PRODUCE MARKETS.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5857, 21 June 1884, Page 2

PRODUCE MARKETS.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report on the produce markets for the week ending June 2oth, as follows:— Wool —The quantity coming forward for shipment is confined entirely to scoured parcels, and as the weather for drying continues unfavorable, deliveries are very light. Sheepskins—Owing to the heavy rain on Wednesday no skins were forwarded from the factory. There was, consequently, not an average supply for Thursday sales. This was fortunate, as the attendance of buyers was not large, ani biddings lacked spirit. The weather, as usual in the dead of winter, is unfavorable to fellmongery operations, and the trade are just now buying with great caution, prices consequently ; show a decline on those ruling early in the | month. For our catalogue we obtained the following prices, which were full, quality considered:—Butchers' crossbreds, 2s 3d to 3s 4d; butchers' merinos, Is lOd to 2s 4d; pelts, 3d to Is Id; country skins, up to 2s 4d. Tallow and Fat—Buyers are not so eager to operate, and current rates are only maintained with difficulty. We placed our entries at 2d, 2_d and 2|d. Hides—A small supply, and these were held over. Wheat—This market still continues in a very depressed state, but as the deliveries of prime milling are more contracted prices show a slightly upward tendency, though at present there is no quotable change in values. Prime milling is -till procurable at 3s 2d to 3s 4d. Damp wheat and seconds are not so firm, and sales are impossible even at a reduction of 2d to 31 on former rates. The bulk of rejected wheats now in store is not improving, and as there are no facilities available to arrest the inevitable decay, agents and growers are alike perplexed to know what course to follow. Oats —Only a feeble enquiry has displayed itself during the we. k. Prices are however v itho'it alteration, and stocks are firmly held in the belief that the Australian demand must soon revive, seeing that consumption is so Large in the absence of other feeding grains. Barley—The market for this grain is quite listless, and in the absence of business quotations are merely nominal. Butter—ls without material alteration in the week. Shipments have been on a limited scale, but as production is greatly curtailed stocks are not large. Prices remain at 8d to 10J. Cheese — Buyers having held aloof, makers are now mure anxious to realise at the pric-s offered. We have consequently heard of sales at 4d, delivered at Lyttelton, loose' Parcels for shipment have been contracted for at 4Jd f .o.b. packed. Grass Seeds —Bye grass is in better request, and business has transpired at 3s 6d, 3s 9d and 4s for different qualities of machine dressed. Farmers' lots are neglected at 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Cocksfoot is offering freely, and some large parcels of prime, held back for a better market, have been quitted at current rate 3. We quote 2_d to 3_d for inferior and discolored, 3j.dto 4id for fair to prime quality. Potatoes —Stock, have been somewhat relieved by shipments to Australia, but large quantities are still offering, and prices are barely supported at 27s 6d within twelve miles of Christchurch. Hay—Sales of good meadow hay have been made at —~3 153 f.0.b., and business would be considerably extended could tonnage be procured on mere reasonable terms. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Limited, report for week ending Friday, June 21st, 18S4: — Business has been quiet during the week, and values remain without alteration. English advices are not encouraging, and were it not for shipments to the adjoining colonies the market would be still more depressed. Direct shipments to Queensland have been made during the week, three vessels having cleared for different ports in that colony. Wheat remains unaltered at last week's quotations. Oats are still wanted for shipment. Barley moves off slowly, and no improvement can be noted in values. Grass Seed—There have been a few inquiries for bright samples of cocksfoot for shipment, but holders are not inclined to do business at buyers' limits. Little firstclass seed remains in growers' hands, and merchants look to an advance in price as the spring demand approaches. Bye grass is not inquired for at the moment. Peas—Any little lot 3of Blue offering are taken for shipment. Feeding sorts, consequent on the quantity of damaged grain available, are but in little demand. Potatoes are dull of sale. The few inquiries of lots ready for immediate shipment are to be attributed to the recent wet weather, which has seriously interfered I with digging, causing temporary cessation jof country deliveries, and thus causing stocks in store to be drawn on to fill up vessels waiting to get away. Butter remains at about the same. Cheese is hardly so much enquired for. It would seem as if every effort was made to find outlets for this article of dairy produce, as not only do the Australian Colonies and England receive shipments more or less! regularly, but a trial shipment to Calcutta has coiae uuder our n< tice. The following are our quotations:— Wheat—Tuscan, to 3s 3d; pearl, 3s 2d ; Hunter's 3s to 3s Id f .0.b.; seconds and slightly damp, ls9d to — 6d f.o.b. rats—Short stout feed, 2s 3d; milling, 2s 4d f.o.b. Barley—Good malting, 3s 9d to is ; feeding to 2s 3d. Grass Seed —Bye, nominal; cocksfoot, 3jd to id at Lyttelton. Peas—Blue Prussian. 3s to 3s 3d. Beans—2s 8d to 2s lOd. Butter—Sd to 9d. Cheese—4dto s£d for prime small loaf. Potatoes —27s 6d to So=-_ saok3 extra, delivered at stations within twelve mites of Christchurch.