COMMERCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 364, 14 July 1869, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

The Bank discount has beeu raised to 4£ causing great excitement. A further rise is expected. It has occasioned a temporary panic among weak holders of foreign stock, but confidence is now restored, despite the Alabama agitation. Consols are firm at 92£. Australian securities are buoyant. No foreign loans of magnitude are in the market ; several are in the Continental markets ; among others, one for the City of Paris. Dividends declared —Australian mortgage, 10 per cent ; Port Phillip Gold Company, 20 ; Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, 6; Scottish and Australian - Mining, 8 ; Trust and Agency Company of Australia, 20. Numerous failures have occurred in the tallow, flax, and corn trades. The Board of Trade returns for the month of March " are satisfactory. New Zealand fives, 1891, consolidated, 95£. Sixes, 1891, March-September, 108£. Pives, 95£. In tallow, considerable transactions have taken place at a further decline. Sales, 3£ ; 3184 casks of mutton, 43s 6d ; 42 casks beef, 42s 6d and 41s 6d. HidesSales were effected with difficulty at receding prices, highest lid, lowest Id. Sydney oil, 42s to 465 ; petroleum, Is Bd'; copper, Wallaroo "and ßurra^ £79. The exports to Victoria have been of tne value ;of £550,460, : 5h0wing an increase .of £218,2471' fa Sydney, ;635£,121, being .'.. .{increase of £210,727.

Whale oil £37 to £40, and sperm £41. Gold closed at 148£. Exchange on London 100£ : five-twenty bonds 1882, 122 i ; ten-forty 189f-. Petroleum: Standard white 31£ c. Mauritius — Sugar transactions are very limited. Australian, 4000 bags at previous rates. Total shipments to May 7 :— Melbourne, 31,203,8091b5 ; Sydney, 7,946,3541b5. Australian salt beef, 22d01s to 25d0l 500 c. Flour of good quality is scarce, and in good demand at 4dol 56c to 4uol 75c. Bran is scarce at 2dol ; coal, 6dol 50c to 7dol. Exchange, 2 to 2\ per cent. Bank Bills, 90 days, 4 per cent. Twenty Australian horses have been landed, and good prices are expected. The fever is increasing again. The deaths for April are 1845.