COMMERCIAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7384, 10 February 1902, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Eeceived February 10, 9.43 a.m. London, February 9. The Board of Trade returns for January show that imports inoreased by L 4,143,832, and exports decreased by L 498.957. The latter is attributed to the fall of prices in coal, , whilst the imports of sugar were double the usual quantity anticipated in the Budget.

New Zealand mutton, unchanged ; lamb, also unaltered, the quotations being for old season's stock. New Zealand Seef : 180 to 320 lbs, fair average quality r ox fores 3|d, ox hinds 4f d. Hides are short of demand. New South Wales heavy ox 4gd, light 4|d ; ! cow 4|d. Leather, firm at lljd. Basils, steady. Australian 13& d. Wellington, February 10. Tbe following cable was received from the Agent-General, dated London, Bth :— " Average prices to-day — Canterbury mutton, 3Jd; Dunedin, Southland, and Wellington Meat Export Co., 3&d ; other North Island, 3£d; River Plate, 3|d. Mutton market weak. Trade in mutton is very disappointing, there being only a very, hand-to-mouth demand. Canterbury lnrnb, s|d. The high quotations for lamb lately sent to New Zealand were merely for a few selected carcases, and cannot be taken as any indication of tbe general market price. Shipments of River Plate lamb are increasing. Australian shipments of lamb are now • arriving, and are very heavy. The beef market is firm. New Zealand hinds, 4fd, fores 3£d. There is a good demand for butter at 109s. New Zealand butter is giving satisfaction to buyers. Cheese market firm at 50e. Hemp market very firm. " Good fair Wellington " spot, £37 1 March-May shipment, £35. No alteration in the cocksfoot seed market since last week.