FARM & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 12

FARM & COMMERCIAL

NEWS AND NOTES

j AL’CZAaN SALES I TO-DAY. » Woodbank Yards, Dannevirke, 12.80 l> p.m.—Wimbledon sale (Williams and | Kettle, Ltd.). 1 Haywards, 1.15 p.m.—Unreserved clear- | ing sale (Dalgety and Co. and N.Z.L. I and M.A.). f Paliiatua Ewo Fair. 11.30 a.m.—N.Z.L. | and M.A.). * 40 Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun, 1.30 p.m.— j Salo of household furniture (E. Johnl sloa and Co.). J 8 Willeston Street. 1.30 p.m.—Sale of household furniture, etc. (E. John- ? ston and Co.). J TO-MORROW. J Upper Hutt Ewe Fair, noon (Dalgety 1 and Co.). S Levin sale ( WEDNESDAY. ! 195 Lambton Quay, 2.30 p.m.—Sale of city shopping sites. Bond Street (Harcourt and Co.). Magistrate’s Courthouse. Palmerston North. 1.30 p.m.—Sa l ? of 26 rosidental sites. Palmerston North (Comj missioner Crown Lands. Masterton A. and P. Rooms. 2 p.m. — Salo of stud farm (N.Z.F. Co-op. Dist. Co.. Ltd.). Otaki sale. Johnsonville, 12.3(1 p.m.—Fat stock sale. Beach Road. Waikanao, 2 p.m.—Sale of household furniture (L. Carnrcliael and Co.. levin).

FARMING INTERESTS LIVE STOCK SALES 1 AUCTIONEERS’ REPORTS FEILDING EWE FAIR. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Limited, reports as follows:—The annual ewe fair was held at Feilding on Friday, when there was a total offering of approximately 18,000 ewes. The entry comprised some excellent lines of all ages, and, assisted by a large attendance of buyers, almost a total clearance was effected. We sold every pen offered by us, and quote the following range of prices:—two-tooth ewes: 108 on account .Shannon Bros., 395. 3d.; 20 on account A. McDougall. 395.; 53 on account Shannon Bros., 365. 6d.; 86 on account E. Shannon Estate. 365. 6d.; 103 on account J. J. Thomason. 365. 2d.; 183 on account 11. P. Clare, 355.; 244 on account E. JI. Ryder, 325. 6d.; 75 on account N. J. Short, 325. 6d.; 121 on account J. A. Mitchell. 30s. Id. Six-tooth ewes: 74 on account C. 11. Leicester, 275. 9d. Four-year ewes: 76 on account M. A. Conway. 265. 7d.; 120 on account S. Williamson, 24h. 10d.; 163 on account S. N. Managh, 18s. 3d.; 190 on account W. G. Shannon, 16s. lid. Four and five-year ewes: 455 on account A. R. Bartlett, 235. 10d., 245.; 344 on account Shannon Bros., 235. 6<1.; 344 on account Shannon Bros., 225. 2d.; 158 on account 0. 11. Leicester, 21s. 6d.; 200 on account F. E. Harrison, 21s. 3d.; 206 on account W. Williams, "Is.; 264 on account S. N. Managh, 20s. 6d.; 288 on account J. E. Ferguson, 16s. 6d. Five-year ewes: 165 on account J. Kennedy. 225. Bd., 225. lOd.; 251 on account D. O'Driscoll, 20s. 10(1.; 56 on account M. A. Conway, 19s. 4d.; 231 on account G. F. Johnston, 18s. 10d.; 88 on account W. If. Rutherford. 18s. 3d.; 76 on account R. J. Culling, 17s. Id.; 304 on account A. Goldfinch. 16s. 6d.; 332 on account G. F. Pratt. 13s. 6d. Dalgety and Company, Limited. Palmerston North, report on the Feilding annual ewe fair held on Friday as follows:—Entries did not come forward in advertised numbers, and our yarding comprised 5500, including some particularly good lines of 2-tooths. There was a very good demand throughout for the sound-mouth ewes and spirited competition for all younger sheep and practically a total clearance was effected. The highest price realised on the day was for a pen of 2-tooth ewes, which realised £2 10s. and were purchased by Mr. i,. McDermott, Bulls. Sales:—On account S. Williamson, Waituna, 4-year ewes, 235.; ditto, 4-tooth ewes, 31s. 3d.; ditto, 2-tooth ewes, 335. lOd. On account E. Short, Feilding, 5-year ewes, 235. On account J. Montgomery, 6-tooth and 4- ewes. 245. lOd. On account F. H. Harrison, 4 and 5-year ewes, 20s. 7d., 20s. 9d. On account G. and J. Watt and Co.. 4 and 5-year ewes. 235. Id.. 235. 2d. On account Hunt and Piper. 4-year ewes, 195., 19s. 6d.; ditto, 4-tooth ewes, 285.; ditto, 6-tooth ewes, 255. On account D. L.' Younger. 4-year ewes, 235.; ditto, 5- ewes, 165.; ditto. 4 and 6-tooth ewes, 245.; ditto, 2-tooth ewes, 30s. la. On account Job I’almei. Bauinai. 4 and 5-year ewes, 19s. Bd.; ditto, 2-tooth ewes. 325. 9d. On account 11. B. D’Oyly, 4-year ewes, 245. 2d. On account Geo. Fort. Pohangina, 4-tooth ewes, 325. 9d. On account A. and L. Seifert, Shannon, 2 and 4-tooth ewes. 28s. 6d. On account M. A. Conway, Cheltenham, 2-tooth ewes. 355. Id., 355. 2d. On account N. J. Short, Feilding, 2-tooth ewes, 365. On account W. Baldwin, Pohangina. 2-tooth ewes, 31s. 2d. On account D. Norman, 4-year ewes, 225. 9d. On account H. Whitehead, Pohangina, 5-year ewes, 18s. Bd., 21s. 6d. On account A. J. Toxward, Pohangina, M.A. ewes, 235. 3d. Various lots of F.M. ewes, 10s. Id., Ils., 125., 12s. 6d„ 13s. 9d.. 14s. 3d.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, -eport that at Levin jarls on Tuesday they offered a small entry of sheep and a good yarding of cattle and pigs Sheep and cattle met with a brisk sale, baconers and porkers selling >at late rates. __ Stores and weaners were hard to quit, but vendors met the market, and a total clearance was made at the following prides:— Primo fat ewes, 18s.; forward condition ditto. 125.; good two-tooth ewes. 275. 6d. to 31s. 3d.; shear Southdown rams. 5) to Bgns.; aged ditto, 3Jgns.: medium fat eows, £5 to £6 2s. 6d.; forward condition ditto, £3 to £4; store ditto. £1 to £2 155.; good Jersey wcaner heifers £2 155., £3 to £3 10s.; bulls, £4 10s. to £7 55.; light baconers. 38 s. to ,C2; porkers, 275. to 365.; stores, 15s. to 215.; weaners, 4s. to Bs. 6d.

WESTFIELD. Messrs Dalgetv and Company, Limited, report having held their usual weekly sale of fat stock at Westfield on Wednesday. as under:— Beef—A very small yarding of both ox and cow came forward. In consequence, there wis a decide*! improvement in both classes. Cow beef advanced as the sale progressed. A line of medium weight bullocks on account of If. E. Reed. Waerenga. averaged £l2 9s. 6d. and sold to £l3 10s. Extra choice ox sold to 335. per lOOlb.; choice and prime, 30s. to 325.; just killable, 265. to 295.; prime vonng cow and heifer beef, 265.; just killable. 20s. to 245. A line of prime quality bullocks on account or the Ruakura State Farm sold to £l3 and a line of cows on account of tie same vendors sold to £9. Sheep.—An average yarding winch contained very few prime sheep. Values were unchanged. Heavy prime wethers made 285.; medium. 245. to 265.: light, and unfinished, 20s. to 235.; heavy prime ewes, 16s. to 19s. 6d.; lighter. 12s. to 15s. Lambs.—A small yarding met with keen competition, values being very linn and in odd cas»* better. Heavy prime lambs made 275.; medium. 235. to 255.; light, 19s. to 225. 6a. Calves.—A good yarding of mostly first quality vealers which uplcl under steady competition. Runners made £4; leavy vealers, £3 ss. to £3 135.; medium, £2 18s. to £3 45.; light, £1 15s. to £2 10s.; rough, £1 ss. . Figs.—A fair yarding consisting rna nly of prime bacon pigs whieh showed a considerable rise in values. choppers made £2 155.; heavy baconers, £3 its. to i’3 155.; medium baeoners, £3 to £3 Bs.- light baconers, £2 10s. to £3; heavy porkers. £2 10s. to £2 155.; medium potkers, £2 2s. to £2 Bs.: light porkers, £1 10s. to £2. SHEEP AND RAM FAIRS. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having 'held the following sheep fairs during the past week;— . At Westfield sheep and ram fair, our entry consisted of slightly over 3000. In view of the fact that this fixture clashed with the Hamilton ram fair, there was a good attendance of buyers and competition was steady and practically every pen changed hands at late values. We quote fair two-tooth ewes, £1 6s. to £1 Bs.; small, 21s. to 245.; good 4- 6 and 8-tooth ewes. 28s. 6(1.; a fine of 5-ycai owes ex Crosslands Estate realised 41 os. 9c1.; a line of 5-year ewes (small), ex Waiheke. brought 16s. 9d.; thin f.m. to failing mouth ewes, 11s. to 15s. Lambs.— woolly, in good condition, to 165.; fair shorn lambs. Ils. to 135.: small shorn lambs, 4s. 6d.. 6s. 9(1. to 9s. 6(1. Southdown rains. IJJgns. Romney rams from Southern and best local nrecders, 4gns., 4J, 5 to Bgr,s. Shropshire rams, 2 to 4gns. Border-Leicester rams (2 and 3-shoar). 2J to 4Jgris. Petter rams. 1 0u. 6d. to 20). At Coromandel sheep lair. 2871 sheep camo forward. Buyers were present, from Morrinsvills. Hauraki Plains, and Auckland. Competition was rather dull, but the bulk of the yarding changed hands. All the wethers, young ewes and lambs (which sold at fully Waikato lates) were purchase! by local farmers. Full mouth ewes were slightly kwer than outside values. We quote 4-tooth wethers 22s 3d. to 235. 6d. : fair tvotooth wethers. 20s. Id., 20s. 6d. to 2ls. 6(1.; small 2-tooth wethers. 18s. to 19s. 4<1.; fair 2-tooth ewes. £1 ss. 6d.; st ail Romney 2-tooth ewes, £1 3s. 2d., £1 4s. 2*l. to £1 4s. 6d.; small down cross 2-tooth ewes. ,£1 Is.. £1 Is- 7d. to ,C 1 25.: fair 6-tooth ewes, £1 4s. 6d. to £1 fs. 2<l. • fair f.m. ewes. 15s Bd., 16s. 3d., 17s„ 17s. 6d. t.o 18s. 7(1.; cull and thin ewes, 12s to 13s. Lambs, killable shorn, 18s. 9d.; lambs, killable woollv. 17s. 6d.; fair shorn ewe lambs. 145.; (air shorn m.s. lambs 11s. f*<l. Io 13s. fid ; small shorn Innibs. Bs.. 95., 9s. 10(1., 10s. 6*l. Oneshear Corriedale rams. 3gns. to 31gns. One-shear Romney rams,, 3Jgns. to 3J gns. Other rams. 6s. to 30s.

MANGAWEKA EWE FAIR. Messrs. Dalcety and Company, Limited. Palmerston North, report having held their annual Maneaweka ewe fair on Thursday, when their portion of the entry comprised 6537 ewes. Competition was' not particularly animated during the day, but there was a satisfactory clearance. The following are quotations:- On account L. Hibberd. 349 5-yenr ewes, 17s. On account Gorrinee Estate, 742 5-year ewes. IBs.; ditto. 175 JI. A. ewes. Ms. 3d. On account G. G. Toms. 45 5-year ewes, IBs. 4d.; ditto 110 4-ycar ewes, 235. Bd. -On account J. A. Glenn, 31 M.A. ewes. 205.: ditto. 369 5-year ewes, 225. 6d. On account It. McNeill. 480 2-tooth ewes. 32s Bd. On account Anderson Estate. 550 5-year ewes. 175.: ditto. 138 4 and 5-year ewes. 19s. 9d. On account Dalton and Pope, 169 4 and 5-year ewes. 20s. 7d. On account A. McDonald. 6.3 4-tooth ewes. 245.; ditto. 115 4 and 5-yenr ewes. 20s. 3d. On account C. F. Dalgety, 63 4-tooth ewes, 245.; ditto. 37 AT .A. ewes, 20s. 3d.; ditto, 157 4 and 5-year ewes. 21s. sd. On account A. G. Pearce, 58 M.A. ewes, 135.; ditto, 75 4 and 5-year

ewes, 18s. 3d. On account W. N. Watson, 146 5-year ewes. 16s. Id.; ditto, 67 M.A. ewes, ’2ls. 7d.; ii'tto, 94 2-tooth ewes, 255. Various lines of 4 and 5-year ewes sold at from 18s. to 19s. 3d., and M.A. low condition ewes at 10s. lOd. to 13s. 6d. In conjunction with the Farmers’ Distributing Company :—On account W. A. Davidson, 109 5-year ewes, 18s. 6d.; ditto. 97 2-tooth ewes, 325. In conjunction with the Farmers’ Distributing Company and Messrs. Abraham and Williams. Limited:—On account Estate A. E. Russell. 175 2-tooth ewes, 315.; ditto. 1024 5-year ewes, 225. 9d„ 225. 10(1. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-Operative Distributing Company, Limited, report on the Mangaweka ewe fair on February 16 as follows:— About 20,000 sheep were yarded; of this total, our yarding was close on 12,000, and we have to report a very satisfactory sale, the great majority being sold at good prices considering the very dry weather we have experienced lately. As usual, the Railway Department did their utmost to get the stock away quickly, and practically everything was trucked by tlie following night. The top price for the lair was for a. splendid line of 2-tooth ewes sold on account of A. C. Morton at 375. 6d. Other well-known lines sold as follows:—On account of Russell Estate. 5-year ewes, 225. 9d. to 225. 10(1.; 4-tooth maiden ewes, 3ts. On account E. I*. Peed and Son 4 and 5-year ewes. 20s. 7d.; 2-tooth ewes. 28s. 7d. On account of Kiddell Estate. 4-tooth to 5-vear ewes. 245. 6d. On account of D. G. McKav Turnbull. 5-year ewes, 21s. On account of J. Brown. 4 and 5-year ewes, 225. 7(1. On account of 11. Dalrymple. 2-tooth ewes, 325. Sri. On account of Lei' Weston, 4 and 5-year ewes, 225. On account of K. Fraser, 4-tooth maiden ewes. 335.; 2-too’h ewes, 28s. 9d. On account of W. P. Shaw. 2-tooth ewes. 28s. Bd. On account of D. N. Collins, 4-year ewes, 235. lOd. On account of F. Healey. 2-tooth ewes. 335. The range of prices was: 2-tooth ewes, 255. Id. to 375. 6d.: 4-tooth maiden ewes, 295. 4d. to 335.; mixed-aged ewes, 20s. 3d. to 24b. 6d.; 4-year ewes, 19s. 6d. to 235. lOd.; 5-year ewes. 17s. to 225. lOd.; failing-mouth ewes, Ils. 6d. to 16s. 3d.

; FROZEN MEAT MARKET 1 I 1 I t LONDON QUOTATIONS (Keo. February 19. 5.5 p.m.) London, February 18. Sheep. ’ Canterbury, light and medium, none ! offering: heavy, 5Jd. per lb. ’ Australian seconds. 5Jd. Argentine, light. 53d. Lambs. Canterbury, all weights IOJd.; other i selecteds, IOJd. North Island, firsts, 9)d. Australian seconds, Victorian, 7ad.; 1 other States, 7Jd.; thirds 63d. ■ Argentine firsts, light, Bd.; medium, Bid.; seconds, 63d. Frozen beef. i New Zealand fores, 3§d.; hinds, 43d. Australian, crops 3 11-16-1.; hinds, 4Jd. Chilled Beef. ■ Argentine, fores, 33d.; hinds, 6d. Other meats are unchanged. OTHER ADVICES Messrs. M. A. Eliott. Ltd.. Palmerston North, have received cabled advice of the following Smithfield prices for the past week ending February 17. (These ■ prices are on the “delivered basis, that is, including storage charges, cartage, etc.):—Best North Island prime lambs, IJ-36. 93d. per lb.; ditto, 36-42, 9?,d.; ditto, 42-50, 9gd.; Ordinary North Island Lambs, U-42, 9|d.; ditto second quality, U-42, 9d.; Best North Island wethers and-or maiden ewes, 48-56 and 56-64, 6Jd.; ditto, 64-72 and 0-72. 53d.; ordinary North Island wethers and-or maiden ewes, 48-56 and 56-64. 6Jd.: ditto, 64-72 and 0-72. 5Jd.; North Island ewes. U-64. —; ditto, 64-72, -; ditto, 0-72, —; New Zealand prime ox beef (equal fores and hinds), no quotation. Remarks.—Lambs, Jd. to ifd. lower; wethers, no change; ewes, not quoted. Messrs. Levin and Company, Limited, have received the following cable from their London agents, dated February 17;—Frozen meat quotations (prices on a "delivered’’ basis, i.e., including storage charges, cartage, tolls, etc.' —Down lamb, 28-42. 10d, per lb; best North Island, 28-42, 9ad.; ordinary North Island, 28-42, 91d.; second quality lamb, 9Jd.; best North Island wethers, 48-64, 6f,d.; ditto, 64-72, 53d.; ordinary, 48-54, 6Jd.; North Island ewes, 48-64. none offering; ditto, 64-72, none offering; New Zealand prime ox beef. 160-220, 4Jd. per lb. As compared with last week’s quotations, down, best North Island and second quality lamb are sd. per lb. lower. Ordinary North Island lamb, Jd. per lb. lower. Best and ordinary North Island wethers are Jd. per lb. 'lower. Beef fd. per lb. lower. The market for lambs shows a weakening tendency. The market for mutton is unchanged. WEEKLY PRICES OF FAT-STOOK FOR EXPORT. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advises that the following prices are being offered for fat stock lor export at February 18:— Poverty Bay.—Prime woolly lambs: 361 b. and under, Bd.; 37-421 b., 7Jd.; 431 b. and over, 7d. Second quality lambs: 7d. Hawke’s Bay.—Prime woolly lambs: 361 b. and under, 9d.; 37-421 b., BJd.; 431 b. and over, Bd. Second quality lambs: Bd. Wellington.—Prime woolly iambs: 361 b. and under, 9d.; 37-421 b., BJd.; 431 b. and' over, 61d. Second quality lambs: Bd. Canterbury (prices delivered at works). —Prime woolly lambs: 361 b. and under, 9Jd.; 37-421 b.. 9d.; 431 b. and over, 83d. Secend quality lambs: BJd. SMITHFIELD PRICES. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received the following cablegram from its London oilice, dated February 17, advising Smithfield delivered prices at that date an follow. (Prices for the two previous weeks are also shown in parentheses) :— New Zealand wethers and maidens: Canterbury quality, selected brands (old season). 561 b. and under, not quoted (6RI. and 61(1.); ditto, 57-641 b., not quoted (6d. and 6d.); ditto, 65-721 b., not quoted (5Jd. and sid.) Other brands (new season), 561 b. and under, 7d. (7d. and 6Jd.); ditto, 57-6411*., 6Jd. <66(1. and 6d.); ditto. 65-721 b„ 5Jd. (5Jd. and 5Jd.). New Zealand ewes: 641 b. and under, not quoted. New Zealand lambs: Canterbury quality (new season), 361 b. and under. lOid. (IOJd., not quoted); ditto, 37-4210., 10r,d. (IORd., not quoted); ditto, 43-501 b., IOJd. (IOJd., not quoted). Seconds, 9Jd. (not quoted). Selected brands (new season), 361 b. and undsr. lC£d. (10id. and 103 d.); ditto, 37-4211>«, IOJd. (lOgd. and Ifliid.). Other brands, first quality (new season), 361 b. and under, 9Jd. (93d. and 9gd.); ditto, 37-421 b., 9fd. (93d. and 10d.). Second quality ditto, 30-321 b. average, 9Jd. (9Jd. and 9Jd.). , Australian lambs.—Victorian. first quality. 361 b. and under, BJd. (BJd. and 9d.); ditto, 37-421 b., not quoted. Argentine lambs.—First quality, 361 b. and under. Bd. (7.3 d. end 7Jd). ditto, 37-42 lb., Bid. (Bd. and 71d.) New Zealand beef.—Ox fores, 3fid. (33d. and 33d.); ox hinds, 4Jd. (sd. and 5d.); cow fores, 3)d. (3fd. and 31d.); cow hinds, 4d. (4d. and 4d.). Argentine chilled beef.—Ox fores, 3gd. (41d. and 4jd.); ox hinds, 6(1. (63d. and 63(13. Argentine frozen beef.—Ox fores, 3Jd. (33d. and 3§d.); ox hinds, 5Jd. (s}d. and 5Jd.). Frozen pork.—Porkers, 60-801 b., 71d. (71d. and 71(1.); ditto, 81-991 b., 62d. (63d. and 7d.); ditto, 100-1201 b., 6jd. (63d. and 6jd); baconers, 121-180lh., 6)d. (6)d. and 63d.). Baconers. 120-1861i>., 6Jd. (6Jd„ 63d.). Lamb.—Market is easier owing to heavier supplies, but consumption good. Mutton market.—Stocks light. Good demand for light-weights. Beef market.—Slow. The New Zealand Loan tnd Mercantile Agency Company. Limited, have received ' the following cablegram from their Lon- i don house, under date February 17:-- 1 “New Zealand frozen meat.—Lamb, 9gd. v per lb.; market weaker. Mutton, market a firm.” 1

DAIRY PRODUCE LONDON MARKET REPORTS The Anglo-Continental Produce Company, Limited. London, reports as follows on January 4:— Butter.—Since our last report the market has varied considerably. After New Zealand slumping to 1565.. the larger retailers bought big quantities and reduced their retail price, with the result that prices again advanced to 1645. Australian and Argentine fell in sympathy. Argentine selling as low as 140 s. for the third grades, up to 1545. for finest. We have not had full supplies of Danish butter during the Christmas and New Year holidays, no doubt owing to a goo-J deal of the cream being used at. home during the festive season, but. as the consumption here during the past fortnight has also fallen, this has not had any effect upon the market. The demand for Colonial butter from European countries, such as Germany. Holland and France, has not been anything like what was expected, and the reports from Germany to-day are that the make there is considerably ahead of la’st year; but wo still think that between now and the eml of March a fair quantity of butter will be required for these markets. We anticipate a steady trade at about the present prices during January, and lower prices during February and March, unless the Continent takes larger quantities than is expected. Cheese.--This market fell to 88s. to 905., but. lias again recovered, as will be seen bv the prices below. The current quotations are as follow:— Butter.—Danish. 1765. to 178 s. f,o b.: New Zealand. 1625. to 1645.; Australian, 160 s. to 1625.; Argentine. 148 s. to 158 s. Cheese.—New Zealand, 945, to »«.; Canadian, iXXUs. to 102 s.

The New Zealand Producers’ Co-opera-tive Marketing Association's weekly cabled market report from London, dated February 17, is as follows:—"ButterMarket quiet. New Zealand finest, 1645. to 1665.; first grade, 1625. to 1645.; unsalted, 168 s. to 1705.; Australian, 1565. to 1605.; Argentine, 148 s. to 1525.; Danish, 184 s. to 185 s. Cheese—Market firm. New Zealand finest white and coloured, 945. to 955.; first grade, 935. to 945.; Canadian white, 102 s. to 1045.; coloured, 100 s. to 1025." Mr. W. IT. Kent is in receipt of the following cabled advice from his principals. Messrs. A. J. Mills and Company, Limited. London, under date February 16:—"Butter.—The butter market is quiet. New Zealand finest is selling at J64s. to 1665.; first grade. 1625. to 1645. Finest unsalted butter, 168 s. to 170 s. Cheese.—The cheese market is firm. -Finest New Zealand white and coloured cheese 95e. to 965.; first grade, 945. ro 955." Amalgamated Dairies, Limited, have received their weekly market cablegram from London, under date February 16, as follows:—"Butter.—‘Anchor,’ 1665.; first grade, 1645.; unsalted, 170 s. Market quiet. Danish, 182 s. f.o.b. Cheese.—White and coloured, 955. Market active. Upward tendency.’’ Messrs. M. A. Eliott, Limited, Palmerston North, have received the following cabled advice from their London agents: —"Butter, quiet. 1625. to 1645.; unsalted, 168 s. to 170 s. Cheese, firm, 945. to 955.” PRODUCE MARKETS CANTERBURY By TELEGRArn.—Press Association. Christchurch, February 17.

Offers of wheat to millers are not in verv large volume, but the trade is not inclined to buy. The majority of millers have bought, fairly heavy quantities forward and the surety of a good crop is against any speculation. Some parcels have been bought at ss. 7<l. on trucks, but growers will not respond to any lower offer. Millers are now quoting ss. (kJ. to ss. 7d.

A feature of the oats sample this season is its colour and weight. All the Garton samples coming to hand so far are A grade and unless the southern crops come to the rescue in the matter of providing B oats, forward sellers of the latter will be put to some trouble to cover their operation. B Gartons will be a scarce commodity in Canterbury this season. Quotations are 3s. to 3s. Id., on trucks. The tendency of the market is easier. The market for Algerian oats has eased, the main cause owing the absence of a buying movement from the north. This demand develops in February for autumn sowing, but the exceptionally dry weather has prevented any preparation of the soil. Quotations to-day on trucks are 2s. Bd. a bushel. Peas have hardened in price during the week. The main cause that peas are being bought to cover March shipments is a boat sailing for Home from Lyttelton on March 12 or 13. Sales were made to-day at £(> lbs., f.0.b., s.i. There is quite a sound demand for good Italian which is selling at 2s. 3d. to 2s. lid. a bushel on trucks. Perennial ryegrass is in very run do, mand. as there is a general belief that there will be very little more seed than will be required for Canterbury use. Ex--optionally good quality lots have sold at Is. a bushel on trucks, but the bulk of ttio sales are ranging from 3s. 3d. to 3s. lid. Machine dressed 27/28 lb. seed has been sold at ss. 3d., f.0.b.. s.i. Information from the south indicates that perennial will he cheaper, about 4s. lid. to 4s. IM. fob., 5.0.. being mentioned. The potato market- is little changed, farmers being too busy at present to mother with marketing at current values. Values arc to £4 As. for March. £3 las. for April, and to £3 10s. for May-June. ' few small lots are going north by each t>o Onlons are quoted nt £6 10s. for prompt delivery, and £6 for March-April.