COMMERCIAL HIGH COMMISSION'S REPORT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 34, 10 February 1908, Page 8

COMMERCIAL HIGH COMMISSION'S REPORT.

The Department cf Industries and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner, dated Loudon, Bth February, 1908: — The mutton niavket is weak, and there is no change in prices to report. The lamb market is quiet, Canterbury brands being quoted at od per lb. The beef market is steady. Hindquarters arc quoted at 3id ; forequarters at 2ld per lb. The butter market is very firm and excited. There is a strong demand at full prices, aud supplies do not meet requirements. The market is active for future delivery, and there is little chance of any advance. The following are tho current quotations:— New Zealand butter, 1365; Danish, 138s; Australian, 1325; and Argentine, 132s per cwt. The cheese market is firmer, but pros- • pects are uncertain. White makes are quoted at 61s, coloured at 62s per cwt. The hemp market is steady, and there is a better demand. Reports from Manilla indicate steady shipments for some time. The current quotations are as follows : — Good fair crade on spot, £28 ; fair grade on spot, £27 10s ; fair current Manilla on spot, £28 10s per ton. JanuaryMarch shipments, good fair grade, £28 ; fair grade ; £27 ss, ii.t current Manila, £28 10s. The cocksfoot market is a shade weaker. Bright dressed seed 171b per bushel, is quoted at 75s per cwt. The wool sales have closed, superior and medium merino being in active demand at full prices, but inferior grades are not in demand. ' The market is firm for fine crossbred all grades, but for medium and coarse crostbreds all grades tho market is dull. The following are the estimated values: — Superior merino, Is to Is 3d; medium, 10a to Is ; inferior, 6>td to 9d ; finf> crossbreds, all grades, Is to Is 2d ; medium, 9£d to Hid ; coarse, 6id to 9d.

"There are two nuisances al present rampant on the trains that run over the Main Trunk line up towards Ohakune," writes Viator of a trip recently taken through that pait of the country. ''First, there is tho person who goes up % aud down the tram touting for a lmo of coaches between tho two rai 1 ends. The Government insist on the absolute pro- , hibltion of touting by cxprcssmeu and I carriers on the station platforms. Why should they not exclude the coat h "tout also? The other annoyance is the professional gambler, who invites you to join in a raflle for worthless jewellery and other articles. The matter is settled by the throw of dice, which is done quilo openly. At one period of the journey practically tho whole of the passenqevs in the carriago were having "a bob in 1 and throwing for the pool." Mies llay Driscoll notifies through our Advertising: columns that she has resumed torching in pianoforte and singing. Tho Wellington and Mauanatu Railway Co. publishes a notice in our advertising columns in reference to the Horowhcmia A. and P. Show.