Christchurch Grain Market.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6205, 27 February 1904, Page 4

Christchurch Grain Market.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Christciiuuch, Feb. 26

Sinoe last report a fair quantity of business has been transacted in wheat at about late rates, though the market, in sympathy with the position at Home, continues to show a firming tendency. Both millers und merchants are purchasing freely at 3s per bushel and occasionally Id more is paid for prime milling lines. Recent sales have been—l3oo bushels of Pearl, 600 bushels of Hunters, 900 bushels of Pearl, 1700, 650, and 400 bushels of Tuscan, 1100 and 700 bushels of Hunters, all .at 3s per bushel at handy stations; 1000 bushels of Pearl and 18' jO of Tuscan at 3s Id at near stations, and a line of Hunters at 3s Id at a country station. Concerning the possibility of other nations being drawn into the Eastern war' with its consequent effect on the wheat market, it may be repeated tha*: Lloyd's insurance against England being involved in the war before June 30 stands at Is 6d per rent. The flour trade is an uncertain position and the Millers' Conference sitting in C'.iristchurch during the week, up to yesterday failed to come to a satisfactoty undemanding. The bulk of the colony's mills were represented nnd if an agreement is mad \ the price of flour is likely to be at once laised. There have been many inquiries from the North Island for oat.->, but comparatively little business has taken place, as holders i-efuse to accept the best oilers made. Any sale 3 made have been at an advance on lafce rates. A line of 15."0 bushels ot' Sparrowbill3 realised Is 4d per bushel, 2900 bushels Gartona la 4d, 2500 of Tartars Is B^d, 8«U of Danish and black Is 2d, all at country stations. It is stated that soni9 of the Northern buyers have now withdrawn from the market in the anticipation that' the Southland crop will soon be available at a lower figure. Prime malting barley is still in demand at about 3s 3d p^r bushel, but second quality is practically unsaleable. A sale of 70 tons of OHttheaf chaff was made at 42s 61 per ton, which approximately represents values at tliß present time. Early potatoes are easier at 3.3s per ton. Onions are coming to hand more freely and command £2 15s par ton. Very little ryegrasa is being submitted by Canterbury farmers, but offers are coming fiocn the South on the basis of from 2s fid to 3s per bushel f.o.b. DunediD, for machine dressed seed. Cocksfoot is unaltered. Partridge peas are selling at from 3s Id to 3d 4!jd per bushel.