COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 795, 19 April 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHAKES. . A sale of Taranaki Petroleum at 9s. 3d. was reported yesterday. A demand has sprung up for these shares, owing do doubt in anticipation of a British syndicate eocuriug an option over tho wells, and yesterday afternoon buyers were offering 10s. Nationalßank, buyers £5 12e.;, New Zealand Loan and Mercantile, buyers 6s. 9d.; Wellington Trust and Loan, buyers £7 25., sellers £7 45.; Feilding Gas, sellers £1 25.; Wellington Gas, £10 paid, buyers £17 10s., £6 15s. paid, buyers £13 55., sellers £13 10s., new issue, sellers £2 10s. premium; Gear Meat, £1 paid, buyers £2 135.; Meat Export, £2 12s. 6d. paid, buyers £2 12s. 6d., sellers £2 155.; Wellincton Woollen, buyers £3 25.; New Zealand Shipping, buyers £7 155.; Union Steam, sellers £1 12a.. 6d.; Westport-Stockton, sellers 7s. 3d.; Ley-land-O'Brien Timber, sellers £1 4s. 6d.; New Zealand Portland Cement, buyers £2 25.; Ward and Co., sellers £5 Is: FROZEN MEAT.. The market was somewhat easier last week, but this it must bo remembered. is the normal movement at this time of year. Heavy supplies must he reaching the market from New Zealand now, and for somo weeks to come, and this must have an influence on values. There is,, howover, np prospect of a slump such as was experienced a year ago, for the. reason that supplies aro not so excessive ae they were last year, and consumption is on a larger scale. Employment is'better in theTJnited Kingdom, and trade is expanding. The artisan classes are better able to afford moat. A slight fall may bo expected, but tho trade is sound. : TKKND OF BEITISH TRADE. The Board of Trade has issued statistics showing , the direction of Great Britain's trade in 1909. The countries shown in tho tables were formerly .those of direct shipment, but since Jannary, 1909, the' statement has classified the figuree according .to tho ultimate countries of consignment. In the present returns it is possible to trace British trade with countries such as Switzerland or the Transvaal, which possess no seaboard. The feature of ">". tables is the considerable increase in tho value of imports from British possessions. The, rear was onq ol high 'wheat prices, and- British India sent unusually large quantities of grain in the early summer, when prices were at their hfchest. and considerable ' quantities of cotton. India, therefore, accounts for a large, part of the increase, but imports from all British possessions Were larger than in .1903. A comparison shows the following result: . . '■ 1908. . ' 1909. Imports— £ -. £ Prom British possessions 128,136,000 .145.291,000 From foreign countries 464,817,000 479,499,000 Total' '. 592,953,000 624,740,000 Exports— To British possessions 126,765,000 127,259,000 To foreign countries ... 250,339,000 251,120,000 Total ..'J. ~ 377.104,000 378,379,000 Thus, while tho goods received from for- , eign countries increased by .'.4.45 .millions, cr less than 3 per cent., those ..received from British, possessions roso by over 17. millions—an increase of 14 per cent. As regards exports, on tho other hand, colonial trade increased by less than half a million sterling; that with foreign coun. tries by nearly a million.. THE PARIS MINT. Returns'of the work of the. Paris Mint In 1909 show that,'the number of pieces of money struck during the -year was 75,562,443, representing; in their face value a Bum of '£11473,362. This was a decrease on the year of 600,000 in the number, but an increase of £1,120,000 in value. The gold struck in Froncb. coin was £60,000 in, pieces of IOOf. (£4), and £7,649,728 in 20-franc (165.) pieces, all for the Bank of France, and, in addition, £299,353, made-up of light 20franc pieces, pieces of lOf:; and tho rest in pieces not denominated,, probably medals, as the Mint.enjoys a' monopoly for their production. The French silver coinago consisted of a sum of £714,973, all in token money, pieces of 2f., If., and 50c. (835-1000 -fino). Tho only other country for which :• gold was coined was Tunis, and the amount was 'only ,'£s2, making, with a little small silver, a total of .£124 for that country. Tho work ciecutcd for IndoOhina, was more important, and consisted of £2 041,442 • in' silver piastres • or., divisions of : the. same. Only three-'foreign countries gave employment to the' Paris Mint: Bolvia for a Bum of £200,000 in nickel coin, Montenegro for £33,602,0f silver, aud Siam for £124,402, .also in.silver.

' WELLINGTON DEPOSIT MORTGAGE ■ •. COMPANY. The : balance-sheet of the Wellington Deposit, Mortgage, and Building Association, Limited, for the year ended March 31 has been circulated. The report states that tho net profit on the year's business is '.£1512, which, with the addition. of £161 brought forward from last year.'.makes a total of £1673. Tho directors recommend that this amount bo applied as follows:— The payment of a dividend for tho year at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, which will absorb £1250, and tho balance will be-carried forward to next years account. In accordanco with tho articles of Association two directors,, Messrs.W. Barber and O. Smith, retire, and, heme elirible. offer themselves. for re-election. The ■retiring auditors, Messrs. B. T. Badham and J. H. G. Eowlcy, offer themselves for re-election. . ■

BOYKIL 'AUSTRALIAN. ESTATES. ; The Karlof Arran, prcsiding/at tho an nual meeting ol Bovril, Ltd., made soma reference to "tho Australian estates of that company recently, purchased from Mr. Sydney Kidman. He 6aid:—• ■ Since we last met you will ha™ observed the formation of the Bovn Australian Estates, ono of tho principal objects of which company was the development of a new source of supply for Bovril. This undertaking is, of course, not in such an advanced etato as the Argentmo one, but it controls an area in Australia pi oyer nine million acres. You will bo interested to hear that the stock on these. estates includes about 100,000 head of cattlo of tho ehorthorn breed. In these days, when patriotism counts for do much, I would just like to say,, at the risk of tho repeatine what I have already told you in the past; that our directors are all British. Our staff at Home and at our branches is British. Out shareholders are- Britieh. In our' report wo refer to the, effects of the heavy import duties in -Ann-, tralia and South Africa. There is.no doubt that our business in these colonics is seriously hampered 'by theso duties, but prospects are now brighter, particularly in Africa,. Although our efforts so far have not resulted in any reduction in tho tariffs, we are not without, hope of securing some modification. In Canada our trade has- gone ahead nicely during tho past year, and altogether our colonial and foreign trade promises well for the future.

. Tho Customs revenue collected at- the port yesterday amounted to £2694 10s. 9d. ' ! WELLINGTON MARKET BBPOBT. 'Messrs. 1 Laery and Co.',. Ltd., 'Wellington, report wholesale prices rulint? on tho mar-ket:-Wheat, fowl, '3s. 9d. to 4s. Id.; feed oato 25.-6 d. to ■ 2s. 7d.; dun oats, 2s. 6d. to 2s. Bd.; seed oats, 2s. 7d; to 2s. 9d. Algerian, oats, 2s. 7d. to 2s. 9d.; maize, os. 9d.to 45.; crushed malt, 7s.;"fowl barley, 2s. 9d.;Cape barley seed, 35.; flour, New Zealand £10 155.-to-£ll 55., Australian £11 10s.; peas, Prussian blue ss. 6d.,' split £19 10s.; bonedust, £5 155.; superphosphates, £5 to £5 55.; pollard, £5 to £5 103.'; bran, £4 to-£4 63.;-pearl barley, 155.;. basic slag, £4 10s.;. chaff (oatensheaf), £4 15s. to'£s; oatmeal, £'11'10s.; potatoes, table. £5 to £6 ton; onions, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. cwt.; molasses fodder, £5; bacon, factory."sides 63d., hams 9d., rolls 7*d.; butter, prime bulk, 9d. Poultry, hens, 35.; ducks,-3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.-per pair; turkeys, gobblers 18s. to 20a., hens. 10s. to 145.; fresh eeffs. Is. lid..to 25.; preserved eggs, Is.- 4d. to Is. sd. dozen; cheese, 63d.; per lb.; Akaroa machine-dressed cocksfoot, 6d. to' "d. per lb.;' farmers' dressed cocksfoot, 4d. to sd. per lb.; ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel; Italian ryegrass, 3s. 6d. to 4a. 6d.. ner bushel; white clover, 70s. to 755. per cwt. COLONIAL AND OTHEE PRODUCE. By Tclcsrsoh—l'resn Association— CopyrlctiL ■ ■'■■■ London, April 17. Wheat—l3.OCo Quarters of/-Australian, February shipment, told at 3Ss. 9d. per quarter. Tho wheat and flour afloat' for the United Kingdom totals 4,295,000 quarters; for the Continent, 1,930,000 quarters; Atlantic shipments, 118,000. Tim total sMpments to Europe during tho week amounted to 1,175,000 Quarters, including 235.0C0 from the Argentine, and Uruguay. .Eidcs arc neglected, and the bulk has been withdrawn. Leather.—Basils-' in insignificant supply, and prices unchanged. .Rabbits.—Market dull. Prices havo an easier tendency. , . Hemp.—The market is cuiet. March-. May shipment, £24 10s. Oopra.—Market strong. There is little offering. South Sea, in bags,!£ 27 7s. 6d. Cotton, 7.62jd; THE METAL MAEKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Cnoyrlcbt. London, April 17. Copper.—On tho spot, £57 13s. 9d.; threo months, £58 13s. 9d.; electrolytic, £60 6s. Tin.—On tho spot, £150; threo months, £151 15s. Galvanised Iron.—Best brands, £14 55.; second brands, £13 155.; iron bar 3, £617s. 6d. Anglo steel, £6 2s. Gα , .; tram rails. £5 2s. 6d. Wire netting, £60, and 21 jer ceut. off list. • ' HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLE. The Commerce Division of tho DoDaxtmoat at Agriooliuro hoe received the taL

lowing cablegram from the High Commissioner, London, dated April .16:— Mutton.—Tht> inarlstt is weak. Stock is moderate, bat holders are disposed to meet buyers. The average price of Canterbury mutton is <fld. per lb., North. Island 3Zd., Eivor Plate 33d.

Lamb.—The market is weaker, and tendency downward. Bnpplics are likely to increase. The average price of Canterbury lamb is 61d. per lb., other Now Zealand lamb M.

Beef.—The market is quiet, but steady. The average price of New Zealand hindquarters is 4d. per lb., forequarters, 3Jd. Butter.—The-.market is rather quiet. Continental supplies are increasing. Buyers of butter are holding back, expecting prices to bo lower. Tho average price for the week for choicest - Now Zealand butter is 122 a. per cwt.. Australian 118s., Argentine 1195., Danish 1255., and Siberian l?.0a. Cheese.—The market is slightly weaker, with less demand. The average price of New Zealand finest white cheese is 61s. per cwt», coloured 60s. Hemp.—The market is firmer. Prices on spot . New Zealand good fair, £24 15s. per ton, fair £23 155.; Manila, fair current, £26. Forward shipment: New Zealand, ss. less than spot; Manila, £24 per ton. The week's output of hemp at Manila . was 23 OCO bales. Cocksfoot Seed.—Tho market is dull. The average price on spot of bright clean 171b. New Zealand seed is 695. per cwt. Wool.—The market remains flrm for fine crossbreds and merinos, which are in great demand; ; coarse crossbreds are weaker. Current Bradford qnotations for tops are: 36's low crossbreds, 13. M.; 40'e low crossbreds Is. 3d.; 44's medium crossbreds, Is. 4Jd.- 50's halfbreds, Is. BJd.; 56's quarterb'reds, Is. Hid.; 60's merinos, 2s. 4}d. Arrivals of Eiver Plate mutton and lamb at United Kingdom ports during March were as follow:- ■ ■ Mutton. Lamb. . Carcasses. ■ Carcasses. London - 81.537 17,464 Liverpool •—-;;.•<s[ *$& Son^n^— 10,800 3.373. Newcastle „■■—- 20,740 . .. 1.356 To t a i 169,747 . .29,533 Arrivals of Argentine butter at- all ports amounted to 13,645cwt. MINING NEWS. WELLINGTON; SHAKE MABEET. Too mining share market was Quiet and dull yesterday* with very few transaction!!.. Talismans were firmer, and . Waihis and Grand Junctions were tending upwards. Old Haurakis rose fully-3d. The day's sales were as under:— .... Old Eauraki, 3s. 6d., 3s.'7d. (third call). Talisman. 535. (first call), 535., 535.. 535., 535. (second call). Consolidated Goldflelds 21s. (second call). . QUOTATIONS. . :•" Buyers. Sellers. Sales. £ s.A. £ 3.d. £ s.d.' Komata Beds ...... - 00 5 - Kuranui Caled'n ... ■• - 01 6 - May Queen :. .0 310 0 4 2.-. New Svlvia .... «.. 0 4 3 — — Old Hauraki 03 ; 7 03 '8 0j! 7 Talisman" """"""'2 12 9 213 3 2 13.0 Tangiaro ..."■•• ' —.- j> j> J - Waihi .._ ...... 920 —■ Waihi Extended ... 029,0 3' 0 - Waihi Q'd Juricfn 1.8 619 3 — Waitangi " 0-24026 - Watchman _......:.. 0 1-6 —. ■ —- Blackivater 19 0 .1,11 0 - Con. Goldfields ...... i; 0 0 . 1 10 1-1 0 Progress —. — D 146 .. — .Boss Goldfiolds .••-.'<•. 8.0 0 9 0~: - ; .3TOOK EXCHANGE. (By Telecraph.—Proas Association.! Auckland, April 18. Business was done on 'Change to-Bay, k= follows:— , . , Sylvia, 4s. 4d. ■ . - . Hauraki, 3s. 6d., 3a. 6d. Crown, 3s. 10d. ' ■ •■''■. Talisman, 535. 6d. • Waihi, £9 2s. ■ Waihi Extended, 2s. 10d. ■■ : Grand Junction, 295. . HandGWorth 9dV .- Northern Coal, 12s. 6d. Taupiri Coal,, 19s. 9d. ■■ -,-',.,.. . Wilson's Cement (ord.),-41n. •

The JEollowinß buisiness was'done at tie afternoon call to-day.— ■ . . . , Old Hauraki, 3s. ad. ' > Bcndigo, 5Jd. ■.' ■■.■'. : :,■' '. '. Waihi, 181s. 6d., 181s. . a . ■ ■ Waibi Grand Jundtion, 2?5., 2Ss. 6d., 28s 9d. " . ' . Taranaki OU, 9s. 6d. .>■ , ■ ■■ Handsworth, 9d. . .-, . . : , Talisman Consolidated. .633. Missouri Mines (p.'2)i "Id.. Saion, Is. 7d. / , '• '. .' May: Queen, ,3s. lid.) ,„■',. Wostport-Stockton Goal, 7e.. r 3a....... y . i,, Wiseman's, Ltd. .(prof.),. 19s. ' .' ' : Duncdln, April 18. The'followinß aro tho.',Stock• Bxchangq. ouotations:— ,-. . ..■;. •' • Dredging etoclis:—Alexandra Eureka, sellers,'2s.: Blackwato (contrib.), sellers. 54.; Central Oharlton, buyers'2s.'3d., seUers 3s. 3d ■ Golden Bed, sellers, £1 Is.; Manuhenkia, sellers, 115.;.. Molyneaui. Hydraulic Company Dredge, buyers, 3s. 3d.;..01rig fprcH,' sellers, 15s. 6d.; Otago, Boilers. 16s. 6d.; Eiso and Shine, buyers. £2 3s. _ MiniilE stocks:-Muddy Terrace,- buyers, £1 55..'9 d.; Itoss Goldfields; buyers, 75.; Old Haurajji, buyers . 3s. 3d.,_ sellers. 3a. ti.i Barewood, BCllers, 165.; Consolidated Goldfleldsisellers. £125.; Kuranui Caledonian, ecl--1ei9,i>..7d.; May Queen, seUor3,.4s. 6d.; New Sylvia; sellers 4s. 6d.; Talisman ConsoUdatcd, buyers'£2l2s.9d., sellers' £1"135.6 d.; Waihi, buyers.- £8 18sV 64., .sellers ■«'ls,;.-Waihi, Extended,! buyers,. 2a. 3d.iWaihi-Grand Junction,: buyers £1 Ss... 9d.,. Eellers .£1 'investment stocks :-National Insurance,' bnyers £1 Bs." 9d.; Westport Coal Company, 'buyers, £6 6si; Wcstport>Stockton, Bellers, Bs.; Dunedin Stock Exchange Proprietary, ■buyers. £2 l'6s.; D.I.C. (pref.), buyers, £1 25.; D.1.0. (ordinary), buyers, ss. 3d.: Kaia•yii Woollen Company, buyers, £9fl7s. £d.; Milburn liimo and Cement (£1), buyers. £1 Is. 9d.i Now Zealand Drug Company (£2), buyers,. £2 6e. 6a. . _ ' Stock Exchange sales :-Waihi Grand. Junction ■ (forward delivery), Ms.,, thrao parcels. Reported sales :-'.'Otaso Daily Times," £21 155.; Waihi, £9. . ; . THE BOSS GOLDFIELDS CO. ' ' (By ToleEraDh—Press Association.) Christchurch, April' 18. Dr. Nccley,'chairman of directors of the Boss Goldfields. Company, states that tho damage caUEed by the recent gale on the Coast to the transmission lino of tho com.iiiy from Hokitika to Boss , will lead to no delay in openioß up tho mine.' Tho works had been.shut down ten days ago in order that the lino might be cleared betoro ■ permanent' operations woro started, "nd the gale has really beon of , advantage in disclosing the doubtful trees from which the lino was suspended. Pumping.is to bo resumed to-morrow, and stationary pumps are shortly to be installed at tho seventhlevel, where- the pumping-chamber is now ready to receive them. : ... GOLD OUTPUT. , -The sold output of the several States of Anstralaßia for the first. Quarter of the year ehows a shrinkage of 18,3640z., as compared with tho corresponding period of last year. The figures are,as under:— 1909., 1910. Fiuo oz, Fine oz. : ; Victoria- ..—... 156,422 158,656 '■ NJ3. Wales ... 47,403 51,179 ■ Queensland ... 92,722 101,234 '"- W. Anstralia ... 382,395 355,862 . 8. Australia ... 747 , 1,860 : - Tasmania 15,000 11,100 New Zealand ... 109,702 106,136 .. 804,391 786.027 Tho fig-ares for South Australia and Tasmania are approximate. .