COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 108, 16 February 1935, Page 7

COMMERCIAL NEWS

| 1 i FRUIT AND PRODUCE THE ASHBURTON MARKET. Large quantities of fruit are still coming on to the Ashburton fruit and produce market. The condition was poor early in the week, being affected by the hot weather, ibut it has since •improved considerably. Lettuces show a, rise in value, selling at 4d and 5d each. Green peas, raspberries and apricots are finished. Peaches and nectarines .are in full supply, and nectarines have fallen 6d a case. Values are as follow: Potatoes —lid and 2d a lb. Bacon—Bd and 9d a lb. Wheat—Seconds, 9s and 10s a sack. Honey—7d to 7id a lb. Onions —id and lid a lb. Lettuces—4d to 5d each. Cabbages—6d and 8d each. Tomatoes—ld and lid a lb. Peaches—2s 6d to 4s 6d a case. Cucumbers —Hothouse 3s and 4s a case. - - ■ Loganberries—sd to s)d a li*. Plums—2s to .3s a case. Nectarines —3s to 4s a case. Apples—Gravenstein 7s 6d a case, Cox’s Orange Pippin 8s 6d to 9s. Pears —Bon Cretian 2d and 2id a lb. Marrows—ss and 6s a dozen. Greengage Plums—*3s and 4s a case. Chaff—2s 3d and 2s 6d a sack. Rhubarb—sd and 6d a bundle.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. l.

CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. ' Cocksfoot and ryegrass prices have / firmed still further on the Christchurch grain and produce market since the beginning of the week, and best Akaroa cocksfoot is now quoted at up to lOd. Up to 3s is now being paid for the best grades of perennial, Italian and Western Wolths ryegrass, and in all cases relatively lower prices are paid for the lower grades. Distributing demand for autumn sowing of these lines has been better than was anticipated, and the ryegrass market has been helped by recent export shipments. There is no change in white clover prices, and supplies are plentiful. It is still too early for red clover to make an appearance. It is anticipated ' that there will only be a moderate quantity of red clover harvested in Canterbury. Offerings of milling wheat have eased off slightly, but those' lines coming forward have been taken up by the mills, the majority of which are still . buyers. f • Flour prices remain unchanged, but pollard has . firmed slightly to £5 15s tor local and £5 5s for shipping. Fowl wheat is firm at 3s 9d on trucks for near stations. Oats remain firm, bur offerings are still fairly light. The threshing of partridge peas is in* progress, and the quality is good. Values remain at 4s to 4s 4d, according to quality. There is no change in the barley vis** being experienced in disposing of undergrade lines because of competition ‘ caused by shipments of Australian feed barley', which is being admitted duty free. A few early lots of linseed have been threshed,, indications being that the quality will be good; but < the yields are rather light. Potatoes firmed slightly i'n the middle of the week, but yesterday had relapsed to the earlier level of £4 10s. North Island inquiries have eased ‘off slightly. Following are nominal prices quoted to be paid to farmers on trucks at country stations, sacks extra unless otherwise mentioned:— Milling wheat (new season’s) —February delivery Tuscan 4s, Hunters 4s 2d, Pearl and .Velvet 4s 4d, f.0.b., sacks extra Fowl Wheat—3s 8d to 3s 9d a busheL Potatoes (April, May, June delivery) —White, Dakota and Sutton’s, £4 life. Onions—Prompt, £7 a ton. Ryegrass—Perennial, Italian and Western Wolths, 2s 6d to 3s. Cocksfoot—Akaroa, ,Sd to lOd. Oats—Gartons, Is lOd to 2s Id; Algerians Is 9d to 2s, Duns Is 9d to 2s a bushel, according to quality. Chaff—£2 7s 6d a ton. Clovers—White, 6d to 9d. Linseed—£l2 a ton. Partridge Peas—4s to 4s 4d. Bran—Local £4 10s, shipping £4 6s. Pollard—Local £5 15s, shipping £5 ss. '

1 Flour—Local £l2 12s, shipping £ll 17s, with the < usual increments for smaller packings.’

DUNEDIN MARKETS i

DUjNOEDIN, February 15.

.Wheat —Samples of milling wheat have been coming>forward from southern districts, including Taieri and Baleluthh, and also from Central Otago. The quality is very good, better than the bulk of the wheat which is being threshed in Canterbury. Millers are readily accepting all lines and also taking delivery of northern - grown wheat. Quantities coming to hand are heayy, and deliveries are much earlier than usual, owing to tjre dry weather which has prevailed. Most growers are anxious to get their wheat away, and indications point to congestion at millers’ sidings owing to the wheat coming in from all districts at. one time. The advanced price being paid to growers is on the basis of 4s per bushel, f.o.b. for Tuscan, with the usual increments for Hunters and Velvet. The fowl market is firm. Nearly all offerings of wheat are being accepted by millers, and this is causing a shortage of fowl wheat. (Stocks locally are on the light side, and 4s 6d| per bushel, sacks extra, ex store, -is the ruling quotation. Oats—There is little life in the oat market, practically no inquiries being received for shipment, but supplies are on the short side. It is not expected that there will be a great quantity or oats available from farmers this season owing to dry weather conditions affecting crops. Growers are inclined to ask higher prices for any lines they have for sale, but merchants are not keen to follow the market in view of the absence of business in this cereal. Nominally A Gartons are worth 2s Bd, f.0.b.5.i., with B’s 2s and Is 9d respectively on trucks at country sidings.

Where there is short railage better prices than those quoted would he paid to farmers.

Chaff —The market is firm. As most of the farmers are busy harvesting, it is difficult for the present to secure supplies from the country, and most of the requirements from the local market are coming from Canterbury, where prices have moved up. The demand locally is confined 1 to lots ex store, the value being £5 per ton, sacks extra. An occasional load is sold for delivery ex truck at £4 15s per ton, sacks extra. Potatoes—lt is too early yet for the main crop of potatoes to come on the market, but. indications point to a shortage in returns. A fair- amount of forward business has been transacted, most of. the sellers being from South Canterbury. It is reported that crops in this locality are fairly good, as better rains have been experienced than in‘Other districts. 'Sales for forward delivery have been made on the basis of £5 10s per ton, and in one or two instances over this price has been realised for deliveries May and June. Seeds —A heavier demand for seeds of all varieties lias set in from the North Island. This has been caused by dry conditions enabling burning operations to be carried out, and the recent rains have now encouraged farmers to pay attention to sowing. The demand has come to a bare market, with the result that prices are firm for immediate delivery. This applies particularly to cocksfoot and ryegrass. Samples of ryegrass threshed in this district are of good quality, and for good clean seed 2s 9d per bushel is being paid. In one or two instances higher prices have been paid for exceptional quality.

MARKETS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, February 14. Wheat —Cargoes are steadier, with better demand. Parcels are steady, but trading is quiet. Spot trade slow, with easier tendency. Australian, ex ship, 24s 6d to 25s 9d. Futures are quoted: — London: February, 19s lOd per quarter; April, 19s 9)d; June, 20s 6d. Liverpool: March, 4s 8d per cental; May, 4s ll)d; July, 5s lfd. Flour—Quietly steady. Australian, ex store, 18s 6d to 19s per sack. VICTORIAN QUOTATIONS. MELBOURNE, February 15. Wheat—2s Hid to 2s Hid per .bushel. Flour—£7 15s. Bran —£4 15s. Pollard—£s. Oats —2s 5d to 2s s)d. Barley (English)—2s lOd to 3s. Maize —3s 6d. Potatoes—£ll 10s to £l2 10s. Onions —£8 10s to £8 12s 6d.

AMERICAN WHEAT QUOTATIONS

NEW YORK, February 14. Wheat quotations are:— Chicago: May, 96| cents a bushel; July, 89|d; September, 87|d. New York (cash): 1161 cents a bushel.

BRADFORD WOOL QUOTATIONS.

LONDON, February 14. The Bradford market is quiet. Quotations are: 70’s, 26)d 1 ; 64’s, 24)d; 60’s, 22)dj 56’s, 18d; 50’s, 14d; 46’s, 10)d; 40’s, 9)d.

NATIONAL MORTGAGE AND AGENCY COMPANY. THE ANNUAL REPORT. LONDON, February 14. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New, Zealand, Ltd v after contributing £6255 to the staff superannuation and provident fund, showed a credit balance of £37,371, of which £14,986 was brought forward. After paying a final dividend of 5 per cent., tax free, and. placing £SOOO to reserve, the amount carried forward is £15,292.

PRICE OF WOOL IN LONDON. GRADUAL RISE EXPECTED. LONDON, February 15. The News,” reviewing wool prospects, says: “A careful weighing up of the evidence indicates that the heavy fall in prices in 1934 will be replaced bv a small but gradual rise in 1935.”

METHVEN STOCK SALE.

The fortnightly stock sale was held in the Methven saleyards on Thursday before a representative attendance ot fat stock buyers and farmers. The yarding consisted mostly of fats, for which there was a good sound sale. The store sheep comprised mostly lambs. This part of the sale was not. very keen, the absence of feed and the prospects of winter feed on the day were anything but encouraging except to a few more favoured farmers. Cattle were again a drug on the market, while pigs realised good prices for every class. Sales were:— Fat Lambs—One hundred and thirtyfour at 21s Id, 97 at 19s lOd, 139 at 20s Id, 43 at 17s Bd, 63 at 21s 7d, 99 at 21s Id, 34 at 19s 7d, 76 at 20s 7d, 33 at 20s lOd, 114 at 18s lOd, 24 at 18s 4d, 48 at 20s 10d, 54 at 18s 4d, 75 at 18s 4d, 84 at 20s 7d, 65 at 19s 4d, 31 at 17s 6d. Fat Ewes—Fourteen at 14s id, 24 at 12s 2d, 52 at 9s 7d, 7 at 11s 2d, 82 at 11s lOd, 13 at 17s 10d, 26 at 14s 4d, 10 at lls lOd, 50 at 12s 6d, 34 at 12s 10d, 4 at lls 6d, 45 at 10s 6d, 6 at 10s 6cl - Fat Wethers—Five at 20s 6d, 4 at 21s 7d, 1 at 21s Id. . . Store Sheep—One hundred mixed sex three-quarter-bred lambs at los 10d, 289 at 15s, 240 rape ewes at 6s 9d, 45 lambs at 8s sd, 18 cull lambs at 4s lOd, 88 mixed sex lambs at 16s 6d, 23 lambs at 12s 3d. Cattle —Two cpws at £2 10s, 1 hull at £3, 3 bull calves at lls, 3 heifer calves at £1 9s, 2 fat heifers at £2 ss, 3 at £3 10s, 2 cows at £4. Pigs—Two weaners at 10s, 2 at 9s, 7 at 7s 6d, 6 at 15s, 4 at lls 6d, 2 at

11s, 2 at 10s, 2 at 13s 6d, 3 at 13s, 9 at 16s, 3 stores at 255, 4 weaners at Bs, 2-at 8s 6d. 3 at Bs, 6 at 15s, 6 at 15s, 2 at 20s 6d.

METHVEN EWE FAIR. Some time ago the directors of the Methven Sale Yards Company received a request from the runholders near Methyen that more consideration' should be given to £he sale of surplus stock from the back-country runs and from farmers' at Methven ewe fairs than had been given in the past. The suggestion was adopted, and at a further meeting of directors on Thursday it was decided that on no consideration would the arrangements now made be altered. In view of this, all dealers’ lines will be barred. It was, however, arranged that a supplementary ewe fair be held on March 28, which will be open to anyone. The secretary was instructed to write to the stock and station agents asking for co-operation in the matter of the main ewe fair. Mr H. Green was appointed to take charge of the ram section at the fair, which will be held in conjunction with the Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Messrs F. S. McDonald, J. T. Mangin, E. Mangin, and J. Watson were appointed supervisors for the allocation of oens in conjunction with the yardman. The secretary was also instructed to write I to the station holders asking for particulars of numbers of sheep likely to be sent into the fair.

BRITAIN’S TRADE ,

THE RETURNS FOR JANUARY. LONDON, February 14. Board of Trade returns for January are as follow: — £ Imports ... ... ... 61,931,000 Exports ... 35,481,000 Re-exports ... 5,034,000 Principal increases, compared with January last year, are : Imports. Rubber 904,000 Nonferrous metals and manufactures ... 455,000 Exports. Coal 308,000 Iron and steel and ifianufactures ... ••• 406,000 Nonferrous metals and manufactures ... 310,000 Machinery ... ••• 588,000 Cotton yarn s and manufactures ... ••• 342,000 Woollen worsted and manufactures .... ••• Chemicals and drugs ... 353,000 The principal decreases are: — Imports. Other foods o «r? noo Wool • 2,653,000 Hides and skins 345,000 Oils, fats and resin manufactures ... 295,000 THE SHARE MARKET. The following sales were mane on the Christchurch Stock Exchange yesterday :

DAIRY PRODUCE IN LONDON.

LONDON, February 14

Butter —Quiet, after activity earlier in the week. Danish, 114 s; choicest salted, New Zealand 89s, Australian 88s; unsalted, New Zealand 955, Australian 925.

Cheese —Firm. New Zealand, coloured and white, 495; Australian, coloured 465, white 475.

Sales on ’Change. £ s. d. 200 Comm. Bank of Aust. : (2) 0 16 5 50 National BankofN.Z. 3 9 6 20 Reserve Bank 6 10 0 100 Goldsbrough, JVlort. .. 1 8 3 200 N.Z. Guarantee Corp. (2) 0 6 0 100 N.Z. Brewereis 2 10 6 200 British Tobacco (2) 1 18 2 100 Dunlop Perdriau Rub. 0 18 4 100 Sun Newspapers O 4 0 200 Big River 0 2 3i 3500 Brian Boru (5) 0 0 5 0 0 4i 0 0 5 200 Maori Gully 0 1 4 1100 Mahakipawa (3). 0 0 10 200 Mahakipawa (pref.) (1929 issue) 0 1 3 Sales Reported. £ s. d. 100 Mount Lyell ... 0 17 9 300 King 'Solomon (late sale February 14) ... 0 4 0 1000 Goldfields Dredging . 0 0 9 100 Dunlop Perdriau Rub. 0 18 9 15 Colonial Sugar (2) 41 0 0 50 Bank of N.Z. 2 10 0 £960 N.Z. Govt. 4 p.e. Ins., 1937-40 (2) 102 0 0 UNLISTED STOCKS. Sales on ’Change. J s. d. 600 Maeetown 0 1 5 (2) 0 1 3} 150 Woolworths (Sydney) (ord.) ... (2) 4 12 3 Sale Reported. 50 Woolworths (Sydney) (oi'd.) 4 12 6