COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 72, 25 March 1915, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

THE ATJCKLAITD MARKETS, "Auckland Star" Office, Thursday, March 25, 1915. There Is little fresh to announce this week in the way of market fluctuations. Wholesale houses of late have been simply "marking time," patiently awaiting the end of the present financial year and annual squarlng-up, which is usually carried out by most of their leading' customers at the end of •March. Even when this has been completed, it is not anticipated that orders will be very extensive, as most ot the larger retailers, in order to protect themselves against the rapidly advancing markets, in the earlier stages ot the war secured in aU possible lines much larger supplies than their ordinary turnover warranted, and in the majority ot cases considerable quantities of these same lines still remain ou band, which means a curtailment of orders for the wholesale distributors for some little time to come. This applies particularly to grocery and hardware lines. Tbe building trade has improved of late, but the movement is slight owing to the high cost of material, the firmness of the money market, and a growing tendency on the part of the public to economise generally wherever possible. There is little doubt, however, that providing our prodnets continue to meet with the ready markets of to-day, our prospects for the fntUTe are most encouraging. The recent rains will add considerably to the creamery cheques for March and April, especially in the districts of the Lower Waikato. where green feed had almost vanished. TEA MARKET. Reports from Calcutta, dated February 18 state that in the above auction, which may he considered as the closing one of the season, the offerings amounted to 16.000 packages. Of this quantity, however, almost 4;000 packages were dusts, and a very large proportion of the remainder were second-hand teas and closing invoices, consisting of stalky, red rubbish. For the few good invoices in the auction the demand was as strong as ever, aud ordinary blaeked-leafed Pekoes and Pekoe Souchs were rather dearer, due to increased bidding among native buyers, while there was also strong support from Russia. There may be a few more semi-private auctions, but there will be nothing of any importance, and the season is now closed •till the market reopens on the first Tuesday in June. THE WELCOME RAIX. The heavy rains that fell since last report, followed by warm sunshine, were most welcome, as the effect on the pasture will be most beneficial. After such a long spell of dry weather, with the ground thoroughly wanned, the rains will bo followed by a great growth of grass, and thus ensure plenty of feed for the stock. This is all the more to be desired at the present time, as, owing to lack of shipping accommodation, many cattle are still feeding when under ordinary conditions their carcases would ere now have been on the way to England. The pasture for the winter has beeu assured by the present rains, which were general over the country. Another benefit that may follow the downpour is that logs may come down to the booms for the timber mills. Although trade iv timber has not been brisk latterly, still the supply of logs was getting short. POTATOES SCARCER. Owing to tbe wet weather sioce last report all digging of potatoes was stopped at Pukekobe, with the result that there has been a temporary shortage In supplies in the local market, which caused the price to advance to fS per ton •wholesale. No doubt, now that liner Weather has set in again, -digging will be resumed, and the! market will be well supplied once more, ; with the result that prices will drop hack to about the rate ruling last week. The quality of the potatoes sent in latterly I has varied considerably. There Is still a fair quantity of local potatoes to be sent in. A few southern lots are coming to hand. The latter will not, however, be wanted in any quantity until the local crop is erhausted. ONIONS.

Ample supplies of onions are procurable from tbe south this year, so there is not much chance of prices advancing for this line. It is a fortunate 'thing that while nearly every other line is rising in price, potatoes and onions both rule at reasonable figures. OATS SHOW EA-SIXG TENDENCY. The effect of the Government prohibition of the export of oats has had the effect of easing the tone of the market in the •Sooth. At the same time, it Is quite evid-ent that much lower prices are not likely to rule, and had not export been stopped quotations would have gone etlli higher, as there Is a good market now at high figures in Australia. There is always the chance that orders may come from the •War Offire for oats, and if such does occur they 'would have to be filled, and the result would be a rapid, hardening ot the market for that grain in the Dominion. Algerian seed oats are still scarce, and firm at 7/9 per bushel ex store. A few more are, however, now offering. OATAIEAL. The higher prices ruling for oatmeal has lessened the demand to a certain extent, but, as colder weather must soon be here, larger quanties of this article are bound to be wanted. MAIZE FROM JAVA. - This market is still bare of maize, and the price has advanced to 5/6 per bushel for wholesale lines on tbe wharf. It is probable these high prices <wlll rale until next month, when shipments from Java will relieve the position. The local new crop will not be ready till 'May or June. It is now quite evident that only small J stocks of old. maize are held in the Bay' of Plenty. WHEAT STILL DEAR. Tbe wheat harvest in .New Zealand has been successful as far as weather conditions were concerned. It is yet -too early to be able to state what the actual yield wili prove to be. It is anticipated that larger areas win be put down in wheat this winter, as the market is certain to be good, even if the war should be over before next harvest. Fowl wheat is still quoted at 8/ to 8/3 ex. store, according to sample, but those high prices have checked the demand, ponitry-feeders having substituted other cheaper grains. BRAN AND SHARPS. Bran is now more plentiful, 'but sharps are reported very scarce just at present A FIRM CHAFF MARKET. The Southern msrket for chaff ls reported very firm this week, and tbe quo- ] tatkm locally is £0 5/ to £9 10/ per ton, which is a serious matter for those who have many horses to feed. It is a question whether the prohibition of the export of oats includes oaten chaff. If rt does not, prices must go higher, as there is a big demand in Victoria just n#w as the result of the drought. sew local chaff is ' coming in slowly, but farmers are very firm in their ideas as to values. GRASS AND CLOVER. The splendid rains that have fallen have enabled farmers to get to work on the land, and orders are being sent in freely for grass and clover seeds. A good deal is required this season for surface sowing where areas of felled bueh have been successfully burned off during the long spell of dry . weather. WHOLESAILE CDRIRENT PRICES. Farm and .Dairy Produce. —Factory butter, 1/2 per lb wholesale; farmers' cheese, 5d to 6d per lb; factory .do , 73: per lb; bams, lid per lb; hacou, lOd per lb; eggs, 1/6 per dozen. Flour. £17 net cash; wheatmeal, £17 net cash; sharps, £8 per ton; bran £7 10/ per ton; oatmeal, £1S per ton for Si's, wholesale. Grain.—Oats, 5/6 ex store; Algerian seed oats, 7/9 ex store; fowl cwheat, 8/ to 8/3; maize, 5/6, wholesale line on wharf; barley, 6/9 per bushel. Chaff. —Soutihern, £S 10/ per ton. Onions. —S/6 per cwt ex store. Potatoes.—£7 10/ to £8 per ton. Grass Seeds.—Cocksfoot, double machine dressed, 21/ per bushel; ryegrass, Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay, machine dressed, 13/ per bushel; finest Perennial and Italian, extra machined, 9/ per bushel; Lotus corniculatus, 2/ per lb; English rape Seed, lOd per lb; daTrthooia, pUosa Or aemi-annolariß, 2/ per lb.

MAJj'UfiES. 'A big demand has set in for manures of all kinds, owing to farmers being busy .getting in grass. Superphosphates are in good supply, but basic slag is very scarce, as the main source from which this article was drawn is now in the vortex of war. Basic slag is ' toeing obtained from (England at higher prices, tout supplies are somewhat restricted, from that quarter. FLAX MARKET ACTIVE. (Millers are now increasing their output of flax owing to the better prices obtainable in London for this article. There is dow a good demand locally at satisfactory prices for all the fibre at present offering. K.VUJRI GUM QUIET. Big stocks of gum are now held in the stores in town, and tho tendency of the market does not point to any improvement in prices iv the near future. There is a limited demand for the better grades of gums for both London «nd New York, but prices offered show no improvement. Poor gums are still very hard to sell. OS 'CHANGE. The tone of the Exchange showed a little Improvement this week, there being a few more transactions than usual in investment stocks. Auckland Gas, paid issue, advanced to 30/, at which figure several sales, were made yesterday. Old issue Bank of •New Zealauds were transferred at 222/. and i National Banks had steady demand, hut no sales at 108/. Insurance shares were not go much wanted this week, the only sales toeing in New Zealands, for which shares 122/ is still offered. Auckland Trams, ordinary issue, sold at 21/9, and for Takapuna Tram and Ferry shares, 11/6 in offered. New Zealand Cement changed hands at 8/6 aud Wilson's ordinary shares are wanted at 21/6. In mining stocks Waihi shares sold at 44/0 and 44/6 once more, while Talismans changed hands at 25/, and Junctions had steady buyers at 24/3. MARKET REPORTS. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd.. submitted and sold average catalogues of hides, skias, and tallow on Tuesday. Hides.—Market easier. In sympathy with other centres. We qnote: Extra stout ox 9Jd to 9id, stout B}d to Od, medium SJd to Bjd, light BJd to BSd: cows, best lines »£d to Bid, good BJd to Bgd. inferior 7Jd to Sdj stags. 6d to 6}d; kips, 7Jd to Od; calfskins, best to lold, good Bsd to Old. cut and damaged ojd to 7Jd; damaged hides, 3»d to 6id. Sheepskins.—Market brisk. Best butchers' skins, picked S/6 to 0/3. good lines 6/0 to 7/3. medium 4/0 to 5/3. small 3/3 to 4/. iambs and pelts 2/6 to 3/: country dry and woolly skins 61d to "id per lb', damaged lid to 41d per lb. Tallow.—Jtfarket firm. Best mixed 25/H to 26/6. good 23/ to 21/. inferior 10/6 to 22/3: rough fat. lid to Ud per lb. Bones, £5: rowtails, 1/4 per doz; horsehair, 1/3 to l/"i per lb. Wool.—ln bales, dumps and bags, selling freely at extreme prices. Fine crossbred, 12d to 13jd; coarse crossbred, IOJd to lljd; log-et.lined. Od to lOd; lambs' wool, best 13id to 14id. good lid to lid. seedy 7d to Sid: dead wool, 71d to SJd; locks, pieces, 4id to 71d. Messrs. Alfred Buckland .md Sons' weekly Tcport for hides, skins, wool, etc., is as follows:— Hides.—Market easier. Light ox, SJd to B}d; medium, SSd to SJd; stout, Od to Oid; cow, BJd to Sid; best lines, to SJd; others, 8d to 81d: etagS, Old to CJd: kip. 7Jd tc. 8ld: yearlings, good Sjd to Od: others, Sd to BJd; calfskins, best lines. S»Jd to 10d; meaty and dirty at lower values. Sheepskins.—Market advancing. For good conditioned, dry and salted there ls a keen demand. Butchers' picked pelts are bringing up to 4/6 each; medium to good, 4/ t" 4/3; others are also seUing well to a good market: lambskins, 3/0 to 4/3 for best; others, 3/6 to 3/8: shorn lambs, 10d to 1/6 each; good country dried skins are making equal to 8d per lb; hatfwoole to 7jd; damaged, dirty, and neglected skins at lower rates. Wool. —In bales, croftflired, good and clean. Hid to 12ld; medium crossbred, luid to Ilia; rough and log-stained. B*d to lod per lb; lambs, good and light-conditioned, 1/1 to I/2J: medium. Ud to l/OJd; seedy. 6d to 74d. In bags and dumps: Fleece wool, to llid; lambs to 1/1 for best; oth«r-quali-ties are selling extremely well. Tallow.—Market hardening. Tius ann drums, 20/ to 24/: In casks, 21/ to 21/6; shipping casks, 24/ to 25/6 per cwt. Bonos.—Clean and dry, £5 per ton. Hair.—Tail, 1/5 to 1/7; mixed, 1/3 to 1/4}; mane. Od per lb; cowtalls, 1/4 per dozen. ■Horns.—No demand. AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sons report as follows:— On Thursday, March 18. at our weekly Westfleld sale of dairy and store cattle, the former were In demand, especially good cows and heifers at profit, best selling at from £0 10/ to £12; second quality, £7 to £8 15/; small springing heifers. £4 10/ to £6 10/; empty cows. £3 ol to £5 5/; 18----mnnth heifer, £2 12/ to £3 10/; calves, £1 3/ to £2 1/. Tbe New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Limited, reports as follows-.— At the Westfleld Yard* on Thursday last dairy and store cattle were yarded iv usual numbers, and prices were on a par with late sales. Dairy cows sold at from £6 to £8 15/. others, £3 to £4 17/6, emptycows £3 3/ to £4 IS/, calves-30/ to £2 2/. At the Albert Yards on Friday horses came forward In average numbers, and were more competed for than at late sales. Heavy draught horses sold at from £18 to £25, medium draughts £12 10/ to £16. light harness horses £5 to £10, hacks £5 to £8 10/. The draught stallion realised £34, and gig and harness £22. At the Waiuku Yards on Saturday there was a good yarding of stock, and prices were the same sis late sales. Dairy cows sold at from £5 to £0 12/6, empty cows £3 to £4 10/, good calves -33/ to £2 2/. others 10/ to 25/; bulls. £3 to £7 10/; two-year-old steers, £5 16/; pigs, 10/ to 12/. ' At the Whitford Yards on Monday we held our usual monthly sales. There- was a fair yarding, and prices were the same as late rates. FAT STOCK SALES. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report:— At the Weetfield Yards on Wednesday fat cattle came forward in average supply, and prices were firmer than last week. Bestquality oxen sold to £2 per 1001b, others 36/ to 30/, cows and heifers 30/ to 35/ per 1001b. Steers sold at from £S 15/ to £15 15/, cows and heifers £5 to £3010/. Veal came forward iv full numbers, and Improved on last week's prices. Heavy, vealers sold at from £4 10/ to £5 7/6, medium-weight £3 to £4 8/, light 35/ to £2 15/, smaller 20/ to 33/, fresh-dropped and small calves 3/ to 18/. Sheep were penned in usual supply, and showed no improvement In price. Best wethers made 23/0 to 25/6, others 20/ to 23/, inferior fatted 16/0 to 10/. ewes 16/ to 19/0. Lambs In short supply sold at from 12/6 to 15/. Pigs were penned iv average numbers, and improved in price ou last week. No baconers were yarded. Large porkers' £1 15/ to £2 8/, porkers 25/ to £1 14/, slips 15/ to 22/ I( weaners 4/6 to 6/0. Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sons report:— On Wednesday, March 24, at our weekly Westfleld fat stock market, our suppjy of beef totalled 311 head, comprising .190 steers, 109 cows and heifers, and three bulls. There was an improved demand, with a decided rise in values. Choice ox sold to £2 1/; prime quality, £1 16/ to £1 10/: ordinary beef, £1 13/ to £1 15/; cows aud heifers, £1 8/ to £1 14/; steers ranged in price from £8 15/ to £21 15/; cows and heifers, £4 15/ to £13 7/6; a truck of choice quality steers from Mr. C. X. Storey; Woodstock, Te Awamutu, averaged £15 16/0; a truck of heavy bullocks from Mr. W. T. .Hunt, Te Kuiti, averaged £18, and five show steers from the Coast averaged £10 18/; two trucks of prime cows from Mr. H. A. Vercoe, Te Fuse, averaged £10 13/. There was an average entry of'fat and young calves, including a fair proportion of heavy suckers. Prices were firm at I last week's quotations. Runners to • £5 j 17/6; heavy suckers, £3 10/ to £4 15/' . medium suckers £2 6/ to £3 1/; lighter, I £1 16/ to £2 4/: light, £l 3/ to £1 13/: small and fresh dropped 3/ to 17/. fTO sold.) , The sheep pens were moderately filled with i a nice class of mutton. Competition was more keen, and values were firmer by 1/ to' 2/ per head. Extra heavy prime wethers. £1 5/6 to £1 8/6; fwo pens of extra special wethers from Mr. A. Mvi r , jun., Manurewa. averaged £1 10/2: heavy prime wethers £1 2/3 to £1 4/6; medium to heavy. £1 to-£l 2/: unfinished. 18/ to 19/6; extra heavy prime ewes, £1 2/ to £1 4/3; good ewes, 17/ to 19/0; others, 13/ to 16/. 1363 sold:!' The 139 iambs were insufficient for requirements, and sold at advanced prices. Best heavy woolly, 18/ to £1 l/ ; good, 15/ to. 17/6; lighter, 13/ to 14/0; best heavy shorn, 14/ to 17/; other*, 11/ to 13/. Pig*, were

penned in average numbers. The demand was keen,' and values for all classes~wefe firmer. *. Baconers, £2 15/ to £3 4/'; medium '£2 6/ to £2 li!/; choppers, to £2 10/; heavy porkers, £1 17/ to_£2 5/; medium, £1 10/ to £1' 16/; well-growri stores, to £1 2/: weaners, 3/ to 10/. (207 sold.) . . . Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., report having held their usual weekly sale of fat 6tock at Westfleld yesterday as under:— Beef.—A small yarding, -and competition was keen. Prices were about £1 to £15/ •per head-abOfeTa'st- -weeTTs Tates. Kxtra prime ox sold at -equal to 40/ per 1001K, prime quality 37/6 to 39/. ordinary quality 34/ to 37/tt;-cow and heifer beCf fetched 28/ to 36/6. . '~ , Veal.—Au-average" yara'ing, whleh\sold at an advance on last week's rates, ijfchoire heavy vealens made up to £5n2/6. IBinarv ditto £3 10/ to. £4, light and fresh-oroppecl oy to "35/. 'Mutton.—An average yarding and prices were .on a par with late rates. Extra heavy prime jvetbers made up to £1 10/ iTiF-J 1 ," 0 £1 VJo. £i 5/o..ordinary and light 16/ to 28/. extra heavy prime—ewes made upto £1 2/6, heavy ditto'lg/ to 21/ light 15/ to 10/. A consignment -of 50 wethers, doiinted. to' the". Belgian Fund by %"',?:•, H "' l - of rap< * Runaway, averaged £1 lit. the buyers being Messrs. rt. and W Hellaby. Ltd., the Auckland Meat Company' Ltd Messrs. D. Xejlson, T. R. \v. Gill, and Liddiard. Lamb.—A small yarding and prices were on a par with Jute rntes. Extra heavy woolly made up to 18/3, ordinary ditto 13/6 to 16/6. shorn, extra heavy 12/6 to I 15/0. othcTs 0/ to 12/. ' ° Pork.—An average yarding, and prices were firmer. Unmoors -made equal to 41d per lb. porkers 43d per lb; otbers fetched 0/ to 25/. * ADDrNGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHUISTOHURGH. Werrnesday. There were moderate entries of fat stock at the Addington Sards, hut there was again a very heavy yarding of store sheep. Fat cattle were somewhat easier, there being no demand for export on account of' want of space. Store sheep sold at about last Week's riites. '•'..".'"

I Store Sheep.—Good sound-month ewes.. | "/' fo. JB/; "fair sound-month ewes,, 12/7 to" 13/0; good two-tooth ewes, 16/ to 17/7; fair two-tooth_ejwe.s, 13/ to*l4£»; inferior twotooth ewes, 11/9 to 12/7; failing-month s ewes. 11/6J:o_J3/& jMOjLtwo. four, six and eight-tooth ewes, 15/ to 19/9; inferior two* four,- sis and eight-tooth ewes,: 12/6 to: 14/3;~good forward lambs, to' 15/3; fairly, forward lambs, -11/3 to 13/6; Ordinary lambs, 7/9 to 10/10; cull lambs, 4/6 to 7/6; fairly'forward two and four-tooth wethers, 14/; forward Merino wethers, 12/. "Fat -Lambs.—Best iambs, 18/ to 22/1;' others, 13/ to 17/6. \-__-_ Fat Cattle.—Extra gobfl steers, to £14 •10/; ordinary- steers. £7 Hi/-to £10; extra heifers, to £11; ordinary heifers, £5 5/ to £8; -extra cows, to £15; ordinary cows. £4 17/6 to £8 .10/. Price of beef per lOOlbs, 31/ t0"43/. Vealers, 8/" to 50/ for ordinary sorts, extra good animals making to '00/. •.-.--.- Fat Sheep.—Prime .wethers, 21/6 to 23/7; others, 16/6 to 21/; prime ewes, 20/ to 25/6; medium, 15/6 to 19/6; "others, 11/6 to 15/; Merino wethers, 11/.to 19/5. Store" Gattle.—Yearlings, 38/:' 15 to 18-----montbs, £2 3/-to £2 15/; ; .two-year steersr £4' a/;* two-year heifers, £3 o/; two and a-ha'lf year steers; £5 5/; three-year steers, £7 to £8 5/; three-year, heifers, £5 5/ to ,£5 10/; dry cow*. £2 to- £4 15/; dairy cows, £3 10/ to £10. li 15. 7. ....7 Pigs.—Choppers, 50/ to £5 10/; baconers, 47/6 to 807, equal to s}cl t'tf s»d per lb; porkers, 26/6 to 28/, equal to ;5Jd to SJd per lb. Store Pigs.—Largo sorts, 30/ to 33/; mealum, 25/' to 28/; small, 12/ to- 23/; weaners, 4/6 to 6/;.. ' . AMERICAN MARKETS. ■Messrs Mailler and Quereau, of Netv Y-ork report;— There has been a .slow but steady improvement in general conditions throughout the United' State's: Mium-■ facturers are-many-of them reporting in--creased orders, and are opening their works to a larger extent, but there is still much room' for an increase, which, if Is' hoped •will come in the near-future." Prices Mre not shown any. very great, change, but.where! these changes have occurred it_bas almost invariably been toward a higher basis!" A ■-Bpirit-of-hopefntness. even of -optimism,- snbe the rule, and with-a fa-lr out r look for our winter .wheat, crop to" r ;date, and better prices, that arc -now. being, obtained for cotton, it wm - meair addijoV prosperity for the United "States-. -If Addition to "that the large, surplus of" wheat ;grown by the United 'States last year ls now being rapidly .shipped to Europe, for the-use of.

•Hie-Allies.and neutraLeouutries,- and-nigh prices obtained Wr- : sarne.- The -demanflrappears to ber limltea^puly-by the tonnage available to"carry It: It would seem that tho.:UUro-pean,' nations-ate"stocking "up very -beavilyywiai foodstuffs of -all kinds,, as- fhey are.jniportlnsihree under normal conditions: Tt is indeed fortonate ffiat'-fhls cbunt?y n"as such "a "M'rge ;exportaMe ■ surplus -of ■ wheat and other grains to meet the vast requirements in Europe. The freight situation'is the most -trying- ene of any, 'and' it"is -"difficult'- to foresee:, isotw. there, .wilt' be.any.-chaxigef. fojfc the better, so.long as these-large shipmentscontinue for Prance, England, and' Italy.t The United States Government feels the,effect of-. a shortage 'in tonnage very . strongly. and>. Congress iss endeavouring tel pass a bill for tbe purchase of ships to re'"' lleve the situation', but our own impressions, are tSa-t this'wontd not; prove to be helpful even if the tonnage could be procured. It Is not ithe idea or purpose to buy any ofthe German shipping, as "the United (States Is determined) to.avoid any chance of come, pH-?ationa Freight rules 'have -ad-vamted to "Europe from"3oo pfep-centT to 500*pef centr ■ above those ruling before" the wiir, : ana-still the demand for .steamers cannot be:BUpplied. Offers bave been made for tonnage to loud for Australia and JN'ew Zealand: at 300 •per cent. ndVaore.-and'owners-wfll'ndt-en» - ..terrain. them.„ Tsera.,"has. .been an...-effort, made .to purchase, s«une steamers |o placje in this trade, but again thereis no disposition' dllowu to sell where the tonnage is Ut alii desirable. With all of t these.- difficulties facing the steaniijbip.lines have found It necessary to advance freight rates sharply and put them into effect promptly. These rates- appear high: as compared to .those ruling in., other- directions. The same condition as regards shortage of tonnage and advance in frelySit rates' exists for all other countries, and we can only look for--ward-to a high--freight market »for-many , .months, jn t'Jig .future. ... ~ ~. ' . .: