DBIED FBUITS. (Duty, 2d per lb.) Currants are in strong demand at s£d to oid for prime fruit; Sultana raisins are low in stock, and held for more money. During the early part of the month 6d was freely accepted, but 6|d to 6£d may now be quoted for prime quality; Elemes, 6|d, and not plentiful; Muscatels, dull at Is 3d, nomi naly, but less money -would be accepted for lines ; figs, 7s to 7s 6d, with only a mode rate business. fish. (Duty. Dried, pickled, or salted, 2s per cut. ; potted or preserved, Id per lb; paste, 15 per cent., ad valorem.) Except in salmon, which is low in stock, there is very little doing in fish. Sardines are slow of sale at Ss Gd and 5s for £lb and $h tins respectively ; Salmon firmly held, and Ss is now the ruling price for cocktail; other good brands, 7s 9d. Ling is dull of sale at 3f dto 4d; lobsters, 8s 6d to 9s; oysters, 5s 8d to 6s. HOPS. (Duty, 6d per lb.) Hops are without animation, and there is only a small business to report. Nelson's are worth (jd to 7d, according to quality, for ordinary trade lots. There is very little demand for imported hops, on account of the cheapness of New Zealand grown. METALS. (Duty : Galvanised iron, £2 per ton; fencing ■wire, £1 per ton.) There is veiy little doing in the building trade at present; consequently the demand for galvanised iron is slow. Stoats are plentiful, and prices range from £19 10* to £20 10s for known brands. A moderate inquiry is experienced for No. 8 fencing wire, which moves off at £10 lOs to £11. Nos. 6 and 7 are low in stock, but the de mand is limited. Barb wire is firmly held for £26 10s for best quality. OILS. (Duty, 6d per gallon.) Painters' oils are slow of sale at this season, and the trade has been on a small scale. Although there is no decline in prices, parcels are difficult to quit. Boiled linseed oil is quoted 3s 3d to 3s 4d ; raw, 3s Id to 3s 2d; Colza, 3s 9d to 3s lOd. Coarse castor oil is also slow of sale at late rates. Kerosene has been in brisk demand, and the month's business has been fairly good. 