COMMERCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9321, 22 August 1908, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. LONDON, August 21. Bank Returns. —The weekly return of the Bank of England is as follows: — Gold coin and bullion in hand . £86,706,000 .Reserve ...... £27,633,000 Percentage reserve to liabilities 52.34 Notes- in circulation . . . £29,10-1,003 Public deposits .... £8,090.000 Other deposits .... £44,656,003 Government securities . . . £15,532,000 Other eecurities .... £27,661,000 Bank Rate. —The bank rate is 2_ per cent; discount on three months' bills, If per cent; short-dated loans, ii per cent. Consols. —Consols are quoted at £86 los. Colonial Securities. —Colonial securities are quoted as under, last week's quotations being also given: — Aug. 14. Aug. 21New South Wales 4 per cent 107 107 New South Wales 3_ per cent. 99 99 New South Wales 3 per cent.. 89J. 89_ Victoria 4 per cent . . . 104 104J Victoria 3* per cent . . . 100J 100£ Victoria 3 per cent . . . 89J 89* South Australia 3J per cent .99 99 South Australia 3 per cent . 87 87 QuecnsLand' 4 per cent . . 105h 1051 Queensland 3_ per cent . '. 99j 99£ Queensland 3 per cent 88 88 New Zealand 4 per cent. . 107 107 New Zealand 3_ per cent . .99* .99 New Zealand 3 per cent . . 89 SSJ West Australian oi per cent . 99 99 West Australian 3 peT cent . 88J 88,* Tasmanian 3$ per cent . . 99J 99J Tasmanian 3 per cent 83 88 Butter. —Butter is dull; Danish 119s to 121s per cwt. Messrs W. Weddel and Co. in their annual " Review" refer to the remarkable improvement of Queensland butter, which is attributed largely to the strictness of grading. The "Review" advocates compulsory grading and the stamping of tho number and grade on the boxes, and considers it probable that the average values of butter and chetyse coming to hand this season will be somewhat lower than last year. Wheat. —The markets are inanimate, and of weak tendency. Owing to a general indisposition to speculate cargoes are difficult to move, and prices aro unchanged. Flour is dull. Australian patents are offering at Glasgow at 275. The American visible supply of wheat and flour is 26.000,761 bushels. Copper. —On spot, £60 2s 6d per ton ; three months', £60 17s 6d per ton; electrolytic, £62 10s per ton. Tin.—On spot, £132 17e 6d per ton; three months', £133 12s 6d per ton. Lead. —£l3 8s per ton. Iron. —£2 lis 9d per ton. Sugar. —German, 9s lld; first marks, lis lOd. Wool. —At Bradford wool market, there is a moderate inquiry, but the business done is small; common sisties, 22* d: super, 23JdSilver.—ls 11 13-16 d.

Tlie New Zealand Farmers'. Cooperative Association, Ltd., to-day received the following cable message from its London office: —" Lamb — Prime Canterbury light, -delivered at Smithfield. 5 9-16 d, medium sgd, heavy 5d per lb! Mutton —Prime Canterbury, delivered at Smithfield, market

dull."