COMMERCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9115, 21 December 1907, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

United Press Association — By Electric j Telegraph— Copyright. (Received December 21, 9.12 a.m.) LONDON, -December 20. Bank Return.—^e weekly return of the Bank of England is as follows; — Gold coin and bullion in hand . £31,9ff7,000 Reserve 4522,399,000 Percentage reserve io li&fcilitiea . 45.90 Kb tea in circulation . . . £29,127,000 Publio deposits . , . , £ 5.240 000 Other deposits .... £43,439,000 Government uecuritias . . Other securities .... £29,884,000 Bank Rate. — The bank rate is 7 per cent ; three months' bills are discounted at 6 per cent. Consols. — Consols are quoted at £82 12e 6d. Colonial Securities. — Colonial securities are quoted as under, last week's quotations being also given : — Dec. 13. Deo. 20. New South Wales i per cent . 105 105 New South Wales 3£ per cent . 98 98 New South Wales 3 per cent . 84§ 85 Victoria 4 per cent . . 1015 101J Victoria 3J per cent . . 97J 97J Victoria 3 per cent . . 86J 85& South Australia 3J per coat . 100 100 South Australia. 3 per cent. .84 84 Queensland 4 per cent . . 103 103 Queensland 3J per cent 96 96 Queensland 8 per cent 84 84 New Zealand 4 per cent . .. 105 105 New Zealand. 3$ per cent . , 99 99 New Zealand 3 per cent . . 84$ 84J West Australian SJ per cent . 95 85 West Australian 3 per cent . 84 84 Tasmanian 3$ per cent . 96 98 Taßmanian 8 per cent . . 86| 86J Wheat. — The markets are recovering from tho effects of the pressure to 6ell Argentines, owing to the activity of American speculators, but legitimate business is small. There is more inquiry for cargoes. For Victorian September shipments 40s 6d is asked, and 39s 9d for South Australian December and Januaiy shipment®. Australian apo+ is slow of eale at 45s to 45s 6d. Flour is steady. Australian new is offering at 29s Gd. Sheepskins. — At the sales 3000 were offered and 2500 sold. There was a fair attendance and vigorous bidding. Merinoes and fine cross-breds were 10 per cent below November rates, coarse cross-breds 12£ to 15 per cent lower, short and shorn 15 per cent decline Copper. — On spot £59 per ton, three months' £60 5a per ton, electrolytic £61 per ton. Silver. — 2s 0 9-16 d per ounce. Tin. — On spot £117 10s per ton, thre© months' £119 10s per ton. Lead. — £14 per ton. Iron. — £;$ 9s 6d per ton. Sugar. — German 9s Bd, first marks 11s Id. I The Bradford wool market is dull and irregular. Low cash prices are accepted for spot lots; common sixties 26d, super 26|d. Butter. — The market is firm, and there is a good Christmas trade. Dan-, ish 123s to 1255 ; choicest Australian, salted 118s, unsalted 116s, New Zealand 120s (occasionally 1225). Cheese. — The market is firm; white 60s to 61s, coloured 61e to 625.

Messrs Dalgety and Company, Limited, have received the following cable message from London, under date December 19: — "The butter market is firm, and the Copenhagen official quotation is one kroner higher. The total butter imports into the United Kingdom for the week ending December 14 are 66,000<rwt, as compared with 76,000 owt for the same period last year. We quote finest 118s, unealted 116s. We do not expect any important change in prices for the- present." shippingl LONDON, December 20. Sailed — Oswestry Grange and Harare, for Auokland.