THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11790, 13 January 1904, Page 9

THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TEI.EGIUM.) WELLINGTON, January 12. The Department of InduKtries and Commerce has received the following cable massage i'roin the Agent-General, date*'. London, January 9th:—'There has been a better tone in the mutton market thip week, although the market is affected by the expectation of light arrivals. Stocks of mutton on hand are light, and firmly held iv a few hands. The average price to-day for Canterbury mutton is 4gd; Dunedin, Southland, and Wellington Meat Kxport Company, Other North Island mutton is- quoted at- 4d, and River Plate at 3s<L Prices for lamb are nominal, as the season lias not yet begun. The average price to-day for Australian lamb is 4|d, and River Plate There ha« been no alteration in the beef market since last week. Heavy supplies of butter are on hand, and tho demand on spot is good, but the demand is less than the supply. Choicest New Zealand butter is quoted at 98.* per cwt, Australian at 965, Argentine at 9Ts, Danish at 109s, and Siberian at 925. There is a- better demand for cheese. Tin average price for finest New Zealand cheese is 52s per cwt. The hemp market shows little change, the tendency being slightly in favour of buyers. There has been no alteration in the cocksfoot seed market since last week. Tlie importation of River Plate mutton, lamb, and butter into the United Kingdom during the month of December was as follows:—Mutton —London, 107.825 carcases; Liverpool, 155, 904; Newcastle, 6077; Cardiff, 5024. JLamb —London, 4366 carcases; Liverpool, 12,457. Butter—9lß9 cwt to Liverpool, London, Southampton, and Hull."