CANDLES. (Duty, Hd per lb.) The winter demand having now fairly set in, a considerable business is passing in candles, but owing to heavy stocks of im ported parraffins, and the excessive compe tition amongst the local manufacturers, prices are cut down so low as to leave a loss to nearly all concerned. The most notice able feature in the present state of the trade is the great increase in consumption of com mon grade candles, the public no doubt being tempted by the low price to use them in preference to the better quality. Prices of the local candles range from 4d to 6|d ; imported parraffins, 7fd to S±d. Imported stearine candles are low in stock, but the sale for this description is very limited at present, and Sd to S^cl is the current price for trade lots.
CEMENT. (Duty, Is per barrel.) An advance of quite 6d to Is per barrel has taken place lately, and the prince for leading brands in ordinary trade lots is 15s to 16s ex store. Stocks are moderate, and recent shipments advised on the water are comparatively light.
