Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 4098, 15 April 1876, Page 3

Commercial.

The usual cottrse of business was interrupted Good Friday, apart froiii "Which a fair amount has been transacted. On Tuesday, Messrs WLandress, Hepbiirn, and Co., offered at auction the cargo of sngar by the Indian Chief. The trade was numerously represented, but the bidding was lan staid, and only Six lines Were placed. Second Yellows sold at li3l. Oi the beat Yellows none were sold. Second Whites realised L 32 6s to L 32 10s. Fine Whites, L337s6dto L 33 15». All the best Whites were passed. The demand for Tea is not brisk, and as stocks are heavy, although no decided changes in price can be quoted, the advantage is in favor of buyers, as holders are desirous of realising. No change can be recorded in spirits, and beers remain as last quoted. Candles command lOd, and kerosene is firm at last quotations. The demand is good for dried fruits. Currants may bo purchased at 4d to 4Jd; Eleme raisins, 6-Jd; Sultanas, BJd to &id. Colonial produce is in request, and commands nigh prices. Butter cannot be bought under Is 3d, cheese 9£d; bacon aud hams fts last quoted. The money invested in new undertakings is at last beginning to bear fruit. Builders have latterly found great difficulty in procuring slates for roofing purposes, as the supply 13 very limited and the demand larger. We trust this Uncertain state of affairs is likely to be put an end to by the opening of the Otago slaie quarry, the first supplies of which, of 9,000 slates, are lying for shipment for Dunedin at Oamaru, and we understand a regular and full supply may bo depended on. We regard this as au important addition to the produce of Otago, as the demand for slates is not limited merely to Now Zealand, but is great in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

LABOR MARKET. Mr Skene reports that there has been a fair inquiry _ for country hands during the week. Farm work is hindered a little by the holidays, but there is not much to note. Couples are moving, and as usual female servants of experience are far short of the demand. Wages:—Ploughmen, L 52 to L6O; shepherds, L6O and L 65 ; carpenters, 11s, 12s, and 13s; house gkls, 10s to 15s per week; hotel do, 12s, 15s, 20s, aud 30s; boys and girls, 6a to 10s; day labor, 8s and 9s; dairy and odd hands, 15s to 255; gardeners, grooms, &e., 25s to 455. THE SHARE MARKET. Mr Reid Mackenzie reports sales and closing Erie' s for week ending 15th April, as follows: ales—National Insurance Company, 24s 3d to 24s 6d; Standard Insurance, 12s and 12s 3d; Walton Park Company, 4s 9d and ss; Colonial Bank, 31s 6d and 31s 9d. Closing prices—N.Z. Insurance, old issue, 80s to Bls, new issue 55s to 675; South British Insurance, 58s to 545; Standard Insurance, 12s to 12s 6d ; National Insurance, 24s 6d to 255; Bank of New Zealand, old issue, 345s to 3505, new issue 340s to 3415; National Bank, 75s to 765; Colonial Bank, 32s to 335; Fiji Bank, 42s to 42s 6d; Otago and Southland Company, 24s to 24s 6d ; Fovbury Park Company, L 23 to L 24 ; Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company. 57s to 60s; Albion Brewimr and Making Company, 3s to 4s; Friendly Societies, 30s to 335; Walton Park Company, 4s 9d to ss; Hokitika Gas Company, 128s to 128s 6d (20 per cent. div. per annum); Energetic West. Coast, ICOs to 1635; Wealth of Nations, 110s; Mount Ida Pastoral Association, 200s; Shipping Company, 76s to 775; Kanieri Race, 2s 6d to Bs. Money—lnterest upon freehold securities, 9 per cent.

Mr Frederick H. Evans reports for the week ending 15th inst:—Sales: Colonial Bank, 31s, 30s 6d; Standard Insurance, 12s 3d; National do, 24s 9d. Closing prices: Colonial Bank, 31s; National 755; Fiji, 455; New Zealand, Ll7 17s; National Insurance, 21s fd ; Standard, 12s 6d; South British, 565; New Zealand, 60s; Otago and Southland Insurance Co., 265; Mosgiel Woollen Factory 555; New Zealand Shipping Co., 765; Albion Brewery Co., 6s; Friendly Societies’ Hall 35s'; Walton Park Coal, 4a; Sons of Fortune Gold Mining Co., 18a.