SHAREMARKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 234

SHAREMARKET.

THE increased gold returns of the past month, together with the decidedly improved prospects of several of the principal mines, has had the effect of improving the tone of business generally on the Stock Exchange. Transactions during the past week have been far more numerous, and as there are free purchasers of high-priced stocks, it is fair to assume that buyers are once more operating here for the London market. Talisman shares have been freely dealt in during the past week, and as high as 18s gd has been refused for a line of 500. Crown shares sold at 265, and more could have been placed at the same price. WaihiSilvertons have also had steady demand since last report, and buyers advanced their offers from 13s to 15s 3d without sales resulting. At the Thames there has been a steady all round demand for shares in the leading mines. Moanataiari shares sold as high as 12s 3d, an advance of is 6d for the week. May Queens sold up to 7s 6d, while free sales of Alburnias were made from 5s 8d to 5s lod, and although it is evident that attempts are being made to bear this particular stock, the excellent crushing return for the month seems likely to cause these shares to advance still further. Shares in Companies operating in the vicinity of the Waihi mine have had free business during the week. Ohinemuris rose from 4d to gd in a couple of days, and then fell back to Waihi Extended shares had steady business from is 2d to is 4d, and seem to have still an upward tendency. Waihi South, Waihi Consols, and Prince of Waihi shares all firmed a little in price. Of course shareholders in each of these mines claim that the famous Waihi reef is going through their particular property, but if it reaches all of them the course of the lode must be somewhat eccentric. During the last day or two more disposition has been manifested by speculators to pick up low-priced shares in Karangahake Companies, Imperials, Ivanhoes, and Stanleys all having received some attention. At Coromandel matters are still somewhat quiet. Really excellent stone is coming to hand from the reef in the Empire mine, but so far the market price of shares in this Company has not been affected. The same may also be said regarding the Progress-Castle Rock, at which mine the directors have at last decided to erect a battery and give positive proof of the value of the reefs now being worked. Beyond a little better return from the Kapai-Vermont mine, and the getting of gold in the low level of the Waitaia mine, little has occurred worthy of special note in the Kuaotunn section of our goldfields.