FARM & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 114, 11 February 1928, Page 12

FARM & COMMERCIAL

NEWS AND NOTES

AUCTION SALES TO-DAY. 50 Main Road, Trentliain, 1.30 p.m.— Clearance sale of household furniture, tools, motor-truck, horses, etc. (11. D. Leighton.) 26 Maarama Crescent, 1.30 p.m.—Salo of contents of 7 rooms (Davis Bros.) . MONDAY. Lambton Quay, 2.30 p.m.—Sale of land, part section 603, with residence (Harcourt and Co.). Baliiatua Ewe Fair, 11.30 a.m. (W.F. C.A., Ltd.). Pahautanui Sale, 1 p.m. TUESDAY. Raetihi, 1 p.m.—Ewe Fair (Freeman R. Jackson and Co., Ltd.). PAHIATUA SHOW The entries for the Pahiatua shoit, to be held on Saturday, are stated to be the largest in the history of the association, due mainly to a substantial increase in tlie cattle and sheep sections. The display of Jerseys is expected to be tlie finest seen on the Pahiatua show grounds, both from a numerical and quality point of view. The entries for the jumping events and hack classes are well up to previous years. The open hunters’ event, a popular competition, has attracted seventeen entries, Including many wellknown performers. The demand for side-show space has been greater than on any previous occasion.

FARMING INTERESTS CANADIAN DAIRY FARMERS AND NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN BUTTER. Ottawa, February 8. Attacking the trade treaty. Mr. George T. McNutt. Conservative member for Colchester. claimed that the dumping of Australian and New Zealand butter was driving tlie dairy farmers hr the maritime provinces out of bminess. Mr. J. E. Sinclair, Liberal, took issue and doubted whether huttnr nriecs had dropped. If Canada was to be a nation within the Empire, how could she consider repudiating the treaty? The surplus dairy products of Canada found a market in Britain, who controlled butter prices. Canada was quite able to compete in the British market with the Antipodes. CANADIAN FARMERS HANDICAPPED. (Rec. February 10. 7.15 p.m.) Ottawa, February 9. Dr. F. S. Tolmie. Conservative, told the House of Commons that under tile Australian treaty Canadian butter manufacturers got unfair treatment. Canadian farmers had to store provender for winter and feed it to cows, so that they could not compete with the Antipodeans, whose cattle were turned out to grass. If there was no market in Canada for their butter, he feared the farmers would move to the United States. LONDON SHEEPSKIN SALES ADVANCE IN PRICES. (Rec. February 10, 8.30 p.m.) London, February 9. At the .sheepskin sales 2742 bundles were offered, of which 1323 bundles were New Zealand, and 1103 were Australian. There was a good selection, especially of New Zealands. There was a good attendance and keen competition. The Home trade bought freely and Americans participated. Prices advanced compared with those of December 15, Merinos by per cent.; crossbreds, fine, 10 to 15 per cent.; medium. 10 per cent.: low. 10 to 15 per cent.; pelts. 10 per cent.: lambs, 10 to 15 per cent. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd. report having received the following cablegram from their London house, under date February 9:—“Largo attendance of buyers and competition keen; 2440 bales offered, all sold. Good selection; demand good generally. As compared with closing rates of last series, Merino combing fully 5 per cent higher: Merino clothing, 7i per cent, higher; fine crossbred combing and clothing, 7i per cent, higher: medium and coarse crossbred combing, 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, higher; Medium and coarse crossbred clothing, 10 per cent, higher; lamsb. 15 per cent, higher. Few offered. The following is the range of prices:—Merino 2-full woolled, Mid. to 18d.; ditto J-l--woolled. lOd. to 14d.; ditto short and shorn, 9d. to 9id.: crossbred. S-l'ull woolled flue. 15d. to 19Jd.; ditto j-full woolled medium and coarse. 12d. to 16d.; ditto 1-4 woolled fine. lid. to 15Jd.: ditto 1-1 woolled medium and coarse, lOd. to 13d.; ditto short and shorn, Bd. to 13d.; lambs, 14d. to 18d.

Messrs. Murray. Roberts and Co., Ltd. are in receipt of the following sheepskin market cablegram from their London agents. dated February 9:—“Merino sheepskins advanced 5 to 7J per cent.; crossbred sheepskins advanced 10 per cent.” MAKIRIKIRI SHEEP SALE KEEN COMPETITION. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Wanganui, report having held a successful sheep fair at Makirikiri (Lismore Station yards), when they offered on account of various vendors from all parts of the Makirikiri district their annual drafts of sui’idus sheep. Buyers were well represented from the Manawatu, Wanganui, and Taranaki districts, and in spite of the dry weather, vendors who were prepared to meet the market were more than compensated for the very keen competition shown throughout the sale. Tlie following is a range of the prices realised: —350 4-year ewes, 245.; 750 4-year ewes, 235.; LIO 5-year ewes, 19s. 3d.; 486 5-year ewes. 18s. fid.; 249 5-year ewes, 19s. 2d.; 116 f.m. ewes, 165.; small mixed sexed 2-tooths, 18s. Id.; 472 5-year ewes, 205.; shorn wether lambs, 12s. 6d.; mixed sex cull lambs, os. 3d. Also on account of Lismore Station 4b yearling P.A. Hereford cross heifers, 43’155.; 25 3 and 4-year Hereford bullocks, 48; Hereford store cows, 44 55.; 22 2-vear P.A. Hereford cross heifers, 44 16s. NEW ZEALAND PORK EXHIBITS IN ENGLAND. The winners of the Meat Board’s prizes for bacon pigs judged bv a board of English fudges at Smithfield Market were J. Simpson (Southbridge) 1, and Canterbury Agricultural College 2. Mr. Simpson’s prize-winning pigs were crossbred , Yorkshires. The first prize for the three best quarters was won by C. M. Williaras, of Kaiapoi, and the second nrize went to the Canterbury Agricultural College. Mr. Williams’ prize-winning pigs were a largo Whites—Berkshire cross FROZEN MEAT Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having received the following cablegram from their London house, under date February 9:— “Lamb:—New Zealand . prime North Island lamb. 28-36. 10*1 ; 36-42. 93d.; New Zealand second quality, 83d. Market tending downwards: demand limited. Mutton:—New Zealand prime North Island mutton, 48-56, 6id.; 56-64, sid.; 64-72, 5d.; North Island ewes, 48-64, sd. Market weak: demand quiet. Beef:—Argentine chilled hinds, 7gd.; Fores. sd. Pork:—English porkers, 80-10). 9id.; New Zealand porkers, 80-100, 7d. to ‘id.; 100120. 6|d.; New Sealand baconers, 120-170, 52 d Australian lamb :-G.A.Q. Australian lamb, 28-36. 9d.; third Australian lamb, 6d. Market unchanged: demand poor. Australian mutton: —G.A.Q. Australian mutton. 30-55. 5d. ; Market weak; demand limited. ~ „ , Messrs. M. A. Elliott. Lt.d, of Palmerston North, have received cable advice of the following Smithfield prices tor the week ended February 10. These prices are on the “delivered” basis, that Is, Including storage ch.pges, cranage, etc.:— Best North Island prime lambs: U/30, Wirt.; 311/42, Wirt.; 42/50, lOfrt.; ordinary North Island lambs, 9i<l.; ditto, second quality, U/42, flirt.: best north Island wethers nnd/or maiden ewes, sfi/04. Gid.; ditto, 04/72, sJrt.; ordinary North Island wethers nnd/or maiden ewes, 50/04, Gid.; ditto, 64/72, sid. Remarks: Best lambs, par to jd. lower: ordinary lambs. Bd. lower; second lambs, id. lower; best wethers, no change; ordinary wethers, id. higher; ewes, not quoted. MASTERTON SHOW

The entries for the different sections of the annual show to be held on February 14 and 15 at Solway, Masterton, bv the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, are the largest ever received in the history of that body. This augurs well for the fixture, the popularity of which has rapidly increased. There is a notable increase in the sheep section, and the fine quality animals for which the Wairarapa is renowned will meet, with keen competition from the entries oi prominent breeders from all parts of the country. The other sections of the show are well filled, forming a comprehensive whole which should make an impressive display. The ring competitions will again be a feature, some excellent animals having been entered tor the event The entertainment of the general public is being catered for in many other directions, and patrons are assured of a variety of amusements. Railway excursion fares will bo obtainable, and every facility is being offered patrons.

LIVE STOCK SALES FEILDING by Telegraph.—press association. Fcilding, February 10. At the Fcilding stock sale to-day tnere was a large entry of beef. There was a big attendance of buyers. Close on 12,000 sheep were yarded, and consisted mainly of breeding ewes and store lambs. Despite the absence ot rain most of the stock appeared in good condition, pens of good quality meeting with keen demand. Bidding opened cautiously, but brightened as the sale advance)]. A good clearance was effected at rates on a pur with tlie last sale on January 27. when a sound market was experienced. Black-face rape lambs were in demand, prices ranging from 9s. 10(1. to 11 s. Cd, Black-face woolly lambs made up to 205., white-face mixed-sex lambs from Bs. 2d. to 14s. Gd., five-year ewes 20s. 10(1., four and six-tooth to five-year ewes 21s. 2d., two-tooth ewes 275. Id. . . , Onlv a small yarding of fat sheep was offered. Fat ewes inn de from 17s. 4d to 20s. Cd., while 255. 9d. was paid for b.f. hoggets. One pen ot fat lambs offered was passed In at 245. There was a small yarding ot cattle, comprised mostly of fat and store lines, and a few dairy slock, for which late rates were maintained. Several pens of fat cattle were passed in. the vendors' reserves not being reached. Cows In milk found sales at £4 10s. to £6 10s., springing heifers £5 12s. Cd. and fat cows £5 ss„ fat bullocks £lO IBs., tat Shorthorn speyed cows £7 and £B, store cows £3 12s. Cd. to £4 10s.

JOHNSONVILLE STORE STOCK SALE. Messrs. Abrahams and Williams, Ltd., report having held a successful sale of stock at Johnsonville on Monday. A large yarding of sheep and medium yarding of cattle came forward. Considering the dry weather and shortage of teed, 'prices realised were onite satisfactory, and up to those ruling elsewhere. With the exception of one line, Messrs. Abraham and Williams report a total clearance at the following prices:—47B 4 and 5-year ewes. 225. 4d.: 185 4-year ewes, 22s • 110 5-year ewes, 20s. 6d.; 75 5-year ewes, 20s. 6d. : 100 4-year ewes. IBs. 6d.; 80 5-year ewes, 18s.; 90 5-year ewes, 17s. 6d. • 150 5-year ewes. 145.; 40 2 and 4-tooth ewe’s, 17s. 6d.; 61 5-year ewes, 15s. Id.; 60 5-year ewes. 155.; 60 4 and 6-tooth ewes, 255.: store ewes. 65., 7s. 2d., Bs. 6d., 7s. 6d., 95.: 30 4-tooth. 255.; 364 2-tooth wethers. 2us. 3d.: .70 2-tooth wethers, 205.: 30 2 and 4-tooth wethers. 225. 4d.; 20 4-tooth wethers. 21s. Lambs: B.F.- rape lambs, 150 at 155.: other B.F. lambs. Ils. 6d. to 135.: white face lambe. 135.; medium lambs, 9s. to Ils.; cull lambs. 4s. to 7s. Rams: 1 shear S.D. rams, H to 8J gns.; full mouth S.D. rams, 3J gns.; old S.D. ranis, 1* gns.; Romney rams, 2-tooths passed at 4 gns.; 4-tooth Romney rams, 3 gns.; potter rams, 4s. to 6s. Cattle: Springing heirers close to calving. £6. £6 ss. to £7 10s.: cows and calves, £4 10s.; forward cows. £2 ss. to £3 10s.: store cows, 255. to £1 155.; bulls, £1 10s. to £3 10s.

PRODUCE MARKETS CANTERBURY By Telegraph.—Pelss association. C.hrlstchurch, February 10. Though there is not a great deal of business passing, most produces are maintaining a fair tone. M'lieut is just about holding the position recorded during the mid-week. Forward sales of lowl wheat have been made at su. Bd., f.u.b.. uud uf milling at os. ibd. The market for white oats continues flrm and 3s.- Sd., 1'.0.b., 5.1., has been paid for prompt. As B’s are practically unprocurable all the Gartons offering so fur are A’s, and with the continuance of the present exceptional harvest weather, the shortage of B’s is likely to be accentuated. Auckland advices are to the effect that quite a strong inquiry exists for Gartons, and as good as 4s. 4d. was paid tlie other day for ex-ship supplies to farmers. The price locally on trucks is up to 3s. 2d., sacks extra. Algerians have eased during the week, due no doubt to the belief that the bulk of the oats crop this season comprises that variety. The present quotation is 2s. Kid. on trucks. Chaff is quoted at £3 10s. a ton, f.0.b., s.i. Samples of Akaroa cocksfoot have been offered, and for exceptionally heavy quality Bd. a lb. has been pain.. Quotations have settled down at irom 7jd. to Bd. a lb. Machine-dressed is maintaining ■-he shilling a lb. level. Some perennial ryegrass lias been offered, and the ruling quotation is round about 3s. to Bs. 3d. One line of pure seed has been sold at 3s. Gd., but tuere is little of this class about, the bulk of offerings so lar containing a fair proportion of Italian. Italian is not exciting much interest, and is nominally quoted at 2s. a bushel, on trucks. The pea market has firmed after a rather sustained, slide over the last few weeks. To-day’s business was done at 6s. lid., f.0.b., s.i., an advance of about threepence during the week. The main cause of the hardening is that in most of Hie crops threshed tiie yield has turned out diasppointingly, and the berry ’s not so well matured and is inclined to be shrivelled. Feas apparently are the one crop that the continued absence of rain has not suited, though there is no actual change in values. One reason assigned is that a proportion ot the peas sold abroad have tievu cancelled, and the Sydney market is scarcely so flrm. Current quotations are £5 15s. to £6 for March-April, anu £U to £0 10s, for prompt. The potato market continues flrm, northern inquiry having been maintained throughout the week. For March £4 ss. has been offering on trucks, for April £3 155., and for May-June 3s. lOd. The continued dry weather in the north is keeping supplies short, and a consignment is Being loaded by Monday’s boat tor the northern port. BUTTER AND CHEESE LONDON QUOTATIONS. London, February 9. Butter.—Steady. New Zealand choicest. salted, 1625. per cwt.; uiißulted, 1645. 168 s. Australian, suited, 1565. 1585.: unsalted, 1585., 160 s. Danish. 182 s. Cheese. —Firm. New Zealand, 925., 935. per cwt.; Australian, 90s. The insurance companies have definitely declined to pay claims on butter damacred in the Thames flood of January 12.

Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd. report having received the following cablegram from their London house under date February 9. (Last week’s quotations shown in parentheses):— Butter: —Banish. 178 s. to 180 s. (1765. to 178 s.); New Zealand finest salted, 160 s. to 1645. (160 s. to 1645.); Australian finest unsalted. 158 s. to 160 s. (160 s. to 1625.); Australian finest salted, 1565. to 160 s. (1565. to 160 s.): Australian G.A.0... 148 s. to 1525. (150 s. to 1545.); Market steady at present prices. Cheese:—Australian cheese, white and coloured, 90s. to 91s. (N.Q.); New Zealand cheese, white and coloured. 925. to 935. (925. to 935.); soot mice for Canadian white. ICCs. to 102 s. (100 s. to 104 s.); coloured, 98s. to 100 s. (100 s. to 102 s.); C.LF. price for Canadian, N.Q. Mr. W. 11. Kent has received the following cabled advise from Messrs. A. J. Mills and Co., Ltd., London, under date February 9.— Butter:—The market closes firm after a slicht easins earlier in the week. Finest New Zealand is selling at 1625. to 1645.; first grade, 160 s. to 161 s. OheeseThe market after the decline, is now steady at 925. to 935. finest white and coloured cheese, and 925. for first grade. Messrs. Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd. have received tho following cablegram from their London house, dated February 9:—New Zealand butter. 1625. to 164 b. per cwt. BRADFORD TOPS MARKET London, February 9. The Bradford tops market is very firm, but spinners are not responding. Quotations arc unchanged. CANADIAN DAIRYMEN CONDEMN AUSTRALIAN TREATY Regina, February 9. The Western Canada dairymen’s convention on Thursday unanimously condemned the Australian Treaty permitting the importation of butter. Ihey claimed that the dairy business of Canada was iniured.—A.P.A. and "Sun. LONDON TALLOW SALES Messrs. Daleetv and Co.. Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London house - nder date February B:—Tallow.—6l9 casks offered, 279 casks sold: price for best descriptions unchanged. Other descriptions 6d. per cwt. lower.

COMMERCIAL ITEMS WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES At the morning call yesterday a sale of Huddart-Parker (ordinray) shares at 51s. fld. was reported, and at the afternoon call a sale of Commercial Bank (ordinyry) at 275. 4d. was reported. Government stocks were steady. The 4$ per cents, were in demand at LJ<,anu tlie ot percents, at £9B 17s. Gd. Wellington Gas (debentures) were linn at £9» IUS., New Zealand Breweries (bonds) at 225. Bd., and Wanganui City (5j per cent.) at par. Hank shares were in mdoerate demand, with buyers of Commercial Bank at 275., Union Bank at £l4 145., and National Bank of Australasia (£u paid) at £8 17s Sellers quoted 595. for Bank ot New Zealand, and 7s. Gd. for Commercial Bank (rights). Goldsbrough Mort shares were wanted at £2 Bs., Wellington Trust and Loan at £G 12s. Gd., Loan and Mercantile (ordinary) at £O3, and New Zealand Guarantee Corporation (preference) at 21s. Insurance shares were steady.. National Insurance were wanted at 15s. 4d., New Zealand Insurance at 40s. 3d., and South British Insurance at 575. Gd. Wellington Meat Export were lirmer at os. Gd. Huddart-I’arker shares were in demand, the ordinary at 51s. 3d. and the preference at 21s. P. and O. deferred stock were wanted at £237. There were buyers of Waipa Coal at IGs. od., Kauri Timber at 215., New Zealand Breweries at 30s. od., Tui Brewery at 405., Ward and Co. at 31s. Gd., Colonial Sugar at £55 IDs., New Zealand Drug at 08s., Farmers’ Fertiliser at £4, Taranaki Oil at os. Gd., Wellington Queen’s Theatre at 20s. Cd., and Wilson's Cement at 375. Gd. Yesterday’s buying and selling quota-

SALES IN OTHER CENTRES BY TELEGEAPH. ■■ I’KB«S ASSOOIMIOV Auckland, February 10. Sales: National Bank of Australia, £l7 17s. Gd.; Bank of New Zealand, 598. ? 58s. 10d., 595.; National Insurance, 15s. 6d.; New Zealand Insurance, 4ps. Gd.; South British Insurance, 575. 9d.; Goldsbrough Mort, 48s. 3d.; Auckland Ga», 225. 5d.; Auckland Gas (con.), ICs. 4d.; Northern .Steamship, 14s. lid.; Kauri Timber, 21s. 3d.; British Tobacco, 395. 9(1.; Colonial Sugar, £56; New Zealand Refrigerating (con., ex-div.), Ss.; Thames Theatre, l»s.; Lucky Shot, 9d.; Grand Junction, Is. Chrifitchucit, February 10. Sales: Bank of New South Wales (cum. div. £47 155.: Commerciai Bank of Australia (rights), 7s. 2d.; Electrolytic Zine (ord., cum. div.), 31s. Gd. Sales reported: Union Bank of Australia, £l4 155.; Westport-Btockton (ord.), Is. 3d.; New Zealand Breweries, 40s. 3d. Dunedin, February 10. Sale reported: Bank of New Zealand, 593. A.M.P. SOCIETY Tin: new business written by the Australian Mutual Provident Society in both departments for 1927 establishes a fresh record for that society. It amounted to .£19.459.808. of which £15.397,528 represented business written in the ordinary department and £4.603,280 in the industrial department. The new business written in both departments in 1926 was £17,765,446. The ordinary department last year showed an increase of £1.418.265 and the industrial branch, a Rain of £276,097. The Increase of the 1926 business, therefore, amounted to £1.694,362.

THE WOOL MARKET The next wool sale in New Zealand will be held at Wellington next week. It will begin at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, and be continued the following day. There are 27.000 bales to be submitted, and the offerings in the order of sale are as follow:— bales. Wairarana Farmers’ 1590 Abraham and Williams and Wright Stephenson and Co 0840 Dalgety and Co. 5303 Murray, Roberts and Johnston and Co. ““I Levin and Co- 5961 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile — 3381 N.Z. Farmers’ Distributing Co 3154

27.000 The offering is the limit fixed by the wool committee, and was available for this sale before the last sale closed. Judging bv the sales in the South, the sale in Wellington should be a great success. It would not be surprising if the sale is better even than the January sale, when prices were very high. The statistics at that sale show as follow:— Bales offered 27.149 Bales sold - 27,071 Bales passed in io Net weight of wool, 9,625.9861bs Gross proceeds. £658,335 7s. 9d. Average price per bale. £24 6s 4Jd.; average price per lb, 46.414 pence. The prices were £1 4s. 2Jd. per bale, and 0.723 d. per lb. above the November price, and £1 4s. Ud. per bale, and 1.025(1. per lb. up on December. If prices arc no better on Thursday and Friday, than thev were last month, the gross realisation should be over £650.000. which will be a welcome sum to tho growers, who should receive their cheques on March 2. VICTORIA NYANZA SUGAR COMPANY A number of the shares of this company are held in New Zealand, and it will' be interesting to such shareholders to learn that the report for the thirteen months ended April 30. 1927. has been issued, showing that the company earned a profit of £96.578. after providing for management and administration, but before allowing for depreciation, for which £21.419 has been set aside. Addition of the balance from the previous vear. £21.299, makes a total of £120,877, less interim dividend nil ‘ l lu “*‘ m.

out of profits for the year ended March 31. 1926, £15,C00, dividend paid on December 18. out of profits for year ended March 31, 1926, £7500; un interim dividend paid on December 18 out of, profits of thirteenth month ended April 30, 1927, £22,500. After writing off £21,419 for depreciation, there is a balance of £54,457 to carry forward, out of which the board paid a further interim dividend, Of 1U per cent, on August 27 last. It is now proposed to make a final dividend for the period la April 30 last, at the rate of 21 per cent., to transfer £15,000 to reserve fund, and to carry forward the balance of £1957. It has been found by the directors that the working of the company's business would be greatly facilitated if the financial year be made to end on April 30 instead of March 31, and also if the annual general meeting be held in February, instead of December. The 21 per cent, dividend will make a total of 20 per cent, for the thirteen months to April 30. The managing director estimates the 1927-28 crop at 101.863 tons. Since the previous report, ÜBS' acres of sugar cane have been plant; ed. Including 376 acres replanted, and a considerable area of new land has been made ready for planting later in this year. EXCHANGE RATES. A.I J A. and "Sun.” (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 9. Foreign rates of exchange on February 9, as compared with par rates, or as averaged first half of 1914. are as

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE MARKETS. Sydney, February 9. Wheat: At country stations, Is. 6d. per bushel: ex truck Sydney, ss. lid. Flourexport trade is lifeless; local. £l2 15s. uer ton. Bran. £7. Pollard, £8 per ton. Oats. Tasmanian Algerian. 4s. Bd. to ss. pep bushel. Maize, yellow. 3s. 6d. per bushel. Potatoes, Tasmanian. £6 to £8 per ton: local. £4 10s. Onions, Victorian. £ll to £l2 Tier ton. Adelaide, February 9. Wheat—Growers’ lots. 4s. lid. to ss. Flour-Bakers’ lots. 4:12 7s. 6d. Bran. £6 155.: Pollard. £7 7s. 6d. Oats. 3s. 6d. to 3s. 7d.

WHEAT AND OTHER PRODUCE. A.P.A. and. “Sun.” (Rec. February 10. 8.30 p.m.) London, February 9. Wheat—Cargoes are quiet and near positions are easier, but there is more Continental inquiry. Parcels are slow, but prices are unchanged. Liverpool futures:—March. 9s. 91d. per cental: May, 9s lid.; July. 10s. Old. Spot trade, Australian ex ship. 50s. Flour is quiet. Australian ex store, 375. 6d. ... Oats are in fair demand. Australian Algerians. 28s. 6d.: gartons. 345. 6d. Peas.—Prussian blues, Tasmanian, 3605. 2805.; New Zealand, 3405. to 3605. 1 j ales. Tasmanian, 90s. to 925. 6d.; New Zealand. 82s. 6d. to 85s. Beans. 455. to 48s. (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) New York, February 9. Chicago wheat futures:—March. 1 dollar 30b cents per bushel; May. 1 dollar 30$ cents.; July, 1 dollar 278 cents. PRICES OF METALS. London, February fl. Copper—Standard, on spot JE6I 18s. lid. per ton, forward £6l 10s. 7Jd.; electrolytic. £63 10s. and £66 155.; wire bars, £66 15s. Lead, £2O 15s. and £2l ss. Spelter. £25 17s. 6d. and £25 16s. 3d. Tin, £238 Is. 3d. and £2lO 3s. 9d. Silver—Standard, 26Jd. per ounce. CUSTOMS REVENUE. Tlie Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington yesterday totalled £10,725.

lions were as under: — Buyers. Sellers. N.Z. GOVT. LOANS— £ s. d. £ s. d. 41 p.c. Ins. Stk., 1930 97 0 0 — 4$ p.c. ditto, 193S ... 97 0 0 — 5J p.c. ditto, 1933 ... —— 101 2 G 5$ p.c. ditto, 1936 ... —— 101 b 0 5} p.c. ditto, 1941 ... 98 17 G —— 44 p.c. Bonds, 1939 .. 97 0 0 •— 44 p.c. ditto, 1938 ... 97 54 p.c. ditto, 1933 ... 0 0 —— —— 101 7 6 DEBENTURES— Wellington Gas 99 10 0 —- N.Z. Breweries (stock) 1 6 —— Ditto (bonds) 1 o 6 1 2 10 Wanganui City (51 p.c., 1945) 100 0 0 BANKS— Commercial o£ Aust. (ord.) 1 7 0 1 7 G Diitto (rights) — 0 7 6 National of Australasia (£5) S 17 0 — New Zealand — 19 0 Union of Aust 14 14 0 — FINANCIAL— Abraham and Williams (pref.) —— 4 7 B Dalgety and Co ——- 13 17 6 Goldsbrough Mort ... 2 8 0 — Equitable Building .. —- 9 0 0 N.Z. Guarantee Corp. (ord., Ss.) — 0 8 10 Ditto (pref.) 1 1 0 —• N.Z. Loan and Merc. (ord.) 93 0 0 —— Well. Trust, Loan .. 6 12 6 — GAS— Auckland (paid) .... —— 1 3 0 Christchurch (new) .. — 0 8 11 INSURANCE— National 0 15 4 0 15 9 New Zealand 2 0 3 — — South British 2 17 6 IS 3 MEAT PRESERVING— Goar —- 1 17 G N.Z. Rcfrigerat. (10s,) 0 7 9 •— Well. Meat Export (ord.) 0 9 6 — TRANSPORT— Huddart-Parker (ord.) 2 11 3 12 G Ditto (pref.) 1 1 0 245 — P. and 0. def. stock 237 0 0 0 0 COAL— West port —— 1 12 3 Westport-Stockton (ord.l 0 1 1 Ditto (pref.) —— 0 3 0 Waipa 0 1G 9 —— TIMBER— Kauri 1 1 0 —— Leyland-O’Brien .... — 1 18 0 BREWERIES— . Now Zealand 1 19 9 — Staples and Co — 1 17 9 Tut 2 0 0 — Ward and Co 1 MISCELLANEO US— 11 6 —— British Tobacco (Aust.), (ord.) —- 2 0 0 Colonial Sugar 55 10 0 ■— Electrolytic Zinc (ord.) — 1 11 9 Ditto (pref.) — 1 13 0 N.Z. Drug ... 3 8 0 —— N.Z. Farmers’ Pertiliser 4 0 0 — N.Z. Paper Mills .... —■ 0 17 0 Sharland & Co. (ord.) —— 1 0 9 Taranaki Oil Fields .. 0 9 <5 •— Well. Queen’s Theatre 1 0 6 Wilson’s Cement ... 1 17 c — MINING— Mount Lyell ........ 1 9 0 —• Wailii —- 0 10 9

follow:— Feb. 9 Feb. 6 Par. Brussels, belgas to £1 34.99 34.99 35 Paris, francs to £1 124 124 25.223 Stockholm, knr. to £1 18.16 18.15 18.12 Oslo. knr. to £1 18.30 18 32 18.12 Copenhagen, knr. to £1 18.20 18.20 18.12 Berlin. Reichsmark to £1 20.43 20.42 — Rome, lire to £1 ... 92.05 92.12 —— Calcutta, pence to rupee 17 31-32 18 1-16 24 Yokohama, pence to yen 23 3-32 23J 24 Hong-Kong, pence to dollar 243 24§ 24 Montreal, dollars to £1 4.88J 4.88 1-16 4.866 New York, dollars to £1 4.87 7.32 4.873 4.866 Amsterdam, florins to £1 12.103 12.093 12.107 Batavia-, florins to £1 ' 2.103 12.093 12.107 Prague, knr. to £1 164? 164? 12.107