COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 74, 7 January 1928, Page 7

COMMERCIAL NEWS

STOCK AND PRODUCE. THE ASHBURTON MARKET. A marked improvement in prices was noticeable in the poultry section of the stock and produce market yesterday, hens being up a shilling and ducks one to two shillings. There were no heavy bat-oners marketed. The vegetabls market was quiet. The prices that ruled last week were maintained except in the case of peas, which' were down (3d a peck. Following is the range of prices:— Poultry—Hens: 33 6d to ss; roosters: lis 2d to 5s j ducks: 6s 6d. Fiss.—Weaners 6s 6d to 17s; porkers, 35s to 45s 6d; stores 20s to 31s; light baconers up to 53s 6d. Produce* —Peaches, seconds, 4d; firsts, to sd; tomatoes, 7d to 8d; black currants sd; cherries 8d to 9d; apricots (jam) 3|d; strawberries Is- potatoes l|d to 2d; rhubarb 6d per bundle; broad beans l|d; peas Is per peck; gooseberries 2d; , bacon. lOd; cauliflowers 6d each. •

>' («• -,-rGRAIN AND PRODUCE. CHRISTCHFRCH MARKETS. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Several of the produce merchants have not yet resumed business after the holidays and those that have are not handling any quantity of produce. All the old season's grain has been practically cleared and beyond a small amount of speculation in the new season's crops, business is practically at a standstill. Merchants, are not keen to make forward purchases just now and there is ah equal reticence, on the part of-the farmers to sell. What there is of old season's wheat is being quoted at 6s 6d on trucks at country stations. The quotations for new season's grain are 5s 8d to 5s 9d for February-March delivery. It is not expected that there will be much wheat about for a month yet as the cold weather and the intermittent rain have prevented all crops from developing. If a spell of warm weather comes, it is probable that there will be good yields all over- Canterbury of good quality grain. . s Old season's oats are not of much interest to merchants just now, the demand being small. A few areas under oats have been cut in various parts of the country and although nothing definite in the way of estimated yields can be obtained, it is reported that indications are that the yields will be high. - Parley and peas are cleaned out and merchants are not taking any interest in these lines r\ the meantime. North Island distribn Lots are not operating, as they are endeavouring to carry over the smallest stocks possible to the new season. Linseed is another commodity that is off the market, it being impossible to purchase a sack. This does not indicate a shortage, however, as users have ample stocks. There is no business being done in potatoes, for which nominal quotations are £3 5s to £3 10s a ton for April-May delivery. The onion season will be late this year and little forward business is lioina done. Warm weather is required to fill out the crops.

The following are quotations for produce, to be paid to farmers, sacks extra except where otherwise stated: — Wheat—Old season's 6s 3d to 6s 6d a bushel; new season's 5s 8d to 5s 9d, 1 February-March delivery. Oats—Gartons, 2s 8d to 2s lOd a bushel; Algerian, 2s 6d to 3s: Duns 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Chaff—£3 5s to £3 10s per ton. Potatoes —For April-May delivery, £3 5s to £3 10s per ton. I Red Clover—Bd to I.od per pound. White Clover.—7d to 8d per lb. Partridge Peas —New season's 5s 9d a bushel, delivery when ready. Perennial Ryegrass—3s to 3s 3d per bushel. Italian Ryegrass—ls 9d to Is lid per bushel. . Cocksfoot—6d to 7id per pound. Linseed. —Up to £l4 10s per ton. Bran. —£5 10s per ton f .o.b. southern ports; 10s extra for smaller packings. Pollard.—£7 10b per ton f.o.b. southern ports; 10s extra for smaller packings. Flour.—Local wholesale price £l7 10s per ton for 2001 b sacks, with increments for smaller packings Price for shipment, £l7 10s per ton, freight paid to main New Zealand ports.

DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, January 6. Wheat.—Business in the grain trade is not yet back to normal, 'and l there is practically nothing doing. The improvement in the •weather has had a good effect on wheat in the Otago disi trict, and the latest reports are that they will be heavier than those of last year. The crops, however, will be a little later, consequent on the slower growth caused by the wet, cold months at the beginning of the season. There will not be the usual bulk of straw, but the wheat coming into head appears to be heavier than that of last season. Oats.—Some inquiries have been received for oats during the past few days, but owing to the stoall quantity now held here no sales are reported. Buyers are indicating 3s sd, f.0.b., s.i., for A's. Fowl wheat has also been inquired for, and sales are reported from Canterbury at up to 6s lOd f.0.b., sacks Chaff.—Supplies of chaff are on the light side, and £5 &s per ton. sacks extra, is obtainable for the best quality. LONDON MARKETS. (Per Press Association— Copyrights LONDON, January 5 Wheat.—Camoas are steadily held, I but nicTiTi'ry is slow. Parcels are steady !nf 51s 6d. At Liverpool futures OTequotUd- March 10s 4fd, May and July 10s 33d per cental. Spot trade is quiet, and prices are racier firmer. Austra-,

Kan, ex store, 539 per quarter. Flour.—The market is slow. Australian ex store 38s. Oats.—The demand is firm'. Australian Algerian 28s to 295, A Gartons.3ss to 365. Peas—Slow of Sale. Blues, Tasmanian 380 s to 400 s, N.Z. 360 s to 380 s; Maples, Tasmanian 90s to 955, N.Z. 82s 6d to 85s. Beans.—N.Z. 44s to 455. Sugar.—Granulated 30s 4^d. DAIRY PRODUCE IN LONDON. LONDON. January 5. Butter.—The market is quietly steady. Choicest salted New Zealand, L6os to 1625, exceptional 1645; Australian'., 158 s to 160 s per cwt. Unsalted is plentiful, and quoted at only about 2s premium. Cheese—Tli3 market is quiet. New Zealand 935, Australian 92s per cwt.