Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 3606, 12 September 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

The amount of revenue received at the Cus-tom-house ol .feoods cleared for consumption this day was L 273 10s 9d. Gold duty, L 472 6s 4d. During the week a fair amount of business has been transacted, with, on the whole, little change in current rates. Candles have been offered more freely, and show symptoms of a decline. Parcels have been placed at 10|d. On the other hand, kerosene is firmer and in better demand, but prices cannot be Quoted more than nominal at Is 9d to Is lOd. In spirits the market is firm, with, so far as whisky is concerned, an upward tendency. Tx.e Distillery Company have advanced their price for whisky 6d per gallon, and Is per Case on Geneva. Brandies* are unchanged. Old tom is scarce, and much inquired after. Pull rates are freely given. Dried fruits are in better supply, but prices are unchanged. For agricultural produce there has been brisk demand. The high price of potatoes has caused heavy quantities to be brought into the market, which are realising LO to L 6 10a per ton. Wheat commands 4a fldto 4s 8d per bushel; Kkts, 4»4d. In dairy produce, butter is a shade higher, and C4Qnot.be purchased under Is per lb. Chbese from Bid to 7d } and hams and bacon, df good Quality, ore readily sold at fad prices. ,Mr 4* Mercer repbrts lor the week dnding September 12:—Ketail prices only: Fr'dah butter, best / quality. Is lOd to ‘is per lb j fttettotod quality, IS 8d tb Is fid per lb; in lumps, bd to Ift 6d per lb» baft butter, primb new ftttttMb,' 1b 6d per lb j second quality,, la 4d per Jh. XW of irteb butter it coming Si

very freely, the quality improving and prices on the decline, and the grocers are now getting more than enough to supply their customers. Side and rolled bacon is in good demand, and rather scarce, at lid to la per lb; Colonial hams, Is to Is 2d per lb; English hams, Is 4d to Is 6d per lb ; beef hams, 8d per lb. Eggs still continue to be very plentiful, and are retailing at Is 2d per dozen. At the sale of the Bt. Leonards Township by Messrs M‘Landress, Hepburn, and Co. to-day, there was a good attendance, but bidding was not very spirited. The sections sold fetched prices varying from L 8 to L 33 each, being at the rate of from L22to L 53 per acre. Some sections were not disposed of, and these can be purchased of the auctioneers at the upset price of L2O per acre. SHARE MARKET. Mr Hooper reports that the share market is rather duller this week than usual, and there is little change to note in the general stocks. In quartz mines the Lucknow is reported to have cut the reef, but the prospects are variously reported. The result has had no effect on the value of the shares. In coal mining shares nothing is doing. What little business has been done, bank and insurance have had the monoply of, at previous rates, THE LABOR MARKET. Mr Skene reports that there has been a constant demand during the week for competent servants of all kinds, but it will take a considerable time to place all the late arrivals, so many being without any particular calling. Wages are as follows Female servants, L 26 to L 36 and L4O ; barmaids, cooks, housekeepers, &0., L 52 and upwards; smart girls and lads, 6» to lOs per week ; ploughmen, L 52 to L 65 ; shepherds, L 55 to L 6 5; married, L 65 to LBO, and rations; masons, carpenters, and bricklayers, from 12s to 15s, depending entirely on skill. Hotel people are asked for. Indoor trades are active. Pick and shovel men are vetiing 8s and 9a a-day, and are asked for. Handy station people will soon be needed. [By Telegraph.] Auckland, September 11.—Mr Buckland reports Fat sheep— 63o sold at higher rates; dairy cows, L 5 to L 9 10a ; calves, 25s to 425; fat cattle, 35a to 455; sheep, 5d per pound ; ewes and lambs, 24a 6d, couple ; store wethers, 10s. Mr Binney reports: Breadstuffs improving; flour, Ll3 10s to Ll4; oats, 5s 3d to 6s 3d; barley, 5s 6d; wheat, Cs to 6s 3d ; butter very scarce, Is 3d ; cheese, Bid ; ham and bacon, lOd to lid; hams, Is Id to Is 2d; potatoes, L 9. Napier, September 11. -At a cattle sale held by Mr R. Miller, 293 bead of stock were ■ isposed of. The total amount realised was L 1,734.