COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

The following are the duties collected at the Cuetom* yesterday £ s. d. £ 8. d. Spirits .. 200 0 2 Sugar.. .. 413 4 Tobacco .. 44 0 0 Weight .. 151 2 0 Cigars.. .. 21 IS 0 Ad valorem .. 700 1G G Beer .. .. 210 17 0 Other duties.. 3115 0 Wine .. .. 73 4 4 Tea .. .. 4 6 0 Total .. £1514 13 1 Wellington', April 24. 1879. The amount of Customs duties received nt this port for the four weeks ending April 17th, 1879, was as under £ s. d. £ s. d. Spirits .. 35.13 8 1 Goods by Cigars.. .. 321 10 0 weight .. 1032 5 X Tobacco .. 1037 8 3 Ad valorem.. 4313 1 11 Wine,. .. 470 211 Other duties.. 1103 7 9 Boor .. .. 004 19 11 Light dues, Tea .. .. 711 14 0 shipping, &c, 520 10 5 Coffee.. .. 30 3 11 Sugar.. .. 935 10 5 Total . .£14,774 8 8 Wo note no improvement in trade during the past month, and our remarks in the commercial report for Starch might bo recapitulated with perfect accuracy now. Although it is said by some that there are indications of improvement there is still a general feeling of uncertainty and distrust prevailing the whole of the mercantile community, which is sufficient to check all business transactions except for c ish. The banks to a considerable extent arc considered to bo answerable for this state of affairs by their sudden stoppage of all accommodation; but wethinkmoreisdue to their previous action in endeavoring to push their own ; business by granting excessive discounts and overdrafts, thus loading to an unwarrantable system of i credit, which seems to have boon equally adopted by the merchant who imports his tons and the small retail dealer who soils his pounds of tea and sugar. The slocks of imported go als continue grontlyln excess of our present capacity for absorption, keeping our market in a depressed condition, and most discouraging to holders. But as the colony, by the continued increase of Its population, is becoming more and more occupied every month, there is little doubt if exporters on the English side would exercise a larger amount of discrimination in the quantity of their shipments, matters would soou rectify themselves. There have boon several more failures, mostly small ones, with the exception of that of Mr. R. J. Duncan, the well-known auctioneer, who has been compelled to yield to the time*. At a meeting of his creditors a few days back, his liabilities were stated at £19,000, £IO,OOO of which was secured, assets estimated at *’4400, leaving a balance deficiency of £4(500. A deed of assignment bad been executed, but the meeting adjourned for further information before assenting to the deed. Our arrivals from London during the past four weeks have been The Wave Queen, 853 tons, with cargo and passengers, on April 8 ; the Stad Haarlem, r.5.,2714 tons, with immigrants and cargo, on April 18 ; and the Clan Campbell, 729 tons, with cargo and passengers, on April 20. ’i ho Gloria, 735 tons, laden witii railway plant, arrived on April 17. The Anthons. 120 tons, with a cargo of 150 tons of sugar, arrived from Melbourne on April 12 ; and the Niagara, 291 tons, with flour and tanning bark, from Melbourne, on the 17th.

The Pleiades is loading at the wharf, cirgo coming forward slowly. She will probably sul for London in the course of a month, and the Clan Campbell, so soon as her inward cargo la out, will take her berth.

The Hormiono sailed for London on March 23, ■with cargo for London : particulars In our last. The Lorraine and Albert sailed for Lyttelton on April 10, and the Loch Fergus for Portland ; the Beatrice sailed for Guam on April 11. The following vessels are expected or have sailed : —From London—The City of Madras, 039 tons ; Peri, 390 tons, sailed January 16; Glendovey, 639 tons, sailed February 0 ; Western Belle, 1135 tons, sailed February 20 ; Loch Ken, 393 tons, sailed February 23 ; Loch Deo; 700 tons, sailed March 4; Pareora, sailed March 20. The Loch Cree and Pleiono were laid on to follow.

The San Francisco mall was delivered in Wellington on 12th April. The Suez mail was {delivered on 3rd April.

Ratos of Freight to London.—Grease wool, gd per lb; washed do, }d per lb; undumped, fd extra ; tallow, in cases, GOs; in casks, Gss ; and hides, 55a per ton.

Bank Rates.—Exchange for bills on London—On demand, 2 per cent premium ; at 30 days, U per cent do ; at GO days, 1 per cent do ; at 00 days, \ per cent do. The hanks* buying rates are—For bills at 99 days, 1 discount: 00 days, £ discount; SO clays, par. Discount on local bills, under 05 clays, 8 per cent.: under 125 days, 9 per cent. Interest allowed on fixed deposits for three months, 5 per cent.; for six months, 0 percent.; foe 12 months, G£ per cent. These are minimum rates.

Pownall and Co. rcporfc a very stringent market (hiring the last month, with no cessation of the banking pressure. There has been large demands for money on mortgage at high rates of interest upon first-class securities, with but a very small amount of capital offered for Investment. .Ale and Porter (duty paid, bulk Is per gallon, bottled Is 3d do).—The demand for bottled > les and stouts during the month has been alack, more so than usual, though prices, owing to the moderate stocks on h>*nd, have been fairly sustained. Best brands of ale are worth from 10s Od to 11s Dd per dozen ; Bass’s, bottled by Griffon, is quoted at 12s for quarts, and 8s for pints; Guinness’s stout, by the same bottler, 11s !)d and 7s per dozen. Draught ale meets with no inquiry ; Bass's is quoted at £9 per hhd, but the run is on colonial brew.

.Bags (duty, 10 per cent); Woolpacks (duty, 2a 6d per dozen). • Cornsacks are in moderate inquiry, as the soitson for their use is near its close, quotations remainim: at last month’s rales, viz., 8s to 8s Gd per dozen. Woolpacks are quite neglected, and In no demand.

Candles (duty. Id por lb). —There has been only a moderate trade doing in English and foreign candles, owing to the increasing use of the local make, and as stocks continue excessive, holders are offering at a figure that must leave a loss. Price’s sperm are quoted at Ojd per lb; forclgn-mako, Bjd to B£d ; but these quotations are only nominal, and a confession would bo made on a moderate lino. Messrs Kitchen and Sons report Improved demand for their make at Sjd for petrolines, and 7£d for their Star brand. Cement (duty. Is por barrel).—Stocks of cement co»* tlnno heavy, with very little business doing, if 1 "’ quote Ids to 17s per barrel for Portland. 1( i e « Coffee (duty, 3d per lb). —Fair no change in quotations. , j c Chicory (duty, 3cl per lb).- ' - 4a U 0 S ’ h quote! i.t Cd to oid P-- -Coloni-d-grown chicory ,U^c«ouc o rv - -r lb, with dulHnquiry. No Somifi 1 - 1 "’” vUuty, 2d per lb).-Moderatc Inquiry . make at 101 to 10ld per lb i. he colonial anro continues to gain in public, estimation, must necessarily interfere greatly with the consumption of imported goods. Flour (free).—The price of Adelaide hour has tie conic lower since our last month s report, owing to the arrivals of the Courier and Nlitgiua with further shipments, and quotations are now £l3 P? fVmtor bakers’ parcels. As prices for Gamaru and Canter bury flour aro weaker, and stocks coming forward excessive, wo do not look for any improvement In ™ Fruits (duty, Id per lb)-Moderate trade has been doing in dried fruits, witli little change in quotations. Currants are In full stock at 3}d to 4(1. according to age and condition; Elemo raisins. s}d to Od; sultanas, 64 i to Od ; muscatels, if in good condition, Is 2d to l! 4d ; dried apples. 6Jd to s|d per lb. Hops (duty 3d por lb )—Slocks of Kent hops in importers’ hands quoted at Is 2d per IbforlSTS’s; Nelsot (new) 1573-0, are in the market at lOd to Is; Californian growth, is to Is 3d. Malt (duty Is Cd per bushel)—No English malt or stock Colonial malt is high just at present and wortl Ss per bushel, blit as tbo new malt will bo in the mar ket shortly wo look for a lower quotation. Metals (dutv 10 per cent,), corrugated iron (20s pai ton) fencing wire (free).—Thera is nothing to adi our remarks in last month’s summary rosnoctin] "-orrueated iron, which in spite of a fairly active dc maud continues in excess of stock. Prices are un dtered and remain as low aa consistent with avoid nee of’loss. Gospel Oak and Morewood’s ate quote .* £4 103 to £24 10s for 26 gauge, and £2UOs to £2 f or 2t gauge; other brands nominal, roncin dre quite neglected, with heavy stacks,- at £l3 t ispertoa for Nos. 6,7, and 8, which must leave

loss to Importers* Sheet lead in fair demand at £23 10s. Sheet zinc, £3l to £32 per ton. Oils (dutyGd per gallon.—Kerosene oil has been in Mr demand at Is 7d to Is 8d for dangerous, and Is lOd to 2» 4cl for oil above flashing point; test according to brand. Paint oils remain at last month's quotations, at 4a for 'raw and 4a 2d for boiled Unseed in Oilmen's storcs(duty various).— Several unimportant articles coming under this head have been getting low in stock, but as a rule there is more than ample supply for this market for some time to come, and importers find some difficulty in realising at anything like a good profit. , _ . Bice (duty id per lb.)—Stocks of undressed rice ate ample, and quotations rule from £l9 to £2l per ton. Suit (free).—Fine salt is quoted at 85* to 00*; coarse, 75s per ton with fair stocks. Spirits (duty 12s per gallon).—There has been the usual trade demand during the month, and business has been entirely confined to the supply of the r,tailers. Stocks of brandy in bond show no reduction, but quotations «re apparently well sustained ; ilenneasy's case brandy remains at 33* to 34s per dozen; bulk, 9sfld toOsOd per gallon ; other brands are in some instances coming more in public favor, but as a rule yield the palm to llcnncssy and Martell, Other spirits are heavily stocked, and show no change in value. For the mere retail sales, which arc the only ones effected just now. wo quote rum, 3s 3d to 4s, according to strength; Irish whiskies, 5* Cd to 5s fid, for quarters, 17sGd to 22s for case; Scotch do, 4s to 5s Cd per gallon, IGs to 19* Cd for case; Geneva, dull at 12s to 10a 9d. Sugar (duty, Jd per lb).—There has been no change in the market quotations for sugars during ? he month. The usual trade has been done, nnd supplies arc regularly shipped from the Australian Refining Company’s works In Melbourne and Sydney. No. X W. is quoted at £4l 10* to £42 per ton; 1.C., £4l 10sto£42per ton. d.p.; these being the two principal qualities sold in the market. Crushed loaf is in little demand, at £42 to £45 per ton. Tca(dufcy, 4d per lb.)—There has been the usual demand for teas, with no change in prices. .Best Congous range from Is 2d to Is lOd per lb for chests and halves in bond ; boxes, 10a to 23s per box, d p. Tobacco (duty, 2s Cd per lb)—There is an overstock of every description of tobacco, and although the consumption continues unaltered in amount and frequently increasing, there is no improvement in prices, which remain at last month’s rates nominally Cameron's Raven and Standard Twist is quoted at Is 3d to la 5d per lb ; Venus tens, Is 2d to Is 4d per lb. Sales limited to retiil wants. Cigars (duty, 5s Gd per lb)— Clgari show no change in prices. Ormond’s Swiss, 35s per 1000; Manillas, 55s to 80s; Havanas, £lO 10s to £2O per 1000. Wine (duty 4s per gallon; sparkling wines, duty Os per gallon)-—Usual trade doing in wines, with no improvement in prices. COLONIAL PRODUCE. Butter. —Salt blitter has come into more general demand for local consumption, and prime samples have advanced to 12d per ib. There is but little inquiry for outside shipments, but as the season advances there is little doubt that this article will bo wanted, as the .supply, owing to the dry summer and autumn, has fallen off considerably throughout the colony. , _ Bacon and Hams. -Canterbury cured hams and bacon have been low in stock for some time past, and are in fairly active demand at 9d to 9jd lb; but we do not expect to see these rates sustained when the new cure comes in. Cheese. —Southern cheese has been in moderate demand at 8d to Bid per Ib; stocks light. Flour. —Our market has ruled low during tho < whole of the past month, nor are there as yet any signs of Improvement. Parcels of Oamaru and Canterbury flour have been offering at exceedingly low figures, without tempting buyers. Quotations for best brands are nominally £9 to £lO per ton, for small lines. Grain.—Oats have been in full supply at 3s to 3s Id per bushel; wheat in fair demand for fowl feed at 3s fid ; maize, 5s to 5s 3d per bushel; oatmo d, £l7 per ton ; pollard, £5 10s per ion ; malting barley, none in stock. , ,

Potatoes.—Fair stocks in dealers’ hands, with active demand at £5 to £6 10s per ton, for wholesale lots.

Timber. —The demand for sawn timber has become rather slack, and as several lots have been forced into the market, prices are easier. We quote pine boards and scantling at 10s Gd to lls Cd per 100; totara, 14s Od: kauri, nominal. A cargo of timber, ex Fiery Cross from Mokianga, was sold by auction on Tuesday, llth current, at 13s Gd to 14s per 100 ft of kauri. T. and G., Bxl, oxl, and sxl; the rough boards fetching from 9s to 10s Cd per 100 ft. Tallow—>ales of medium mixed tallow at £22 to £25 per ton ; best mutton, £27 to £29 per ton. . Wool.—Most of the wool of this season being shipped, there is very little offering. Wo quote greasy cross bred Gd to 8-Jd per lb. Hides.—Green salted hides are quoted at 3d per lb ; moderate business doing.

George Thomas reports produce prices as follows: — Flour, Adelaide, £l4 10s to £ls; colonial, £lO 5s to £lO 15s ; bran, Is to Is l£d; wheat, 4s 2d to 4s 3d; hams, 9jd: bacon, 9sd; cheese, 8d to Od ; maize, 5s to 5s Cd; pollard, 7s; potatoes, £5 to £5 10s; butter, lOd to Is.

BY TELEGRAPH. (PER PRESS AGENCY.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday.^ ThoPrcss reports considerable business in the grain and produce market during the week. Wheat is in active demand, and late prices are maintained for really prime. For milling and seed samples 3s 5d to 3s Gd have been respectively obtained ; good average quality wh'-at commands 3s 4d. Oats continue depressed. very few sales being effected during the week; as farmers prefer holding to accepting rates offered ; buyers offer 2s 5d for feed, and 2s 7d for milling, but farmers generally expect at least 2d per bushel more. Barley continues in good demand, although not so much eagerness is shown by buyers ><B some little time ago; prime samp’es are readily saleable at 5s 6d, and other qualities at rates corresponding with quality. In flour very fair business Is reported by the millers ; quotations are unaltered at £8 to £9 6s, according to tho brand. Bran and sharps in less request, and quoted at £4 to £4.10j respectively. Grass seed still hangs heavily, and no improvement. »otatoes are selling at 60s. Butter is offering more freely ; some sales are reported at fid. Cheese is in moderate demand, at 7jd. Hams and bacon are out of stock, nominally Bd. In tho import market, since the resumption of business after Easter 'wo have little or no change ba report. A moderate amount of trade can bo noted, but not much of a special character. The strain at present felt in tho money market is so severe that purchases made are never beyond actual requirement?, and buyers hesitate before accepting line*, even at tempting prices. AUCKLAND, Thursday. Messrs. Blnnoy and Mason report; Business is confined to trade parcels, and quotations show no material change. Adelaide flour, £l4, dull of sale ; Sonlhern do, £lO to £11; wheat, 4s to 4s 3d, nominally: wheat, fowls', 2s 3d. Sales: Bran and pollard, £0 5s to £6 15s, market bare ; oats, 3s to 3s 6d ; maize, 4s 3d ; oatmeal. £lB to £l9; hams and bacon, in cloth, scarce, Bsd to gjd ; do, bare, Cid to 7Jd ; cheese, BJd to B|d ; butt?r, is to Is Id ; good do, Cd to 9d ; inferior pota* tat oes, £5 15s to £O. Mr. Buckland rep rts:—At Remuera, on Thursday, dairy cattle in request, prices from £lO to £l2 each. Store cattle in large numbers. Four hundred Head were sold, and are in good demand. Three year old steers brought from £(slss to £3 15s; two year olds, £5 6s to £6 10s ; yearlings, £3 10s to £4 2s 6d; two year old heifers, £4 5a to £5 6s ; yearlings, £2 10s to £3 15s ; calves, mixed sizes. 25s to 45s ea h. Fat cattle are in full supply, 135 bead yarded last week prices varying from-27s Cd to 32s Od the 1001 b, were sustained. Store sheep at low values; aged ewes, 2s 6d to 3s Cd; lambs, 3s to 4s each. . Fat sheep are in full numbers, above 1000 were sold to a butcher. They were generally of small size, ami brought from 2}d to 3d per lb. Well bred pigs were also penned in larger numbers than usual, and brought 3d to 3sd the lb, live weight.