Commercial.

Evening Star, Issue 4261, 23 October 1876, Page 3

Commercial.

The amount of revenue received at the Customhouse on goods cleared for consumption this day was L6BB 7s 4d. There has been a much better demand for goods during the week than for some time past, and the tone of the market is improved. The cargo of Mauritius sugar ex Yvonne was offered by auction at Messrs Whitelaw and Co.'s rooms on Thursday. The trade mustered strongly, but did not relish the reserve price, which they considered too high, and consequently nothing was done. Ale and beer are not much sought after, it being too early in the . season for heavy demand. In spirits thei e has been no alteration in price since our last quotations. Candles are scarce, and news having been received by telegram from Home of an advance of a penny, the few holders evince no disposition to sell, and are very firm in their demands. No alteration has taken place in the value of kerosene. The market is very bare of dried currants, and they are held firmly at from 5d to ssd. At the latter quotation several sales, have been effected. Baisins are unchanged, and in good supply. We can say nothing new in spirits, which maintain recent quotations. In dairy produce, new butter is comiittr fort«-<irrt freely, and in consequence the price is easier; prims parcels realise Is. Clioese nnd bacon as last stated. for shipment are in good demand, and several fair-sized parcels have been sold at 2s 2d. The Bank of New Zealand half-yearly report shows a net profit, after allewing for bad debts, of L 54.300, which, with other receipts, made the total for division L68.C00. A dividend of 15 per cent. was declared. A turn of L 1.942 was reserved for Fiji Bank shareholders, and the balance of L 8.600 was carried forward.

The Share Market,

Messrs E. Seward and Co. report for week ending 21st inst.:—SalPS: Insurance—National, 255, 25s 3d; Standard, 12s 3d, 12s 6d: Now Zealand, 765. Bank—Colonial,3ls 6d, 31s 9d, 325. Miscellaneous —Mount Bangitoto Silvor Mining (promoters fully paid), L 7, L 7 10s; Contributaries (10s paid), 50s, 60s. Buyers: Insurance—National, Sis 6d, cum div.; Standard, 12s 6d ; South British, 555; New Zealand, 755. Banks—Colonial, 31s 6d ; New Zealand, LlB 12s 6d, cum. div.; National, CBs. Miscellaneous—Mount Bangitoto Silver Mining (contributaries), 455, 50s.

1 The Labor Market.

Mr Skene reports there is a good and steady demand for suitable bands for farm and station work. Female servants are very scarce. Pick and shovel work is plentiful. Hotel people are in s-etter demand. The building trade ; is quiot. Wages.— Couples, L7<> to L 80; shepherds, LGO to L 65; ploughmen, L 52 to L6O; dairy and odd hands, 15s to 253, Day labor—road, rail, and bush, 7s, Bs, and 9s; house girls, 10s to 15s; upper do and hetel, 15s to 30a; boys and girls, 6s to 103 ; carpenter;, 10s to 13s; shopmen and cooks, 3us to 50s per week; cooks, waiters, barmen, grooms, &c, 25s to 60s. ■»~^'~~ i ~' ■ __ _ i