COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 12, 12 October 1880, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Wellington. Thursday. (From the N. Z. Times.) No appreciable change for the better in the import trade has shown itself since oar report of the' 10th ultimo ; we trust, however, that business will revive somewhat during the current month, consequent on shearing operations having commenced. It is, nevertheless, satisfactory to be able to state that, notwithstanding the general dnlness, engagements are on the whole promptly met, and that no failures of importance have taken place Sags and Wool packs. — Corasacks free; woolpacks, 2s 6d per doz. A considerable amount of trade has been doing in the latter at 3s to 3s 6d for 81b to 101 b packs. Cornsacks being out of season, are without enquiry. Metals, etc- — Galvanised Iron (duty 40s per ton) — Stocks in hand at the moment are light ; they, however, will be fully sup. plied shortly by shipments now on the water. Present quotations for 26-gauge are £27 10s to £28 per ton, but the parcels coming forwatd having been bought at much reduced prices in London would be sold to arrive at corresponding rates. Wire Naila (duty fts per cwt) — Stocks are nearly exhausted, while current values are from £20 to £30 per ton, according to sizes. Zinc (duty Is per cwt) meets with no attention. Lend (duty free) sells very slowly at £22 to £23 per ton. Fencing wiro (duty 20s per ton), £16 to £18 ; white lead (duty 2s per cwt), £33 10s to £35 ; Sharp's axes (duty 15 per oent), 3£ to ih lbs are in chief request, at about 765. Colonial Produce. — Supplies of all descriptions are greatly in excess of the defmand, and exceptionally low rates rule in consequence. Oats.— Good to best samples are selling on terms at Is lOd to 2s Id ; maize, 3s to 3s Id. Salt butter is quite unsaleable at 3d to 4d per lb. We understand that it is the intention of some holders to risk exporting to the Home market, and worse returns than those now realised can scarcely be looked for. Potatoes continue a drug in the market, and their nominal value, ex store, is 45s per ton. Any shipments coming forward must be sold by auction for what they will fetch, as storage room is scarce, and the prospects of holding theiu are not sufficiently encouraging. Bacon and hams, 8d : cheese, s£d to s£d. Flour — £11 for oolonial ; Adelaide moves slowly at £13 10s. The stocks in band are quite sufficient to last for some time to come. Messrs Charles Pownall and Co. report a considerable supply of money offering for investment on mortgage, both from local and other souroes, during the last month. The demand has likewise increased, but few transactions have been completed, the low valuation and large margin demanded aot ing almost as a complete oheok. Borrowers cannot afford to locs up valuable properties upon the extreme terms now prevailing. The rate of interest may be quoted at 8 per oent*; one large transaction, upon unexceptionable security, having been nego tiated as low as 7} per cent. Cheistchubch, October 7. There is nothing much to report in the grain market. A fair business has been done on the basis of last week's quotations. Of wheat, a few saleti are reported at 4s 2d for first-class milling, and for an extra sample an advance is to be obtained Oats have not altered at ail, and the evil is partly ► attributable to increase of freight lately asked byjfcbe Shipping < ompany. Potatoes still continue very difficult to sell. There is a slightly improved feeling in barley, and 10Nt-class commands 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Biddings in the stock market this week were fiJgtty brisk, and there was a slight impsaVfShent in consequence. Mutton, shorfi, I id ; unshorn, 2fd ; beef, 22s 6d per lOOlbs.