COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4459, 5 July 1875, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellinsrton on Saturdav was as follows

The Customs duties received at this port for the month ending June 30 were as under ,:

c&Xv ; Vw xij b> « • O JL And for the six months ending June 30 : * 1875. 1874.

£73,700 3 9 .. £60,375 17 10 The continued wet and stormy weather that has prevailed during the month of- June, has interfered greatly with all business operations, though a reference to the Customs clearances at this port shows an increase of about 12| per cent, on the month, and 22},per cent, on the past six months, as compared with the corresponding period last year. Neverthethere is a universal complaint of dulness, most transactions being limited to the ordinary supplies of the retail trade, with a total absence of large lines or speculative puichases. In import goods, the arrival of the Hannibal has supplied the few lines that were becoming rather low in stock, and speaking generally, stocks are ample for all present wants, with little or no change in values from our last month's report. Sugars have advanced a trifle, owing to the destruction of the Melbourne company's refinery, which will stop the importation of their class of sugars for some time, and present stocks are held for 20s. per ton advance. Stocks of Hcnnessy’s case brandy appear to have unexpectedly become low throughout the Australian colonies, and a consequent advance in price has been maintained, which has had the effect of improving the value of hitherto neglected brands. In tobacco values of favorite brands are well sustained, our stock on hand being low, . We are sorry to report several failures, but it is thoughtthe estates will turnout moderately well. There have been several meetings of the creditors of Messrs. Mullins and Son, general dealcrsatthe Halt, withaview toan arrangement to pay 20s. with time, but, ultimately, negotiations having failed, it was determined to realise the estate under the assignment. The liabilities are £9000; assets, nominally, £IO,OOO, and may realise £7OOO. Mr. W. J. Gandy, of this city, has also been compelled to call his creditors together, and it was agreed to grant him time and accept bills for 20s. at three, six, nine, and twelve months, without Interest. A Mlv Aiken, grocer, has also suspended payment; liabilities at present not stated. The banks have reduced their rates of discount on local bills, the alteration to come in to force on the 6th July. The following are the rates:—Under 05 days, 7 per cent.; under 125 days, 8 per cent.; above 125 days, 9 per rent. Hates of exchange on London Selling rates—oo days, l£ premium ; CO days, 1 premium ; 30 days, premium; sight, 2 premium. Buying rates—oo days, H discount; CO days, 1 discount; 30 days, par. The banks allow the following, rates of interest on fixed deposits For 3 months, 4j per cent.; 6 months, 5 per cent.; 12 months, X>\ per cent. Our only arrival from London during the month haa been the Hannibal, with a full cargo. The Mary Miller and Lady Franklin, from Adelaide, with flour and general merchandise, and the new steamship Hawea have also arrived.

The following vessels are loading or have sailed for this port The Kiwi, s.s.. from Hull, sailed February. William Fruing, from London, sailed March -1; Collingwood, from London, sailed April 13 : Xeviotdale, from London, sailed April 30 ; Dilawur, at London, loading: Halcione, at London, loading ; the Lammershagen, from Hamburg and Cuxhaven, sailed •April 1 ; Crusader, from New York, sailed March 4. Ale and Porter (duty paid, draught. Is. per gallon ; bottled, Is. 3d.) —Very little business has been done during ■ the month in bottled • ales and stouts, and prices have been somewhat lower in consequence. Tennents'ale has been quitted at 11s. 3d.; Bass s, 11s. 3d. to 11s. Gd.; while other brands have met with no inquiry. Blood’s stout is quoted at 11s. 3d. to 11s. Gel. per dozen ; Guinness’s 11s. Gd. tolls. 9d. per dozen. Stocks ample. . v _ . Bags and Woolpacks (duty, 10percent.!—Cornsacks for shipment to the outports have been in moderate demand, but prices rule low in consequence of the low rates in Melbourne. We report sales at 11s. oil. per dozen. Woolpacks are quit* neglected, the season being over. . . Candles (duty. Id. per lb.)—Price’s sperm are in*improved demand as stocks diminish and shipments to any extent have fallen off. Holders are now asking 10Jd. to lOld. per lb., with fair amount of business doing. Brandon’s make are quoted a shade lower. Cement (duty. Is. per barrel)—Stocks of this article are light, with an improving demand, owing to the local works now in progress. Wo quote -is. to -3s. per barrel as current rate. „ ... , . . Coffee (duty, 3d. per lb.)-Dull, wi.th ample stocks of plantation coffee at Is. s)d, to Is. 6d. per lb., in k°Chicorv (duty, 3d. per lb.)—Little Snqniryfor foreign, which is quoted at Oi per lb., dutv paid. trade Confectionery (duty, 2d. per lb.)—' ?ILp-mfanHtv doing in imported make, owing to the large quantity of local manufacture. Keillor’s confectionery, assorted, is worth lOld. per lb., and in fair supply. Floiw fdiitv “>O3 per ton.) —During the month we have mceived two shlpmentTof Adelaide flour-300 tons by the Marj-Miller, and 50 tons by the Lady Franklin which have had the effect of bringing down Holdersarenow asking£l4 Ss to £l4los per ton, St wUch rates the bulk of the first <»rgo has steadily moved off the quality of the flour (Dufiield s) being considered" a much finer sample than that previously imported in the May. As there are large stocks on hand in the Adelaide market, with heavy harvests in most of the grain-growing countries, there is small probability of more remunerative rates. P Fruits (duty. Id. per lb.)-Dned fruits have been in moderate demand. Currants are scarce, good fruit being worth 4jd. per lb. Eleme raisins are only in moderate stock, and worth P er lb.quality figs, 8)d. to 9d. Muscatels, none m the “Sops (duty, 3d. per lb.)—We hear of no sales during the month. New Kent hops are quoted at 3s. to 35.”3d. per lb. Tasmanian, Is. 9d. to Is. XOd, per lb. ; and Nelson, Is. 9d. per lb. . _ ~ Malt (duty. Is. 6d. per bushel.)—None m first hands. Quotations nominal at 11s. 3d. to 11s. 6d, per bushel. Tanks, 05s. ’ Maize (duty, 9d. per lOOlbs )—There has been a good demand for this grain, the importation, owing to the low price of oats, having considerably fallen off, and stocks consequently being light, the shipments are readily taken up on arrival at 6s. per bushel. Metals (duty, 10 per cent.)—Corrugated iron continues in active demand, as a large number of buildings are now in course of erection, and parcels as they reach this market are readily taken up by the trade. Best brands of 26 gauge are worth £37 to £3B per ton. In fencing wire there has been little doing, at £22 to £24 per ton. Sheet lead is scarce, at £3l per ton. Sheet zinc, £3B to £4O per ton. Oils (duty, 6d. per gallon).—ln kerosene only a moderate business has been done,.at Is. 104 d. to 2s. per gallon. Stocks ample, owing to recent importations. A fair inquiry exists for paint oils, which are readily quitted at 4s. to 4s. 2d. for raw and boiled linseed, in bulk ; tins, 45.. Cd. to 4s. 7d. per gallon. Turps, in drums. 4s. 6d. per gallon; colza, 55., and castor. ss. Gd. to ss. 9d. per gallon. Oilmen’s Stores (duty, 10 per cent.)—The usual trade has ■ been done in oilmen’s stores during the month, at moderate prices, stocks having become in several instances more manageable than we have had to report some time back. Recent shipments have supplied the several lines that were becoming scarce, and importers now obtain more satisfactory rates. Rice (duty. Ad. per lb,)—ln fair supply and moderate demand, at £26 to £23 perton for clean-dressed Patna. „ , Spirits (duty, 12s. per gallon).—Hennessy s case brandy continues scarce, and is worth 325., Martell's being quoted 30s. to 315., most of the outside brands that are in the market reaping the benefit of the scarcity of the more favored brands in enhanced quotations. Bisqult Duhouche’s is quoted at 225. to 22s 6d • Hennessy’s bulk brandy is low in stock at Ss. 9d. to 9s. : Martell's, Ss. Od. to Ss. 9d., and Bisquit Dubouche’s, 6s. 9d, per gallon, for quarters. Rum has been in fair demand, but stocks in bond being large, prices are unaltered from last month. Lemon Hart’s rum 10 per cent. o.p. being quoted at 3s. lOd. to 4s. per gallon, and White’s at the same flgures. Whisky is in little demand for Irish at ss. 6d. to ss. 9d. ; Scotch, 4s. 6d. to Cs.‘; case do, for Dunville’s, 17s. per dozen ; Scotch, 13s. to 15s. 6d. per dozen ; Geneva, saleable at 14s. per case for J.D.K.Z. and Bell brand ; Old Tom, nominal. Sugar (duty, Id. per lb.)—The destruction of the Melbourne Sugar Company’s refinery at Sandridge will put a stop for some time to a trade that has become almost a necessity, ,-so much has that class of sugars established itself in this market in preference to the Mauritius sorts, and holders have, consequently, availed themselves of the opportunity to establish an advance in price to the extent of 20s. per ton I.C. Is now quoted at £44 to £44 10s. per ton ; C £4l to £42, and Y. £36 to £37 per ton, Mauritius sorts ruling a shade lower. Stocks are ample for the present, but the consumption being large, consumers must ultimately fall back on the Mauritius or Yarraville sorts—the latter not being held in great esteem by the trade.

Tea (duty, 6d. per lb.>—There is no alteration in prices of teas', the usual amount of trade having been done daring the month. Tobacco (duty, 3s. per lb.; cigars (duty, ss. per lb.)—During tbe month the usual amount of trade has been done, prices being well sustained at last month’s rates. St. Andrew’s twist is worth Is. Sid. to Is. lOcl.; Black Swan, Is. 7d. to Is. 7Jd.; Barrett’s, Is. 7d.; teas, Venus, Is. IOJd. to 2s. Id.; Cygnet, Is. lOd. per lb., in bond. Other brands are in no demand. Cigars are in moderate demand at fair rates to importers. Wine (duty, 4s. per gallon.)—Fan-trade done during the month in ports and sherries, at from Bs. 6d. to lls. 6d. per gallon for good sound wine. The stock of inferior low priced wine is heavy and difficult to move. Champagne is in fair inquiry for esteemed brands; clarets dull. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. . There is but little demand for keg butter for export, and sales have been limited to the retail trade for local consumption. Holders are asking Is. 2d. per lb. for prime cure, but we have no transactions to any extent worth reporting, owing to the rise in the price of fresh butter. Several parcels from Nelson have been sold by auction during- the month at payable Cheese. Supplies of Canterbury cheese have found a ready market at lid. to 12d. per lb., stocks being low and tbe demand good. Flour.—We have had several large shipments of Canterbury and Oamaru flour during this month, and stocks are now more than ample, as the bakers have supplied themselves with Adelaide at its present lowfigure. There are large stocks in the South, and we see no prospect of improved rates for some time to come. Holders quote Oamaru flour at £l2 per ton ; Canterbury do., £lllos. Hams and Bacon.—This article has been in good demand, supplies being short of our requirements, and full rates are obtained for prime cure, at Is. 4d. per lb. for hams, and lid. to 12d. for bacon. Grain.—Oats have moved off freely, but holders have been unable to obtain any improvement in price. Large shipments from the Southern provinces may be expected, as the Australian market does not appear to ofl'er any advantage. Sales have been made at 3s, sd, to 3s. 7(1. per bushel, at which figure they may be quoted as present value. Milling wheat has been in inquiry, and sales are reported at 4s. Od. Hides and Sheepskins.—Hides, taken from the. yard, are selling at 225, each'; sheepskins and lambskins, 2s. 3d. each.

BY TELEGRAPH.

GEAHAMSTOWN, Saturday. The share market is much easier; there is less demand for stock. Prices have receded, Tairua have been sold at £3 15s.

£ s. d. Spirits , 142 2 3 Wine 13 15 6 Tea 5 0 6 Ad valorem.. 8 7 6

• £ 6. d. "Weight .. .. 0 2 0 Other duties .. 13 5 0 Total £102 13 3

Spirits ' .. ,. 1875. £3423 11 9 1874. .. £2509 19 11 Cigars 162 8 0 111 10 8 Tobacco .. 896 2 3 595 15 0 Wine 435 7 VI 301 13 8 Ale 278 2 576 10 3 Tea 510 9 Cj 400 18 0 Coffee 27 9 G 122 7 2 Sugar 714 5 0 8S3 2 t£ Goods by weight.. 792 14 i C0-1 10 6 ,, ad valorem 2530 19 1 2582 12 9 ,, otherduties 143 19 10 334 2 0 Light dues, shipping, &c. 109 5 5 .. 149 15 0 £10,033 15 3 .. £9242 3 1

Spirits .. £17,328 7 10 .. £13,552 5 2 Cigars 1,007 8 7 843 1 11 Tobacco .. 4,753 6 2 .. 4,205 .1 3 Wine 2,425.16 11 2,120 2 0 Ale 2,094 5 0 .. 3,246 9 5 Tea 3,642 0 9 .. 2,718 8 6 Coffee 481 12 0 386 10 8 Sugar 6.367 14 8 .. 5,767 15 9 Goods by weight.. 4,150 5 5 .. 3,340 10 7 ad valorem 26,973 10 8 .. 20,682 11 10 ,, other duties 2,740 7 2 1,820 10 X Light dues, shipping, &c. 1.668 19 7 .. 1,632 4 8