COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 10

COMMERCIAL.

PRICE OF WHEAT.

CONFERENCE OF GROWERS AND MILLERS.

NO AGREEMENT REACHED. A conference between the members of the Wheat Board and representatives of the flour-millers was held yesterday morning to discuss matters relating to the price of the present season's wheat. A lengthy discussion took place, which lasted all the morning. When a representative of "The Press" saw Mr G. W. Leadley, the chairman of the Wheat Board, in the afternoon, Mr Leadley stated that there was, as yei, no information available for publication. The conference would be resumed in two or three days. Matters connected with the fixing of the price of wheat appear to be somewhat complicated, more especially by the spell of warm weather and the almost total- absence of rain in Canterbury last month. Comparatively little autumn or winter sowing was done, with the result that the latersown wheat has not reached the subsoil. and has not attained normal giowth. In some quarters it is estimated that it will be necessary for the Dominion, in order to meet its requirements, to import close upon 2,000,000 bushels of wheat. Reports from Australia are to the effect that in the event of such a quantity being required and in the event of Australia being drawn upon to supply it, the Commonwealth Government will stipulate that one-half must be taken in tho form of flour. This report, it i 3 understood, is not official except to the extent that Australian wheatgrowers believe that such an undertaking has been given them by the Commonwealth Government. It is commented that, assuming that this report is correct, there are other sources from which New Zealand can import wheat. Amongst some wheatgrowers in Canterbury it is understood that there is a desire for a free market for the coming harvest's wheat, and in view of the wheat position generally some authorities consider that there is much to be said in support of a free market. At any rate the inconclusiveness of yesterday's conference seems to indicate that there is some difference of opinion between the growers and the millers as to the price at which the new season's crop should be fixed. The agreement entered into between the growers and the millers regarding last season's crop was on the following lines: —Sale free on board at the closest port. In January, February, March, April, and May: Tuscan, 5s Id per bushel; Hunters, 5s 3d per bushel; Pearl, 5s 5d per bushel. An increment of $3 per bushel p3r month to these pi ices for each subsequent month up to and including October.

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

(raOM J. SPECIAL COBSBSSORDINT.) WELLINGTON, 4. The balance-sheet of the Taringa- ' mutu Totara Sawmills, Ltd., for the year epded October " 31st, 1023, 1 shows a gross profit on the trading account of £16,096, a3 against £19,564 • last year. The train revenue was £2357 acainst £2199, and the sale of ,New Zealand Government inscribed stock yielded £1689, making a gross •revenue of £20,242 against £21,566. .The expenditure amounted to £4966, , against £4944, and there was written off cutting rights, locomotives, mill , and bush plant, bad debts, etc., and reserve for _ taxation £5383 as against a £9497, i leaving the net profit at £0893 as compared with £7126 last year. There was 'brought forward £125, making available £IO,OIB. The dividend for the year of ip per cent, and the bonus of 5 per oent., which are the same as last year, absorb £9OOO, leaving £lOlB to be carried forward. Sir Philip Proctor, Australian representative of Vestey Bros., who arrived from, Sydney by the Manuka, leaves here for Lyttelton this evening. yESTEY'S FREEZING WORKS IDLE. i DISPUTE AT GISBORNE. GPMSS ABBOCrtTIO* TBLXOBAM.) GISBORNE, December 4. When Vestey'a recently-acquired freezing works were opened yesterday,, some trouble arose with the slaughtermen, who under the old regime had been reoeiving 2a 6d a 100 in addition to the award rate, on account of it being country work, some of the men having their homes m the town and journeying out 12 miles from town each day. The management advised that the old arrangement no longer existed, and they were not prepared to pay in advance of the award, espec- , ially as plenty of good accommodation for the workmen existed at the works, where 16 of 30 slaughtermen are already in residence. As no agreement has been come to the work was not commenced, and a large number of men are idle.

MOUNT MOORE GOLDMINING CO.

' The prospectus of the Mount MOOIO Gold Mining Co. is advertised in this issue. The capital required is £30,000, divided into 120,000 shares of 5s each, of.which 40,000 are offered to the public at 2s 6d on application, and 2s 6d on allotment. Provisional directors are Messrs A. K. England, W. F. Mc-~ Arthur, ,G. W. J. Parsons, G. D. Macfarlane, and J. G. Mackie, all of Chrißtchurch, with Mr F. Whitcombe as interim secretary, and Messrs B. T. Toßswill and Op. auditors. The object of the company is to take over.-'from the vendors speeial quartz claim 4282 of theNaaeby mining district, known as the Mount Moore Claim, containing Jl9 acres, and the option of purchase of the whole of the Deep Dell Five Stamp Battery, and treatment plant now on the area and held by the Deep Dell Company in liquidation. The property has been prospected, and is stated to show an abundance of promise.' Seports have been received from two practical and experienced miners, and these may be inspected at the secretary's office by prospective ap- \ plicantß for shares.. .. J} . RUSSIAN GRAIN, v * (Received [December 4th, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON. December 4. The "Morning Post 1 says the first consignment ot grain from Russia since the' war is due at Hull on' Sunday. It comprises 2600 quarters each of wheatand _ barley. " r i Other cargoes are due at Southamps J*® and Manchester. A leading .reprer..' 'vS?!*?*"* of grain trade prot m twelve months will tonne* teada with Russia. .

A GERMAN SANTA CLAUS.

TRADE IN FOREIGN TOYS.

COMPETITION WITH BRITAIN

(special to "thh ff.ess

WELLINGTON. December 4

Since the embargo on German trade was lifted only three months ago, tho imports of toys from Germany to New Zealand have cut into tliose from Great Britain, where the unemployed now exceed in numbers the total population of New Zealand. German toys are at present in the stiops throughout the Dominion, and as they are not branded, even the patriotic purchaser may find them m his home. If he does not want to support German industry as against British, ne will see tiuit the toys he bujs arc of British manufacture. The majority of British toy * bear the name of the manufacturer; German toys do not.

The fac-s and figures in connexion with the New Zealand fancy goods and toy trade during recent years are intorosting. The total value of the VV" ports in 19.14 was £174,540, of Germany suppl ed no less th°n £SS,OtX) worth. Then came the war and Ger. man imports in 1915 dropped to while Japanese increased from to £19,495, and Americ!\n from to £11,67' . As the war went on Japan gradually secured tTie bulk of the trade, the figures showing the following totals in 1918 : Japan United Kingdom ... 4/,641 United States _ ... -3,32u Australia France ■ • ■• ■ ' i O - 1 - The trade with Germany had ceased. There was an abnormal importation m 1920, the total value being £468, <6B, of which the United Kingdom supplied £213,276 worth. Last year the figures were: — United Kingdom ... 146,285 France ... 29,357 United States ... 26,863 Japan ... 20,358 Czecho-Slovakia ... 18,966 Australia ... 12,216 Germany 216 Austria ... ... 200 Other countries ... 8,553 Total ... ■■■ £262,84-6 For the months of September and October, since the embargo was lifted, the imports have been as follows: — £ United Kingdom ... 61,420 Frande ... %.. 12,429 United States ... 7,847 Japan ... ... 6,678 Germany ... ... 6,431 Czecho-Slovakia ... 4,382 Australia ... ... 2,613 Italy " ... ... 873 Other countries ... 2,641 Total for two months £105,324 Thus it would appear that if German trade continues at the present ratio, she will secure at least 14 per cent, of the trade for the present year, probably more. In 1921, when the embargo was lifted in India, the bazaars there were swamped with cheap German toys. No doubt some considerable portion of the German toys and fancy goods that are now being put on the market in New Zealand hq.d been waiting in bond for some time previous to the lifting of the embargo. The bulk of the trade is done bv one large firm of export agents, ■ who have their headquarters in Hamburg. This .firm has travellers who visit the different German factories and buv the goods for export to other countries.

DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET.

IMPORTS INTO GREAT BRITAIN. Imports into (3-reat Britain for the nine months ending September 30th were as under, according to the National Dairy Association:—

RANGIORA MARKET. Owing to the long ope 11 of hot, dry weather having seriousiy checked the growth of 6took feed, tiio Kangiora market yesterday wm almost lifeless. lie attendance 01 farmers was smaller than usual, and only _225 sheep, 29 head of cattle and about 50 pigs were yarded. Out cl thirteen pens of sheep, only five changed hands, the sales being—33 fat wethers at 325, 28 at 303, ,121 una horn hoggets at 28s, G ewes and 6 lambs at ISs 6d, and 62 twotooth shorn wethera at 19s 7d. Cattle —The sale was a dragging one ana prices for dairy cows were fully £1 10a belowlast week's quotations. Springers sold at £3 10s to £5 12s Cd, cows in profit at £$ to £3 2s 6d, empty coirs £1 10s to £2 7s 6d, eighteen' months heifers £1 17a 6d, calves 20s and bulls £2 10s to £5. Pig»—The demand was weak, and prices •were 10s per head 'lower than those ruling l last market day. Good stores made 30s to 40s, and weaners 14s to 18s. Poultry—Roosters to 10s a cowrie, cockerels ss, hens 63 and ducks to 10s. Produce—Chickwheat 16s. to 18s a sack, oata 15s to 17s, meal ISs, oataheaf chaff ss, potatoes 8s to 10a, green peas' 2s a peck, lettuces 3a a dozen, and' onions 6d a bunch. Sheepskins—Halfbreas 16® 6d to 17s, threeqvuurterbred 12s, crossbreds 8s to 10s, pelts Is 6dd, bag wool Is per lb, crutchings Bd, pieces 6d to Bd, fat ljd Jb, hides 2d lb, and horsehair Is 6d. ASHBURTON MARKET. Owing to the continuance of the dry weather the entry of sheep at the Ashburton yards yesterday was one of the smallest on record and consisted only of 25 fat ewes andtwb hunba and 18 wethera. The sales •were: —lo ewes at 24s 3d, 9 at 276, 2 at 275, 2 with lambs at foot at 17s, 1 at 27s 6d, 1 at 28s. Wethera—S at 81s 6d, 3d at 31s Sd and 1 at 88e.

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

(BY OU2 COIIHEECIAL EDITOB.)

Tuesday Evening

The continuous spell of warm weather is causing many farmers to become pessimistic as to the prospects of a good crop. Certain it is that the weather is having a bad effect on cereals, but a day's rain would undoubtedly make a great difference to tho crops. The oat crops have been badly affected and in manv instances they will turn out a failure, according to farmers' statements, which, however are inclined to be more gloomy than' is warranted, so a merchant stated to-day. Snring-sown wheat is another l me which is being badly hit by the warm nor'-westers and absence of rain, and there is little doubt that it will ne necessary to import wheat to meet all the requirements of the Dominion. Linseed, however, is quite satisfactory, and as for partridge peas, reports from farmers indicate that they have never looked better, the weather suiting them admirably. 1 Chaff appears at present to be neglected-, and very few enquiries have come to hand from Auckland to better the position. • The market keeps firm for fowl wheat, which is being sold at a price equivalent to from 5s 5d to 5s fid f- 0 -"- North Island. wh:oh works out about os ] d tn 5s 2d to farmers. The trade generally has the "wind up" more or less over the oat market, which been rising rather rapidly latelv. B Gartons have been sold at 3s sd, although 3s was the best nricc* reached by them last week. A s liave been sold at as high as 3s Od for December delivery.

Cocksfoot is about tho same as it was during last week-end, the price for 16-171b seed being 9£d per lb bemerchants.

The potato crons nre looking; well and nresent indications ooint to a bountiful yield. Potatoes, fortunatelv, stand a neriod of dry -weather well, and if they pet some rain on them within the next few weeks they should do all ri<rht. The weather has resisted in a stimulation of enquiries among speculators for new season's potatoes, but on the other hand it has had the eff?ft of making severs harder to do business with. Farmers think, naturally enough, that if the present weather continues for a considerable period the crops will give a poorer yield than is necessary to meet requirements, anu they are consequently inclined to adopt a wnit-nnd-see policy. The following arc the Quotations to be paid to fanners at-country stations, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated : "Wheat—Tuscan 5s 3£d, Hunters 5s Pearl 5s 7£d. Fowl wheat —us Id for whole. Chaff—Bright oatsheaf, £4 15s. Oats—Gartons 2s 8d to 2s 9d. "White 'Clover—ls to Is 2d. Italian ryegrass—ss per bushel. Cowgrass—sd to BJd. Cocksfoot—sd to 6d. Flour—£ls 10s per tcin.' per toil, f.0.b., main ports; "Os extra for smaller-packing. Bran—£s per ton, f.o.b. main ports, 10s extra for smaller packing. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES. (by cable—press association coptkight.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) -LONDON, December 3. The exchange rates are as follow: Par. Nov. 30. Dec. 3. Paris, fr. to £1 .. 25.223 81.20 80.50 Brussels, fr to £1 .. 25.225, 94.35 93.20 Christiania, kr to £1 18.159 29.03 29.00 Copenhagen, kr to £1 18.1,59 24.23 -24.15 ' Ftockholm, kr. to £1 19.159 16.27 18.67 TTerlin, - marks to £1 20.25 28 to 35 billion 17 to 22 billion Rome, lire to £1 .. 22.22 i 100 100 i New York, dol. to £1 4.86 4.35g 4.34J Montreal, dol. to £1 4.86 4.44J 4.43)1 Yokohama, st to yen 21.5 26gd 26|d Hong Kong, dol. to £1 * 27gd 27Jd Calcutta, at. to rp. 10 to gold £ 17 3-lGd 17id 'Determined by price of silver. DRAFTS ON NEW ZEALAND. '(Received December 4th, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. The Associated Australian Banks will, on December 14th, reduce their buying rate for drafts on Australia and Now Zealand by 5s per cent. DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs A. H. Turnbull and. Co. aTe in receipt of the following cablegram from "W. Weddell and Co. Ltd., dated London, November 30th:—"Danish butter 216s to 213s (last week 216 a to 218 a); New Zealand unsaltod S2»s (last week 2165); New ZeaJand salted 212s to 216s (last week 206s to 210s). Market firm. New Zealand cheese white 104s to 108s (last week 1083 to 110s); New Zealand cheese coloured 106 a to 110s (last week 110s to 112s). Market firmer."

LONDON WOOL SALES. (Received December 4th, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. At the wool sales 12,673 bales were offered, of.which 6906 were Australian, and 5458 New Zealand. There was a large and representative attendance of buyers, and the market was extremely cheerful and buoyant. Last weed's Liverpool prices were fully maintained. All merinos sold at from par to five per cent, above the last London closing prices. Fine crossbreds were fully five per cent., and medium and low crossbreds fully 30 per cent, better. Continental buyers were very active on merinos and fine and medium crossbreds Yorkshire was active for all merinos but quiet on crossbreds. ' At Bradford the cheerful prices were fully maintained, with an occasional advance. D«lgety and Company, Limited have received the following cablegram from their .London office, dated, December 3rd: London W 00l Sales—£>ales opened, good selection of wools. Attendance of buyers is good. Competition very animated for crossbreds. Good demand for merino, but occasionally irregular. Prices as compaired with last London sales closing rates are for merino wools unchanged, halfbred wools, lid to 2}d higher; line crossbred, 2d to 2Jd; higher, medium and coarse circesbred, lid to 2d higher. The following is range of prices realised .-—Halfbred 56-58's, good to super, 26jd to 28Jd, low to medium 22Jd to 25Jd; halfbred, 50-56's, good to super, 22d to 24§d, low to medium, 18$ d. to 20Jd; fine crossbred, 48-50's, good to Buper, 19d to 21{d, low to medium 163 to 18d; fine crossbred, 46-48's, good to super, 17Jd to 19d, low to medium, 14id to 163 rd; crossbred, 44-46's, good to super, 15i to 16* d, low to medium, 13d to 14Jd; crossbred, 40-44's, good to super, 13Jd to 14$ d, low to medium, 12£ d to 13d; coarse crossbred, 36-40"s, good 13d, low to medium, lljd to 12£ d." The National Mortgage and Agency Co., of N.Z., Ltd. have received the following cablegram from their London office regarding wool:

"Auctions opened with a large attendance of buyers, and keen competition. Compared with closing rates of las' sale, we report an advance on all grades as under: Greasy merino, Jd; halfbred, 50-56, Id; crossbred 43-50, 12d; crossbred 46-43, l£d • crossbred 44-46, Id; crossbred 40-44, Id; crossbred, 36-40, Id." The New Zealand Loan &nd Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd. received the following 1 cablegram from their London office: "London Wool Sales—There was a good attendance at the opening of the Bales, co'upetflion by Home, Continental, and American buyers being good. Prices as compared with close of preceding series ruled from par to 5 per cent, higher for merino and 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, higher lor crossbred. The opening catalogues were representative." Pyne, Could, Guinness, Ltd., hava received the following cablegram from London under date 3rd inst:—"Pine cross 10 per cent.; medium coaireo, 10 per cent., 15 per cent, dearer than last London sales:"

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated Ist December, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London: BUTTER. Demand has improved considerably, notwithstanding higher rates, and a mm tone prevaili. Olticial quotations are: New Zealand. baited. Finest. December 2 si —212s to 21Gs per cwt (Is lOjd to is lid per i'o). November 24th —206s to 210s per cwt (Is lOd to Is IOJd par lb). November lTtu—2o2s to 203s per cwt (Is 9id to Is lOd per lb). Other Qualities. December 1st —206s to 2uS3. per cwt (13 lOd to Is 10; d... per i'o). Unsaited. December lst--220s pi-r cwt (Is ll£d per lb). ■ November 34th—21&3 per cv.'t (is lid per fb). November 17th —Not given. Australian. Baited. December 1st —204s to 20Ss per cwt (Is 9Jd to is 10Jd pev lb). November 24t'h —19Ss to 202s per cwt (Is 9}d to Is per lb). November 17th —192s !®j 193s per cwt (Is B}d to Is OJd per lb). Other Qualities. December 1st —196s to 200s per cwt (Is 9d to Is 91d per lb). Unsaited. December 1st —20Ss to 212s per cwt (Is 10>d to Is lCK'd per lb). November 24th—208s per cwt (Is IOJd per lb). November 17th—200s to 202s per cwt (Is 9Jd to 13 PJcl per lb). Argentine. Finest. December 1st —186s to 190s up to 194s per cwt (Is Bd, Is B}d to Is BJd per lb). November °4th—l76s to 18Gs per cwt (Is (jj -1 to Is 7Jd per lb\ November 17th—166s to 176s per cwt (13 ojd to Is CJd per lb). Other Qualities. December Ist—lsos to 184s per cwt (Is 4d to Is 7Jd per lb). . Danish. Firm. December Ist—2l6s to per cwt (Is ] IJ per lb). lid per lb). November 17fh—2!9« to 216s per cwt (Is 10Jd to 1b 11a pev 110. CHEESE. Market firm but quiet, and more business being done. Official quotations are: English. Finest Farmers' (firm). December Ist—lHoS to 1453 per cwt (Is 2id lo Is 3id per lb). November 24th —135s to 145s per cwt (13 to Is 3Jd per lb). November 17th—135s to 145s per cwt (Is 21d lo Is 3£d per ,1b). Canadian. December Ist—Coloured, IOSs to HQs per cwt (ll£d to lljd per lb). White: fOSs to 110s per cwt (llid tolled per lb). November 24th—Coloured: lUBs to 112s per cwt (lljd to Is per lb). White: 108s to 110s per cwt (lljld to Hid per lb). November 17t.li —Coloured, 102s to 108s per cwt (lid, llid per lb). White, 102s to 108s per cwt (lid. llld per lb). New Zealand. "December Ist—Coloured: 106s to 110s per cwt- (H}<i to 112 d per lb). White: 104 ato IOSa lip to 1103 pel cwt (lid, lljd, lljd per lb). November 24th—Coloured: 110s to 112s per cwt (112 dto Is per lb). White: 108s to 110s per cwt (11 id to 11 Jd per lb). November 17 th—Coloured, 102s to 108s per cwt (lid, llld per lb). White, 100 a to iOGs per cwt (10id, lljd per lb). HEMP. Manila market very fiim. J grade spot, November-January and Decembctr-February shipments sold at £32 53 to £33 per ton. G grade November-January shipments, £37 15s per ton. Market closed firm at these prices. New Zealand market a littlo ■ mora frtivo, bi-t business confined to small limits. Business has been done in highpointn, No-vember-January shipments at £32 103 per ton. Fair grade £3O 10s per ton. WOOL. Bradford market continues firm. Crossbred more active. Present quotations are: Tops, 64's (Merino), 5s Id; 56's (super halfbred), 3a 3d; 40's (prepared coarse crossbred), Is 6Jd. Sales commence Monday,, 3rd instant. PEAS. Continental demand is good tor Ulue and market considerably stronger. Japanese on passagd and forward have, been 'sold, far £2l per ton. New Zealand nominally worth £l7 to £2O per ton ex store; Tasmanian, £2O to £2l per tern; English small, round, hand-picked., quoted at £l9 10s to £2O 10s per ton; and Dutch at £23 10s per ton ex store. No forward business in New Zealand Maple owing to the poor quality of recent . arrivals. EGGS. Steady demand for all sections. English, Danish, Dutch, 28s, 36s per long 100; Italian, Spanish, 21s 6d, 26s per long l 100: Lithuanian, American, Canadian, Argentine, Russian, Polish, Egyptian, lis 3d, 18s per long ICO; Australian, 21s 6d, 24s per long 100.

NAPIER WOOL SALE.

THE RANGE OF PRICES. (rasas associattow TBLEQBAM.) NAPIER, December 4. The range at the wool eale was as follows:

CHRIST CHURCH STOCK EXCHANGE.

YESTERDAY'S TRANSACTIONS. Sales Reported—Bank of Australasia, £l3, £l3 la {2 parcels); Christchuroa Gas, £$ 2s 6d; Kc'.ipse Petrol (iH paid), Ss. Sales on 'Change—Bank oi Australasia £l3 Is. LATEST QUOTATIONS.

OTHER EXCHANGES. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, December i. Sales—New Zealand Inscribed, 19-27-41, £3B; Soldiers' Inscribed, £IOO 183; Auckland Gas (con.), as sd; Milne and Choyce (B pref.), 23s 9d; N.Z. Breweries, v £4s, 24s 3d; Tfrkapuna Trams, 20j; Wilson's Cement,. 2tts; "VYaihi, 29a 6d, 29s 3d; Grand Junction, 4s 9d, 4s lOd. WELLINGTON, December 4. Sales reported—lnscribed Stock, -1933, £IOO 15s; Union Bank, £l4 17s fid. DUNEDIN, December 4. Sales—Bank of New Zealand (new issue), 49j Bd. . Sale reported—Bank of New Zealand, 51a 3d. WHEAT. (Received December 4th, 9 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. "\Yfieaf—Cargoes aro quiet and unchanged owing to the heavy world shipments. Parcels are quiet. Australian January-Febru-ary new is quoted at 45s a quarter. , METALS. Deceived December 4th, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. Copper—Spot £62 8s 9d, forward £63 3s 9d'. Lead—Spot £3l 10s, forward £29 15s. Spelter—Spot £33, iorward £33 55.. Tin—Spot £238 8s 9d, forward £239 7s 6d. Silver—33id per ounce. TALLOW. LONDON, December 4. Tallow—Stocks, 6512 casks: imports, 1974 casks; deliveries, 2790 casks. REILLY'S (DUNEDIN) MARKET REPORT.

Actual prices secured for Christchurcn consignors at yesterday's sale: Very lieavy consignments Christcnurcti tomatoes forward, steins on, Is sd, Is 6d, Is 7d Is 8d; stemless, Is 4d, Is sd, Is 6d; seconds over-rloc, Is 2d, Is 2d; small inferior thirds, Is, Is; energies, choice, Is, la Id, Is 2d, Is 3Jd; green gooseberries, short requirements, Vlji, 2;[d, 3d; black currants, 5Jd, 7d, 8d; local gripes, 6s 9d; potatoes, 2d, 2£d; green peas, choice, 3Jd, 4d; stale, inferior, bleached, lid, 3id; broad beans 2Jd, 3d; strawberries, lid, Is, Is 2d; cabbages,'choice, 4s 6d; lettuce, choice, 2s; cucumbers, choice, 10s 6d, 12s, 14s; small, inferior, misshapen, 4s 6d, 10s; asparagus, 6s 6d, 9s, 10a; eggs, Is 4d; Winter Ivelis ■Dears, 14s, 15s. Consign your pi'oduce to. Eeilly'a Central Produce Mart, Ltd., Dunedin. Prompt action, record sales, and honest service are assured. 6

EGG AUCTION. Messrs Harris Bros, report that the usual weakly auction sale of Feather Brand guaranteed fresh eggs, on behalf of the Canterbury Egg Farm el's' Co-operative Association, was held in their rooms, 158 Hereford street, yesterday afternoon. The following prices were realised: —Hen eggs, Ist grade (2oz or over) Is 4d; hen egg 3, grade (under 2oz) Is 3d. 6

BUTTER. 1921. 192.2. . 1823. From— Cwt. Cwt. Cwt. Finland >. 45,216 87,454 103,951 Sweden .. 3 11,022" 33,6-17 Denmark .. 929,649 1,050,546 1.393,470 Holland . .. 62,287 65,237 129,136 France .. 898 11,629 87,255 United. States.. 1,910 81,808 10,325 Argentina .. '358,592 Australia .. 754,475 262,117 772,623 838,560 377,9S0 444,571 Now Zealand .. 613,708 940,120 Canada .. 39,645 114,804 10,714 Other countries 22,245 35,740 482,784 Total cwt. 2,828,078 8,281,842 4,019,936 CHEESE. 1921. 1922. 1923. From— Cwt. Cwt. Cwt. Holland ... 101,145 125,438 149,007 Italy .. 4,192 26,626 73,623 United States.. 47,293 18,361 38,984 Australia .. 63,689 Xew Zealand .. 1,208,764 93,403 39,2»1 1,214,045 1,211,980 Canada .. 752,656 564,889 558,030 Other oountriea 34,449 55,381 56,087 Total cwt. 2,212,168 2,098,843 2,127,004 Tho total exports from Canada were as under:— Butter. Cheese. Boxes. Boxes. From May 1 to Oct. 20, 1S23 68,430 1.013,327 From May 1 to Oct. 20, 1922 306,431 968.02.2 Butter. Cheese. During Aug. Canada - sent Boxes. Boxes. To United States 7,400 3,000 1.800 100 To China To Denmark — 600 The total exports of butter from Australia were:— From Sept. 1 to Nov. 21, 1922 .. '253 tons From Sept. 1 to Nov. 21, 1923 .. 3483 tons

d d Southdown —. 21 to 24-J Hnlfbred— Extra super .. .. 23 to 251 Average .. 20i to 221 Coarse Halfbred— Extra super to 221 Super .. .. 19 to 20i Average .. 16 J to 182 Inferior .. 14 to 15J Fin? crossbred— Super .. .. .. 191 to 20i Average .. . j. .. 16J to 181 14| Inferior .. .. 13 to -Medium crossbred—• Super .. 15J to 17 Average .. 134 to 151 Inferior .. .. 10J to 121 Coarse crossbred— Super .. 131 to 142 Average .. 101 to 122 Inferior .. .. Di to 10i Low crossbred— Super 10 to 111 Average .. .. 9 to 10 Inferior .. 81 to 91 Hoggets— Fine .. .. to 20i 17 Medium 12J to Coarse .. .. .. 10 to 13 Low .. .. 9 to 102 Lambs— Down lambs— Fine ' .. ,, .. 151 to 172 Medium Bellies und pieces— to 131 Halfbred good to super to 22 Crossbred extra super .. 18 to 19 G-ood to super v. .. 14g to 17 Low to medium 7 to 10 Crutchings— Medium to good .. 7 "to ID Inferior and seedy .. Locks— .. 5 to 62 Merino halfbred and crossbred 4J to 61

Stock. Buyers. Sellers. £ is. d. £ 6. 1 i. N.Z. GOVT. DEBENTL' i'a-.S— ■ii per tent. Inscribed. 1333 96 12 6 97 0 0 is ]H'i" cent. Inscribed, 193S £6 12 6 97 0 0 5 per cent. Bond3, 1027 97 17 6 9S 5 0 5i per cent. Inscribed, 1033 100 15 0 101 10 0 6i por cent. Bonds, 1933 100 17 6 101 10 0 5i per cent. Inscribed, 1927-41 — 93 10 0 COMPANY DEBENTURES— Glaxo, per cent., 1343 82 10 0 Booth, Macdonaid, 7i per cent., 1931 ■ 94 10 0 BANKS — Australasia 13 2 0 New South. "Wales (ex div.) 40 0 0 40 10 0 New Zealand (old) 2 11 0 2 11 6 Royal (£1 paid) — 1 16 6 Royal (£4 paid) — 6 18 0 Union of Australia .. 14 17 0 15 0 0 INSURANCE— National 3 15 0 New Zealand .. 1 8 3 1 9 3 Standard 1 18 6 1 19 3 LOAN AND AGENCY— Mort 2 5 0 2 5 3 SHi.l'i'ING- — Howard, Smith 2 11 0 P. and 0. Def. Stock (cum div.) 297 0 0 310 0 0 FROZEN MEAT— Canterbury (cum div.) 15 5 0 Canturbury (prei., cum div.) 5 G 0 N.Z. Refrig. (paid) — 1 3 6 N.Z. Eefrig. (contr.) .. o ii 2 0 11 4 North Canterbury 2 6 0 COAL— Taupiri — 1 0 6 Kikurangi (pref.) rights — 0 2 0 WOOLLENS— Kaiapoi (ord.) — 1 1 3 Kaiapoi (contr.) — 0 11 0 K:\ianoi (pref.) — 1 1 3 GAS—* Christchurcli .. 8 0 0 — BREWERIES— B.own 2 17 3 2 18 0 Manning 1 5 "0 i e 0 CEMENTS — Wilson's .. .. 1 7 6 — TIMBER— Kauri (cum div.l 18 4 — MISCELLANEOUS— Beatli and Co. 1 12 0 1 13 0 British Tobacco (Anst.) 2 0 0 2 2 3 Burns, Philp 1 11 G i m 3 Glenmore Brick and Tile 1 0 0 '.—' Mason, Struthera (£1 paid) 1 & 9 1 5 6 Mason, Struthera (14s paid) 0 14 6 0 15 9 Mason, Strutters (Cs P>aid) O 6 4 O 7 0 Mason, Strulliers, (4a paid) .. 0 4 2 — ' N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. (£5 paid) N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. 1 10 0 2 10 0 (£2 paid) 0 6 0 — N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. (6 pef- cent, cum pref.) 2 9 0 3 15 0 N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. (6 por cent. pref. re div only) — 2 10 0 N.Z. Paper Mills — 1 2 6 N.Z. Sugar of Milk .. 1 7 s 1 10 0 B.A.W.R.A. o ie 0 0 16 3 Electro. Zino (rights) 0 8 4 — MINING— Waihi Grand Junction 0 4 6 —