COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 880, 28 July 1910, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHARES. Tho market continues firm, and all classes of shares command very good prices. Wellington Woollen preference shares changed hands yesterday at £2 12s. 6d. The Quotations were as under:— Buyers. ■ Sellers. Sales. £ 6. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Bank N.Z 10 17 0 10 18 6 - Equitable Building 9 10 0 — — Metropolitan 12 0 0 — — Wellington Trust ' and Loan — 712 6 — Well'g'tn Deposit .. 0 8 3 — — National Mortgage 3 3 6 — — N.Z. and River Plate 2 1 0 2 2 0 — N.Z. Loan and Mercantile — 0 12 6 — Ecilding Gas — 12 0 — Napier Gas (£10) — 25 0 0 — Wel'gton Gas (£10) 1810 0 — — Wellington Gas (£6 155.) 1312 6 - - Wellington Gas (new issue), prem — 210 0 — N.Z. Insurance 4 0 0 — — Christchurch Meat 13 0 0 — Gear Meat (£4) ... 10 5 0 — — Gear Meat (£1) ... 214 0 — — Meat Export (£5) .. 6 0 0 — — Meat Export (£4) ..5 0 0 — — Meat Export (£2l2s. 6d.) 3 7 6 - - W'gt'n Woollen (or.) 3 5 0 — — W'gt'n Woollcu (pre.) 2 11 0 2 15 0 2 12 6 Taupiri Coal 10 9 — — Westport Coal 6 12 0 — — Wcstport-Stoekton 0 6 9 — —' Leyland-O'Brieu ... 1 6 6 1 7 6 — N.Z. Drug 2 11 6 - ' - Sharland's prof. ... 1 1 0 — — Taranaki Petroleum 0 8 0 • 0 11" 0 — • ' Taringanmtu Totara 18 0 — — NORWICH "UNION FIRE. Tho Norwich Union Eire Insurance Society, Ltd., during the twelve months ended December 31 last, received in its fire department net premiums amounting to £1,076,636, as against £1,101,505, in 1908, the net losses amounting to £589,544. After al-. lowing for expenses of management, commission, etc., and carrying forward a sum of £102,524 to credit of profit and a balance of £916,834 remains in this ac--1 count. The accidont business of tho JJor-.

wich and London Company having been transferred to the society as from January 1, 1908, tlie report deals with the result for two years. The net premiums for that period amounted to £645,209, and the claims paid and outstanding to £418,564. To profit and loss £24,149 was transferred, and tho balance in tho account at the end of December last was £120,307. Tho assets of the society, as shown in tho balancesheet, stand at £2,059,506, as compared with £1,679,400 for the previous year. MERCHANT NAVIES. A comparison lias been made by a German newspaper of the present position of the principal shipping companies throughout the world from the standpoint of the number of ocean steamers possessed by each line, or in course of construction, and the gross registered tonnage represented by them. The table is as follows:— TonSteamers. nage. Hamburg-America Line 168 934,000 North German Lloyd 134 679,0C0 White Star Line 30 461,000 British India Steam Navigation 111 452,000 Ellerman Lines (including Bucknall'3) 113 450,000 Peninsular and Oriental 58 412,000 Alfred Holt and Co 65 381,000 Elder Dempster and Co. 113 345,000 Nippon Yusen Kaisha 79 307,000 Messageries Maritimes 66 296,000 Union Castle Line .... 41 295,C00 Italian •General Navigation ... 108 295,000 Deutsche Hansa 56 272,000 Compagnie General Transatlantiqne 70 269,000 Furness Lino '96 268,000 Leyland Line : 42 249,000 Cunard Line 21 234,000 The table includes six steamers of 71,C00 gross registered tons building for the Hamburg-America Company, two steamers of 90,000 tons for the White Star Line, and three of 15,000 tons for tho British India Steam Navigation Company Two steamers of 25,0C0 tons arc also included for the P. and O. Line, three of 30,600 tons for A Holt and Co., eight of 30,C00 tons for Elder Dempster and Co., three of 35,500 tons for the Union Castle Line, four of 21,800 tons for the Hansa Company, six of 25,400 tons for the Furness Line, one of 6300 tons for Leyland and Co., and one of 18,000 tons for the Cunard Company.

FIRE INSURANOE IN 1909. The reports of most of the leading British fire offices are now available, and these show that 1909 was a much more profitable year than its predecessor. The premium income of 14 offices increased by £2C0,0C0, while losses, expenses, and commissions decreased by £350,000, their surplus thus being about £550,000 greater. Tho "Economist" furnishes the following figures :— i . i Sjg » s sa ga'g i a m 3 03 -H 3 J si §1 Is's ££ HBiO Pi p.o. P.O. p.c. Alliance 1,317,364 40.0 25.0 12.5 Ato 1.0«,334 49.6 17.5 19.2 British Law 97,495 36.3 38.0 14.6 Guardian . 554 849 52.6 26.0 12.6Law Union 231,983 40 6 22.5 14.3 London Assuranco 660,936 40.7 18.7 18.4 London and Lan- . cashire 1,480,577 50.6 20.2 14.7 Norwich Union .... 1,076,636 54.7 ' 16.6 19.2 Phoenix .....' 1,386,645 50.8 20.5 17.1 Boyal 3,788,333 . 49.0 20.5 15.5 ltoyal Exchange ... '69,620 54.2 19.0 17.6 Scottish Union .... 693,689 49.0 17.1 18.4 Sun 1,477,935 46.0 21.0 15.9 State - 178,934 55.7 , 21.0 16.3 14,760,385 48.6 20.4 16.2 OUSTOJIS REVENUE. Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £2302 16s. 3d.

PALMERSTON MARKET REPORT. Mr. Harry- Palmer reports having only a moderate entry of pigs at his last market sale. The report- adds:—The demand for good-quality weaners is well maintained, and will' now improve: in sympathy with an early milk season. There is also, a good demand for good forward stores. Porkers are in fair demand and are on a par with previous quotations. We had a big entry of poultry of fair average quality.' The demand for birds of any kind is' at present keener than is. usual for this time of the year, and prices havo improved each week. There is little change to roport in. produce. Potatoes remain firm at £8 • 10s. to £9 per ton for primo. quality. On'ons are increasing in value. Wo quote:—Weaners, 75., Bs., Bs. 9d., 9s. 10s.; stores, 13s. 6d., 14.=., 16s. 9d., 175., ,205., 245.; porkers light, • 215., 225„ 245.; heavy, 255. to 305.; breeding sows sold'privately froia £3 to £5; dueks, ss. 9d„ 65., 6s. 6d.; young hens and pullets, 4s. 6d. to 6s. 6d.; good cockerels, from ss. 6d. .to 6s. 6d.; geeso, from 2s. 6d. eaeli to 4s. 6d.; turkey gobblers, 9s. 6d., 10s. 6d„ lis,. 6d„ 12s. each; hens, ss. 6d. to 65.; mixed fowls, from 3s. 9d. to 4s. 6d.; trio Muscovy ducks, 10s. 6d.; prime table potatoes, free from blight, 14s. to 15s.'per sack; pig potatoes, 3s. to 4s. per sack; pumpkins, 2s. to 2s. 6d.; marrows, 25.; cabbage, 3s. to. 45.; carrots, table, 35., 45.; carrots, horse, 2s. 6d.; parsnips, 3s.- to 45.; onionE, small lots, 3d. to Id. per lb. 55., to 65.. per cwt.; pollard, lis. 6d.* ■ pig meal, 7s. 6d„ 9e. ,6d., 10s. 6d.: wheat, 165., 18s., 20e. ; chaff, £4 lCs. to £5 Its. por ton; hay, £4 to £5; bacon, 6d. to 7»d. SILVER. Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Conrrlehl ■ London, Jnly 26. Silver is quoted at 24Jd. per ounce standard.* LONDON QUOTATIONS. . By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ' London; July 26. Stock Exchange quotations include:— Union Bank, buyers £62 10s., sellers £63 10s. National Bank of New Zealand, buyers £5 7s. 6d., sellers £5 12s. 6d. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile debentures, £96. LONDON WOOL SALES. ' CLOSED FIRM. • 5 By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. , London, July 26 The wool sales closed firm. Prices for combings were the highest for the series. A CHEERFUL OUTLOOK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Sec. July' 27, 11 p.m.) -.London, July 27. As compared with the May sales merino :combings closed firm, and- unchanged; short faulty declined ten per centum. Fine greasy" crossbreds were unchanged, inferior advanced five per centum; scoureds and slipes were at par to a penny cheaper, and lambs declined five per centum. The tone of the. market is cheerful, and prospects are good. The United States ■ trade is also improving. Moeraki clip, top, 13Jd.; average, 12Jd. During the series 81,500 bales were sold for the Homo market,. 41,700 for Continental markets, 300 to America, and 31,600 bales wero held over.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agencs' .Company, Limited, have received the following cablegram from their London house under date July 26 :-"The sales closed with good competition. Since the opening on July 12, 127,000 bales have been sold, of which 42,000 were taken for the Continent, and 32,000 bales held over. As compared with preceding series, closing rates! prices for •.greasy crossbreds are about the same; crossbred lamb is about 5 ner cent, to 7£ per cent, lower, and inferior scoured . merino about 10 per cent, lowor." 5

Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co., Ltd., liave received the ■ following cable message from tlieir London liouse, Messrs. Sanderson, Murray and Co., dated July 26:—The sales have closed, 34,000 bales being held over. Compared with the closing ■ rates of the last London sales, greasy merino and scoured medium to good merino show a decline o£ 5 per cent. Inferior and faulty scoured merino has declined 15 per cent., the market for these sorts being weak and irregular. Fine crossbred has declined 5 .per cent., scoured crossbred, coarse to medium, shows a decline of 7£ per cent., and sliped coarse to medium crossbred a decline of 5 to 7* per cent. The market for 'coarse to' medium greasy crossbrcd and sliped fine crossbred shows no change.

Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., report that their London agents cable:—The July series of wool sales have closed with inferior and faulty merinos showing a decline of 5 per cent; on opening rates, while coiurse crossbreds show an advance of 10 per cent, on opening, rates; other qualities slightly easier. Tile following are the average prices of the flecco wool sold at the series:—ltewa Eewa, Tcnui, 10 5-16 d. per lb.; O.T.K. (over) Waitawhiti, Tenui, Sid. per,lb.; Ashby Lodge, Wanganui,' 9Jd. per lb.: A.H., Wanganui, 9d. per lb.; W.L., Eketahuna, 11 5-16 d. per lb.; D.K. conj., Wanganui, IOJd. por lb.; D arrow It, Wanganui, Bid. per lb.; Mangamaliu, Wanganui, 101 d. per lb.; Delta, Marlborough, 11 9-16 d. per lb.

Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., have received the following cablegram from London, under datf July 26:—The sales have closed with good competition tor all classes, aud prices on a level with the closing rates of last series. Prospects are good, and prices very firm.

Tlie Bank of New Zealand has received the following cablegram from their London office, dated July 26:—The sales closed iirm for crossbreds. Prices for coarse crossbreds have risen par to 5 per cent. The Americans have not been taking any of their usual wools. 32,000 hales are held over, of which 25,000 bales are New Zealand. Current prices for North Island farmers' lots, I'alinerston North style: Coarse crossbreds, 36's to 40's, quality avorago condition, 9id. to lOd. por lb.; medium dou 44'fl to 46's„ do,'lli(L to 12d. ser

lb.; fine, do., 50'5.d0., 133 d. to 15d. per lb. Current priccs for South Island farmers' lots, Canterbury style: Inferior merino common 60's to 64's quality, 9*d. to lOd. per lb.; superior do., super do., 12* d. to 13id. per lb.; half or Quarter-bred, 56's quality, average condition, lljd. to 12* d. per lb. Prospects for all wools next series are favourable.

HOTEL AND PROPERTY SALES. Messrs. Dwan Bros., Willis Street, Wellington, report having sold the lease, furniture and goodwill of Ilastie'a llotel, Feilding, to Mr. Henry Shotlauder, lato of the lijglewood llotel, Inglewood; Mrs. Quinn's interest in the Prince of Wales llotel, Tory Street, Wellington, to Mv. M. O'Brien, lato of Sydney; Mr. R. J. Paul's interest in the Mount Egmont Hotel, Midhirst, Tar ana ki, t-o Mr. James O'Connell, of Stratford; Mr. Thos. Green's interest in the lease, furniture, and goodwill of the Post Office .Hotel, Picton, to Mr. Samuel M'lntyre, late of the Commercial Hotel, Westport: Mr. G. H. Williams's interest in tho lease, furniture, and goodwill of. the Masonic Hotel, Blenheim, to Mr. R. J. Paul, lato of Midhirst; the lease and goodwill of the Royal Oak Hotel, Pyrmont, Sydney, New South Wales, to Mr. Thos. Nott-, formerly of Eketahuna; Mrs. O'Neill's interest in the lease, furniture, and goodwill in the Club Hotel, Stratford, -to Mr. Charles Diamond, for many years in business in the Albion Hotel, Patea; Mr. Bell's interest in tho Wimbledon Hotel, Wimbledon, Hawko's Bay, to Mr. William Pacey, lato of Levin; tho freehold of the Taueru Hotel, Taueru, Wairarapa, to Mr. W. B. Ingram*- lato of Kaikoura. Messrs. Dwan Bros, also report having sold, freehold section 2, Hamilton Road, Kilbirnie, to Mr. J. Creighton; freehold section, 3 Hamiltou Road, Maranni, to Mr. W. W. Park; freehold scction 26| corner Queen's Drive and Wha Street, Maranui, to Messrs. Mathews and M'Kenzie; freehold section in Epuni Street, 45ft., to Mr. J. Gilchrist, of this city; also a farih of 700 acres in Inglewood district to Mr. Hubert Collyna, late of Rangiora and Kaikoura, South Island, for the sum of £8400.