ENGLISH MARKETS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7781, 7 February 1891, Page 6

ENGLISH MARKETS.

The New Zealand Fabmers' Co-opera-tive Association report through their Loudon agents, Messrs W*. Weddel and Co., 16 St. Helen's place, London, under date December 27th, as follows:— WOOL.

Since the close of the fifth - series there has been some private enquiry—a circumstance which seems to confirm the opinion that consumers are supplying themselves very carefully and with the closest reference to the requirements of the moment. As far as can be judged at present, the chief demand appears to come from the Continent, and probably it has been to some extent.helped by a knowledge that the new clip, even as I regards the January arrivals, will not come forward as rapidly aud in such large quantities as was at one time anticipated. Apart from this feature the outlook still remains somewhat obscure. It may be regarded as certain that sooner or later during the forthcoming year there will be a greater amount of raw material to handle than during the past twelve months. The supplies of wool of a kindred class to colonial have been influenced this year by a deficiency in the River Plate shipments of'something like 109,000 bales, and though possibly the new season's shearing may not turn out a very heavy one, still, it is hardly probable that so important a shortage will be again experienced in the Argentine production. There are also some other circumstances which would rather lend weight to the opinion that we may have to reckon with conditions which favor some contraction . rather than an expansion of trade for some time to come. Meanwhile, however, and having reference to more immediate prospects, the small extent to which consumers are stocked, and the largo requirements of the machinery now running, taken in connection with the fact that the supplies for January will probably not be very excessive, may perhaps justify the view that, whatever the ultimate course of th'e market may prove, possibly the least satisfactory results may hardly be realised during the first auctions of the new year. Arrivals for the first series in 1891 (opening on 27th proximo) amount to about 110,000 bale-., of which only 3/4,000 are from New Zealand.

GRAIN. Wheat —A spell of severe wintry weather, with frost, snow, and fag, ia impeding the transit and delivery of goods, but has had a hardening effect upon the markets. The trade has also been strengthened by a continued French demand for white wheat cargoes, both near and ajb a distance, and prices rule in sellers' favor to the extent of 3d to fid per quarter. English wheat is held for more money iv most of the country markets. The official report ot this year's wheat crop in Great Britain has just been published, and gives the average yield at 30.74 bushels per acre, or a total of 9,170,000 quarters, against 9,150,000 quarters id 18S9 and 9,000,000 quarters iv 1888. In foreign, Russian sellers hold more firmly ia consequence of reported injury to their; crops j in the ground by intense frost, which has also blocked up most of their ports. Indian parcels are also rather dearer, i California-, cargoes are still in demand for the Continent, and prices show an advance of 6d per quarter, to-day's values being 38s to 38s 3d off coast, 37s 9d to 38s j for prompt shipment per 5001b, e.i.f_ JJ.K. Australian—The '■ campaign in the new crop has .been opened by the sale of three cargoes for December-February shipment at 37s 3d per4Bolbs c.i.f„ U.B_, but sellers refuse to go on at the price. A cargo of ILOOOqroldcropwheathasalsobeensoldfor November-December shipment at 37s 6d. New Zealand cargoes are firm and rather dearer. The Serica was sold on passage at 38s 4_d c.i.f, net cash, and has since arrived at port of call. Off coast, Cambrian Monarch, 8627qrs from Lyttelton, was taken for Havre at 36s 9d; West Australian, 3770qrs from Timaru, for Caen, at 37s 6d, and Carl, 6892qrs from Lyttelton. has been ordered to Cork. Iron Duke, Serica and Northern Monarch are still awaiting orders. Australian on the spot is 6d per qr dearer, at 38s 6d to 39s for good wheat, which is- .scarce. New Zealand finds, a steady sale at full prices, but the demand is not very active. We repeat our last quotations, viz. -—Sound longberried, fair to good, 37s to 38s per 4961b, ex store; do short-berried do, 35s 6d to 36s 6ddo.

New Zealand Oats meet with only a limited demand at about previous prices, ' viz., 25s 6d to 26s 6d for heavy, and __s to 23s for medium per 3S_lb. ex store. New Zealand Barley is neglected and not likely to be wanted before the turn of the year. Quotations are nominally the same, viz., 323 to 35s per 4481b, ex store, for medium qualities. New Zealand Beans are quiet, - but steady at -2s to 33s per SOilbs, ex store. Butter—The.severe weather has interfered with the shipment of Continental descriptions, and the market being generally bare of supplies, values have moved upwards. Consignments of Australian ex Orizaba (s), being of good quality and in satisfactory condition, sold up to 116s gr cwt,- Consignments per Aorangl (s) im New Zealand are only partially landed, but may be considered worth about 90s to 105s per cwt. according to

jqUaiity. . Danish is quoted at 122s to 132s Sir cwt, Normandy at 100s to 128s, and rittany at 86s j&o 103s per cwt. .. Cheese—The Christmas holidays have caused, a general slackening In the demand, and all descriptions have been slow ol sale,. American is now worth nominally 46s to 52s per cwt. There is no New -Zealand on the market.

Hemp.—At the only auction held since the departure of last mail 1433 bales were* offered and about 4/500 bales sold at somewhat irregular rates. The better qualities fully maintained their value, hat' middling and inferior receded occasionally. Fair Wellington made only £21 10s to £23 per ton—a decline of £1 to £1 10s per ton, while good Wellington realised £25, and good Lyttelton £25 to £27 5s per con. The market closes quiet.