COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

The following are the duties collected at the Customs yesterday

The amounts of Customs 'duties collected at tins port for the four weeks ending July 11,1879, were as under

We report a continued depression in every branch of tr ide during the past month, with numerous small failures in both town and country, nor can we hold out hopes of improvement for some time to come while stocks of all descriptions continue to pour in by every ship, keep’n-r down prices to a level that must. In most cases, leave a small loss even at market rates, while in forced auction sales there would be a serious deficiency. In brandies alone there are over 1000 quarter casks and 11.000 cases now in bond, which have been shipped on consignment, and which, in the ordinary course of our trade, will not move off for the next four years. Wines of inferior and medium quality arc equally in excess, eating up their value in

bonded store rent. Kerosene, tobacco, candles, boots and shoes, ironmongery and fencing wire are all overstocked. In the article of fencing wire atone there are now over 1000 tons on hand, with only a very small and restricted demand. If exporters will continue to consign goods to a market that for past has been overdone, and of which sufficient warnings have been constantly given, they must not be surprised at the non-receipt of aceo- nt sales, nor. when received, that a serious loss has been entailed. Trade throughout the world is just now p -ssing through a period of difficulty—the effect of over-stimulation—and this colony can hardly hope to escape some of the effects of the monetary crisis. A little exercise of prudence i may save us from the worst of the evils, and give us time to develop our resources. Our arrivals during the month from London navo been tho City of Madras, 989 t-»m, June 21 : Western Belle 1135 tons, June 27; Pareora, 577 tons, July 10 ; Pleione, 1001 tons, July 17 ; all with full cargoes for this port. The Glendovey sailed for Guam June 22. The Loch Ken is cleared at the Customs, and sailed July 16 with the following cargo, for London • 932 bales and IC2 J-bales wo d. 294 bales sheepskins, 1302 casks and cases tallow, 73 pkgs shells, 44 pkgs leather, 4 sacks hair and 50 bales wsste paper. Total value, £35,000. . Tho following vessels have sailed or are loading at London for this port:—Tho Loch Cree, 791 ton®, sailed April 26; Waimoa, May 14; Beemah, 1115 tons, May 2 ; Rakaia. June 3 ; and tho Red Gauntlet, Halcionc, St. Leonards, lone, Zealandia, and Thames were laiil on to follow. Tlic Suez mail was delivered in Wellington on 26th June, The San Francisco mail was delivered In Wellington on 4th July. Kates of Freight to London.—Grease wool, Jd per lb; washed do, 3d per lb; undnmped, Jd extra ; tallow, in cases, 60s; in casks, Cos ; and hides, sos P6 Bank Kates.—Exchange for bills on London—On demand, 2 per cent premium ; at 30 days, 1} per cent do • at 00 days, 1 per cent do ; at 90 days, J per cent do.’ The bank’s buying rates are—For bills at 90 days, 1 discount: 00 days, I discount; 30 days, par. Discount on local bills, under 95 days, 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.: for 12 months, 0} per cent. These are minimum rates. Messrs. Charles Pownall and Co, report that the money market during tho last month has shown still greater stringency, and business is almost at a stand still, the amount required on mortgage being excessive, with a most contracted supply. Kates of interest range as high as 12 percent, on good security. Ale and Porter (duty paid, bottled Is 3d per gallon, bulk is).—The demand for bottled ales at this time of tho year is generally light, but there has been a fair average trade doing for favorite brands at Us 3d to 12s. Holders quote Bass’s ale, bottled by Griflin. at 12s per dozen for quarts and 8s for pints. Bottled stouts move off fairly at 10s Cd to 12s, according to brands. Stocks continue larger than desirable, and sales are strictly limited to the wants of the trade, there being no outside demand. Bulk ale shows little or no change, and is in full supply, with several parcels to anive. Bass’ No. 4is quoted at £9 10s, Marian’s £9, Younger’s £B, per hhd. Stocks of Alsopp’s are ba Bags (duty. 10 per cent.); Woolpacks (duty, 2s 6d per dozen).—Cornsacks meet with no inquiry, and are nominally worth from 8s to 8s 6d per dozen. Woolpacks—sessnn over—moderate stocks on hand at 3s to 3s 3d for full sized packs. Candles (duty, Id per lb).—Stocks of candles in importers’ hands are f ir beyond tho requirements of Die trade, and although tho season leads to a larger present consumption, prices show no indications of improvement, but remain at rates that must lo.ve a Insi. Foreign make are nominal at 8d to 8J- l per lb. Price's Belmonts 9d to fljd, but sales have been made at a concession on these rates. Messrs. Kitchen and Sons report a fair demand for their colonial made petroleums at SJd to SJd ; Star brand, 7Jd per lb. Cement (duty. Is per barrel).—Stocks of cement are considerably reduced, and, shipments direct being light, prices show an upward tendency. We report the sale of 1000 casks from the South, delivered on Wellington wharf at ICs Cd. There will be larger quantities required for the public works and the buildings in progress during the ens dng season, and holders of stocks are firm at 18s per barrel. Coffee (duty, 3d p»r lb).—Plantation coffee is unaltered at Is 2d per lb in bond, with fair average trade doing. Stocks ample. Chicory (duty, 3d per lb).—Foreign chicory meets with little or no inquiry, and the trade for colonial growth is dull, with no alteration in prices. Confectionery fduty, 2d per lb).—There Is but little inquiry for Keillor’s confectionery at lOd to lOJd. as the great bulk of the trade is now done by tho local manufacturers, whose goods show considerable improvement, and are gradually increasing in public favor. Mr. S. S. Griffiths reports a good trade during the past month, and a large increase of outside orders. . . Flour (free).—Adelaide flour has remained steady at our last month’s rate of £l4 per ton for best brand, and although stocks are lighter, the low price of Southern flour tends to prevent any rise in value. Wo hear of no shipments to arrive. Fruits (duty. Id per lb).—Dried fruits of all kinds arc in full supply, and show no variation from our last report, currants are rather heavily stocked, and are quoted at Sid (o 3}d per lb : eleme raisins, 5Jd to sjd ; sultanas, s}d to Cd ; muscatels, if in good order. Is to Is 2d per lb ; figs, light stocks, 8d per lb : dried fruits. sid to Cd per lb. Green fruits have been in full supply during the raontn, both from the Australian colonics and Nelson —Oranges, 8s; lemons, 12s to 13s ; apples, 10s to 12s per case. Hops (duty. 3d per lb),—Kent 1878’s are quoted at lid per lb, witli limited demand, there being large quantities of tho colonial growth now used by the brewers. Bavarians are quoted at 7id to 8d per lb ; Californian, none in stock; colonial, 9d to for Nelson erowth, stocks light. Malt (duty. Is Cd per bushel).— English mall has almost ceased to bo imported, a few tanks occasionally finding their way into this market. It is nominally quoted at 10s Cd per bushel, but there are no stocks in first hands Colonial malt is worth from 7s to 7s Cd per bushel, with little trade doing. Metals (duty, 10 per cent). Corrugated Iron (duty, 20s per ton). Fencing "Wire (free).—Galvanised iron continues heavily stocked, with a lessened demand, as, owing to the great dulness now prevailing, building operations have to a considerable extent fallen off; holders quote £23 10s per ton for 26-gauge for Morewood and Gospel Oak brands, and £22 to £22 10s for 24-gauge. At auction 5 tons were offered, and the highest obtainable bid va*s £2O per ton, at which figure tire lot was with Ira wn, but afterwards accepted.. 0,7, and 8, with little trade doing. There is at present over 1200 tons in stock, and shippers will learn from their account sales the folly of rushing an unlimited quantity of goods of any description into this market. Sheet lead overstocked and dull at £22 to £23 per ton. Sheet zinc, £29 to £3l per ton. Oilmen’s Stores (duty, various). —Full stocks, with only a moderate demand. Large shipments of goods coming under this designation are advised, and prices for the next few months are likely to rule against the shippers. Oils (duty. 6d per gallon).—Full stocks of kerosene of various brands are now on hand, and quotations are easier, and to a great extent ruled by the preva 1 !- ing estimation in which each brand may be held. ■\Ve quote oils of high test from Is 8d to 2s 3d per gallon; Downer’s, 2s 3d; Premium Safety,2s; Niagara, 2s; Evening Star, 2s; Yulcan, 2s; Astral. 2s; Light of tho Age. Is Cd; Dovoe, lOd: Diamond, lOd per gallon, &c. The Ned White brings 1800 cases forjlhis market, and the Amelia Rose an • Atlanta will doubtless have some shipments ou board, so that prices are hot likely to improve as th“ spring advances. Paint tils are in full stock, and move off pt 4s for raw and 4s 2d per gallon for boiled linseed in drums, if in cask from 3d to 4d per gallon less. Castor oil. in drums, is in fair demand at 5s 3d to 5s Cd, per gallon. Colza, 5s Cd to 6s 8d per gallon. Rico (duly, id per lb). —Full stocks at last month’s rates, with moderate demand.

Salt (free). —stocks of both fine and coarse salt are becoming lower, and prl es have Improved, 90s per ton being now quoted for fine and 80s for coarse salt. Spirits (duty, 12s per gallon).—The spirit trade of the past month shows a considerable increase as compared with the corresponding month last yetr, the difference in duty collected being nearly £1000; but owing to the immense stocks in bond prices, with some slight exceptions, show no change. Henne sy’s case brandy is exceedingly scarce, and worth 35s ; bulk, 10s to 10s 3d per gallon. Martell's brandy, which formerly h-ld prominent sway in this market, is beginning to be again appreciated, and several outside brands are coming into better favor in the trade ; but prices remain low. We quote Martell’s, case, 33s 6d; bulk. 10s to 10s 3d per gallon ; other brands nominal. Whisky, in bulk, is worth 4< 9d to 9s 6d per gallon; case, 14s 6d to 21s per dozen ; Dunville’s brand is low in stock, and worth 18s 6d. Geneva, usual trade done at 16s for 4-gallon cases. Rum, 3s 6d per gallon for 10 per cent. 0.p.; 3s 9d per gallon for 30 percent, 0.p.. White’s or Lemon Hart’s brand. Old Tom meets with dull sale at 15s to 16s per dozen. Sugar (duty id per lb). —We report the usual amount of trade during the month ; the supply and demand being so equalised by the regular shipments by every Australian steamer, that the quotations for one month vary only with the cost at'tho shipping ports. Australian Sugar Company's No. 2is quoted at £4O to £4l per ton. No. 1, £4l 10s to £42 per ton. Crushed loaf is in full supply at £43 to £44 per ton. Tea (duty 4d per lb). —Fair demand for the better class of old teas at moderate values. Stocks are moderate, and the new season’s teas will come to a good market

Tobacco (duty 2s 6d per lb); Cigars (duty 7d pp r lb). -Stocks in bond are in excess, and although tb'jre is a large amount of trade doing every month, & 3 a reference to the amount of duty paid at the Customs will show, prices do not improve. Best brands remain at Is 3d to 3s 5d per lb for twist, and Is 2' j to ls4d for tens. Ormond Swiss cigars move off slr jW i y a t 35s per 1000 ; Manillas. 50s to 85s per 1000 ; Havannahs £l2 to £2O per 1000 in bond; with h'javy stocks of each. .

Wines (duty 4s per gall; sparkli7 J? e sper gall). Every description of wine is overstocked, and the demand limited to the monthly vv an ts ’of the retail tra ’e. There is a very large sf.ock of inferior and medium sons in bond, eating themselves up in store rent, but really first class wines are seldom imported, although in every case yielding a high figure It is a great mistake for shippers to suppose that common and inferior wines will pay.

COLONIAL PRODUCE. Butter.—The demand for keg butter for shipment has almost entirely ceased, and tho sale is now confined to local wants. There has been a fair inquiry for prime cure during the month, and as the supplies coming forward are but small, tho price has been firm at a slight advance. Wo quote lOd to lid for best quality. Cheese. Stocks ef Canterbury cheese bare been low, and 7d to 7id per lb reallly obtainable lor any shipping lots that have reached us.

. Bacon ami Hams. Until the new enre comes in it :s almost useless to give quotations. A tew parcels have been received by the retail traders, who quote BJd to 9d per lb.

Flour—Can erbury and Oamarn flour has remained, steady during the month at tho low rates quoted in our last report: but there is in evid-nt desire on tho part of the shippers to obtai better prices, by keeping I back shipments, and as stocks become reduced hero prices may improve. Present rates are firm at £1 a to £lolos per ton Dr best brands in sacks, and futr prices will depend on the amount of stock remain down South, and the ability of holders to hold K Grain.—Oats remain steady at 2s 9d to n, bushel, with fair inquiry. Maize stocks have ’ low at 4s Sd. Fowls', wheat dull at Ss 3d *„ q. mi Pollard. OS to £6 10s per ton. Bran in fr at 9d to lOd per bushel. Oatmeal, £ t<j *n P ?on per ton. 10

Potatoes.—ln full supply, and firm at £5lO £5 xos

Timber.—Dull demand, with no elm Tallow.—Small parcels of mixed ar e AjotedTt to £24 per ton. Best mutton, £27 t- a £2S ner ton Hides.-saltea bides are quoted t , t 3d to Sid per lb, with very few offering. 4 * *

BY IELBORJ m m’*. i i Thursday. The Christchurch Corn Excir ango quotations for the week are Wheat, good "n- .illing. 3s lOd to 4s • medium, 3s 8d to 3s lOd ; ehj c k wheat. 3s to 3s 3d’ pats, good local trade ; feed samples are moving off freely at 2s Cd to _s 7d ; mi,l]i o g qualities, 2s Sd to 2s 9d- t Barley (first class mal ting) readily commands 5s 1? 43 ® li . ‘o 5S Cd ; feed sorts, Ss to 4s. Potatoes Last week s quotations are firm at £3 10s at country stations, bags feed. Grass seed rebu«cr,sd d to'sa la tha mark ’ ct - M'to

Spirits £ 8. 17 0 7 d. “Wine,. 20 11 9 Tobacco 20 15 0 Ale(bottlecl). 8 7 6 Tea . 8 13 4 Sugar 33 5 0

Weight £ S. 12 5 d. 4 Ad valorem . 7S 10 4 Other duties. 0 IS 1 Total . £374 17^ 6

Spirits £ .. 4503 s. 7 (I. 0 Cigars.. .. 13S 10 10 Tobacco .. 1307 8 9 ■\Vino . . .. 271 0 Beer .. .. 050 0 9 Tea .. .. 407 13 8 Coffee.. .. 92 4 G Sugar.. .. 721 3 10

£ S. d. Goods by weight .. 793 13 5 Ad valorem .. 2502 4 2 Other duties.. 70S s 4 Light dues. shipping, &c. 37S1 15 10 Total £10,122 13 10