COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4169, 31 July 1874, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

Although the trade of the past mouth may not have been so good as could have been desired, owing to the incessant bad weather which has prevailed, signs of permanent improvement In tho onward progress of the port have not been wanting, and the increased demand for all descriptions of imported goods has enabled importers to reduce stocks that a short time back were to all appearance becoming excessive. An active demand for all articles of general consumption prevails throughout tho Province; and trade during tho past twelvemonth has taken wonderful strides. It appeared at one time, from the large shipments that v 21*0 being poured into this market, that heavy sacrifices would have to bo made in order to effect sales . but the largo influx of immigrants and the general prosperity of tho settlors themselves have led to a different result, and although strong competition tends to keep down prices, there arc very few articles that can bo debited with an actual loss. Our distributing trade also continues greatly to increase, to such an extent indeed that great inconvenience is now felt by our merchants from the want of more localsteamcrs. Vessels from tho Southern ports usually come up laden with grain, and having expended their time in loading there, arc obliged to make up for it by hurrying away from this port with tho least delay possible, thus rendering it impossible for shippers to get their goods down in time to bo forwarded—more especially is this tho case in tile instance of goods intended for Napier, which arc frequently Uft behind, to tho annoyance and loss of all parties. Tho week of tho steamer Paterson, at Waitara, has been sold by public auction, by Mr. J, H. Wallace, for £3350; she was bought on account of tho insurance companies. Our arrivals during the month have been the Waikato, from London, July 11th, with 309 immigrants and cargo ; the Eureka, from New York, with cargo ; the Weymouth, from London, July 17th, with cargo ; the Mary King, from Adelaide, with flour, July ISth ; and the Hannah Broomfield, from Sydney, with 900 bags maize and general cargo. The La Hogue and Wennington have sailed for London, the former via Sydney, and the latter via Lyttelton, to HU up. Tho following vessels arc loading or have sailed for this

portAt London—The Reichstag, Strathnaver, SL Leonard's, Panthca, Euterpe, Conflict, Douglas, Cartvale, Star of India, Hourah ; and from.New.York, the Oneco, sailed June 2. The customs’ duties received at this port from July 4th to 30th inclusive, amount to £8755 ISs. lid. The Bank rate of discount is 7 per cent, on 90 days bills, and 8 per cent on 120 days’ bills. Exchange on Buying Rate. Selling Rate. London, 90 days .. II p.c. dis. J-p.c. prem. CO „ .. f „• f „ „ 30 „ .. I „ II ~ Demand .. Par 2 „ New Zealand .. Ip.c. dis. I ~ Australia .. •• i ~ i- ” Tasmania .. •• I ~ | ** South Australia .. | | ” Queensland .. ..1 „ i ” Western Australia 21 ~ 21 Mr. R. J. Duncan has held an unusually large number of auction sales during the month, at which a large quantity of merchandise has been disjmsed of at fair prices. On July 13, 132 tons coals, at 41s. per ton on the wharf. Yesterday at his sale of teas and groceries the following prices were realised 375 boxes tea, at ICs. to 255. per box ; 190 half-chests, at prices from Is. 4d. to Is, lljd. for congous, duty paid; Orange pekoe, 2s. to 2s. 2d. per lb. Victorian Company’s sugar, IC, £44 10s. per ton ; C, £42 ; and Y, £35 per ton, d.p. American plaster, at 17s. per bai-rel. Colonial jams, 7s. per dozen. 20 cases half sardines, 9s. Cd. to 10s.; quarter do., ss. 6d. aud 6s. per dozen. 18 cases Australian almonds, 9d. to per lb.; 2 cases shelled do., at Is. 6d. per lb. Sultana raisins, 7£d. to Sd. per lb.; eleme do., s|d. Thumb blue, 9d. Colman’s starch, 4d. per lb. Pints castor oil, 10s. Cd. per dozen Half pint capers, 6s. per dozen. Figs, small boxes, 7d. per lb. Half ton Porirua cheese, 7£d. yer lb. Bacon, Cd.; hams, per lb. At Mr. R. J. Duncan’s land sale on Tuesday last, the following properties were sold ;—44 feet frontage to Woodworth Street, at 13s. per foot; 1 town acre on the-Adelaide Road, at £7O; and Ido., No. 953, at £35 ; 1 town acre on Terrace, very hilly, for £80; town acre, No. 958, for £l5O, and No. 955 for £llO. Several quarter-acre allotments in Palmerston and Fitzherbert, at £7 10s. to £lO each ; 150 acres in Palmerston at 20s. per acre ; 200 acres in the Harbor District were withdrawn, there being only one bid of 10s. per acre, and 200 acres in the Horikiwi withdrawn at £2OO, the reserve being £250. Several lots were afterwards sold privately. At Mr. G. Thomas’ sale by auction, 10 tons of Yarraville sugar sold at £43 10s. per ton d.p. He also sold Tocker’s property at the Hutt, consisting of shop, with qvarter-acre of freehold land, for £IOSO ; aud one acre with two cottages thereon, on the Waiwetu road, for £330. Ale and Porter (duty paid: Draught, Is. per gallon ; bottled, Is. 3d. per gallon).—There is every indication that the market is likely to be greatly overdone with importations of English bottled' beer, while sales continue to be of only a retail character. The stock in importers’hands is ample, and several large parcels are just due by the Euterpe, while advices are also to hand of 1500 to 1600 casks on board the J. A. Thomson, from Liverpool, and over 500 casks on board the Conflict, from London. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to quote prices, the rate being nominally 12s. per dozen for bottled ale and stout, of besi brands. Draught English beer meets with only limited inquiry, importations having almost entirely ceased. Bags and Woolsacks (duty, 10 per cent.)—There has been little business doing, the season for demand being in both cases over. Cornsacks are low in stock, and difficult to quit at 13s. 9d. per dozen—and the same remark applies to woolpacks. Full-sized 10-lb, packs are quoted at 4s. Dd. No sales reported. Candles (duty. Id. per lb.) —Our market is well sup- . plied, and owing to large stocks, prices show no improvement. We hear of sales of 600 boxes to arrive, at 10jVd. per lb., for re-shipment to a neighboring Province, but the local demand during the mouth has been rather below the average. Cement (duty, Is. per barrel). —Several trade parcels have changed hands during the month, at 225. to 225: 6d. per barrel. Stock on hand moderate. Coffee (duty, '3d. per lb.)— Owing to the recent arrival of several shipments, our stock of raw coffee has been placed in a better position, and prices have become a little easier. Good plantation is now quoted at Is. 4d. per lb. in bond. Chicory (duty, 3d. per lb) —In moderate demand, at 6sd. to 7d. per lb. d.p. Fair stocks. Confectionery (duty, 10 per cent.) —Full stocks ol Keillor’s make. Sales during the month at IOId. to ■lOjd, per lb. Fruits (duty. Id. per lb.) —Owing to the stock o£ currants in importers’ hands being more than usually light, prices have been firm at 44d. per lb. for sound fruit, with active trade inquiry. Eleme raisins are in fair supply at sjd. to 6d. per lb. Sultanas have been neglected, and are quoted at C£d. to 7d. per lb. Muscatels, scarce, and, if prime, are worth Is. to Is. 2d. per lb. Figs in fair supply at 9d.; for small boxes. Dried apples meet with more notice, stocksliaving become low, and are worth 74d. to BJd. per lb. according to condition. Flour (duty, 20s. per , ton of 20001bs).—A shipment; of Adelaide flour has been received during the past month, otherwise stocks had become exhausted. The importers are asking; £l7 10s. to £lB per .ton. Hops (duty, 3d. pjr lb.).—Heavy stocks, and in little demand., Kent hi is. 1573, in good condition, are quoted at Is. Od. per lb. No sales to report. Malt (duty. Is. Cd. per bushel).—Stocks of English malt are not by any means heavy, but sales are exceedingly diffleu’t, owing just now to the preference given by the brewers to the fresh Colonial malt. Quotations, nominal, at 11s. Od. to 11s. 9d. per bushel. Metals (duty, 10 per cent.). —Best brands of corrugated iron are in active demand, and stocks are light. We report sales at £35 to £3O per ton, and with the large amount of building going on, prices are likely to remain firm for some time. Fencing wire shows a slight decline in value from last months rates, and moves off steadily at £25 to £27 per ton; ’ ‘according to number and make. Sheet zinc is worth £42 10s. to £43 per ton ; and sheet lead, £3O to £3l per ton, with fair amount of trade doing. Hoop iron, £l9 per tom Oils (duty, Od. per gallon).—Stocks of kerosene, which had become exhausted at the end of last month, were replenished by the opportune arrival of the Eureka fbut, as most of her cargo had been previously sold, to arrive, stocks are still light. Present quotations are 2s. 3d. to 2s. 4d. per gal ; but the Marion is now due, with 2600 cases for this port, the bulk of which has, we' believe, been sold for distribution to other ports. Paint oils are in good demand, at 4s. 9cL to 4s, lod., for raw, and ss. for boiled linseed in tins. Colza and castor oils, unaltered. Turps, sales at 3s. 9dL to 4s. 3d. Oilmans Stores (duty, lOpercent.).—The Weymouth and Waikato brought a good supply of articles classed under this head ; and as stocks fare still large, prices leave but little margin for profit. There has been, nevertheless, a fair amount of outside trade done during the month ; and, if importations were better regulated, this branch of business would become more remunerative. Rice (duty 4d. per lb.)—Ample stocks; worth £24 to £3O per ton, according to quality. Sugar (duty, Id. per lb,). —The sugar trade during the past month has been excessively dull, with no sales worthy of .being reported. Stocks in bond are large, and consequently kept down to a minimum of value. First quality white, in bond, is worth £37 per ton; second white, £35 to £3O ; good yellow counter, £33 ; ordinary yellow, £2B to £32 per ton. Salt (free). -Moderate stocks, with little trade doing. Coarse salt is worth 80s. to 855.; fine do., 85s. to 90s. per ton. Spirits (duty 12s. per gal.)—Bulk brandies have advanced considerably since our last month s quotations, aud Hennessy’s in quarters is now quoted at 11s. to 11s. 3d. per gal., and MarteU’s 10s. Cd. to 11s. per gal. ; while other and less favored brands have come more into use at enhanced values. Case brandies,. owing to the large stocks in hand, remain unaltered at 31s. Cd. to 325. Cd, per doz. for Marteli’s and Hennessy’s. B.P. Rum has slightly'improved in value, 10 per cent. o.p. being now worth 4s. per gal.; 30 per cent,. 4s. Cd. per gal.—stocks large. Geneva meets with little inquiry; prices nominal. I3s. to ICs. Cd. per case, with no business doing. Whisky, dull at ss. Od. to Gs. for bulk Irish ; and 17s. for case do; Scotch whisky, according to brand, is worth 4s. to 6s. 6d. per gal. for bulk, and ICs. to ISs. ,per dozen for case. Tea (duty Gd. per lb.)—Several parcels of old teas have been forced into the market dining the month at auction, and prices are somewhat lower. Stocks are moderate, and by the time the new season’s teas come in will be healthier than has been the case foe some time past. Present rates are, from Is. 3d. to.-Is. lid. per lb. for common to fine sorts. Tobacco (duty 2s. Cd. per lb.)—Quiet trade during the month, with no alteration in prices. Best brands of twist are worth Is. 7d, per lb.; tens. Is. Cd. per lb. Wine (duty 4s. per gal.)—Ordinary business doing, with no sales of any importance. Wines of superior quality invariably realise good prices and can always bo placed to a moderate extent; but the impression among exporters seems to bo that any trash will d« for the Colony, and we are consequently deluged with the manufactured port and sherry of Hamburg, &c., which eat themselves up in bonded store rent until forced at sale by auction. Australian wine is gradually making its way in public favor, NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. •' Butter.—A few orders for shipment to the outporfc have been received, but, as a rule, the demand for the cured blitter has little probability of reaching the extent of some years back. Prime cure, in kegs, is only worth Is. Id. per lb. for trade parcels, with bus little business doing. Cheese. —We quote good Canterbury choose at /id. to Sd. per lb., with moderate inquiry. Flour. —During the month there have been some large parcels of Canterbury and Oamaru flour landed at this port, and stocks in consignees'hands must be heavy. Prices remain tolerably steady at last month s rates, quotations being £l3 10s. for sacks; £H for . bags, for bakers parcels. Oats.—ln good supply. Good feeding oats meet with extra demand at ss. to ss. Id. per bushel, for trade parcels. The large shipment received in Auckland from San Francisco, cx Cyphrencs, must, by reducing the demand there for Southern supplies, have tendency to bring about lower rates at Canterbury. Timber.—The timber trade is beginning to assume large proportions, and greater activity is noticeable among the small craft than lias been the case for years past, our shipping list showing continual arrivals oC cargoes of timber from the West Coast and elsewhere. We quote wholesale rates of sawn rimu at 140 s. per 1,000 ft.; white pine and matal ICOs. per 1,000 ft.; and totara ISOs, per 1,000 ft.