Lakes-grown is still worth 4s ; good prime. 3s 9d ; ordinary, 3s to 3s 6d ; milling, 2s 4d to & 7d. Potatoes.— These continue in over-supply, and we find the greatest difficulty in selling at £2 10s if first quality; good ordinary, £2 to £2 ssmedium almost unsaleable. A^iT^A"™ 68 * rti ? meets with inquiry at £2 12s bd, but it must be bright and heavy. Really good medium is worth £2 2s 6d to £2 3s 6d ; ordinary, 30s to 40s per ton. WEEKLY MARKET REPGRT. Messrs Moritzson and Hopkin, millers, grain, produce, and commission agents. Manse street, Dunedin, report (wholesale) as follows for week ending June 6, 1894 : — Wheat.— Prime samples sell readily, also good to medium qualities if in condition. Bad-con-ditioned lots hard to quit unless for fowl feed. Prime milling, 2s ?d to 2s lOd, extra piime Id more ; good to medium qualities, 2s 6d to 2s 7d ; good whole fowl feed. 2s 3d. Oats : In fair demand, and sell readily at quotations. Good milling, Is 6d to Is 6Jd ; best bright short feed, Is 5Jd to Is 6d; discoloured lots, Is 2d to Is 4d ; off trucks, sacks extra. Barley : Buyers not anxious to operate unless at a reduction in P riC #- o? Mm . c ? a " in & «P to 3s 9d ; milling, 2s 9d to 3s 3d ; feed, 2s to 2s 6d. Potatoes : Prime Derwents, £2 10s to £2 12s 6d (market glutted with medium and inferior lots, which sell at low prices); kidneys— good, small seed wanted, at £3 5s to £3 10s ; Jarge and inferior not saleable unless at a big reduction. Cocksfoot : Demand good for heavy seed ; light and inferior lots not so much inquired after. We quote from 4d to fijd per lb. Ryegrass : Machine-dressed, 33 3d to 4s ; farmers' lots, 2s 3d to 3s. Chaff : Coming to hand in better supply this week and prices not quite so firm. Best, well-cut, oaten sheaf, £2 12s 6d ; medium to good, £2 7b 6d to £2 10s. Linseed, .£lO 10s to £12 (for really prime) per ton. Pigs (good quality, suitable sizes), 4d per lb ; we have good inquiry at quotation. Salt Butter : All lots of prime to hand this week are. sold at 7Jd (cases Is each). We have still orders to execute ; would advise holders to forward early. Onions (Melbourne), 10s 6d. Hops (prime Nelson). lOd per lb. Honey: Best extracted, 4d ; other sorts, from 3d. We quote light seed for surface sowing at 2d per lb, and shelled fog lid per lb. Fruit landing by every steamer from the Islands, Tasmania, and Australia. A. LORIE AND CO.'S PRICES CURRENT. Junk 6, 1894. Eggs.— Market supplied. Butter.— Fresh, in fair demand. Pigs, 1201b to 1601b, 3Jd to 4d. Potatoes.— Derwents, £2 5s to £2 12s 6d. Cheesk. — Prime factory, sd ; prime farmers', 3d to 4Jd. Poultry.— Cocks : Well-grown, 2s 9d, 3s 6d ; small, 2s, 2s 6d; hens, 2s to 2s 3d. Ducks, 3s 9d to 4s. Geese, 5s 6d. Turkeys : Cocks, 6d to 6Jd ; hens, 4JdSheepskins.— Slaughtered crossbreds, sdtosJd; do merino, 4d to 4Jd ; fallen merino, 3d to 4d ;do crossbred, 4d to sd. Fruit.— Tahiti oranges, 7s. Apples : Local, 6's 6d to Bs. Hobart, 7s to 9a 6d Pears : Cooking, 6s 6d to 8s ; deasert, 10s to 14s. FRUIT AND PRODUCE REPORT. Messrs Thomas Paterson and Co., fruit and produce agents, Manse street, report for the week ending June 6 : — Fruit.— Market barely supplied with apples and pears, but overstocked with oranges. We quote : Best Hobart apples (including French crabs, scarlet pearmain, Stunner pippins), Bsto 93 Pears : Napoleon, 9s to 10s ; winter nelis, 14s ; others, 8s to 12s. Oranges : D.E. Tahiti, 63 to 7s ; Sydney, 3s 6d to 53. Lemons, 10s. Mandarins, Bs. Pineapples, 12s. Cocoanuts, 12s. Tomatoes (hothouse), 6d. Grapes, Is 3d. Walnuta, 6'd. Produce.— Eggs in fair supply. Butter : Fresh? 8d to 9d ; salt, 6Jd to Bd. Bacon (prime roll), 6id to 7d. Hams, 74d to 9d. Pigs, 4d to 4\d. Cheese : Farmers', 4d ; Akaroa, 4d to 4Jd ; factory, 4Jd to sd. Honey, 3Jd to 4Jd. Beeswax, Is Id. Potatoes : Derwents, £2 7s 6d to £3 ; kidneys (seed), £3 to £3 10s. Onions, £10, inferior samples, 7s to 8s 6d. Carrots, 25s to 30s. Agents for Paton Calvert's matchless metal polish 6d per tin; at all grocers'. Also, Paterson and Pryor's Australian aromatic horse and cattle food. RABBITSKIN MARKET, Messrs Remshardt and Co. report as follows :— The late wet weather has retarded supplies somewhat this week, but these comprised a few exceptionally fine parcels of full winter greys realisiDg up to lid ; one bag of picked does Jd more ; other descriptions remain unchanged. Our prices are net cash ; no commission or other charges. Proceeds by first post. AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL. Sydney, June 6. Wheat : Chick (scarce), nominally 2s 9d ; milling, nominally, 2s 9d. Flour : Roller brands, £7 10s to £7 15s. Oats : Prime feeding, 2s Id ; seed, 28 4d. Maize : Prime, Is lOd. Barley : Cape, 3s to 3s 3d. Bran and pollard, 7Jd. Pease: Prussian blue, 3s. Potatoes : Locally grown, £1 10a to £2 10s ; Circular Heads. £2 10s to £3 53. Onions, £8 15s to £9. Butter: Dairy, 6d to 7d ; factory, 7d to Bd. Cheese, 3Jd- Bacon (prime), 5d to 5JdMelbourne Juce 6. Wheat shows a further decline, and is now quoted at 2s OJd to 2s ljd. Flour : Roller brands, £5 15s to £5 17s 6d. Oats (firm) : Algerian, Is 8d to 1r 9d ; prime stout, Is lOJd to Is lljd. Maize, 2s 3id. Barley (firm): Cape, 2s 3Jd : malting, 4s 6d to 53 3d. Bran, 6Jd to 7d. Pollard, 7Jd. Potatoes (firm), £2 17s 6d to £3 2s 6d. Onions, £8. Adelaide, June 6. Wheat offering more ireely and quoted at 2s Id to 2s 2d. Flour : Roller brands, £5 15s. Bran, 7id. Pollard, Bid. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. London, June 1. The Bank of England returns show the total reserve in notes and bullion to be £27,928.000. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 68*90 per cent. Consols, 101*. Three months' bills are discounted at 1J- per cent. New Zealand 4 per cent inscribed stock, 109J ; 3J do, 103. 1 New Zealand long-berried wheat (ex warehouse), 255 ; market restricted. South Australian do, 25s 6d ; market weaker. Victorian mutton : First quality, 4Jd ; second I quality, 3§d. Lamb : First quality, 4|d. Victorian 1 mutton, 2|d. 1 Hemp is in poor demand. The New Zealand shipments offered for sale were bought in. Kauri gum is in moderate demand. Best sorts firmer. Sugar : Best German beet, 11s lOJd ; Java, 14s 6d (firmer). No. 1 best Scotch pig iron (f.ob. in Clyde), 41s (steady). Danish butter is unchanged. THE CALCUTTA MARKETS. Messrs Barry and Co., report under date Calcutta, April 28 :— Jute Fabrics.— The fortnight under review has been an uneventful one as regards business for the colonies. At one period there seemed to be every probability of manufacturers accepting Rs. 26-80 for 2Jlb sacks for autumn shipment, and at this price some 10,000 bales require to be bought chiefly on account of second-hand bear sellers. At the close, however, a slightly firmer feeling prevails, and manufacturers are holding for Its. 27-0-0, equivalent to 4s 2d per dozen c.f.i. In woolpacks only a few small purchases have been reported on the basis of Re. 1-1-0 for standard 1141b packs.