COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9511, 5 September 1891, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times Office, Friday evening. While wo write a welcome rain is falling, much to the satisfaction of everybody. Coming immediately after the Nor’wester and the heated atmosphere of Thursday the benefit to the country will he much enhanced. During the week a fair business has been current, and now that a change has set in we may hope for a spirit of briskness. We are glad to say the fourth of the month has passed over uncommonly well, and that payments have been met with a punctuality that is pleasing. Trade is sound enough, the only thing absent being buoyancy. This will, no doubt, supervene with the now more favourable existing conditions. The English telegrams havebeonnoticeablefor their outspokenness respecting the unfortunate position of tha Home harvest. The prospects are such that it is no wonder holders on this side are exceedingly firm in their attitude. The area being sown in grain this year is largely devoted to wheat, and this fact, combined with the dryness of the season, has reduced the demand for imported seeds. Now we may look for an improvement, and dealers whose stocks have been hanging fire owing to the cause indicated will probably be able to effect sales. Turnips have been asked for, but the bulk of supplies are not yet to hand. It ia to be hoped the opening of the London wool sales shortly _ coming on will find an improvement in prices on those of the Antwerp auctions a few days ago. The catalogue will be a large one, and as a quantity of' New Zealand grown ia included the results excite considerable interest.

Tn goods there is nothing special to notice. The local candle manufacturers intimate a reduction in prices as taking place from the first of next month. In our Monday’s issue will be published the usual commercial summary. , GEAIN AND PRODUCE. Locally we have not much of special interest to note in connection with the grain market. A . few transactions in wheat, chiefly in dealers’ hands, have been effected at full rateSi The market for this cereal presents a strong feeling, holders being strengthened by the latest telegrams respecting the disastrous weather that is spoiling the English harvest. We quote Tuscan 4s 5d to 4s 6d, Pearl 4s 4d to 4s sd, Hunter’s 4s 3d to 4s 4d. Oats. —For fine milling there has heen a small inquiry, and prices are firm at Is lOd to la 10£d. Of this description there has not been much on offer. For feed sorts there is but au indifferent market. Stout feed. Is 8d to Is 9d; other sorts, la 6d to Is TJd. Bablbt. —We have no alteration to notice in this grain. Beans and Peas.— For beans the values stand at 2a 9d to 2s lOd. Peas, 2a 6d; Prussian Blues, 2s 9d to 2a lOd. Enquiry for the latter is slow. FiiOub— £ll to £l2, according to brand. Potatoes have in no way improved, and are quoted nominally 10s to 12s fid. Gbass Seed.— The demand will likely now become more active that rain is falling. Eyegraas.—Farmers’ lots, of which there is little offering, 3s fid to 4s fid; town machine-dressed, 5s to 5a fid. Cocksfoot dealers have been afraid to lay in further stocks. Most likely the altered weather will enable them to do a better business. Prices perhaps are a trifle easier. Wo quote 4d to 4fd; machinedressed, Sd to s£d. Daibt Pboduce.—• Butter, lOd to lid; cheese, 4d to 4-J-d.