COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT SHARES. 'There were no transactions in investment shares yesterday. Tho buying and selling quotations were as under:— Buyers. Sellers, £s. d. • £s. d. National Bank 6 0 0 — Equitahle Building — 10 0 0 Feildine Oμ 10 6 Meat Ezport (525. 6d.) ... - 5 10 Well, Woollen (ord.) 3 15 0 - Taupiri Coal —. 13 0 Westport Coal 18 0 — Taringamutu TotaTa — 2 6 6 Oolden Bay Cement 10 6 110 N. 7,. Con. Dental ■ - 12 0 N.Z. .Portland Cement ... 1 7 0 17 9 Sharland's ordinary — 13 0 dharland's preference ... 1 '2 9 13 3 WKEOK STATISTICS FOE 1911. .The statistical summary o£ veesels totally lost, brokon up, condemned, etc., now published by Lloyd's Register, shows that during 1911 the gross reduction in the effec- , tive mercantile marine of the world amounted to 888 vessels of 884,843 tons, excluding all vessels of less than 100 tons. Of this ■total, 427 vessels of 619.752 tons were steamers and 461 of 265,091 tons were sailins vessels. These figures are lower than those for 1910; by 62.847 tons (47,688 tons steam and 15,159 tons saal). Ono of the most common terminations of a vessel's career is by breaking up, dismantling, etc. (not in consequence of casualty). The amount of tonnage k> dealt with, in 1911 was 255.517 tons. This total la 100,637 tons less than that for 1910, which was the highest ever reported in the society's wreck returns. Nearly 29 per cent, of the 6teamers and about 28 por cent, of the Balling vessels removed from the merchant fleets of the world in tho course of 1911 are accounted for in this manner. Of the total tonnage of such cases ov<>r M cent. Is renTesentod by the United Kingdom vessels. The statistical tiiblos exhibit interesting nutans to the relative freouency of the different kinds of onsualty. etc.. which conclude i'io esfstence of vessels. Stranding? end kindred casualties which arc coinnriscd under the term "wrec'icd" arc much the most nroliflc Miu.w of disaster. To nicli pafsim.lt.ips arc attributable over 50 per cent, of tho lopops of sten-mers and over 51 ner pent, of failing vcecls. Oases of abandoned, foi'n■f'ered. imd misslns vivsels arn no don'tt frenuent.ly more envies" similar in, the of loss. If tl>«se. be tnlte" r<>llcct.ively they form over 274 P"r cent, of the ptcn.mers and 2S.ner cent, of tlm r."Minir vessels retnoved front the wrcav*']* murine during 1911 owin." to rnsnallv. Th" return linf l)o p .n Tirf>nnrf(l in sup.H n. itpt't ns t(t enable n Camparis'"! to be •nnfo ho. twem tho tierpnnt.i.'rp , " of I»fs sulTe'"'(l l>v pnoh of ,-Mie nn'iininnl mcrc , 'ni'», ravlon in ♦ho world. Prea-tr 'o/s flic n.'iKol"te n.-'imn' u>, of vk"hU bftlo-'in- <n t>T TTfitTl finsftom nnpenr? *i lio. it. is wen to fn-m "••"rppntlln rnnrvn« r,f tv>/> nH 'i in|ne.'l'l)y the other principal maritime countrfen.

AN ENOHMOTJS HESEftVOIR. Whenever British firms miss a erood co n. tract in competition with foreign firms there is invariably a creat deal of comment and a great deal of eratuiious advice tendered British manufacturers. It is, therefore, pleapine to find that Knclisb firms 03.U win in. snite of the keenest competition. In connection with tho hiitre eanllivry Improvement nohcniii which i« now belcE jprooeeled. wlti i?y. {hj 7ed«»l all-.

Mioritic.4 of the Cilv of Buenos Ayros, and for which no less a sum than three and a half millions sterlinsr has bcon sanctioned by the National Executive of tho Areonline Government, u. contract has recently been awarded the Cleveland llridcc and Enzinncring Company, litd., of Darlington, Knslimd. for the manufacture and erection at Caballito, near Buenos Ayres, of an enormoti!, derated water reservoir, which will rank as by far and away the larsest of the kind ever built in the world. Water is to be drawn from the River Plate, and pumped into the reservoir, which will concist of three tiers of wroueht-tron tanks supported on cast-iron columns fimhedded In heavy colioretn foundations. Each door will have four reotamrular tanks, wth a. <-<Mitral court to civc lieht and ventilation. Tim total cnpacll.y of the four tiers of tanks will be 16.0C0.C00 Gallons, and the buildint; will be 113 ft. 2in. liiuli, measured from the base of the columns to the ton cf the ronf. In its construction not less thnn 15.409 tons of cast-iron and steel will be l'ffed. The contract was awarded to Hie Cleveland Bridee Company, desnite Severn competition from leading ' brid.eebi'ildtnir «rd encino?rinj; companies in the United States. Italcium. and Germany, nnd the work is tn be ready for service within eighteen months from date.

COMJrEHOIAIi DANK OP AUSTRALIA. The Commercial Bank of Australia will apparently begin bueincsti in Wellington very soon, for a responsible official of the bank who is now in the city nnd has eccured a part of the premises (includine a. portion of the ground floor) at the comer of Groy and Fc.atlierston Streets, owned hy Messrs. Young and Tripe, solicitors. Tho Commercial Hank of Australia, Ltd., was established in 1866, under the Victorian Companies Act.; registered April 28, 1893, under the Victorian Act of 1890. The authorised capital is £3,150,000. For many years prior to 1893, the dividends ranged from 8 to 15 per cent., and for 1892, 12J per cent, was paid on £1,200,000 paid-up capital. Then came the crisis, the bank suspending on April 4, 1893, the new bank being registered on the 28th of the fame month. Under the reconstruction depositors (with some exceptions) Tcccived one-third in 5 per cent, preference shares, and two-thirds in deposit receipts. The bank repaid the whole of these deposits between 1896 and 1905.

THADE IN ALLEN STREET. Potatoes.—Tho high prices ruling have caused the demand to slacken considerably. Prime quality potatoes are quoted at, £B IDs. to £9 Us.; seed, £5 to £10, according to variety. Onions—Supplies from California, arc duo by the Aorangi on Thursday of next week; in the meanwhile the market is being supplied with shipments froni Japan, which are selling at 19s. to ZOe. Uran is in henry supply, and is quoted at £5 lie. to-£6 per ton. Pollard.—The market has declined ss. per ton, the current value being £6 15s. to £7. Maize meets with poor demand at ss. 3d. to ss. 4d. per bushel for New Zealand grown.' Oatmeal.—The demand is casing; tho quotations arc £13 10s. to £14. itolled oats in 41b. bags stand at 9s. per dozen, and oatina at 9s. 6di Oat;.—There is a moderate inquiry for seed description. Algerian, 3s. 3d. to 3s, 6d. per bushel, short-feed and Dun. oats, 2s. 9d. to '3s. Cape barley is extremely dull of sale at 3s. 9d. per bushel. Feed barley is dull of ealo at 3s. 6d. Hay has very poor inquiry at £5 to £5 10s. for prime and ryp and clover. Chaff.—Stocks continue heavy; oatensheaf is selling at £5 to £5 55.; medium quality, £4 to £4 55., sacks in. Fresh- eggs are in heavy supply at lid. Butter.—A fair demand exists for prime milled butter in built at lid. to HJd.; second quality. 9d. to 10d. Margarine, in 281b. tins. Scotch manufacture, Bd. to Bid. per lb. Lard.—Best factory, Bd. per lb., with fair inquiry. Cheese.—Best factory, medium size, 73d. to 7Jd., loaf 73d. Rice meal ho-e moderate inquiry at £5 155., with rice flour at £6. Split peas are elow of Hale at 17s. per owt. ' i Prussian Blue peas continue to sell at £3. 9d.' to 7s. per bushel. Partridge peas are being largely used for fowl feed, owing to the low prices ruling. They are quoted at 4s. to 4s. 3d. per bushel. ■ Whole linseed fe in steady demand at 17s. 6d. to 18s. Linseed nuts are quoted at 13s. 6d. per cwt. Crushed linseed cake, 14s. per cwt. Vegetables.—Owing to warmer weather, heavier of oauliflowers aro Doing received aiid prices have declined. A good demand exists for first quality cabbages, and there is a strong demand for vegetable marrows and pumpkins. Rhubarb is aic.o much wanted, and consignments can bo recommended. • Fruit.—The TJlimaroa, due from Sydney to-day, with supplies of mandarins, oranges, Seville oranges, passion fruit, pineapples, and loquats. Shipments of Tasmanian fruit are due on Friday, and theso , will consist mainly of apples and pcaTs. New Zealandgrown apples arc still coming forward, and satisfactory rates aro being obtained.

CANTEBBTJRY GBAIN IIABKET. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christcluirch, September 3. Tho principal business doing lately has been tho shipping of grain to the United Kingdom. A fairly large quantity got away, chiefly oats. It is not expected, however, that much space will be available in the next three steamers. The grain shipped has been about all out of store, very little having come in from the country. There is consequently an improved inquiry for oats, but the offerings aro scarce. Very little is doing in chaff, and present prices do not induce farmers to make offers. Tho potato market is somewhat unsteady, though the prices show a further advance from £7 ss. to £7 10s. now being offered at country stations, but most growers refuse to sell under the higher figure. The .Sydney market is eomewhat easier, partly on account of the largo quantities, going over, but most likely hecause of the report of Californian potatoes offering at Sydney and Auckland at £8 10s., c.i.f. Some of tho Now Zealand consignments ore reported to have arrived in bad condition in Sydney, and have had to be picked over..

WHEAT. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copyrfcht (Rec. September 3, 9.15 p.m.) London, September J. Wheat is inactive;.4os. 3d. per quarter is asked for Victorian off coast. Liverpool nuotations are: October, 7s. 72d. per cental; December, 7s. 43d. per cental. ■ TALLOW. (Rec. September 3, 9.15 p.m.) London, September 3. The tallow stocks, totnl 6847 tons; imports, 5740 tons; deliveries, 4590 tons. THE METAL MABKETS. (Bee. September 3, 9.15 p.m.) London, September 3. Copper.—Supplies, 42.078 tons; deliveries. 42,320 tons; stock. 50,332 tons; afloat, 5600 Tin.—On spot, £216 Es. per ton; three months', £215 per ton. Stocks, 12,213 tons; on spot, 1635 tons; afloat, 4346 tons; deliveries, J716 tons. SILVEK. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyrieht London) September 2. Bar silver is quoted at 2813-16 d. per ounce standard.