Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 3654, 7 November 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

The amount of revenue received at the Cus , .. lorn-house ok. fe oods cleared for consumption this day was L57212a 4d. A large business has been done during the . past week, mainly in supplying up-country storekeepers. Many of them had deferred going into stock, under the impression that as the roads improved in condition cartage would be reduced. This has proved to be a miscalculation, as instead of rates declining they have advanced, most probably through increased demand for teams, and the high price ■of horse feed. _ The demand for brandy has improved, but prices cannot b • quoted higher, it is moving freely at late quotations. The demand for , sugar is good, and fair prices are obtained. Dried fruits continue to be in request. • Currants command 4£d; ele ;,e raisins, 6AI • . _ sultanas, 7sd; muscatels, Is. The market is fairly supplied with ale and porter ; prices are unaltered, although the demand is increasing. Candles are in full supply, and are selling freely at 10|d. Kerosene is unaltered. Colonial produce commands good prices. Hams and bacon are still procurable at last quotations. Potatoes remain at high prices, but are rather easier than last named rates. Private letters received in Dunedin state that Messrs John Baynes and Co., of Chorlton street, Manchester, a shipping firm, have again failsd. Early in the year the firm made an arrangement with their creditors to pay 15s in the pound, but they failed to meet their first bills, and the senior partner absconded with additional debts to the amount of L 6,000. SHARE MARKET. Mr Hooper reports Transactions in the share market for the past week have been again numerous. Quotations about same as last week. National Insurance shares are rather less firm towards the close of the week. Colonial Bank are rather firmer ; closing price, He 9d, and there is good reason to expect tint : would-be purchasers at 10s will be disappointed in getting shares at anything less than present . quotations. In the case of the Arrow River Goldmining it is “hope deferred.” Another flood has compelled the suspension of operations in mining. The only gopd news is from Crom-well;-where quar z mining is looking very pto- • mising Present quotation are;— National Insurance. 28a fid for for cw>h, and Os on terns; Standard Insurance, 9s; South British, 50s ; Cgioniai Banks, lls to lls 9d ; National, L 3 9s ; . New Zealand, 1717s fid. Other stocks much the‘ sama as last week. , THE LABOR MARKET. Mr Skene reports : The demand has been -. constant during the week, and no class of good, useful servants need be idle for any time at pve- , ,*ent. Female servants of experience, and with good references, are at once picked up. Shept herds and form hands are wanted all over the in all oases, if servants are compeare liberal. Sheep-shearers are now . the rate* will vary per 100—

the men want 20s, the flockmasters say 17s 6d. Wages for the week :—Female servants, L 26, L3O, L 36, L4O, L 4 5; cooks, housekeepers, and barmaids, 20s and 255.; boys and girls, 6s, 7s, to 10s per week; country carpenters, 36s per week and found ; mustering shepherds at tae rate of L7O per year—short time, L2 per week; ploughmen, L 55, L6O, and L 65 ; married people, L 75, LBO, and LBS; roadmen, 9s; quarry men, 10s per day; station cooks and couples and hotel servants are wanted now.