COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 738, 10 February 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

SHARES. Yesterday business was done in National Bank, eha'res at. £6 3s; 6d., Westport-Stock-ton Coal at 7s. 9d., 7s. 6d., 7s. 6d., LeylandO'Brien Timber at £13s. 6d., and Taranaki Petroleum at '9s. There was practically no.change in quotations. National Bank, sellers £6 45.; Bank of New Zealand, buyers £9 ; 125. , , sellers' £9. 155.; NationalMortgage, :buyers £3 Is.; Jfew Zealand and: River Plate, buyers £t 15s. 6d.; Wellington. Investment, buyers ■, lls., sellers lls. 6d.; Wellington ..Trust and Loan, buyers £7 25.; Wellington'. Deposit, sellers Bs.; .Wellington Gas, £6.,155. paid, sellers "jBW; Christchurch ' Meat, buyers £11, 75.. 6d.; Wellington-Woollen, l sellers £3 3s. -6d.; Wcstport ..Coal,-' buyers £6- 65.; Westport-Stockton'-'-Coal,: buyers 7s. 6d.,"sellers'7s. 9a.',- Lcyland-O'Brieh Timber,,: buyers £1 3s.' 3d!; ." New ■; Zealand 'Drug, buyers £2/ sellers'£2 :-2s. 6d.; New Zealand Portland 1 Cement, -sellers £1 33.; •.Sharland's. ordinary,. buyers' £1 Is.; 6d.; -Taranaki Petroleum,buyers.9s.,;6ellers.9s.:6d.; Whitcombe and Tombs; buyers £4 17s. 6a".-'; , ■~■,:

BILLS, 'CHEQUES, AND PROMISSORY : -> : . :, I':;---. NOTES. :•: : . :■.'-.; ■", . The Bills'of .Exchange Act,, as passed by tho Federal: Parliament, came into' force on February 1,-.'so' that now all those-in the Commonwealth who do business" with bills,, cheques, and, promissory notes will work, under; one; law.'' The changes that have boon ,mijde.-are not, very great.:. The Legislature- declined: 1 to. meet tho 'wishes : of the; ;banks that they bhould •bo protected against: fraud rendered possible by.the negligent ■:, drawing of'a- cheque, .ffiny cheques :are 'so^'carelessly , : drawn that- as the law stands a. very -great,: responsibility, is thrown;upon' the, banker, for. should> ho refuse! ta pay v what "to" -his : mind- is' a negligently ..fllledTin jchequel .he :■ may render, himself liable ;to an action for dam-' ages. : Under the new A'ct, r in the. absence of any'agreement between the banker and the draworvof the'cheque, or of any direction, of tho drawer to the contrary,' a banker may refuse the payment of a stale cheque. -.A stale cheque is denned as b»ing # "a" cheque which appears on the face of it to have been in.circulation for-more than twelve." 'months. - Tho duty and authority-of. n,, 1 banker.: to pay. a cheque drawn: on him- by -his. customer .and--de-termined by (a) countermand of payment; (b) notice of,thb- customer's -.death." : ,-;'■'

, .-' ;:';'':IMPC)ET\MAitKETS.: I, r^v../ : . : r Trade;bDtween : .'..mcrphant. and retailer ;continues:'on",a,!m6derate basis; and 'engagements;'are well r met. '-Merchants "are pursuing :a'.;;,c6nservativb; 'policy *-,which necessarily means,-?. smaUer-.business, : -'but a safer,.one. There, are no: changes , in quotations .worth mentioning. •■:■'■■■ i :, Arrowroot.-St.' Vincent, 4d.' per lb; '■ ■■ Candles:-'rho New Zealand Candle Company a' quotations stand as ■ follow :-Promier stearine and five medal, 5d.; British sporm, French sperm,»universal wax, ■ Bx-i ceJsiqr-pdraffln,-53d.; .;Apollo sperm and Venus paraffin,-,6d.; Venus, coloured' fluted, 6«o.; ; .piano, bedroom, and 'carriage ,, sorts in cardboard- boies,'- 7Jd.. leas the 'usual trado .discounts.: Price's' London sperm 16oz: 6Jd.,-■■l4o!.;:6d.';.Burma, 160z,, 6*d. '■ ; Cornllour.—Steady business passinb; B: and ; P., :'sid. to . '51d.V:.'Johnson's, , '23d.,Brown's,. 3d.; Chicago, .23d.;- Buffalo; %i. . (■> Cocoa.—A steady. hand-to-moUth' ; business '16 doing. :.Van'Houten's, Ts, 35.,2 d.; J's, 3s. •3d.; i's, 3s. 4d. perlb.; Bcnsdorp's, l's, 2s. lCd.; j's, 25.. lid.;'J's; 35:,-' Fry's, ls.''4id.; Bahia, 2s. 10d. '!'■.■

' Condensed .Milk.—Highlander; 55.; Cowslip; 4s. 6d.j, SwißS'-MUlsmaid; 6s. 6d..t0 6s. Id. per down:.-:.-,.-: ■■;:-.t.' , :! , --.-;-^i•;■-.- >.-. ! -. .■ ■ Meats.—Sheep r>tongues;>: 10s:. : 6d. to Us., .for l's;, oi tongues, ,2j's;, 315.-to •345.; '35,'.345. to 365. per dozen; .Gear's as-' sortcdj'. potte'd.-'-^s. , 6d'.; : St.' Georgo's, ss.' , • 1 Carbonate , of/Soda, : 9e; 6d. to 10sV ■ V

(.'.ream-of Tartar, '.9d. to' 10d;

Canned .Fish.-rHcrring , .in tomato"sauce, ■l's. 7fl.' to ,7s. ,6d. ; ,I's, 4s. 6d. 'to 55.; kip--.pered herrings,,.l's, -7s.'6d. to. 7s.' 9d.; J's, ■:«.'. 6d.'to :55.: fresh, herrings, l's, 6s. to 6s. i6d.;, lobster, O.and 8.,. Jib. tins, 14s. 6d."to. .'lss.; salmon,- salad,' medium 'reds, lib. tails - Bs. 6d.-: to.:9s;;'lib;--flats; 9s. to 9e. 6d ; .-silver, 1 Jib. -.. flats,' 55.; ■ Golden -Link > Sock■eye, lib... tails, lOs.j 6d.;, : lib..- flats, Us.; Southern.Cross,.Jib.,6s. 6d.; Hcrringiets in ;oil, Seniitior brand, Bs.' to :8s: 6d.; intomate sauce,'- 6s. ; t6 8s: 6d;; sardines," Skip;per. 31b. tins, 55.: to ss. -6d.; J's, '9s. 9d: to ,10s.; "King Edward," J's, 4s. 9d. t6.ss.;l's, ;Bs. 6d.; ling, Smethurst brand, is ■ making 555.- to. 565. per cwt. .-. . -.-.- . . ■-. scanned Bruits.—The demand is , steady, and the Quotations are unchanged at Bs.' 6d: to :125.,6d. . ■■ . . „ .' , ■iDricd. Fruits.—Quotations . are nominal. •.Currants, finest provincials,' 3d.; Amalias, l;M. f pcr T lb.; lib. , cartons, 3a. 6di per' dozen; 'Eultauas, selected 3Jd., -choice 4d., golden (in bulk) 4d., lib..cartons 4s. 6d. per dozen; dates,'in hulk, 2d.. in cartons 3s. 6d. per \dozen; figs, natural, in bags,'3d.; seeded ■raisins,: fancy -lib./packages, <s:; choice,,3s. 6d. per. dozen; muscatels,' Malaga; 10d. per lD.;lprunes,.,3d.. to 3Jd.. According to mail information tho Greek Minister \of .the Interior recently introduced in the Chamber an important measure designed I. to put an end to the crisis by which the Greek currant trade- had been so long 'afflicted.. ■ Tho : law authorises' the privileged society/for .the protection of :tho ceeding 12,500,000' drachmae (£500,000)- for the purposo of indemnifying cultivators who uproot their, vineyards. The uprooting will bo carried out voluntarily -by ;the proprietors,: the .society being bound,, under .certain conditions, :to. accede to their demand for aii indemnity. The loan will be secured on tho 'dues imposed • by tho society on dried currants, which will be, raised from seven to eight' drachmae •■per 1000 Venetian ■ pounds. 'The Mildura and Ecnmark crops are said to to looking well, and at the recent, conference it was 'decided to further improve , the quality of 'the fruit- by alteration'of "processing," and to withhold from the-market all undesirable low-grade fruits, .-■ in •, the belief that this action ivill leadto increased consumption. ; .Tho prices fixed'for the sea : son and which are given. below are a reduction-, on-those, of last year, notwithstanding /the ■'■ markets- readily, tho last crop, but'growers again looli.vthe future-in this-matter:—.. ■ .

' Apricots.—Box, ;.4 Grown,' 10d. ;■ 3, ■ 9Jd.-, •2, 'BJd.; 1, 7Jd.;' plain, 6d. ... ■- ...-..- Currants.—Box, - 4 Crown, 6d.;,3, 5Jd.; 2, 58d.; i, sjd. .. •.■-.' ••;'■.;. .:.: :■/ : Peaches.-rßox, '4 ' Crown, 9id.'; 3, 9d.; .2, Bd.;-1,,6d; ,:; plain;-4td: ':'. -.■'-.■• •,-" .;-

Sultanas.—Box, 4 Crown,' 6Jd.; 3,-53d.;i2, sid:-, 1, 5Jd.V'.--'- ■ "...-.-;• ' .-''•. .-■■.■,:: , Evaporated Fruits—Apricots, 7}d. ; : to Bd.; peaches, 7d.; pears.. Bd.; apples, Bd. . . Ginger, -preserved,..7jd.'. per lb. .~. ■' . " •' Infants' Food!—Neave's, 9b'. 9d.;' Allan ana Hanbury'B Nos. 1 and 2,175.j No. 3,105. 6d.; Denger's, '175.; Ilobirison's patent' , 'groats and barley; 7s. 6d. 'Neaye's -milk' food, 13s. 6d.;*Kestle's milk food, 17s. 6d. ... : Jam.—Now.Zealand l's, 3s. 6d. to 4s.' 6d.. Knifo Polish.—Nixcy's, ,45.. 6d.; Okey's, ss.

3d.- ■ ■ '' ■".■■' ' ■' ''" '-'■'■'■'- :: ' ' ■ ■•■■ Maizena— Duryoa's, s»a. . ■ ~.- " Mustard.-Coleman's D.5.1 , ., l's,. Is; sd.- to Is. 6d.;-ra,'- ls.''3*d.' to 15.:4 d.; Durham, 71b; tins, 7d;.to 7»d. . . ; ... -.Hatches.—Plaids. 3s. Bd. ; to 3s. 9d. a gross; penny slides, 18s. 9d. to' 9s. 6d.; safeties, small ■ foreign, • 3s:' to . 3s. ' 6d.; Bryant and May's, small 4s.' 6d., largo 7S. 6d.; ■■' ' : -■■ ; ' ' •■ :•■"'- ■■■ ■■■■ .-' Nutmegs,' Is. IP".'ls. 2d. per l\>,' . ..'.'. : Peel.'—New. Zealand-lemon,'-4id. :to'. 5d.; orange, ,sd. to 5Jd.; imported lemon,. 7's, sjd.; orango,-:sJd.;:;citron,.ls. to Is. 2d. - Pickles.—Morton's hexagon 10s. '6d., -round 12s. scl. per dozen; Captain White's, 235. 6d.; Garton's H.P.;. i-pints, lZs.-.Gd.; pints. 225. 6d.; puro pickles, 9s. 6d...t0.105.. ■ Eico.-No. 1. 15s. 6d.; No. 2,145. 6d.'; special Japan, 165.-por.cwt. According to the' "Produce Markets Eeview, ready rice was somewhat scarce, and grocery descriptions of good colour were firm. New.crop Eongoons.also continued firm, and ship-

pers would not offer beyond tho second or third shipments. It was "expected that thero would bo" heavy inquiry for new crop rices early in the New Year, with a probable rise in - consequence.. New .crop Javas were, dear in comparison with ex-. istins Btocks of fancy table rices. Japans to-arrive continued firm, with an active demand. Unpolished Moulmein for MarchApril delivery was inquired for, .and should secure more- attention from buyers, ns it was a soft .cooking rice and unequalled for puddings.. ... . ~

Salt—Fine, 71b. bags, ss. 6d. to '6s. 6d. .per cwt.; lags,'3si6d. to 45.; coarse, in ewt. bags, 3s: to 3s. fid./per cwt. ' . .

Sauces.-L. and P., J-pints. 14s. 'to 14s. 6d.; pints, 255. to 255. 6d.; Holbrook's. 1pints, 7a. 6d.; pints,. 10s.- 6d. to'lOs. 9d.; Garton's, J-pints, 7s. 6d.; pints, 10s. to 10s. 6d.; Eaflo brand fNcw Zealand), J-pints, 2s. 9d. ;to 35.; pints, sa. 6d. to 6s. '. r ■

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

Stove Polish.—Nixey's, 2sl 6d.; Keckitt'e, 33. per.dozen. .-'.•.':.. ,v: , , ; • . .

Sugar.-IA and No. I,' 56's, £lt 155.; Ko. 2, £17 55.;-Ko. 3,-?£l6 ss, per ton. .. '

: Tapioca.—Pearl'and flake, 16a. to 15s. fid'.: seed,. Us. to 14s. 6d.. '. .■ ; '. :

Vinegar!— French. 6s. 6d.'to 7s: 6d.; Champion, Bs. 9d. to 95.: Colonial. 4s. to-4s. 6d.-

WELLINGTON MAEKET. BEPOET . Messrs. .Laery and Co!,' Ltd.. TVellinston, report wholesale prices 'ruling .on the market:-Wheat. foiyl, 4s. Bd. to :4s. lOdi: feed oats, 2s. 2d..to' 2s: 6d.; dun oats, 2s. 4d.tq 2s. 6d.j seed oafs,.2s: 4d. to 2s. Bd.; algenan oats, 2s. 4d. to 20. 6d-maize 4s. Id. to 4s. 3d.;. crushed malt, 75.; fowl barley, Js.4d. to ■Zs./,6d.;-Oape-: barley Beed, 2s. ,6d. to,2s. 9d.; flour, New Zealand £11. sa. to' £11 10s., -Australian' £12 to £12 10s.; bran, £4. to £4" 10s.;. pearl barley, 155.; Prussian ■ blue; ss. 3d. .to ss. 6d.; fowl peas, 45.-,-split.' £17 10s.: bonedust,, £5 155.; superphosphates. £5 to £5 55.; Pollard, £5• 6s. to £5;10s.; basic slhr, £4 IOs.V. chaff (oatenshcaf), £4 to £4 55.; oatmeal,..£ll- to £11 ; 10s.; potatoes, table, £3 to £6 ton; Victorian onions, 6s. to 7s. cwt.; molassee fodder, £s'; bacon (factory), sides 63d., hama. 7Jd.. rolls 1 id:; butter, prime bulk, Bd. to Bjd. ..<■ Poultry: Hens, 35.; ducks. 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d; per pair; turkeys,, gobblers,. 18s.. to 205., i hens 10b. :to 145.; fresh eggs, Is.v4d.: to -Is. 6d. dozen; cheese, 6d. to 6jd. per lb., loaf-7d. to 75d.; Akaroa machine-dressed cocksfoot,.- 6d. to Yd; per lb.; farmers' dressed cocksioot,' 4d. to sd. per lb.; ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s; 6d. per Italiaa ryegrass, 3s. '6d. to 4s. 6d. per..bushel; white clover, 70s. to 755. per cwt.; red clover; ,755. per efft-i cow,grass, 755. .per cwt.; alsike, 825.. 6d. cwt.; mustard, 40s. cwt.; rape seed, 265. cwt.;, timothy, 325. fid. cwt.; Swede, and turnip seed, 50s. to 60s. cwt.' :.: : ■-.

..CHEISTCHUKOH MEAT ■ The balance-sheet. of. the Christchurch Heat Company'for the year ended October 31, 1909, is now available. The groes amount received from/ freezing, eales, and mauufacturcswas £92,704 17s; 5d., as compared with £78,890. 17s. Ud., in 1908, and £111,800 3s. 6d..in 1907. .The net proßt, in-< eluding the sum brought forward, totalled £47.658 .9s. 4d:,-as against , £34,583-7s. 6d. in 1908,. and £52,649 14s. 2d. in" 1907:'. The paet year's profit..is. allocated as follows:—To write oif .for depreciation, £5000; to add 16' reserve fund,. £5000; .'to. add to the pro-, posed general assurance reserve,, £11,810 11s.- 10d.; special provision for renewals and improvements now in progress at Islington, £5000; dividend.,at'• the. rate of 8 per cent., £13,432145:1 d.; andto carry forward £7415 3s. sd. The "accident , 'insurance.! reserve" and , the share premium aci count have been amalgamated, and- become tho-general assurance reserve,-which account with the recent, addition stands at £15,000. ; Tho reserve fund totals ; £60,000. The quantity of stock, slaughtered at .the various works' of the company, during the season totalled 1,313,505 carcasses,' as com-pared-with 1,174,389 carcasses , in 1908, and--1,590,682 carcasses in 1907.- :

Mining News will be. 'found. on. page ,7 of .this, issue.. . ,'.' -. ".. .'.-.. . ■'•'.