Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 3678, 5 December 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

The amount of revenue received at the Cus-tom-house on >,oods cleared for consumption this day was LBl4 10s 7d. A very fair amount of business has been done in the general market during the week, on the whole at satisfactory prices. The chief feature was the sale of sugars at the rooms of Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co., particulars of which have already appeared in this journal. Brandy is still dull of sale, and prices not such as importers have reason to expect. Prices of other spirits are unaltered, but case whisky jis scarce, and much inquired after. The market is still fully stocked with ale and beer, which nas led to somewhat lower rates being accepted. Tobacco has again advanced, and holders arc very firm, in anticipation of a further rise. Dried fruits still maintain former quotations. Currants, 4M ; Eleme raisins, 6M ; sultanas, 7d; and muscatels, Is. In candles and kerosene no improvement has taken place, and they are purchaseable at last week’s prices. Cheese commands 7]d to 8d per lb. Butter, Is. Hams and bacon remain scarce, and realise the same rates as last week’s quotations. Corn sacks, full weights, fetch 12s 6d; and wool packs, 3s Yd to 4s. In oilmen’s stores no change has taken place. Ameetin" of the shareholders in the New Zealand Building Society was held for the purpose of winding up its affairs. The report stated that the profit and loss account showed a net balance of L 9,070 9s 6d, being equal to L 54 per share, and the sura of L 214 9s Cd available for defraying the expenses of winding up the Society. The balance remaining after all expenses are paid will be divisible among the members. Shares held at close of last year, 226 if; unencumbered shares withdrawn during year, 14; borrowed shares cancelled, 483 ; total, 164. Number of shares now borrowed upon, 112 a ; still unencumbered. 51M; total 164, It was stated that the final" dividend would amount to 16s a share. At the Brovindal Saleynrds to-day Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. offered for sale Mr Pritchard’s racing stud, with the following results Brown horse Pertobe, 5 years inv ported, by Panic out of Hester Gazebrook—passed in at 490 guineas (reserve 500 guineas) • Kathleen, 4 years, by Roebuck out of Polly, and winner of ten races—passed in at 90 guineas (reserve 160 guineas); bay mare Verbena, 4 years, by Prince Alfred out of Warhawk bought by G. Dowse, 59 guineas. Pertobe and Kathleen are engaged in the Dunedin Cup. THE SHARE MARKET. Mr Hooper reports for the week ending sth December General inactivity in the share market, but what sales have been effected have generally been at advanced rates. Several of tho stocks show great improvement, and it is thought that the late depreciation has given way to an improved state of things. These remarks more particularly refer to National Insurance and Colonial Bank shares. I now quote the former at 28s and the latter at 16s, with a growing firmness. South British Insurance shares have very slightly declined; present price, 48s. National Bank, 68s ; Standard, 9s 6d; New Zealand Bank, LlB. In raining shares there is nothing calling for comment. THE LABOR MARKET, Mr Skene reports The supply and demand in the labor market have been pretty evenly balanced during the week. If anything we are still rather short of really useful servant girls. Farmers, runholders, and contractors are always open for good hands. Trades of all kinds are in full swing, carpenters, masons, and bricklayers are wanted ; any broken time they may suffer is from shortness of material, 1 n many up-county towns men and material for building cannot he got fast enough. Wages are firm at the following rates ;—Servant girls, from L 26 to L3O, L 35, L4O, L 4 3; cooks and barmaids, L 52 and upwards ; country carpenters, 10s, 12s, and 13s per day; wheelwrights, 12si and 13s per clay; farm hands, L 52, L 55, L6O, and Lfio per year ; couples, L 75 to LBS ; pujk and shovel and quarry men, 9s, 10s, and

12s per day ; blacksmiths, L 3 to L 4 per week ; shearers, 20s per hundred ; boys and girls, Cs, 7s, and up to 10s per week. Experienced hotel and stable servants needed.