COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4188, 22 August 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties received this week from the 13th to 20th, inclusive, were as follows : Spirits .. .. .« .. £513 1 4 Cigars 67 17 6 Tobacco 114 2 0 "Wine 109 0 4 Ale and Porter .. -. . • 49 10 0 Tea .. .. 5 10 0 Coffee and Chicory .. 4 12 0 Sugar 33 16 5 Goods by weight 07 5 1 Goods ad valorem .. .. 335 9 3 Other duties .. .. - • 30 18 0 Lights, Shipping fees &c,, .. 37 19 2 £I3BO 1 7 The favorable change in the weather has led to a slight improvement in trade, and although importers generally complain of dulness, and the absence of transactions of any magnitude, there has been more bustle and activity in both town and country trade ; during the week than has been for some time past. The carrying trade to the Wairarapa for example shows a surprising increase, hardly a day passing without witnessing the departure of two or three loaded drays, where formerly one or two per week served, and there can be no doubt that when the railway is opened through to Masterton there will be no lack of goods traffic. There la litUe or no change to report in prices. are somewhat easier, holders now asking 10s, Cd. to 10s. 9d, for bulk, Hennessy's and Martell's; case do., 21s, Od. There has been no alteration In the value of sugars, nor any business of importance ; I. C. sugars, £44 10s. per ton ; D. P. counter, £4l to £42 per ton ; yellow £37 to £3B per ton. Stocks of kerosene are exhausted; sales to arrive per Marion are made at 2s. 2d, to 2s. 3d. per gallon; present rate, 2s. Cd. per gallon. Teas dull, pending the arrival of the new season's teas; advices have been received of a cargo per May, direct to tills port. Flour has moved off freely in bakers parcels at £l3 2s. Cd. to £l3 ss. for sacks of Oamaru Mills, Canterbury do £l3 per ton. Feed oats are scarce, and worth ss. IJd. to ss. 3d. per bushel, several cargoes due from the South. Cheese in demand at 73d. to Bd. per lb. for prime. Keg butter quiet at la. IJd. to la. 3d. per lb. Potatoes very scarce, worth £9 to £lO per ton. There have been no English arrivals during • the month. At Mr. it. J. Duncan's extensive sale of liquids on the 19th, the following prices were realisedJDKE geneva, 15s. Cd. per case ; Maunder's stout, 10a. Cd. to 10a. 9d. per doz.; pints do, Cs. Od,; Salt's ale, IQs. 3d. per doz.; pints do, Cs. 9d. ; case whisky, in bond, 9s. Cd per doz,; sherry, in quarters, 4s. 6d. per gal.; Lemon Hart’s rum, 10 0.p., 4s. 3d. per gal.; Martell's brandy, 10a. : ilenneasy’s do, 10a, 3d.; Bisquit Pubouche’s at Bs, 3d, per gal. : Ifennesay’s case brandy, 55a. Cd,, duty paid ; Bisquit Pubouchc's do 495. pc/ case; cavendish tobacco, 3s. 4d, per lb. ; twist do, 4s. Id. per lb. At Mr. G. Thomas's sale of surplus stores, ox Conflict, full rates were realised and sales to the extent'of nearly £BOO effected. BY TELFMHAPH. AUCKLAND, Mr. Alexander Saunders reports:—Sales: Bright Smile, 82s. Cd. Buyers ; South British, 525.; Thames Gas, 355. Od.; Alburnia (paid), 31fl. Cd,; Caledonian, 165 ft,; Crown Prince, 2Cs.;.Whau, 48s. Sellers: National Bank, 715.; National Insurance, 295. Cd. Mr. Buckland reportsFai cattle 325, Cd. to 40s. per 100 lbs.; sheep, sd. to sid.» steers, £5 to £7; choice dairy cows, £lO to £l2. . Mr. G. W. Blnney reports: —Market dull. Oats, ss. 3d. to 6». Cd ; maize, 5«, Cd.; bran, £7 10s,; pollard, £8 0». Od.; wheat, Cs. 3d. to os. 4d.; barley,. ss. Dd.; flour, £l3 to £l3loa ; potatoes, £7 to £8 ; cheese, Bd.; butter, Is. 2d, to Is. 3d.; hams and bacon, lid. CHRXSTCiIUPCH. Quotations, f.o.b.—Wheat, ss. 3d.; oats, 4s. 9d.; barley, ss, Cd. to ss. 9d.; flour, £l2 to £l3; bran, £C; pollard, £6; sharps, £7; cheese, Is, 4d.; potatoes, £6. "Wheat and oats scarce. The town stocks held by farmers are very small. Potatoes are in small supply, and it is doubtful whether sufficient for local requirements.