COLONIAL PRODUCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 767, 7 April 1884, Page 2

COLONIAL PRODUCE.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report on the produce markets of New Zealand, March 27 :—: — Wool. — For the May sales it is anticipated that fully 400,000 bales will be available in addition to the 30,000 bales carried forward. Trade in the Home manufacturing districts continues fairly satisfactory, but while inactivity and distrust prevail in France the future outlook is not promising. Tallow and Fat. — Christchurch — Notwithstanding the decline in rates at Home prices have been well sustained, except for rough fat, which has declined -Jd to $d per lb. Auckland — A fair quantity is coming forward, and a good demand exists ; all to hand is readily disposed of at from 25s to 27s Gd per cwt. Wellington — "We have sold some parcels of fair quality, mixed, and medium mutton, at from £27 to £32 per ton ; rough, at 2id per lb. Wanganui — The market continues active, and our quotations are fully j maintained. Hides. — Christchurch — Early in the month the selling brokers demurred to the rates offered by buyers, and other outlets were sought. This resulted in local tanners agreeing to amend the sliding scale, which now stands as follows : — GOlbs and over, 4d ; 50 to 59 lbs, 8U ; 46 to 59 lbs, 3£d ; 45 lbs and under, 3d ; calf-skins, 3^d ; all sorted ana well trimmed. Auckland — The demand continues to improve, and there is not a too lull supply. Rates have risen slightly, and can be now quoted at from 4d to 4£ per lb. Wellington — We have no alteration to note in prices, good demand for all lots coming to hand. Grain. — The value of wheat throughout New Zealand being now entirely governed by Mark Lane prices and prospects, it will be readily understood that, with English wheat selling at 3Gs to 42s per imperial quarter, and with heavy

stocks in Europe and America saoh as have never before accumulated, rates in the colony must rule abnormally cheap. Indeed, prices at all points of production have dropped to a level so low that they do not yield the farmer a lair return for his labor. Oats and barley occupy a different position, and are not dependent on any one market. There are many outlets for these cereals, and owing to a present demand from Australia, prices are fortunately well maintained, with a hardening tendency. Wheat.— Up to the 19fch iast., millers were paying 3s lOd to 4s 2d for prime milling, but immediate requirements being satisfied, 3s 9d is now full value, and that only for small parcels. Millers are evidently waiting for fuller supplies to be placed on the market, when prices will no doubt suffer a further decline. Oats. — Our local dealers, exporters, and millers having decided not to pay for sacks as hitherto, but to include the price of these with the grain, farmers are disconcerted, and in the meantime business is restricted, as they decline to sell except under former conditions. We have, however, made sales at for bright milling, 2s Hd ; bright feed, Is lid to 2s; medium, Is 8d to la lOd, including sacks. Barley. — Samples of the new crop are on the market, but maltsters manifest no great desire to operate at the prices asked by growers, viz., 4s 3d to 4s 6d in Dunedin Railway Goods Sheds. There are no stocks of malt on hand, and if the market is not rushed, a fair price will probably be obtained. Christchurch. The weather during the past fortnight has I been exceptionally unfavorable for harvest operations, and the in-gathering has been seriously retarded. Excessive moisture, with an occasional day of muggy warmth, has deteriorated the quality of much that remains in the field ; whilst some crops already stacked have suffered from the driving rains. Threshing is proceeding but slowly, with the result that only a fractional portion of the yield has reached the seaboard. A few days' spell of fine weather would prove an immense boon to the whole country side, and would retrieve much that is at the moment in a precarious condition. Wheat. — Millers' immediate wants being satisfied, operators for the English market now occupy the field, but they are not eager buyers, and decline to bid over 3s 3d to 3s 5d for prime Hunter'B White, Essex, and hard wintev wheats, and 3s 5d to 3s 6d for Tuscan— f.o.b. Oats. — Crops secured early in the season are now reaching market. The supply is not large, but the quality is excellent, and all offering meets with ready sale for export at Is lid to 2s Id f.o.b. At these prices we have quitted upwards of 20,000 bushels during the month. Barley. — Considerable sales have transpired in this cereal since our last report. Prices having settled down to 3s 6d to 3s 9d for inferior to medium malting, 3s lOd to 4s for fine to good, up to 4s 3d for large parcels of prime. The quality generally is not first class, though very few parcels of this season's growth come under the category of "feed." Auckland. Wheat. — Threshing is going forward throughout the country districts, and the general opinion is that the harvest was well saved. The market, however, is hardly established, as there is the usual difference between buyers and sellers. Millers have been purchasing at 4s for a good sample, and we hear of many instances where 4s 3d has been given. Oats.— Firm at last quotations. We do not expect any drop in prices, as maize and other feed continue improving. Good feed oats are worth 2s 3d to 2s sd, and bright milling at 2s 6d to 2s 7d. Barley. — Good bright samples of malting barley from the new harvest have changed hands, at from 4a 3d to 4a 6d. Wanganui. Oats. — A good demand continues for first-class fine bright feed oata; other qualities are neglected.