COMMERCIAL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1750, 14 March 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Chkistchurch. — The Times of Saturday last reports : — Wheat has lately been as high as 4s 9J for prime samples, with early delivery, but in consequence of a rise of 10s per ton in the rate of freight to England, prices have declined 3d per bushel, and 4s 6d is now the average rate. One or two large buyers will be out of the market unless orders are executed at this figure. Tonnage for England being all engaged there is little prospect of prices advancing again for some time, indeed there is more likelihood that they will recede, latest private advices from England having noted a fall of 2s per quarter, and an English press telegram, published elsewhere, states that on February 21 the corn market was flat, supplies being abundant. In 1 consequence of the high price «f wheat millers have raised the price of flour by 10s per t >n. Flour is now worth Ll2 to Ll3 in Christchurch (with 10s extra f.o-b. in port) ; bran, L 5 ; sharps, LG Oats are being sold ag high as 3s 6d to 3s 9d, the latter under exceptional circumstances ; we quote 3s Gd as the current rate. For barley there is keen! competition between raalsters and merchants, and as much as 4s 6d to 4s 9d has rdadily been given for prime samples. The quantity of really first-class barley this year is- very small. Grass seed is dull at 4s. i Butter is fetching as high as Is for 'good quality, but it is scarcely likely that this rate can be maintained. Cheese is dull, and in good supply at 5d to s|d ; bacon and hams are without alteration. ': Good merino ewes may be quoted at 4s Cd ; inferior sheep of that description goitig down to 2s. Good mutton is not too plentiful, and is quite 2d per lb for ordinary good, while first-class commands somewhat more. Beef remains at fonraid quotations,! viz., from 17s Gd to 20 per lOOOlbs. Store cattle are less inquired for, but no material alteration in price has taken place. j