COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 171, 3 May 1933, Page 7

COMMERCIAL NEWS

ASHBURTON STOCK MARKET. THE CONCLUDING SALES. The weekly stock market at the Ashburton Saleyards was concluded yesterday after the “Guardian” went to press. The following are the principal sales of store sheep:—Seventy-six soundmouth ewes at Bs, 95 iwo and fourtooth ewes at 11s, 150 six and eighttooth ewes at ss, 180 Jambs at 6s 3d, 48 lambs at 4s 3d, 60 sound-mouth ewes at 3s, 21 sound-mouth ewes at 3s, 125 wether lambs at 2s 6d, 23 m.s. lambs at 2s 2d, 20 m.s. lambs at 4s 9d. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS.

(Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Due to the increasing demand from the North Island, the potato market is still firm and the price to farmers is from £2 15s to £3 a ton. It is apparent that North Island consumers have sufficient supplies from their own crops, for the demand this year is not as great as it was at this time last year. However, local' merchants anticipate that r brisk demand will come from the North Island ini about a fortnight’s time. Twelve Hundred sacks were shipped north by the Wingatui during the week-end, and this,

although a small consignment, was quite the largest for some time. The total shipment to the North Island during April of this year was 4168 sacks, compared with 10,795 sacks in April, 1932. ■ There is no change in the wheat market, and the trade in small seeds is almost at an end for this year, as autumn sowing is practically finished The following are prices quoted to be paid to farmers, on trucks at country stations, sacks included, unless otherwise mentioned:— Wheat (initial payment)—Tuscan 3s sd, Hunters 3s 7d, Pearl 3s Bd, f.0.b., for April.

Fowl Wheat—Prompt 2s 6d to 2s 8d on trucks; April-September, 3s 3d, f.o.b. Ryegrass—Perennial Is 2d and Is 6d, Italian and Western Wolths Is Id to Is 6d. ' Cocksfoot—Akaroa 3d to 3£d, Plains 2£d to 3d. Clovers—White, 6d to 9d, red 5d to 6d. Oats—ls to Is sd. Partridge Peas—2s 9d to 3s, according to quality. Barley—ls 6d to Is lOd. Potatoes—£2 15s to £3 a ton. Onions—£2 a ton. Chaff—3ss to 37s 6d a ton. Bran— £4 a ton for shipping, £4 10s a ton local. Pollard—£4 10s a ton for shipping, £6 a ton local. Flour—£l3 12s a ton local, £l2 17s a ton for shipment to the North Island, with the usual increments for smaller packings.

AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, May 2. After a long spell of comparative inactivity, Auckland merchants are again taking a hand in the potato business. Local stocks, which had held the field £ or an unusually long period are getting ir.to smaller compass, and the market ucm now on will be more or less deoendent upon southern supplies. Thu fust substantial shipment arrived by the Wingatui, and merchants were busy this morning getting their consignments away. Quotations were gene'.ally on the basis of £6 10s a ton, ex wharf, and £7 through store, and the quality is said to he satisfactory. Smaller quantities of Pukekohe are available and sell at £1 a ton less. Onions are dull of sale at 6s per cwt through store. There is no change in the local market for fowl wheat, which sells freely at 4s 6d a bushel. There \s a sl’ghtly better demand for maize at the current rate of os 2d a bushel. It is believed that there are fair stocks in growers’ bands, but they are firmly held. The demand for horse feed is dull, with prices unchanged. B Car coos sell at 2s 8d a ti shel, and chaff at i S 10s a ton.

AMERICAN WHEAT QUOTATIONS. NEW YORK, May 1. Wheat quotations are:— Chicago—May 70J cents per bushel; July 71§ ; September 72$ ; December 74L New York (cash) 812. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, May 2. At the wool sales, 6030 bales were offered and 6508 sold, as well as 396 privately. There was brisk competition and prices were very firm at the recently improved levels. Greasy merino brought to 13$d. BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND The interim quarterly dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 1933. at the rate of 5s a share in Australian currency at date of payment has been declared by the board of directors of ( the Bank of New South Wales, as movided by clause CV. of the Deed of Settlement. -The dividend will be pay-

able at head office, Sydney, on May 30, and at on receipt of advice. The dividend is at the same late as for the previous quarter. For the financial year ended September 30, 1932, the Bank of New South Wales paid one quarterly dividend of 6s a slant, and three of 5s a share, making an average of 51 per cent, for the year, as against 8 per cent, lor the previous year.