Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 3636, 17 October 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

The unprecedented wet and boisterous weather in ihe earlier part of the week interfered with business ana tended very materially .; to retard operations ; yet, in spite of this drawback, a fair amount was done. Best white sugars continue scarce, and the demand for them is active. Of second whites of good quality there is a good supply. Ration sugars, which for some time past have been neglected, are now much inquired after. A parcel of Honolulu brown sugars changed hands. We have not heard the price. Good yellows are moving off freely at full rates. In spirits, brandy, contrary to general expectation, has receded, although prices In London are quoted at 9s 4M. Hennessey’s, in bulk, has been sold at 9s 6d and in case at 30s, Geneva, 13s Gd. Dried fruits are much sought after, and currants realise 4£d. Eleme raisins, 6d to 6fd. Candles have again slightly declined, and are purchasable at lOlcL Kerosene is unchanged. The market is still over-supplied with American salmon. Of butter it may be fairly said there is no supply. Hams and bacon have an upward tendency, and potatoes cannot be purchased except at an advance upon last week’s prices. LlO per ton has been obtained. Of some articles of extensive consumption the market is completely bare, and they are much inquired after. Amongst them are Burnett’s ginger wine and old tom, and Taylor’s cecoa, which are completely out of the market. The weather appears now more settled, and the glass is rising, so that next week brighter doings may be expected. THE LABOR MARKET. Mr Skene reports that the miserable weather during the last week kept everything in the labor market almost at, a standstill. If it now clears up, as it promises, there are places waiting for good pushing people of most kinds. We can do with plenty of shepherds, farm hands, and useful girls; but some trades aie rather overstocked. Wages are as follows: Female servants, general,froraL2s to L3G ; experienced, from L3O to L 4 5; cooks. 20m, 255, and 30s per week; ploughmen and shepherds, L 52 and L 65 ; married'do and station couples, L7O, L 75, and LBS ; masons and carpenters, 1.2s to 15s per day; road and quarrymeu, Bs, 9s, and 10a per day; station cooks, 25s and 36s per week. Mustering shepherds, special ntes; hotel hands a ; o now a.,kcd for. [Lr TeLFGEAPH,] CHBls.-i'Oßtrv.oH. October 17.—V arket quotations, f, b. ‘t .ytteitoii. whsat, a lal j oat-, 5s 6d tv 5s d ; bailey, nomina.' ; four, Id2 10s to 13; >ran, L 3 ss; pollard, LG ; sharps, L 7; cheese, 8d ; grass seed, 5s C .; potatoes, LlO : wheat rrJ oats are almost mobtainab'e in Christchnr< su Wellington, October 17.—M ; Lucklai I ' reports fat cattle, best, 40s to 455; second quality, 35s per lOOlbs; fat sheep, shorn, 4d per lb; calves, 16s to 50s*—Mr Bunney reports the grain market as dull. Flour, Ll3 to Ll3

10s ; bran, L 9 10s; pollard, L 8; wheat, 6s to 6s 3d; maize scarce, and selling, at 5s 9d; oats, saine figure ; barley, 5a ; hams and bacon, lOd to Is; butter. Is 3d to Is 4d ; cheese, 8d; potatoes, 9s to 10s. •