FINANCE AND COMMERCE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21376, 19 January 1935, Page 13

FINANCE AND COMMERCE

WHEAT PRICES NEW SEASON'S INTERIM PAYMENTS TUSCAN, -1 •• , A BUSHEL MONTHLY INCREMENTS INCHANGI-D ' At a meeting << 1 -he Whcut Pui> 'chase Board yesterday, the attached schedule of prices was feed lor 1935. The buying prices from farmers are gd a bushel in advance of the prices j or 1934 the monthly increments re- ■ Brining'the same as for last year. . These initial prices are m advance 0 f 8d a bushel on the buying prices scheduled in 1933. Selling price" to millers remain the same as lor last „«r The buying price of Dreadnought, which was id below the price of Tuscan in 1934, has this year been made the same as for Tuscan. Board of Trade (Wheat) Regulations, The following tables set out Ihe buying and selling prices for 1935 faq milling wheat 'in all cases sacks are extra):—New, 48 inch at lOd each; once used, 48 inch, at 3d each (46in sacks cne half-penny less in each case). Buying Fnccs 1 For all f.a.q. milling wheat grown in the South Island north of a straight line drawn from Waikouaiti to Queenstown, except wheat in the LuggateArrowtown district:— Pearl and

! '- The buying price for Dreadnought 'is the same as for Tuscan, and the : buying prices for Webb's Harvester and Goldberry 2d less than for Tuscan. 2. For all f.a.q. milling wheat grown in the South Island south of a straight line drawn from Waikouaiti to Queensland, except wheat in the Lug-gate-Arrowtown district: —

Th 4 buying price for Dreadnought ii the same as for Tuscan, and the Buying prices for Webb's Plarvcstcr and Goldberry 2d less than Tuscan. 3. (a) The buying prices of f.a.q. milling wheat in those districts where the natural outlet is through Cromwell shall be Id per bushel more than the prices as set out in paragraph one above. v (b) The buying prices of f.a.q. milung.wheat in those districts where ■■ thenatural outlet is through Kingston shall be 3d a bushel more than the Prices as set out in paragraph 1 above. All the above prices are f.o.b. grower's nearest port. 4. The'buying price of North Island •fl' wheat for all varieties, • Wifn the exception of Jumbuck variety cr wheat- ol equivalent quality, shall ;oe the price of South Island Tuscan 1-o.D, Lyttelton, plus lOd a bushel, and we price of Jumbuck variety or wheat quality shall be -id more ori™ * prico s P eci fied above; these F™? 3 '? be the prices delivered on «*, a * Sower's nearest railway stawL or d ?' iver ed at any of the following mills;— v?J. nawa tu Mills. Ltd., Palmerston i n 0 ™: H °dder and Tollev, Ltd.. FeildwSUr £ erson Bros - Marton; Zlr Br , os - Ltd - Carterton; Southern Uoss Biscuit Co, Ltd., Wanganui. , _ Selling; Prices Smith T Q i' "} ,llin S whoat Siwn in son V a l,l nd - with exception of NelWn , L borou eh, Luggatc. ArrowS, D f nd so " th °f a straight line ?rawn from Waikouaiti to Queens-

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shall L of iTouasheffor arv/Marrh °h , TUSCa , n ' Ja™ary/Februq t?i?I iv ellvered t0 the mill, fa a mm?ni ng £ ric ? s /°r North Island nthn'r t W , for aU varieties other than Jumbuck variety or wheat of equivalent quality shall be Ihe price ? f vt^ h Tuscan wheat f.o.b t! }l ' P,US the following amounts: In the case of: Manawutu Mills, Ltd. fnd™™?" N °?h 9d a busht ''; H °ddcr and Tollcy, Ltd., FeUding, 10d a H e B 1; Henderson Brothers. Ltd., fc i.^ , a busliel: Wakelin Bros Ltd. Carterton, lOd a bushel; Southern Cross Biscuit Company, Ltd Wanganui. o s ,d a bushel Ihe price of Jumbuck variety or wheat of equivalent quality shall be one halfpenny more than the prices specified above; these prices to be the prices delivered at the mill. 10. Certified Seed "Wheat.—"Wheat certified as seed wheat under the seed wheat certification scheme of the Department of Agriculture in association with the Wheat Research Institute is exempted from the operations of the regulations linger regulation 3 clause 7 (b). 11. Nelson Wheat.—ln accordance with the provisions of regulation 3 clause 7 (a) wheat grown in the provincial district of Nelson is exempted from the operations of the regulations provided that any manufacturer of food products for human consumption in the said district and used by him pay to the board the difference between the cost to him of any such wheat and the sum of 4s lid a bushel. FRUIT MARKET CHRISTCHURCH The market report tor the week ending January 18, states: Vegetables—Fair supplies of vegetables are available, and ruling prices are as follows: Cauliflowers, supplies seaiee, realising 3s to Cs a dozen. Cabbages, 4s 1o 5s a dozen. White turnips, 4d to Gd a dozen. Beetroot, Cd lo !>d a dozen. Carrots, Gd to Is a dozen. Radishes, 4d to an a dozen. Lettuces, best quality Is 6d to 2s 2d a dozen, others 4d to Is. Cucumbers, supplies very plentiful, realising Gd to Is a box. Potatoes, best quality ;;d to Id per lb. Green peas. Is to Is lOd a peck, according to quality. Onions, supplies scarce, realising 5s a sugar-bag. Marrows. I supplies plentiful, realising Is to 2s j Cd a dozen, according to quality. Beans, I all varieties Id to lid per lb. j Fruit—Apples: Supplies of new season's apples are available and ruling values are as follows. Irish peach 2 L 'd to 5d per lb. according to quality. Gravensteins. 5s to 6s a case. Conking apples. 4s to 5s a case. Tomatoes: Although supplies of hothouse are becoming short, outdoor are very plentiful, and ruling values are as follows:—Best qua!itv 2'.d to M',d, inferior Id to 2d. Cherries: Supplies practically finished, realising 4d to 9d per lb. Raspberries: Supplies scarce, rcabsin.g, best quality local, up to 9d per lb. Apricots and peaches: Plentiful supplies are coming forward and values j are as flolows: Apricots, choice dessert, 3d to 4 : '. d per lb, others Id to 2d. | Peaches, choice dessert 3d to 4',d per' lb. others l.'.d to 2d. Plums, Sutsuma! 3Jd to 4d per lb, other varieties Id 1 to 2d, according to quality, drapes, i extra choice, local hothouse, up to 1:; j 9d per lb, inferior grades Is to Is Gd. Black currants. 2',d to 4d per lb, according to quality. Imported fruit: Supplies of Calil'ornian navels, lemons, and grape-fruit are available, and prices are as tallows:—Navels. 40s a case, lemons. 40s a case, grapefruit, 30s a ease. A few Jamaican oranges are also available, and are realising up to :i4v a case, according to counts and condition. DUNEDIN I 'HI" »SSOlllllo« TELECKAiI.J i DUNEDIN. January !'•,. ■ Stone fruit continues to arrive from ! Central Otago in large quantities, i There is, however, a much better de- j mand for practically all lines. Choice | quality crated peaches and apricots have been realising good value;;, but jam sorts are offering a- low rates. J Piutns. unh'ss of the lust quality. ;n-p ! hard to place. Bin hanks are ii"w nr- j riving from th- C.-mt"rbury district, j Nectarines arc in better suppw, and the market is easier. Snrdl lots <>[ cherries are still r aching the market with better prices ruling. Gra'enslcm apnles are in full supply, chiefly from Nelson. Prices remain low. Outside-grown tomatoes have been coming forward in large quantities from Christchurch and Nelson. As a consequence, the price of hothousegrown has boon affected, end best quality were selling at the end of the week at round about avf per lb. .Reports from Christchurch state that the season for outside .grown is likely to . be short, owing to the very dry weather. Raspberries arc now in short supply, and prices have firmed. Gooseberries and currants arc practically finished ior the season. RLIREY'S KLi'OUT Roilly's Central Produce Marl, Dunedin, report by telegraph:--Tomatoes are in over supply, and prices are much lower than those riding last week. Vegetables of all descriptions are in good demand. The following prices were secured for consignors:—Tomatoes, 2d to 4d; French beans, 4d to 4iri; scarlet runner. butter beans, 4d; green peas. 3d to 4d; vegetable marrows, 9s per cwt; cucumbers, Is to 2s a dozen; apples, dessert 2d to 3d: cookers Fjcl to 2d; garlic, 3d. - G POULTRY AND EGGS RED COMB 1-X;CJ AM) I'OI/LTKY COMPANY Entries at the sales en Wednesday and Saturday were good, with a largo proportion of good quality birds. Both, sales included mote ducklings than usual. The majority of these being two to throe weeeks short of finish, were slow of sale. Boilers were in better demand than for some weeks, buyers being keen to purchase till lots offered. Chicken also was sought after, and primest sorts came in for good competition. The average prices realised for poultry during tha week per pair are as foliows:—Roasting chicken: Light to 4s 6d. medium to 7s (id, heavy to 10s 6d. Hens: Light to 3 S (id, heavy to 7s. Ducks, to 5-. Ducklings, lo Hs 6d. Goslings, to 7s fid. Turkeys, Is 2d per lb live weight. Pullets, 8 to 12 weeks old. 5s to 8s Cd. Eggs—Tested, machine graded, guaranteed fresh, first grade lid, second grade lOd. MACFARLANE AND COMPANY I Macfarlane and Company report as fellows on the weekly value;': — ' Eggs: First grade, 9£d a dozen; second' grade, 9d a dozen.

CANTERBURY MARKETS

NEW SEASON'S PRODUCE IET OUR COMMERCIAL EDITOR.) Friday evening. New season's produce is now coming in, and some business is reported in wheat and grass seed. There have been a few offerings of oats, but the trade is not much interested in this product at the moment. In the offerings of wheat there have been some splendid samples, and on the other hand some that are thin The wheat is exceptional in the matter of colour, being bright and clean, and is weighing well. Wheat was offered millers as early as January 12, which is a record on the local market. It is rarely that any wheat is offered until the last week in January. A pronouncement is expected at any moment in the matter of the interim payment for the season. Fowl wheat (last season's) is very firm, and is quoted at 3s lljd to 4s, f.0.b., s.i. There is no offering of new season's fowl wheat, growers hoping that, with the certainty of a small crop, the milling grade may not be so rigid as it was last year. The samples of Algerian oats offered are very light. It is too early to quote a definite figure for values, but Is 9d to Is lOd on trucks is mentioned. Old season's A Cartons are quoted at 2s sd, f.0.b., s.i., Dunedin, and 2s 6d Lvttelton. There are few sellers of potatoes, the uncertainty of the embargo position rather than the prospects of a lighter crop being the cause. A good rain is urgently required to develop the potatoes, as they have passed through a very dry time; but on the other hand a heavy rain may develop second growth in the earlier main crop. No forward business is reported and values arc more or less nominal. From £2 15s to £2 17s 6d on trucks lias been mentioned. The pea crop has been affected by the absence of rain, and it is expected that some of the earlier crops will be threshed before the end of the month. Small Seeds Some good samples of ryegrass have been offered merchants. A fair quantity has been threshed, and indications j are that there will be a full average crop. Up to 2s a bushel on trucks has been paid for the best quality and from Is Gd to Is 9d for secondary. Italian is quoted at the same figures. The cocksfoot crop will be a much better one than last season, when the plains production was negligible. This season it is up to normal. Samples are expected within a few days. Quotations are expected to be about Gd per lb for plains and 7d for Akaroa. White clover will be earlier than usual. Nominal quotations are from <kl to Pd per lb. Red clover is expected to be a very j small crop, on account of the dry weaI thcr. It is yet too early for quotations. j There is very little enquiry from the ! North Island for any class of seed. j New Cornsacks i The rush for cornsacks for the early | harvest has caused every available sack to be collected and sent out to I farmers. The position will be eased by Tuesday or Wednesday. After being lie Id up in Calcutta for a fortnight, on account of strikes, the cornsack- vessel will arrive in Lyttelton on Sunday. The rain will delay harvestI iim in some districts, and as the sacks I -hould be distributed by the mid-week | the shortage should be ended. [The d'.'-icultv this season has been intensified by'the early harvest and by the conditions being so favourable for ■ heading. Quotations The I'.. Rowing are nominal quotations for new season's produce paid to fanners on trucks, free of commission, -ael-.s < \ira, except where otherwise stated: - Oe.ts <iic\y so i. e.ti'.s/ Algerians, Is Lid lo ].- Kk; a bushel. _ Potatoes (nomi..ali —£2 15s to £•- 'perennial Ryegrass ( homing- Is Gd lo 2s. Italian Ryegrass i nominal) —ls Gd to White Clover (nominal) —6d to 8d per ib. , . . , Cocksfoot -nominali— 7d for Akaroa a:id Gd for plains. Hour--£l2 12s a ton, local; £ll lis shipping- r , • - , Bran -Large, local, £5: shipping, r-1 a ton- small, local £4 10s. " Pollard -Large, local. £5 10s; shipping, ,':4 15s; small, local. £G. ! DUNEDIN UMtES3 iSSOCIATJOS TELEGa.vM.) DUNEDIN, January 18. Dry weather continues in most parts of the South Island, though during the lasl week rain has fallen in Otago and Southland districts. The weather in Canterbury has been favourable for threshing operations. In the North Otago district the position is so far somewhat uncertain, but it is thought, that there will be fair average vields of both wheat and oats. It is' reported that in Southland, while some of the oat crops will be quite food, later sown crops in certain districts are likely to be light. Good whole low! wheat is worth 4s a bushel f.o.b. Some sellers arc. however, asking 4s Id, while for spread delivery there is also a very firm tone. Any lines of milling wheat on offer are being readily taken up by millers. A Cartons, for prompt delivery, are worth round about 2s fid f.0.b., s.i., and B Cartons 2s 4d. For forward delivery spread over April to September, there are buyers of A Gartons at 2s fid, f.0.b., There has been some enquiry during the week for potatoes for forward delivery, in view of the possibility of Australia lifting the embargo on the importing of this commodity. Even if the embargo were lifted, which does not seem very likely, the price of potatoes would have to be very high at Australian ports before business could be transacted, as the cost alone of landing potatoes from New Zealand is estimated at £4 10s a ton. This amount is represented by freight, duty, dues, etc. The local chaff market Is almost bare of supplies. It has been difficult to secure quotations from Canterbury, where prices have firmed 10s a ton since the beginning of December. Today's value in Dunedin is from £4 to £4 5s a lon, ex the truck, and £4 10s ex the store. Further business has been reported during the week with England in perennial and Italian ryegrass and dogstail. Stocks of these seed's of export quality are now very small, and it is as yet too early to do business in new season's crop. The demand for the three seeds named is for immediate shipment only, which is an indication that the seed is wanted at home for spring sowing. By the time next season's seeds are available, the demand from overseas will probably have ceased. Apart from the business mentioned, the markets are quiet, and not much will be done until offerings of new season's seeds are general. MKIJiOI KNE QUOTATIONS MELBOURNE. January 18. Quotations arc:—Wheat, 2s 91d to 2s s';d; flour, £7 ss; bran, £4 15s; pollard, £5; oats, 2s 3d; barley, English 3s to os Id; maize, 3s Gd to 3s 7d; potatoes, £lO to £lO 10s; onions are scarce, £8 to £8 10s. LONDON QUOTATIONS LONDON, January 17. Flour has an easier tendency. Australian ex store, 18s 9d, 19s. Oats are dull. Peas and beans are quiet.

MINING

MAHAKIPAWA REPORT The manager's report for the week ended January 16 states: — Unwatering of Golden Gate Shaft— This has proceeded very satisfactorily, the water being now down 80 feet. The shaft was divided into four compartments, the centres ifunning in alternate directions. These have all to be removed before the pump can be lowered, so most of this work has to be done below the water, and consequently cannot be rushed. The small electric hoist used for enlarging the No. 2 shaft has now been installed to haul all the old timber to the surface, and is of great assistance. At 80 feet from the<surface we encountered a substantial platform which has evidently supported the old Cornish pumps when the shaft was last pumped out. This is now being removed, and it is anticipated that the remaining 40 odd feet should be comparatively free of obstructions. The fluming continues to prevent almost all seepage from the creek, and has completely justified its installation. The compressor is now installed at No. 2 shaft, and a three-inch air-main has been taken down the shaft. This should be connected up to the face by the week-end, and ready for the resumption of mining operations. A new water service for the rock-drills is being installed at No. 2 shaft, and will be completed in a day or so. SKIPPERS, LIMITED The manager's report on mining work at Maori Point beach during the last fortnight states: Although sufficient men were kept in camp to allow work to proceed through the holidays the river conditions were such that very little work could be done. For most of the period the river was at a high level, and although the flume was carrying 2000 heads a great deal of water was running down the old channel, and the seepage into the paddock was very much increased. Endeavours were made to clean enough of the rock bottom to allow a wash-up to be made on January 8, and with the Diesel working efficiently three shifts were being worked when possible. The river commenced to rise on the morning of January 7, and all paddock work had to be stopped. By the evening the river had reached a high level, and was running through the centre of the paddock. This flood completely filled the paddock excavation with silt and disorganised all our work. As the gold boxes had been set in very low, they were swept out by the flood, and landed lower down the beach. Fortunately they contained no gold, as the elevator sump had not been touched since the previous washup, and all concentrated wash was at the bottom of the paddock. Since this flood we have concentrated our endeavours to cleaning out the paddock, and making a fresh start, and within a few more days paddock work will be in full swing again. The floor of the paddock continues lo dip towards the cliffs on the western side of the river, and the lower five feet of wash shows gold very freely. Crevices are numerous and are getting deeper, and it will be necessary to lower the elevator again to allow these lo be dewatered. Sluicing work during the 12 hours previous to the flood disclosed the first old workings yet seen. These were in tne south-west corner of the paddock, but the balance Oi the paddock floor was distinctly virgin ground, and gave every appearance of carrying heavy gold. It is unfortunate that the "rain which caused the flood had very little effect on the race-water supply, which is still very low, and we are dependent on water pumped by electric current generated by the Diesel plant. The matter of a cheaper electric supply is receiving attention, and shortly a report concerning this will be submitted. Mr John Thompson, of Queenstown, has consented to act as adviser regarding paddock and sluicing work. Hi' has had some 42 years' experience of the Shotovcr river, and his practical advice will be of great assistance to the company. Owing to delay caused by this flood, it is mought that there can be no wash-up un'il about, the end of the month. KIM,' SOLOMON INVERCAIIGILL, January IU. The King Solomon wash-up was 69 oz 12dwt. ASHBURTON .MARKET Great activity lias ln.cn shown in the (,'iairi and seel market dmint; the week. ; Lines of nulling wheat have been ottered and I lie quality is allowing the result of the urv weather. It id understood that, new virion's prices Iniw now been fixed. .Millers are. keen buvrrs hh the yields mid acreages are miioli below those of lust Bcn«on. J'uemiKn of the drought the nut crop is practically a failure and new seiiyon'n Kftij'jilra now offering urn of inferior quality. .\ fair quantity of oata will ho required for feeding to stock. All lines of cocksfoot Ir.ivn now heen threshed and l.)io quality is Batisfactory. Italian and perennial have aUio been offering in small quantities, and them is a vood deal of variation in the quality. The cornsnek position will he relieved on I'no arrival of the Narbndn. METIIVEN STOCK SALE As harvesting is now in full swing, there were. very. Buiall entries for. the Mclhven stock sate, held on TlmrFdny. JVo store sheep were penned, two cattle were offered, and pigs were the snmllest yarding ottered for months. Thero won only a meagre attendance of farmers. The sale of fats was a good one, the buyers operating well no to schedule rates. Top price for lambs was 22s KM for a line of 7.1, while n line of 77 offered on account of Mr T. E. Knea'fl made 22s Bd. Sales recorded wero as follows : - Fat lainibs Seventy-Hirer, at '2-2s Hid, 77 at '22s Bd, 4,1 at °fis -Id, !W at Oils KM, ;'2 nl l!)a 7d, 01 at, 20s 7d, '27 at, 22s 2d, 22 at, 1!l8 Bd, 17 at 10s, <ifl at 19s -Id, 73 at 17p 3d. Fat F.wes —.Vineleen at 12« Id, 15 at '.'ss H'd, 5 «t I'2r fkl, 31 at lis -hi, .17 at ]fls tOd, U at 14s Id, 99 fat wethers .it 17s Bd. dUle-Ur-a fat cow at £'.'! ss, 1 ut JBi 2a 6d. I'igs -Two =i,,.-j pi-.;3 at ISs, I at, ISs, 1 wenners at Us.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE (iKOCEKIKS A good brisk demand still continues for all general grocery lines, those lines required by country stores for harvesters being in heavy demand. Prices generally are fairly steady, and no violent fluctuations have occurred during the week. Collections are very satisfactory, the recent good trading at Christmas having assisted this considerably. There is a shortage of some lines, but early arrivals will remedy this. Stocks of grocery lines are, however, in a great many cases very light in Christchiiirch, it being many years since the wholesale houses had such a good clearance as was the case last month. The Narbada, with Singapore cargo on is due, in Lyttelton, on Sunday, when she will discharge a number of lines which arc very badly needed on tliis market. Among these are peanut kernels, sago, lentils, pineapples, tapioca, kapoc, pepper, etc. After discharging the ship will go to Timaru and discharge her South Canterbury cargo at that port. Grocers, some of whom arc badly in need of several of the above lines, cannot expect much before Tuesday in the city, and probably Thursday in the country. It is expected that the quantity of pineapples on the Narbada will be sold immediately, or nearly so, leaving stocks in a bare position again until the next arrival due in May, when the demand will by that time have slackened very considerably. Tinned Fish There is an acute shortage locally of salmon, some houses being practically without stocks. The recent very heavy demand produced a bigger drain than was anticipated. The steamer Indien, now due, is bringing some supplies, but those will not go very far in replenishing stocks. The Waikawa is clue at the end of the month, when it is expected that she will land further supplies, and so place the market again in its usual position as regards stocks. Another line that is short is herrings in tomato sauce, as recent landings have not been big enough to lower the demand. A new line Is now making its appearance on the Dominion market, i.e., herrings in mustard sauce. It is too early yet to state what support this line will command. A recent cable report from London, states that there is every indication of Higher prices ruling shortly for sild. Tea The Calcutta and Ceylon tea markets opened again last wek after the Christmas holidays. Calcutta had a very big catalogue offered at its sale, and due to poor bidding, a large quantity was again withdrawn. The entry was more than .".000,0001b, and contained some attractive autumnal liquoring teas. Leaf has started to show seasonable falling off, with some lots showing too much stalk. Bidding was very restricted, and when bidding fell 1£ annas below the last December rates for common teas, there were heavy withdrawals of this grade. A fair quantity of mediums was withdrawn when offers of 3 to 9 pies below previous rates were the best tendered. Average prices ruling at the auction ran as follows:—Broken Orange Pekoe: common, 8 annas; medium, 8 annas 3 pies; good, 12 annas. Broken Pekoe: common, 7 annas 6 pies; medium, 7 annas fl pTes; good went to 9 ; annas. Fannings: common, 7 annas 9 pies: medium, 8 annas; good did not pass 11 annas. A cabled report alter the above ■

sale stated that the Calcutta market had hardened somewhat, due to the very heavy withdrawals at the auction, and the desire of buyers to ull certain orders. The Colombo auction of Ceylon tea Jast week produced a steady demand, and several lines advanced 1 to 2 cents per lb. Common and mediums were firm, with broken orange pekoe and broken pekoe well supported. Average prices ruled as follows: Broken orange pekoe, * common 51 cents, medium 76-78 cents, fine 85-90 cents; broken pekoe, common 50 cents, medium 70-72 cents, fine 77-80 cents; broken tea, common 49 cents, medium 50 cents. Brazil Nuts New crop Brazil nuts due June to September (according to shipment required) are now offered at very attractive prices. Intending buyers should obtain quotations as the present values constitute an exceptionally good opportunity for buyers. Salt A direct • steamer, the Omana, is down to load at Port Adelaide for Lyttelton and Timaru. By this ship cheap landings of fine and coarse salt can be made. Quotations are now available and should be of some interest to the trade. Canned Apricots Grocers will be pleased to hear that early next month the Australian canners expect to be able to be in a position to make the first shipments of canned apricots. So far no prices have been issued for Australian canned fruits, and these are awaited with interest. These are expected any time now, and it is understood that there is some little difficulty in arriving at the price of apricots. Indications pointed to a short crop, and if this is correct higher prices than those ruling last season can be anticipated. Eggs The local egg market remains normal, with abundant supplies. This week a London cable message stated that eggs on that market were meeting with very poor support, the Christmas demand being over, and with fair supplies about prices are down to 9s 3d for 16's and 8s for 14's. This represents approximately lid and 9id a dozen. Lime Juice There has been a heavy demand for lime juice and just at a time when regular shipments are urgently required something has gone wrong with oversea dispatch, consequently shipments which should have been here long before Christmas, are still not sighted. This has caused a very acute shortage, and it is at present difficult to obtain supplies locally. Sheep Tongues After a shortage of sheep tongues a quotation from Australia for lib (16oz) tins is interesting. These are offered at 13s 6d doz. f.0.b., and accordingly would be too dear to import after all charges were added. Dried Fruits There is nothing of importance to mention as regards the Californian dried fruit market. Prices are more or Jess stationary at the moment, and with the pooling scheme afloat amongst many growers, particularly in regard to prunes, it is very difficult for shippers to forecast future price movements. Locally the market is now fairly well supplied with dates, and further supplies are expected next month, and prices meantime are steady and firm. A recent London cable message advises that there has been a rapid sale for dates, particularly stoned, and stocks are running low. The advice is also tendered that intending buyers should place their orders without delay. Shpiments cannot be guaranteed past June, and spread delivery can be made only up to that date, and then at the usual increase over present quotations. Values at present offer fair buying, stoned being only 3s to 4s per cwt above the price of loose packed.

Tuscan. H unt era, . Velvet, s. d. s.' d. s. d. January .. 4 0 4 o 4 4 FeWuary . .. 4 0 4 2 4 4 March ,. 4 0 4 2 4 4 April ,. 4 \ 4 3 4 5 May ,. 4 2 4 4 4 6 June ,. 4 3 4 >i 4 7 July .. 4 4 4 <> 4 8 August .. 4 4-1 4 4 0\ September , .. 4 5 4 4 <J

Pearl and Tuscan Hui tcrs. Velvet. s. d. s. d. s. d. January . 4 0 4 2 4 4 February . March . 4 . 4 0 0 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4 April May . 4 . 4 0 1 4 4 2 4 4 3 4 5 Jur.3 . 4 2 4 4 4 G July . 4 3 4 5 4 7 August Szptembcr . Octcbsr . 4 . 4 . 4 4 5 4 4 4 C 4 8 6 2 4 82 7 4 9

™fS? or equivalent ?*»% (including Dreadnought, Webb's Harvester, Gold Pearl berry, etc.) Hui iter:: . Velvet. January, .. |" & 4 d. P.'. 94 s. d. 4 Hi 4 111 A Pril " j a 4 9'. 4 Hi $y - \ l\ 4 10 i 5 Oi June " T 9 '< July •• *}?* 4 5 1 li Oi 5 li !i 24 A UgUSt "* t afi li 5 3.V S «Ptember " 5 {,, 5 5 2 5 4 5 41 «4Srus r,cc " - f.o b. il'UWCT'o MarlW willing cr y in South Island wlie 'if at srown in Kolci for dePearl and Tuscan. Jim fer;. . Velvet. January -' £■ s. d. s. d. March v ? 2f 5 21 5 4i 5 41 4* :: * !| :"i 'i, ! ; 5 44 5 51 June •• : 2 -■' "1 41 5 (ii July •• -T .?'. , r i 5.1 5 74 August •• i ?•' :") 61 5 81 September " 5 ■"» 7 5 9 Island, lf sold f01 ' 4 5 h. } in ' .-live 7i 5 9i 1 llcnheim. | vlarlborough 1 'i-y jij North j Pearl , and ruscai;. Hui iters . Velvet. January 4 ; c j.V d. s. d. &?" :: ii 4 91 9.1 4 m 4 Hi April ' '• J •■! 4 Hi 4 114 May •• 4 8i 4 10.'. 5 Oi June '• 4 "' 4 11.1 ii 14 July ■■ 4 101 ", oi August '• 1 n^ ■') ii ii 34 Ab °ve prices are fn i b. T 21 5 4 5 44 7 j. ko »"it t a 0 "no dr 11 10 Queenstowri at 1 nvn irow fro n south in WaiPearl and Tuscan. Hunters . Velvet. January D - d - &bru% - 4 7 J 4 4 d. 94 1)1 s. d. 4 111 4 114 April •• 4 7 A May ••4 71 4 Oi 4 114 4 94. 4 114 June *• 4 8 V 4 lOi 5 04 July •• 4 9.1 4 JU 5 14 AW •• 4 10i 5 Oi 5 24 SSg* •• 5 5 5 li 2 fi .'U 5 4 er ..5 04 5 2i 5 44