COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 40

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Per United Press Association.)

CHRISTGHI'RCH, December 8. There is some inquiry for milling wheat and a fair amount offering, but sellers are generally asking 4s 3d at country station*, and, except perhaps for pearl alone, tins price i-s about a penny above birreis limits, and no business is therefore resulting. The same may be said abort oats, for which there i 3 a' limited demand, but sellers and buyers' idens of value are at variance.

GEAR MEAT COMPANY. (Peb Ukited Press Association.)

WELLIN^xOX, December 8,

The annual report of the Gear Meat Company says : " Including the amount brought forward, and after making allowance for depreciation and _ payment of interim dividend, there remains a balance of £14.233 12s, which the directors recommend for appropriation as follows:— In payment of a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year ended 30th ult. less interim dividend of 5 per cent, paid in June, £4600 ; to he carried forward to next year's account, £9633 12s. Owing to the continued success which has attended the operations of the company \* insurance department, the directors reeomn»end the payment of a bonus of 2i per cent, on the paid-up capital out of tho insurance reserve. As the present manager of the London office is retiring 1 , the hoard has arranged vrith the managing- director to viisit Great Britain durintr the coining year with the view cf settling matters, and generally studying the market* in which tii« company it interested. The gro3s

proceeds of the year's working amounted to £35,963 5s sd, to which had to be added the balance from 1907 of £9654 14s 3d. During the year an interim, dividend of 5 per cent, was declared, absorbing £4600, and £5000 was added to the reserve fund."