COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4483, 2 August 1875, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington on Saturday was as follows:

The Customs duties received at this port for the fours week ending July 29, were as under*;

Although there have been the usual complaints of dnlness during the past month, a reference to our Customs'returns would seem to show that the actual trade of the port Is very far from decreasing, and that these complaints have little foundation, more espe-. cially when It is considered that this month Is usually a sort of intermittent one between the seasons, when the least amount of business during the twelvemonth is expected. There has been considerable activity in the coasting trade, especially in the carriage of sawn timber, no less than twenty-one small craft haying entered in- with cargoes amounting in the aggregate to 680,7SCft. of timber for building purposes during the last four weeks, while no less than 6600 sacks of oats have been imported from the Southern ports during the same period. In English imports a steadyaafe trade lias been done, buyers evidently acting with praiseworthy caution, and limiting their purchases to ordinary requirements. There are consequently no large transactions to report. . Prices remain comparatively steady and without any great fluctuations, the main cause of complaint among the Importers being, that owing to increased competition profits are kept at a minimum rate. The only article which has been exceptionally scarce has been Hennessy's case brandy, which had become lower in stock than we recollect to have ever happened before. The arrival of the several English ships during the month served to renew any. lines that might have become rather low in stock. The Collingwood, with immigrants and ■ cargo, arrived here on the 10th July, and the William truing, with cargo, on the 11th, both from London. The small steamer Kiwi, intended for the coastal trade by Messrs. Levin and Co., arrived on the 20th ult., from Hull. The Lammershagen, with immigrants from Hamburg, arrived here on the 11th ; and the Star of the Mersey, from Adelaide with flour, on the 26th July. The Hindostan sailed for Callao on the 26th. The following ships are loading or have sailed for this port The Teviotdale, sailed April 30; Dilswur, sailed May' 17; the Halclone, Howrah, and Border Chief, at London, loading. From New York: the Crusader, sailed March 10; Jessica, April 3; and Frances Lewey, May 27. From Melbourne; the Young Dick, with sugar and general cargo.

There is no alteration in bank rates of discount and exchange, which are as under:— Discount on local bills under 95 days, 7 per cent. „ „ 125 „ 8 " ~ over 125 „ 9 „ EXCHANGE ON LONDON: Buying rate at 90 days, lj per cent, discount. „ „ 60 „ 1 SO „ i „ „ Selling rate at 90 ~ i prem. 60 „ 1 30 „ 1J „ sight 2 The banks allow on deposit 4£ per cent, for 3 months. „ • „ 5 „ 6 " „ 51 „ 12 .. Ale and Porter (duty paid—draught Is. per gallon, bottled Is. 3d.)—Stocks of bottled ales and stout are still very largo and the market flat, with very little trade doing. The Hannibal and William Fruing have landed several large shipments, and holders, in order to realise, have had to submit to lower rates. We cannot quote higher than lis. to lis. Od. for best brands of bottled ales, and lis. to 12s. for bottled stouts, with small prospect of improvement. There is a large consumption of colonial brew, which is considerably improved in quality, and wiU ultimately to a great extent displace English importations. Bags and Woolpacks (duty, 10 per cent.)—Cornsacks meet with some inquiry for shipment to the Southern ports, and sales are reported at lis. per dozen for hand-sewn sacks. Woolpacks, as the season approaches, are coming into notice, and stocks held over from last season are moving off at 3s. 9d. to 4s. for full size. , Candles (duty, Id. per lb.)-We are able to note some improvement in this article, which for some time past has been ruling low, and, owing to the large stocks in dealers' hands, difficult to place. There is a sensible diminution in stocks, and prices are firm at 10Ad. to 10|d., with an upward tendency. Cement (duty, Is. per barrel.)—Portland cement continues in steady demand, at 21s. per barrel, 150 casks having realised that figure by auction during the month. Sales to a large extent have been made to arrive, at 205., in bond ; and we hear of a shipment on the way of 2000 barrels for one of our contracting Coffee (duty, 3d. per lb.)—Usual trade doing, at Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. per lb. for plantation, in bond. Chicory (duty, 3d. per lb.)—No demand for imported chicory, the quantity now grown in the colony having entirely superseded its use. „.,■'.. Confectionery (duty. 2d. per lb.)—Fair trade doing in Keiller's make, which is worth lOdd. per lb. Colonial manufacture of this article is gradually makFlourfduty, 205." per ton.)—The arrival of the Star of the Mersey with 250 tons of Adelaide flour served somewhat to depress tliis market, and although the telegram from London stating that the wheat crops had been considerably injured bytheweather.andthat wheat had risen in the English markets, had some little effect for the moment, our quotations are lower, than Hst month's. We report sales at £l4 per ton for a line of 50 tons, and smaller parcels at £l4 ss. to ±.14 10s. per ton. ....,, Fruits (duty, Id. per lb.)—Dried fruits have become low in stock for almost every description. The market is bare of currants, which are quoted at 4ro\ to 5<L per lb. Eleme raisins are scarce, and good fruit is worth 6Jd. per lb. Sultanas low in stock at 7Jd. to 7Jd. per lb.: muscatels, Is. Id. to Is. 3d. per lb.; figs in boxes, if in. good condition are worth Bd. to Old. per lb.; dried apples, none. Hops (duty, 3d. per lb.)—There are no English hops in the hands of importers. Tasmanian growth are in short supply, and worth Is. 3d. to Is. Bd. per lb. for a good sample. ,",,,. -, Malt (duty. Is. 6d. per bushel.)—Market quite bare of English malt, with the exception of three or four tanks, which are held for 10s. 3d. per bushel. Colonial malt is in fair supply, the brewers having sufficient stocks, and at this season the absence of English malt is not felt. ■ , . Metals (duty, 10 per cent.)—Galvanised continues in good demand, and shipments as they come forward meet with ready sale. Best brands of English make are worth from £35 to £37 per ton for 26 guage. There is no Scotch iron in this market. Fencing wire is overstocked, and the demand rather falling off. We quote £2l to £24 per ton; according to number. Sheet lead, moderate • stocks at £3O to £3l per ton ; sheet zinc, £4O per ton. Oils (duty, 6d. per gallon.)—Stocks of kerosene continue heavy, being estimated at 4000 cases, and advices are to hand of shipments on the way per Crusader and Jessica, from New York, of 5000 cases. Prices are consequently depressed, and quotations at present range from ,Is. lOd. to 2s. per gallon, d.p. Paint oils are in fair supply at 4s. 7d. to 4s. Sd. per gallon for boiled, 4s. sd. to 4s. 6d. for raw linseed m drums : bulk oil being 3d. per gallon less : colza is worth ss. 6d ; castor, ss. 4d. to ss. 6d. per gallon. OUmen's stores (duty, 10 per cent.)—Stocks of every description of oilmen's stores are now ample, and a fair business has been done at moderate paying rates. There is, however, an absence of all speculation, and sales have been confined to trade lots. Rice (duty, id. per lb )—Stocks of rice are fully equal to demand, and dressed samples are worth from -£24 to £3O per ton. • Spirits (duty, 12s-. per gallon.)—Bulk brandy is unaltered in value, nor have we any speculative sales to report. We quote Hennessy'.s and Kartell's quarters, Ss. 3d. to Ss. 6d. per gallon. Bisquit Dubouche do, 6s.- 6d per gallon. Case brandy has met with active inquiry, and stocks of Hennessy's have become utterly exhausted, holders of small lots asking extravagant rates.- We quote Hennessy's case, nominally 38s. to 405.; Martell's, 31s. to 325. ; Bisquit Dubouche, 255.: other brands, nominal. Flask brandy very scarce, and in demand. Stocks of rum are heavy, at 3s. ftd. to 3s. lid. for 10 per cent, 0.p., and 4s. 2d. to 4s. sd. for 30 per cent. o.p. for best brands in quarters. Whisky, owing to the closing of the New Zealand Distillery, is in better demand, and best brands of Scotch are inquired for at ss. to 6s. per gallon for quarters, and 14s. to ISs per dozen for case, according to brand and contents. Geneva dull at 12s. .to 16s. per case. ' , ' Sugar (duty. Id. per lb.)—The advance in sugarsthat was anticipated last month has only been realised to a small extent, supplies from tho Sydney Sugar Refinery Company having supplied any deficiency that the destruction of the Melbourne Company's buildings might have brought about Prices are also kept down by the great competition that exists in this trade Stocks are moderate, and quotations for finest white are from £4s'los. to £46 per ton ; first counters, £43 to £44; and counters. £4O to £4l per ton, d.p. There is very little Mauritius sugar in the market. Advices have been received from Melbourne of the sailing of the Young Dick, with 70 tons sugar and general cargo for this port. . ... Tea (duty, 6d. per lb.)—We have no arrival of new season's tea in this port, and stocks of last season have moved off at fair average rates, with a moderate amount of business doing. Tobacco (duty, 3s. per lb.), cigars (duty, ss. per lb.) —We note no change in value. Good sound tobacoes are in demand, and move off fairly at the following rates:—Black Swan twist, Is. 6ld- to Is. 7d.; St. Andrews, Is. 9d. to Is. DM.; Barretts's, Is. Old. to Is. 7d. per lb.; Venus tens. Is. 10d.: and Signet do., Is. 9d. to Is. 10s. per lb. (in bond.) Cigars are in fair request, and by auction Swiss Havanah-shaped cigars realised 110 s. per thousand, d.p. ■ Wine (duty. 4s. per gallon.)—The wine trade is dull, and stocks of inferior description of ports and sherries are heavy and difficult to move. Good sound wines in small trade lots realise a fair profit on cost. Australian wine 3 are gradually gaining ground in public esteem, and if permitted to be imported at a lower rate of duty, would ultimately drive the manufactured products called port and sherry out of the market.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. Butter.—Keg batter has rather declined in value, the demand being so exceedingly limited, and we hear of sales at Is. per lb. Holders still hang out for 13d., but must eventually succumb to a lower rate. Cheese.—Cheese of good quality comes forward only in small parcels, and the market price has not been affected thereby. Stocks are very low, and prime make is worth lOd. to 10'd per lb. Flour.—This article during the month has varied but little in value, prices remaining almost stationary, and although there is no doubt that recent telegrams will be eagerly seized upon as a reason for increased quotations, we do not think that arise can be sustained in the face of the large local stocks on hand. Sales to some extent have been made of Dunedin and Canterbury flour at £ll per ton; but for trade purposes Canterbury and Oanwu mills may be quoted at £ll 10s. to £l2 for sacks, demand moderate. Hams and Bacon.—Hams and bacon have been in active demand, the quantity coming foiward not being sufficient for the wants of this market. Prime hams, in cloth, are worth Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per lb.; bacon 9d. to lid., with a constantly increasing demand. Grain.—Oats have come forward in large quantities during the month, and are readily taken up on arrival at current rates, which still rule low. The total amount received from Southern ; ports during June amounts to 6500 sacks. Quotations vary from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bushel, . according to quality. Malting barley meets with fair enquiry at ss. to ss. 6d. per bushel; milling wheat, 4s.'9d. to 55,; fowl's food, 4s. 6<1.; maize, ss. fld. to 6s.

Hides and Skins.—Raw hides are worth 4d. to 4Jd. per lb. Timber.—large quantities of sawn timber have been received coastwise, and stocks are large in spite of the increasing nnmber of buildings in course of erection; prices of most descriptions have a downward tendency, a cargo from the Coast having been sold by auction at 10s. fld. per 100 ft. during last week. We give the following as present quotations for builders' lots:—Red pine, 12s. 9d. to 135.-; matai, lGs. to 175.; totara, 20s. to 215.; and kauri, 15s. to iCs. per 100 ft. Quantity received coastwise during the month, 700,000 ft. BY TELEGRAPH. ' AUCKLAND, Friday. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports:—Sales: Gem, Bs.; Tokatea, 17s 6d.; Cure, 255. Buyers : Colonial, 265.; Long Drive, 145,; Tairua, 555. Sellers: Bank of New Zealand, £l7 17s. 6d.; National Bank, 70s. 6d.; Fiji, 625. 6d.; South British, 48s. Sales: Beach32s.; Tokatea, 17s. Buyers: Colonial, 2fls.; Gem, 7s. Sellers: National Bank, 765. Cd. ; Fiji, 525. 6d.; Caledonian, 855.; Tairua, 555.; Tokatea, 205.: Cure, 20a. 6d.; Long Drive, 15s.

£ 8. d. Spirits . 4 ' 7 Tobacco and cigars.. 0 Ad valorem goods .. — 8 7 7 Goods by weight .. - 3 9 Total ..

Spirits .. .. £ 8. 3400 16 11 Cigars .... 200 0 0 Tobacco.. .. 830 15 6 Wine .. .. 557 5 3 Ale .. .. 515 10 0 Tea ,. .. 458 10 9 Coffee .. 81 6 1 Sugar .. .. 498 11 8

£ s. d. Goods by weight 926 11 0 Do. ad valorem 2834 u 5 Do. other duties 373 19 6 Light dues. shipping, &c. 213 7 2 £10,903 9 0