FINANCE AND COMMERCE

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18343, 28 March 1925, Page 10

FINANCE AND COMMERCE

(BY OI'R COMMERCIAL EDITOR.)

REVIEW OF THE SHARE MARKET. The tone of the Share Market continues good—Hie number of sales re- ' ported on the various Kxchangcs is above the weekly average—and most classes of stocks quoted arc in good demand, although Government loans do not appear to have attracted so mueh attention during the past two or three days. In Government Loans the H per cent. Stock improved from turnover last week at £96 5s to business this week at £96 10s, and the Bonds changed • hands at £9O IL's tid, showing an ad- ' vance of 2s 6d on previously recorded transactions. The 5 per cent. Post Office Stock due in"1927 is wanted at £9B, but holders are reticent, and no sales have been reported for the past month. The •Stock due 1929 was dealt in at £97 10s, an easing of 10s on last week's business. For 5i per cent. Soldiers' Settlement Loan Stock, which was placed last week »t £IOO 15s, £lOl, and £IOO 17s 6d, unsupported sellers are now asking ..' £lOl ss; and the Bonds arc sought at ..£lOl, which is on a par with last '■>'. week's highest recorded sales, but hold•ers want £lOl ss. .. NZ. Breweries' Debentures were .dealt in at 21a 10d and tils lid, as . against last week's transactions at .-prices ranging from,2ls 9d to 22s 3d. W Thore is strong demand for Bank .Shares, and prices on the whole show . •lit.tlo variation as' compared with last ■-•..meek. ' •..- Bank of Australasias changed hands at £l4 Is and £l4, as against business at the' latter figure last week, and late •sellers want £l4 2s 6d, buyers Is 6d .'-..'lower. • ■Bank of Adelaide and Bank of Victoria shares, which arc not regularly •quoted on tho local market, had busi'nesa at £B-7s 6d for the former, and ■;• i£6 19s 6d and £7 for the- latter; "■■. National Bank of Australasia fully-_ ■' paid share's were placed at £ls 16s and £ls 16s 6d, as compared with transac- - :tions at the former figure Jast weok, • and more are wanted at £l-> IGs, soll- ' ers Is higher. Recorded turnover of National lianii '"of; New Zealand shares'at £<> 14s shows ' ""an easing of Is 6d on last week,_ and late sellers are offering at £0 Ui, ".'without attracting a declared buyer. New South "Wales,'which sold last •''week'at £4l 7a 6d and £4l 10s, are ■'" bow on offer at £4l ss, buyers at £4l. (New Zealands, ex rights, show little variation with recorded transactions at '62s 9d. 52a 6d, 535, and 52s 9d, and late buyers are offering 52s .M, sellers ." quoting 53s 6d. The "rights" changed M3nanas*t 31s 3d, 31s. 4d, 31s sd, 31s 6d, ''•ana 31s 9d, as compared with .last week's'sales at 31s Id, 31s 2d, and 31s • Sd, and more are wanted at ols wi,.. sellers (id higher. :" ■■ Union Banks were dealt in at Slo : 17s 6d, £l4, and £l3 19s 6d, as [ agaW £l3 IW' and £l4 k >- and more are available at £l4, with declared buyers at £l3 19s. # In the Insurance group business has '--been confined to New Zealands at •<3is 2a, an advance of 2d on that done last week, and subsequent buyers offerk '3os 9d, with sellers rOi higher. < Nationals have demand at 69s 6drwitu -■declared sellers ut 72s 6.1. South '" British wore available a day or two ago at 46s 9di but buyers are not quot■■•ine—last reported turnover a fortnight ■>■ ago was at 465. Standards had recent • enquiry at 41s, but. sellers were reticent. >' Sted Wsinefls in 3>al £ ety and fi»"snares at £ls los shows no change • on" that dor* l*st week, and therefore further unsupported sellers at that • Mort shares show ve"oovery, sales this week being, at f^ • 3d • 47a 9d= and 47b 6d, ; as against 4, ■ 3d''last week, and late buyers are filers 6d higher ■Yfc and River Plates, in which the «last "reported turnover was at 21s, are - sought at 20s 9d-without Irnsupported sellers of. N.Z.v Loan • and Mercantile Ordinary stock are ••offerinß at £9s—last weeks reported *• business wa« at £94. • .'• Howard Smith's, ex ih« rtoent d>viHend Of 6 per cent., are in demand at • &is 6d, but sellers are reticentr-last -' recorded business cum the dividend was at-SSa 9d: ..' '• Huddart Parker Ordinary shares, ex •" Ohe' recent dividend and bonus amounting 'to 6i per cent., were placed «t ids, aubseque-nt buyers ■ offering 42s 9d with- . : out sellers responding—highest ■ re- ,' iported turnover last week -cum tna ■'■ dividend was'at 44s 9d. , ■v Gear Meat shares are sougnt at 4os, ness: about tho middle of February.was

k at 41e 6d. i *ws -N.Z. Refrigerating partly paid changed hands at 9s 7d and -**:* more are available at that figure, buy- '-■ "«)r?i Id lower. For the frilly paids, • which sold last week at 18s 3d and 19s 6d, 'sellers are asking 19s 6d, buyers <■ 2d lower. .-*• Westport Goals were turned over at *> • 32s 9d, registering Is advance on last > -.recorded transactions about a fortnight c. ago. and subsequent buyers offered 32s • 5 6d.'with sellers asking 3os. . • Christchurch Gas shares remain unchanged with business at £7 15s, and more are available at that figure, quoted buyers 2s lower. I. Crown Brewery shares are sought at 34s without response, and there are • unsupported sellers of Mannings at 38s 6d and of Wards at 58?, afc which figure business was recorded this week. New Zeaiands were.placed at 38s 6d, I showing no change on reported business last week. "Wilsons Cement shares had sale at i Ms M, .31s 8d and* 31s 6d as- compared t with last week's transactions at prices | flanging from 32s to 31s (3d. ) Kauri Timbers, which sold Inst week at 32s 9d, «vro in demand at 32s 6d, J but'sellers arc not quoting. f Beath and Co. shares, cum the divi- | dend, were dealt in.at 34s <kl, 3-ts 9d, I 355, 365, 345, 34s' 6d, 36s 6d and 34s 9d, with" late sellers asking 355, buyers I not responding. i Burns'," Fhilp shares changed hands i at 36s 6d, «ui advance of <sd on last I week, and more are available, at that ,l figure, declared buyers 6d lower. |! JBlectrorytio Zinc Preference shares iwnain. ■unaltered with recorded business at 28s 3d,.at-which figgre more are on offer, buyers 3d lower. .N.F. Fanners-Co-op.-shai-es,- £2 10s !*»,- *«» placed at lis and subsequent buyers offered that figure without sellers responding—business before the oa call, dne on 23rd inst., was at-: 6s 9d. TaranaJri-Oilfields shares show aeonstderable easing before being turned -#*er at 31a, 30s 3d and 2Ss 3d. as against last-, week's, transactions at 318...328. 32a 6d and 325. and lat«> 1, isoUers ore offering «t 29s 9d without . response, .. K aw * r * 1 V Gold Mining shares had

DOMINION'S TRADE AND MARKETS.

NEW COMPANIES,

THE FRUIT MARKET.

CHRISTCHURCH

BIG SLATE DEPOSIT.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE. GROCERIES, ETC. A new line is now on the local market—pilchards in tomato R-'mce. The line is attractively got ur> and should command a ready sale. Owing to the higher rallies for butter-fat,, the cheese market ia firmer, and will contrmio to remain so -whilst butter values run at the present level. Prunes for delivery in May and June are being quoted from San iVanci«co at attractive prices, and haying looks now to be in order. Owing' to lower prices ruling for Australian flour, grocers and bakers are buying cautiously, as lower prices are expected in the near future. Glucose is in short supply locally, and holders of stocks are holding firm. It is rumoured that a movement is on foot in 2s"ew Zealand to put the petrol business on an even footing. In the past email importers'have constantly been 1-vnrl-ing small supplies and meeting -with a, ready salo. It is stated that it is tho small importer who is to be brought into line, and, it rumour is to he believed, a conference is likely to take place over the general question of motor spirit and its supply.

Bcgistration of the following new .com-, psmjta is announced in this week's "Mercantile Gazette":

Xeville Safety Electrical Installation Co., Ltd. E«gd., March 11th, 1925. Ofhce: Oxford Chambers, Hereford street, Chriatchurch. Capital: £SOOO, into 5000 shares of £i each. Subscribers: Christchurch —W. Stokes 200, A. O. Halhitt 200, J. Selway 200, P. H. Neville 200, E.' A. Hammerslcy 200; Wellington—J. Biisire 200; •'Dunedin—Geo. 'K. Storey 200. Objects: •To acquire certain patents for inventions in relation to improvements in method of making' electric installations and automatic switches, and to carry on husiness as electrical engineers, contractors, and general incidental. Clark and Stock, Ltd.«Eegd. as a private company, March Ilia, 1925. Office: 170 Manchester street, Christchurch. Capital: J3IOOO, into 1000 sharea of £1 ewh. Subsoribeie: Christchurch—A. E. Stock 500; Clark 500. Objects. To carry on business of manufacturers, traders, commission agents, importers, -wholesale and retail dealers in textile, fabrics, etc.

All classcJ of vegetables -were in »ood supply this week. There was a fair demand, and generally prices were fairly good.

Tlie market is glutted -with tomatoes. Apples and pears are also in good supply, •and prices for them are much easier. 'Asmall parcel of grapes which came forward this week realised its 3d a lb. A shipment, of Italian oranges, which came to hand.yes-, terdsy, sold Tery well,, realising up to 56s a case. By the same post Italian lemons came to hand, and they sold well. Quotations are as follow.: — Apples, Nelsou, per case 7s to 9s; apples, local, per case 5s to 9s; apples, cooking, per ease 6s; grapes,' firsts, per 'lb Is 6d to' 3s 3d;-grapes, aeeonds," per lb 10d;. lemons, Auckland, per case 15s,' lemons, Italian, .per case. *4s; .oranges, Italian, per case 555; passions, Auckland, per case 9s; Sydney,' per case 30s; pears, cooking, ■ per ' case, 4s; .pears, ..dessert, •> per c»s«. 6s; peaches, cooking, per lb 2d; dessert, per lb 8d; phnns, cooiirfg; per; lb '2d; strawberries, per' lb Is 'Sd; blackberries, per. •lb lid;' tomatoes, sauce, per lb Id; tomatoes, dessert, -per-lb 2d,; walnuts, ; per lb 6d; beans, French,- per .lb 2d, tov 8d; beet, per dozen bundles up to Is 2d; cabbages,, per dosen up to 4g; cauliflowers, per dozen up to 15s; carrots per down up to Is 3d; celery, per bundle up to 6d; green peas, per peck up to 2s; leeks, per bundle up to 4id; lettuce, per dozen up t*.2s; marrows, per dozen up to ss; potatoes,, per s.b. 2s to- 3s; onions, local, per s.b. up to 4s 6d; parsnips, per doDen up to Is 3d; potatoes, per sack 10a to 12s; pumpkins, per lb up to Id; radishes, per dozen 4d; spring onions, per dozen up to Is 8d; turnips, per dozen up to ls; ; spinach, per dozen up to Is 6d; swedes, per s.b. 2s.

SYNDICATE BEING FORMED. (special to "the P&ESI.") ' WESTPOBT, ilarch 27. An important discovery of a-big ■ slate deposit has been made, in the Boiler.Gorge by, Messrs Barley and Lishman. The field lies adjacent to the Buller Gorge line and the main Gorge roadway. A right over; the. area, which is estimated to contain millions of tons of slate, has .been secured, by the original prospectors mentioned. It .is said to be the' first field of its kind discovered in New Zealand or Australia of commercial value. Mr Lishman, who is- an expert slater, has. left' for Christchurch, -where, ho, has arranged to form a syndicate to open up a slate quarry. The commodity will be shipped via • Inangahua railway until such time. as the Gorge line is completed beyond Cascade to the scene o£ the deposit. AUCKLAND CITY PROPERTY. (fsiss association. IIUIQRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 27. The Queen street' property of. Warwick Chambers has been purchased by the Moore Piano Company, the price being £35,000. It has a frontage of twenty-throe and a quarter feet to Queen street and runs back to High street. The price for the land and building is over £1505 a foot. MEAT EXPORT PRICES. THE CURRENT SCHEDULE. One of the leading meat export ■' firm* quotes the following schedule of prices for the week, commencing March 27th:— Woolly Lambs. —First quality, to ' 361b, 12Jd; S7lb to 431b, lljd; over 421b, lid. Second quality, lljd. Shorn lambs ljd per lb 'ess than above. Wethers. —First quality, to 561b. 7Jd; 571b to 641b, 7id; 651b to 721b, 6Jd; over 721b, 6d. Second quality, 6Jd. . Ewes. —TJp to 641b, 6d; 651b to 721b, sd; over 721b, 4d. FEILDING STOCK SALE. (PBJtSS ASSOCIATION TILZGRAM.) ' FEILDING. March-27. There was a full yarding of sheep, mostly poor to medium quality, and only an- odd pen of good lambs and ewes yarded, which did not sell up. to. late prices. There was a slight drop "all round, owing to the quality of the yarding. There was a good yarding of all classes of cattle. Stores were not wanted, nearly every pen being passed in' under the hammer. Cattle were not wanted by the butchers, the meat works taking nearly all ■ the lines. Prices ranged as under:- 1 - " ■ Fat lambs 25s lOd to 445. ewes 27s 9d to 41s, wethers 36s 9d to 455. black-faced sheep 29s 3d, lambs (best) 21s 6d to 24s 6d, medium 17s to 20s, small 12s to; 15s; black-fated - lambs, best 21s 7d to 24s 3d, medium- l«s Id to 19s. 4d; -breeding cwe6, best 25s lOd to 32s 9d, medium 15s 6d to '.23s '6d; .wethers 28s 3d to S2s. . Cattle: Empty 18-months Polled Angus steers £5 ss, medium fat cow* £5 2s 6d. good fat cows £5 15s. empty fat and forward Polled Angus cows £5- lis. - CONVERSION LOAN. LONDON, March 26. The Government is" inviting tenders for £30,000,000 3J per. cent, conversion stock at a. minimum .price, .of" 6j per cent. .The stock will at present rank pari passu with •Hating conversion."

WELLINGTON WOOL SALE

ATTRACTIVE LOTS SELL WELL.

(PRISS ASSOCIATION TZLJaEitf.) WELLINGTON, March 27. The final Wellington wool sale of the current season was concluded to-day. Prices during the season receded considerably from the extreme high levels ruling at .the opening in November, the drop being reckoned for tho Dominion as a whole at £lO per bale. It is expected that tho hold-over after the two smaller closing sales to be held in Christchurch and Dunedin, will aggregate about sixty thousand bales. The offerings at tho*Wellington sales were of lair quality lor the time of the year, though some were seedy with a resultant adverse effect on prices. Lambs' wool generally was below owners' ideas of values, but where free from seed and otherwise attractive remunerative prices were obtained. Bradford buyers were the mainstay of the market. Americans took all suitable wools, mainly, super Eomney and best medium crpssbreds. Merinos were disappointing, local competition being negligible. The official ranges of prices is as under: — d. d. Merino— Average ... 22J to 24* Mediuni Hulfbred — Average ... 19i to 23 Inferior ... 15J to 17-i Coarse, Halfbrcd : — Super , _ 22 to 23 i Average ' ~ 1" to '2O Corriedale — . Inferior 16j Average „. 19i to 22J Fine Crossrrred — Super ... 19:1 to 23 Average ... 17 to 1?HInforior ... 13 to 16 ■Medium Crossbred — Super r . 19 ■to 21 ' Average '... 17 to 191 Inferior ... 15 to 18J Coarse Crossbred— Super ... 17-1- to 19* Average ... lo to 17i Inferior . .- 12i to 14* Low Crossbred—(Super ...' 16 to 17 Average • ... 16 to 18 Inferior . ... 12 to 14 Hoggets—--48-50 ... 18 to 22 Fine 40-48 ... 17 to 20 i Medium 44-46 .... 16 to 19 Lambs — Down 50-56 ._ 171 to 23* Fine 44-59 ... 16 to 22} Medium 40-44 ... 15 to 18 Seedyy and Inferior — AU grades. _ 8 to 11* Bellies and Pieces — j Merino low to medium 15 to 17-2 Halfbred good to super 14* to 18i ■' Crossbred good to super 11* to 17i Low to medium ... 8-J to 11 Crutchings— Merino 12 Half bred' _ 8 to 9 Crossbred ... 6* to 7-2 CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALE NEXT TUESDAY. -. A wool sale will be beld in the Caledonian Hall next Tuesday, commencing at 9 a.m. The catalogue will be a small one, approximating 5500 bales. WHEAT AND FLOUR. INFLUENCE OF AUSTRALIAN MARKET. (SPECIAL TO "BBOS pbbss.") DTJNEDIN, March. 27. Discussing the position of wieat and oats the "Star" to-night says:— • Flour millers have yeduced their scale of. wheat prices to farmers. The wheat market- throughout the South Island has virtually collapsed in virtue of the outside position. The chief factor in the New Zealand wHeat market is the low quotation of Australian flour, and it is reported that already a v fair quantity of this has been ordered by New Zealand bakers. Some of it has been secured for Dunedin and, in fact, a shipment of about 300 bags was landed yesterday.. Australian flour can be landed here, duty paid, about £1 per ton cheaper than millers are asking for .local" flour.) It appears inevitable that New Zealand flour must come down in price, as millers' slocks are accumulating on their hands and to effect sales they must lower prices. Most of "the millers have withdrawn from the wheat market. The announcement was made during the week that they were prepared to buy at the following rates: — tis 3d per bushel for Tuscan, 6s 5d for Hunters, and. 6s 7d for Pearl. Growers are not taking kindly to these rates. As a matter of fact most of the farmers who have threshed and are still holding wheat • have refused previous offers ranging from 7s 3d to as high as 7s Cd per bushel-on trucks, - holding for Bs, although advised to accept high prices when-they were offering, but ff appears to be the farmebjs' way to hold for yet higher prices, when the market; is good and to take low prices when the market is down. It will be difficult for millers to get any immediate supplies at the lowered quotations as farmers seem resolved to hold the wheat and await possible further market developments.

The market for prompt delivery oats has firmed up to. 4s 6d per bushel on trucKS, sacks extra, which, is now being paid for heavy A grade Gartons suitable for milling,' Most of these oats are either going to millers or being held for seed. There is no demand for prompt delivery otherwise, and so far merchants who sold for forward delivery have not come on the market to cover their April sales. The forward position is slightly weaker, with several sellers at 4s 8d per Bushel f.o.b. s.L for spread delivery, April-September. The position thus shows a bigger., discrepancy than ever between actual oats and forward oats. On both sides tiiere is a feeling of certainty, forward sellers maintaining fliat there is nothing to -warrant the high prices, while buyers from farmers anticipate still higher prices due to a: likelihood of white oats being again short. THE GOLD STANDARD.

QUESTION OF RESTORATION.

(BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCUTTOS—COrTBIGHT.) (motxb's TBUSOBAUSO LOM3ON, March 2,1. In the House of Commons, replying to questions, Mr Winston Churchill said he was anxious. to announce a decision on the question of the gold standard at the earliest date, but it was impossible to deal with the matter before the recess. Asked whether the uncertainty of the .Government's intentions acted as a deterrent to trade, Mr Churchill said he had received some communications from various trade organisations pointing out the evils of prolonged uncertaintv. The Government was endeavouring to, discharge -a difficult duty with regard solely to the general interest, and was exorcising the utmost vigilance in studvinr* the situation

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

Friday Evening. There is Utile change in the wheat position. The new range of priecs(>s 3d to t>? 7d —is not meeting with much response from gTtwers. Millers who have not seaurcd supplies have hod to "spring" above the schedule priecs to make purchases, it is Tarelr in the market that such "bull" and "hear" influences have been operating, and the most unbiassed opinion at the moment would be accepted just ns it pleased or otherwise. The "bear" points to the slumping prices abroad and to the low cost of impDTtcd Australian flour, and the "bull" to the local wheat shortage and the fact thas with the duty wheat cannot bo landed in the Dominion at less than 7s fld to Ss a bushel, according to freight. In the meantime, business in tho cereal is practically at a standstill. Oats continue firm in price. A Gartons are quoted at 4s Sd, and E's at 4s 4d f.0.b., s.i., or respectively on trucks 4s and 3a Sd. This is for prompt business, but May-September deliveris quoted a nenny or mero lower. The market in the south is very firm, indicating the general belief of a short crop. It should not be overlooked, however, that the oat shortago last ye.ir was largely caused by tho chaff needs. This season the abundance of Algerian oats,should provide requirements in this respect.

A quotation- of Canadian oats has been received in tho north, of £ll 15s a ton, Auckland, for good quality. This price cannot, however, compete with local valnes, but it is understood that further enquiries aro being made in. the northern city. Algerian oats have firmed in sympathy with white, and some business has been done at' higher prices. Chaff shows no movement. I'cas have dropped back in value, due to the continued" lack of interest in the market in the Old Country. It is stated that the decline cf tho Home market for partridge peas is due to the abandonment by the miners of the pigeon fancy. Peas wore the birds' staple diet. Present quotations arc os 3d on trucks. There is little change in ryegrass and clover seeds, and cocksfoot is also nt the previous basis of 6d to 7d to farmers, with littlo passing. There has been some enquiry from Sydney for linseed, rut offeis aro a shade under local ,valnes. Quotations to farmers at £l9 10s on trucks. Potatoes are weaker. Auckland advices state that the southern shipments are selling on the wharf at £6 10s a ton. Local merchants arß offering farmers £5 5s f.0.b., s.i., a ton for prompt delivery, or to £3 los on trucks, Tho Whangape's consignment to Auckland comprised 4000 sacks, an exceptional quantity for one vessel at this timo of the year. Tho season being a month earlier is responsible for the heavier quantities going north. The quotations in Sydney for Tasmanian potatoes encourage the possibility of there being a market over there this season for New- Zealand tubers. The hope may be a frail one, but at all events it would appear certain that there will be no importation this season to Auckland, such as there was last, to keep values here down in the ditch. The following are nominal quotations, free of commission, sacks extra except where otherwise stated:—* "Wheat—Tuscan, 0b 3d, Hunters /6s sd, Pearl 6s 7d f.0.b., sacks extra, Oats—Gartons 3s 7d to 3s lid, Algerians 28 9d to Ss, Duns Ss 5d to 3s 9d. Chaff— £3 10s to £3 15i. White Clover—ls to Is 3d. Peas:—ss 3d. Cowgrass—Bd. to.Od. , Italian Byegraß*—2s 9d to Sg. ' Perennial Eyegrass—3s 9d to 4s. Cocksfoot—6d to 7d. Lmseed—£l9 10s. Potatoes—To £3 15s. Onions (new season's) —£0 10b for prompt. Flour (new' season's prices)—£l9 a ton f.o.b. nearest port. Pollard—£6 10s f.0.b.,10s extra for smaller packing. Bran—£s 10s per ton f.0.b., 10s extra for smaller packing.

POULTRY AND EGGS A large entry of poultry came forward for this week's sales. The demand was good for prime quality birds. Following are prices per pair:—Table chickens (heavy), 7s 6d to lis; table chiokefns (light), 3s 6d to 7s (id; hens (heavy), 3s 6d to 6s 6d; hens (light), 2s to 3s 6d; ducks (heavy), 6s 6d to 9s 6dj ducks (light); 4s to 6s 6d; geese, 7s to 8s 6d; turkeys, 16s to 355. The supply of eggs is still decreasing, and another rise in values haa been recorded. The. Canterbury Co-operative Poultry Producers, Ltd., note the following prices per dozen:—First grade lien eggs, 2s 6d; second grade hen eggß, 2s Gd; duck eggs, 2s 6d; pullets' eggs, 2s 2d. The Easter sales of poultry are to be held on April Ist, 4th and Bth. ASHBURTON MARKET. The recent dry weather is having" a 'bad effect on the country generally, and reports are to hand, especially from the sea coast districts, that. the turnip' crops are being affected. * Farmers are not taking too kindly to the rednced prices of wheat, and quite a number will probably hold on to their produce. The demand for fowl wheat haa also fallen- off as North Island buyers, in expectation of this to drop, are only purchasing enough for immediate requirements.

The oat market is showing a firm tone. A grade Gartens are worth from 3s 9d to 3s lOd, with B's abont 3s 6d and under grades according to qnality. Good bright samples of Algerians suitable for seed are worth from lis lOd to .Is with feed samples from 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Good dart heavy Duns may be quoted at 3s ?d, while lighter samples are valued at 3s 3d to 3s 6d, with not much, enquiry. All these prices' are quoted at per bushel on trucks, countrv Btaf.ions. Good bright oat-sheaf chaff is selling at in the vicinity of £3 15s per ton while lighter quality is worth £3 ■ 10s. There is still a good demand for perennial ryegrass at 3s 6d to 3s 9d for good samples and lower grades according to quality. Italian and Western Wolths are in oversupply, with very little enquiry from the North Island. The value mav be quoted at from 2s 9d to 3s.

Good malted barley is worth 5s per bushel, while inferior is valued at 4s.

There is an odd line of potatoes being sold, and the price is £r. 15s and £4 on trucks., sacks extra. The demand is not vet very strong.

A few small parcels of linseed are reported to have been threshed, bnt so far no pales have been made, and the nrices quoted at from £l9 to £l9 10s on trucks, sacks extra. For good, clean samples of Cocksfoot the price is 7d to 7Jd per lb, while light and inferior is not in demand at 6d. The opening prices for red clover are 8d to Od per lb.

There was only a small yarding at. the Ashburton Farmers' Co-op. yards, when the following prices were realised: Hens 2s to ils 4d, roosters 5s to 9s. ducks 7s to 9s, all at per pair. Pigs: Weancrs 8s to 19s[ porkers 44s to 555, stores 22s (o 355, fats'