COMMERCIAL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1731, 20 February 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Christchurch".— The Lyttdton Times, of . the 14th inst., reports :—

In the grain and produce market there bas not been a large amount of business done during the week. In consequence of the news received from the home and Melbourne markets, the price of wheat has exhibited a slight downward tendency ; quotations, however, remain much the same as last week, being 4s 4d to 4s 6d. The prices of flour remain unaltered, viz, Lll 10s in sacks, Ll2 in bags, 10s extra f .o.b. in Lyttelton ; bran and sharps, L 4 10s to L 5 ; but the millers have now ground some new, and ask for the product the old rate, less five per cent. Oats are fetching from 2s 6d to 2s 9d, but some small lines for immediate shipment have realised 3s. Barley is dull at 4s, and likely to remain so, owing to a latae quantity of English malt known to be held in the other Provinces. It is stated that Auckland has 18 months' supply.

Salt butter is in demand, and 7d is offering for it ; stocks are very light. Cheese, mainly Owing to unfavorable advices from Melbourne, and a slack local demand, is dull at last week's quotation— 4£ to 5d Bacon and hams (in cloth) fetch readily 9|d f.o.bin Lyttelton. At the yards, on Wednesday, there was a very large attendance, but only a moderate display of stock. For all descriptions of sheep there was a fair demand, and prices were quite equal to former quotations. Best merino wethers reached 10s 6d for a small pen of superior sheep, other lots at lower prices according to quality, leaving our quotation to stand at lfd. on the average. Meiino ewes are now coming forward, and passing into farmers' hands at prices reaching to 5s 3d, and 5s may be given as the price for this description of sheep of good quality and fair ages. The number of cattle yarded was small, and prices did not disclose any alteration in value. We quote beef at 17s 6d per 1001 bon the average. Good draught horses are in demand at prices ranging from L3O to L 45, but few of really good quality are offering. For inferior horses prices are nominal.