Evening Star Office. Auckland, Thursday. During the past week grocery lines have been replenished by arrivals in the Pakeha and other vessels. These direcb vessels visiting bhis port so frequently pub an end to the possibility of a lengthy scarcity of any lines, as fresh consignments can always be secured within a couple of months. The Customs Departmenb appears to be pretty active ab present, judging by bhe way tin lined cases containing vestas, and also con fectionery, are regularly opened for examina tion. Some importers complain of being inconvenienced by this exceeding great care, as they consider that ib to a certain extent hampers trade. Recent events are, however, nob calculated to diminish the vigilance of bhe Customs authorities. Amongst disbributers steady trade is re ported, bub the volume is nob large. A fair trade to the Islands also con tinues. Business on the Exchange still re mains ,in an unsatisfactory condition, mining stock being almost completely ignored by investors. Transactions in bank, gas and insurance stock are also of a limited nature.
