COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 128, 15 October 1875, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

Mr. Henry Driver, on behalf of the New Zealand Loan nnd Mercantile Agency Company, reports as follows for the week ending October 18 :-- Fat Cattle. — A moderate supply of 120 head wei-e yarded at the weekly sale, all of which were taken by the trade at about last week's quotations, say for roally prime pens up to 45s per 1001 b, ; medium, 30s to 35«. At the yards and privately we have placed 60 head during the week. Fat Calves. — Only a few were yarded, winch, being of very prime quality, we sold at up to JM 15s each. Fat Sheep. — As only a moderate supply of 1,000 came forward, rather belter prices were obtained than has been the case for some weeks past. AIL were taken by the trade at from 17s to 2 Is. While we do not anticipate any material advance in tbe price of sheep, we think that good quality mutton will, during the next six weeks, command better prices than have been obtained for some time past. Wo have sold, at the yards and privately, 1,250. Prime cross-bred mutton may he quoted at i]d to 4Jd. Store Cattle. — Besides several small lots daring the week, we sold 130 head at Mosgiel on Tuesday, at from to ,£7 15s for bullocks, and <£3 10s to .£4 15s for cows. Store Sheep. — We have no transactions, but have on our books a large number for sale after shearing of all ages and descriptions. Wool. — By the Alhambra we have received private telegrams from our London office up to 20th ultimo, intimating that as the sales progressed marked improvement was shown, particularly for good combing descriptions. Foreign buyers in good attanxlance, and showing- more disposition to operate. We can scarcely expect many American buyers to return here this season, as their late operations show heavy losses. However, there is an indication of improved trade throughout the manufacturing districts of America, and it is possible a good few orders may be sent through private hands. Skins. — At the usual weekly sales a fair quantity came forward, consisting principally of dry station skins, which sold at fully late rates, say 5s 3d to 6s for cross-breds, and 4s Gd to 5s 6d for merinos ; ' and green cross-breds, 5s Od to 6s 2d. Hides, if in good condition, are in fair demand. Large parcels have been shipped to Aitstralia. We obtain for green butchers', 12s to 22s sd; salted heavies, 22s Gd to 23s Gd; inferior, 15s to 17s 6d. Tallow. — We have placed a few small parcels at 25s io 29s Most of the small lots coming forward, being in packages unfit for shipment, do not bring full value. Grain. — The market is very inactive, little or no business being done. Good milling wheat is nominally quoted at 4s Gd. Oats, 2s 3d to 2s 8d ; no demand. Late advices from Melbourne report the market slightly depressed, and unless we can get an outlet in this direction, even lower prices must be taken before present stocks are worked oil. Mn. Sjcene reports for the week ending 13lh October, as follows : — The unemployed are getting gradually spread over the face of the country. Tt is wondeiful what effect a little extra sunshine has in charming the streets of Punedin. Prospects begin to improve, and very shortly all who really wish to get work can do so. Again we repeat that those who cannot get work f o their minds must suit themselves to the fir«t thing which offers. It is quite patent that a man must be his own best friend m Now Zealand. There is not much time spent in sympathising. There has been a very steady demand for country folks during the week, and a slight improvement in town wants; but commerce has not yet conic up to the usual activity. Our last arrivals are a very good class. Female servants are not a bit more plentiful for rill the numbers arriving. Wages — Station and farm couples, £75 to £90 ; plo glimon nnd shepherds, £52 to £70 ; nniNtercrs, about £2 per wcvk, but no fixed rate ; spinners have fixed tl per cent, on the standard; liousj girH lI2G to>£l0; hotel girls, t:i(j to £52, and often more for cook*, housekeepers, etc. ; day labor, Bs, 9s, and 10^ ; useful boys and girls, 5s to 15s per week. Masons, J carpenters, and bricklayers are very irregularly employed n^ yot. Dairy and odd hands, 15s to 25s per week,