COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 667, 18 November 1909, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

".'7 SHAEES. f : A sal 3. of Ohristchurch Meat shares, -£5 paid, at,par, was recorded yesterday. National Bank, buyers £6, solfears £6 Is.; Wellington Investment, buyers lis., sellers Us. 6d.'; Feilding Gas, buyers £1 Is.; 'Napier' Gas, £5. paid, sellers £12 .7s.' 6d.; Palmerston North-Gas,: sellera £8; Wellington Gas, £6 15a. paid, sellers :£l4 55.; Ohristchurch Meat, buyers £5; Gear Meat, £4 paid, buyers £10 55., £1 paid, buyers £2 12s. 6d.; Meat Export, £2 12s. .6d. paid, buyers £2 155.; Union Steam, sellers £1 13s. 6d.; Wellington Woollen, buyers £3 2s. 6d.j Taupiri Coal, sellers 19s. bd.; Westport Coal, buyers £6 2s. 6d., -,sellers.£o 3s. 6f1.; Westport-Stocliton Goal, buyers 6s. 6d., sellers 7s. 3d.; Leyland-O'Brien Timber, buyers £1 3s. 3d.; Miramar; i Limited, preforenco, sellers' 19s;; Now Zealand,. Consolidated Dental, sellers £l 4s. 6d.'; Taranaki Petroleum, sellers Bs.; Ward and Co., Ltd., brewery Bhares, buyers £4 lis.; Wellington Opera House, sellers £7 17s. 6d. '•■

• ■• ", DOMINION COMMEEOE., -'V';- •: V -i<The import and4xport returns of the Dominionhave been • published since our la-st issue (says tho "Trade Eeviow"),-and't-xhibit results" that arc, on the whole, calculated: to help 'forwariT' the restoration of easier conditions in the money market.,,lt.is true,that:for. the Septombi- quar.-, ter the;'imports, aa-'usual in' this- pefibtFbrtho year, exceeded the exports in value. The excess was, however, loss by about 60 per coht.' than that shown in the ; corresponding-, quarter ,of last .year. . Thp movements of tho" twb v n'eri6Bs, apart' from- specie, compare.' as'/follow:— ■■'■'■ .>''•■ ; - • : ■■'•■■. 1909. 1908. ■ Imports -~; £4,096,956' £4,936,047 L Exports £3,264,C05_ ~ £2,873,125 Excess; of imports '.:.„.;.';'.•.■'....; :-,i'£632,95fi.' '* £2,002,922 Imports—Decrease—l9o9-1908 .'....................... £859,091 Exports~lncrease-190?-19P8,- ~,...,;,.,... £WO,BSO ' ■ -Decrease .................. .£1,229,971 vTho totals for the twelvemonth, however, show a much more favourable effect, and the result : is.the.more satisfactory that this represents the. true produce year of the Dominion. Tho total values for, the last thrco years, apart from specie,'compare as follow ■.— '■■••. : ' '''■. 1903-9. 1907-8. 19C6-7. . Exports .......:. £18,700,156 £16,370;587 £19,091,840 Importsi ...........:.. £14,916,005. £17,750,868 £16,071,857 Excess of,-Exports« £5,764,151' — ■ : £3,819,959 Excess of Imports; ,—. '~£1,380,231, ■;.-!-. Theso figures' give proof that the latest year has practically, brought 4 tho Dominion back,; in .this respect, to tho position it occupied in 1906-7; that is to say, thaf'the value of tho. exports was sufficient to pay for the imports and leave a. margin enough to meet the outside, interest obligations public and private.. The above figures indicate the sudden change brought about-in 1907-8 .by the shrinkage of eXj ports and expansion of imiarts, when ■ the former fell short of the sum required to pay'for tho. latter* leaving interest obligations out; of the question.■ The deficiency was,; of .course, worse than is shown by the.figurc3 owing to ..the Realisation of tho; wool clip falling ' short ' of valuations by about ono million.' ': . .' '. ,- Wo havo. now, entered up 0.>.'.,,... new , sroduco year, .the result of which,'. j^ging I .by present indications, promises to bo extremely good, and, as tho local money market seems to be for.the prosent' relieved from tho demands that have been made in the past to meet the requirements of the-Government and of local bodies, there is good grouhS for anticipating a period of financial ease in the near future. It is most earnestly to be'hopcd' that", the formidable labour ' troubles' now harassing our neighbours in New South Wales will not bo allowed to spread to New Zealand. ■..■•'•

LLOYD'S AND THE DISSOLUTION. V Several insurances have been effected' at Lloyd's, according to the ."Financial.,Times,": against: a possible early;'dissolution of ; the-Im-perial Parliament. For these .policies underwriters charged 25 guineas, and bound themselves.to pay a total lob 9 should Parliament be dissolved on or before December 31. Insurances of this class are intended to indemnify the assured against actual loss incurred.in ; tho event of suoh a contingency,' and it is known that a general election always affects certain-! classes of business adversely. As it is obviously impossible to prove in advance the amount of any such financial loss'these documents. are, necessarily issued as P.P.I, policies (policy.proof of. interest). There'is another class of P.P.I. poli'oies, namely, the illegitimate class, happily now abolished, which affords facilities for, gambling in snips. It was this' class alone that was aimed at by, Mr. Winston Churchill's Marine Insurance (Gambling Policies; Bill. When this enactment is finally placed on' the Statute Book, it is feared' that many legitimate P.P.I, policies will bo difficult to place at all, as underwriters are unable to define exactly what a "gambling" policy is under :the provisions of tho Bill. TJnderwriters ,do not intend: to run; any risks-of being penalised when the Bill becomes law.

THE IMPORT MAKKETS. Trade continues quiet, but merchants are quite satisfied the outlook is muck better. Buying is now going on for the Christmas trade, and orders are coming- ih\ -fairly we 11.,, Values fhow no changes of, any consequence, but changes 1 may bo expected as soon as,importers are able to estimate the effects of the new primage ■ duty. It is recognised that it will be impossible to add this tax to jomo goods, but there.is-the alternative of. making other goods carry the whole impost. In the end consumers will pay the tax, and a great deal besides. Arrowroot.—St. Vincent, sd. per lb. ■ Candles—Tho demand continues in small compass. Prices are unchanged. Tho Now Zealand Candle Company's quotations stand ; as - follow:—Premier atearine and' live medal, 5d.; British sporm, Fronch sperm, universal wax, Excelsior paraffin.: 53d.; Apollo sporm and Venus paraffin, 6d.; Veuus, coloured fluted, 6£d.,- piano, bedroom, and carriage aorta in- cardbuai'd boxes, 71d., less-the usual trade discounts. Price's London sperm, 1602. 14oz. 6jd.; Burma, 160z., 6Jd. ■ • Cornflour.—Steady business passing. D. and P.j 5Jd. to 55d.; Johnson's. 21d,; Brown's, 3d.; Chicago, 23d.; Buffalo. 2Jd. ' . , Oocoa.—A steady hand-to-mouth business la doing. Von lioutcn's, l's, 3s. 2d.; j's, 3s. 3d.; I'a, 3s. 4d. por lb.; Bensdorp's, l's, 2s. iOd.j J's; Is Ud.; J's. 35.; FryVl's, Is. 4Jd.; Bahia 2s. lOd. The world's production of ,cocoa last 'year showed a very material "increase as compared with tho two provious years, > amounting, as it did, to 425,662,1911b., as agavast 527,925.5181b. in 1907, and 327J47,4361b. in 1906. •.. Production during 1906 and 1907 wo 3 withont. expansion, but in 1900', -it increased by no loss than 97,736,6731b. Turning to the world's consumption, the figures are not satisfactory, for tho total quantity of cocoa' consumed in 1908. was 362.212,2591b.. or only 18,519,0091b. moro than for tho year. 1907, when .tho consumption reached 343,692,4501b. Tho consumption during 1906 was rather larger, representing-- 344,924,4871b. •;.-Fully throe-fourths of the. cocoa, produced comes' from tho West Indies, and South America, -while-; tho largest consuming countries' aro America, easily in the van, then Germany, the United Kingdom,' Franco, and, the Netherlands. Tho consumption in 190$} jmd 1907. according-to. the foregoing.figures; .wasi

somewhat in excess.of production,, but allowing. _ for this the stocks •at the close of 1908- must have shown a surplus of over 30,000,0001b." over consumption. '■ Condensed Milk.—Highlander.' 55.; Cowslip. 4s. 6d.: Swiss Milkmaid, 6s. 6d. to 6s. lid. per dozen. Canned Meats— Sheep tongues,- 10s; 6d. to lis. for l's; ox tongues,'2J's, 31s. to 34b.; 3's, 345. to , 365. per dozen; Gear's assorted,'potted, 45., 6d.; ] St. George's. ss. ■■ .;■,':".'"..■'■■ Cream of Tartar, 9d.;..per lb.'" " , '■■. ' ' . Canned Fish.—Prices remain ■ the same. • Sardines have had a rise on-account .of tho season yielding a poor catch.-' Herring in.'tomato. :•■ sauce, rs,v7s..'. to 7s. 6d.; .l's,'.4s.'-6d...t0'-'ss.; Uiiv pored herrings, l's, 75..6 d; to 75. : -9 d.; i's,. 45.'6 d .: ■ to. 65.: fresh- herrings, l's.". 65.. to"; Gs'.'.V6d.;' -lobster, 0 and B, Jib..tins, 14s. 6d.to 155.; salmon,.salad,' .', medium rods, lib.'tails; Ba.' 6d."to.9s'.'; Ill), nats,. 9s. to 95..6 d;; silver, lib. flat:;, 55.; Golden Link, , Sockeyc, lib; tails, 10s. 6d.; lib.;' flats, lis.; South- : ern Cross, Jib., 6s.'6d.' llerriiiglets, in oil, Scnp.:. !■ tor brand.'Bs; .to'Bs.'.6d.;.in-.tormtto. sauce;"..B3..:to- ; Bs. 6d.; sardines. Skipper,. Jib...tins,'ss. to 55:,-6 d.;"i's, 9s. 9d;:to Edward," .> I's ; 45.'.9d... ■ to ss.;' J's','.Bs.. 6d.;■ ling, ■ Smethurst-.-- brand.' ia' : ■makinß 555...'t0 565.-.per.;cwt. ■:-. , i■■''■;■ "V;..-.' Latest "mail.:reports', respecting .the'y..French sardine fishing'stated that, tho weather recently had been unfavourable. Having to. some extent: improved, tho boats had resumed worki and tho fishing was continuing. • The fish were mostly too large or too small,;consequently high-class, packers had difficulty in getting good medium . she, tho price of which kept high.' Inspecting salmon, advices reported that many of the trade had no fai,th. the opening prices for-the seasoncould bo ■ maintained; .but their hopes' had. notbeen realised, and they had been forced to.pay much higher-rates. A-very-large, business.* was . beihg done ■in , forward ■ sales, and there','was 1 every indication 1 that before shipments-arrived quotations . would be still higher. British; Co- . lumbia.salmon, both in lib., and Jib. flats) was firmer, and further sales had been made at an advance. Valuations the latter were about on a level with those ruling at the beginning of tho year. This had its. disadvantages, as it at once did. away with tho popular 4d.'or 4|d.'.-tiri.. Canned; fruits are quoted at. Bs.'-6d. ..to. 12s'.-6d.' according to quality. ■ ".■■■:.•'..■■'■;..■, Chemicals.'—ln ' their circular,: dated--. Man- - che6ter,- September 24, Messrs. 'S. W.'Boyse and Co. state that shipping business ; continues -fairly'good, and the general demand in the Homo trade has a rather better appearance.' In the textile branches tho high price of cotton is checking business; there is, however, a more buoyant feeling about trade in general, inquiries for next ycar'a delivery are put forward with more confidence,' and some good contracts have already been booked. Sulphate of copper, has been ruling steady, and makers holding out for a'moderato premium for the early monthsof 1910, and a fair business doing. Green-cop-peras also is now steady after a continued and heavy fall, although production is rather large., British brown acetate of limo is dull, bnf American grey acetate has been advanced 10s. per ton, and is firm. Nitrato of lead is selling at steady prices, and foreign white sugar of lead is firm, at the recent advance of £1. per. ton. Caustic potash is steady; cafcbonato of potash is .firmer on reports of' bad crop 1 of .raw material in Russia, and a good business doing; Montreal -potashes are only in moderate supply: and selling steadily. Whito powdered arsenio is in bet> ter demand, and prices are higher on spot and' forward. Tartaric acid has been selling freely for next year's delivery, and is now quieter, although very firm. In sulphate of.ammonia tho demand has slackened somewhat, and. it is not easy to find buyers at the advanced rates. In .heavy alkalies a good, steady trade is being done, especially for export; bleaching powder and,caustic soda .prices, for. contracts, over 1910 have now been- fixed*:by makers,'- and consumers are attracted.;" . Dried Fruits.—Values show no appreciable change. Currants, finest provincials, 3id.-, 'cleaned Amalias,' 3Jd. per lb.; lib. cartons,3s. 9d. per dozen;. sultanas, selected 3Jd.. choice 4d., golden 4Jd., lib. cartons,.• ,4s.' 9d.. per dozen; dates, in bulk 2Jd. per lb., cartons, 3s. 6d. per dozen; figs, natural, in bags, 23d. to 3d.; seeded raisins.' , fancy, lib. pockets 45., choice, .3s. 6d. per dozen.' Hu&cateJs 'aro.;slow of sale,- and stocks .are comparatively largo; Californian, 51b. -boxes; ,6d.; 101b. boxes, 5Jd.; 201b.; boxes. 4Jd;: per lb.; Malaga, sJ's, at 6d. per lb. -.Prunes, 3d. tb.-3Jd. .; ' Dessicatcd cocoanut has experienced Wan advance of £4 pcrton, and is now-quoted at £38:' ' Evaporated Fruits.—Tho quotations are unchanged, apple's/apricots, and peaebca making from 7Jd. to Bd. pori.lb.'--■ ■- Infants' Foods.—Weave's, 9a. 9d.; Allan and; Hanbury's Nos.- i'-and 2,-17s.| No. 3. 10s. 6d.; Benger's, 175.; Itobinson'B.patcut groats'and barloy, 7s. 6d. Ncave's milk f«od. 135.. 6d.; Nestlo'a milk food, 17s'/'6d... :,., . -~-,■; • Knifo l'olisb.-rNixey's. 4s. 6d.;, Okcj's. ss. 3d. Maizena.—Duryca's, ;5Jd.' '■ : ; - ', Mustard.—Fair sales.' Coleman's D.8.F.,. J'B, : la. ' •lid. to Is. 6d,';'J's, :Is. 3Jd..to Is. 4d.-. Durham, 71b;,tin's 7d. tali. ■•' -, -. Matches.—Plaids;-'3s.-- Bd. to 3s. 9d. a gross; penny. slides, Bs/ 9d. ,to 9s. 6d.; oafeties, small, ,i.foreign,-3s. to;'3s. 6d.; Bryant small. ' 4s.' 6d.; large. 7s'. 6d. ',' .: : ; ,- , . ' ~. -..- 'Nutmegs, 9d.- to Is.-' per lb'.;, ■•; ■-,; Peol.—Lemon peel. ;Ti.. 5Jd.,;- orange, 5Jd.; clt ron. 10Jd. per lb. ~':-.• '' Pickles.—Morton's liexagon 10s. 6d., round 12s.' -. 6d. per dozon; 7 Captain White's, L 233. 6d.; Gar-, ton's H.P.. J-pints,-125.-6d.; ; pints, 225. 6d.; pure ■pickles, 9s. 6d." to 10s. ' '.. Kicc.—No. 1,, 15s. 6d.; No.-'2, ,145.. 6d.'j special Japan, 16s. per.-ewt. • , -■:'■'■-.,!;,'■. ■ ... :.- ■!'■ Salt—Fine; -71b.. : bag's, hs,. ,6d„ to 6j...6d.',.pDr. snt.; bags, 35.; 6d. toUa;: coarse, : .iiucnt... bags.i' 35. : to ( 3s. 6d. per cwt'. .' ' ' . ■>.;• Sauces.—L. and P., J-plnts, 145.-. to 14s; 6d.; .pints, 255. to-255. 6d.- Holbrook's, J-pinls,-75. : 6d.; 1 .'pints, 10si 6d. to 10s. 9d.; garton's.' J-plnts; 7s. 6d.; pints;'. 10s. to 10a. 6d.; Eaglo brand (N.Z.), J.pints, 2s. 9d. to 35.; pints. ss. 6d. to 6s. , ;'. Starch— Colman's, lib. boxes, sjd. to sjd.; 61b. packets, ,sd.' to 51(1:; New .Zealand, lib., boxes] tßs; to 395. .'per c\vt.;:slb. packets,'37s. lb 3Bs. per twt. : .'"\. -t .- : ':.'' / , ''.."; ■'• .- .'.; ~ Stovo Polish.—Nixcy's, 2a: 6d.';'''Ecckitt's, . 3a. per dozen. . ' " ■ : Bagar.-IA and N0.,1, 56's; £17 Ss.; No. 2,. £16' 155.-; No. 3,. £15 15s. per ton. Tho "Australian Sugar Journal" :writes, that good raius'havo" fallen in tho far pi'orth, improving the prospects for next season's' crop.. At. tho Mossman tho quantity of cane, harvested this season will not quite come up to the csti- ; mate, owing particularly to the prolonged dry weather and to the ravages of rats. The question of burnt cano is becoming a serious ono in this.as well as other districts. In-.the.Cairns district,' after a trying time of waiting for the rain,'it came.on October 22.in-the form.of a heavy thunderstorm; with, every prospect- of . more." The estimate will ,be more than reached at both tho: Hambhdon and Mulgrave mills, and i- the quality of the.; cane is quite equal to that 1. of previous seasots. On the Johnstone Eivor , good useful rains were recorded early in Octo ; ber. On tho Herbert Eiver September proved 1 the.drießt month of.the year, but the first threo I weeks of Obtober gave about 2J inches. Fur- ■ ther rain, however, is very desirablo in the ' interests of the young crop; On the Lower Bur- ' dekin rain has been very light, 0n1y,55 points , having been registered during tho whole \of I September, and up to October 23. Thanks to '■ .irrigation, however, the young cane is looking , well, and, with any sort of favourablo rainy 1 ioason, a lino,harvest is assured for next-year. ; Mount Bauple hod a welcome storm on Octo : , ber 20, which gave 11 inches rain; doing the ! cane an immense amount of good. In tho More- ! ton district, showers during the past ten days i. have greatly improved tho outlook, and, with 1 an ordinary, season'to follow, the prospects for ■■■ the' crushing are'.mnch better than last year/. Vinegar.—Midland Eed Hock, quarts, Bs. 6d.; 1 Champioß, quarts, 9s. 6d.;lted Seal, quarts,- 45.; : Midland concentrated, Boz. bottles, lis. 6d. per • dozen; concentrated, Sgal. casks, 9s.' 6d. per gallon; .pure malt,: 23gal. ' casks, 2s.': 3d. per gallon. ...

Customs • revenue collected-at Wellington yesterday amounted to £4022 Os. Id., . .

'■■ WELLINGTON '■ MARKET REPORT. Messrs.' Laery and Co., Ltd., Wellington, report wholesale prices ruling on tho market :■- Wheat, fowl, 13. Bd. .to 4s. -10d.; feed oats, 23. 2d. to 2s. 6d.; dun oats, 2s. 4d. to ?B. 6<L; Beed oats, 2s.' 4d. to 2s. Bd.; -algerian oata 2s. 2d; to 2s. 6d.; maize, >4s. to 4s. 3d.; crushed malt, 75.; fowl barley, 2s. fii. to 2s. 6d.; Cape barley seed, Zs." 6d. to 2s. 9d.; flour. New Zealand £11 ss. to £1110s., Australian £12 5s to £12 10s.; bran, £3155. to £4; pearl barley, 155.; peas, Prussian blue, ss. 3d. to ss. 6d.; fowl peas, 45.; split,.£l7 Ilia.; boncdusW£slss.; superphosphates £6 to £5 55.;, pollard, £4 15s. to £5 Ills.) basic Blag, £4 , 10s.;. chaff, oaten-sheaf, £3 ss. to £3 155.; .oatmeal, £10, 10s. to £11; potatoes, table £6 to £7;. ' Victorian onions,' ' 12s. . cwt.;, molasses . fodder, £5; bacon,' factory, sides : 7Jd., hams rolls'-■BJd.;-'buttsr, prime bulk, Bd. to B'd. ■Poultry,: Henß, 4s. 6d. to- ss. 6d.; ducks, 65.:t0.75.; turkeys,-- gobblers. 18s.! to 205.; hens,lOs-to 145.; fresh-eggs, Is. to .Is. ld.doz.; cheese. 6d. to 6Jd. per lb.; loaf, 7d. to 7Jd. nor lb.; Akaroa machine-dressed • cocksfoot, 73d. to Bd.; farmers' dressed cocksfoot, fid. to-id. "per lb.; ryegrass, 3s. 9d. to <s. 6d. per bushel; Italian ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s: 6d. bushel; white clover. IBs. to 755. cwt.;' red clover; 755. cwt.: cow grass, 755. cwt.; olsike 82s. 6d. cwt; mustard. 40s. ovrt.; rape seed,.26s. cwt.; timothy, 325. (id. cwt,; Swede and.turnip seed,. 50s. to 60s. cwt. < , :' .'..--■ , ......

.;. SOUTHERN. GRAIN MARKETS. . ■. .' (By .Telegraph—Press . Association.), Christchurch,. November 17. Carnival week closed down for a time most of the grain dealers' offices, and business has hardly yet resumed, but conditions previous to the holidays still prevail, with restricted business. Tho "demand for wheat for coastwiseshipment is hardening. The-stock is now admittedly low,-and- holders are not disposed to sell at current prices. One thousand sa-ckß of Hunters have been' sold at 4s. 3d. f.o.b. (sacks extra), and another line at 4s. Id., on. trucks at' country station. The feeling is strong that stocks will not last till the now cropß come .id, and a. rise is expected at an early 'date. Tho coal trouble in Australia is calculated to prevent competition by an' inflow from the Commonwealth, thus further hardening values. There is a slightly bettor demand for oats, especially heavy samples for shipment, but long and discoloured are not competed for. . Prices aro really unchanged. Thero has been , somo inquiry fon tho North Island, but orders have not been supplied, owing to the extremely limited quality on offer. Potatoes are in short supply, and prices havo risen. TJp-to-Datcs command £3, and Dcrwenta £4, but tho latter aro difficult to obtain. -.•■■■■,-■■■ Diincdln, November 17. Thero is very little doing in wheat at present, as millers are .buying, only, from hand to mouth-6 Prime milling, 4s. 4d.-to"4s. Cd.; medium to good, 4s. Id. to 4s. 3d.; best whole fowl feed, 3s. lod. to 4s;; medium .to'EOod; 3s. 4d. to 3s. 9d. -, ■ ■ , ..- / - Supplies of.oats in .storesare'now'in small compass, - and any .business that is dono is usually for-small lots on trucks at country stations.. Prime milling Gortons, Is. ■ 81d. to Is.91d; - prime, oparrowbllls, la. Bd. to la, 9d.i gßod.to:^.best-feed, is. 74,. to is,' '|&i '-In' 1i,:6a.".,-i,'., -'. ;■-..-...

;...-..: ...........BANIC.SHAItES. ' /" (By. Telcgraph.-Press Asßociation.-Copyright.) m . ~, [ London, November 16. . line following are the latest quotations :— -■ , . :•.• ■ ■ Buyers. Sellers. , Banks., £s. d. £s. d. Australasia-..:,;.: „,.„,.. 10910 0 11010 0 New South' Wales ~:. 43 5 0 "49 6 0' trnion i .....;.,......; .;........;,....' 65 0 0 ■ 66'. 0 0 ■ National ; 6 0 0 6 5 0 New Zealand ~;....,.„ "' 9 15 .0: ' ■ 10. .5' 0 y■'+:&&■ ■' ! : : y ''"'■■ '■''_''' "';:'- ■'•'' •.■.".'■"■' '"■"'■': London; November'. 16./ ■..'Bar-silver: 18 .quoted'..at'. 23 5-16 d.-per.: ounce, ■" ; standard.-J/. ;.: ■ ".■;■.■• '•-'-■■ .' '. -.- .•■'.':'-".:i > >;,*■■:./' 'iiy^ :^i :■/- '': HEMP.".AND. TOW!" ■'■' _The 'Secretary of Agriculture,' Commerce, and .Tourists advises, as follows:-l attach-, hereto a . return showing the quantity, of hemp and. tow . ■graded throughout the Dominion during the . ■.month of October. .. .•:.•.•■'.■.. i: .Hemp.—The total number-of bales'was 7697, I as-against 6727. for-the corresponding month of last year, thus showing an increase of 970 .balds. ■ For. tho six months ended October 31 tho numFo*ton :.. 52' 156 114 '■'"-'.'■■.. 322 .with 25,940 for tho corresponding period.of last year, an increase of 4186 bales. /Worked out on percentage basis the quantity of each grado dealt with .during, the-month was as follows:fine, 3.96; good fair, 51.46; fair. 41.37; common, 5.18.. • The percentage, of good fair shows an in-, crease -of ■ 4.66 over the figures for the previous montli, and thero was only • one bale rejected. A number of. mills opened during the month. • but .did not.send any hemp forward, so a satisfactory- mertase for the' month of November ls'looked. forward to.'The prices still hold good, ■and the present indications are that they will bn fully maintained and probably increased.; - Tow.-During the month 1917 bales wcro dealt witn,-'being ,an increase of 777-bales over tho preceding .'.month.k' ■■-,"■.';'■. . ",'.;:':■■■ ■'::■, ;-,;.;::...; :-\ : :'Bemv.J*'■;':■■ '■ '• •'-.-■. ''<'::.'■■:■'--./ : '" 'Z-- '•-.''■ '-".■ '3 ■ "■.. "■ tf -■ ' *o '■' '■:>/<; ~.■>:■■;.:...;■... .■.., ,5.V"..> ■.■ o ."■..« : ■'. ■' ■■*'■• !■".'..''>*'>'■".!'■ § . § ■..- M: ':. I '.1"''~..% -g .' ■ /■',, ';■- •-.''' ■'■:.■■■ S..' o ':':'■&, , o ! ,-:'■«' ■ b Anokland ■. — 263 .983 108-.'.— -1354 Foxton -:- ■ U65 ' 881 '■'■ 18 "'■ ■' 1 2065 ! Picton '. '.101. 116 ■.'■-. ■—'.... ._ ■• 217 .. Blenheim - 26 -.-■ 3 -'• —-■;.— '.-.■'■— 29 WeMngton ■ 153 ."2178 653.'" 85,; ■.'"-.' 3074 Lyttelton -. ...;...„■• 20...-— .•'.--' ,■"_■:;■;':-/ 20 Port 1 Chalmers .-■■--.-■>■ -'~-, ■.-. ■'■' and Duncdin... —~';: . — ; 303" - 25 : '.- : -■—.-'. 328 Bluff.' v....-......■:.;■:-;: : :. 236 v 365.. . i'-,,"*-. ■■' 610 •'Total ' ; ;3961 ■•'3185 : 24S ■■■/. 1 7697 ■'.!■■ ■ .■:'. -:-•■" ."'■,. Tow.' " "-'I . .■■"•' ■'■"■. :'-■■'.. ■' ".'■/.; ■■■'": ' .'■' '-.■'.•■ ■ "■■'■■ 'Con-' ■' : No.l, N0.2. No; 3. demned. T'l. Auckland i....;;....... - 273 226 .. .1 ■. . 500 Foxton ....;_.;...; 62 156 ■'■ .114 W-— s 322 Wellington 117 ' 17"/'- : — 693 Picton. ■■'.vX..:..-..-..;.'. 53 15.,. ■ —' ■ ■ — 68 Blenheim...;.;; : 66 —.■;■.;.—■■■':■■■—. 66 Lyttelton •■- ..'. ..120 .'-'.■"- i' . 120 Bluff-.- ■;;.;...;_■_.;......:.. - 95 52 ■ 1.. i<B ..Total .._.!....'. .'...850:. 656 '409 ■■■._;! 2- 1917