Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 3552, 11 July 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

The amount of revenue received at the Cus tom-house ot. >.oods cleared for consumption was this day L 253 10s lOd.

Owing to the season of the year, and expense of carnage, business during the past week was •kick. On Wednesday Messrs M‘Landress, Hepburn, and Co. offered at auction the balance of the cargoes of teas ex Nicoline and Elderali*, but very little business was transacted; three small parcels only found buyers. It was stated at the sale that Messrs Russell, Ritchie, and Co. had placed the remainder of their stock of teas privately. The prices did not transpire. Generally we may state that no change has taken place in prices, and that goods remain steady at former rates. A Mercer reports for the week ending to-day .-—Retail prices only: Fresh butter in Md and lib prints, best quality, Is lOd per lb; second quality, Is Bd*to Is 9d per lb; fresh butter, in lumps, Is 7d per lb; salt butter, Is 6d per lb., and selling well, owing to the scarcity of fresh butter, as the supply has fallen off very considerably, and the stores are barely getting enough to supply their customers. Cheese of the best quality, lOd to Is per lb, and only good cheese will sell. Side and rolled bacon, lOd to Is per lb. Beef ham, 7d to 8d per lb; boiled beef ham, 9d. Colonial hams, Is to Is 2d per lb, and very plentiful. English hams, not much asked for, and the market well supplied ; selling at Is 3d to Is 6d per lb. Eggs have been verjr scarce this last week, and at present are retailing at 2s 6d per doz.

[By Telegraph.]

Auckland, July 10.—At the half-yearly meeting of New Zealand Insurance Com pany the following report was adopted:—“ Notwithstanding the increasing competition for business, this company more than maintains its position, and its premiums have steadily increased. The amount received during the past half-year L 63,216 18s 7d, is the largest sum yet received for premiums in any half-year, and shown an increase of H1,595 13s 2d on the corresponding half-year of 1873, and an increase or L 18.790 on the half-year ending November 1873. The directors have in view plans for noil further extending the company’s business. The balance of profits for the past half-year was L 26.179 17s 2d. This result is attained after making provision for losses which have occurred during the current half-year. The directors recommend an ordinary dividend of 10 per cent. The amount now invested stands at L 200,055. The directors have felt the importance of increasing the number of shareholders, and have resolved to recommend the shareholders to increase the capital of the company, and to dispose of a portion of the new stock to those likely to promote its business. A special general meeting «f the company will be convened at an early date to discuss a resolution to be submitted for this purpose.” Auckland, July 11.—Mr Buckland reports : —Fat cattle, ship-borne, 28s to 32s 6d per 100 lbs; inferior ewes, fca 6d to 14s; merino wethers, 5s 6d to 6s 3d; fat sheep, 5d per lb. Mr Binney reports that the grain market is dull: oats, 5s 3d ; wheat, 6s 3d to 6s 4d; flour Ll4 ; barley, 6s 6d ; butter, Is 3d; cheese, Bd’ hams and bacon, lOd to lid ; malt, 8s 6d • potatoes, L 6 to L 6 10s. ’ Wellington, July 11.—Mr O’Shea reports : Flour is at Ll3 to Ll3 10s; oatmeal, L 24 to L 25; pearl barley, nominal, L 26 to L2B. \Vheat—-milling none ; chick, 4s 6d ; oats, 4s 8d to4slod. Potatoes, 5s to 6s. Cheese, 7d to 7sd. Hams, 9d.

THE LABOR MARKET.

Mr Skene reports that a good many people are either out of work or casually employed, this being the dullest period of the year. We are short of good female servants, also of ploughmen and country people. The building trade is very brisk. Engagements have been Made at the following rates Ploughmen, gardeners, and shepherds, from L 55 to L 65, and found, by the year; married do, L7D to LBO j SP? atdß 5 females, good general, L 35, L4o,’ and L 46; cooks, housekeepers, and such, L 52,

and upwards. Carpenters have fixed their figure at 13s; laborers get Bs, as a rule; youngsters are asked for; smart boys and girls get 7s, Bs, to 15s per week.

SHARE MARKET,

Mr Hooper reports the share market as active. General quotations about the same as last week, excepting Arrow River, which have risen in value to about 2a per share above par ; paid-up, 7s 6d—present price, 9s 6d to 10s. Ordinary paid-up shares are not saleable except below par, Shotover Terrace shares have made a slight advance ; present price for ordinary shares, 2s fid; fully paid up, ss. Greymouth Gold Mining, 10s; Star of the Earft, L62s 6d ; Elizabeth, L 3 15s; Heart of Oak, L 3 5s fid ; Standard Insurance, 13s National Insurance, 30s fid ; Otago and Southland Investment, LI —paid up worth 255.