COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1696, 12 March 1913, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT . SHARES. . ; The sales recorded yesterday were Christcluirch Meat, at £15 7s. 6d., and Taupiri Coal, at 235. 6d. and Sis. 9d. The quota-

LONDON'S FIRE INSURANCE. The amount, of property insured against fire within the administrative county of London continues to increase from year to year, and the total of £1,115,246,544, which is given for 1912, is the largest on record. The earliest year for which figures are available is IE6G, ■ and siuco that date, when a total ol' £394,130,651 was recorded, each successive year with one or two exceptions has shown an increase on the year immediately p::.';-cding. Among insurance companies the Alliance is again credited with the largest amount, being responsible for the policies amounting in the aggregate to £179,C48,?.43. Tile Sun fire Oflice is next on the list with £114,817,177. and tile Commcroial Union follows' with £82,215,184. Next comes the Law with £70,844,361', lind Hie lloyal is close behind with £70,505,640. The I'hoenix takes credit for. £67,421.570, anil after this there is a con- • sidorab'le drop, the North British and Jfer- : cantiie being the next oflice on the list with £44,363,EC0. These are all- tarifl" companies, and among non-tariff offices the Fine Art and General is easily first with . £16,055,581, while Lloyd's underwriters-, wiio, , of course, work on .non-tariff lines aro 1 credited with £26,416.897. The figures are ' compiled for the purpose of apportioning 1 the contributions to the various compnnies to the maintenance of the metropolitan i fire brigades, the respective contributions 1 being computed at- the rate of £35 for each £1,000,000 of assurance. Customs duties collected at. the port of '- Wellington yesterday amounted to £2805 Ss. 74.

AUSTRALASIAN BANKING. According to the ligurcs compiled by the "Aygittf" (Melbourne) of the quarterly banking averages of the Australian .States ami New Zealand for the closing quarter of 1912, the deposits exhibit it decrease of £336,279, and the advances an increase of £3,116,482. The deposits have increased by £971,C08 in Australia, but have decreased £1,307,287 ill New Zealand, as shown below:— DEPOSITS. Dee., 1911. k Dee., 1912. £ £ New South Wales 56,352,619 56,4iM34 Victoria Queensland 2i,3!^,9i4 Soutn Australia lU.yib.^l West Australia. 6,bM,94L Mfi/»o3 Tasmania 3,644,221 «!,236,52U Commonwealth. 145,032,498 146.CW.5Ca New Zealand 25.5b7.043 24,249,756 Australasia 170,589,541 170,255,262 The depletion ol the Government has affected tho above comparison, and were it possible to exclude the Government aeeouuts there would have been 'an increase instead of a decrease. With respect to the advances, the increases have been mainly in /Queensland, Now South "Wales, West Australia, and Victoria. ADVANCES. Dec., 1911. Dec., 1912. New South Wales 46,877,544 47,707,757 Victoria 38,024,328 38,538,647 Queensland 16,7/0,610 17,508,042 South Australia \ 8,603,028 8,522,562 West Australia .... 8,167/46 ' 8,703,084 Tasmania 3,CCG,253 3,188,617 ' Commonwealth '. 121,449,209 124,229,109 New Zealand 25,405,690 25,742,272 I Australasia. 146,854,899 149,971,381* i *Increacc, £3,115,492. I In two of these divisions—West Australia and New Zealand—the advances exceed the deposits therein. In alt the others, the deposits are in excess. HEMP AND TOW r GEADED. The return for hemp and tow graded at the ports of New Zealand during February, 1913, bas been compiled by Mr. E. Clifton (Director of Fields and Experiment Farms for the Agricultural Department). It reads:— Hemp.—The total number of bales graded wo<3 16,082, compared with 9291 for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 6791 bales. 'For the twelve .months ending February 28. 1913, the number of bales graded was 112,352, as compared with 85,611 for the previous twelve months, the increase being 26.721 bales. Tow.—During the /month 5710 biles were dealt with, as compared with 2737 for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 2973 bales. For the twelve months ending-February 28. 1913. the number oi baler, graded was* 56,172, as compared with 25.235 for ths previous twelve months, the increase being 12,937.

TRADE IN ALLEN STREET. Vegetables.—A good demand exists for grocn peas. Cabbages arc in fair supply. Parsnips and carrots are bringing moderate

prices. , . ' . ... Tomatoes. —The market is glutted with Hutt-grown tomatoes, and prices arc ruling extremely low. Potato.es.—The market is well supplied with cofcignments from up the line, and Canterbury and Oamaru-grown arc now coming on the market. Onions— Heavy supplies arc coming m from Canterbury. Pickling onious aro ill excellent demand at lid. per lb. Fruit—The Navua is duo from Fiji on Thursday with the usual monthly shipment of bananas in bunches 'and cases. Fairly heavy shipments of peaches arc coming from Motueka and Hawke's Bay districts. A good demand exists for clioico coloured dessert apples, such as Cox's Orange Pippin, Kibstone Pippin, Worcester Pippin, Scarlet Pearmain, and Jonathans. Cooking apples are in short supply, and consignments are recommended. An unusually light shipment of grapes, pineapples, and passion fruit is to arrive from Sydney to-day. Regular shipments of pears are now coming in from Canterbury; also from/Motueka- and llawke's. Bay. districts.

Flour!— Heavy bookings havo taken place for forward delivery. Tho current quotation is £8 10s. to £8 las., f.o.b. south, less tile usual discount. Pollard is in short supply, and is selling at £7 Es. to £7 10s. per ton. Bran is in full supply, and is quoted at £5 to £5 ss. Maize.—'The current, prices are l e. lOd. to ss. per bushel, ex store, which are regarded as high. Oatmeal.—Very little business is doing. The current quotation is £13 to £13 10s. Rolled oats,- in 41b. bags, arc ruling at 9s. per dozen, and.oatina. at. 9s. 6d. ■ Oats—The market is firmer, and values have advanced a halfpenny per bushel during the week. Short feed oats are quoted at 2n. lOd. to 35.; feed Algerian, 2s. Bd. to 2s. 10(1.; seed Algerian, 3s. to 3s. 3d.; Dun oats, 2s. lOd. to 3s,

Hay lias very little inquiry at £4 10s. to £4 15s. per ton for nrime quality. Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf chaff is quoted at- £5 per ton, sacks in. Fowls' Wheat.—Good whole fowls' wheat is selling at 4s. to 4s. 4d. per bushel, Qccordiinr to quality. Fresh Egss—Well-known brands aro sellins at Is. Ed. per dozen; preserved. Is. 2d. Butter—Prime milled, in hulk, is quoted at 9Jd., and good quality at Bd. Partridge pcan are without alteration, at 3s. 9r1..t0 fe per bushel. . Prussian blue peas are in poor demand at 6s. per bushel. Cape barley is quoted at- 3s. to 3s. sd. per bushel. Poultry—Hens, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6;!. a pair; cockerel's, up to 5?. a- pair; ducklings, Es. to 6?.: Indian Runner (lucks, 'Vi. to Ss.; turkey lOd. to Is. per lb. live weight; hens, 8(1. to 9d. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

Christchurch, March 11. The wheat market keeps firm and stc-ady, though perhaps there in not quite the tame keenness on the part of buyers as there lias been. Millers have now obtained good stocks, and <is the wheat harvest liaa been almost completed and the grain secured in good condition, there is not the tame anxiety regarding supplies. Prices nrc above export, level, and at.sny rate the quantity of wheat available tliis year is not. likely to leave a. surplus for export. Oats are not being offered quite as freely as wheat, but there is a fair demand at quotations, the outside prico being 25., and this is only for prime A grade Gartons, 11 grade being worth about Is. lid., Algerians Is. 9d. and Is. 10d., and Duns Is. Bd. to Is. 10d„ at country stations. Early varieties of potatoes are late in ripening, nnd are selling at .€4 10s. at country stations, for delivery this month. Tho grass seed market, is quiet. Cocks foot, which is mostly light, though bright, being dull of sale.

LTVKHFOOL MATiKET HE-PORT. Messrs. Q. -and I!. Munro's Liverpool market report, dated January 30, states:—

Frozen Hccf. Jliver Plate.—This week's trade opened with high liopo of better prices, but heavy supplies and mild weather forced sellers back to last week's prices, and even less. Ilcst brands: Fores, 160-2001b., 3d. to 3,V1. per lb.;'binds, same weights, 3 3-Ed. to 3ld. per lb. . , , , Australian.—Recent, arrivals aro light, but there arc still considerable stocks in store, consisting principally of cow and ox hinds: ICOO of the I'ittcr were sold this week, small weights at 3d. per lb., after being in store some months. The supply or crops is light, yet. to effect sales 2«d. to 2Z(i. per 111. lias to be accepted for cows and ox respectively. New Zealand.—No stocks on hand and no forward sales reported, though there are several lines offering on this market at 33d. per lb., c.i.f.. for prime . ox, . good 'weights, February-Uarch shipment.

Frozen Mutton. River Plate.—Supplies light and demand pood, though no appreciable advance in prices. Beat wether* are selling at 'Ud. to 4 3-8(1. per lb., according" to weights. Australian.—The interesting item of this week was the rc.-a!e of somu'TOCO Gludetonc wethers, at 4id. per lb., c.i.f., to arrive per s.ti. Durham; just about due. This is a ronviufinp tribute to quality, as Sydney ewets 20-5011*. have been sold during the past week at 3.U1. per lb., and Sydney f.a.q. wethers at 3,1 d. per lb., c.i.f. These prircJJ compare very unfavourably with the Gladstone gale. New Zealand.—Nothing doing on this market at present, 110 stocks here, and London stocks are at a very low ebb. Frozen Lambs. Australian.—This market is well supplied, and a moderate business is passing at prices ranging from sd. to per lb., according to quality and weights. New Zealand.—Nothing doing here, no shipments of new lambs h»ve yet readied this market, and the high prices quoted for New Zealand force buyers on to Australian lambs. Chilled Beef. Trade disappointing, prices opened higher than last week, especially for hinds, but there is a weakness all round, due to a cortain extent to mild weather. Fores r-ange from 3?, d. to 3£d. per lb.; hinds, 4Jd. to 4£d. per lb. All prices quoted herein, excent when otherwise stated, are ex store, Liverpool; the ci.f. equivalent being id. per lb. less. Cold storage is offering freely at lCs. per ton per month of 28 days, with 2s. '6d. per ton per week subsequently. ITUDDAHT-PAEKER REPORT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Coorrieht Melbourne, March 11. The Hu-ddart-Parker Company's annual report ertatee that the net earnings were £74,673. and the net profit £69,389. The dividend for the year is 6 per cent, on preference shares and 7 per cent, on ordinary share.?, which absorbs £621.5 Tlie balance is brought forward. LONDON WOOL SALES. London, March 10. At the wool sales 47,604 bales were catalogued and 43,371 sold. There was fair competition, but slightly easiar values for faulty and wasty, while good wools were firm. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London agents, dated March 10: "The second series continue to a large attendance of buyers, and prices as compared with the closing rate 3 of last series aro as folow:—Merinos show a rise of 5 per cent., fine crossbred, unchanged, with the market very firm; coarse crossbred, 1\ per cent, tip, with the market very firm, while medium crossbred show a decline of 5 per cent., with the market very quiet." (Ree..March 11, 10.10 p.m.) Tho following are the prices realised at the wool sales for the fleece portions of tho clips named:—Elms, top price 14d.,aver-, age price 12 3-Bd.; Akrakiki, 12£ d. and llid.; Angi, 12id. and 11 3*Bd.; Sinan, 12d. and 11 3-Bd,; Sheridan. 12d. and Hid.

tions wore {is under:— Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ $. d. National-Bank - — 5 18 0 Equitable Building — 9 12 6 Metropolitan Perm. — 12 12 U N.Z. Loan and Merc. (10s.) 0 10 0 — Well. Investment 0 10 6 •— Well. Oas (preft) 0 19 11 10 1 Meat Export <52/5. 6d.) ... 2 18 0 9 Union Steam — *2 5 6 Kaiapoi Woollsn (ord.) ..I — 5 3 0 Kaiapoi Woollen (prof.)5 3 0 Westport Coal . 17 0 1 7 9 Lsyland-O'Bricn — 16 9 Manning and <;o o 18 0 ~ N//. Portland Cement ... 0 16 9 0 18 0 Sliarland's ordinary — i 1 « W.V.C.A. (£5) - 7 5 0 *Ex«riglits.

Hemp Figures. I ! ?'■ Port " § o S £ e 3 E . 'o o w o =-i Auckland • — 2739 280 22 27 3612 Foxton - 1129 3232 211 7 - 4579 Wellington 161 2694 211L. 122 7 - 5095 Blenheim 90 76 — — — — 200 Pieton 1''0 40 188 -368 Lyttelton — 14 — — — — 14 J)une<lin 40 276 225 67 — — 612 Bluff - 235 1279 23 1602 Totals 431 5068 S778 708 36 27 16,032 ■ Percentages of ■ totals 2.68 31.52 60.80 4 /0 .22 .17 100 Tow Figures. f 2 g . • . S ' M 5 *2 "3 ?,■ H •g J 0 ■ O w ,3 £ O E-i Auckland ). 43 637 975 128 1783 Napier : — — ■ — - Foxton £3 539 375 14 1011 Wellington 317 978 235 28 16C8 Blenheim 34 54 — — 63 Pieton 23 66 . 41 — 130 Ijyttelton — 118 — — 118 Dunediu — 122 120 — 24,. Bluff — 262 433 7o0 Totals 5C0 2776 2229 205 5710 Stripper Slips. Passed for Export. Cond. Total Auckland 76t t 14 90 Napier — " '' Foxton 5u9 (6 uS5 Wellington 321* •- Wellington 38j| -A .74j Blenho'm — — ' I'icton ' ft Lyttelton 10 — 16 Dunediu — Bluff 127 U "8 Totals ZTl«l 137 1598 '*Fir<5t grade. fSecond grade.