COMMERCIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2621, 15 August 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Times Office, Monday evening. Mr Moss Jonas reports as follows: Notwithstanding the depression that always exists more or less at this time of the year, a large amount of business has been done during the week. Money for investment is plentiful, and the rate of interest obtainable for large sums cannot be quoted higher than six per cent, but for smaller amounts from seven to eight is obtainable. He almost daily receives letters from all parts of the colony requesting him to find'investments for money ; indeed the attention of capitalists—the far-seeing class of investors—seems directed to this district as an outlet for their surplus cash. Horses, —The market is very dull, there being little or no demand. On account of the very low prices ruling, very few are entered for sale, but as spring advances prices wll no doubt improve. He quotes good draughts, £25 to £2B ; medium, £ls to £2O ; light, £8 to £l2.

Cattle.—Fat stock are in bettor demand. At Studholrac Junction he sold 20 head on account of Mr Studholme at satisfactory prices. Prime beef may bo quoted at 20s (id ; medium, 20s per lOOlbs, He has enquiries for young stores, and as spring advances this class of cattle will be in good demand.

Sheen.—Little or no business has been done in this class of stock, Prices have receded since bis last report. Fat Sheep—The market is over supplied, and it is with great difficulty that any sales are effected, fie quotes prime mutton at to 2|d per lb. Wool and Skins.—On Thursday at his wool sale rooms he held his usual fortnightly sale. There was a good attendance of buyers and biddings were spirited. His catalogue consisted of about 1000 skins, 5 bales wool, bides, &c., all of which were cleared at prices as per quotations as under:—Butchers’ best. cross-breds made oa 3d, os 6d, os 8d to os 9d; second quality 4s, 4s sd, 4s lid to os each ; best country skins, from 3s 7d to os od each; inferior and dry, Is, Is 6d to Is lid. Wool : 3 bales (inferior) at 6£d per lb; 2 bdls locks at 3d per lb. Miscellaneous.—On Wednesduy he sold by auction at his rooms the goodwill of a leasehaving fourteen years to run, of a section with cottage in Hart ’s paddock for £B3. On Thursday he sold for Mr Glass, at his residence in Heaton street, the wholeof his furniture and effects, the sale being very well attended, and all the articles bringing satisfactory prices. On Saturday his sale rooms were crowded, and a large lot of produce and miscellaneous goods cleared out at fair values. He quotes flour 14s to los per sack; sharps, 7s Od ; bran, 4s; potatoes, ss; fowls’ corn, 6s per sack ; onions, Id per lb ; rolled bacon 7d ; cheese, 3d to 4d ; butter (salt), Gd ; fowls, 3s to 3s 6d per pair ; ducks, 4s per pair ; geese, 4s each ; turkeys, 4s Gd to Gs Gd each.

Messrs William Collins and Co., report holding their regular weekly market and sale by auction at their rooms on Saturday, of farm produce and general merchandise. The attendance was largely in excess of any previous market days, and as a result all lines submitted were in capital demand. They succeeded in clearing the rooms at the following figures : —Blue potatoes, 60s; kidneys for seed, 6s per sack; oats, ] s 9d; fowl wheat, 5s to 7»; onions, 2d; hams, od to 7d; bacon, 3d to 6d (the latter coming forward being of a very inferior description); cheese. 8d to 4d ; honey, 3£d ; keg butter, 3d to 8d per lb; bacon poik, 3|d to 4d ; legs mutton Is to Is 3d ; sides, 2s 6d ; fowls, 3s 6d per pair; ducks 5s ; geese, 8s per pair, turkeys, none ; canaries, 22s 6d. The demand for groceries was good —box teas, 14s to 18s'; £ chest, 50s ; white Mauritius sugar, per lb ; soap, 6s 6d per box ; sperm candles B|d, Drapery, blankets, boots, shoes, hooks, pictures, furniture, and a general

assortment of oddments were also quitted during the day at vendors’ instructions. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. report sales of stock and produce for the past month at satisfactory rates. Thay also held a sale at Webb and Penny’s mills in conjunction with Messrs T. W. Corbett and Co., at which timber, firewood and most lines offered found buyers at satisfactory rates.