GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 12 January 1926, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

LOCAL MARKETS. CANADIAN OATS ARRIVE. "WHEAT POSITION UNCERTAIN. The potato market' is unaltered. Full supplies are coming- forward from Pukekohe, and the price Is steady at about £10 per ton on trucks. Of the Southern market the Lyttelton "Times" says: "With potatoes quoted at up to £20 a ton In Sydney, local growers are not inclined to talk business on the basis or £4 a ton. Just at present no rorward business in potatoes is beinsr done." Onions. Increased supply or locally grown has resulted, in an easing or prices, and the cessation or outside importations. It is understood that a complete clearance has now .been made of Canadian stocks. As is so often the case, the task of estimating the requirements of the market in regard to imported onions has this season been very tricky. At one time it seemed that over importations had been made, and that the advent or the new local crop would find substantial stocks or Canadian stiU on hand. This, however, has not been the case. The balance between the two seasons has been well adjusted, and price fluctuations have not been unusually sudden. A couple or months back Canadian onions were worth 30/ a crate, and in the flnal clearing up some small quantities have lately been sold as low as 10/. The drop, however, has been a gradual one. What saved the situation so far as late holders of Canadian onions were concerned, was the fact that the qualtiy was particularly good, -and at a price they met with a ready sale. Maize. Shipments of maize continue somewhat irregular, and the market is distinctly firm. Holders are by no means keen to quote at current rates. Wheat. A strong demand exists for wheat, but Australian holders are llrm, quoting 6/10 per bushel, r.o.b. Sydney, Tor milling quality. At the present time the Kurow and. Moeraki are loading Australian wheat for New Zealand ports. The strength or the outside market is reflected locally, and In addition ' the uncertainty as to the future policy of the Government regarding importations or fowl wheat is accentuating that aspect. Reports from the country districts of canterbury are to the effect that repent rains have greatly improved the crop prospects, but more is needed. Chaff. Chaff stocks are getting scarce, and the arrival or the new crop is being eagerly awaited. A Wellington report says: "New season's chaff is becoming available from Marlborough, and it is spoken or well by merchants, who describe lines so Tar shown as bright and heavy. The indications are Tor the supply or a quality of chaff showing a great improvement on what was available last season, when most was below grade. Quotations are £9 10/ per ton Tor best quality, and £8 10/ to £9 for lower grades." it is now evident that prices are likely to rule higher than Auckland users have been accustomed to pay. Rangitlkei was quoting £9 on trucks, Marton, but these quotations have been withdrawn owing to the anticipated shortage of stocks In that quarter. Blenheim has been quoting £8 5/, r.oJb., but it is difficult to secure connrmation at tneSe rates, in each case the landed cost to the. merchant works out at close to £ii per ton, which is a veryhigh price to pay at the beginning' or the season. Oats. Since last report, a rew thousand sacks of Canadian oats have arrived. They have opened up well, and are considered to be the equal on* not superior to B Gartons. It is not likely, however, that further importations will be made from this source in the near future, as Vancouver quotations have Armed since the last purchase's were made. , A Chrlstchurch report says: "Some new season's Algerian oats were threshed during tbe week, and 'they proved to be or splendid quality. No busness has been done in oats yet, however, as tbe farmers want more than the merchants are prepared to offer. At present there are buyers Tor good Algerians at from 3/ to 3/6 a bushel, according to quality." «. Locally the trend or ttte market is Arm at late rates. Wholesale Current Prices. Flour, £19 15/ per ton, less 2* per cent discount for 2001b.sacks of both local and Southern. Sharps and Bran.—Local, £io 10/ per ton; bran, £9 10/ per ton; oat pollard, £8 10/ per ton. Grain.—New Zealand oats: Feed, B. Garton, 5/10 per bushel; Canadian, 5/6 to 5/9; New Zealand Algerian seed, 6/9Australian, 6/9 per bushel. Maize: New Zealand, 8/ per bushel, 7/ ex ship. Wheat9/ per bushel. Barley: Feed, 6/3 per bushel; Cape, seed, 7/ per bushel; maiie meal, 14/6 per 1001b; Barley meal, 14/6 per 1001b. Chaff.—Blenheim,-prime £11 5/ per ton ex store, lower grades £1 to £2 less. . Onions.—Local, 11/ per cwt. * Potatoes.—New stocks, £10, on trucks Peas.—Blue Prussian, 10/ per bushel; partridge,. 7/9 per bushel. --=__, Fertilisers. Since the latter part or December, the demand has been very quiet. This was partly expected over the holiday period, but tbe very dry and hot weather experienced accentuated the position. The rain early this week was very welcome, and will do a lot or good, at the same time it .is hoped there win be further rain during the next few days to give the pastures a chance to recover. There is a little mprovemeht in the fertiliser demand this week, and provided weather conditions are satisfactory, there should be a fair demand for top-dressing this month Prices remain steady at late rates. Local manufacturers are holding good stocks or superphosphate and basic super, and as these lines are particularly suitable for top-dressing for quick results, farmers are assured of ample supplies for early autumn. J Retail Cash Rates. High-grade super, 44/46 ~-... 5 _> 6 Basic super 5 2 6 Nauru phosphate (finely ground) 5 2 6 Bonedust (Calcutta) 12 0 0 Blood and bone , ......... ion _n Basic slag :; 5,5 £ Ephos basic phosphate - ....... 6 2 fi Seycbelle guano ~..■__,-..,.„ 5 17 « Sulphate or potash .._-. „-.,.,.,.. i« 0 o Sulphate or ammonia ..,.-.,..,. 20 n n Potash, 30 per cent ~,......-...., 6 15 0 Nitrate of soda .._,..,.'.; .... 17 10 0 COMPANY REPORTS. The balance-sheet of the Equitable Building and Investment Company of Wellington for- the year ended December 31, 1925, has been circulated, and shows that the net profit for the period amounted to £13,889, as compared with £14,361 for the previous year. Tbe expenses totalled £4249, against £3254, and £401 was written off for loss on mortgage securities, as compared with £826 last year, leaving -tbe net pront at £9239, as against £9685 last year. There was brought rorward £3586, making available £12,824. The dividend for the year at the rate or 10 per cent per annum, of which hair was paid as an Interim dividend, absorbs! £6000, the sum of £3500 has been added to the reserve fund bringing that fund up to £85,000, and £3354 is carried forward. The dlvedend is at the same rate as was paid last year, but -the addition to "the reserve fund is £1250 larger. The. items of the balance-sheet, with those for last year in parentheses, are as follow:—Liabilities: Capital, ' paid up, £60,000 (£60,000); reserve fund £85,000 (_8i,500); deposits and interests, £242,424 (£237,567); contingent securities depreciation account, £5000 (£5000); Investors, £1164 (£1231); sundry credit balances, £6573 (£6202); profit and loss, £6324 (£6586). Assets: Mortgages and interest, £377,299 (£369,----559); sundry debit balances, £417 (£426); Bank or New Zealand, £3906 *£3239); New Zealand Government stock, £24,863 (£24,863); total, £398,086. LARGE GYPSUM CARGO. tv>_ 3a _'f,. t . l ? e £? rei _P Trade Department or nsnn Se ?l e C ? a s fl) ,. r or Commerce:—With snipping Board freighter Paiia* rpcßntioarrived in Seattle. She loaded at San .I. c. usea at the new Seattle m»nt r»r £K_ T andard Gypsum Company! The Pallas ..f fn largest cargo or gypsum ever floated in one ship. The company recent! v obtained a concesslbn on San Biarcos island and constructed a huge plant, aSd otber improvements.* »■_■<_ yes, ana