COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 726, 27 January 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

'";: ;.'■ DTVESTMEKT SHAKES.. A sa!o ; of Wcstpprt Coal shares:at £6 ,ss. was the only business reported yesterday. National 1 Banli,' buyers £6,: cum rights; Bank of New Zealand; buycr3 .£9 7e.; Wellington Deposit, sollero 6s.' 3d.;' Jfational Mortgage, buycre £2 19s. 6d., Bsllers £S; WeUinKton Gas, £10 paid, sellers £18 55.;: £6 15s. paid, sellers £14 55.; National Insurance, buyers £1 . 7s. 3d., sellers £1 Bs.; Scuth British Insurance, buyers £2 13s. 6d.; Ohristchnrch Meat, sellers £11 -7s. 6d.; Wollinßtou Woollen,, sellers £3 45.; Wcstporf,Goal, £6 65.; Westport-SWcktonj buyers 75., sellers 7s. 3d.; Leylaad-O'Brien Timber, buyers £1 35.; : New Zealand Portland Cement, buyers £1 18s.; Suariand's preference, buyers £1 Os. .9d. ■ ; ; . ;■;■: ' ■ ■■'~,'.•,■': • ..; AUSTRALIAN . FEOZEN MEAT.' . .'. .According to the statistics compiled by Messrs. Jonn Cooko. and Co., the rctnrae. of exports.of frozen meat from tho Commonwealth, during 1909 show :that the Bhipments of mutton amounted to ."1,663,042 carcasses, '.or, an. increase of; 649,638 ; car--casses, eo.uivalent :to; 07 per ' cent.' over the previous year. Shipments of lamb, however, showed a decrease of 108,809 carcasses,' or nearly 8 per. cent.. Exports;of beef amounted to 390,626 : Quarters.: or. an: ! increase :of 156,627 auarters, or over 66 per cent. •■ The following is a comparison of. Australian frozen meat exports fpr,the "past four, years;—.:.;■■_..,.■ :;■■.■. ~' ■; .' '- ilutton. ■■'./;■ Lamb.' Beef.'. .- ■- Oarc.; etc. . Care, etc. Quarters. . 1906 ...... 1.160,272 ,1,293,804 204,392 .191)7 ....;. 1,318,957 ' 1,347,456 303,118: V.1903 ■ 983,404 . 1,379,269 .-' 234,099 j 1909 ;..... ,;'1,635,M2 !'.;". 1,270,460 590,626 ;. Out of last.year's totals,nearly % per cent, of. the .mutton, 985 per cent. of. the lamb, and 75 per cent, of-the,beef were sbiDDed to the United Kingdom. Total'shipments to .the United Kiuedom for; the past four years.; compare, as follow:— ;.'-. : ■■. ■ ': '','■' Mutton. . Lamb'. ' Beef; ; ";'.•■■ Oarc.;etc. -Care;etc. Quarters. 1906. 649,062 1,267,247' .22,394 . 1907- ......it 870,730'.:. 1,318,584 103.C64 1908 .;.;.. 795,314 ' -1,358^Jf!- 81.983. 1909- 1,499,601 •';.'." 1,251,803- ...293,635 - • TTBLXiINGTON- GAS COMPANY, LTD.'. ■ The ' report ! and balance-sheet of tho Wellington Gas" Company, Ltd., for -tlio year-ended l December. 31 last has been, 'circulated. Tho- roport is as follows:— ."Tho directors' bes te. present tho. an.nu'al .statement of : accounts, -. and . arc pleased to , ' state , ; that notwithstanding tho. 'conditions which jhavo existed durinc the past year, the consumption of eas-shows a slight ■ increase over .1908. Durinir the past' year .upwards'of six miles of new mains ;have been laid, and 827 new services fixed. The new gas-holder at Miramar has been completed,, and will be conneotedc'withi.the Wellinßton. Cityi siiraly.' for usb'before winter. The works' aro in a, eood: : state'of efflcicnoy,.and, durine the year,. s'.';,suin of : £6l44:has been expended out. of in repairs'■■ and renewals of;,plant, and, a sum of £3193 has been written.!.off for depreciation and interest on : works during.-. time of. . construction. The agreement: of. the- company i with) the' borougli 'of.'Melrps'o ..expired, in November last; but- a- ; new agreement has. been concluded -with", the '•; Wellington City' Council giving thp- company, tho richts to: supply Mclrosa , and other suburban areas for a period of not. less than. twenty-one years. No further call ,will be necessary during the present year.-' An interim dividend of 5 per cent.' was paid 'on Aueust--1, • and a further dividend of■ 5 per •cent, is now recommended, making 10. ner 'cent.-for the year.' It is proposed that in'future years the. annual meetinp; should bo held. on a day in. the middle, in jlacc: of at 'tho beginning, of tho month of February. The directors regret to report the. demise of. Mr. James Barry, who; had , been, u member of the board since'■lß96. -. :Dr..- 0. .P. Knight' has-been appointed to the vacant position. Messrs. D. Anderson, H. Beauchamp, and O. P. retire , from tho board, .but,..being, eligible, ; offer themselves for re-election; tlo other nominations have been'.received.—D. :J.' Nathan,'chairman.",

.The profit and loss account for the year! ended.December 31,. 1909, is>:a3, follows:— To minufabttre' 'and'Mib't'ribiition of cas, repairs, and renewals of plant, management, interest; bad debts, and miscellancbus; charges; . £62,341 2s. 10d.; written off -plant and other accounts, £1716 12s.' 54.; retort settings;,suspense. -account,-. £1000; taxation- suspense account, - '£1000; dividend paid-August 1, 1909,-£7047 7s. 7d.; profit and lo3s".ba!ance, : £22,640 . 7s. Bd.:, Total, £95,745 > 10s. 6d: • By : balance December 31, ■1*908.": , £18,368 11s. 9d.; > less dividend, 'piad February 1,. 1909, £6332 Bs. Bd:,-' £12,036 3s. Id,;: l Bales: of.-,'Eas.i.products, flttinirs. ■: etc., £83,709:.75,; 5d.,. Total. ,£95,745, -10s. .6d.' v;, ;' ■".-•■ ■ ■:; .IMPOitT MAEKETS.' ..:. : ■ A fair business is passing with prosDects improving each week. ": Tnero is,considerable activity .in- the country' districts,' owing to. tho splendid returns obtained' by farmers, but thero is still quietness, in city and .suburbs...-Tapioca, and sago are ; advancing; ;but merchants" have not as-yet , taken advantage'.of the' rise. When present stocks ■ Ret -smaller, higher nricc3 will rule. . In- tho .meanwhile quotations all round'. are 'unchauced. ■•■',- - .Arrowroot.—St. Vincent, -sd. per lb.: ..-Candles.—The New Zealand Uandio Company's quotations stand as follow mier stoarine and Jlvo medal, 5d.; British sperm,' Prerich sperm, universal wax, BicelEior . paralßn, 53d.; Apollo ■ sperm and yenusparailin,/6d.; Venuß, coloured fluted, 61d,;''"/piano; bedroom, and carriage: sorts in,, cardboard boxes,'7id., less the usual: trade- discounts. ■ . Price's: London- sperm, 160z..6Jd.,' 14oz. 6d.;. Burma, 160z., 61d.; -. - Corntlour.—Steady business, passing. B/ and P., . 5Jd: to 5Jd.; ■ Johnson's, 2Jd.; ■Brown's, '3d.;: Chicago,. 23d.; Buil'alo, ■ 2ict. , : Co'cpa.—A steady hand-to-mouth business is doing. 'Tan fiouten's, l's, 3s. 2d.; J'sJ 3s. 3d.; I's, 35.:4 d. per lb.;.Bensdorp's, l's, 2s. 10d.;i i's,: 2s. Uα.; }'s, 35.; i'ry's.'ls. 4id.; Bahia,.,2s.-10d. :■■•.. ■ ... Condensed Milk.—Highlander, ■ 65.; Cow-slip,-4s. 6d.; Swiss. Milkmaid, 6s. 6d. to 6s. Id: per dozen. . . , '■■■ ...-:- .-' ; ..,.-' I Canned .Meats.—Sheep: tongues, : 10s." 6d.' to lls. torsi's;, ox tongues; ;2J's,'; 31s. to 345:;.3'5, 3451-to 365. per /dozen; . Gear's asBortcd,. potted, 4s. 6d.; St.-George's, ss. : : ■ Carbouato of Soda, 95.'60. to ltis. : 'Cream of Tartar,.9d..to 10d. .-.-.' .■ Canned .-Fish.;—ilerring in tomato ' sauco, l's,-.7fi. .to Vs. 6d.j l's, : 4s. r 6d. to 55.; kippered/ herrings, l's, 7s. 6d. to Vs. 9d.; s's, 4s. 6d.'to 65.; fresh herrings, l's, 6s. to 6s. 6d.; lobster, C. and 8., Jib. tins, 14s. 6d. to 155.; salmon, salad, medium reds, lib. tails, :Bs. 6d. to" 95.; lib; -llats, 9s. to 9s. 6d.; silver,: jib. flats,. 55.; Golden Link. Sockeye, lib. tails, 10s. 6d.; lib. flats,. Us.; Southern Cross, lib., 6s. 6d.; Hcrringlcts in oil,. Senator "brand, 65.-to Bs. 6d.; in tomato sauco, Bs. to Ba. Cd.; sardines, Skip-: per 31b. tins, ss. to 55'...6d.;:5'5,,95.v9d. to 10s.;."Kingi;dward,".J's, 4s.'Dd. to ss.;J's, ■Bs. 6d.;. ling, Smethurst brand,.is making 555. to £6>i per cwt.,. "' -■■

The "Produce Markets' Keview" (London), in December, Avrpte.of ;the salmon position that Alaska, salmon-was , still very scarce; in fact, there was no previous record of any similar shortness at that 'season or , the year. Small arrivals by overland routo wero fetching, very full prices, and there was not. much likelihood of any relief until some of the long-route shipments arrived.-. Even then no (rreat easing olf in. price was probable, because there would bo * such ■an enormous demand, l'hers was a good deal of talk about lib. salmon, and surprise was expressed at the very limited J: quantities bffcrine in . first hands, tho conjecture being that a large proportion of tho pack had been disposed of. ' Best tails and data were much wanted, and holders wore asking a substantial ad--vanee on opening prices. . ■ ,

Canned Fruits.—The demand is steady, and tho' quotations aro unchanged at 8s 6d. to 12s. 6d. . ,

:■■■ Dried Fruits.—Quotations aro nominal. Currants, finest provincials, 3d.; Amaliaa, 3d. per lb.; lib. cartons, 3s. 6d. per dozen; iiultanas, selected 31d., choice <d., golden lih bulls) 4d., lib. cartons 4s. fid. per dozen; dates, iu bulk, 2d., in cartons 3s. 6d. per dozen; ligs, natural, in bags,-. 3d.; seeded raisins, fancy, llbl packages,' 45.; choico, 3s. 6d. per dozen; mnscatels, Malaga, lOd. per lb.; prunes,'3d. to 3Jd. ; 'Evaporated Fruits.—Apricots, 7Jd. to Bd.; peaches, 7d.; pears, Bd.;. apples, Bd.- '■'•■, preserved, 7Jd. per lb. Infants' Pood.—Neavo's, 9s. 9d.; Allan ana : Hanbury's Nos. 1 and 2, 175.; No. 3, 10s. 6d.; Bengcr.'s,. 175.; Itobinson's patent Croats ! and-barley, 7«. 6d. Neaye's milk.food, 13s. 6d.; Ncstlo's milk, food, 17s. 6d. I Jam.—New. Zealand l's, 35.6 d. to 4s. 6d. ■ '-~■ Knife Polish—Nixey's, 4s. 6d.; Okcy's, ss. 3d. • ...••-•■■ • ,i Jfaizena,—Duryca's, 5Sd. . - i. Mustard.-Coloman's D.S.F., J's, 10. sd. to 1a:.;6d.;• }'s, Is. 3Jd. to Is. 4d.;i Durham, ■71b: tins, 7d. to 7id. . . :!i Matches.-Plaids, 3a. Bd. to 3s. 9d. a gross;, penny slides,-- 83. 9d. to 95.-.6 d.;' safeties, small .foreign, ■ 3s. ■ to 3s. 6d.;. Bryant and May's, small 4s. 6d., largo Vs. 6d. -: ■- ■-• Nutmegs, Is. to Is. 2d. per lb. Peel.—Now. Zealand lemon, 45d. to 5d.; orange, sd: tosJd.; imported lemon! 7's, 5Jd.; orange, 5Jd.; citron, Is. to Is. 2d. ■,' ■• Pickles.—Morton'B hexagon lCs. 6d., round 12s. sd. per dozen; Captain White's, 235. 6d.; Qarton's H.P.. J-piuts, 12s. 6d.; pints, 225. Cd.; puro pickles, 9s. 6d. to 10s. Dice-No. 1. 15s. 6d.; No. 2, 14s. 6d.; 6pe!cial Japan, 16s. per .owt. '.. ■ Salt-Fine, 71b. bags, ss. 6d. to 69. 6d. per cwt.;'.bagSi '35.-6 d., to 45.; 'coarse, : in cwt.'fbafiE, 3d. to 3s, fid. .jet. owt, • : ■ ■ : ..

Sanccs.-L. and P., 5-pints, 14s. to 143. 6d.; pints, 2Ss. to 255. 6d.; Holbrook's. 1pints, 7s. 6d.;,pints, 10s; 6d. to-10s.-9d.; Garton's, i-pints, 7s. 6d;; pints, 10s. to 10s. 6d.; Eagle brand (New , Zealand)," 1-pints, 2s. 9d. t0.35.; piuta,.ss. 6d. to 6s. Seed (Canary).—Private '.advices from Constantinople uive particulars rolatine to the shortage of■supply of canary seed in Turkey. Towards the latter end of November tho stock of canary seed in Turkey ivns only about 50,000 sacks, which tho writer observes "is a record minimum fpr this season., Over eight - months muet olttpso before the' now crop will ho available, go it must be generally admitted that; : statistically speakinf," the position could not;be stronger, tho more so if we take i£to .account, tho, fact .that, stocks and that sowings in Argentina were on a small scale, arid,. to judge from tho reduced estimate of wheat, must ■in all probability have also Buffered to some oxtent."- It is, therefore, considered that prices must rise rather , than decline.

Starch—Coleman's, lib', boxes, 5Jd; •, to 53d.; 51b.. packets, 5d.. to Sid.'; New .Zealand, lib. boxes, 38s. to 395; per cwt.; 51b. packets, 575. to 38s. per cwt. ; .

Stdve Polish.-Nixcy's, 2s. 6d.; Eeckitt's, 3s. per. dozen.. ''.■-■ .-■ . .

Sugar.-1A 'and.No. 1, 56's, £17 15a.; No'. 2, £17 55.; Ko. 3, £16 ss. per ton.

'. Tapioca,—Pearl and flake, 15s. to 15s. 6d.; seed, 14s: to 14s. 6d.. .-■-■•■. Vinesar—French, 6s. Cd. to 7s. 6d.; Champion, Bs. 9d. to 95.; Colonial, 4s. to 43. 6d. '' NOTES. '.'• '■■"■: . A movement has been initiated at Gisborne for the formation of an association of coast and-country- storekeepers, with the-object of safeguarding themselves in various matters connected with the conduct, of their business. .

Sir Edward Wittenoom, M.L.0., of Western Australia, and Mr. S. Kidman, who are largely interested in the company controlling ;the Victoria Eiver the Northern Territory, - have: -been in communication with tho South Australian Miniojer for the Northern Territory with reference .to the establishment' of meat extract and freezing -works, at Port Dar,win' or:' some other locality in the ' Territory.;. The Minister ■ recognised that the establishment of such worjis would be of value, and gave an . assurance . that tho Government would 'render the <■ compariy assistance .as far as possible.

-. The Canadian accounts for the year ended March 31, 1909, showed a revenue of £17,444,147, and an expenditure on revenue account of £17,233367. . But,, in addition, there was, an-expenditure'of ..£10.029,043 on. capital account, .including £5,102,931 on the national, section' of the. cew trans-Contin-cntalrailway, and the remainder on other works, -subsidies, and bounties. Bounties, however, should not bo charged to capital account. Allowini; for sinkiac, funds, the not increase in tho debt was £9,423,731. The net interest on the debt was 1.95 per cent. This' allows for a certain portion of the debt being non-interest-bearine; and for earnings ■,of public, works. ■'. : . ;■■..-, The total amount of".Customs revenue ■collected at.tho port yesterdayj-was £3844 12s. 7d.. ?v . ; ■.:.■-, :| vV;';.-. •.- ;.; ';'.-... WELLINGTON MAEKET'■ EEPOET.' ' .Messrs..Lacry .and Co., Ltd., Wellinirton,' ■report wholesale prices ruling on the market:—Wheat, fowl,'4s.. Bd, to-Ms. 10d.; feed oats,, 2s. 3d., to 2s; 6d.; dun oats, 2s. '4d.'-to-2s. 6d;;seed oats, 2s. 4d. to 2s. Bd.; •algerian oats, 2s. 2d.. to 2s. 6d.; maize, 4s. to :4s. 3d.; crushed malt, 75.; fowl barley, 2s. 4d. to 2a. fid.; Cape barley seed, 2s. 6d. to 25..9 d.; flour, New. Zealand £11 ss. to £11 10s., Australian £12 ss. to £12 10s.; bran, £3 ,15s. to £4; pearl barley, Jss.j ■ peas, 'Prussian- blue, ss: 3d; to : ss.' 6d;; fowl peas, 45.; split,'£l7 103.V bonedust,. £5 155.;. superphosphates, £5 to £5' 55.; pollard, £4 15s. to £5 10s.; basic-:slag. £4.105.;-chaff (oatensheaf), £3 ss. to.'.£3 153.; oatmeal, ■ £10 10s. -to . £11; potatoes, table,■ £6 to £7; Tictorian: onions, 7s. to Bs. cwt;; molasses fodder, £5; bacon (factory), -sides,' 63d., hams. 7Jd..- rolls butter,' prime bulk, , Bd. to ■ BJd. Poultry: Hens, 35.; ducks; 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.;- turkeys, gobblers, 18s. to 205., hens ■ 10a. to 145.; fresh eggs,.lβ.;to Is. 2d. doz.'; cheese, 6d.-to 6i-per lb., loaf'7d. to'7ld. per: lb.Y Akaroa. machine-dressed cockefoot,. 6d. to 7d. per lb.; farmors , .dressed cocksfoot. .5d K to. 6d. per lb.; .ryeirrass, 3a. 9d. : to 4s.■ 6d. per- bushel;-' Italian ryegrass, .3s. ;6d;''tb 4s; 6d. per bushel; whito clover,'7os. to 755. per cwt.; . red' clo.ver/, 755. ' per cpt.; cow ■ grass, • 755.' per ■ owt.;: alsike, .ffis. ' 6d. cirt.;. mustard, 40s. cwt;; .rape Eoed, 265. cwt.;. timothy, 325.'6 d.: cwt.; Swcdb and turnip, seed, 50s. to. 60s.'cwt.' . r l :y:\ ■ : ' ( .f<: ' -.V WHEAT." oV' ; . ■:• By Telegraph—Press Associatiori-rCop'yriEnt. ■'■.'■• . ''■'.■•'. London, January 25. Ten thousand duarters'of Adelaido and Yictorian wheat, December-January ,ship*ments,,,,hayb .been : sold at. <os.\ 9d.. per. quarter;--:"!-?.-. .-. ';'.'•'.'' ; ■•■/ '■'•■■•■ ' ' '."' ■. ■' '•". •-, .■ : .'';''\ .■. . .''.,..■■„;..■ London, January 25. Copper," on the spot, £60 125,. 6d. - per ton;.three:.months', £61 .lOs.i :■..-._>{•' -.. ; r.,:-.. ~ Tin, on the spot.' £147"po"r' ton;' throe months,-' £148 7s. 6d. - ,;'..Lcdd,' £13. Is.. 3d. .per ton. . :. ' ■ ;. ; ' .BANK SHARES. :;.; London, January 25. ; Australosfa, buyers £110, sellera £111; JJnioni-v buyers £65, sollers'£66. ...'Eost' -un-" changed.^,.:;;': , ;;.-: ■';',- \,J-r-\. ..' -,'