COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 758, 5 March 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

' INVESTMENT SHARES.. No transactions in • investment shares were recorded yesterday, and there were comparatively few quotations. National Bank, buyers £6 55.; New Zealand and JUvcr Plate, buyers £1 165.; Wellington Investment, buyers lis., sellers lis. 6d.; Weii?«r° n buyers £17 17s fid. j £6155. paid, sellers £13 18s. 6d.; Gear Meat, £1 paid, buyers £2 135.; .Wellington Meat wSr \ if paid ' soller s £2 16s. 6d.; Wellington Woollen, buyers £3 Is.; West-port-Stocktou Coal, buyers 7s. 3d.,, sellers 7s. M* ICaun Timber 155.. paid/ buyers 16s. 6d., Leyland-0 Brien Timber, sellers £1 4s ; bliarlands profcrencc. buyers £1 2b.- Taranalii Petroleum, sellers Bs. 6d.; Ward and Co. brewery shares, buyers £4 15s

ROBERT CAMPBELL AND SONS, LTD. The report of Robert Campbell and Sons, t tho last1 ast ycar statcs 'he loss of £150 D on sheep account is attributable to tbe severe snowstorm which occurred last winter, referred to in last year's report. Tho realisation of last year's wool gave a satisfactory result. Tho profits for the year amounted to £5140, to which has to bo added the balance of £60,770, brought forward, making a total of £65,910, out of which'a bonus of £1000 to the directors and secretary, voted at the general meeting, was paid in January, and an interim divident of 5 % per ccnt., amounting to £3000' was paid in July last, leaving £61,910 to bo now dealt with. The directors recommend a final dividend of 5 per cent, on the present capital, making 10 per cent, for tho ycar, i together with a bonus of ss. per / rc ? oI tr ?' lea " n S a balance of £45,910 to be earned forward. Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £1467 Us. PRODUCE MARKETS. , Messrs. Lacry and Co., Ltd., Wellington, ret)ort wholesale prices rulinz on the market:—Wheat, fowl 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d • feed oats, 2s. 2d. to 2s. 6d.; dun oats. 2a' 4d. to 2s. Cd.; Bced oats, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 8d • Algerian oats, 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d.; maize' 3s. lid. to - 4s. Id.; crushed cialt, 75.; fowl barley,, 2s. 6d.; Cape barley 6eed, 2s. Oct. to 2s. 9d.; flour, New Zealand £li 6s. to £11 10s., Australian £11 ISa. to £12bran,: £4 to £4 IDs.; pearl barley,' 155.; peas, Prussian blue, ss. 3d. to 5s 6d.; split, £17, 10s.; bonedust, £5 155.;, superphosphates, £5 to £5 55.; pollard, £5 ss. to £5 155.; basic slag ,£4 lus.; chaff (oatensheaf), £4 to £4 los • oatmeal, £11 to £11 10s.; potatoes' table,,"£3 to £6 ton; onions, 45." to ss' cwt.; molasses fodder, £5; bacon (fac' tory), Bides 63d., hams 8d„ rolls 7jtl - butter, prime bulk, 9d. Poultry: Hens' 35.; ducks, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per pair; tur' keys, gobblers,, 18s. to 205., hens 10s to 14a.; fresh eggs, Is. 6d. to Is. '7d dozen; preserved eggs, Is. 4d. dozencheese, sd. to sijd. per .lb„ loaf 6W : Akaroa machine-dressed cocksfoot, 6d to 7d. per lb.; farmers' dressed cocksfoot, 4d to sd. per lb.;, ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d' per bushel; Italian ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel; white clover, 70s. to ?ss. per cwt. ' • . FRUIT AND PRODUCE. The following is the report issued by tho leading fruit and produco brokers of Wellington for this week:— Since the issuo of our last report, unfortunately, there is 110 marked improvement to'advise in regard to any lines of fruit except, pears. We are certainly looking forward to a distinct advance in both' peaches and plums, but our anticipations have .not been realised. Supplies of quinces arc now coming 011 the market, and as usual the demand is not of any great dimensions. Local passions have been arriving freely, but unfortunately for the Now Zealand growers, the heavy shipments which have been coming forward from Sydney for some few weeks past have tended to bring the market down to a lower level. It is very difficult to state when apples will take an upward tendency, as there has not been any disposition yet for supplies to fall off to any appreciable extent. However, in the ordinary coarse, it should not be long before values recover. Some excellent samples of peaches have been arriving recently, but under this heading also, we have to report a sluggish market. Just before our report wont into print last week wo.are glad to state, that pears suddenly took a distinct change for tho better, and wo hope that this is tho forerunner of a further increase, as this lino has been 'ruling at very low rates. We would again impress upon Motueka shippers tho necessity of protecting themselves by securing boat notes duly signed by tho ship's officer for each consignment forwarded by them, otherwise as previously pointed out by us, it is impossible to get claims recognised for shortages.

Tile first shipment of grapes from Adelaide cainc forward last Friday, but doubtless, owing to tho fact that tho bulk were on the small side, low.rates only-ruled. We have advice of a further shipment due ou

Friday next of a much larger quantity. Tho s.s. Ilauroto, direct from the Cook Islands arrived here on Mouday night carrying 1450 packages of bauanas, which generally opened up in fair to good order. One excellent feature of the direct communication with Wellington is the manner in which the steamers arrive to time, and certainly the fruit is being discharged in a far better state than it used to when it came via Auckland. Tho Sydney boat arrived in the stream about mid-day Wednesday and unloaded 600 cases, comprising mostly passions and pines, with a few grapes and water melons, for this market.

Potatoes still continue to como in very heavy (iuantities, but, unfortunately, a fairly heavy percentage shows signs of blight. In regard to other lines of vegetables, cauliflowers, carrots, pumpkins, also cabbages, meet with a good demand. Fresh eggs have arrived in slightly heavier quantities, but prices now range from Is. 6d. to Is. 8d. t and preserved at Ib. 4d» dozen. Oranges, Island: The market is bare of supplies. Not any came to hand by the Rarotongan steamer. Auckland repacks would probably realign 7s. to 9s. per 9-inch case. Mater Melons: Thcso are only in moderate demand. Jtetr* large Quit from Is. to Is. 6d. each; others from 4d. to lOd. Passions, N.Z.: These are in poor demand. We quote from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per box. Bananas: Cook Island, choice, 6s. to Bs.; over-ripe, 2s. to 4s. Lemons, N.Z.: Fair sale from ss. 6d. to 6s. 6d. per packer. Lemons, Messina: The demand has improved. Consignments which came forward today quitted from 10a. to ICs. 6d. per half case. Grapes, Australian: The first consignment of South Australian realised 9s. to lis. per bos; New South Wales in lighter weight boxes 7s. to Bs. Grapes, New Zealand: Wc are glad to-report an improved demand. Consignments from local hothouses command 7d. to Is. per lb.; Nelson and Motueka, 6d. to Is. Quinces: These are now coming forward in fairly largo quantities, and tho demand is only moderate. We quote for choice packer cases 3s. to 3s. 6a. Peaches: Only sjuall consignments are now coming from Nplson and Motueka, but fairly large lines continue to arrive from Hawke's Bay districts. We quote choice Nfclson and Motueka, 3s. to 45.; others, 23. to 2s. 6d. per half case; H.B. "A", 4s. to 4s. 6d.; "B", 2s. to 2s. 6d.; "C", Is. 6d. to is. 9d. Apples; Heavy supplies forward The demand has improved for cooking descriptions, and .choice samples find ready outlet. Consignments can be recommended. Wc quote for largo green cookers, 4s. fid. to 55.; others, 3s. 6d. to 45.; Cox Orange, ss. to 75.; Itibstoncs and Jonathans, ss. to 6s. 3d.; Brownley's Russets, 3s. to 4s. 6d.; other descriptions quit at relative rates. Pears: Consignments have been lighter during the past few days, and the demand is somewhat better. Wo quote for extra choice Williams, Bs. to 95.; prime Williams and Marie Louise, 6s. to 7s. per case; Bishops Thumbs, 6s. to 7s. 6d. for choico; other lines most inferior, 3s. to 4s.'; cooking. descriptions arc worth from ss. to.6s. per case. Plums: The season is almost over. Prime are worth 3s. to 45.; medium, Is. 6d> to 2s n 6d. per half case. Tomatoes: Tho market is still well supplied, and values very from day to day according to the quantity forward. We quote for best descriptions Is. 6d. to 2s. per half case; inferior, Is. to Is. 3d. Cucumbers: Market glutted. Nine-inch cases only worth from Is. to 2s. 6d. Onion 3: Moderate sale for Auckland and southern grown from 4s. to ss. per cwt. Cabbages: Well-filled sacks, 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d.; others, 2s. 6d. to 3s. Cauli- 1 flowers: Choice samples meet with good ! competition and arc worth from 10s. to 12s. per sack; inferior realise from 4s. to ss. ! Potatoes: Supplies on hand are very heavy. I The bulk of supplies are badly affected with potato blight. We quote for prime camples free from disease, 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. per cwt.; small and inferior, lines, Is. to 3s. per sack. Green Peas: Mostly inferior samples are now coming to hand, and these realise from Is. to 2s. per half sack; really good fresh peas would command frdin ss. to 7s. per half sack. French Beans: Values vary according to the quantity forward from day to day. We quote present rates 3a. to ss. per half-sack. Parsnips: Selling from 4s. to'ss. 6d. per sack; Carrots: Well- 1 filled sacks quite from 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. per sack. • White Turnips: Good demand from 1 4s. to ss. per sack. Lettuce: The demand ! has improved. We quoto for best samples 2s. to 3s. 6d.; fair, la. to Is. 6d Marrows: 1 Moderate demand at Is. to 2s. per sack. I Pumpkins: Supplies are now on the mar* j ket, and values range from ss. to 6s. per sack. Beet: Good sale at 4s. to ss. per sack. l Celery: Choice white meets with good de-, wand from 2s. to 3s. per dozen. Swedes: The mayket is well supplied from Is. 6d..t0 2s. 6d. per cwt. Spinach: Moderate demand at 2s. to 2s. 6d. per case. Rhubarb: Fair sale at 3s. to ss. per dozen bundles. Broad Bc»ns: In good request at 3s. to ,ss. per half-sad?. Fresh Eggs: In good'supply. Fresh .range from Is. 6d. to Is. Bd., according to' brand; preserved, Is. 4d. per dozen. Butter: Good inquiry for primo bulk at 9d. to 9id; good, Bd. to B£d. Beeswax: Moderate demand at Is. 6d. per lb. for pure. Itoney: Dull of sale. Prime bulk, 3.\d. to 3£d, in 561b. tins. Walnuts: Good inquiry at Cd. to 6£d. per lb. for bright. Peanuts: Bull of sale at 2d. for small;- and 2£d.per lb. for large. Fungus: Market .has • advanced. Good dry, in sacks, 5Jd. per lb. Poultry: Demand only fair. Market is well stocked* with old hens. Wc quote hens, 3s. to 3s. 6d.; cockerels in good demand at 4s. to 55.; ducks, market glutted, old ducks, 3s. 6d. :to 45.; young, 4s. 6d. to 55., all at per.pair; turkeys, supplies light; hens, Bd. ,to 9d. per lb.; gobblers, lOd. to Is. pep lb. live,weight; The New Zealand Fruit and Produce Co., Ltd., report prices for. last week as follow Our market has been fairly busy during the past week, - supplies of peaches from Hawke's Bay, plums and pears from south, in addition to Motueka supplies, have made trade brisk. Tomatoes have advanced in value, dessert pears arc also in good demand, wniio other fruits arc practically the same. arrived on a bare market, and, consenuently, prices l improved considerably on the last shipment. The following prices were ruling in our rooms during tho past week:—Pqtatoes, 4s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. cvrt.; onions, ss. 6d. to 6s. 6d. cwt.: swedes, 2s. 6d. cwt.; turnips, 3s. sack; ss. 6d. to 7s. saek; parsnips, 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. sach; beetroot, 4s. 6d. sack; cabbage, 4s. to 7s. sack; cauliflower, 45., to 7s. 6d. sack; pens, 7s. Cd. to lis. 9d. sack; marrows, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. nack: tomatoes, Is. 3d. to 2s. case; beans, P.; Is. 6d. to ss. sack; beans, 8., 35.-to 4s. 6d. sack; lettuce, Is. to 3s. case; cucumbers, Is. 6d, to 3s. 6d. ease; applc3 (cooking). 3s. 6d. to 4s. 9d.; apples (dessert), ss. to Bs.; plums, 2s. 6d.; grapes, 7d. to Bd. per lb.; pears (cooking), 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d.; pears (dessert), Bs. to 10s.; plums (Pond's seed), 4s. to 4s. 9d.; blackberries, 3s. 6d. to, 3s. 10d.; peachcs (cooking), 2s. 6d. to -3a. 9d • peaches (dessert), ss. to 75.; oranges (Oaiifornian), 7s. to 10s.; oranges (Island!, 6s. to 7s. 6d.; bananas (chse), ss. 6d.; bananas bunch), 3s.' to. 3s. 9d.; lemons (Messina), 12s. 6d. (150); pines, 6s. to 7s. 6d.; egg 3. Is 6d. to Is. Bd. (good demand); chaff, £3 15 G . to £4 10s.; bran, 9s.* per sack; wheat, 4s. 6d. per bushel; ducks, ss. to 6s. per pairhens, 4s. per p.air; peanuts (Japancse)/20s! 6u. per sack. LONDON MARKETS. Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co. have received the following market cablegram from their London agents, Messrs. Sanderson. Murray and Co., dated March 3:-Full' woolled sheepskins have advanced a farthing; half-woolled skins show-no material change, while pelts have declined/a far. thiug. , The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency 'Company, Limited, have received the following cablegram from their Loudon; house under date March 3:-Sheopskins-Clothing merino and short and shorn sheepskins have declined 3d. per lb. since last sales. Merino combing," crossbred combinp ond crossbred lambs are par to Id. ner l» dearer. -

WOOL, HIDE, AND TALLOW SALES. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd U'almerston branch), report as follows •- n e held our monthly sale on Friday, March 4, and offered a good catalogue + o an average attendance of biij'ers. Biddina throughout the sale was spirited, and tho prices realised compare well with late rates. Vk e quote Wool: AB, fine, 85d • B medium, 63d. to Bid.; lambs,, 53d. to 9Jd • tS 6 *? ?,'■ <«-:locks and pieces,. 33d! to sid.; bellies, 5Jd. to CJd.; dead, 7?a . crutckings, 5U1.; sheepskins, halfbred 90 ■ tn a 7iii r y? ol f' 3 JS' t0 s^d ; : cr ®S3brcd, Bd. to 7jd.; black, 4Jd.; crossbred, all faults r 3 o°"i ' 6 « <i * : I,o!ts ' "'"oily, 6Sd ■ in' fcrior, 2 5 d, to 41d.; lambs, sd. to "JdT; salted pelts, lid. to 3s. 4d.; lambs' skins, at S piece, 2s. to 3s. 6d.; Quarter wools at netPiece, 3s. Id.; calfskins, soujid; 7£d. to 9id !! c » Jj"' rn}' 7d,; yfrlings, '4d. to 6>d : a U i , •,,? ldes ' oi ;'. 6olb " 7 » M -: Mb. to 55ib" Old. to 7Jd.; ox, slippy, 4gd.; cows 3011> tv <Wb„ eid. to 6Jd. : 451b. to 551b., 6Jd. to ffld• ??i' 3 £ heitcrs ; C M.; steers, 63d- sta»s «d. to 63d.; bulls, cut, Sid. Ta'low- Casks' £24 to £25 per ton; tins, £23 10s. per tot?: rough fat, 15s. per owt; tails, ls. P Bd Tot doaen; horso liair, 16. 2Jd. por lb. GEAQT AND PHODUOE. (By Telegraph.—l 3 re3s Association.J < on, i * , Christchuroh, March 4. ! Tho wheat market is inclined to be rather easier ill sympathy with advices from Loudon, millers having bought freely, and prices still being auovo export lovel The local market is consequently not in a verv strong position. It i 3 now diflicnlt to cot 3s. Bd. for souud milling wheat, though Js 9d. has been paid for a special line of 800 bushels of tuscan that was stacked beforo tho ram. UUc licit bjst price quoted is 3s 7*d for a line of 23E0 bushels ot tuscan Other sales liavo been 2CCO bushels mixed at i in',* bushels of hunters nt 3s 6d and 1860 bushels of hunters at 3s. 5d all it country stations. Fowl wheat is selling it 3s. to 3a. 3d., this being weathered grain Oats are very Arm, and only a small quantity 16 on oiTer. A grade gartons have been sold up to Is. 9£d. at a country station. Oilier lines of gartons have niacin 1c Bd. to Is. Bid., 1400 bushels being taken nt latter o''0''™ 01 ' DSUrC ' a " d W bushels ttt tho Por oatshcaf chaff there is fair demand for bright, and up to 555. is offered for immediate delivery at handy stations. Business ill early potatoes is practically at a standstill at present, and the price ia 1 nominally £3 10s. ' 3 Onions show a still furthor dodiae, as plentiful supplies arc offering. j Cocksfoot la now rather dull of H», J