COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 8

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

' INVESTMENT SHAKES. There were no transactions recorded in the investment market yesterday. The quotations were as under:—' . ■' . ' Buyers. Sellers. - • £ s. d. £ s. d. National Bank — 510 0 Equitable Building 9 6 0' — N.Z. anil River Plate 2 0 0 — Well. Trust Loan, Ltd. ... 7 8 0 Well. Goe (£10) 16 I 6 - N.Z. Insurance ...; 6 0 0. 6 4 0 South . British 4 16 0 — Gear (£4) 14 7 6 Meat Export (£2 12s. fid.) - 216 6 N.Z. Shipping (pref.) ...... 10 16 0 — Mosgiel Woollen 3 15 0 — Well.. Woollen (ord.) 4 8 6 — Well. Woollen- (pref.) ...... 3 4 0 — Westport 113 0 — Leyland-O'Bricn ■. — > 12 3 Golden Bay Cement 10 0 — Sharland (ord.) — 14 0 Sliorland (pref.) — 14 0 W.F.O.A. (£5) - 6 6# Customs duty collected at the port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1841 12s.- 6d. NATIONAL MORTGAGE AND AGENCY OF NEW ZEALAND. The report of the National Mortgage and Agency Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., for the year to September 30 last, states that after paying all expenses in London and New Zealand, interest on debentures and a, bonus to the staff, and making full provision for bad and.doubtful debts and depreciation on premises, plant, investments, etc., the balance at credit of profit and loss account, including tho amount brought forward, is £54,510. From this an interim dividend of Is. 6d. per share. has already been paid, and it is proposed to pay a further dividend at the same rate, with, a bonus of 2s. per share, both free of inconio tax, making 121 per cent, for the year, to add £15,000 to the reserve fund, making it £225,000, and to carry • forward £14,510. The business of the company during tho year under review has, the directors state, been satisfactory, and has enabled thenr not only to propose the payment'. of a dividend at the same rate as last year and a similar addition to the reserve fund, but also, to write off- the heavy depreciation on investments resulting from the war and to make' a donation of £1000 to the New Zealand Patriotic Fund. The proposed isstio of new .ordinary and preference shares has. in consequence of the disturbed condition of the money market, been unavoidably postponed, l'he directors, however, will proceed with the scheme %a 6 soon as a favourable opportunity presents itself. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLED MARKET REPORT. ' The Department: of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated London, March 20. (Note-Quotations, unless otherwise stated, arc average market prices on spot):— . „ Mutton—The market is firm, with a fair demand. Stocks of mutton on hand are light. North Island, 6d. per lb.; ordinary Quality, si!d. 1 Lamb.—The market is firm, with an upward tendency, and there is a good demand for prime quality. Other than Canterbury, 77, d. per lb. for best duality; second grade, %1 , , Beef.—There l's lc6S demand (is a result of heavy arrivals of chilled beef. New Zealand hinds, 61d. per lb.; fores, 6d.; chilled hinds, 6id.: fores, '53d. Butter—The market is not quite so firm. Danish, per cwt., 1465. to 1485.; New Zear land, 1425. to 1435., occasionally 1445.; Australian, 138s. to 142s : Siberian, 1325. to 1365.; Argentine, 1365. to 138s. Cheese.--The market is firm, but tho demand is only moderate by the trade. Generally it is on account of requirements for the Government that the market remains firm. Canadians, per cwt., 945. to 965.; New Zealand, 935. to 945.; Australian, 90s. to 915.; States, 86s. to 90s. Hemp.— I The market is firm, and has advanced owing to advices, fTom Manila indicating unsettled position.' shortage of freights, dry weather, and disorganisation owing to new regulation regarding grading. New Zealand, good fair grade, per ton, £33; fair, £31: fair current "Manila, £37 10s Forward shipment—April to June: New Zealand, good fair, per ton, £33 15t=.; fair, £31 155.; fair current Manila, £39. The output from Manila for tho week was 23,000 bales. Wheat.—The market is quiet but firm, on account of Government purchases. Canadian. per quarter, 645.; American, 645.; Argentine, 625. .. , Oats.—The market is firm, with improved demand. New Zealand oats, short (Sparrowbills), ex granary, per quarter of 3841b., 355.