THIS MARKETS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9604, 19 December 1896, Page 8

THIS MARKETS.

Fi'ess Association—By Telegraph- Copyright London, December 17. The weekly returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserve to be £20,002,000, and the proportion of reserve to liabilities 52.88. Three months' bills are discounted at 8 9-16 per cent. Consols, 110£. New South Wales 4 per cents., 116£; 8£ do, 107; 3 do, 101. Victorian 4 per cents, 110|-; 3£ do., 104£. South Australian 4 per cents., 112 ; 3 } do, 111£. Queensland 4 per cents., 111£; 3£ do, 105. Tasmanian 3 J per cents., 108. Western Australian Si- per cents., 111. New Zealand 4 per cents. 112 ; 3| do 105; 3 do, 100. New Zealand frozen mutton, first quality, 3£d per lb; second, 2|d; lamb, 3£d. The English wheat market is quiet, with an inclination to weakness ; the Continental is depressed, while the American is declining and weak. Californian No. 1 milling wheat for early shipment per 5001b, c.f.i., is quoted at 34s 6d. Eussian cargoes per steamer per 4921b, c.f.i., 31s 6d. The Bradford wool market is weaker. The sugar market is dull with prices unchanged. Sydney, December 18. Official returns of the estimated wheat harvest are that the yield will be 7,435,000 bushels, being an average of 9.8. The area under crop increased by 187,000 acres, compared with the previous year. The hope of a bountiful harvest was upset by the prolonged dry weather in September and October, and although there are splendid crops in many places, the great wheat growing areas give only moderate results. The requirements of the colony are computed at a million and a quarter bushels for seed, and 7,435,000 for food. Messrs Dalgety and Co., Limited, have received cable advice from their head office, dated London 17th inst., as follows:— " Fair demand for hides (in general). Any change in prices is in favour of buyers."