COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4237, 19 October 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Tub Launceston Failures.—The Launceston Examiner of the 20th ult. reports that a meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Fetors, Barnard, and Co., was held on Friday last. Mr. R. Green, sen., occupied the chair, and the number of creditors present or represented was fifty-two. Mr. George Horne appeared on behalf of the Melbourne creditors. Proofs of debts were tendered by Mr. Horne on behalf of twenty-seven Melbourne creditors, whose claim* aggregated over £14,000, whilst the claims of Tasmanian creditors brought up the amount to over £50,000. A proposal for liquidation by arrangement was then formally submitted by the chairman, and negatived by forty-seven to live. It was then agreed that the estate should be declared bankrupt, so that the affairs might undergo a thorough investigation in the Bankruptcy Court. It was agreed that Messrs. P. O. Fysh and George Horne should bo appointed receivers, with the ultimate obiect of their being appointed as trustees.

MELBOURNE PRODUCE MARKETS. Messrs. Goldsbrough and Co. report under date Melbourne, October 7:— Wool.—Very little business has been transacted during the past month, only 150 bales, consisting of odd lots, to close consignments, having been sold. AVo have numerous inquiries, the buyers here being anxious to operate on orders received on European and American account, but none of the new wool has been offered, nor is it probable that any will be sold until the market has been tried by public auction. Both buyers and growers are, therefore, looking forward with considerable interest to the opening sales, which, however, will not be held so soon as was expected, owing to the heavy rains which prevailed during the month having a good deal retarded shearing operations, and almost wholly stopped the carriage of wool, by cutting up the roads leading to the different railway termini. A considerable quantity of the new clip has, however, already been received into store, and the weather having now become fine and settled, we may expect a more rapid and uninterrupted delivery during the remainder of the season. Our first sale of the new clip will be held on the 14th inst. A large proportion of the wool to hand has been shorn in the grease, and is in excellent order, being well grown and sound in the staple. The washed flocks, also, appear clean, and to have been carefully got up. The English news received by the Golconda on the 21st ult., is unimportant, the third series of the London sales not having commenced when the mail left; but we have telegraphic advices to 3rd inst. that the sales had closed firmly, and that prospects wore favorable for the next series, which were fixed to commence on the 17th November.

Prices current, nominally as follows Greasy—lnferior, 6d. to Sd.; ordinary to average, Bd. to lOd.; good to superior, lOd. to Is. Id. Fleece, washed—lnferior, Is. 2d. to Is 4d.: ordinary to average, Is. sd. to Is. 7d.; average to good. Is. Bd. to Is. lOd.; superior, Is. lid. to 2s. 3d. Scoured —Inferior, Is. Id. to Is. 3d.; ordinary, Is. 4d. to Is. 6d.; middling to good. Is. 7d. to Is. 9d.; superior. Is. lOd. to 2s. Id. The following vessels arc on the berth loading for the February sales:— Holmsdale, Macduff, Essex, Collingwood, Loch Ard, Miltiades, Renown, Sam Mendell, Highflyer, Dr. Mezger, Kosciusko, Durham, Thomas Bell. The present rates of freight to London are fd. for greasy and ;]d. for washed wool, dumped ; and Id. per lb. not dumped. Tonnage being plentiful, lower rates are expected to rule after the departure of the February ships. Sheepskins.— Since our last month’s report, skins have declined considerably in value; in some instances a fall of fully Is. per skin being noticeable. Our regular sales continue to be well attended by the local fellmongers and shippers ; and we have sold a large supply of butcher’s and station skins at the following quotations, viz.:—Green skins, 4s. to 6s. Bd. each ; cross-brcds, up to 7s. Cd. each ; pelts, 7d. to lid. each ; and station skins, 4d. to Bd. per lb. The shipments to London for the month amount to 305 bales.

Hides. —We cannot report any improvement in the value of hides, but all offering have been disposed of at late prices. We have a good inquiry, but do not look for any immediate re-action. We quote—Ox hides, 225. to 31s. each; cow-hides, 14s. to 21s. each ; Victorian wet-salted, 3|d. to 44d. per lb.; New Zealand salted, to s|d. per lb?: and calfskins up to per lb.

BY TELEGRAPH.

AUCKLAND. Saturday. Mr. Buckland reports:—Fat cattle, be*t, 40s. to 455.; second class, 355. per lOOlbs. Ewes, with lambs at side, 245. to 265. Calves, 16s. to 50s. Mr. G. W. Binney reports;—The grain market is dull. Flour, £l3 to £l3 10s.; bran, £9 10s.; pollard, £8; wheat, Cs. to 6s. 3d.: maize, scarce, ss. 9d.; oats, ss. 9d.; barley, 55.; hams and bacon, lid. to Is.; butter. Is. Sd. to Is. 4d.; cheese, Sd.; peas and beans, 55.; potatoes, £9 10s. Kauri plentiful. Sales: South British, 50s. Od.; Caledonian, 110 s. Buyers: Bank of New Zealand, 3GOs.; National Insurance, 285.; Fiji, 60s. Sellers: South British, 515.; Caledonian, 1205.; Cure, 10s. 6d.; National Bank, 70s.