COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16138, 15 January 1913, Page 11

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON MARKETS. ■United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 18. Shares.—Waihi 30s 7d to 31s lOd, Talisman 32s 6d,to 33s 6d. (Received January 14, 10 p.m.) LONDON, January 14. "Wheat—The market is quieter. Two Australian cargoes sold at 38s and 38s 4jd respectively. Victorian, sailer, January-February »hipment, is quoted at 37s 9d. ' MABKET REPORTS. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. With harvest already commenced in a few localities and with farmers all over the province busying themselves with preparations for the ingathering of the season's grain crops, it could scarcely be expected that even had they considerable stocks on hand, which it is generally admitted they have not, they would have the time or inclination to market their holdings, the work on the farm demanding every moment of their time. Under the circumstances it is not surprising that very little grain has recently been placed on offer by growers, and practically all the trade that is being done, and this it may be mentioned is of quite miniature dimensions, is between merchants, all of whom are anxious to clear their stores in anticipation of the coming season's business. Prices for both wheat and oats have been nominally unchanged during the last month, values for all descriptions of grain being firm. A little shipping is being done to northern ports, but shipments to places beyond the dominion are very small. In this connection it is worthy of note that for the last month of the past year the total shipments of wheat to ports outside New Zealand were 25,369 bushels, valued at £4691, of which only 127 bushels, valued at £2B, were shipped during the latter half of the month. The shipments of oats, too, showed a heavy falling off, as while the month's exports amounted to 199,726 bushels, those of the last half of the month amounted to only 17,778 bushels. Reports from all parts of the province show that the crops are making very satisfactory progress although some fears are entertained concerning the late-sown fields. The recent rain, however, will, it is expected, greatly assist these to fill out. In several parts of the province early oats have already been cut, but so far none of the new season's grain has been marketed. The potato crops throughout Canterbury, most of which are looking very healthy, will benefit immensely by the recent rains, and at present the outlook is anything but discouraging. Locally nothing is being done in tubers, and, of course, exports have altogether ceased, as evidenced by the fact that for the last half of December the shipments amounted to only 11 tons, valued at £172.

The price of dairy produce, notwithstanding the superabundance of grass, is unchanged. The Department of Agriculture has just issued a leaflet giving some interesting particulars concerning the shipping business done during the year 1912, and from it it is possible to make an instructive comparison with the previous year. It is noticeable that the

exports of wheat showed a very heavy falling off, last year's exports being less than one half of what they were in 1911. In 1911 the exports amounted to 1,254,497 bushels, valued at £219,182, while last year they amounted to only 505,205 bushels, valued at, £95,702. Oats, on the other hand, showed a very marked increase, the exports in 1912 being between six and seven times as great as those of 1911. The exact figures are:—l9ll, 73,120 bushels, value £9249; 1912, 4,125,520 bushels, value £484,546. As might naturally have been expected, considering the strong demand which set in from the Commonwealth, the export of potatoes last year showed a heavy increase, the total tonnage rising from 1254 tons in 1911 to 19,984 tons in 1912, and the value from £6339 to £150,209. Considering the high prices which have ruled for phormium tenax during tho last few montlis, it is surprising to find that tho exports did not increase to a large extent, tho figures showing that whereas in 1911 the oxports amounted to 19,360, in 1912 tho tonnage was 19,272. Although tho tonnage was slightly less tbe returns amounted to a larger sum, the credits to the two years being £314,835 and £380,093 respectively. It is worth noting that the exports last year reached the lowest point touched for 6ix or seven years. Turning to butter, it will be seen that the year's exports constitute a record, exceeding that of the previous year by no less than 75,000 cwt. The total exports for the year ended December 31 last were 378,107 cwt, valued at £2,094,789, the previous year's record having been 302,922 cwt, ■ valued at £1,559,345. In tho export of cheese tho figures are equally satisfactory. Last year the total reached 576,843 cwt, valued at £1,683,592, against 439,193 cwt, valued at £1,184,082 in 1911. The figures in connection with tho frozen meat industry are equally satisfactory, showing that steady progress is being made in all its branches. In 1911 1,850,148 carcases of ' frozen meat, valued at £1,111;086 were exported from the dominion, while last year's total was 2,304,891 carcases, valued at £1,518,068. In the export of legs and pieces there were also increased shipments. In 1911 the legs and pieces shipped amounted to 32,320 cwt, valued at £44,304, while last year the total rose to 40,175, and the value to £55,192. The exports of frozen lamb, on the other hand, showed a slight decrease both in numbers and value. Last year 3,217,002 carcases, weighing 932,391 cwt, and valued at £1,925,740, were exported, while in 1911 the shipments amounted to 3,419,201 carcases, weighing 1,030,533 cwt, and valued at £1,934,663. The year's exports of wool totalled 188,361,0831 b, valued at £7,092,932, against 169,461,7811 b, valued at £6,548,509 in 1911. The dominion's total exports for the year ended December 31 last were £20,078,696, against £17,594,965 in 1911.

Tho following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, delivery at country stations: — Wheat—3s 7d to 3s 9d. Oats (nominal) —Gartons 2s Id to 2s 2d, Dims 2s to 23 2d, Danish 2s to 2s Id. Barley (nominal) —Malting is 6d to is 9d per bushel, according to quality. Chaff—sos. Peas —Partridgo 8s 8d to 8s 6d. Seeds —Ryegrass, Italian and Perennial, {armors' parcels Is 9d to 2s 3d, machinedressed parcels 3s 9d to 4b, cocksfoot to 4Jd. Dairy Produce—Cheese, dairy, large 5Jd, loaf 6d; factory, large 5Jd to 6d. Butter, fresh local factory prints Is Id, farmers' separator 9d, farm dairy Bd. Hams lOd, sides 9d, rolls 9]d, rolled hams lOd. Lard, pats Bid. Eggs lOd per dozen. EGGS. At the auction sale of guaranteed eggs yesterday the prices realised were: First grade hen eggs Is Id to Is second grade hen eggs Is to Is Id, duck eggs Is to Is Id, all at per dozen. RANGIORA. The Rangiora market was well attended yesterday. There was a yarding of about 2000 sheep, but owing to the uncertainty regarding the attitude of the slaughtermen fat lambs were represented by' only one line of about 30 head. A few 'small lines of fat wethers changed hands at 18s 6d to 20s 6d, and fat ewes at 14s 6d to 17s. The fat lambs made 15s 6d, rape lambs 12s 6d to 15s 2d, two-tooth wethers 14s 6d to 15s 2d, four and six-tooth ewes 16s 2d. There was an entry of about 120 cattle. Fat heifers sold at £7 7s 6d to.£B ss, fat cows £6 10s to £8 7s 6d, two-year-old steers £7 7s, eighteenmonths steers £3 17s 6d, mixed yearlings £3, springers £6 10s to £8 153, dairy cows in profit £5 2s 6d to £7 10s, calves 365. Tho entry of pigs was smaller than usual, only about 80 being ponned. Baconers sold at 50s to 55s 6d, porkers to 38s, stores 27s to 375, and small pigs 13s to 18s. In the produce yards heavy half-bred sheepskins sold to 9s 6d, medium 5s 6d, lighter 3s, pelts 23 9d, lambskins 2s 6d, hides 6d a lb, fat ljd, fleece wool 9id, locks and pieces 6Jd; poultry, roosters 7s 4d, hens 2s 6d, ducks 6s 3d, chickwheat 3s 9d a bushel, oats 2s 4d, Cape barley 2s 6d, grass seed 2s 3d, peas 3s 3d, beans 3s 3d, bran 5s 6d a sack, sharps 8s 9d, pigmeal 9s 6d, oat sheaf chaff 3s, straw chaff Is 6d, apples 2s 6d a case, plums 2d a lb, cherries 4d.

ASHBURTON. There was only a moderate attendance at the weekly stock sale held at the Tinwald yards yesterday, and the entry of fat ' sheep showed a decrease on those yarded a fortnight ago at Ashburton,' but store sheep were largely represented. The total yarding comprised 2945 sheep, as against 2374-the previous week, and included 191 fat ewes, 229 fat wethers, 213 fat lambs, and 2312 stores. With freezing buyers not operating, there was very little demand for fat wethers and _ lambs, and the bulk of the yarding in both instances was passed. Butchers took the whole of tho yarding of fat ewe 3 for local consumption, but owing to the prospects of dry weather farmers were willing to take reduced prices, and butchers bought at from Is 6d to 2s less than the prices ruling at last market. Prices obtained were as follow: Prime butchers' ewes 15s to 17s 9d, others 12s lOd to 14s lOd, prime wethers 17s to 20s 6d, others 14s 6d to 16s Bd, freezing Lambs 15s 9d to 18s. There was very little interest taken in the store sheep market, and of the 2312 sheep yarded only 352 were sold, and these wfcre in small lines. Sales were: 26 merino ewes 6s 6d, 19 merino ewes and 19 lambs (all counted) 6s Id. 36 two-tooth and full-mouth three-ouarter-bred ewes and 37 late lambs (all count; ed) 12s Id, 100 two-tooth half-breU wethers 13s 7d : 107 two-tooth ditto 13s 6d, 42 merino wethers 9s. Fat steers made £5. 5s to £lO 15s, fat cows £6 5s to £6 10s; cows: springers £4 10s to £8 ss; heifers: springers £4 7s to £7 ss; store steers £2 to £5 10s; Holstein bull £4 ss.

TEMUKA. . | The usual fortnightly stock sale wa3| held at the Temuka yards yesterday. : There was a fair entry of sheep and, cattle, and as usual pigs were largely represented. In the sheep pens there was some fino fat stock, which was disposed of at a very fair price. There was a good attendance of buyers and bidding was fairly brisk tliroughout tho sale. Though there was only » fair entry of cattle, the yarding of springing heifers was good and the bidding was brisk, prices ruling if anything a little in excess of lato rates. With the exception of fat sheep, tho realisations were a little easier than those of recent sales. The following B re some of tho prii3»« realised:—

Sheep—Fat wethers 17s 3d, 18s, 18s lOd to 19s, fat ewes 18s 2d to 19s, fat lambs 17s 3d, ewes with lambs 12s sd. Pigs—Weaners 16s, 17s 6d, 19s to 20s, stores 27s 6d to 335. Cattle—Fat cows £8 10s, cows in profit £7, £7 15s to £B, springers £6, £7, £7 2s 6d, £7 10s, £7 15s, £8 to £8 15s.

STOCK EXCHANGES. CANTERBURY. The following we tho latest quotations:—

AUCKLAND. [Per Press Association.] I AUCKLAND, January 14. Morning call Watchman 2s 2d, Ross 5a 6d, Waihi 32s 3d, New Zealand Insurance 94s 6d, New Zealand Portland Cement 22s 6d. 3.15 Call—New Waitaia Is sd. WELLINGTON. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 14. Stock Exchange sales reported— Ross Reconstruction 5s 3d, Murray Creek 5s premium, Talisman Consolidated 36s 3d. DUNEDIN. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, January 14. The following sales were made on the Stock Exchange to-day:—Union Steam £2 6s 6d (three parcels). The following sales were reported— Westport Coal £1 7s, Waihi £l 12s 3d (two parcels).

' MINING. KOMATA REEFS GOLD MINING COMPANY. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 14. During the four weeks ended December 21 last, the Komata Reefs Gold Mining Company crushed and treated 480 tons of ore for bullion worth £lO9l. The expenditure for the period was £948. Comparod with the yield

for tho corresponding period last year, when 500 tons gave £1516, this shows a decrease of £425. The return now published completes tho company's output for the year 1912 and shows the total of £15,377, as compared with £17,111 in 1911. a decrease of £1734. Tho total won from the mine to date is £394,957.

Buyers. Sellers. 6 b. d. & ».d. BREWERIES— Crown . . • 114 0 FINANCIAL— National Moitgago 8 19 0 INSURANCE— National of N.Z. a 2 3 MEATS— British-N.Z. Meat (IS* paid) 0 IS 0 SHIPPING— New Zealand . • . 14 5 0 WOOLLEN MANUFACTURING— Kaia-poi S 4 0 Kaiapoi (preference) • t S 0 miningRoss Goldfielda . 0 5 10 Woihi 1 12 0