COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 12943, 5 May 1908, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

THE WHEAT MARKET. Pre*6 A*aoduio&—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 4. (Received May 5, at 9.10 a.m.) The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,230,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,305,000 quarters. The Atlantic shipments were 41,000, and the Pacific 70,000 quarters. SOUTHLAND MARKETS. [Special to the Stab ] The business in all lines last week was up to the usual degree of briskness, but the position of the various markets did not alter. The oat market continued firm, and all lines offering were .readily taken by merchants. The largest line to change hands was one of 1,100 sacks (Sparrowbills and Cartons), but the usual size was about .600. The prices for ordinary varieties were 2s Ijd to 2s 2d (0.t.c.5.) for Cartons and Sparrowbills, while the much-boomed Duns brought 2s 3d to 2s 4d (0.t.c.5.). FHe lines for seed purposes were as high as 2s 2£d for Sparrowbills, and 2s 3d for Cartons, all 0.t.c.5,, while a few prime seed samples of Duns ran up to 2s 6d (0.t.c.5.), but only a very few small lines got business at that figure, arid they were at near-hand stations at that, the usual being 2s 4d on trucks at country stations. It must bo again pointed out that big prices are almost invariably the result of the nearness to town or port, and that proviso must always be taken into consideration. Scarcely anything was touched in wheat, and only one respectable line (250 sacks) was open to business. The quotation ranged from 4s 21 to 4s 4d on trucks at country stations. Grass seed, as in the previous week, was seldom offered, and merchants were lilt e inclined to buy at present, but a few small lines realised the small figure of 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Chaff has been much discussed lately, and a fair quantity was on offer, and the best prices given by merchants was £3 15s (0.t.c.5.), but the usual ranged from £3 10s to £3 15s. Although prices in the North Island are higher, yet it docs not pay to forward, and anv business in that direction is done at a loss. Several lines were quoted for shipment there, but in no case did busiross result, thj quotation leaving no margin on arrival. The only business done was to supply local demands. Local potatoes came to hand in fair quantities, but farmers’ ideas of Value were on the high s de. Merchants were offering £3 ss, £3 7s 6d, and even £5 10s (0.t.c.5.) for table lines, but little business was done, although there was a good inquiry from the North Island. Hobart redskins and pink-eyes are coming in, and are worth from £1 to £1 10s per ton more than the local article,, as they are a really good floury potito. The grain traffic on the Southland railways for the week ended April 27 was, as usual, far ahead of that of the corresponding week last year, the figuies being 55 483 and 24,077 sacks; but, nevertheless, the traffic during the past week was 16,000 less than that of the previous week. So far this year 352.588 sacks have been carried, as igdnst 252,272 for the corresponding period in 1907—a difference of over 100,030 sacks.

Stock.—Two important stock sales were held last week, at Wa lacetown and Otautau respectively. At Wallacetown there were good yardings in all d -sses. but prices were not up to late standards. At O.autau there was a good sheep entry, but scarcely- anv cattle. Prices here, Ico, showed a derided drop, and were fully os a head less than a few weeks lack. The fdlow.ng were the prices obtained :—Fat cattle, £8 15s to £lO for heavies; £5 to £8 for good; cm.., and heifers, £4 to £7. Store cattle: Two and three-year steers £1 15s to £4 7s 6d, eighteen months do £1 5s *o £1 15s; dairy cows, £5 to £8; heifers in calf, £2 5s to £3 10s; calves, 7s 61 to 18s. Fat sheep : Heavy wethers 17s to 20s lOd, medium 17s to ISs 6d, inferior 11s to 14s, ewes 14s to 16s, light 9s to 12s 6d, lambs 14s to 15s. Store sheep; Wethers 14e to 16s 6d, two-tooth ewes 16s to 18s 6d, s.m. ewes 7s 6d to 15s, and lambs 11s to 13s 6d.

Horses.—There was an entry of sixty at the Invercargill yards on Sdurday, when there was a medium attendance. The horses as a whole were of the general farm and contracting classes, and came from all parts of the district—Wyndham, Kapuka, Hokonui, Browns, Lochiel, and Drummond. Young draughts received most attention from buyers, and a consignment of the best forward was purchased on behalf of a North Canterbury firm. Aged and indifferent classes, however, generally failed to change hands. Hacks ranged from £4 to £l7 10s (most of those forward being inferior sorts). The young draughts brought good prices invariably, and realised from £3O to £43, the gener.d run being nearer £4O than £3O. Aged active horses realised £2O to £27 10s, and spring carters £24, but stiff and old could not get above £ls—in some cases as low as £5. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORT. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report as follows;—We held our usual weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores yesterday, when buyers were again in large attendance. Competition for most of the offerings was animated, and a satisfactory clearance was effected. Values ruled as under: Oats.—There is a very firm tone in this market, and late prices are fully maintained. The business passing recently has been principally confined to sales to speculators, shippers not being over keen operators at the enhanced prices now being paid. Sales for local feed purposes axe slow. We quote: Seed lines, 2s 6d to 2s 9d; prime milling, 2s 5d to 2s sjd; good to best feed, 2s 4d to 2s 4^d; inferior to medium, 2s 2d to 2s sjd per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat.—ln sympathy with London, an improvement was manifested in this market towards the end of last week, when sales of choice quality Northern milling were effected at fully 2d per bushel advance on late rates. Fowl wheat is inquired for. The market is firm at quotations: Prime milling, 4s 8d to 4s 9d ; medium to good, 4s 7d to 4s 7£d ; Best fowl wheat, 4s 6d to 4s 7d ; broken and damaged, 3s lOd to 4s 2d per bushel (sacks extra).

Potatoes.—The market is fairly well supplied, but as there is good inquiry for both shipment and local consumption, late prices are fully maintained. Choice lines, however, show an advance. Med.um and inferior lines aro more difficult to quit, especially lines irregularly sorted. We quote: Prime Derwents, £4 15s to £5; prime Up-to-dates, £4 10s to £4 12s 6d; medium to good, £4 2s 6d to £4 7s 6d; small and inferior, £3 5s upwards per ton (bags in). Chaff.—The market is fully supplied. Prime oaten sheaf, heavy and well cut, finds preference with buyers, and is readilydisposed of on arrival at last week’s rates. Medium and inferior sorts, especially the latter description, aro d ; fficult to quit at quotations. We quote: Prime oaten sheaf, £3 17s 6d to £4: medium to good, £5 IT 6d to £3 15s; inferior and light, £2 17s 6d to £3 5s per ton (sacks extra). Straw, Arrivals of late arc not so heavy and prices are slightly firmer. We quote •’ Oaten straw, 35s to 57s 6d; wheaten, 30s to 32s 6d per ton (pressed).