GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7937, 10 August 1891, Page 3

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

The volume of business in all lines of this market during July has dwindled down to comparatively insignificant proportions, and at the moment there are no indications of any near renewal of activity. _.._.*_ Wheat—Locally tbe price of wheat has been well maintained, owing to the paucity of our stocks and the consequent firmness of holders. Public cables report that the yield of wheat in the United States this season will be upwards of 520,000.000 bushels, or an increase of 100,000 000 bushels on last year's crop. Whether this will counterbalance the anticipated shortage in Europe remains to "___ s__.-_.fl Oats—For some time past a firmer tone has been reported in oats, but softrwe are unable to quote any appreciable advance. There is still an utter absence of enquiry from our; neighbors across the water, and while many cling to the belief that a marked improvement is imminent, it is difficult to know from what quarter it may be expect^. BARUSY-Barley keeps persistently dull, and whatever demand there was during July it certainly was of a very transitory nature. , ~ Potatoes—The worst feature oi tne month was undoubtedly the complete and heart-breaking collapse in the potato market, and what still more aggravates the position is that it was partly due to shippers here. Despite repeated protestations and warnings from Sydney merchants the pernicious system of consignment still goes on. A moments reflection should show growers that the dumping down of thousands of sacks on an already overloaded market must of necessity have the effect of " knocking the bottom oat of it. As it is our potatoes are practically unsaleable, and. unless relief comes shortly from

somewhere, the season, now far advanced, will be the most disastrous experienced for years. Peas ash Beans—There has been no outlet for peas and beans this season, and fjrowcrß have had, as usual, to sees: refuge n the London market, and, as freights are somewhat easier, the results may be more satisfactory than they have been of late. S___D3—Spring weather has set in somewhat prematurely, *nd the demand for grass seed and clovers has revived. Unfortunately very little rain fell during i *_.*. wbich has interfered materially with business, but should timely showera lall it is confidently anticipated that a very brisk trade will be done in this department. Dajry PRODUCE-Butter also in fair request, the demand being niainlv supplied from the North Island. Cheese has also had a moderate enquiry, and remains steady at to-day's quotations. The weather throughout July was unusually bright and cenial, with mild days followed by severe frosts at night, but the lattter together with a very scanty rainfall have greatly retarded the progress of the autumn sown wheat, reports of which from many district, are not as favorable as we could desire. The following are tne quotations of the day :— Wheat—Tuscan - _ _« 3d Pearl .. .. 4 S 2d Hunter's .. .. 4s id „,.° 1 ! doltwhe * fc - Oats—Milling ~ Is 9d to Is lOd Do.—Stout short feed .. _s_dtols9i Do -Inferior ordinary feed Is Id to Is 64 Barley—Prime malting __. 3. to 3s 3d Feed .. .. Is 9d to 2s H-uiU-K .. .. '_s6dto2sßd 5 8an, «, v. •• 2s7dto2«tfd Peas—Blue Prussians _, 3s to 3s 2d Feed.. .. .. 2s 60 to 2s 8d Seeds-Ryegrass _. __ Machine dressed, _ ,_, . 5s 3d to 5a fid Cocksfoot .. .. __d_osJ__ Red clover, colonialgrown .. 6dto6_d Oowgrass, colonialgrown .. .. 6Jdto7d Flour, in sacks (roller. _ £12 Fleur (stone) _. _. £11 Oatmeal _ __ £9 _e__lo_ Pearl barley - _. £16 Bran £3los Pollard £3 las Potatoes (at country stations) .. nomlaal Butter—Prime factory (keg) la Medium Dairy .. lOd Commoi.. — 4dtosd Cheese .. .. .dtooi Hams and bacon—ln cloth 7d, 7_i Prices for the above are _.o.b. as Lrttelto-.