PRODUCE MARKETS.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6058, 14 February 1885, Page 2

PRODUCE MARKETS.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report on the produce markets for the week ending 14th February, as foUows :— Wool—Latest reports from London are not of a satisfactory tenor, but it wUI probably be found that this slight reactum is evanescent, and due entirely to the disturbing influence upon trade which the Khartoum disaster would provoke. Preparations are complete for the large sales to be held next week, which promise to pass off satisfactorily. Sheepskins—There was a good attendance at Thursday's sales, and competition was keen for all good lots, but faulty parcels were comparatively neglected. Privately and at auction we placed 2154 skins, at the foUowing prices—Country merinos, Is lid to 3s Id, 3s 5d to 5s Id; country crossbreds, 2s 2d to 3s sd, Ss 7d to 5s 2d; lambskins, 3d to Is 2d, Is 7d to 2s sd; green pelts, 3d to lid, Is Id to 2s 3d; dry pelts,2d to 7d, 8d to Is 3d. , Tallow and Fat—Bough fat sells readily at IJd to 2id, according to quality and condition, and for medium tallow there is a j good demand at 20s to 245. | Hides—Heavy hides are in good request and seU readily at 4d per lb, but light weights are in full supply and neglected by the trade, even at the low price of Sd per lb. <■ Wheat.—The market at Home seems to be in a fluctuating condition. For a few days there is evidence of weakness, then follows a brief period of slight animation, without any material alteration in values however. At the moment the prospect is more hopeful than a week ago, but whilst the supply continues large, and crop prospests remain good, there can be no appreciable enhancement in values. During the early part of the week the weather was most propitious, and "good progress was made with cutting, but the last two days have not been so favorable,_nd they should serve as a warning to farmers to lose not a moment in getting their crops under thatch. first parcel of new wheat reached market early in the week, and was placed at a price withheld. For sound milling wheat of old crop there >is a fair demand, at up to 3a 3d, f.0.b., but this price will not hold long now that the .new is becoming available. Chick wheat meets with limited inquiry, at up to 23 2d, f.o.b. Oate.—Old stocks are not yet exhausted, and are offering at 2b to 2b 2d, f.0.b., whilst several parcels of this season's growth have been brought forward at Is 10d, f.0.b., but we have heard of no transactions at this figure. Barley is being rushed on the market rather.unwisely, we think, as maltsters are not buying at present, and no good purpose can be served by bringing forward immature grain. Grass Seeds.—Ryegrass is now coming to hand freely, but very few of the samples offering can be classed bettor than rough. Ergot is unusuaUy prevalent in the samples we have seen, which at once condemns them, and prevents them being made firstclass. Prices rule at 2s 6d to 3s for farmers' lots, and 3a 6d to 3s 9d for machine dressed. CockafcKit—Cutting is now weU forward, and a large quantity is already saved. Some samples have been on offer, but until prices are estabUshed business of any moment wiU not eventuate. Buyers are offering 3d for prime seed, whilst growers are looking for 3_d. Dairy Produce—Butter is being produced faster than the market can absorb it, stocks are consequently accumulating to the detriment of sales; 7id ia now fuU value, and at this figure business wjtj_Anßtralia driven to the English market for an outlet. Large quantities have gone forward per lonic and Aorangi, and considerably more wiU follow it cool space is provided in the steamers.