TIMARU MARKETS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14916, 14 March 1914, Page 13

TIMARU MARKETS.

(Sl-ECIAL ill "TUE I'BESS.") TIMAItU, March 13. A fair amount oi business lias been done iv wlieat on the 'l'iiuaru market tins week. £>ovoral sales navo been made at prices ranging irom 3b od to 3s 7(1 lor lusean, Veiv.et, and Kud Cnalt, while somo otner sales are reported ac 3s ckl, 3a Dd, and 3s lOd {tor very prime Velvet), delivered Timaru. The prices vary a good deal, because some growers are anxious to quit quickly, their wheat not Jieiug in too good condition. Then, too, there is a great difference hi qualities this year, some lines being hard and bright, wnile others, are a good deal weathered. There is a big element of luck attached to going on to tUe market this season with wneata There seems to lie no stability about prices. Among some of tho best sales made during xiie week were a mixed line of Velvet, Tuscan aud K-ed Chatf at 3s 'Jd, Timaru; a Jino of Ked Chatf at the same price; a lino of Velvet (very prime) at 3s JOd, Timaru; a fine ot Ked Chaff and Tuscan at equivalent to 3s Did, Timaru. On the other hand it snould be said that a good many sales have been made at lower prices. Curiously enough, Tuscan, which is generally most plentiful, is in shorter supply than other wheats this year, so.far as can be judged from" present offerings, and some buyers say that they are not prepared to-give any more for Velvet than for Tuscan.

Complaint is heard of the action of Borne farmers in already threshing stacked grain before it has had time to get into condition after sweating in tho stack. Thoso who are thus hurrying their grain on to tho mauket havo to accept a lower price. Comparatively low oats are offering, and it is predict**] that they will not be as dear as they were last year. Sales have been made at ls Gd and ls 7d for Duns, on trucks, country stations, and at ls 4d to ls ud for Algerians on the same basis. Seed Algerians are enquired for from the North Island. Gartons are fetching Is 7d, on trucks, and some small lines of specially good quality have found buyers at is bd. Tlie market for barley is lifeless. There is a little business passing in potatoes, though there is practically no outside enquiiios. The requirements of tho North island are at present being filled without recourse to the South Island, and thoso who are buying aredoing so ou a .speculative basis. They are giving up io £3 10s ncr ton for prime tubers, rides wero made at this figure in Timaru to-day.