COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1021, 10 January 1911, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHARES. The Wellington Stock Exchange was reopened yesterday after the Christmas vacation, but very little business -.was done. Brokers were 1 uncertaiu about prices, and with Tespect to investment shares there were' not many selling, orders. Tho quotations were as under:—

PRICE COMPARISONS. • 7t is interesting just now to comparo the curreut prices for some leading commodities with those ruling a year aso . . Muttoni—Canterbury mutton now 41d. per lb., and the market is quiet. Trado is very disappointing, thcro being only a very hand-to-mouth demaud. A year ago the price was 4d. per lb., and it was reported that the feeling was favourable and holders were firm. Lamb.—For other than Canterbury the current quotation is 5 l-16d. nomiuaj. Tho market is reported steady, with a good demand for primo quality. A year ago the fcarac gpude of lamb was selling at 33d. per lb., and stocks in London were heavy. 13cef.—New Zealand hindquarters, 3*ri. per lb., with an improving demand. Twelve months ago tho price was 3£d., with the market dull. Butter.—Tho present quotation is IMs. per cwt. for choicest New Zealand, and the market is quiet, but rather steadier. A year "ago tho average price of choicest Now Zealand was Ills, per cwt., s.nd there was a, good demand .with favourable prospects, although some holders were anxious to ceil. Cheese.—Nov; Zealand white, 55?. 6d. per cwt., coloured 575., and the market, is quiet but. steady. A year ago finest white wa3 celliug at 565„ and coloured at 555. Hemp.—Tho present quotation for New Zealand good fair, on spot, is £20, and the. report is that the market is lifeless owing to poor demand. At tho corresponding date last year, good fair grade, oil

spot, was nuoted at £28, the market wa3 quiet, with only a small business-doing: Bradford Tops.—The Quotations compare as under:—

Tallow.—Fine mutton, 375. 6d. per cwt., against 375. 6d. a year ago; medium mutton, 355. 6d., against 335. 6d.; line beef, 375. 6d., against 365., medium beef, 355., against 323. S3. • Metals.—Copper, on spot, £56 2?. 6d., against £61 l&j. Sd.; tin, on spot, £179 7s. Gd., against £151 13s. 9d. The present high price of tin is duo to active "bear" covering. Lead, £13 Is. 3d., against £13 lis. 3d. Pig-iron. 50s. Id., against 51*. sd. Bar silver, 25 3*l6d.- per ounce, against 24 3-16 d. THE WOOL .TRADE. Whatever may be said with respect to the American and Continental manufacturers of woollen good?, the trade in Great Britain appears to bo in a healthy condition. Tho Scottish tweed trade shows a wonderful revival, and the manufacturers have been for many months past working at full pressure.' According.to .tho "Manchester Guardian," pome of them have bean weeks, if not months, behind with their deliveries,! and even those least fortunate in the securing of orders have had their looms fully employed on work subleased to them by more fortunate competitors. Any industry which produces a commodity the demand for which is dictated by fashion is bound to have a chequered career, and this is particularly true of the South of Scotland tweed trade. Scot", iish 1 woollen manufacturers' have • suffered severely from, tho competition of producers. of cheaper material, as. their _ fabrics lend themselves readily to imitation in shoddy. Alcb,. tho. lighter worsted materials had a-widespread vogue for .several years. It will not be denied that the United States Dinglcy tariff of 1897 and tho increase of tariffs. by certain Continental countries dealt tho woollen trade a severe blow for the time. Tho reaction upon the Scotch tweed trade was twofold, as-not only wero the manufacturers deprived of trade abroad, but they had also ,to-inset new or at least intensified; competition from Yorkshire manufacturers whose goods were to' somo extent shut out by the highest tariffs. To the depression which ensued tlie Scottish manufacturers themselves added, however, by their attempts to competo in cheap proods. The West Riding manufacturers occupied an unicjuo position for the supply -of such'poods, whereas the demand for Scotch t>veeda rested to a. largo extent upon a reputation for quality. The Scottish, manufacturers liavo nov.' returned to their old policy of producing a distinctively Scottish cloth, and this has brought its reward, for fashion swung round m favour of Scottish Cheviote, and despite fairly \ stiff prices merchants inundated manufacturers with' orders. The revival in demand is doubtles due. in a measure, to tho suitah'ilitv of Scottish Cheviots for all kinds of outdoor sportis and occupations. Now manufacturer.- who have recently entered tho market with new season's poods kavo enough work in sight practically to ensure full working throughout next year, and that without making any distinctive changes in design. Customs revenue collected at the nort of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1160 ss. THE JIETAL MARKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, January 8. Copper.—On the spot, £56 12s. 6d.; three months', £57 76 . 6d.; electrolytic, £59 7s. 6d. Tin.—£l79 ss. Lead—£l3 2s. 6d. Silver is ciuoted'at 25id. per ounce. Antimony.—£B. LONDON MARKETS. , By Telegraph—l'ress Association—Copyright'. ", London, January 8. The hemp market is weak. JanuaryMarch shipment Teaiised £23. Kauri .Gum.—ln stocii, 307 .cases. Cotton.—'." Hid. per lb. ltubbsr.-os. Id. per lb. Copra..—Market irregular. South Sea, afloat, £22 155.: January-February shipment £23 55..'- ■ ■ .• -• HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLE. Tho Commerce and Tourists 'Division of the .Department of Agriculture., Commerce en.l , Tourists has received Ilie loUowing 'cablMftain from tlio High Commissioner lor New.' Zealand, dated Londop, ..January. -I ■'(quotations,'■ ur'sss ot-liorwjso specilied, are average market prices on .spot):— I -Jluttmi.-The market is Quiet; stocks of No* Zealand mutton on hand are. liput, and are firmly held in few hands. River Plato nmttoajs in large supply. Canterbury mutton, 4Ld.; North Wand, 4id.; I River Plate, 5.\d.; Australian. 3ftd. 1 Lainb.-The market, 'is weakening, with, si&rns of a decline; Lsrge shipments a ye •arriving. ami buyers 'are cautious. Onlj , a-few this season's New Zealand kvmb have 1 heen 'received-, and havo realiaqd o.\«. per lb. Tho price 01, Australian lamb 13 4*a. per lb.'' v • ~ • Beef.—The market is steady, and there is a- fair business' doinp. New Zealand hinds, 3£d. per lb., fores 23d. - . . Buttor—There is. a octter demand. Tlio low price has induced speculative buying, to hold in store. Thcro nro heavy supplies on. hand. • Colonial for December 412,345 boxes, against 200,7«4 last vear Buyers are cautious. Choicest New Zealand butter, ,106s. per cwt.; Australian, 10&*: Banish, llSs.; Argentine, IW3. Cheese.—Tho market is firm, and there is more .demand.. White, 56_s. per cwt.; coloured, 575. Cd. . . Hemp.—Tho market remains very depressed. 'A moderate husineps has been done at lowest price. New Zealand good fair, on spot, uer ton, £20 5?.: fair grade, £20; Manila, fair current,- £19. . Forward shipmentr: New Zealand., pood fair, ->20 53. per ton; fair Brade, £19 155.; fair current Manila, £J9 15s. The output from Manila, for the week was.?6,CCO bales. . Cocksfoot Seed.—The market is steady, and holders are firm, but buyers are not keen to do business. Evizht. clean ftoy Zealand cocksfoot seed, 17lb. per bushel,l/.';Wheat—New Zealand lons-bcrned. 335. td. rer ouartcr. of 4961b. Short-berried. 335. Tho market is nuict. but rather steadier. Oats.—The market is quiet and small business. doinc?. cxccnt for best Quality only. New Zealand short Snarrowbills, 18?. 6d. per (juaTtev of 3841b. Danish, 16s. 9d. per quarter of 5201b. . Beans.—There is .a Rener.il and active demand and a- small supply. Isew Zealand {old cron). f.a.o- 35a. per sC4lb. P*as— I The market is lirm with more inquiry. New Zealand (partridge), per 5C41b., .• • . , Tho market is weaker, with a downward tendency, and supplies are likely:, to increase. Gold-stored Kussian, 7s. to 9s. 6d. per 120: Italian, 10s. 3d. to 14s. 6d.; Danish, IS=. 3d. to 17s. • Poultry.—There is a. pood demand for all descriptions.. Chickens. American, Bd. to 9d • Russian, 7*d. to CJd.; ducklings, 6d. to 7d.•\y oo l —The market is nuiet but steady. JEutton and lamb.—River Plate shipments received durinc December:—

! Butter.—Southampton, Liverpool, , 10,500 boxes.

Buyers. Scllcrn. £ s. (1. £ 8. d. Bank N.Z.' — 10 15 0 .National Bank 5 13 0. 5 14 0 Gear Meat (£1) 3 16 — v Is r .Z. Shipping 10 3 0 — Union Steam 1 16 6 — Well.' Woollen (ord.) 3 15 0 — W&stport .Coal 7 0 0 — N.Z. Con. Dental 12 6 — Sliarland's Ordinary 116 — Rhaiiaiul's Prefcrcnco .... 116 — Taraiiaki Petroleum' 0 9 0 — faringamutu Totara ... 2 5 0 —

1511. 1910. (1. d. oo's low cro-?breds l?i 132 40's low crossbrcds 15 <»Vr> medium evossbi'cds IS 16} 60's hali'breds 19 £05 56's quarterbred3 22$ 23 o'J's merinos 26 27

Mutton. Lamb, London 76,208 17,C91 Liverpool 127,263 41,650 Hull — Southampton 12,046 4,516 Cardiff Atyfi ~~ Bristol 12,345 • —