COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4860, 19 October 1876, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

! The import trade has been moderately active dur-. ing the month, orders from the various outports having come in pretty freely, but In the town a great amount of-dulncss has been noticeable. The low prices wool realised at the first London wool sale has not been without effect bn trade generally, and* to some extent accounts for the dulness, as the .loss of anticipated profits must necessarily weaken the j purchasing power of the colony. Later advices state; that the tone of the market has hardened, and that prices were.more even. Wo are inclined to the opinion, that the. improvement may bo credited to the low value of money In London at the time (one and a half per cent; for first-class bills), rather tnan to any increased consumption, as the production of wool throughout the world is; increasing in an apparently greater ratio than the manufacturing demand. : Wool growers, who have for the last six years been,reaping a tolerable harvest, will have to reconcile themselves to a more moderate rate of profit in the future. Owing to the absence of anything like, a speculative feeling, and the sufficiently adequate stocks in importers' hands, this market is subject to few fluctuations in value, prices remaining in- most cases unaffected* at the moment, by causes that lead to an immediate rise or fall in other places. Quotations will therefore be found to show little variation from last month, although in brandies, sugar, kerosene, and currants, prices are firm, and holders indisposed to show any concession. Trade generally is healthy, but we are sorry to report the failure of the firm of Edmondson, Sellar, and Co., in the Import trade, with liabilities amounting to £30,000, and assets estimated in excess of that amount. - ■ • Our arrivals during the month have been the Waimea, ou October 4, from London, with emigrants and cargo; the Sarah Pile, from Melbourne, with cargo; and rather more than our usual complement of steamers. The following vessels had sailed or were loading in London for this port:—The St/ Leonard, 1053 tons, sailed July 23; Howrah. 1008 tons, sailed July 29; Avalanche, 1160 tons, loading June 2 ; Himalaya, 1008 tons, July 25 ; Ocean Mall, 1439 tons. July 23. The May sailed from Foochow July 15 ; the Ceara loading at Melbourne Octobers Rates of freight to London.—Grease wool, £d. per lb.; washed do, |d. per lb.; tallow in cases, 605.; in cask, 705.; and hides, 565. per ton. Bank rates of discount and exchange unaltered. Discount on local bills, under 95 days, 7 por cent.; do, 125 days, 8 per cent.; do, over 125 days, 9 per cent. Exchange on London—Buying rate: at 00 days, 1 per cent, discount; do 60 days, i per cent. do. Selling rate: at 90 days. } per com. premium ; do 60 days.l per cent, do; do 80 days, 1J per cent, do; en demand, 2 per cent. do. Interest on deposits for 3 months, 41 per cent.; do 6 months, 5 per cent.; do 12 months, 6* per cent. Ale and Porter (duty paid, bulk, Is. per gallon; bottled. ls. 3d. per gallon).—lmporters are still overstocked with bottled ales and stouts, and sales to any extent even at reduced rates are difficult. There is a' fair amount of business doing, limited to current retail wants: but while stocks continue so heavy we can look for no improvement in prices; we quote best brands at 10s. 6d. to 11s: per dozen ; inferior do, 7s. to 95., though at auction lower rates have been accepted. Bulk ale is scarce and wanted; holders are now asking £lolos. per hhd. Bags and Woolpacks (duty, 10 per cent.)—Holders of cornsacks quote 10s. to 10s. 3d. per dozen, but there is little or no demand. Woolpacks, owing to stocks having been found to be lighter than was thought, are in active demand, and several parcels have been ordered from Melbourne. Full size packs, 10lb., are (juoted at 3s, 6d. to 3. 9d: |-packs, 3s. 3d. to Candles (duty. Id. per lb.)—Several large lines of candles' have been shipped to the West Coast—over 1400 boxes during the past fortnight—tending to make Stocks easier. That and the probable decrease in shipments owing'to the failure of De Roubaix and Co., has caused an advance in value, holders now asking lOd. per lb. Cement (duty. Is. per barrel).—Stocks heavy and difficult to move. We report a sale of 500 casks at 17s. 9d., duty paid, but contractors generally hold sufficient for present wants. American red beach plaster is quoted at 18s. per barrel. Coffee (duty, 3d, per lb.)—Usual trade sales, at Is. 3d, per lb. in bond. ■ ’ Confectionery (duty. 2d. per lb.) —Demand dull, at Is. 3d. per lb. for Keiller's make. Flour (duty, 20s. per ton.)—Advices from Adelaide state that prices are advancing, and as the stock in first hands here is small, holders are firm at the following rates :—Dunn’s, £l6 to £l6 10s. ; Duffleld’s, £16155. per ton, for sacks. Fruits (duty, Id. per lb.)-Currants are in fair demand. at 6Jd. per lb., at which figure holders are firm, and as stocks are light and shipments to arrive are on only a moderate scale, prices will probably reach a higher figure. We report the shipment of 50 casks to Australia per Easby, at 4d. per lb, in bond, which is sufficient indication of small stocks in that market. Eleme raisins are moderately stocked at 6£d. to 7d, per lb.; Figs, Bd, to BJd. per lb.; sultanas, Bd. to BJd.; bunch muscatels, if sound and in good condition. Is. Id. to Is. 2d. per lb.: Persian dates, OJd. to 7£d. per lb.; dried apples, in fair supply at 7d. to 7id. per lb. , Hops (duty, 3d. per lb.)—English hops are inquired for and much wanted by the local brewers, there being none in importers* hands, and are equally scarce in the other colonies, being worth 2s. per lb. in Melbourne. Tasmanian hops meet with ready sale at Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. perlb.; Californian, Is. to Is. 3d. Malt (duty, Is. 6d. per bushel.)—There is no English malt in importers' hands. Metals (duty, 10 per cent.) Corrugated iron has been in active demand, and judging from the large number of buildings in course of erection, is likely to remain so for some time. Gospel oak brand is quoted at £32 to £33 per ton, including Oft. lengths, and is selling freely at that figure for 26 gauge; Morewood's, £3l 10s. to £33. Fencing wire meets vrith moderate sale at £l6, £l7, and £lB per ton for Nos. 6,7, and 8, higher numbers being totally unservicable. Oils (duty, 6d per gallon).—Our stock of kerosene is extremely low, and: prices remain firm at 2s. Bd. to to 2s. 9d., according to parcel, with a fairtrade doing. We have advices of the following shipments to come forward,, viz., 2500 cases per Panola, and 2250 cases per Josephine, from New York; and as the consumption in America is sold to be greatly on the increase, causing a corresponding rise in value there, we do not look for lower rates. Faint oils meet with the usual demand at 3s. lid. to 4s. 2d. per gallon for tins, and 3s. sd. to 3s. lOd. for bulk, raw and boiled linseed stocks being still heavy. Turpentine is quoted at 4s. per gallon. Colza oil ss. 3d. to ss. 6d. f and castor, 4s. to 4s. 3d. per gallon. Oilmen’s Stores (duty. 10 per cent).—Stocks fully large, with usual trade demand, at small advance on English cost. Rice (duty, id. per lb). —Market supplied with dressed rice, at prices ranging from £23 to £2B per ton. Salt (free). —Moderate stocks at 85s. to 90s. per ton. . Spirits (duty. 12s. per gallon).—The demand for spirits has been at the usual average, the consumption, according to the Customs returns, showing no increase on the quantity as compared with the same period last year—the average amount of duty for each month being about £3IOO, for all descriptions. Brandies are firm at last month's rates. Kartell's and Hennessey's, in quarters, Bs. per gallon; case do, 30s. 6d. to-81s. 6d.; B.P. ram dull*at 3s. 9d. to 4s. 2d. per gallon for 10 per. cent 0.p.; 4s Bd. for 30 per cent, 0.p.; Duhville'a whisky, in quarters. Is quoted at ss. 6d. to 6s. 9d. per per gallon; case do, 175.; Scotch whisky, 4s. 6d. to 6s. Cd. per gal., according to brand; Burnetts old tom, 15s. per doz.; Booth’s do, 15s. 6d.; geneva, dull of sale at 12s 6d. to 16s. 6d. per case, according to conten! s. Sugar (duty. Id. per lb.) —Sugars are somewhat easier in value, as the refineries in Australia have not yet advanced their rates. Stocks here are only sufficient to meet our current wants, as the regular communication between Melbourne and Sydney and this port obviates the necessity of laying in large supplies. Quotations are for No. 2 white, £45 per ton ; Ist counter. £43 10s. to £44; counter, £4O to £4l: and yellow, £37 to £3B per ton, duty paid ; crushed loaf is in fair supply at £6O to £sl per ton ; brewers* crystals, none. Tea (duty. 6d. per lb.>—The long passage making by the May with her usual cargo of now teas is affording an opportunity for clearing off much of the old stock that remains in bond, and sales of old teas have been made that would otherwise have been difficult, except at severe reductions. Tobacco (duty, 2s. 6d.per lb.; cigars, duty, 6s. per lb.)— Owing to the reported failure of the crop in America, tobaccos have advanced , in value during the month, and are now quoted at the following rates: — Best brands of twist, Cameron’s, Is. Bd. to Is. 9d.; Black Swan, Is. 7d. tola. Bd.: Shellard’s do, Is. 6Jd. to Is. Cd,; Mount Bernard tens. Is. Id.; Venus tens, Is. 9d. to Is. 10d.; Over the . Water, twelves. Is, 4d.; Solder, Is. 3id.; Havannak shaped manila 'cigars, 120 s. to 130 s. per 1000. duty paid; Swiss cigars. 86s. per dozen. In bond. W© report a good, trade during the month. Wine (duty, 4s. per gallon).—Usual amount of business done In ports and sherries In bulk, at various rates, according to quality, the bulk of sales being of medium quality wines. Superior qualities are In moderate request at £6O to £BO per butt, sales being limited. COLONIAL PRODUCE. Butter.—Keg butter has met with little Inquiry during the month, the quantity of old cure remaining unsold, conveying a feeling of distrust to shippers of parcels. Prime new butter in kegs is quoted at lid. per lb.; old and inferior from 4d. to 6d, per lb. Cheese.—Fair trade doing in Canterbury make at 9Jd. to 9|d. per lb. Stocks moderate. Flour.—Canterbury and Oamaru flour has advanced In value during the month, and is now quoted at £l3 15s, to £l4 per ton for sacks. Stocks have been Increased by recent arrivals, but are far from being heavy, and prices, compared with Southern quotations, can afford but little profit to the importer. „ Grain.—Oats are In moderate stock, but prices remain comparatively stationary owing to some falling off la the demands at this season of the year; we cannot quote higher j than 2s. 6d. per bushel for ordinary feed, and 2s. Bd. to 2s. fid. for milling sorts. Maize meets with usual inquiry at 4s. Sd. to 4s. 5d per bushel: Wheat, milling, none in stock. r Fowls feed bos been scarce and in demand at 4s. Sd. per bushel. Potatoes.—Several shipments of potatoes have been received coastwise during the month, and have been readily taken by the trade, but the supply Is scarcely adequate for the wants of the town, and prices have fluctuated from £4 10a. per ton to £6. Present quotations are 90s. per ton.

Th« rhistoms duties received at this port yeatcrday were as under: — ‘ . -■ , £.8, d £ s. d. 114 13 0 Sugar i,. .. 6 3 7 45 10 9 Qoodebywght 5 3 6, Tobacco . 81.17 6 Ad valorem, .. 34 12 ■ 6 Cigars Ale (bottled).. 2 5 0 Total ..,£310 1 9 The Customs duties received at this port for the, four weeks ending October 13, were as under:— i £ s. d. •. ■ : £ s. d. Spirits 3211 4 10 Goods by wgt.. 892 10 0 Cigars 216 0 6 Ad valorem .'. 3911 5 2 Tobacco 1053 2 6 Other duties. . 715 2 6 Wine 340 11 9 Light dues,: Boer 325 16 8 shipping Ice. 185 15 6 Tea 646 10 9 Coffee 79 19 0 Sugar567 13 6 Total £12,14411 1