COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5609, 15 February 1879, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times Office, Friday Evening, GRAIN AND PRODUCE. Deliveries of grain by the railway having become pretty general, fairly marks the commencement of a new season. We hope we shall be able to congratulate the department on fewer blocks this year, and that with the increased facilities at their disposal the causes for grumbling will gradually bo reduced to a minimum. The business of the past week has been characterised by a moderate amount of activity. Towards the close, however, it assumed a quieter tone. Wheat. —The aspect of the market does not present much, alteration. Considerable quantities are being brought down by rail, and put on board the export ships direct. Sellers as a rule are reluctant to take the prices offered, and in many cases purpose shipping on their own account. This feeling prevails to such an extent amongst a certain class, that it is generally believed this'season will see a larger proportion of our wheat crop shipped Home under these circumstances than has been the case for some years. Sales of good milling are being made at 3s 3d; other kinds at 3s. Old wheat has been sold in small lots at 8s 6d to 8s Bd. Oats have not altered in value. Most of the dealers being rather hare, the small lots put in the market are readily taken at 3s Id, to 3s 2d for good feed. For a large line a shade under that quotation would have to be accepted, as traders, in the present uncertain condition of the market, are not eager buyers. The demand at the moment is almost local, few export orders coming to hand. The abundance of other descriptions of horse feed in Melbourne Has had a depressing tendency, and prices of oats have given way completely over there. It is not anticipated that there will be any material improvement for a long time to come.

Baelet. —The inquiry for good malting continues unabated. Sales of extra fine samples have been made at over ss. The average rate ruling is 4s 9d to ss. In addition to the home demand, we can report a good outside inquiry. Potatoes are not yet in the market, and probable rates are uncertain. Flottb. —A fair business can be noted at £8 to £9, according to brand. Gbass Seed.— Ryegrass is quoted about the same value as last week. The feeling, however, is not so healthy, and buyers have apparently made a stand as regards prices. Good clean seed is worth 5s to 5s fid; inferior and badly dressed seed, 4s to 4s 9d. Cocksfoot remains about the same, viz., 5s fid. Buttes is quiet, and may he quoted at 9d to lOd; cheese, 6£dj hams and bacon unaltered.

. STOCK AND STATIONS. During the past week the weather has been everything that could be desired for agricultural and pastoral operations, and a large breadth of cereals has been well gathered. At the «amfl time it has been equally favourable for root crops, which in most districts promise well. Station Pbopbbtibs,—The Blue Cliffs station, in the Timaru district, consisting of 8500 acres of freehold, with valuable improvements thereon j 28,000 acres of leasehold in a ring fence; together with 22,000 well-bred sheep; and a stud flock of 1200 sheep has changed hands, by private sale,for £64,500. At Addington, on Wednesday, 7076 sheep and lambs, 530 head of cattle, and 53 pigs were yarded for the week. Fat Sheep were in more plentiful supply than for some weeks past, and generally they were of better quality, one or two lines being exceptionally good, thereby commanding the attention of the trade. As a rule prices were well maintained at about previous quotations. Fat Lambs were in full supply without any active demand. Best lambs made 7s 9d; inferior, downwards, according to quality. Some lines were passed out unsold.

Fax Cattle were in excess of trade requirements, and met with a dull sale at reduced prices. Best quality, light summer weights, maria equal to about 26s to 28s. Medium 24s to 265.

Sxobe Cattle were in fair demand at a decrease on last week’s prices. Store Sheep met with a more ready sale than for weeks past in consequence of improved pastures.

CUSTOMS’ REVENUE. The following was the Customs’ revenue collected on Thursday, Feb. 13 £ s. d. 'Wines 49 10 2 Spirits 356 4 0 Beer 6118 9 Stout 8 8 9 Tobacco 59 17 6 Tea «•• * 39 8 4 Sugar 29 13 1 Goods by weight 62 17 0 Ad valorem 498 0 0 Total £1145 2 7 COEN EXCHANGE, The following is the Corn Exchange report for the week ending Friday evening, Feb. 14 The exceptionally dry season, coupled with the violent winds, render the yield of grain and other produce far below the average. Wheat.— Thera Is a want of animation in the wheat market. The general feeling points to low rates ruling, and the outside markets are by no means encouraging. From recent advices from London (in round numbers), there are about It million quarters of wheat afloat for England. The price quoted for New Zealand wheat is only 40s to 45s per quarter, whilst new English white wheats are only worth 36s to 465, red being quoted at 33s to 4fe per quarter. It is confidently expected that low rates ora likely to continue to rule for wheat, chiefly because of the great and increasing amount of production in the Colonial possessions of Great Britain andfthe United States of America. la the absence of groat wars, and other unforsoen causes of scarcity, the supply will be likely to keep pace with or even exceed the demand. The invention of labour-saving harvesters is neatly sure to cause for many years to come a considerable augmentation of wheat production. These are all potent reasons, and worthy the grave consideration of our Colonial farwwra- First-class milling samples cannot be quoted at over 3s to 8a 2d per bushel; thin and TSSKtf ««?£■»*. i. orders in the market to execute. The demand at present is purely of a local character The samples coming forward are not as a rote flrafcdsss; they arewanting in weight. Sales are reported to fair mining atM to Ba2d. and fortod purposes 2s 9d to 2a lOd per bushel; the demand la limited. Baelet.— There are inquiries for prime waiting barley; such samples meet with a ready sale at full ratesHor immediate delivery). Bellow are looking for very high rates. Their views are supported from the scarcity of matting barley in Victoria, and the very high rotes which have recently ruled there. For prime malting barley as huh as 6s has been given. Friees may be quoted at from 4s 6d to 6s, according to sample. Potatoes.— The demand at present is purely local; purchases are made from hand to mouth. Small parcels have been sold at from £5 to £6 a ton. The supply is in excess of the demand. The general crop will be later this season, on account of the early planted potatoes suffering from want of rain. It is very doubtful if the crops will reoovor from the continued dry weather, and In any case

seem tonaTe been given somewhat prematurely. Itistoo eSlvto quote nates, for the general crops ot potatoes willhot he fit to ship for some consider* chutoWns.-A good many samples have come forward, and as a rule rye-gross sew this yoftt, and not equal to last y®ar s productions. Extreme rates are looked for for samples; sales 'have been made at 5s 6d to Qs dds , Cocksfoot Is not much in demand 5 prices may be quoted at from GJd to M per lb. Chebbb an© Butter.— For the former s|d to 7d, and lid per lb for the latter.

Messrs Robert Wilkin .and Co. report.—WoonAt oar auction on Tuesday, 413 bales were sold. There was a fair attendance of buyers, ond. considering the unsettled btato of * markc ts, prices obtained were good. Cross-bred.to Bld cer lb: merino, to Od per lb;; piece*. 5W per lb j looks, to SJd per lb; diggings, J™" Our catalogue to*<kiy -consisted of 2543 sklna. There was a full attendance of buyers, and biddings wore spirited, as follows :—Cross-breds, largo, 4s 8d to 6s 2d each ; do, medium, 8s 4d to 4a fid each ; do, small and inferior, 3s to 8s 4d each; merino, largo, 4s 3d to 5s each i do, medium, 8s 2d to 4s Sd each ; do, small and inferior. Is lOd to 3a 2d each, -There was a fair supply of tough hit to hand, which was all sold. Best clean well saved, 2d to 24d perlb; second duality, IW to 2d per lb: inferior and heated, id to l-id par lb. H ides— Salted, Sfd per lb j damaged, 2Jd per lb : calf skins, 4d per lb. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. Names, Feb. 14. Mr B. Miller reports the sale of Mr Massey Hutchinson’s Wbamngol and Waipora estate, consisting of 416 acres freehold and 513 acres^leasehold, with 2200 sheep and plant, to Mr Gavin Peacock for £SOOO. w _ , ~ Weixinoton, Feb. 14. The N.ZX.snd M. Agency Co. resort that at their sale the attendance waa good and bidding qsiriteA which resulted in the wholeoataiogne coingquitted with the exception of three lines. They also quote the ruling rates of inferior packs at 8d per lb : greasy cross-bred fleece, 6d to8»d; sheepskins, full wool, 5d per lb j lambskins, 9d each, and pelts Sd 5 hides there was not a good lot offering } buyers were disinclined to operate. _ , ~ Oamaeu, Feb. 14. There is still nothing doing in the grain market, and rates remain nominally the some as last week. To-day the first instalment of new wheat arrived m town, hut nothing has been done; Oats are still dull. We have heard of a lino of new which have been placed at 3s ex store for Auckland. Clontrary to general expectation, this cereal will yield very well this year. Harvesting operations ate now in full swing, and a few wests will no doubt see a steady business. Wheat, 3s 9d to 3a lOd t, oa i®, ▼ery tit tie offering; flour* £9losto£loj bran, w to £4los; pollard. £5; oatmeal, £2O; pearl barley, £24 j none in the market. ■ . • i Ikvkbcaboiil, Eeh. 14, The market is steady- Flour, £lO to £lO 10s; bran, £5; pollard. £5 15a. Imported goods go quietly into consumption. Woolpaoks, 4s; cornsacks, 9s fid; teas. Is fid to 3s fid for good congous j sugars. 37s to 475; Hennessy’s brandy, case 355, do bulk 10s 9dj J.D.fc Z. Geneva, I2a 6dj rum, 5s fid ; currants, 4jd j raisins, 64; and figs, 7d. Building material moves off steadily. English, iron, £26 IQs; cement, 15s fid; and 8s is still the price for local b mrds and scantling. , , . Share Market.—l’ho state of the share market for the week ending Friday, Feb-14} is as follows ; Banks—New Zealand, with right to new issue, £23; without right to how issue, £22 ; now issue £2 10s premium; National, £3los; Colonial Bank, £2 9s. Id surances—N ew Zesl&nd, 77s 6d } National, 2456 d) Colonial, 6s; Union, 15s fid j South British, £3 7s 6d ■ Scottish and New Zealand Ivestment Co., 17s; Union Steam Shipping Co. (ex. div.) 77 a fid j Mosgiel Woollen Factory, ss; Otago and Southland investment Co., 295.