COMMERCIAL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 206, 29 August 1918, Page 3

COMMERCIAL

A BUSY WEEK. " '-Auckland Star ,, Office. Thursday, August 23, 1918. Business during the last -week has been very soodsr'both wholesale and retail. Possibly the fine spell of -weather we have bad is more or less responsible for the improvement. Oar position regarding overseas' shipments is certainly 'becoming more serious, and will continue serious while the Americans arp bcinj; rushed over to France at" the rate of .TOO.COO per month. The immediate transportation of these. troops is of the most vital importance at; this stage of the -war: therefore commercial Interests most stand aside -with the best jrraec possible, and fall back on substitutes as much, as possible TKAD.F, OF J A TAN. II is of course, -well known that Japa- . nese trade has made enormous strides wince the outbreak of war. and JtJs fully rocognised that Japan wIU be a competitor of considerable importance in the straggle for commercial supremacy after t.bo war. The fljnrres relatinß to Uielr trade for the rear 1817 have been published, and the increases shown are remarkable. In 1911 exports totalled 160 millions storing, as , compared with 113 millions in 1916, 71 millions in IMS, and CO millions in 1914: so that the year'e total is now UK per cent more than m 1014. Of the l<so millions. 130 millions were manufactured it partly manufactured goods, the range of which is •wnewbat limited, but they are now trying their hand at a variety of other lines. The principal jroods exported, in order of value, irerp:—Cottnn goodi), sirk fabrics, matches, knitted goods, paper, pottery, jrlassvrarp, buttons, toys, woollen goods, and leather manufactures.

POTATOES. Shipments of Australian potatoes came to liHini by the Tuniwtra store lnet report, xnd wore quoted at £13 p?r ton ex store. Several shipments of Southern potatoes came to hand since last report from the Sonth and a few lots also arrived by rail. Southern potatoes provinn of better quality rommanded £15 10/ per ton. The Tarawera has left for Melbourne to bring over a siiecial shipment of produce, which will include 1380 tons of potatoes. This lot sboiUd about reach Auckland when the market is getting bare once more.

SEED POTATOES. The spell of fine weather resulted in a bis .ieinand setting in for seed potatoes. Evidently a i"nir area is now being put under this crop in the Auckland province. Stocks of seed potatoes are now ruirnini? short, and fresh supplies will cost higher prices. ONIONS.

Supplies of onions from Australia this woi-k arrived to a bare market. The price, however, remains sternly at from 35/ to 4"/ ex store. The quality of the onlona varies, some lots requiring to be repicked. Further supplies of onions are expected by the Tarawera from Melbourne.

CHAFF. The position with regard to unppHes of chaff is now pretty acute, as. toeke are practically exhausted, and arrivals arc sold for delivery from ship's side. The shipment from Blenheim went mpidly into consumption, and judging by the present outlook it would seem as if prico.s for chaff are ILkely Io go still higher, especially in view of the fact that want of freight Ktnce renders it practically impossible to get compressed chaff from Victoria. Best Southern chaff is worth £15 per ton ex store.

MAIZE. This line is in Bliort supply, -with the result that a sharp advance in priCßhas taken place since last report. The quotation to-day is 7/5 to 7/6 for wholesale lines on the wharf.

OATS. Supplies of oats are now undoubtedly short throughout the Dominion, which fact tends to keep the market very firm for this grain. , Further shipments of oats are ciperted by the To Anau this week to replenish this "market. Efforts are being made to secure further snppHes of oats from Australia, but the trouble is to secure space on the steamers. * Seed oats arc In much better request owing to the fine weather experienced during the last couple of weeks. With the high rates ruling for chair, there, should almost be a certainty of good prices being j secured for the new crop. There is a ■ chance that the stocks of Algerian seed oats will ran out unless further lots can ■be got across from Melbourne

Fowl whnat is quoted at 7/6 ex srore. Supplies have arrived since last report from Australia as well as the Sooth.

GRASS AA'D CLOVEK SEEDS.

A fair demand has set in for grass and clover seeds for spring sowing, and it would seem as if a fair area will be sown this seasou.

WHOLESALE CUKJiENT PRICES. Farm and Dairy Produce.—Factory butter, I/O* per lb, less rebate for prompt payment; farmers' butter, lid per tolarinecs , cheese, OJd per lb; factory cheeec. 10d to IOJd per n>: hams, 1/1 to 1/2 per lb; bacon, 1/1 per lb; eggs, 1/4 per dozen.

Flour.—£lG 10/ (less discount of 2$ per cent) per ton. in 2001b sacks; sharps, £3 10/ (nominal) per ton; bran, £6 10/, less 2J per cent luuuiuial); oaiiueal Us's), £)o per ton. U-rain.— Oats. 0/ per bushel; Algerian seed oats, 7/6: fowl wheat, 7/U, ex store: maize, 7, t> (wholesale lines on the wharf). Chaff. —l'rimc Southern, £15 per ton ex store. I I'otatoes.—£ls to £13 10/ per ton. I Onions.—3s/ lo 40/ per cwt. ! Hay (Meadow). —£9 per ton, Lucerne, iIANUKKS.

A keen demand is reported for all kinds of fertilisers, now that better weather has set in, and potatoes and oats are being put in. Merchants find it difficult to get supplies; of superphosphates across from Australia, and there is no bonedust expected, for tome lime to come. Jute goods have preference now in shipments from India. Permits lor export of bouedosi wen obtained in Sydney, but want of apace on th« steamers delayed delivery. FLAX. Business in flax is practically deau , at tic present time. as the stores are full, end tho chance of shipment to London is sTill most unsatisfactory. Under such circumstances merchants are not likely to liny . mote fibre, aud this may mean delaying the opening of We mills this seaseu. OX 'CHANGE. P. and O. stock moved up about £3 per i snare since last report, being wanted ye?- | terday afternoon at £:>6S, but holders asked \ £373. Loan and Mercantile ordinatr issue I bad demand at £S7, but sellers asked £93. i Dion Bank shares were offered this week at £-50 10/. N.Z. and River Plate shares , firmed to buyers at 3S/, and Standard • Insurance could now be placed at 43/6. i Coal sharps showed no change, with the exception that buyers came in for Watpa at 15/6. Huddart, Parker steam were a shade firmer, being wanted at 30/9. Northern Steam sold at 16/6. and could still be placed '< at threepence under that figure. Buyers of ! Kauri Timber offered 28/ and 12/ for the I respective issues. Wellington Wool shares firmed half-a-crown, being now wanted at 142/&. Several lines of Wilson N.Z. Cement sold during the week at 14/6. Mining shares showed little change In price thie week.

.STOCK SALES. AUCKLAND. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, lA.A., report:— At our weekly Westfleld dairy and store stock sale on Thursday last we had an average yarding, the market showing an upward tendency for all classes. Best dairy cows and heifers sold at from £14 15/ to £18 5/; good sound cows, close to profit, £10 10/ to £14, others £5 to £10 5/; forward , empty cows sold up to £9 10/; empty cows. . £7 to £8 5/; steer calves, £-4 r./; ditto, heifers. £3 IS/; young bulls, TJgns to Signs; two-year steers. £7 HA The yarding of horsps at Albert Yards ■ weekly Bale on Friday was about the usual, prices being on a par with recent reports. On Monday, at Whitford, we had a good I • yarding for this season of the year, bidding ■ being keen for all classes. No extra choice dairy cows were yarded. Good sound cows, poor in irondition. £9 10/ to £11. others £t> . 10/ to £9 5/: yearling to 15-months steers. ! £4 5/: ditto, hetfers. £3 17/6: calves, poor ' and vrpedr. fl -' to £3: ptnpl.r cow«, £7 ivy to ££ 2/6; heggeus, t'l 3,3.

Alfred Bueldand and Sons, Ltd., report:— At the Hajmarket on Friday last we had an average yarding of horses, which met with an improved 'demand. Active young medinm draughts brought from £25 10/ to £32; plough horses, £15 10/ to £23 10/; <:reainery-cart class, £13 0/ to £20; tight harness sorts, £7 10/ to £14; gig ponies, £4 to £13 10/; aged draughts, £16 to £18; young medium draughts arc wanted. We had abont the nsual number of flairy and store, cattle at our weekly Westfleld sale on Thursday. ( There was an improved demand for all classes, and few failed to change owners.' ' Bc&t dairy cows sold at from £15 10/ to £18 5/, second-grade cows £12 10/ to £15, others £6 to £11; beet springing heifers £13 to £15 5/, others £6 to £10 10/; empty cows, £7 to £12 10/; yearlings, £5 to £6 10/: calves, £1 15/ to £4 10/. We held a ppcctal Bale of dairy stock in the PuUpkohß Yards on Saturday and yarded the advertised nnmbcr. There was a larjre attendance of buyers ami a keen demand, all descriptions selling at higher values, the (ale generally being the most enrcessful of the season. Bent cows made from £17 to £28, good sound young cows £14 to £16 10/. others £31 to £13 10/. aa«l anil inferior £3 to £!); best springing heifers £14 10/ to £13 10/, others £10 10/ to £14, small and. backward £0 10/ to £9. At Panmnre on Tuesday we sold Mrs. I Dunn's dairy cows. Buyers were in attendance, and high'prices ruled. Best cows brought from £16 10/ to £21, others £12 to £15 10/: a few ased cows, ■£! to £10 10/; bulls. £11 to £18 10/. There was a smaller muster of stock than nsusl at our monthly I'ukekohe Bale on Monday, and as at other recent sales, there was an improved demand. Three-year-old steers brought from £11 to £11 18/; IS-month to two-year-olds. £7 to £9 10/: yearlings, £5 3/ to £6 6/; empty cows. £6 10/ to £9 8/; good calves. £A 15/ to £4 10/: smaller calves, £2 16/ to £3 10/; small, £1 5/ to £2 10/: fat cows and heifers, £9 to £14 15/: bulls, £7 10/ to 21gns; springers. £9 to £15 10/; the advertised hoggets. £1 2/0 to £1 3/0.

WESTFIELD FAT STOCK MARKET. Messrs/ Alfred r.ockluuil and Sons report: Yesterday, at our weekly WestflcW fat stock market, we sold beef to the number of 203 bead, comprising 145 steers, 57 lows and heifers, and one bull. Competition was keen throughout, and values very firm at last week's quotations. Choice ox I sold to £2 13/0 per ICOlb, prime ox £2 10/ to £2 12/6 per 1001b: ordinary and rough beef. £1 19/ to £2 0/ per lOUlb: cow and heifer beef, £2 2/ to £2 10/ per 1001b. Steers ranged iv price from £12 iO/ to £24 7/6 for a steer from Mr Ed. Allen, Cambridge; cows and bclfcrs, £!> to £22 7/6 for a cow from Mr Harold Windsor, Tainahere. The highest averages for steers were: Sixteen from Mr Ed. Allen, Cambridge, £20 17/6; eight from Mr \V. W. McLaughlin, Papatoetoe, £20 13/; 14 .cows from Mr Harold Windsor. Tnmahcre, £20 10/6. These cows were, without exception, the best ever offered at Westfleld, and the price is easily it record. Sixteen steers from Mr T. B. Drummond, Tumahere, £19 2/8; IS from Mr C. J. Storey Woodstock, Te Awamutu, BUS 13/1; 10 from South Head, Kaipara, £18 7/6: two cows, same place, £16; 10 steers from ho 'Kaipara, £17 16/: nine from Mr J. R. Self, Te Kuili. £17 2/9: 18 from the Walkato. £16 i::.'Ci: 10 from Mr H. Harris. Ascot, Mangere. £10 4/10: 12 local, £17 9/9. Sheep were again penned short of requirements. There was a keen demand, and In several oases last week's advanced rates were exceeded. Extra heavy prime ■weathers made from £2 4/0 to £2 S/ tor a pen from Mr K. J. Bell, Rangauul, Papatoetoe: heavy prime wethers, £1 19/6 to £2 3/6, medium to heavy prime wethers, £1 10/ to £1 19/, other wethers £1 10/ to £1 15/6. Extra heavy prime ewes, £1 17/ to £2 2/9 (62 from Mr James McNlcol, Te Aroha, averaged £1 19A and 133 from Mr K. 3. Bell, Banganul, Papatoetoe, averaged £1 18/2); lighter prime ewes £1 13/ to £1 15/, other ewes £1 8/ to £1 12/; heavy prime hoggets £1 12/ to £1 17/, Rood hoggets « 5/ to £1 10/; 897 sold. We penned a large number of fat and young calves, and all classes maintained late values. Runners made from £6 10/ to £10 17/0 for a two-year-old belter; heavy veaiers £4 15/ to £8, medium £3 10/ to £4 10/. light £2 to £3 5/, small and freshdropped 5/ to £1 15/; 141 sold. Pigs came forward In average numbers and sold at late prices. There is a very strong demand for Blips and wcaners. Large choppers and heavy baconers made from £6 13/ to £), email choppers and light baconers £4 13/ to £8 10/; large porkers £3 10/ to £4 10/, medium £2 12/6 to C. 5/. email £2 2/ to £2 10/; slips and weaners, £1 9/ to £2; -176 sold. - " ;

The New Zealand Loan and, Mercantile Agency reports:—At our Westfield fat stock market on Wednesday beef was again yarded in small numbers, and although mostly light-weights, were excellent quality. •' Competition was teen, and In many cases "advanced on last week's rates, although our quotations are the same. Prime OS beef sold to £2 13/ per 1001b: ordinary and rough beef, £2 2/ to £2 12/ per 1001b: cow and heifer beef, £2 3/ to £2 11/ per IOOIb. Steers ranged In price from £18 5/ to £21 10/; cows from fS 10/ to £16. Some of the averages were: Eight steers from Sir Wm. Gray, Cambridge, £21; 13 steers, by rail. £20 19/; eight steers from Mr Geo. Harvey, £19 13/: eight small steers from Mr Edward Allen, £19 10/; 10 cows from Mr Jno. Dare, £13 2/6. Calves again came forward' in good numbers, and sold well up to ■ late quotations. No runners yarded. Heavy vealers, £4 8/ to £5 0/, medium £3 5/ to £4 6/, light £1 15/ to £.1 2/6, small and fresh dropped 5/ to £1 12/6. Sheep came forward iv very small numbers and again showed an advance on last week's improved prices. Heavy prime wethers, £2 5/ to £2 15/8 for a small pen of extra quality from Mr M. Harding, Wellington Park, medium £2 1/ to £2 4/9, others £1 17/ to a/6, unflnished £1-13/6 to £1 16/3: heavy ewes, £1 16/ to £1 19/3; good fat ewes, £1 13/ to £1 15/0; hoggets, best, £1 11/3 to £1 15/ (a small pea of extra, heavy prime, from Mr W. Batty, Karaka, £2 7/«), others £1 4/0 to £1 10/. Good butchers' sheep are short; in requirements. Pips were penned in average numbers, and sold under keen competition at lute high values. Heavy baconers. £5 10/ to £7 13/6; large porkers, £3 8/ to £5 2/6, medium £2 15/ to £3 5/, small £2 to £2 14/; store pigs, £1 S/ to £1 10/. No weaners penned. y

Messrs. Dalgety and Company. Limited, report flaring hold their usual weekly sale of fat stock at Westfield on Wednesday, August 2S, as under:—

Beef. —A medium yarding, which sold at last week's rates. Extra prime ox sold at up to £2 13/; ordinary quality, £2 8/ to £2 in/ : cow and heifer beef, ■»."./ to 51/ Veal. — fair yarding, and prices were equal to last week's rates. Extra heavy runners sold at up to fS; heavy suckers, £3 5/ to £3 10/-. small. 20/ to 35/. Mutton. — A. very small yarding, and prices were 2/ per head higher. Prime wethers sold at -up to 12 8/ for extra heavy; medium weight, 33/ to 40/; prime ewes up to 38/. Lamb.—A small yarding. Good lines heavy woolly made up to .'SB/: shorn up to 38./. others 15/ to 25/. Pork. —A fair yarding, which sold at late rates. Choppers mode £'i 15/ to £7 17/ti; baeonexs, £4 to £5; porkers, 35/ to £3.

RABBOA STOCK SAI^ES. At Da.lgety and Company's stock sales which were hold in thrjr yards at Feeroa. yesterday there wa« a fair yarding and a good attendance of 'buyers. Tbe bidding was spirited, and showed considerable fanprovement on last, sales. Fat cows realised from -£15 to £15 7/6: fat bulls, from £15 to £1&; as-nu>nths steers, from £7 10/ to £S; springing heifers, from £8 to £15; cows and calves, from £9 to £11 5/; yearlings, from £3 to £4 6/. There were a few pens of sheep, bnt the quality was inferior, and they changed bands at late rates.

HIDE SALES. Agency Company, Ltd., report:—We submitted average catalogues of hides, tallow, bonce, etc, on Tuesday. We quote:—

Hides.—Market Arm. Extra stout os ll}d to X2M. stout l«Sd to lilid, medium 10d to lOJd.'light Ojd to SJ-d; cows', Iwet lines to Sid. good &id to Sid, inferior 7*d to 7Jd; stags', 6d to 6«d; -horse hides. 5/ to 12/0: tips, 104 dto 4lid: calfskins, best to 14d, good lljd to 12$ d, cut and damaged «4d to Tallow.-Rest mixed to 30/, good 32/ to 33/0. Inferior 26/0 to L'S.'O; rough fat, lid !to 2d per ft. Bones.—i 7 10/. ■CXrwtails.—l/ dozen. UiinsehaLr. —1/ to 1/0 per Ib,

.Alfred Bui.-kland anil iSona, Ltd., of tbe UsLymaiVel. report:— ■Hides.—Ox. light i>H to JOJd, medium ■Wid to ll*d, stout 32d to 12Jd, extra, stout 13«1; cow, bust grades SJd to 9Jd, seconds 7Jd to Sid. <Jamag«l and faulty &j<l to 6}<i; kips and yearlinas, !>J<l to Hid: calfskins, large ill«i to 1-d. test rnr-lhim 15d. «nall I'd to 1-'4<l. >*«1 !*}«! to IVd. itam.iged and meaty Bd'to 9d: drifii calfskin?. 1/6 to 3/ eiivb: horso bides, small 7-6 to !>/ ea'Ji. i mc.lium 19/6 t« 12/$, lift? l*/ tv IS/, .

Tallow.—ln casee, beet grades 56/ to 38/ per cwt, second grades 31/ to 33/, dreggy and burnt 26/ to 28/; In tins, 50/ to 33/; pare mutton tallow, 37/ to 40/ per cwt. Bones.'£7 10/ per ton lor' dry condition(Horsehair.—l/6 to VG* fat best tail; 1/3 to 1/5 for mixed.