NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

Southland Times, Issue 1741, 16 May 1873, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

The prejudicial influence exerted by Manila hemp on the market for this fibre, to which allusion was made in our last issue, has continued to be felt during the past four weeks, and transactions in the New Zealand import have been, by public sale, quite of a retail character. Two auctions have been held sines our last report, the first on 12th and the second on 26ih ultimo. At the former 370 bales were offered, of which 70 bales found buyers at '£27 to £29 per ton for ordinary to medium half-dressed, and for good fairly-dressed £34 5s to £35 per ton. At the second, 157 bales were catalogued, consisting of twice-offered and second-hand parcels, a consi* derable portion of which was more or less damaged. Only a few bales sound were placed under the hammer at £25 to £30 per ton for common to medium kinds. By private treaty it is reported that about 500 bales during the month have been disposed of, at rates in keeping with those obtained at public sales on 29th and 30th January. In tow we do not hear of any transactions. In addition to the shipments of hemp and tow per "Countess of Kintore " and " Haloione " previously announced, and now arrived, 392 bales are reported as being on passage from Auckland, par " City of Auckland." The particulars of stocks, landings, and deliveries published on 28th ultimo give the following result as compared with those, at the corresponding period last year, viz : — 1872. 1873. Stock on 28th February, 449 Tons. 493 Tons. Landings, January-February, 253 „ SII „ Deliveries do 453 „ 179 „