COMMERCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 201, 2 September 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

TRADE AND COMMERCIAL REPORT FOR AUGUST.

Standard and People’s Advocate Office, Gisborne. August 31. Total amount of collections at the Custom House, Gisborne, for the month ending 31st August, 1874, £344 2s 94 sterling. BUILDING. On account of the bad weather and the state of the roads, there has been little doing in the building trade during the last month. The import of building material is limited to 2000 bricks. A tender for the English Church has been accepted, and the work will be begun without delay ; a tender has also been accepted for the erection of a villa residence for Mr. M'Dougal, at Waikohu for the sum of £526.

A large amount of building is in contemplation, amongst which are the erection of a large wool shed for Messrs. Barker and McDonald, and extensive additions and alterations on Messrs. West-rap and Johnson’s station ; also, private residences for Messrs. Wyllie, Tutchen, and Pa-nell. Captain Trimmer’s Hotel and the School Houses at Tologa Bay and Ormond are being proceeded with.

Messrs. Whitson and Son’s Brewery, the Presbyterian Church, and additions to the Masonic Hotel, are all but finished, in all of which “ operations ” will soon commence. The market value of all description of labor remains the same, with a fair demand. WAGES. There is little alteration in the demand for general domestic servants. Good hands alone, however, can hold their own, at good wages. Bricklayers, 12s per day ; Painters, 10s per day; Carpenters, 10s to 12s per day ; Blacksmiths, 10s to 12s per day ; Plumbers, 10s per day ; Laborers, 6s to 8s per day. STOCK. Lambing has commenced this season under favorable circumstances as regards weather, the temperature being very mild and the cold rains generally experienced at this time of year holding off. Shearing at Tologa Buy is to commence about the end of September; and the Inspector of Sheep t hinks that the one or two scabby flocks in that vicinity will be thoroughly cleaned this year. No stock has left the district during the last mouth for foreign markets, and the home supply is both scarce and unsatisfactory, prices ruling very high for carcasses. The following are the retail rates : —Beef, 3d to 5d per lb. ; Mutton, 2jd to 5d per lb ; Pork, 3d to 5d per lb ; Veal, 6d per lb ; Turkeys, 5s each. COLONIAL PRODUCE. The market is constantly fluctuating, owing to the uncertainty of communication with outside markets, but the following may be taken as fair criteria of Home prices : —Bacon and Hams (Canterbury) none in the market, lid to Is ; Bacon and Hams (Home cured) good supply, 8d ; Candles—prices, Is Id to Is 3d ; Cheese (Canterbury) lOd to Is ; Coffees in good demand ; stocks low, Is 9d to 2s 3d; Adelaide Flour, 22s ; market full; Oarnaru, Canterbury, and Dunedin well stocked ; prices range from £l7 to £lB l°s ; Poverty Bay Grass Seed, 7s ; Canterbury, 6s; plenty on hand ; Melbourne Jams, 10s 6d ; Kerosene, Cosen’s and Defoe’s, 3s to 3s 6d, with a downward tendency ; plenty in stock ; Oats and Maize, 6s Gd to 7s. Large arrivals recent.lv in the Auckland market will effect prices here advantageously to the consumer. At present the holdings are large Potatoes are again getting scarce, lines from Canterbury and Oarnaru are quoted at from £lO to £l2.

Ales in bottle (quarts) range from 12s 9d to 175., according to brand; pints 7s 3d with plenty to supply wants which arc- not large. Stout, Byass’ and Blood’s, 16s 6d. There is no Guinness’ brand in the market, but enquiry is made at 17s.

Brandies.—Prices rule high, Hennessy’s, the favorite label, is in full supply. A large stock of the Colonial distilleries is in ware house at the usual quotat ions. Australian Wines are enquired after, but there is none in the market; the coming summer should open up a good trade in these light wines. Oilman’s stores, preserved meats, fish, &c , have bpen kept well supplied by steady arrivals, and full prices at trade sales have been maintained. • AUCTION SALES During the month have decreased in number owing to the state of the weather and the inland traffic. Cattle and horses—particularly the latter—if good, have held to high rates. There are very few good hacks to be had on the winning side of £l2 to £l5. Bank Rates Remain unchanged, viz. Discount. Bill under 95 days 7 per cent „ over 95 „ 8 „ Overdrafts 9 „ Interest on Deposits. 3 months 3 per cent 9» 4 „ „ 5 „

EXCHANGE ON LONDON. 90 days 11 dis 1J pretn. 60 „ . i dis f „ 30 „ . i dis 1J „ At sight. Par 2