COMMERCIAL REPORT FOR JUNE.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 July 1855, Page 13

COMMERCIAL REPORT FOR JUNE.

As it is of the utmost importance that the native producers should be kept UNKNOWN informed not merely of the market prices, but of the market transactions, we shall direct our attention in future to the compilation of a monthly paper, showing the number and character of vessels arriving from and departing for foreign ports ; specifying the general nature of their inward cargoes, and distinctly setting forth the quantity of New Zealand produce shipped, and the portsto which it may be exported. AY e shall, likewise, give a statement of the amount and description of produce brought coastwise into Auckland, and we shall accompany that statement with such remarks as shall from time to time be required, so that the native farmers m-iy not only be fully aware of the actual state of trade, but induced to carry on their farming operations with that energy and spirit which shall enable them to become individually wealthy, as well as individually instrumental iu promoting the general progress and prosperity of New Zealand. Rut, before we proceed further, there is one point in connection with the market prices, as

published, to which it is necessary we should direct the attention of the native growers. In all countries, there is a difference between the prices derived by the grower, and those obtained by the sellers of produce. The corn grower and the corn dealer are two perfectly distinct persons. Both of them must live by their respective occupations. The grower conveys liis produce to market j and the corn dealer, or miller, at once becomes its purchaser, in order that he may supply the wants of the community. But, to enable him to do this, he must purchase at a price that will leave him a profit, with which to pay for his own house, stores, food, and general expenditure. Or, again, in the case of the merchant, who ships cargoes to foreign ports, he must buy at a price that will enable him to pay the ship that conveys the produce, the expenses incurred by shipping it in Aucklaud, and landing it in Sydney or Melbourne, and remuneration to the foreign merchant who sells for his advantage. In ho country are corn growers and corn dealers of one and the same occupation. It would be to their loss if tbey were so. And hence it is that the native grower receives a lesser price fur hitproduce than that published iu the market lists. Of this difference, we are told our native friends complain, but their objection is a groundless one The European farmer is placed in precisely the same position : and the profit of the dealer is as much a matter of cost to be calculated, as the expense of ploughing the land, or carting or boating the grain to market. The supplies derived by vessels from Great Britain and the neighbouring Colonies, consist of general cargoes of merchandize. During the month of June there arrived two ships of 1132 tons, fully laden, and with 58 passengers from London. Seven vessels of 1435 tons, with general cargoes, and 66 passengers from Sydney. Four vessels of 705 tons, and 104 passengers, from Melbourne; and one of 36 tons, with 9 passengers, from TlobartTown. During that period there sailed for Sydney four vessels of 1024 tons, laden with 8836 bushels of wheat, 128 tons potatoes, 10 tons flax, 48 bags onions, 64 bides, 22 casks sperm oil, 23 bales wool, 1 bundle sheep skins, 3 ewt pumpkins, and 31 passengers. Two vessels of 307 tons, also sailed for Melbourne, with 250 tons potatoes 850 bushels wheat, 10 tons onions, 3 tons flax. 2 coils rope, and 11 passengers. And a brig of 280 tons, also departed with a general cargo brought by her from Sydney, and 10 tons of potatoes shipped here for Honolulu. The imports coastwise into Auckland, exclusive of tbe supplies conveyed by native canoes and overland, amounted during the month of June to 5420 bushels wheat, 1038 bushels maize, 158 tons potatoes, 1 ton onions, 1 ton pumpkins, 73 head of cattle, 29 pigs, 7 horses, 27 fowls, 6 turkeys, 5000 lbs. salt pork, 1120 lbs. bacon and

hams, 500 lbs. lard, 50 I's. lioncy, 1 keg butter, 7 tans 6 casks and 00 gallons sperm oil, 1 tun and 23 casks black oil, 15 tons flax, ton kauri gum, 30*' feet house blocks, 2000 palings, 10,000 laths, 5115 posts and raijs, 133,1 GO feet sawn timl er, 140,000 shingles, 40/ tons firewood, and 10 bales wool having in mind that New Zealand has but barely entered upon that career of productive inuiistry r.vul commercial enterprise which she has ib in her power so largely and so richly to command, t:ie results we have shown are so far satisfactory. J-.vA. they are immensely short of what can ana must be d"iic if New Zealand is to become Tiiis year, exportation has been greatly restricted for want of the means ol su j oeeause of the large requirements of food for our own population. It is to be hoped that our farmers, both Native and European, will strain every nerve to increase their produce, lor one bushel of wheat which we are now able to p;:rt with, we should be in a position to shii! a thousand : so also with maize, oats barley, onions, pumpkins, pigs, pork, fowls, turkeys, eggs, batter, cheese, honey, bacon, flax, and other commodities winch, with the increasing population of Australia cannot fail to ba in in" creasing demand, and at prices certain to enrich the industrious cultivator. Ilorse and cattle sr.lcs have been frequent during the month of June, and the prices that have been obtained, ought to offer a sufficient inducement to the native farmers to turn their attention to the rearing and breeding of a superior description of stock:—There were two sales at Otahuhu on the sth and Gth of June. At the first, JiiT. Mc'jauran sold a lot of 20 fat beasts at an average of£l7 per head. Horses sold at from £26 to <£6o, according to the description. Mr. Newman, like wise sold a considerable number of cattle: Heifer.averaged about <£B a head, cows <£l3, oxen <£l6, and calves £4 10s.; 155 ewes fetched 205.; another lot of 140 brought 255., and another of 9i, fetched 355. per head. Horses fit for the cart and plough are still in demand, and realise very high prices. Two mares recently imported from Sydney, in the William Denny, steam-ship, fetched £BS and £145 respectively. In the Melbourne market, wheat, flour, maize, oats, potatoes, and all kinds of produce are in demand, and prices continue to advance.