COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10482, 20 October 1894, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

! Lyttelton Times Office, Friday evening. The weather during the week has been' "summer-like. A continuance of the same conditions for a short time cannot but. Jiave a good effect in promoting a more lively and hopeful tone in business. Signs are now evident of a slight stir in the articles usually in demand at this season, and also of preparations for the beginning of the main shearing. The opening of the wool sales in Melbourne and Sydney has naturally been watched with attention by flock-masters and others interested. The special feature noticeable has been that the bidding and ■competition at Sydney have been batter and more comprehensive than at the Victorian capital. Without a local knowledge it is difficult to account for this, but advices all corroborate the fact. At the London auctions prices have not rallied as much as was anticipated, but it may be noted that the American purchases have been a materially increasing quantity. As much discussion has taken place as to the probable course the American manufacturers will pursue in procuring supplies, the following extract from a letter received from a prominent business firm in New York may be of interest“ Wool.—Wo have nothing of special interest to report, as so far we have been unable to induce any parties to operate in this line. Most of the manufacturers appear to think that it will be more to their advantage to send a direct representative to your markets and secure just the class of wool that they require, as the coat of sending a man out would be less than the commissions paid in the purchase through others. We have not learned yet of any of our neighbours securing any orders, and in fact the situation is hardly favourable at the present moment, as the large stocks sent here in anticipation of the removal of the duty are now being forced upon the market, and prices have temporarily declined. We think a large trade as likely to result in the future, and business should be much mors active between your country and ours than in former years.” Hopes are entertained here that ■at the main wool sales of the season in (Christchurch and elsewhere in the colony ithe ranks of the buyers will be reinforced by an American contingent. Advices by the m,ail lately to hand im

is concerned, unimportant. Prices for most lines were unchanged, though in certain descriptions of dried fruits the quotations were likely to rale higher. New York dates are to Sept. 14. Since last mail no vessel had been despatched with cargo for Lyttelton, hut the barque City of Adelaide had .been chartered for Dunedin, Lyttelton and Napier, with despatch about Oot. 1. Kerosene remained firm at last quotations, and lower prices wore not looked for, as the demand for the American winter season was then just approaching. The price of barb wire had been reduced to two cents in view of the competition from England and Germany. Hog casings had also dropped to 24 cents per lb. Orders from the colony for moat lines of goods, however, were reported aa of moderate dimensions. Locally, owing to a promise of a continuance of tho fine weather lately experienced, business has slightly improved, and the output of seßßonablo goods has, if anything, increased in volume. Trade at the moment is undoubtedly dull, but ia not without a few crumbs of comfort. The pastures have improved wonderfully, while the later sowing of certain kinds of cereals has been rendered possible. Turnips are being dealt in to a considerable extent, and the acreage proposed to be put in indicates that this class of sheep feed has not been overlooked. Following this tho local manufacturers and importers of manures are pushing sales of their articles. Woolpacks are now being distributed to the stations at Is 8d to Is lOd according to size and weight. Sheepshaars are being sold at almost coat, importers not caring apparently to carry over stocks. Boiled oil direct from Calcutta appears likely to supplant the English makes, the price and quality, it is affirmed, being in favour of the Indian article. The cutting at present current in the retail tea business has in a slight degree checked business in the usual blends distributed. The announcement of a reduction in the price of sugar by the Australasian refining companies, will affect tho imports from Queensland outside of the contracts that hava already been made, while the amalgamation of the two companies which now monopolise the refining business in Melbourne and Sydney, will most probably have a greater influence in diminishing the imports from Queensland in the future. Business in bottled beers and wines and spirits has been moderate, hut with the approach of tho holidays it is expected a more active, if temporary inquiry will be manifest. Those interested in the manufacture of cider have no reason to be dissatisfied vrilh the demand for the article this season. Deliveries both in cask and bottle for the trade and private consumption have been large, and compared with last year show a considerable increase. The arrival of the Hermiono has relieved the market of the scarcity of cement, but as sales to arrive for immediate use hava been large, stocks in store are light. ' Caution in selling still continues to bo displayed, as money is hard to collect, especially where accounts drift into small amounts month by month. Payments on Oot. 20 are, however, expected to come in fairly well. GSAIN AND PRODUCE. The weather since wo last wrote has continued of a favourable character, and farm work in consequence has been pushed ahead. Turnip sowing is now engaging attention, and the acreage to ba pat in, from present appearances, promises to be fully up to the average. The wheat market continues apathetic, and transactions have been unimportant. Prices for all grades display little variation, and outside of dealing for actual requirements there ia no business. Quotations nominally stand at 2a 5d to 2s 6d for Hunter’s, 2s 6d to 2s 7id for Tuscan, and 2s 7d to 2s 8d for Pearl. Fowl wheat keeps well up to the price of milling. Oats.— The market has displayed no greater activity, and beyond the filling of local wants not much has transpired. At quotations dealers do not care to lay in stocks. Milling Is 6d to Is 7d, stout feed Is 6d, other grades Is 4d to Is 6d. Barley. —We have nothing of interest to report in connection with this grain. All descriptions are unaltered ia value. Cape barley ia.quoted at Is 6d to 2s, with a weak inquiry. Beans and Peas. —Prices for both are without alteration.

Flour.— Millers quote £1 for roller and ,£6 for stone.

Grass Seed.— The inquiry for ryegrass and cocksfoot has fallen away considerably. Prices for both are unchanged. Clover seed is out of farmers’ hands, and the diminished business passing has been carried through by tho dealers. Prices generally are 6d to 6Jd. Turnip seed is now being sold in quantity. The inquiry runs almost the same as last year on certain kinds. Dairy Produce.— Butter 5d to 6d, factory 9d to lOd; cheese to 4.,-d.