COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1725, 16 April 1913, Page 10

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

FUTURE USES OP LEAD. . It would require moro than ji prophetic td. accurately outline tnc functions which load will bo required to fulfil in tho near future, in view of the many than era of tho past in which lead has been displaced by other metals. Formerly all hot water services for domestic purposes were of lead or galvanised wrought iron, but, with, tho introduction of light section copper pipe, lead is giving place to copper in all the higher nlasa work. In connection with domestic water Eervices, tho same chango is*occurring when tho water to be carried possesses plumbosolvent 'properties: although in this instance tin-lined pipes have been, used they have not proved entirely successful, and in consequence efforts are being made to have light section copper pipe—heavily tinned—recognised by waterworks ■'authorities. Lead boil pipo which was considered a slne-qua-non of good work 20 years ago, is not now used exclusively on all good quality work, and eimilai'ly stacks of lead waste pipes which were in common use at that timo arc now 'seldom seen dn new work. In the latter case it is beyond dispute that cast-iron pipes give better results, but the same cannot be '®«.id ; ill the case of soil pipes. As the result of the period of rapid evolution through which the plumbing trade is passing, it is difficult to forecast the future uses of lead,' but it is safe to say that architects' mill ultimately recognise" its superior merits in many classes of roof work, for Bdil pipes,' and ' for rainwater pipes.

GOLD AND SILVER MARKING. New regulations for marking gold, silver, and plated goods are likely to soon bccomo law in Canada. A Bill has been' introduced into the Senate, and it will then hfivo to pass tlio House of Commons. Gold afld silver articles offered for sale in Canada, if marked at all, wilLTicreifter have to bear a; trado mark, and, in addition, "a mark truly and correctly indicating tho quality of gold and silver," or a British hall" mark, or the correct official maTk of any foreign country, correctly indicating the quality of "gold or silver.. In addition to this, the article may also bear a numeral intended to identify the article 1 or pattern, and may also bear the name <uid initials of tho dealer or any other mark not calculated to mislead or deceive. An article cannot bo marked gold which is below 9 carats ,in fineness. The marks "silver," "sterling,", "sterling silver," "coin," or "coin silver" shall not be applied to an article containing less than nino hundred and twenty-llvo thousandths puro silver. Below this the fineness of silver articles shall be indicated in decimals, a 6 .800 or .900 silver. Gold and 6ilver plated ware, if bearing any mark whatever, must also bear a registered trado mark to indicate tho manufacturer. In a care of electro-plated silver ware there "may be appliod a mark indicating truly and correctly the grade or quality as known to tho trade of plating." and there must also bo a mark indicating the metal upon which tho plating is deposited. The quality mark for the silver plating must indicate "truly and correctly tho number of ounces or pennyweights of pure silver upon 12 dozen articles exactly the same in size, design,- and plating 'as the article to which the mark is applied." The word "silver"' alone or in compound word is not authorised for use' on a plated article, except in the words "nickel silver" or "Ger-man-silver." An article is not to be marked "nickel e,llv«r" or "German silver" 'unless 10 per cent, of the inferior metal on which the plating is deposited is pure nickel. "When the base of inferior metal upon which the plating of silver js deposited . metal there shall be legibly stamped on the article the word 'brass.'" HALF-YEAR'S EXPORTS. ' With the does of March six months of tho produce, year wore completed, and the values of tho exports for each month compare with those for tho corresponding months of the previous year as under:— 1912-J913.. 1911-12. October 953,202 614,007 November 1,148,094 1,146,603 December 1,704,810 1,285,122 January 2,826,257 2,490,165 February 3,629,785 2,984,753 March 2,527,987 . 2,465.077 12,790,135 10,985,627 The increase for the half-year ia £1,804,508, which. is extremely satisfactory.

DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs. W. Weddol and Co., in their dairy produce circular dated London, February 28, make the following comments:—. Butter.—Tho demand for Australian and New Zealand butter this week has been very good on the whole, but Tor a day or two there, was a slight falling off, duo more to the return of milder weather than to any other factor. Supplies of strictly "choicest" butter continue small, and no cliango of importaneo in this description is probable until • after Easter. Tho inquiry for roally fine qualities of all varieties of. butter continues strong. Secondary and inferior grades are in supply beyond the usual proportion, and tho conscquenco is that the prices of these qualities are more markedly below tlioso of "choicest" butter than they have been for years. Second-grade Australians range from 6s. to Bs. per cwt. below first grade, whereas tho usual difference used to bo. only 2s. Margarine is unable to compete with "choicest" quality, but it is very different with qualities below first grade. Many consumer's prefer margarine with a mild or neutral flavour to butter with Ashy, weedy, or sour taints. "Choicest" salted Victorian and New South Wales butter is making UOs. to 112s. per cwt-., and Queensland 106s. to 110s„ while Now Zealand brings 116s. to 118s., with 119s. for exceptionally good brands, while in some eases 120s. has been made. Iu unsalted, 112s. to llfxi. per cwt. is obtainable for Victorian'and for New South' Wales, and tills. to 114s. for Queensland. For .New Zealand unbilled 118s. to 122i-. is the rurgc of prices-

There is no great change from last, week in the demand for' Continental butters in our markets. Scandinavian and Frencli firo making very hitrh priccs in comparison with other foreign butters. Tho Copenhagen official quotation lias been raised by 2 kroner, and now stands at 113 kroner, against 116 last year. Siberian arrivals are small, and' priccs are firm. Argentine supplies continuo on. a liberal scale, but prices for this variety show some improiement on the week. • j Checte.—This market continues on the quiet side, with an averago amount of ; trade passing both iu Canadian and flew Zealand. Priccs show a. tendency to move upwards, but progress is slow. Canadian is selling at 63d. to 655. per cwt ; for both coloured mid' white; deep red is making two shillings more. New Zealand now brings 60w. 6d. to 61s. per cwt. for white arid coloured. LONDON MEAT MARKET. Messrs. Gilbert Anderson and Co. (Messrs. Mcllsop, Eliott and Co., agents) Toport as follows, under, date London, March 7:— A further fall in priccs of frozen meat lias occurrcd. The supply being in excess of the demand, holders arc pressing sales Tat-her than take tho risk of holding at the high priccs now ruling. Easter, bringing with it tho end of tho Lenten period, should tend to produco a fresh demand, and may firm up priccs. ' Home-grown.—Beef: Scotch, 63d. to 7Jd.; English, 63d. to 65d.; Irish, 51<1. to 6L 3-81. Mutton: Scotch, 7d. to Bid.; English, 7d. to Bd.;.Scotch tegs, BJd. to'9d.; English, '', d ' to 8-tl.; Irish and Dutch, 7d. to /3d. Lamb: English new seasons, Hid. to Is. Id. veal, 81d. to 9d. I'ork, 7Jd. to Bd. Chilled Beef—Prices slightly lower, fores 3Jd„ hinds 4Jd. Frozen Beef—New Zealand fores 3jd„ hinds 3 13-16 d., Australians 3 3-16 d. and 3M.; ■Plate, 3Ad. and 3gd. . , Frozen Mutton.—With large. arrivals retail buyers are buying only limited quan-i "titles, - hoping that prices will come to a. lower level. All classes a,re weaker with the exception of Australian ewes. Canterbury, 48 to E6, "42d.; 56 to 64, 4id.; 64 to i 2, 41d. Best North .Islands, 56 to 64, 41d.; ordinary, 47, d. Ewes. 3 11-16 d. Australian, 30 to 50. 3Jd.: ewes, 33d.; Plate 3 3-16 d. . -Frozen Lamb.—Tho best aro more saleable than the medium quality (of which 'the majority consist). Canterbury, 32 to 36. 61d.: 36 to 42, 6gd. Best North Islands, .28 •to 42, 6?, d.; ordinary, s!d. to 53d. Best.Australian, 28 to 42, 5 11-16 d.; ordinary, 6>d.; inferior, 51d. OPEHA' HOUSE COMPANY. The twenty-fifth annual report of tho directors of tho Opera House Company states that:—"lt' must be gratifying to them to know that during the quarter of a century which the company lias been in existence the business has been conducted in a profitable and -harmonious manner. At the present moment the board have no hesitation in assuring tho shareholders that the property, with which they started business 25 years ago is in good order, and more valuable now than at the opening date. This assurance should be very gratifying to stockholders. The board regret to announce that during tho year death removed thvee of the oldest shareholders in the company. The sudden death of Mr. T. G. Macarthy, who was the largest shareholder in the company and closely associated with tho board during the whole time, is regretted in many ways, The other deaths arc Mr. T. Whiteliouse and Mr. A. Sample." The balance-sheet sliows a complete statement of the income and expenditure for the year ended March 31, 1913. The directors recommend a- dividend of 3 per cent., this together with 3' per cent, paid on October 7 last making the dividend 6 per cent, for the year; also the usual bonus of £105 to the directors to be declared. and that such dividend and bonus bo made payable on or after May 1, 1913. Tho balance-sheet Shows that the profit and loss accountMia-s a credit balancq of £2835 If. 2d., and after paying the dividend and directors' honorarium a balancc of £1824 4s. Bd. will be carried forward. The amount received from subscribers has been £13.526 10s„ nearly half tho sum subscribed for the new capital. Such literal payments show the confidence shareholders have , iii the extension of tho company's business, and tlio need of a theatre worthy of tHo Dominion. "Shareholders," adds the report, "may satisfy themselves by inspection that the new theatre is progressing favourably and expeditiously, and tho boaTd hayo every hope that it will bo ready by Boxing Day of this year. The progress made by the contractors. Messrs., Sanders , Bros., is most satisfactory,/ and t.hoy are | very confident that the work will be com- . pletcd within the specified' time." The board bavo to announce that the lease of the present Opera, Houfc has been, extend- ' ed to Messrs. J. O. Williamson. Ltd;, for J two years from January 1, 1913.

. TRADE IN ALLEN STREET.'. -.Fruit—Tho Navua from Fiji arrived on Saturday with bunches and cases of bananas, tho greater portion, of Which was overripe, ana realised nominal prices. For. good preen fruit satisfactory rates were obtained. For dessert apples and pears, prices are well maintained. Small consignments of peaches continue to reach tho market, and realise 4s. 7d. to 55.-per halfcase. Tho local supply of grapes ia equal to- the demand, and practically nono is being jeceived from Australia. Vegetablos.—Cauliflowers, cabbages, and celery are in good demand. Carrots and parsnips are still wanted. Green peas and French beans have ceased to come forward. Tomatoes have improved iin value owing to the cold weather, tho quotation yester. day was 3s. to 4s. per half-case. Potatoes.—The market lias declined slightr ly, best Oamaru now making £6 to £6 ss. per ton with other grades at relative prices. ■ Onions.—Table onions contintio in good supply, and pricca are unchanged; pickling onions are in short 'supply, and aro' worth ljd. to l}d. : per' lb. Flour.—Tho Atlas brand continues at £9 per ton . f.o.b. south, and £9 17s. (id. ex store Wellington, less tho usual discount. Pollard is in good demand, and prices rangQ from £7 6s. to £7 lCs. per ton. Bran is •in full supply, and meets with, a. poor demand, at £5 to £5 ss; per ton. Mdizo ds in better demand, at ss. per bushel. Oatmeal is quoted at £14 per ton f.o.b. south, and at £15 cx store Wellington. Rolled oats in 41b. bags are selling at 9s. 6d. per dozen, and oatina at 10s. Oatp.—The market continues to show an upward -tendency. Short feed, 2s. lid.-to 3s. per bushel; feed Algerian, 2s. lOd. to 2s. lid.; eeed" Algerian, 3s. to 3d.; Dun oats, 2s. lOd. to 3s. Hay.—Tile market is firm. Prime quality is quoted at £4 10s: to £5 per ton. Cbnff is in good domand, at £5 to £5 Ee. per ton, sacks in. Fowls' wheat meet? with good sale at 4s. 4d. to <s. sd. per bushel. Eggs.—Fresli eggs have again advanced, and are now quoted at 2s. 3d. to 2s. 4d. per dozen: preserved, Jp. <d. to Is. sd. Butter.—l'rime, milled in bulk is scarce, and is selling at 101 d. to 103 d.; with good quality at 9id. to 95d. Partridge pens are slow of ealo, at 3s. 9d. to 4s. per bushel. , Prussian blue peas are in moderate dc; mond, at 6s. per bushel. : Cane barley is ouoted at 3s. Id. to 3s. 3d. per bushel; and feed barley, at 3s. Id. Poultry.—Hens, fa. 6d. to 3s. per pair; cockerels. 4s. to 55.; ducklings, 4s. to 4s. 6d.: turkey gobblers, ltd. per lb. live weight; hens, 9d.

CUSTOMS REVENUE., Customs duties collected at the port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1591 13s. Id. • CANTERBURY' GRAIN MARKET, (fly Telegraph.—Press Association.) Chrlstcliurch, April 15. There/is very little wheat" offering'except Tuscan, but there is a good inquiry, though no change in-quotations can be recorded.. Oats are held more firmly even than wheat, and sales are therefore few and far between. The business ,iit chaff is restricted owing to the difficulty of getting shipping ppaco for the North Island. A little cow • grass is coming forward, and 9d. per lb. as now being offered. The crop this season is a fairly large one. There is no change to note in potatoes, the quotations' being £3 15s. and £4 at country stations. 1 LONDON WOOL SALES. Messrs. Dalgcty and Company, Wellington have received cable advico from their London office under date Anril 14, regarding the April-May scries of' sales, as follows "List of arrivals is closed. The new arrivals amount to 589,C00 bales, of which 227 OCO have forwardsd direct to manufacturers, 26,CC0 bales are old stocks, leaving available for sale 188,000 bales." WOOL AND WHEAT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rcc. April 16, 0.15 a.im) London. April 15. In tho wool sales tho arrivals total 389.500 bale? Thero have been forwarded to manufacturers 227,500 bales, leaving available 187,000. Wheat— Steady and quiet. Prompt delivery 375. lOjid. to 38s. 10ld.; on the passaged 3B». lid. to 3Bs l 3d ; _' SILVER. London, April 14. Bar silver Js quoted at 27 9-16 d. per ounce standard.

■ '. / INVESTMENT SHAKES. There wero 110 transactions in investment shares yesterday. Tho quotations wero as'.under Buyers. Sellers. £ &'. d. £' s. d. Bank New Zealand 11 8 0 — National Bonk (old) 5 1~0 5 3 6 National Bank (new) 4 19 6 5 1 0 .Equitable Building — 9 10 0 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile 0 10 0 0 10 6 N.Z. and Biver Plate — 2 0 6 Well. Trust and Loan ... — 7 2 6 Christohurch Ga.s 7 7 6 — Feilding Gas — 10 0 Well. Gas (£10) - 16 2 6 Well. Gas (pref.) 10 3 - N.Z. Insurance 5.0 0 — S.B. Insurance 3 11 0 3 13 6 Standard Insurance — 112 3 Meat' Export (52s.' 6d.) 2 17 6 - . N.Z. Shipping — 16 10 0 TJnidn Steam (old) 2 13 — Mosgiel Woollen — 3 12 6 Well. Woollen (ord.) - 3 14 0 Taririgamutu Totara ..... — 2 5 0 Manning and Co 3 19 0 — N.Z. Drug — '276 Sharland's ordinary — 116 W.F.C.A. (£5) - 7 5 0