COMMERCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 253, 6 March 1875, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Standard Office, Gisborne. March 1, 1875. Commencing with Customs returns we note £650 12s 2d, as the receipts for February favorably compare with the previous ones ; they show a gradual increase, and are of a character arguing the stability of the district. Business generally has been brisk and perhaps some excess may be attributed to the presence of our land court now sitting, which has drawn a large number of natives into town, but as the sum paid for land is small we cannot attribute it to this source from the fact that comparatively little money has changed bands. The stranding of the Pretty Jane has caused some sensation, and we are pleased to report her being successfully floated, and now awaiting repairs to forward her on to Auckland to be dealt with in order to make her the craft desired for our coast trade, with increased passenger accommodation. We hear that the Opotiki and Advance have changed hands, and believe that the present owners will endeavour to credit our port with careful management and low freights, and otherwise give us the benefit of (heir commercial experience. No less than three Hotels have changed hands during the month, and capital is now offering for further investment in this line. The items from the .wreck of the Pretty Jane have been sold on account aud by order of those concerned leaving a fair margin to credit of profit and loss ; as the details are numerous we cannot attempt to particularise, but report damaged grass seed, 211 bags, 12 bags wool, Commercial traveller’s sundries, &c., &c., In regular course we quote Building Material &c. Imports—Bo,ooo feet of kauri, 2,000 feet mouldings 10 pairs sashes, and 14 doors. Of this we specially note 25,000 ex Waratuh of a very prime quality, and in the face of advices of bp ward tendency in consequence of a scarcity of logs at mills, a corresponding advance in price may be expected here. Labor is in demand, and upon the increase inasmuch as there is a large lot of project ed works, both public and private. Several fires during the month already reported in our columns will necessitate fresh erections. New premises for the Union Bank of Australia are under tender, plans of which are now in submission, and we may shortly expect to report progress of building. The plan comprises a neat elevation to Gladstone-road, banking room, manager’s room, bedroom, and kitchen. A more imposing structure might have been expected from the well-known wealth of the proprietary. Good artizans are in demand, and to many who are short of work in the less favored parts of the province, Poverty Bay would prove a good field for settlement. Other buildings consist of new hotel for Mr. Mullooly at Tologa Bay ; Court-house at Waiapu ; Villa Residence, for Mr. Hargraves, at Ormond; additions to Mr. Piekersgill’s Boarding-house, Gisborne ; large additions to the Albion Hotel; shop for Mr. Nasmith; Ladies’Seminary for Mra. Bourke; Mr. Graham’s new house in the suburbs; a projected residence for Captain Porter, and numerous smaller residences. The new English Church will be finished by the end of the month. This building offers a pleasing contrast to many others. On a future occasion we will give a more detailed description of the building. Plans and specifications of a bridge over the Waipaoa River are issued and on view at the Government offices it is evidently a large undertaking and means expenditure of capital. Its erection will be of immense advantage to the district part icularly the famed Patutahi, and if completed before the sale of this property comes off, it will be a very material item in the sale, as a safe approach in a great measure, depends upon the bridging of the river. HORSES. There is not hing to report of moment. We hear of a mob from this district having been disposed of in Napier at very fair prices. CATTLE. Enquiries are being made for neat store stock, both to graze on terms and purchase. Good country is now being possessed and settled wit h plenty of feed on it, but the article to depasture is wanting. SHEEP, Reported last month, are beginning to move, arrangements for shipment having been made to ship direct from wharf, by the Go-a-head. Several lots of unusually superior sheep have come to hand during the month, proving the fact of our runholdcrs and farmers being alive to the necessity of change and improved quality of blood. Our district has been visited by Mr. Melville Smith (of large Colonial experience) from England, whose speciality is purchasing first class stock of all kinds suitable for the colony, lie has made arrangements for a supply with Messrs. Graham and Co. of this place, who are empowered to treat with any one requiring direct choice property. Mr. Smith proposes returning to the English Market in April next. A fine lot of 1040 sheep purchased in Hawke’s Bay have been landed at Anaura, to the order of Mr. Tatham ; also 500 have arrived overland for Mr. Locke to the Waikohu station. The Inspector reports a very visible decrease in scab in the infected coast district. Insurance has been a most important topic, and our local agents have exhibited a degree of vigour in soliciting risks worthy of remark. A branch of the Standard office has been opened in Gisborne. The urgent necessity of the public consideration is apparent, and the facilities now offering cannot be too extensively taken advantage of. Trade generally may be said to be brisk, but money is not by any means plentiful.