GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 5

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS

THE WEEK IN NORTH CANTERBURY (By Our Commercial Editor.) A stronger inquiry for certain lines* of small seeds, but no increases in ■ prices, summarises the position this week in the grain and produce markets of North Canterbury. values of white clover of export quality have firmed and prices, although not higher, are no longer nominal. Undergrade lines, however, are still hard to quit. There have been Overseas inquiries during the week for red clover at 9d per lb below the price which has been ruling and holders of stocks cannot be tempted to do business at this figure. There are at present no overseas inquiries for Montgomery. The production side of this clover has grown so much that unless , ord ers are received high values are difficult to maintain. Good inquiries are reported tor prompt peas. It is unofficially reported in Cashel street that in the very near future white clover is to be put under fields inspection by the Department of Agriculture. It is a fact that the Government is, through the merchants, checking up on farmers who have sown pedigree white clover since 1945 In well-informed circles it is considered that a tightening up in the certification of white clover is bound to come sooner or later, thus placing it in the same category as Montgomery clover. Potatoes The potato market was relatively quiet during the week. Farmers are apparently waiting for the announcement of the October price increment before unloading their produce on the market. The exact amount of the increase, which is expected about the beginning of the month, is not known. Last year the increment did not eome into force until October 10. By the middle of October potato ueliveries in North Canterbury should be finished, and merchants expect that these potatoes will be wanted in the North Island until the middle of November, after which new potatoes will take over the market. Meanwhile merchants report that, while there is plenty of Dakota seed available, Suttons and Banner varieties are in fairly short supply. As to next season’s price for potatoes, unofficial news received by some merchants from reliable sources Is that, in addition to the increase of 20s a ton already conceded by the Government, growers will be compensated for rises in the price of sacks, manures, and labour Quotations are as follows: Potatoes.—Growers’ priced: Whites and Dakotas, £9 10 s a ton. f.0.b.. s.i.. Suttons and King Edwards, £lO. Onions.—£2s a ton, f.a.q. Wheat.—Tuscan and Cross 7. 7s 9d; Hunters, 7s lid; Marquis, 8s 3d. (From all these prices id a bushel is deducted as the grower’s contribution to the insurance fund Against frost, flood, and hail.)

Oats.—A grade Gartons, 4s (on trucks). Algerians, 4s 3d to 4s 6d; Duns, good quality, 4s 6d to ss; black. 3s 6d to As. Red Clover—2s machine dresseq. White Clover.—ls 6d. uncertified Is 8d p.p.. Is lOd m.s. Barley.—Cape ancb malting, maximum price. 5s 6d (0.t., s.e.). for No. 1 quality Chaff.—G.b.os., £9 a ton (f.0.b., s.i.), equivalent to £6 10s (0.t.. s.e.) country stations. Cocksfoot.—4d to 6d per lb (nominal) Linseed.— £3O a ton on trucks. Partridge Peas.—los a bushel (No. 1). 9s for f.a.q.; Prussian Blue. 12s 6d.

DUNEDIN MARKETS

. DUNEDIN, September 26. The demand for seed wheat is still steady, and the experience of merchants is that farmers are sowing a greater proportion of certified lines than in the past Reports from North Otago indicate that there is an excellent demand for barley lor sowing and that there will be a gieatly increased acreage under this crop this year. The demand for chaff remains steady, and no alterations in values are recorded apart from the increase which has resulted from extra railage and higher prices of sacks. Table potatoes are , slightly slower of sale, as fairly heavy quantities are held in stores at this time of the year A little more interest in some lines of seed has been apparent during the week, but where business has taken place it has been on a low price basis. There has been an inquiry for high-testing Italian ryegrass as the result of Continental interest. Sales of white clover have been reported, but the price at which business is possible is only half of that ruling before the embargoes on shipments to Great Britain were imposed.

STOCK SALES

ST. ANDREWS "The Press special Service TIMARU, September 25. Most of the 80 head of fat cattle at to-day’s St. A idrews sale comprised swede-fed steers, cows and heifers. The quality was better than has been the case for some time and competition was keen, values holding very firm on recent sales The small number of store cattle met with a brisk sale. Prime heavy steers made £24 7s 6d to £3O 17s 6d, prime medium £2O 7s 6d to £22 17s 6d, light £l2 2s 6d to £l4 7s 6d, prime heavy cows £l6 2s 6d to £lB 17s 6d, light to medium £7 2s 6d to £ll 2s 6d, prime heifers £l7 2s 6d to £l9 17s 6d, light to medium £8 7s 6d to £l2 17s 6d, yearling steers and heifers £6 2s 6d to £9 10s, three-year steers to £l3 10s, prime ewes (wool) to 49s Id, prime wethers (wool) to 50s, prime ewes (shorn) to 36s 4d, prime wethers (shorn) to 39s lOd, good ewes and lambs to 24s 6d. medium to 20s 9d.

PRICE OF SILVER

LONDON, September 25. Silver is priced as follows:—spot, 3s "4d an ounce; forward, 3s 6Jd. COMPANY REGISTRATIONS The following registrations of companies appear in the current issue of the “Mercantile Gazette’ : Southern Fairmiie Company. Ltd. Private company September 12, 162 Manchester street, Christchurch. Capital £2400 in £1 shares. Subscribers: Prebbleton —R. A. Gallagher 820, P. A. Smith 750. L. J. Gallagher 690, S. C. Waterhouse 140. Objects: to acquire a Fairmiie launch and accessories, shipowners, and«incidental. Archibald Bros., Ltd. Private company. September 12, 24 Oxford terrace, Christchurch. Capital £9OOO in £1 shares. Subscribers: Christchurch—R. J. N., N. P. and I A. Archibald 3000 each. Objects: Car dealers and incidental

Norton (R. K.) and Sons, Ltd. Private company September 15, 29 Hay street, Christchurch. Capital £lOO in £1 shares Subscribers: Christchurch—R. C. and G. Norton, K. Templeton, W. Jackson each 25. Objects: Builders, contractors and incidental.

Kepple’s Pharmacy, Ltd. Private company. September 17, 449 Colombo street. Christchurch. Capital £lOOO in £J shares Subscribers: Christchurch—L A. Kepple 999. L G Kepple 1. Objects: To acquire business of H. A. Papprill (deceased) and conduct business of chemists and incidental.

Littles Restaurant, Ltd Private company September 17, 179 Manchester street. Capital, £lOOO in £1 shares. Subscribers. Darfield—C. Levick 1. Christchurch —E. A. W. Joyce 999. Objects: Restaurant and incidental.