ENGLISH PRODUCE NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 13047, 15 February 1907, Page 8

ENGLISH PRODUCE NOTES.

(From Our Special Correspondent.} LONDON, January 5. ’.I. allow.—The forecast of the coarse of tin,- marker given three weeks ago has proved correct, and since that dole, with a lair inquiry, a good bnsinees has been don© in all descriptions privately at advancing prices. The first auctions of the year were held on tho 2nd inst., when 1,457 casks were pit before buyers and 841 casks were sold. The principal demand has been for good mutton and the inferior descriptions, good miser! being somewhat neglected. Stocks arc not Large, and whilst there is a good and increasing trade inquiry it seems fair to assume tliat. the present range of values will be maintained at least for some time to come. In Australasian for arrival a fair business has been clone, good, hard, white mutton selling at 36s 6d. and 43} d. “litre” good color mixed at 53s per cwt, c.i.f.. for January-Fobruaiy shipment. The N.Z. L. and M. quote 1 : Fin© mutton, 5&-; fair to good, 55s to 37s ; edible beef, 35s to 565; fair to good mixed, 34s to 54s 6d ; dark to dull, 28s to 53& per cwt. Frozen Meat.—A slow trade has been experienced for all descriptions of mutton since my last report, though with supplies of Australasian in moderate compass prices at tho close have a firmer tendency. New Zealand lightweights of prime quality make up to 5d per lb and Australian 4d j>er lb. For the few Now Zealand lambs available just before Christmas extreme prices were realised, up to 7Jd per lb being paid, this potation being chiefly duo to the fact that supplies of Australian at that period were also very scarce. Since, however, with large supplies of Australian values for tho latter arTclc have quickly given way. and at tho dose mark a. drop of l}d per lb on last quotations’. Supplies of River Plato chilled i)oof have been, more (hall sufficient for tho poor demand ruling, and prices have tended in buyers’ favor, hut with more inquiry to-day values at the close are firmer. Very little business has been passing in frozen sorts, and values, both for River I’late and Now Zealand have declined. Current quotations: Canterbury sheep, 4jd to fed ; Canterbury Lamb, none; North Island ebocp, 4}d to 4LI ; Australian lamb, 5d to syd; Australian sheep, 3Jd to 4d; River Plate chilled hinds, 3|d to 4d; River Plato sheep, 3}J to 3|d ; River Plato drilled, feres, 2ad to Ogd ; ewes. 3Jd ; River I’lato frozen hinds, s}d to s|d ; New Zealand beef, hinds, to s|d ; River Plate frozen forts, 2£d to 3d: New Zealand fores. 3d to s}d ]or lb off tho hooks at Smithfield.

Wool.—There is no feature of interest to report as regards the London market, rave chat ficwraJ hundred bales of croas-bied Xc\r Zealand now clip have changed iiands since the close of the sides at an advance on the rates then ruling. In Bradford the holidays have caused a quiet fooling, but values all round are very firm, with a hardening tendency lor coanso grades. Reports from the Continent of Europe continue to be of a satisfactory character. -—New Zealand Hemp.— A fair amount of business has been done, partly in second-hand parcels, the colony offering but sparingly. Tlrere ha? been a quiet demand, and prices have given way 5s to 10s, the market closing steady at the decline. The N.Z.L. and M. quote ; Good fair spot £SB 110s, Novcmber-Januwy £SB, Januury-March £36 15s; fair spot £35 5s to £35 10s, Novembcr-Jamiary £35, Jan-uary-March £54 10s; and fair current Manila £43 to £42 5s per ton. e.i.f. Tow in in good demand at £ls per ton, e.i.f. —Cocksfoot.— There, has been a good inquiry, and a fair amount of business has been dime on e.i.f. terms at hardening prices. The season is now too advanced for more transactions on this basis, and operators will now satisfy their requirements from stocks on the spot. As there are several buyers who have not yet come into the market, it is anticipated that there will be a. good demand daring the nest few weeks far seed in this position. The quantity of cocksfoot in warehouse is small, and holders are very firm, anticipating higher rates later on. Latest quotations; 181b medium seed, 46s per cwt, C.LL ; and 181b medium seed, 48s 6d per cwt, ex warehouse. •—Grain.— There has been a quiet feeling in the wl>eat market, but prices remain about steady. The intervention of the Christmas holidays has somewhat interfered with business, whilst good prospects in tho River plate cause buyers to adopt a conservative policy. Little,' business has been passing in Australian new crop for arrival. Recently a cargo of Victorian DcoemberJanuary shipment sold for 29s 9d per 4801b, c.Lf. The oat market is firm, with a fair inquiry. Beaus and peas arc firmly held* for higher prices. The N.Z.L. and M. quote : Australian wheat, 30s 6d to 31s per 4961b; New Zealand wheat (long-berried), 29s 6d to 50s per 4961b ; New Zealand wheat (short-berried), 29s 3d to 23s 6d per 4961b; New Zealand barely, 25s to 29s per 4481b; New Zealand oats (SpaxrowbiDs), 22a to 23s 6d per 3841b: New Zealand oats (Gartens), 22s to 23s 6d per 3341b; New Zealand oats (Danish), 18s 6d to 19s 6d per 3201b; New Zealand beans (about f.a_q.), 33s to 33s 6d per 5041b; New Zealand maple peas, 38s to 42s po.r 5041b; Australian flour, 21s to 21s 6d per 2801b. —Butter. — A serious decline has taken place in nil grades of Australian butter. The trade generally has not paid the same attention to colonial up to the present time, as last year, and with stocks accumulating sides in some quarters have been forced. Current quotations-: —Victorian. 98s to 104s per cwt; New Zealand, 100s to 108s per cwt.