COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5005, 9 April 1877, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Tiie Customs ilulies received at tills port on Saturday were as under £ s. d. £ d - Spirits .. 97 4 9 Goods by wgfit. 5 4 2 Wine .. .. 18 13 1 Ad val. .. 53 2 G Tobacco .. 78 7 6 ~ „ Tea .. .. 10 0 0 Total £202 12 0 The Custom* duties received at this port for the four weeks ending 29th March were as under Spirits .. 3839 3 9 Goods by wght. 837 18 2 cWrs IG9 17 5 Ad valorem .. 4744 7 5 Tobacco .. 1205 0 3 Other duties.. 1166 511 Wine .. 384 0 5 Light dues. Beer .. .. 616 2 6 shipping, &c. 397 17 2 Tea .. .. 702 0 5 Coffee,. .. 125 17 9 * - Q _ r ~ Sugar .. .. 1607 16 8 £15,850 # 13 11 The past month has been void of animation in every branch of the import trade, but upon the whole exhibits favorable symptoms of the increasing importance of this port as a centre for the rest of the colony, the Customs returns for Wellington showing a steady though gradual increase upon the returns of former years. Stocks continue large, and as there is considerable opposition, prices are kept down to a moderate margin of profit, our merchants being thus able to compete favorably with Victoria and Sydney in the supply of the outports, this branch of trade increasing monthly. The Avalanche and Ocean Mail, cleared at the Customs last month, sailed on March 13, having been detained by contrary winds. The Himalaya left for Callao on the 16th ult., and the Leicester for Newcastle to lead coals for Calcutta. Our arrivals during tiie month have been the Anthons. 133 tons, from Melbourne, with general cargo, on March 15; the Hermann, from New York, on March 25, with 4000 cases kerosene and American goods; the Nouveau St. Michel, 445 tons, from Geographe Bay, Western Australia, with jarrali timber; thePleione, 1090 tons, from London, March 31; and Malay, 328 tons, from Hobarton. April 3, with Van Diemen’s Land timber, &c. The Rakaia and Adamant are on the berth loading for London, to sail in a few days. The following vessels are advised as loading, or have sailed, for this port from London :—Northampton, 1161 tons, sailed December 17, arrived at Nelson on April 3; Benledi, 1056 tons, sailed January 28 ; Andrew Reid, sailed January 17; Queen of the West and Wennington, loading; from New York, the Ocean Chief and Elsinore ; from Mauritius, the May; and from Melbourne, the Wollomai. Tiie brigantine Resolution has been chartered by Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co. to load in Singapore with Eastern produce for Wellington direct, and is, we believe, to be the forerunner of another opening for trade initiated by that enterprising Arm. Rates of freight to London.—Grease wool, Jd per lb.; washed do, |d per lb.; tallow, in cases, 60s; in casks, 70s: and hides, 65s per ton. Bank rates of discount and exchange are as follow: —Discount on local bills, under 95 days, 7 per cent.; do, 125 days, 8 per cent.; do, over 125 days, 9 per cent. Exchange on London—Buying rate; at 90 days, 1\ per cent, discount; do 60 days, } per cent. do.; do 30 days, J per cent.; do, at sight, par. Selling rate: at 90 days, } per cent, premium : do 60 days, } per cent, do ; do 30 days, 1J per aent. do ; an demand, 1J per cent. do. Interest on deposits for 3 months, 4S- per cent. ; do 6 months. 5 per cent.; do 12 months, 51 per cent. Ale and Porter (duty paid, hulk, Is per gal. ; bottled, Is 3d per gal.)—Several outside lines of bottled ale and stout in faulty condition have been forced at auction, realising low figures; only best brands command attention, and a fair business has been done at prices which show little variation from last month’s rates. We quote Bass’ and Tennent’s ale at 11s to 11s Gd per doz ; Ind, Coope’s, 11s ; Blood’s stout, 10s 9d to 11s 6d, and Guinness’s do. firm at 10s 6d to 11s Gd, according to condition. Draught ale is in better supply, at £9 to £9 9s per hhd. Bags and Woolpacks (duty, 10 per cent.)—Moderate business done in cornsacks, at 10s to 10s 6d per doz, the demand for the Southern ports having fallen off. In woolpacks there is little doing, the season being oner. We quote full-size packs 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Candles (duty. Id per lb.)—As compared with this period last year stocks must be light, nevertheless some holders continue to sell at lOd, which can leave no profit on the shipment, and necessarily tends to keep down quotations. Price’s sperm are worth lOd to IOJd per lb; foreign, lOd to IOJd, according to parcel. Cement (duty. Is per barrel).—Shipments to hand by the Pieione have supplied current wants in the meantime, and over 2000 casks are advised as being on the way. these being mostly special orders to supply existing contracts. Prices are consequently somewhat easier, and present quotations for White’s or Knight, Bevan, and Sturge’s cement are 18s to 20s per barrel, duty paid. Coffee (duty, 3d per lb.)—There is no change in values to report in this article, present stocks being ample for the ordinary trade; but as prices of coffee have advanced considerably in tiie Home market, we may look for a rise in tills. Holders are quoting Is 3d per lb for plantation coffee in bond, London January quotations being 121 s to 127 s per cwt. Confectionery (duty, 2d per lb.)—Usual trade doing in confectionery, Keiller’s make being generally preferred, but owing to the large quantity now turned out by our local manufactory, tiie demand is not large. We quota IOJd to IOJd as current value. Flour (duty, 20s per ton)—Stocks of Adelaide flour are becoming low, but as supplies of our colonial manufacture are coming forward in large quantities, both from Canterbury and Oamam, the want is not likely to bring about sufficiently high prices to warrant importation at the present rates ruling in Adelaide, Sales of small lots have been made at £lB 10s to £l9 per ton, which mav be accepted as present value. Fruits (duty. Id per lb.) —Moderate business only doing in dried fruits, without any alteration in prices. Currants ate worth 4|d to 5d : Eleme raisins, 6Jd to 6d ; muscatels. Is to Is 2d : sultanas, 7Jd to 7Jd ; and dried apples Gd to GJd per ib. Stocks moderately ample. Hops (duty, 3d per lb.)—New Kent hops are offered at 2s lOd per lb, but owing to the quantity now produced in the colony at a much lower figure meet with scant favor from the brewers. Nelson hops are selling at Is 5d to Is 7d per lb, and are a very fine sample. Malt (duty, Is 6d per bushel). —There is no English malt in this market, and a parcel could readily be quitted at 10s 6d to 10s 9d per bushel. Metals (duty, 10 per cent.; duty on corrugated iron and on fencing wire, 20s per ton.)—Stocks of galvanised iron are heavier than desirable in spite of the present demand for this article, and prices are lower. Morewood’s and Gospel Oak brands are dull at £29 to £3O per ton; a small shipment, partially damaged, was sold by auction at from £27 10s to £29 per ton. Other brands are in less demand, but an importation of F. Braby and Co’s brand has given great satisfaction to the builders. Fencing wire is in fair demand at £l6 to £l9 per ton for Nos. 6,7, and 8. Sheet lead, £2B to £29.

Oils (duty, 6d per gallon.)—The Hermann arrived during the month with about 4500 cases for this market, and prices have become lower, holders now asking 2s 9d to 2s lOd per gallon for Diamond and Devoe’s brands. The Elsinore and Ocean Chief are advised to sail from New York for this port, and as prices have receded in America the anticipated high rates for this oil are not likely to result. Paint oils meet with a good demand at 4s to 4s 3d per gallon for raw linseed, and 4s 3d to 4s 6d per gallon for boiled, in drums. Castor is quoted at 4s lOd to ss. Colza, 6s 3d to 5s Gd per gallon, with usual trade demand.

Oilmen’s stores (duty, 10 per cent.)—Stocks of all articles coming under this heading continue to be in excess, and although a fair demand exists, prices are much below importers’ ideas, while at auction several parcels have been quitted at very low rates. Bice (duty, Jd. per lb.)—Rice is in fair supply at £24 to £27 per ton, according to quality. Salt (free). —Several large parcels of salt have been received coastwise, tending to weaken the market, which previously had been almost bare of this necessary article. Fine salt is now quoted at £5 to £5 10s per ton; coarse do, £5 pet ton. Spirits (duty, 12s per gal Ion)- Spirits of every descriptions remain unaltered from last month, and transactions have been limited to the supply of current wants, no large purchases having come under notice. Martoll’s and Hennessy’s brandies are quoted at 10s per gallon for quarters, 32s 6d to 33s 6d per dozen for cases. At auction Blsquit Duboucho’s case brandy fetched 28s: Eouyer Guillot's do, 20s; Hennessy’s three star, 43s per dozen; White’s rum, 10 per cent, 0.p., 3s 6d; Lowndes’ do, 3s 4d; Lemon Hart’s do, 3s 6d; and 60 cases Red Hart rum, 21s per dozen; Stewart’s whisky, 12s; Sancel do, 11s Gd; McFarlane'a old still do, 13s; Lome do; 19s per dozen; Burnett’s old tom. 13s Gd per dozen in bond. Sugar (duty. 4d per Ib),—Prices of sugar remain at last month's rates, with a steady and increasing consumption. Sydney Sugar Company’s C is quoted at £43 to £44 per ton ; IC, £47 ; 2 W, £4B 10s ; 1 W, £49; and crushed loaf, £53 to 50 per ton, duty paid. Tea (duty, 6d per lb.)—Usual trade doing at Is 2d to Is lOd per lb. for ordinary congou ; fine do, Is Ud to 2s 2d per Ib. Stocks are moderate, but all transactions arc devoid of any speculative feeling, and entirely confined to the current wants of the retail trade. Boxes continue low stocked. Tobacco (duty, 2s Od per Ib.) —Fair amount of business doing at somewhat lower rates than last month. Cameron’s twist. Is 8(1; black swan, Is 7d; SheUard’s, Is 5d to Is Gd per Ib.; Venus, tens, Is 9Jd to Is lOd per lb.; over the water, Is 4d. Cigars (duty, 5s per lb.)—A moderate business doing at fair rates.

Wine (duty, 4s per gallon).—A fair trade doing in wines of average quality. At auction Moot’s champagne realised 80s per dozen, duty paid; Cliquot do, 80s; Whaeter do, 85s; Louis Renoufs, 30s to 35s per dozen, Klopke’s port in quarters fetched 7s Od per gallon.

Butter.—Keg butter has mot witli a moderate demand for local consumption, tho price advancing witli the increased quotations for fresh butter at tills part of tho year, but wo cannot report any improved demand for shipment. Holders aro now asking 12d per lb for prime cure.

Cheese.—Stocks of Canterbury cheese aro still large; but as shipments have been more moderate during the month, quotations are Higher, and holders now ask 8(1 to Bjd per lb. Hams and Bacon,—Canterbury cured bams and bacon aro selling at Kid to 11(1 per lb for prime, and

as tire stocks in dealers’ hands have become lighter than was the case last month, holders are firm at these rates. Flour.—Several shipments of Canterbury and Oamam flour have been received since our last report, aid as advices are to hand of large quantities coming forward from these places, prices have given way, and we cannot quote best brands higher than £ls per ton, for sacks, in bakers’ lots : bags from 10s to 15s per ton higher. Grain.—Although stocks of oats have been considerably increased, prices continue firm at 3s 3d per bushel for prime milling sorts, and 3s for good feed. There is a fair demand at these rates; but ns large quantities have been grown in this province, the demand is io some extent limited to town requirements. Fowls’ feed is in fair supply at 3s 9d to 4s 3d per bushel. Barley, for feed, 4s. Colonial malt 5s Cd; and maize 5s 3d to os Gd per bushel. Potatoes. —Light stocks. Prices firm at 90s. per ton. Timber.—Sawn timber continues in active demand; but owing to the quantities continually coming forward, prices remain unaltered. Pino boards and scantling 12s, totara 17s, kauri 15s per 100 ft., in trade lots. BY TELEGRAPH. AUCKLAND, Saturday. Moanatairai, £l4 10s to £ls, ex dividend.