Commercial.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 21 November 1872, Page 5

Commercial.

This week closes with a very firm market in breadstuffs. Flour has been advanced to Ll4 for good brands, and at this rate considerable sales have been effected. For speculation, about 150 tons had been disposed of, prior to tbe rise, at prices from Ll3 to Ll3 10s. Second class flour is in demand at Lll. « atmeal, dull, Lll 10s. Bran firm at 1.4. Pollard, L 5 10s n wheat, no sales of importance haye 1 been made ;" there are not many good samples offering, and second class sorts have a bad market prime milling is saleable at 5s 6d ; good ordinary, at s<4d • . inferior, dull, at 4s to 4s 3d.- : Fowl wheat wanted at 3s 3d. Oats are without change, -milling at 2s 3d, and feeding* 2s -'ld. There is no barley in the market. Potatoes, ;L5 to L 5 10s. ' Hay, 13 15s. Chaff,.L3 l6s. . 1 Straw, L 2 10s. ' : - : ' .- ' A. Mercer reports for the w.esk*r,eudinss: - November 16 :— Retail prices only. fresh./-? butter in 41b and lib prints, West quality, 9d * to lOd per lb; second quality, Sd'to 9d-' " powdered and salt, 9d per lb ; for old and' *" inferior no enquiry. 'Vfie market 1 is com- '"' pletely glutted with fresh ■ utter but the ' quality is superior to what has been for the ■'" last few years. The iaquiry for new season * v>butter has in a great measure abated, in conseqnence of the up-aountry storekeepers " getting their supplies in the neighbourhood, and coijgequently are salting down large quantities, and stocks are accumulating on their hands ; for good samples B|d per lb is asked. Cheese is still scarce, although several parcels of nnw seasons from Cant rbury have been placed in the market, for good samples 9d to lOd pcjr lb ; second quality unsaleable. English ham. Is 4d tc Is 6d per lb ; Colonial, lOd ; side and rolled ba-on, 8d to 9d per lb. Eggs BtiU continue icarce, and/ Is 24 per doz. is now asked,

Bankruptcy.— We hear that the Colonial Government do not intend to appoint a successor to the late Mr Brodie, who was Accountant in Bankruptcy.

Immigration. — A vessel was expected to sail from london for the Bluff about September 30 with from 200 to 250 immigrants.' At a meeting of the Southland Bail way Committee, last week, the following resolution was carried :— " That the Provincial Government be urged to send periodical instalments of farm laborers End domestic servants, pending direct shipments of immigrants to the Bluff, a euppiy of ploughmen and domestic servants being at present urgently needed."

GoLDriELDS Water Supply. — Mr Simpson, C.E., reports that sin average supply of water, amounting to forty-five Government heads, and a miuimum supply of not less than twenty-five Government heads' in extremely dry seasons, can be brought in from the Manuherikia to N aseby, without prejudice to existing rights, for the sutn of L 20.000, traversing alin« of not more than fifty -five miles in length, presenting no engineering difficulty. The Colonial Government will immediately call for tenders for the work.

"WlLli OUR Raii/ways Pay? — If any proof at tins time of day were required as to the advantag a conferred upon a young country by railwny communication, the Southland lines furnish sufficient illustration. From the traffic returns, it appears that the good carried last month amounted to 2470 tons, agaiußt 549 tons during the same period last year. The passengers were 1246, again&t 717. Tho total earnings for the month were LB4O 14s 9d, against L 366 10s 5d in 1871. It Bhould be borne iv mind that the tariff of charges has been reduced by about 60 per cent, since the time stated. The forking expenses amount to about Lsoo' per month, inclusive of coal and repairs to permanent way and rolling st»ck. The returns for this month do not include preserved meats or wool, which, for many months in the year, form a large item in the receipts. — Southland Times.

Theatrical. — A pxivate letter from Melbourne says Haselaiayer is doincr capital business at the Prince of Wales' Theatre Coppins' piojeot o* a monster jubiJee ie progressing Mr Charles Packer, the ialeutetl organist and composer in Sydney, is to supervise the production of his oratorio of tbe " Crown of Thorns," and with Mrs Cordnor and \Jr Fairfax will represent New South Wales ; the city organist of Hobart Town and the Carandini family will represent Tasmania; Mrs Cutter. Messrs Plaisted, Fur Innn, and others, Victoria ; whilo liberal offers have been made to the leading members of Lyster's Opera Company.

Lawyers in Luck. — A good story oomes to us from Christchurch. .Two Danedin lawyers on their way to the Appeal Cou r t determined to enjoy the festivities of Christcburch en route, and amongst other p'aoes worth visiting there went to the races, where they were smitten with the prevailing passion, and backed, the horses fancied by them as zealously as it was possible for them to do. The bookmakers and knowing ones were delighted ; they thought they had got hold of a couple of "green 'uus, " to fleece whom nothing could be easier ; but the sequel shows how grievous was their disappointment. Whether the strange gentlemen of the long robe got the straight tip or not we cannot say ; but this we do know, they won a pot of money and cleaned out the knowing ones. They stood champagne, and were loudly cheered on the course, from which.they took their departure, after having been vigorously "jolly good-fellowed." —Star.

Bank Kates. — Kefening to the recent reduction in the rate of diseounb and exchange, the Auckland Herald claims for one particular Bank the credit of initiating the change. Another Auckland paper denies this, and asserts that the Bank credited •with the change had, on account of it, •'ruptured all diplomatic relations with another"— had, in fact, departed from tbe union. Out contemporary says: — "We shall not be surprised if we find the war waxing hot and fiery until the touters will be sent out into the streets to force men into the sweating rooms, in which they will be treated to champagne for giving their paper, and taking out money at discount nil per cent. The new National Bank of New Zealand, capital two millions sterling, is just about to be launched on our finaucial sea. We have an idea that coming events cast their shadows before, and that the softening influence of the shadow of this monster institution has toned down the fierceness of pur monetary b.igwigs."

A Spiritual Lecture. — Mr James Smith has taken to lecturing in Melbourne on " The world beyond the grave," which is a continuation of the subject of one of his Sunday sermons in Dunedin. His lectures are delivered rather as a sermon than an ordinary lecture. There was no chairman* and tjie lecturer quitted the hall as soon as his discourse was finished, thus preventing anything in the form of a vote of thanks. In alluding to re-incarnations, he is reported to have said, " Moses had re-appeared as Elijah and John the Baptist ; Shakspeare used to fee Dante. Small minds lost their identity, and were absorbed into great ones in the spirit world." " " Qur Blue Gums. — The medical properties of the blue gum seem to be attracting the attention of the medical faculty in other parts of the world besideß Europe. Late : an frranciscq papers give interesting particulars pf a discussion in the loci' Academy of gpience pn t^e tree ADr Stout stated that he had constructed a respiratqr so that the fumes from the leaves might be inhaled, and had fonnd it of great assistance in cases of sore throat arid chronic asthma. For the Ufcter particularly it was very effective, and •will afford ready relief in case of an acute attack. He had Btrewed tbe dried leaves in the basements of houses where there were bad odours, aud bad fouud it almost as useful as carbolic acid.— Qrey River Argus, October 22. A Rifle Match Shot in the Dabk.— One of the. most closely-contested rifle matches which has ever taken place on the Thameji came off at the Tararu butts lately. It will be recollected that some time, ago a challenge was issued by fifteen New Zealand born riflemen to fire a match with the same number of any other nationality. The challenge was accepted by the Scotch riflemeD. On the occasion of firing, night fell before they had concluded, and the last three rounds at the 600 yaids were literally fired in the dark. In the first Bquad, the Scotch team obtained a slight advantage, and finished with -11 points over the NeW Zealandera. W-Jen the seoond*' squad bad completed their' rounds at '^tlie 400 yards range, they La* gained «« %" that' they led by one point. At the 500 ya'r'di' range,' the., scoreß were pretty even- -sometimes one eliphtly in advance, and sometimes -theother. After the^grst four rounds at the 600 yards range, it waß stated that the New Zealanders w<re, 5 points in advance, aud the excitement of those interested was then apparent. In the morning, betting was 3to 2 on the New Zealanders, but later it became more favorable, and eve? i money was readily « ffered an* as readily taken on the fecotcfay mea. There were seven shots at each range. The following is the score :-Colo nUI, 749 ; Scotch, 736. Majority for the Colonial te»V, 13,

New Municipality.— Naaeby is to be declared into a Municipality in a few days.

Another Royal Marriage. — A late cable telegram stat-s that the Princess Beatrice, youngest child of the Queen, is betrothed to the Marquis of -tafford.

Educational Reserves. — To-day's Gazette contains a notification that 2021 acres of land have been reserved in various parts of the Province for educational purposes. — Star, 13th.

An Interesting Experiment. — At the telegraphio banquet at Adelaide to Mr Todd. it is intended to forward a speed message from Adelaide to London, and then one back from Adelaide to London, f r the purpose of testing in how short a time a return ■message can be obtained.

A Clergyman's Opinion of an Educated Man. — In the course of a speech delivered by the Rev. T. Nome at a soiree held at Waikato, the rev. gentleman is reported to have said that "he would con gratulate the people of Waik-.to on the establishment of a newspaper in the district. It had been said, and he thought to a great extent the saying was a true one, that if a man read his newspaper and his Bible, he was educated. " It is necessary- I<> consider what paper this educated takes in.

Colonial vursus English - made Boots. — For a person resident in London to send to Melbourne for his boots, says the Argus, will be regarded as a somewhat startling circumstance ; nevertheless, the phenomenon has occurred. A bootmaker in Collins street has received a letter from a former customer, a well-known Sydney merchant now residing at Home, containing an order for several pairs of boots. The writer added that he could get nothing in London so wellmade as the Colonial article The letter is written in a plain, business-like, straightforward way, which leaves no room whatever for the slightest suspicion as to the writer's perfect sanity. — Qrey River Argus.

Colonial Prize Firmg — The next prize firing may possiblj r take place at Nelson, as the volunteer authorities are already making enquiries there witti a view to selecting a suitable piece of ground. The Colonist believes their enquiries have led to the recoinniendation of a piece ot ground, iv every way tit for tbe purpose, situated between Greig's hill and the Stoke bridtie, on the Poor M au's Valley side of tbe road.

Customs Revenue. — The return of the Customs revenue of New Zealand for the quarter tnding 30th September, 187*2, published in the Gazette, shows a total of L 203.277, as against L 183 ,722 collected iv the corresponding quarter last year. Among tbe items mentioned in the return, we find that duty upon 11,673 gallons of New Zealand manufactured spirits has been paid, showing a considerable increase upon the amount for the same quarter last year.

Sudden Death. — An awfully sudden death took place in the Upper Shag Valley on November 10, which has cast quite a gloom over that portion of the district. The deceased was the wife of Mr Kenneth Cameron, widely known throughout the (liarict, and respected, as one of the earliest Bettlers, but who for the past two or three years has been living with his son at the rear of the Carriers' Arms Hotel, Upper Shag Valley. It appears that Mrs Cameron, who was in the habit of taking her busbinrl his diuner, was returning home, accompanied by her grandson, v hen she dropped down dead. Deceased never enjoyed better health than she has for the past few weeks The canse of death is supposed to be disease of the heart. Knox Church. — The tender of Messrs Roach aud Martin frr the new Knox Church iA the corners of Frederick and Great Kiug street has been accepted, being slightly un<*er the estimate of the architect, Mr avid Ross, viz., L 7,200., 200. 'I he style of the new building will be Gothic, and its form triangular ; the basement will be built of Port Chalmers blue stone, the walla of Sawyer's Bay grey stone, and the facings and spire of Kakauui stone. The large windows will be filled with tracery of a very elaborate character. The spire is to be 140 feet high, and will be provided with a belfry ; the internal dimensions of the building, exclusive of apoes — length, 93ft. Biu. ; breadth, 87fb. Sin. ; from floor to centre of roof, 38ft. The church is to be provided with galleries, will seat 950 people, and is to be finished in fifteen months. Heart op Oak Claim. —This claim haß proved beyond all question the payableness of the Carrick reefs. Its Bhares are 1 5 paid up, and within the last three months it has 'paid 30s on each share in* the way of dividends. Women's Rights. — We understand that Dunedin will shortly be visited by Mrs Colclough (the well-known " Folly Plum" of tbe Auckland papers) who intends lecturing here during the Christmas vacation on "Women's Rights." Mrs Colclough is in direct communication with some of the leaders of the '• women's movement" in Eng« land, including Miss Todd and Miss Agnes Garrett, Bister of the celebrated Dr Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson.— Star. A Caution to Telegram Senders. — We have frequently seen examples of the carelessness of persons who, after copying messages to be handed in to the telegraph clerk, leave the original behind on the desk of the public office. One of our contemporaries publishes the following spocimens of thi3 carelessness: — " At Charle-lon office 3 messages were found. The tirat was, ' T -, Nelson. Send eggs and butter. Cannot do with eggs at more than Eevenpence a dozen, and butter seven and a half.' Well, there's a secret worth knowing as showing what profit good marks have to contribute to doubtful ones. The second was signed by one who has credit in social and commercial circles for being well in. 'F Greymouth* Do not press me for a day or two, or must file. Will positively send you L 5 end of week.' . Here is what ; would not let his left hand know, yet carelessly it was allowed to fall into my hands. A third was— 'B , Napier. A boy; both doing well. Tell Liz.' This last was not so important, But it shows what fools people make of themselves by a little thoughtlessness." s Youthful Precocity. — The Auckland Star says :—": — " A customer has written to us making a complaint against one of our runner boys, and wishes us to discharge the lad. He states that last night, while passing up Edwardes-street, he saw the boy on . tbe other side pf the wsty. He told him to bring- him evert a paper, but instead of doing so be called oft, 'Oh, hugar me, all over. • y.oiijye'got a. better 'pniv of boots on than I have.' "jOur cbtreapoudent-thenicrossed'oyer to him and'-fe'ard that. the lad wa^ barefooted-.' He tender*! him holf-a-erown as pay ment as he had no smaller change, .to which . the boy remarked, 'Oh, you want t<» do the bounce do ye ? If you'll let me keep it till to-morrow IMI give you two and elevenpence for it. 1 To this he dissented, so the boy answered, ' I ain't the king of Japan you know ; I don't carry the mint about in my pocket..' Having thus delivered himself he went.off whittling. We promise our corresponrtent that we will inquire into the matter, and if we find the culprit will talk to him like unto a father." Railway Construction. — We learn that the ivuin of Meiiw Brpgdcn for %

construction of the unlet portion of the Hutt line, was censiderably above the Engineer-in-Ohief's estimate. As all charges for interest and sinking fund upon the cost of construction have to be borne by tbe Province, the General Government, in pursuance 6i its declared intention to consult the provincial authorities in carrying oufc public work?, decided to refer the tender of xVJessrs Broken for the consideration of the Superintendent and Provincial Executive. The estimate* aud quantities of the i'ngineer-in-Chief have been placed at the di->po-al of the provincial authorities, and they will after comparing them with the tender of Air '-'rogclen, be enabled to decide whether the tenner is one that ought to be accepted. If the Provincial Woveroment are willing to agree to the terms proposed by Mr Brogden, the Government will of course proceed. With regard to soni-t of the other lines — the Moeraki line and the Grey mouth coal railway—the Independent says the time for Messrs Bmgden sending in their tenders has been extended to De ember 15.

Sporting. — In Christchurch, a few days ago, L2OO even was offered, but refused, that Mr Webb's Revoke colt would beat Mr Robinson's Papapa in next year's Derby.

Ikon Mine in Auckland. — The JTeio Zealand Herald mentions UaTing seen a "splendid sample of steel" from the iron mine lately opened near the Miranda Redoubt, in the Province of Auckland. The ore from the mine in question (which belongs to an Auckland firm) is said to contain GO per cent, of iron, and good coal is found close to it.

Religious, — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has been summoned to meet in Christchurch on December 9. The Rev. John Elmslie, of Wanganui, has been nominated as Moderator. The annual session of the Wesleyan Circuit opened in Christchurch, the Rev. A. Reid presiding, but so far the business done is unimportant.

Slander Case at Auckland. — The case of Lincoln v. Dent, an action for defamation, has just been tried at Auckland. Damages were laid at LSOO. The pa; ties are gum-dealers at VVangarei, and the defamatory words were in effect "that the plaintiff used ' wrong ' weights, " and in consequence the Natives and otters would not bring their gum to the plaintiff, who lost his business and was driven into the Bankruptcy Court. The trial lasted two days, and the jury awarded the plaintiff LIOO damages.

English Telegrams. — At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Comrneice, the Chairman (Mr Coster) congratulated the Chambir on the establishment of telegraphic communication between the old country and Australia. The subject of a cable between New Zealand and Australia had been discussed at a former meeting, and a resolution was parsed in favor of it, but nothing practical had as yet eventuated. Jn the absence of a cable, it was a question whether the Chamber should not express an opinion that a subsidy should be given to boats running between Australia and some >ew Zealand port or ports, in order that they might have the latest KngUsh and Continental news with regularity aud despatch.

Latest fkom Fiji. — The Flirt arrived at Auckland on the 13th instant, and brought late papers, the following being a summary of news contained in them : — The question of annexation to Britain is being warmly discussed, but opinion is much divided. — The Imperial schooner Ethel, commissioned to suppress the slave trade, is cruising aumngst the islands. — The Bau rebels have formally submitted to Cakobau. — Capt. Hill, of.Rabi, was arrested, charged with being acsessory to the murder of several natives.— The Government has agreed to take Indiarubber from the satires in payment of taxea. — The Government has purchased the schooner Maria Douglas. — Mr Holmes, formerly planter at Talviuui, endeavored to levant. Hennings, his principal creditor, fallowed in a steamer and overhan.ed Holmes at sea.