COMMERCIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 February 1935, Page 8

COMMERCIAL

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,!

CHRISTCHURCH, February S. The event of the week is the sharp firming in thg potato market. This is due largely to the scarcity that has developed in the North Island, and much earlier inquiry from there, but the disinclination of growers here to accept the ruling price is also a contributing factor. Most of the Auckland enquiry is for May-Jupe delivery and for these months as high as £5 17/6 f.o.b.s.i. has been paid. This is the equivalent of £4/7/6 per ton on trucks. Some business has been done >at this figure, although as stated, growers are not keen to sell. Fowl wheat continues very firm, prompt being quoted at 4/11 to 4/2, land spread to September at 4/3|d. There is no interest in the oats market.

Partridge peas are quoted at 4/- a bushel on trucks (nominal). The onions market is firm at £7 a ton on trucks for prompt.

The small seeds market has firmed up during the last few days. Ryegrass, as a result of export, has given merchants more scope to operate, and there has been an appreciable advance during the week. North Island inquiry has been a factor in the firming. Best perennial and Italian are worth 2/9 a bushel on trucks, and a fair amount of business has been done at this figure. Cocksfoot is also ; firmer and Akaroa is quoted at B|d a ,Ib., Plains 8d on trucks. White clover xshows little change, quotations coverjug from 6d to 8d a lb. on trucks. ■ Pollard is 10/- a ton dearer,-being-advanced as from yesterday. BUTTER AND CHEESE. LONDON, February 7. Butter is Danish 122/-. Choice salted New Zealand 90/-. Unsalter New Zealand 94/-. Australian 92/-. Cheese:—Firm. New Zealand coloured 47/-, white 47/6, Australian coloured 45/- to 45/6, white 45/- o 46/-. GOLD AND EXCHANGE. LONDON, February 8. Gold 142/1.1, dollar 488 1-16, franc 74 5:16. STOCKS AND SHARES. DUNEDIN, -February 9. Sales on ’Change: Westport 1/2 (2), Glenroy 3d. Reported: Australian Glass £3/4/6, Dominion Fertiliser £l/1/6. WORKSOP RETURN [SPECIAL TO “STAR.”] CHRISTCHURCH, February. 8. Worksop dredge return: Seventy ounces, for 175 hours, thirteen thousand three hundred yards. CHARLESTON SLUICING CO. WESTPORT, February 9. The Charleston ’Sluicing Coy’s re’turn for the fortnight ending February 9, was 10 ounces 7dwts, for twenty shifts. BIG RIVER GOLD MINES LTD. Report for week ended February 7: Nth;- 4 north’ drive. —No stone yet in face. Reef traek promising. Stopeslooking Well. Stone 5 feet 6 inches. Rise A 3 feet from floor of level. A full face of stone. No. 4 south drive: Advanced 6 feet. Footwall leader giving off water, a good sign of the near proximity- of an ore-body. Stope 8 feet wide. Main Shaft: This work is progressing satisfactorily. Battery: — Crushing commenced Wednesday. The aerial wheel not yet to hand. ANTONIO’S VALLEY CLAIM. ’ In conversation with a prospector from Antonio’s Valley, which adjoins the Worksop dredge, a “Star” reporter learned to-day, that proposals are afoot to float a small company, of £14,000, to work 250 acres in Antonio’s Valley. The prospector, Mr. J. W. White, stated that he had worked for a small syndicate, sinking shafts in Antonio’s Valley. Mr. Neil McVicar, of Mawheraiti, obtained the option over two mining leases, and also has a lease of his own. These leases adjoin ,and run parallel with the ground held by the Worksop company. The ground has no fall, and is too low to sluice, while it is out of reach of the dredge. It is proposed to elevate the wash, and put' it over a large spread of tables. The country is said to bo easy to work, and there is about twelve months work on which a start could be made, without having to clear any timber. The area has been prospected on the same principle as were the Barrytown flats, under the supervision of Messrs. Dennehy Bros. Mr. McVicar has already had several applications from persons desirous of investing in shares when the company is formed.