COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1429, 2 May 1912, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHARES. Kales of investment shares Tceordcd yestcrdav were: Westnort Coal at 295., and S.'A Consolidated Dental at 20s. t-d.. cum dividend. The bu.viiiK and scllinß fiuotations were as under:— ' Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ f. d. Hani; of Nov.- Zealand ... 11 7 0 11 12 6 National Bank - 6 2 0 Kriuitublc Building 10 0 0 - National Mortstißu 4 0 0 — N.Z. and Rivet- Plate - 2 0 0 Well. Deposit - 0 8 0 Ohristchurch Gas - 3 3 0 Well. Gas (£10) - 18 7 0 National Insurance 118 9 - •Standard Insurance 19 6 — Cbristchureh Moat — 15 5 0 Jleat Export (525. 6d.) ... - 219 c Union Steam 2 12 0 215 0 Well. Woollen (pref.) - 2 18 0 Taupiri Coal — 'IS Westport Coal) 18 9 19 3 ficylaiid-O'Bricn - 18 9 Tarincamutu Totara — 2 8 6 C. M. Bunks, Ltd - 019 6 Golden Bay Cement - 14 6 N.Z. Con. Dental 10 0 - . N.Z. Bniß - 2 9 6 2 10 3 Sharland's ordinary — 14 9 INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF MEAT.

•Iccordiiiff to recent statistics ot the meat cupply of lireat Britain,, the consumption or meat is gradually increasing. In Ureat Britain, tile Omiea States, ana in many other countries the population ircrci-sM more rapidly than the number oi rnimal" lit lor i'oou. i'nc ■ consumption of iieef find inuUon per capita, in the United Kingdom for lvw> was 84.66ib.. in XM 86.09, ami in 1911 18-02. Tue population ot tho United Kingdom advanced lrom U,t6I,CU in Mi 6 to <lb,tbl,Coo in 1911, inn rhirinu 1 lie stunc period her cattle rtoci'eaVed from 12,253,171) to 12,066,600, whilst ■ tlie niiuibev of sheep only advanced to 5-J.527.5ut). from 29,313,110, From these Jlgurcs it is clear than the people of the United Kingdom are eating more meat as ias't the* number '"of "animals slaughtered las been too large in comparison with the average rate of propagation. Thus far the shortage in the British domestic supply has been more than oil act by importations, but it is pointed out that even his remedy has its limitations. Inclusive of veal and pork, the meat consumption of the United Kingdom is estimated at about nOlb. per capita per annum. Even in 1686 it was placed at .1061b., as compared with 661b. per. capita in ISM. Statistics regarding the meat consumption elsewhere .San in Great Britain.am the United States arc not yet available, but there U no reason to believe that the position described is peculiar to the countries mentioned. From these figure* it is certain that tho new countries of the world will be expected to supply large quantities of beef and mutton for the older countries. There is no doubt that Australia contains tho land than can be used extensively for sheep and cattle raising. .At the present time our exports to the tinted Kingdom p.nd other countries are comparatively small. LONDON ASSURANCE. The report of the London Assurance for the year ended December 31 last, states that, in the life department during the past year new assurances were granted under 625 policies for £464,5'j9 the premiums on which amounted u> £M,? 09. Heassurance; were effected for £63,000 at premiums of £1622. The premium income of the year, otter deduction of rejs.suranee:?, amounted to £169,617, and the total income from all sources to £284,970. Claims arose by the death of 118 persons assured under 140 policies for £91,997, including uonus addition:;, and 46 endowment assurances matured for the aggregate sum of £4a,122. The life assurance fund on December 31 amounted to £2,503,979. Tho premium incomo ot the fire department for the year, after deduction of reassurances and return-, amounted to .£661,170. and the Sorec;-;, inclusive of all claims to December 31 last, to £336,298. The balance at credit of the fund, after transferring £41,181 to profit and loss, amounted to £650,K0. In the marine department not premiums received during the year amounted to £324,323. The losses paid, and outstanding for 1911. and former years, amounted to £251.519. The balance '.it credit of the fund, after tranEforring £12,712 to profit ,and loss, amounted to £350,000. In the accident department the net premiums received during tho year amounted to £12,173. and the claims iraid and outstanding fo £-3281. The amount of the fund on December 31 was £17.253. Tho amount standing to credit, of profit jiud loss account is £157,203, out of which the directors recommend a dividend of 20 per cent., being £2 10s. per share, payable as follow?:—£1 5?. on April 1 and £1 ss. on Octobor 1, free of income tax. 1 j TRADE IN ALLEN STKEET. ; Potatoes.—Tho market continues strong, L the current value being £6 ss. to £6 15s. Onions,—Prime table onions are in es- ' ccllent demaud, and are quoted at Bs. 6d. • to B£. 9(1. per civt., with picklers ruling at lid.- per lb. for good samples. Bran.—Shipments are being made to 1 fjreat Britain, and this tends to keep tho > market firm. Tho prices now are £5 15s. io Pollard.—Prices continue to rule high, ami stand at £7 is. to £7 10s. KoUcd oats, in 41b. basts, arc quoted at 8s 6d per ilo7.sn, and oatina at 9s. 6d. Oatmeal.—The demand i≤ improving, owing to the colder weather. Leading brands are nuotcd at £13 10s. to £14 per Oats.— Inquiries are being mads for shipment to England, but so far no supplies are available. "A" Oradn Cartons, 2s. lid. to 3s. per bushel, "B" Grade, 2s. lOd.j seed Algerian, 3s. 3d. to is. 6d.; dun, 23. 11 il to 3.-. These aro the locai prices. Chaif.-Thc market has a tendency to firm: the present quotations are £4 15s. to £5 per ton. Capo barley meets with moderate sale, at 33. 9d. to 4s. per bushel. ■Feed barley is in fair demand at 3s. 6d. P Maize.—Value* are still high, and there is only a moderate .business doing. Tho r'urro-ut prices arc ss. 3d. to ss. (id. perhushcl. [Ipir.s and bacon.—Hams have ndvaneod Id pAv lb.. and are now quoted at 9'.'.'.. side; 9id., am', rolls IOJd. for factory proKger.—Supplies of eggs continue short of reoiiimneiits. The current quotadon is Is. lid. to 2;. per dozen, preserved Is. 3d. to 1?. 4d. liutter.—l'riine milled butter is in cood demand at Hid. per lb. Clioe-i-.-There, is a. fair demand. Medium 7(1 loaf 7>.(1. per II). I'nult.ry.—The market is steady. Hens, ?,* 6(1. to 3.-. Ncr pair: pullcLs 3s. io 4s. 6(1.; roosters, 3s. to 4s. 6d.; ducks, i?. 6d. to ss. 6(1. Vegetables.—finnfiigninents of cauliflowers arn 'recommended. K.itisf.'utor.v rates arc being obtained tor French bean-; nml wen peas, which :>rc aU:i wanted, fab. liirrc* slioiv v flight iiiiprovcmpiii., hiit. prii-i* are still very low. Swedes cominnnd ii riii' amount of .-illation. Fruit.—Tin- Tahiti, froi.i the Cnnlc 1«. land.-, brou™iit a large fhinmcnl of Tsla.iui oranges' and bananas, which wore Inmlrri iu iroort rnniliMon. F-xtreme rates were reoliscil for the bananas, lrhiio on thn other hiuid sirt-roinelj , . lorr prlee» had in jie uxtstoi tar &~ oMJUte* Yeat ton.

llcs.-inn lemons an- ;>n the market. Aiisiralian lemons are due at .an early dale. liiiit U slill reaehmu the mr.rUet in I'i.i'Be <iiia.iitltic:s and low priees have tn he .•-.fcei)l.?d to unit. Plums arc now out I of season. j INVESTMENT COMPANY. MORE CAPITAL WANTED. The sixth annual mcctinc o[ the New Zealand investment. Moniraire. and Dc-•K.-it Co. iv 3» lielil at the Chamber nf Commerce, .nymoa to-day. Mr. W. (!. t "l» l ' Jl niovi l i°c °tiio adoption (if the report and balance-sheet (already pnlili.-lieil . in Tl'K IJDMiNJUX). the chairman staled mat thi return of liu--ino.-,s for t.he. year liaci been mo.-l sati.-f:ii'l:ir.v. H ban improved and was still improving He eoiiKi-atii-lated shareholders on Hie increase ol tho a-vulerd by >. per cent, and lie hopod that" that would be continued. The com-pa-nv had written oil £758 from prelimiual'v expenses durinit live ami n lialf years, an'.l ihe directors had pla'cd n siibvUmti*i! 'imount to ruH-Tvp, More coiiicl nave wi Tb »ar "f dividend, but the directors considered it would be wiser to build up tile reserve, and at. the name time nay a reasonable dividend. The eapiti'l had been I'trcnirtlieiied by Ino sale ol 620 shii.re.-ii durimr the year: deposits had incrca-ed b'-- £2640; investors' subscriptions by £179. Mortises were less than lnrt vear by £?586. special deposits increased bv JE7ICO. If the company had more capital it could srcally increase its business without increaj-iiiir the workiiiff ■ expenses. He 'asked shareholders to try to induce their friends to take up more shares. A groat, business could be done if the companv had the capital to do it. Jfr AllpoH, in pecondin? the motion, said he considered that the company had had a most successful year. Mr. F. Cohen said he thought Uie present shareholders should first be allowed to increase their holdings. The chairman said the directors were ' open to receive applicatious for shares at I>i Th« report and balance-sheet were a< 3rr. V- G - Foster and Mr. J. Klrkoaldie were directory, and Mesfirs. Jl"nr>- Kcmber and Son auditors. Voter* of thanks to the directors and staff were carried wif.li acclamation. CUSTOMS DITTIES. Customs revenue collected at the port of WeUinston yesterday amomitetlto £1334 3s. Id. AUCKLAND TRAMWAY CO. (By Tcleeraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 1. The Auckland Tramway Company liaa declared a, dividend of 7d. per ordinary share.

CANTERBURY GRAIN' MARKET. Christchiircli, April 30. The heavv south-wcut rain storm that set in on Monday night, following iinon the downfall of last week, will enectually e heck (k'livcrics of jjrain, etc., from the paddock. The railway "stations are, however, well filled, and an opportunity will now he afforded of rclicviiiß them. It is not anticipated that the rain will have any effect upon the wheat market, for. besides the crain in the railway sheds, liioroliams ! $ Winter a penny per bushel more than law;- v.cck. A Grade lieiiiß quoted up to 2s. Id., ami ji«r?j?s^?dSS ,t !JS ,l fjr. i^ effect upon the potato crop, and considerable dami-ge is likely .to be iloi-.e on lowIviiic lend. The market is nominal at & 10s. at country stations, but diggine onfi (iclivcriiiß will now lie delayed till tiie ground is fit to cet on to again. OTAGO GRAIN MARKET. I Duncdin, May 1. The loca.l wheat markc-t continues very sfong and millers are experiencing sonic difficulty in r-ecurinc lines of prime duality and are eagerly' pickinp up all samples in millnblc condition. Prime velvet 13 (|uoteu at 3s. Hd. to 45., delivered in Duncdin. while prime tusean and velvet ear arc bringing 3s. lOd. A good inquiry for oats lia« set in from Australia, whore tie heavy drercase in the harvest tins eeason is ioBi'ininir to make itself felt. Incoiiiitrydistricts, with lid. to 2il. raila.ee, "A" Grade Gartons are quoted a.t 2s. on. trucks. A j eooil deal of forward business is bcinc done by local merchants, but there is a I fecliiiK of uiKortainly Bβ to whether .the demand from Australia and present prices will continue. Dunedin, May 1. Cable advice lias been received from Melbourne stating that the wheat mni-uut, there is very stronK. n-nrt that prices enow a biff advance. Latest quotation for prime fluuHty is Riven «.. 4(1. f.o.h. Best quality is quoted about 4s. ljd. 1.0.b. JIETAL MARKETS. By TekErapfl-l'ress Association-CopyriEhi London, April 30. Coppcr.-On the spot, £70 155.; three niontis, £71 12s. 6d. Tin-On the spot, £214 Ms.; throe months, £210. The increased prices are duo to heavy buying, owing to tlie fear of a crowat 28 W6d. por ounce standard. BANK SHARKS AND DEBENTUBES. London, April 30. The following are tiic latest quotations.-— liarU of Au&tralasia, £116 (buyers) and £118 (sellers); Union Banls. £6.1 and £62; Xalional Hank of Aust-ra a?ia, £o 7s, 6(1. trtl f 5 12" 6(1.; Xatienal Hank ot New 10s.