COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 73, 22 September 1880, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The following is the weekly report of the New Zealand Times . — In our last report we entered at considerable length into the general state of trade, and more particularly so far as the preceding four weeks were concerned. Since then liUje of consequence has arisen to call for notice, and what we wrote on that occasion is in the main as appropriate uow as it was then. The only arrivals from abroad have been the Stirlingshire from Glasgow, with some general cargo and the seeond instalment of pipes for the Wainuiomata water scheme, and- the \yainiea from London. These vessels, together with the St. Leonards, have been fully engaged discharging cargo, all in very good order. Some few lines have been dealt with in parcels, ex ship, and amongst them we may particularise Van Houteu's cocoa, wliich ha3 had a rapid sale at 4s 9d to 4s lOd per lb., duty paid. Salt alsp has found purchasers in considerable quantities at satisfactory rates to importers, and we understand that the best portion of a through shipment for Napier has been dealt with here. Candles continue firm, and supplies are still coming forward from Australia. We hear of a small lot of Price's haring been quitted at lOd, but the ruling rates to the trade may be set down at lOfcd for De Koubaix. As shipments on the water are invoiced cheaper than they have been fou some time past, a concession on current rates may Le anticipated. Dried Fruits.-^Currenta are worth 6id, elemes and suitanas 7_d. These particular lines having run short, supplies have been drawn from the adjacent colonies. Teas. — Some business has been doing in new seasons, though not to any extensive degree, the enquiry beiug principally for the lower priced boxes, of which stocks at present are small, but what there is ha? been for the mast part placed at .prices ruling from 17s to 188 fid per box, duty paid. Galvanised Iron. — Prices are weakening, £28 being the outside value, a'pd there is no disposition lo touch shipments to arrive at. that figure. Nails. — Small sales are being effected <'t previous quotations, the market : is rather bare, but the requirements, however, are limited. Woolpacks are in request, and selling at 39 Id and 3* 5d for Sib. and 101b. respectively. Fencing wire continues without change* at £17 to £18 for Nos. 6 to 8. An auction sale of wines, spirits, etc., was held yesterday by Messrs. Laery and Campbell, at which the attendance .was small, and the bidding exceeding dull. The sale was an unreserved one, but $he offers made were on the wholn, bo inadequate to the value represented, as to present, but little temptation for merchants and others to continue the exppriment. Colonial Produce. — We regret to state that tlie prices ruling for nearly all the lines coming under this heading are most unsatisfactory, and disheartening to the producer. Flour, however, keeps up to its value of- £11 to £11 10s, but complaints of tlie, quality have come under our notice, which, for; obvious reasous, \t to be regretted. Chickwheat is in no d.mand at from 2s t_ 2s 3d. Oats. — Best samples are worth from 2s to 2s 2d. Bran, 7_d to Bd. Salt butter is a complete drug in the market, and buyers cannot be found at any price, even 4d per lb not tempting them. Fresh lias been quitted at auction at 7d to 7,d. Hams and bacon of prime quality are selling in small lota at Bd. Maize— The market is oversto-ked, the latest price obtained for a parcel that we hear of is 3s 2d ; there, however, appears to be a decided dowpward tendency.