COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 83, 17 June 1879, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

.-■ — „..'♦ ■ -■- ' Wellington, Friday. The import trade of the past week has con tinned dull and. unsatisfactory, with no indication of improvement. Prices have a downward tendency, and a general feelingof doubb and uncertainty pervades every branch of business, to the exclusion of all dealings except those of a strictly retail character.; Ab the numerous auction sales now taking place daily, goods are sacrificed at prices much below cost and charges, thus rendering it impossible for the legitimate trader to obtain a fair profit in the ordinary course of his business. Stocks in all articles of general consumption continue heavy, and quotations nominally unaltered from our last report, but in most cases lower rates would be accepted for a cash line. The same remarks would not inaptly apply to colonial produce where stooks happen to be in excess. Keg butter remains at lOd to lid, with only moderate inquiry for export coastwise. Canterbury cheese is worth 7d to 8d nominally, but at suction has pushed, off at6d; stocks very light. Bacon and hams continue Bcarce, no good samples being in the market ; holders of small lots ask B£d to 9d per lb. Flour is laid to be somewhat firmer, but we have as yet seen no indications of a change upwards. At Plimmer, Beeves' auction it was sold at £4 10s to £8 per ton, and holders would clear a line of first-class brands at £9 to £9 10s per ton ; Adelaide flour sold for £13 15s per ton. Grain remains without change in value. Oats in full supply at 'is lOd to 8s per bushel ; fowls feed, 3s 4d to 3s 7d ; maize, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; potatoes, £4 10s to £i per ton ; bran dull at 9d to lOd pet- bushel ; pollard, £6 to £6 6s per ton.— N. Z. Times. DUNBDIN LABOUB MABKBT. Mr Skcne reports a slight improvement in the "demand for genuine ploilghmen; also, for station and farm couples. Day laborei-s and the , butohbhng trade are now feeling the winter darkness; but there is the prospect of plenty of public works. Shepherds are very quiet. Hotel servants, male and female, are daily needed. Station cooks, carpenters, and bridge builders are asked for. Girls in every branch are far short of our requirements. A few storemen and clerks are needed. Wages — Cooks, waiters, &0., 20s to 495 ; boys, 10s ; couples, £75; ploughmen and shepherds, £52 to £70; milkers, Ids to 255; day labors 7s to 8s ; girls, 10s, 15b, 20s, 255, and 80s ; station carpenters, 45s per week ; bridge .do, 14s per day.— Evening Tribune.