COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 29

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, August 22. Barley: English malting, 53 9d,, 6s; Cape, 4e 6d, 4a 9d. Oats: Algerians milling, 6s 3d-, 6s 6d; feed, 53, 5s 3d. Potatoes, £ll 103, £l3 10s. Onions, £l4, £ls. SYDNEY, August 21. Oats.—Algerian feeding, 5s Gd to 5a milling, 5s 9d; Tasmanian, 6s 3d to 6s 6d. Barley.—Cape, 5s to 5s 3d. Maize, 7a 6d. Potatoes.—Tasmanian, £lB. Onions, £l6 to £lB ADELAIDE, August 21. Oats, 4s IOJd. OAMARU MARKETS. (FeOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT^ OAMARU, August 23. Business in the stock market has not been active, but some good lines of sheep have changed hands, including one of 1300 head mixed-sex hoggets of particularly good quality at 28s 6d. Other sales comprise the following:—Two-tooth ewes, 35s 6d; mixed two, four, six, and eight-tooth ewes, 33s 6d; sound-mouth ewes, 30s; failing-mouth ewes, 12s 6d; two-tooth wethers, 335; mixed two and four-tooth wethers, 325; mixed-sex hoggets, from 21s to 265, according to quality. - Very little business in cattle is reported. The prices given are as follow:—Mediumweight 'fat bullocks, £18; fat cows, £l6; store two-year-old mixed sexes, £6 12s 6d and £7 15s; yearlings, £2 15s to £3 12s 6d. Dairy cows of good quality are in request, and up to £ls has been paid. SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent. ) INVERCARGILL, August 23. During the past week the stock market has been quiet owing to the rough weather and the flooding of the rivers. Owing to the scarcity of- feed, inferior stuff is being neglected, and has eased somewhat in price. Good stock of all classes is still in demand, especially good ewe 3 and hoggets. Wethers are scarcely procurable. For ■ inferior hoggets there is no demand, but probably the demand will improve as the grass comes away. Good, well-grown bullocks are hard to fet, and the demand for these is improving. 'rice'3 may be quoted: —Fat cattle: Ox beef, 66s to 60s; extra prime bullocks, £2l to £24; prime, £l9 to £2O; inferior, £l6 to £lB. Store cattle: three and 3§-year-old steers, £l2 10s to £l4; 2|-year-olds, £8 10s to £lO 10s; 18 months, up to £7; good calves, up to £3 6s; inferior, down to 30s. Fat sheep: Good fat wethers, 38s to 425; medium, 363 to 38s; fat ewes, up to 38s. Store sheep: Good four and six-tooth ewes, 36s to 38s; extra good, 41s; sound-mouthed mixed sexes, 31s; old ewes, neglected; good wethers, 35s to 375; medium, 30s to 325; small wethers, 26s to 275; tip-top lines of hoggets, 29a to 31s; medium, 22s to 265; small hoggets, 163 to 19s. August 26. At Wallacetown sale to-day a considerable drop was experienced in cattle. There was a big yarding of all classes of stock, mostly of somewhat poor quality; and as the attendance was only moderate and competition weak,-fat cattle receded quite £2 per head! and store cattle also eased somewhat. A very large proportion-of the offerings were unsold, and it- looks -as -if- the stock market would continue dull until the grass comes away, which cannot be foT some weeks yet, though there are many indications that we aire going' to have an early spring ALDINGTON STOCK MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH, August 27. At Addington the yarding® were smaller all round, in the beef and mutton sections, and there is little change to report in values. Butchers took most of the fat sheep offering, prices being' a little easier. Beef was a trifle firmer. - Store Sheep.—There was a small entry of mixed description, with inferior sorts predominating. Four, six, and eight-tooth ewes, 18s Id to 29s 7d; two-tooth wethers, to 30s j four and six-tooth wethers, 34s 3d to 37s 9d; sound-mouthed wethers, to 33s The fat cattle yarded totalled 325, the quality being mixed, and ranging from prime to indifferent. Competition for good stuff was keen, and prices showed some advance. Extra prime steers, to £3B 10s; prime, £2O to £25; ordinary, £2B 17s 6d to £l9 15s; extra prime heifers, to £23; prime, £ls to £l9 10s; ordinary, £8 to £l3; extra prime cows, to £25; prime, £l2 10s to £lB 10s; ordinary, £9 10s to £l2. Of fat sheep there was a smaller- yarding l than on the previous week, and the quality xajiged from prime, well-finished ewes and wethers to indifferent. The sale opened! well,and remained, steady, but prices showed a slightly easier tendency. Extra prime wethers, to 62s ' 6d; prime, 45s to 56s 3d; medium, 39s ' to 425; lighter and unfinished, 353 to 38s; extra pTim© ewc3, 603; prime, 43s to ■ 52s €d; medium, 36s to 40s 6d; lighter,' 31s Id to 34s 6d; hoggets, 28s 6d to 34s 6d. Store Cattle. —The yarding was small, and values a little weaker. A line of two and three-year-old heifers brought £B. Other sales included a line of mixed-sex yearlings from £4 43 .to £4 17s Gd; calves, 365; cows, from £4 17a. 6d to. £7.17e 6d. The.supply of vealers was much requirements, and prices advanced for anything fit to kill. Runners, £5 4s to £6; good vealers, £3 5s to £4 19s; fair, £2 5s to £2 13s; em-all and inferior, lis to £2. There was a moderate entry of dairy cows of medium quality, and the demand was irregular. Cows, £5 to £ls ss; heifers, £6 15e to £ll. A fair entry of fat pigs met with reasonably good competition. Extra heavy baconers, to £9; heavy, £7 to £8 ss; medium, £5 10a to £6 10s —equal to lOd to IOJd per lb; heavy porkers, £4 10a to £5; medium, from £3 5s to £4 5s —equal to Is per lb; choppers, £6 to £l4. There was a big entry of store pigs, and'these met with a very fair demand. Bost stores, 50s to 595; medium, 42s to 495; email, 35s to 40s; weaners, 22s to 295; sows in pig, £5 to £7 17s 6d. LIVE STOCK MARKET. Burnside, "Wednesday, August 27. Fat Cattle. —A medium yarding of 160 head, included in which were several lots of primecattle, but the bulk of the entry waa composed of medium sorts. Competition was keen throughout, and towards the end of the sale prices were 20s per head) in advance of last week's rates. Prime bullocks, £24 to £29; medium, £l9 to £23; lighter sorts, £l6 to £18; prime heifers, £l7 to £l9 7s 6d; medium, £ls to £l6; light and .aged,. £l2-upwards). The National Mortgage and Agency Company sold: For Smaill Bros. (Mo* Flat), 2 bullocks £2B 2s 6d, 2 £25 15s, 2 £25, 1 £25 ss, •1 £2O 15s; Walter Blacki© (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks £l7 15s. Todd Bros, sold fqr Walter Blackie (Mosgiel}, 1 bullock £l9 10s, 1 £l2; a client, 1 cow £l7 7s 6d Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For Mrs W. Kirk (Mosgiel), 1 bullock £25, 1 £2l 2s 6d; J. Sherman {Berwick), 1 bullock £24 ss, 1 £24, 2 £2l

12s 6cH, 1 £l7 17s 6d, 3 heifer £ll 10a; W. Blackie (Mcsgiel), 2 bullocks £23 15s; P. Robertson (Outram), 2 bullocks £2O 2s 6d, 2 heifers £l9; W. M'Kay (Berwick), 2 bullocks £lB 2s 6d, 1 £l2 10s; J. R. Watson (Fairfax), 1 bullock £l6 15s, 2 heifers £ls 12s 6d, 1 £ls 7s 6d, 2 £lO 17s 6d. Stronach, Morris, -and Co. cold: For W. Lindsay and Son (Allanton), 2 bullocks £26 12s 6d, 2 £24, 2 £2l 10s, 2 £2l 7s 6d 2 £l9 7s 6d, 2 £lB 7s 6d, 2 18, 1 £l7, 1 heifer £lB 2s 6d, 1 £ls 15s, 1 £l2 15s; Walter Blackie (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks £lB 10s;' J. W. Blair (Outram), 2 heifera £l7 2s 6d, 1 £ls 7a 6d, 1 £l3; D. B. M'Donald (Tapanui), 1 cow £ls, 2 £l3 15s, 3 heifers £B. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For F. Doherty (Outram), 2 bullocks £25 ss, 2 £24 12s 6dl, 2 £2l 17s 6d, 2 £l9 17s 6d; W. Blackie (Mosgiel), 3 £2O 17a 6d; Mrs Wm. Kirk (Mosgiel), 3 bullocks £l6 7s 6d; J Edwards (N.E. Harbour), 1 heifer £l4 7s 6d; T. Winthrup (Green Island), 2 heifeTs £l3 17s 6d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. sold: For Peter Anderson (Stirling), 3 bullocks £27 7s 6d, 2 £26 10s, 2 £25 ss, 3 £25, 2 £23 ss, 3 £23; F Doherty (Outram), 2 bullocks £l9; Walter Blackie (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks £lB 17s 6d; Win. Kirk (Mayfield), 3 bullocks £lB 7s 6d. Dalgety and Co. sold: For clients, 1 bullock £26, 1 £24 2s 6d, 1 £24, 2 £2l 15s, 1 £l9 12s 6d, 1 £l9, 1 £l9 15s, 1 £l6 17s 6d, 1 £l6 7s 6d. Donald Reid and Co. sold:For George Ford (Momona), 2 bullocks £2B 10s, 1 £27.155, 1 £27 2s 6d, 1 £24; Walter Blackie, sen. (Mosgiel), 2 £l9; Thos. Thomson (Maungatua), 2 £l9 17s 6d, 1 cow £l9 7s 6d; W. M'Kay (Berwick), 2 bullocks £lB, 2 £l6; Arthur Robertson (Outram), 2 bullocks £24 12s 6d, 1 cow £l9 12s 6d, 1 heifer £l6 10s, 2 £l3 12s 6d; Peter Robertson (Outram), 3 bullocks £29, 3 £25, 2 £24 2s 6d, 2 £23 12s 6d; W. Christie (Allanton), 2 £l3. Store Cattle.—Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For Geo. Brinsden (Halfway Bush), 1 cow £l2 7s 6di, 1 bull £9; G. Karetai (Otakou), 2 cows £ll 15s, 1 £6 12s 6d, 1 steer £7 Bs, 2 vealers £4 13s; Thomson Bros. (Green Island), 1 bull £10; J R. Watson (Fairfax), 1 heifer £9; T. Thomson (Maungatua), 4 steers £8 ss, 1 £8 ss, 2 vealers,£s, 1 £4 123; J. Shennan (Berwick), 1 bull £4 15s.——Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For clients, 3 cows to £9 10s.- The Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association sold: For a client, 7 steers £ll 7s 6d; T. Winthrop (Green Island), 1 bull £4 10s. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For J. R. Sutherland, 2 vealers £1 12s 6d; John Kidd (Mosgiel), 1 cow £lO ss; a client, 2 cows £l2 7s 6d; Wm. Lindsay, jun. 1 cow £4 12s 6d, 1 calf £2 15sj C. Neill, 1 cow £6 ?a 63; W. G. M'Kay (Berwick), 1 bull £18; a client, 1 cow £lO 15s, 1 £5 3s, 1 vealer £3 6s. Dairy Cows.—Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For E. -A Hellyer (N.E'. Harbour), £9 15s; G. Karetai (Otakou), £9 ss; W. Wilson (Anderson's Bay), 1 heifer £5. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For D. Strain (East Taieri), 1 cow £l4 2s 6d; T. Craig (Mosgiel), 1 £l3, 1 £ll. Donald Redd and Co. sold: For a client, 1 cow £3 15e; G. Roy (Mihiwaka), 1 £5 10a; R. Mitchell, 1 £l2. Calves.—Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For W. Barron (Momona), 1 £2 3s,' 1 18s, 1 12s, 1 9s 6d, i.7s, 1 6s; R. Sprott (Momona), 219 s, 1 16a, 1 15s, 1 9s, 1 7s; W. Geary (Portobello), 1 7s;- J. Weir (Portobello), 1 7s; S. Snell (Momona), 1 6s, 1 ss, Is 4s 6d. ■ Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For J. Gordon (Wylie's Crossing), 1 7s, 1 6s; W. Johnston (Burnside), 1 5s 6d; S. Patrick (Otakou), 1 203, A, C. Wendelton (Mosgiel), 1 10s; W. M'Hattie (Momona), 5 to 10s; Wilson Bros. (Saddle Hill), 3 to 12s; Mrs J. Craig (Mosgiel), 1 255. The Otago Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association sold: For T. H. Pugh (North Taieri), 1 395, 1 295, 1 20s, 1 12s; R. Brebnor (Momona), 1 31s; T. Marwick (Mosgiel), 1 15s, 1 10a, 1 2s 6d; a client, 1 14s; D. Davidson (Saddle Hill), 1 143; W. Christie (Allanton), 1 14s, 1 13s; F. Cuff (Green Island), 1 lis; J. Thomson (Caversham), 1 10s; A Tims (Woodside), 1 10s; J. Blair (East Taieri), 1 20s; H. Gamble (Mosgiel), 1 83; J. Knox (Caversham), 1 7s; a client, I 7s 6d; C Gamble (East Taieri), 214 s, 1 Bs. Dorfald Reid and Co. sold: For C. Brensell (Outram), 4 8s to 20s 6dl; A. Rattray (Otokia), 8 10a to 265; Wm. Harvey (Momona), 4 4s to 275; J. and W. Ford (Pine Hill), 3 9s to 10s; M. Hackett (Momona), 5 10s to 20s; J. A. Johnston (Shiel Mill), 1 12s; G. Johnaton (Outram), 4 6s to 19s;"* J. O'Donnell (Allanton), 1 28s; J„ H. Harris. (N.E. Harbour), 4 6s io 7s; Wm. Baird (Momona), 4'2oa to 50s. . Fat Sheep.—l33l yarded The yarding consisted of more wethers than has been the case of late, and the bulk of these were very good quality. Prices opened at a par with last sales' high ratea, and firmed considerably as the sale went on, prime sheep advancing fully 5a per head, while lighter sorts advanced about 3s per headl. Extra prime heavy wethers, to 84s; prime heavy wethers, 58s to 67s 6d; medium, 48s to 565; light and unfinished, from 38s; extra prime heavy ewes, 66s 3d; prime heavy ewes, 45s to 49s 6d: medium ewes, 39s to 445; light and unfinished, 24s to 355. The National Mortgage and Agency Co. sold: For Mrs M O'Connor (Moa Flat), 17 ewes 40s 3d, 17 34s 9d, 15 30s 9d, 10 30s 6d, 15 30s, 17 29s 9d, 17 255, 21 245; E. F. Pannett (Clydevale), 21 ewes. 395, 22 32s 3d, 17 275. Todd Bros. sold: For O. W. Body (Kelso), 26 wethers 53s 6d, 26 52s 9d, 6 46s 9d; Niel Fletcher (Popotunoa), 26 wethers 56s 9d, 1 345~; R. H. Collins (Popotunoa), 28 ewes 38s 6d, 30 34s 6d, 61 26s 6d, 32 255. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For Fleming Bros. (Crookston), 7 wethers 84s, 55 60s, 18 595, II 4Ss, 10 ewes to 495; M. Robertson (Tapanui), 52 wethers to 72s 6d; D Rosa (Palmerston), pen ewes 66s 3d, 11 435, 16 37s 3d, 21 wethers 41s 6d, 10 375; C. Body (Kelso), 27 wethers 575, 31 53s 9d; R, Johnson (Glencoe), 38 wethers 52s 3d, 21 465, 40 45s 6d, 29 41s 6d; G. M. Long (Moa Flat), 28 ewes 50s, 22 49s 3d, 40 46s 9d, 26 38s. 3d; H. J. Burrows (Kelso), 32 wethers 395, 33 34s 6d. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For M. Robertson (Tapanui), truck wethers to 62s 6d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. sold: For James Riddle (Portobello), pen wethers 45s 9d; James Sawle (Portobello), 114 hoggets 24s 3d. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For J. F. Herbert (Heriot), 19 wethers 635, 20 553 6d, 9 58s; C. Morrow (Tuapeka West), 18 wethers 595, 25 565, 12 52s 3d; J. Wisely (Milburn), 12 483 6d, 21 46s 3d, 11 41s; Thos. Menzies (Moa Flat), 62 wethers at quotations; J. B Hagen (Milburn), 3 39s 3d, 6 33s 6d; Southland Farmers' Co-operative Association (Gore), 34 ewes 395, 21 27s 9d. pjcn g _—"Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For A. C. Wheeler (Maungatua), 1 £7 6s J. C. Peterson (N.E. Valley), 1 £7; G Braid (Maori Hill), 9 £5 ss; J. M'Millan (Green Island), 2 £4 13s, 1 £4 ss, 3 £3 2s: A. Dyson (Faa-vensbourne), 1 £3 18s. Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For J. Maloney (Burkes), 1 £7 Gs; J. Gordon (Wylie's Cros-sin;?), 2 £5 lis; A. Bissett (Momona). 3 £4 lis; W. Harvey (Momona), 7 395. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For T. Perry (Sawyers' Bay), 1 £6 19s; a client, 4 £6 7a, 2 £5 Bs, 2 £5, 2 £4 16s; W. Kirkland, jun. (East Taieri), 2 £6; W. Knox (Green Island), 1 £5 16s. Donald Reid and Co sold: For W. 11. Clark (Halfway Bush), 1 £6 9s; J. B. Hagen (Milbm-n), 2 £6 15s; W. Walquiet (Leith Valley), 2 £5 Is; W. Thomson (Maun-

gatua), B£3 Bs, I£l 16e, 217 s 6d; George Middleditch (Sawyers' Bay), 2 £5 17a: J. M'Gill (Otokia), 3 £5 12s; W. Rattray (Otokia), 2 £3 16s; Gh Fox (Pine Hill), 8 £5 17a, 8 £5 9s; a client, 4 £2 Is; a orient, 2 £6 10s, 1 £6. THE FRUIT WORLD. Reilly's Central Produce Mart (Ltd.) reports: Bananas arrived in. good condition, the market over-supplied; Rarotongan oranges in very bad order. Vegetables, rhubarb arriving freely. Heavy consignments apples arriving from Nelson. Spring flowers realising high prices. Eggs in full supply. Butter wanted. Tallow realising record prices. Poultry, pigs, and bacon in short supply. We received and sold: —Flowerst Narcissi—Yellow trumpets, Gs to 9e 6d; white trumpets, 8a 6d; paper whit©3, 4s 6d, 8s Cd; Soliel d'Or, 6s to 9s 6d per dozen. Violets, Ss to 9s 6d dozen; freesias, 6s, 9s; anemone, 5a to 7s. Apples: Delicious, 17s; Jonathans, lis, 13s 9d; Esopus, ]#3 6d, 14s; Stunners, 12a 9d, 15s 6d; Rokewoods, to 10s 6d; Munroe's Favourite, lis, 12s; Etowah, 13s; choice cooking, 3d, 3Jd lb. Pears, 17s'to 20s; cooking, 14s 6d case. Lemons: Supplies to arrive Tofua. Oranges: American, 62&; Rarotongaa (in bad order), Gs 6d to 20s. Bananas, 8s to 20s. Tomatoes: Locals, Is sd. Rhubarb, 6s 9d to 8s per dozen bunches. Potatoes: Locals, 12s; northern, lis per cwt; Southland seed (choice), 12s 6d to 16s. Cauliflowers: Choice, 5s to 9s; small, Is Gd to 3s Gd. Cucumbers, 21s. Cabbage, 3s Gd to 4a per dozen. Onions: Prime, 18s. 'Swede turnips: Slow sale; 3a cwt. Carrots: Choice tables, 8s per cwt. Parsnips, lis per cwt Bacon: Rolls, Is 3Jd; harms, Is 4d. Pigs: Baconera, prime, lOd; porkers, 9|d; heavy-weights, 8d; choppers, 6d lb. Butter: Bulk, Is 7d; separator pats, Is Bd. Eggs, Is sd. Honey: Bulk, 7id, 8d; half-pound pats, 5s 6di per dozen; lib pats, 9s 6d; 101 b tins, 7s 6d. Tea: Special quality, 2a per lb in slb and 101 b boxes. Linseed calf meal, 15s. Barley meal, 9s &d per 1001 b. Ceremilk calf foods, 30s. Farro food, 19s per 2001 b. Meat meal, 19s. Oatsheaf chaff, £7 103. Oaten dust, 6s per 6ack. Oaten straw chaff, £4 10s. Wheaten straw chaff, £4. Wheat: Choice fowl wheat, Gs 9d; broken, Gs 3d peT "bushel. Oats: A grade seed Cartons, 4s 3d. Bran, 7s per 1001 b. Wheaten pollard, 14s per 1501 b Lime sulphur, 2s 3d per gallon, in barrels; 4-gallon tins, 3s gallon. Bluestone, 79s per cwi. Beeswax, 2s per lb; inferior, la Gd. Case nails: Flat heads, 44s per cwt. Egg crates, 12a Gd. Eabbitskina, 14d to 84d. Tallow, 38s to 48s cwt. Poultry: Hens, Ga 8d to 8s 6d per pair; ducklings, 10a to 10a 6d per pair; cockerels, 7s Gd to 13s per pair. E. OSWALD REILLY, Managing Director.

LONDON TALLOW SALES. Pros* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. . LONDON,, August 27. The tallow sales are held up owing to the poor demand. —A. end N.Z. Oable. NEW. ZEALAND DRUG COMPANY. At a meeting of the board of. directors of Messrs Kempt'boi-ne, Prosser, and Cb.'s New Zealand Drug Company yesterday afternoon, an interim dividend of 3£ per cent for the half year ended July 31 was declared. SALEi OF SHORTHORN HERD. Messrs Dalgety and Co. and Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (in conjunction) report as follows:—On Tuesday, the 26th inst, we held a dispersal sale at Clydevale of MiDavid Murray's well-known herd of Shorthorn cattle. The sale was adversely affected owing' to. the restricted railway service, but, in spit© of this, there was a good attendance .and very satisfactory competition. The condition in which the cattle were shown immediately after the winter proved their undoubted Every lot offered was sold under the hammer. There was particularly -keen competition for stock sired by the stud bull Admiral Manchester (2789). Mr Jiames Birtles (Cherry Farm) secured two cows by this bull at 75gs and 82gs and an-, other at 30gs. Mr James Patrick (Lee Creek Stud Farm) bought two of this sire at 51gs and 30gs. Messrs Begg Bros. (Hillend) one at 27gs, and another at 26gs, and Messrs Throp Bros. (Te Houka) one at 26gs and one at 25gs. Mr Chas. Begg (Hillend) bought one at 27gs and one at 20gs. Some of the oldlar cows were purchased by Messrs James Birtles, Begg Bros., John Christie (Warepa), and others at from 16gs to 32gs. Mr Joseph Murdoch (as agent) purchased several cows at up to 45gs. Some of the yearling heifers were particularly niee sorts, and sold at 31gs, 28gs, 27gs, 24gs, 22gs, and 17gs. The yearling bulls were in keen demand. Mr W. Waddoll (Waikaka Stud Farm) paid 46gs for a splendid sype of the breed by Lord Randolph. Messrs Begg Bros, purchased another particularly good quality yearling bull by the same sire for 34gs. Other yearlings sold up to 25gs. The stud bull Lord Randolph, bred by Mr John Nixon, was linocked down to Mr Joseph Mitchell (Weston) at 150 gs. All the breeding cows were in calf to the stud bull Lord Randolph, who was the sire of the yearling and two-year-old cattle offered. Mr Murray's herd has been most successfully shown throughout the South Island for many years, and the cattle are descended from cows purchased from the late Hon. Matthew Holmes and Mr Hugh Carswell. The bulla used since the herd was originally founded have been bred by Messrs Deans, Threlkeld, Taylor (Te Awamutu), and other leading breeders. STANDARD INSUHANCE COMPANY. The annual report of the directors of the Standard Fire and Marine Insuiance Company of New Zealand states that the net income for the year amounts to £155,248 19s 7d, and the expenditure to £128,594 19s 3d, leaving a balance- of £26,654 Os 4d, to which has to be added the balance carried forward from last year (£17,062 14s 7d), making a total of £43,716 14s lid. From this an interim dividend was paid in March amounting to £6250, leaving an available balance of £37.466 14s lid. The directors have made a call of 5s per share, and recommend the payment of a bonus dividend of 5s per share to meet the call, absorbing £25,000. They also recommend the payment of a dividend at the rate of Is 3d per share, amounting to £6250, and to carry forward to next year £6216 14s lid. Provision is made for the payment of a peace bonus to the staff. CANNED SALMON. Private cable mess ages" from America advise that quotations for new season's salmon are Is higher than for the last pack This increase is (says the Melbourne Argue) little better than nominal, however, as it is understood that the Packers' Association's quotations will show a greater rise than the shilling. From, reports, it is doubtful whether any American salmon will be available for the Australian markets, as it is stated that Great Britain has arranged to absorb the surplus above United States requirements. Stocks of best grades are negligible, but fail quantities of medium are held. HARDWARE MARKET. A leading Dunedin hardware merchant has just received advice from a Sydney firm stating that the Belgian manufacturers of

the well-known Bayard shot guns, rifles, automatic pistols, etc., can now execute orders, with the exception of guns, with twist barrels (and certain others listed), and that the advance on the lines obtainable is approximately 150 per cent. The duty of foreign firearms Is S 3 per cent., and as the duty has to be paid on the extra f.o.b. cost, some idea may be obtained of the increased cost to land in New Zealand. Advice from another Sydney firm roads: —■ " Mail and cable advices just to hand from America indicate that high labour costs and reduced labour production are responsible for higher prices generally, and make it necessary for manufacturers to advance their selling prices." Particulars of the goods sold by five American firms are enclosed, and in each case prices show an upward tendency or actual advances have taken place. RABBIT CANNING- WORKS (From Our Own Correspondent.) ALEXANDRA, August 26. The local Rabbit Canning Company has declared an interim half-year dividend of 10 per cent. The company has under consideration the extension of the works to include beef and mutton. PRICE OF PETROL. NEW YORK, August 25. Petrol, 60 to 62 degrees steel, 25J cents wholesale, 28 cents retail; 68 to 70 degrees steel, 80J cents wholesale; 72 to 76 degrees steel, 33J cents wholesale. INVESTMENT STOCKS. August 27. National Bank —Sellers £6 10s bd. Bank of N.S.W.—Buyers £59. Bank of N.Z. (£6 13s 4d paid)— Buyers £l9. Bank of N.Z. (£3 6s 8d paid)—Buyers £ls, sellers £ls 8s National Insurance —Buyers £4 3s, sellers £4 7s. N.Z. Insurance—Buyers £1 10s 7d. Standard Insurance —Buyers £2 19s. Union Steam (prof.)—Buyers £1 Is. P. and O. (deferred)—Buyers £532, sellers £540. Huddart-Parkor (ord.)—Buyers £2 9s 3d, sellers £2 9s 6d. Westport Coal Co. —Buyers £1 8s £d, sellers £1 9s. Westport-Stockton (ord.) —Buyers 6s 3d, sellers 7s 3d, N.Z, .Coal and Oil —Buyers 5s lCd, seJlers s=; lOd. D.I.C. (ord.)—2s (prem.). D.I.C. (pref.)—Buyers £1 Is. Dalgety and Co.—Buyers £l2. Donaghy's Rope and Twine —Buyers £1 Bs, sellers £1 9s. Dunedin Stock Ex. Propy.—Buyers £2 2s 6d. N.Z. Refrigerating (cum, rights)—Buyers £4 9s 9d, sellers £4 10s 6d. Milburn Lime and Cement —Luyers £1 14s, sellers £1 15s. Mosgiel Woollen Factory—Buyers £5 13s. National Mortgage—Buyers £5 10s. N.Z. Drug; Co. (£2 paid)—Buyers £2 16s, sellers £2 16s 9d. Canterbury Meat Company—Buyers £l3. South Otago Freezing Co —Buyers £5. N.Z. Paper Mills—Buyers' £1 8s 4d, sellers 1 8s od. Oamaru Woollen (ord.)—Buyers £2 10s 6d. Perpetual Trustees —Buyers £1 9s. Sharland and Co. (ord.) —Buyers £1 lis. Whitcombe and Tombs—Buyers £6 ss. Southland Frozen Meat "O issue" —Buyers 17s. ' M'Gavin and Co (ex rights)—Buy era £1 3s. Bruce Woollen —Buyers £2. Goldsbroagh Mart—Buyers £2 5s 6d, sellers £2 6s. ~ Otago Central Preserves —Buyers £1 ss, sellers £1 10s. Papuan Products—Buyers 2s. Sugar of Milk —Buyers £1 16s. N.Z. Government War Loan. —Buyers £96 ss. N.Z. Government Inscribed Stock —Sellers £96 ss. Post Office Bonds—Buyers £9B ss. CANTERBURY GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. The markets generally are still very quiet. With the fine spring weather being experienced there ia but a limited demand for oats, and sales are now more difficult to effect. At the same time there is little grain offering by farmers, and there are no quotable changes in price 3. Oatsheaf chaff is dull of sale, and the price has eased, £5 10s to £6 now being paid at country stations according to quantity. There is a further hardening in the potato market, and prices are now quoted at £8 15a tc £9 at country stations. The offerings from growers are not very large at present. The bulk of the onion crop has now changed hands, only small lots coming forward. Sales have been made during the week at £l2 10s to £l3 to growers. There are no changes to note in seeds, and clovers are still very firm. Current quotations are as follow: Wheat.—Milling wheat, Government price. South Island, Gs Bd, f.0.b.; North Island, 4d extra. Oats. —Seed) Algerians, 4s 3d to 4s sd; feed Algerians, 83 9d to 8a lid; milling Gartons, 3s lid to 4s; B Gartons, 3s lOd to 3s lid, at country stations; ordinary seed Duns, 4a to 4s 4di; Danish, good quality, 3s 9d to 4s. Barley.—Malting, Gs 9d to 7s. The quotation is nominal. Flour.—£ls per ton; 1001 b bags, £ls 10a; 501 b bags, £l6; 251 b bags, £l6 ss. Bran.—Shipping, £5 10s; local, £5 15s per ton. Pollard.—£7 10s per ton. OatmeaL —251 b bags, £2B per ton; 7lb bags, £32 per ton. Oatsheaf Chaff. —Bright heavy, £5 5s to £5 12s Gd' Cocksfoot. —Undressed, 9d to lOd; machine dressed, Is 3di to la 4dRyegrass.—Perennial, 4s 6d to 4s 9d; Italian, 4a to 4s 3d. Clover.—White, 13 Id to Is Gd; red, Is 4d to Is Bd, Peas —Partridge, 7s to 7s Gd; White, 7s 3d to 7s 6d; Blue Prussians, 10s to lis; Imperial, 9s to 10a. Linseed.—£24 to £25. Potatoes.—£9 at country stations. Onions.—On trucks, £l3 to £l4. Scotch Tares.—los to 11a.