COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1416, 17 April 1912, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHAEES. There were two sales of WcstporVStockton coal shares at 2s. 9d. yesterday. The buying and Belling quotations were as unBuyers. Sellers. £s. d. fs. d. , National Bank - 6 3 ° 1 National Mortgage 3 17 u N.Z. Loan and Mercantile 0 10 0 - Well. Trust and Loan ... — 7 U u Well. Oas (£10) 18 2 6 - National Insurance 117 5 S.B. Insurance 3 13 0 — Christchurch Meat - ' Gear Meat (£1) 54 0 \» ° N.Z. Shipping - « § 0 Union Steam — t ? e Taupiri Coal - l>l » Westport-Stockton 0 2' . 7 „ Taringamutu Totara ... - Z 8 J C. M. Banks, Ltd - J ° » Crown Tiriiwery - '; Uonaghy'sßope and Twine - J j " Golden Bay Cement - J ? 2 N.Z. Con. Dental 10 0 116 INSURANCE AGAINST INCENDIARISM. Immediately after the coal e-Lrike began in Great Britain, a very considerable business was dono a-t Lloyd's in granting policies of insurance against incendiarism. Special rates were quoted for the property of those who were actually identified with tho coal-mining industry, such as agents, managers, directors, and so on, ana tno total amount of such insurances reached a substantial figure. The rates charged for such business are calculated in .he light of past experience under similar circumstances, and it is worthy of note that, pn tho whole, underwriters have, as a. rule, mado considerable sums out of this class of business; Having regard to the wide iarea covered by the strike, the risks to [individuals were not as great, as might be supposed, and a, comparatively small premium is sufficient to meet the require-mem-s of the situation. In no case was tho charge more than 10s. per cent., while the average was about half this. Tho capacity of Lloyd's for this class of business is very great.

TBADE IN ALLEN STEEET. Potatoo3—Tho market is very unready just now. owing to speculators operating freely. Tho local quotation is £5 to £5 10s. according to qualify. Onions.-A good demaud exists for good pickling onions at lid. per lb.; best table onions havo advanced 10s. per ton, owing to Australia operating, and the current quotation now is 9s. to 9s. 6d. per cwt. for prime quality. , Bran.—Heavy shipments havo been sent to tho United Kingdom, and this has tended to keep tho local market sVeady. Prices current arc £5 10s. to £6 per ton. Pollard is in more plentiful supply at £7 ss.'to £7 10s. per ton. Oatina is selling 01; 9s. 6d. per doicn 41b. bags, and rolled oat 3 at Bs. 6d. _ Oatmeal meets with moderate inquiry at £13 10s to £14 per ton, according to brand. Oats —Tho market continues steady. ' A grade Gortons, 23. lid. to 3s. per bushel; "B" grade, 2s. 9d. to 2s. lid.; seed Ajgoriau, 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6tf.; and Duns, 2s. lid. Chaff is unchanged, prime quality being quoted nt £4 10?. to £5 per ton, sacks in. Capo Barley.-Very liti'.lo husincss doing, current quotation 3s. 9d. to 4s. per bushel. Feed bnrley meets with a modcrato demand at 3s. 6d. a bushel. Maize.—the high prices is checking business. The quotation is ss. 3d. to ss. 6d. a Ilams'and bacon are in good request. Sides 9|d., rolls 10'.d., and hams 9d. per lb. Eegs.-Supplics of fresh eggs havo increased considerably, and these are quoted at Is. 10d. per dozen, preserved Is.-3d. to But'ter.-Prime milled and dairy in bulk find ready sale cj; lljd. to Is. per lb. Cheese is iu good demand, medium 7d., "pouhry.-Hens, 2s. 6d. to 3a. per pair; young roosters, 3?. to 4s. 6d.; ducks, 3s. to 55.. according to size and quality. Vcgetables.-With the exception of green peas, parsnips, and pumpkins, pnees of all other seasonable vegetables are on tho low side Cabbages are extremely plentiful, ana sale-3 are difficult to make. Parniips and pumpkins arc selling at fair prices, and consignments arc recommended. # I'ruit.—New Zealand passion fruit is in heavy supply, and extremely low prices are being obtained. Messina lemons are in short Kunnlv and the few offering are selling at extreme rates. Direct shipments from Messina are due in about a week. The demand for dessert apples and pears has eased considerably, but cooking apples are in fair demand. There is only a moderate inquiry for peaches. Tery fine samples of tomai'oes continue to come in from tno Hutt..

nerinnn and French buyers wore keen for good merinos. (lice. April 16, 9.20 p.m.) London, April 16 The followinc prices were realised by New Zealand clips nt tho wool kilch:•Tataka," top prlre 9!<i-. average price 9d.; M'Monald, 13d. and 12Jd-