COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 135, 20 March 1931, Page 7

COMMERCIAL NEWS

RAM FAIR.

PRICES AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Special to "The Guarding.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The low prices that have ruled lor wool during the past year and the extent oi' the demand for fat lamb for export had their influence upon the sale of flock rams at the Canterbury A. and P. Association’s Ram jFair at the Addington Showgrounds yesterday. The popularity of the moderate-sized, meaty lamb carcase has during the last few years increased the demand for Southdown rams, and this year it has been general in almost all parts of New Zealand. Yesterday Southdown®, of which there was a very large entry, met with the strongest demand. Next in favour were the English Leicesters, for while farmers are ready to breed lanjhs for the export trfide, there are many who do not desire to sacrifice wool and prefer to use a double-purpose breed. There was evidently some doubt about values at the start of the sale of English Leicesters, aud a number of pens were passed, but soon the market settled down to a steady , demand at a reasonable range of prices, and there was afterwards no difficulty in disposing of the passed-in pens privately. The following is the range of prices: Englisth Leicesters 1| to 7 gs, Southdown I 4 to 13 gs, Shropshire I’, to digs, Ryeland 2J to 3 gs, Border Leicester 1| to 4i gs, Merino 12 to 2 gs, Lincoln 1 to 3i gs, hnlfbred 1 to Gi gs, Romney Marsh 1 to 7| gs, Corriedale li to Gi gs. Sales on account of Ashburton County vendors were as follow: ‘ Border Leicester—J. Connolly (Rakaia) 5 at 2gns, f> at ligus, 5 at 2*gus, 5 (it ; J. C. Lockhoad (Rakaia), .'S' at 2fgns; P. F. Dolan (Doric), 5 at 3i(7ns 4 Half bred—Account R. J. Low (Highhank), 5 at Signs, 5 at 2gns. English' Leicester. —On account 01 R. J. Low, 3 at 3|gns; W. T. and C. A. Campion (Highhank), 20 at 3gns, o at 2igns, 2 at lgn; John) Bonifant (Wakanui), 10 at Sfgns, 5 at to, 5 at 3Jgns; Walter Letham (lauhston), 0 at 3Jgns, 10 at 3|gns, 10 at 3gns; R, J. Low, 3at Signs. 3at 3igns; W. T. and C. A. Campion 20 jat 3gps, 5 at 2igns, 2 at lgn; John Bonifant, 10 at 3Jgns, 5 at Signs, o at Signs; Walter Letham, 5 at 3|gns, 10 at Signs, 10 at 3gns; Alex. Bennett (Ashburton), 5 at 3igns; YYaltei Letham, 5 at Signs, 10 at 3gns, o at 22gns: R. J. Low, 3 at 3gns; John Bonifant, 10 at 4gns, 5 at Signs, 0 at 3J«r n s; John Ellis (Hinds), 10 at 2|gns, 5* at 2igns, 5 at 2igns; W. Letham, 5 at 4gns, 5 at Signs; W. Letham 5 at Signs, 5 at 3gns; John Bonilant, o at 4gns, 5 at 32gns, 5 at Signs, o at 3mis; W. Letham, 5 at Signs, 5 at 3gns; John Bonifant, 5 at- 4sgns, 1» at 4-i.gns; R. J* Low. 3at Signs; Alex. Bennett, 5 at Signs; Walter Letham, 5 at Signs, 10 at 3gns\ 5 at 2|gns; R. J. Low, 3 at 3gns; John Bonifant, 10 at 4.gns, 5 at Signs, 5 at. Signs ; John Ellis (Hinds), 10 at 2|gns,s at 2igns, 5 at 2|gns; AY. T. and C. A. Campion, 5 at Sigps, 10 at Signs, 20 at ‘2gns, 3 at 1-J.gns; J. T. and L. M. Aieken (Metliven), 5 at 2-lgns. Southdown—On account of Janies Stewart- (Rakaia), 5 at sgns; J. H. Grigg (Longbeach), 10 at Cots: vY. T. and C. A. Campion, 5 at Signs, 10 at 3gns, 5 at 2|gns; James Stewart, 0 at Gigns, 5 at 6gns, 5 at 7|gns, o at 7igns, 5 at Ggns; W. T. and C. A ; Campion, 8 at Signs, 5 at Signs, o at 2-|gns. Romney—On account of- Samuel Andrew) (Wiiiclunore), 5 at 2gns, 10 a Corrfedale—On account of W. T. and C. A. Campion, 5 at 2gns, 10 at ligns, 10 at lgn; G. Johnston (Ruapuna), 5 at 4igns, 5 at Sgns; Cochrane Bros. (Ashburton), 5 at- 3gns • J. Connolly, 5 at ligns; W. Letham, 4 at Signs.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. SOUTH CANTERBURY MARKET. (Special to "The Guardian.”) TIMARU, March 19. There are indications of a brighter tone in the markets for all classes ol primary produce. Since improvement- was manifested in values 01 wool, there has been a disposition to view the future with a greater measure of optimism. One phase of pri-; mary production which has been somewhat disconcerting to growers is that concerning meat. The steady drop in values has had a serious effect upon this industry, and it required tljte recent appreciation in wool prices to help those who had been hard hit over the slump in meat. There are signs, however, that an improvement in the market for meat is likely to take place in the near future. Some businessmen with their fingers on the pulse of this market go so far as £0 predict an early increase in prices. Whether this is proved correct, or not, is for the future to decide, but it is a fact that many lines of primary produce have of late shown a firming tendency. This is not taken to indicate that there is any likelihood of "boom” prices, but rather that values will steadily* advance to a sound normal basis. South Canterbury is as interested in and dependent upon the results from agriculture as it is upon wool and mutton, and it is something of an inspiration for growers to know that wheat moved somewhat during the week. However, millers, having filled their orders for immediate requirements, are now marking time. Due to various causes, it is stated many lines offered since last report, have boon somewhat below standard. It is notable that there lias been more trouble over quality of late, than was the case during the early part of the season. To-day, Tuscan is nominally worth 5s 3d a bushel on trucks, Hunters 5s G)d and Velvet 5s s)d. Wheat, both milling and fowl, was shipped to Auckland last week, but most of 'the supplies destined for the northern city are still going from Lyttelton, as prices there are about a. penny lower than in Timaru. Fowl wheat is quoted nominally at 4s Gd a bushel on trucks. The quality of Canadian brands of wheat sown in South Canterbury is excellent. It is stated by experts that Marquis and Garnet are equal to. Velvet for milling purposes. Hales of oats have been slow'. The North Island is not taking any great quantities, xind A. and B. Cartons are nominally quoted 1 at 2s 7Jd and 2s 5d a bushel f.o.b. s.i., which is equal respectively to 2s 2d to- 2s on trucks. A few lines of extra good qualtiv have been sold at prices in advance of these for milling purpose. There has been a good demand for heavy dark Duns at from 2s 7d to 2s 9d a- bushel on

trucks. For lighter coloured Duns, there lias not been much demand at 2s 2d to 2s 3d on trucks. The North Island is taking a few lines of Algerian at 3s 3d, machine dressed and clipped. Ho far as cliaif goes, Blenheim >s still doing the major portion of the export trade from the South Island at 80s a ton f.o.b. s.i., equal to £2 17s Gd on trucks. Up to the present, no linseed crops have been threshed, chiefly on account of farmers being engaged in threshing wheat. Cape and Chevalier barley are very slow of sale, the present quotations Hieing 2s Gd to 2s 9d 1 a bushel on trucks. Ryegrass is not meeting with, much inquiry from the .North Island, but sales have been effected at from 4s 31 to 4s Gd f.0.b., for machine-dressed according to quality. There have been more inquiries for Western Woltlis, and machine-dressed seed has been sold at 3s Gd f.0.b., while farmerdressed lines are worth from 2s Id to 2s fid according to quality. There appears to be an over supply of cocksfoot, and prices remain about tile same as last week with little demand. Cow grass is about the same as a week ago, and there is no- new •season’s seed offering. Clover lias been inquired- for, and farmers dressed lines of good bright seed have been sold at from 2s 8d to 2s 9d. Crested dogstail has been sold at fnl per lb for machine-dressed seed. For most lilies of produce, there has been a good demand, and there has jbeen a slight rise in values in most ,instances, with the exception of potatoes. April-May-June potatoes have been sold at £4. a ton f.0.b., s.i., which is equal to £3 2s Gd on trucks. July-September deliveries are quoted at £4 12s Gd f.0.b., s.i. There has been good inquiry for green feed lines of seed, such as Oape barley, black :barley, rye-corn, and Western Woltlis. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. Sydney, March in. Wheat- is inactive. Prices show a firmer tone. Quotations: —Farmers’ lots 2s l|d ex trucks, Is G|d country stations. Flour is unchanged. Bran—£3 15s. Pollard—£4 to £5. / Potatoes—Tasmanian Brownells £l, Bismarks £6 10s; Victorian £5 10s to £6. Oats—White 2s Gd to 3s, Algerian 2s 9d to 3s. Maize—3s Gd. Onions—Victorian £4 10s to £5. ADELAIDE, A larch 19. Wheat —Growers’ Jots 2s Ojd to 2s Id. Flour—Bakers’ lots, £0 10s. Bran—£3 15s. Pollard—£4 10s.