MARKET REPORTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17263, 2 September 1916, Page 3

MARKET REPORTS.

THE WHOLESALE TRADE. CHRISTCHURCH, September L A good week is reported in tho wholesale trade generally. As far as soft goods are concerned, the warm spring weather is reflected in tho demand for'stocks of millinery, mantles and' cotton dross materials. Tho loss of the Tongariro has had the effect of stimulating, the buying from the local wholesale houses, for many retailers, had goods coming to hand by that steamer. They quickly grasped the situation, and caused quite a run on tho warehouses, whoso stocks, of eburso, are landed ahead of tho retailers’. The wholesale importers are also among the sufferers by the wreck. The linos principally affected* are linoleums, carpets, embroideries and show-room goods. Tho trndo in men’s wear is- still quiet. Nothing has been definitely fixed up regarding tho Rnngatira’s * cargo. A meeting of importers wpb hold during the

week, and a committee set up, Several importers have not vet accepted delivery, owing to dissatisfaction in connection with the insurance and shippipng compani.es. Tho increased activity of Carnival week is continuing- in' the' hardware trade, as the early spring is bringing an active demand for all classes of garden tools, which aro selling freely,'notwithstanding, present; high values.Tho building trade is improving, as the competition amongst contractors is making up partly for the increased values of building materials. Wire nails have been short, but shipments have now landed.. Corrugated* iron i 3 in fair supply, but it is almost impossible to procuro further* stocks. Tho loss of. the Tougariro cargo will bo a serious blow to the- hardwafo community, as that steamer Carried'*mftn? lines which .had been on order for over- twelve, months.- - Metals -generally havo’ b'een weakening, but* the * Tongariro wreck arid American strike will - both _ mean. a firming tendency. Stocks of- wire and fencing materials aro low,* but seem sufficient for present demand. _ In general- merchandise the wholesale business continues steady. In dried fruits -the local markets aro being rapidly cleaned up, and stocks of all descriptions aro running low, and it is anticipated that several lines will bo unprocurable before the newt season’s fruits arrive. Tho Mediterranean new .season’s currants will “ cost at least twice ns much as last year. Californian seeded raisins for prompt shipment have advanced 23 cwt. Thero has beeii -no ‘alteration in the pricos of new scaaon’n fruits. Supplies of rough Gcriibbor sand soap are now available. Tho loss of tho s.«: Tongariro, which had a largo quantity of grocery lines for this market, will bo tho means of creating a shortage of several lines. GRAIN AND " PRODUCE. Tho entry of Rumania into-tho war disturbed the local wheat market, but as people gradually bocame reconciled to the tact' that Rumania could not unlock the door to : tho Dardanelles in a few hours conditions regained their former stability, market to-day is firm at luesday’s quotations. Whca.t is not offering too freely. A limited business., has been doing in export-, but mostly m second quality grain. Tho Tongariro was to huve taken some 4000 sacks. Probably aB the result of the mishap to that vessol, the Arawa’s space for a further 4000 sacks is no longer available. Confidence having been restored by tho cabled news that the Home firms do not view the Balkan position as serious in connect.on with the wheat market, conditions soem likely to remain fa.rly stablo locally. Thoro have boon eomo fairly heavy transactions during tlio week, at the following prices:—Pearl 5u to 6s Id (scarce), Hunters 4s 9d to 4s lOd, and Tuscan 4s 7d to 4s-Sd,

The flour, bran and pollard markets are unchanged. Tho potato merchants of Christchurch have found out why potatoes were difficult to sell in tho North Island. Melbourne has taken a hand, quoting potatoes at £6 and £6 10s f.0.b., Melbourne, and some business has . been done at these pricos in Wellington, and further shipments are being raado on consignment. South Island merchants can hardly coppete, the margin of profit boing infinitesimal, with poiatoes bought at £7, country stations. Meanwhile, thoro are only sparse offerings ol potatoes, perhaps because the fine weather has enabled farmers to get on with spring cultivation and sowing, and tho potatoes have to wait. Prices are unaltered since Tuesday. The regular prico is £7 a ton, wth £7 5s or better for choice Dakota .Reds.

Dairy produce is unaltered since last quota! ion.

A demand is retting in for seed oats, but no feed samples aro offered. The North Island is buying from further south. Chaff is hardly considered. The warmer weather, and drying soils aro stimulating grass seed business. Very little is offoring. Holders of cocksfoot have a higher idea, of itc valtlo than merchants* aro prepared to admit. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, not cash, sacks extra, delivered at country stations, the figures for _ the corresponding date of 1916 being also given for purposes of comparison:— Sept. 1, Sept. 1, 1916. 1915. s. d. ». d. *. d. e. d.

GROCERIES—RETAIL PRICES. The following aro the latest quotations of sotno of the principal linos, the prices given, unless otherwise stated, being at. per lb;— Dried apricots lOd, best now is, dried apples lOq, Jordan almonds 2s Bd, Sicily almonds lslOd, arrowroot : Bd,. alum 6d, pearl barley Sd, separator butter Is sd, factory butter to Is Bd, Stearine candles; 7-td; National sperms lOd, local sperms 9d, carriage candles lid, currants 6d, cream of tartar 2s 6d, plantation coffee 2s, cornflour 5d and 7Ad, factory cheese lid, desiccated, cocoanut fid, lemon peel 9d, orange peel 9d, citron peel Is 4d, mixed peel lOd, Epsom saita 9d, sultanas (new) lOd, seeded raisins 7d, soedtess raisins Bd, prunes Bd, cooking figs 6d, flour 251 b bags, 3s 9d, 50lb bags 7s 4d, 1001 b bags 14s Gd, sacks 27s 6d, preserved ginger Is, ground ginger Is 4d, whole white ginger Is 4d, whole brown ginger xOd, Gcrstena (per bag) la Bd, whole meal Sd, crushed meal linseed 4d, lentils 4d, lard (per packet) Is Id, oa/tmeal (71b bag) la 6d, white pepper Is 6d, black pepper. Is 4d, pea flour 6d, : J apanese, rice 2sd, best ground rice 3|d, A 1 Snowdrop sugar 2Jd, • washing soda 2d, carbonate of soda 3d, Sunlight soap. Is. 2d per box, split -peas 3d, saltpetre lOd, sulphur 4d, sago 3Jd, - sheep tongues Is 4d, ehoep tongues in glass jars Is 9a, sharps (per sack) 12s 6d, bran 6s 6d. tapioca (white flake) Did, tapioca (white pearl) B|d, vermicelli Bd, whiting ljd, wheatmenl (71b .bag) 13 6d, .Laurel keroseuo 14s 3d per case, 7s 3d per tin, vinegar 7d ( caustic soda ; 10d and 1b 6d, poultry grit lilb Is, matches, plaid vestas Bd, safoties 6d, haricot beans 4d, coffee powder (soluble) Is, Saveo (coal sarer) Gd, blue lOd, black lead lOd, broad Bd. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. The’fruit market has been‘fairly well supplied during the week. South Australian Mtlduri lemons arrived on Friday, Rnd Auckland culumbers aro on the market. Apples are scarce. Tho supply, of local vegetables falls short of tho demand, and prices are high. Tho following are the ruling

PIGS. Yory few pigs are being offored. Small weaners brought 14s to 21s at to-day's markets, and small stores up to 3'b 6d. POULTRY. Tho demand for poultry is still in excess of the supply, and high prioos continue. At the City Sale-yards during the week t-ho prices received havo ranged as follows: Table* chickens 7s to 10s 2d, hens ,4s to 6s 6d. roosters 6s Id to 9s 3d, pullets 6e to l°s 6d, ducks (scares') 7s to 9s 6d, geese Ss to 11s, turkeys 11s to 84s; all at per pair. EGGS. Eggs are coming forward freely.. The Canterbury Egg Circle prices continiie, namely, first grades Is Id, and second grades Is per dozen. Grocers are offering lid to producers. RETAIL MEAT PRICES. ■ Retail meat prices, are as follow for prime quality, at per lb:—Loin beef*, fid, brisket beef 6d, prime libii 7id, rump etcak

lOd, topside. 7Jd, stewing steak 6Jd, corn silver Bd, corn brisket 7d, pork sausages Bd, leg mutton 74d,: shoulder 6d, neck id, chops 7a, pork lOd, beef sausages 4d. . RANGIORA HORSE FAIR. There was an entry of about fifty horses at. the :Rangiora‘fair yesterday, and the sale was the. most satisfactory held for somo time past. Four-year-old mares sold at £2l 10s to' £4l, six to seven-year-old . mares and geldings £26 to £lO 10s, five-year-old geldings to £36, aged horses £lO to "£l9. Unbroken horses were not in demand, sales being' few. Hacks made £3 to £l2 GERALDINE. At this week’s stock sale at Geraldine there was a good entry and a large attendance. Prioes were ■ satisfactory to sellers. A line of ■ full-mouth ewes, purchased at ,3s 8d three months ago, soid at 15s. Sales were aB follow:—Fat. ewes —79: at'2Bb, 30 at 23s Gd, 30 at 22s Ed. 8 at' 21s 9d, 23 at 20s Gd: fat wethers —17 at 32s 9d, 12 at 32s 6d, 65 at 29s 7d, G at 25s 6d, 4 at 25s Cd. 31 at 255, 42 at 245, 1, at 19s; three-quarter-bred full-mouth ewes—69 at '22s 6d; three-quarter-bred sound . and failing-mouth, 18s; halfbred full-mouth ewes —69 at 15s; half-bred ■ sound and failing-mouth—s 4 at 17s 7d; four-shear ewes—66 at 23s 7d. 100 at 235, 99 at 03s; hoggets—los to 8s- wether liovgets—2o «t 20s, 100 at 17» lOd. SO at 17s 6d, 56 at 17s od. 6 at 15s; ewe hoggets—B9 at 19s 7d; mixed age ewes —32 at 22s Id; lambs at 12s; two-tooth ewes—46 at 20s Gd. In the catt’o -cards, cows realised £l2. £7 2s Gd, £6 2s Gd, £5 Es, £5; fat cattle, £9 10s; heifers. £5 15s. . . ■, In the horso yards geldings made £ll 10s, fillies £6 10s, £4 15s, colt foal £3. <l'n tho pig pens, stores made 25s to 20s. CLEARING SATF OF ENGLISH LEICESTER SHEEP. At tho clearing sale hold on behalf of Messrs R. B. and C. J. Jeff. Highbank, on Thursday, tho following prices were obtained for the English- Leicester sheep:— F'ock owes, two, four and six-tooth, 2igs j four ana eix-too'h,-l}g; two-tooth, ljg; failing-mouth, ljg; - and full and. failing-mouth, 27s 8d; ram hoggets, 335; • ewe hoggets, 28s; one ram, 6gs; ram lambs, lgg; one and two-shear rents, l}g. BAKER BROS. THE HOMEFINDERS. LETTING REPORT. Messrs Baker Bros, of 168, Manchester Street, report having let the follow-' ing properties:—Account Air Hiron, residence, Worcester Street, to Mr Mort-on-; account Mr Dawe, residence, Ranfurly Street, to Mr Taylor; account Mr Robinson, dwelling, Warrington Street, to Air Reed ; account Mr Dawe, bungalow, Tancred Street, to Air Penfold 4 account Mr Davies, dwelling, Edge war 0' Road, to Air Neville; account Airs Donnan, cottage, Horatio Street, to Mr Mecoff; account Air Creglington, 'residence, Oxford Terrace, to Airs Shekelton: account Alessrs Ounington and Taylor, residence, Fitzgerald Street, to Air Salt; account Air Kirk, dwelling, Albert Street, to Nurse Edwards; account Air Knight, residence, Torrens Road, to Airs Stevens; account Mr Cameron, cottage, Peterborough Street, to Air Parkes ; account Airs Gregory, dwelling, Heywood Terrace, to Mr Gibbard; account Airs Scott,- furnished residence, Stonyhurst Street,- to Air Cathro; account Airs Fraser, bungalow, Woodville Street, to Airs Dunnett; account Air •Fisher, residence, Aldred Street, to Mrs Forrester; account Mr Christison, cottage, Clare .Road, to Air , Dixon; account Air Kuth, dwelling, Coleridge Street, to Air Hancock;, account - Alessrs H. H. -Cook and Co., residence, Armagh Street, to Mrs Woodham; account Air S. A. Gabb, bungalow, Jubilee Street, to Airs Bdot; account Airs Mapple, cottage, Caversham Street, to Mrs Boyd; account Air. Appleton, residence, Aladras Street, to Airs Byrne; account Messrs R. Smith and Co., cottage, Acton Street, to Mr v G. S.’Smith. ' . 7622 WOOL SALE. WELLINGTON. ' . * [Pxr Pkkss Association.} ' ' WELLINGTON, September 1. At the second orutching sale to-day, 2706 bales were offered. In the absence, of orders from Japan, crutchinga were lower by 8d to 4d per pound for-good lots, with practically no demand .for seedy Jots. Fleece wools ruled at about late rates. Prices: were:—

STOCK EXCHANGES. -j CHRISTCHURCH. The following are the latest quotations on the Christchurch Stock Exchange:—

OTHER ECHANGES. " ; [Pwi Press Association.! DUNEDIN, September 1. Sales—Electric. 4s (four parcels);. Union Steam, 40s 9d; D.I.C. (preference), 20s 6d. QUEEN’S PICTURES, LTD. At a meeting of tbo directors of the Queen’s Pictures, Ltd., yesterday, it was decided to declare an interim dividend of 5 per cent for th-j past half-year.

Wheat — Tuscan 4 7 to 4 8 6 3 to 6 9 Hunters 4 9' to 4 10 6 9 to 6 10 Pearl 5 0 to 5 1 6 10 to 6 11 Oats (nominal) — Gar ton 3 n e to 2 9 3 10 to 4. 3 Algerians 2 10 to 3 0 4 8 Duns .3 8 to 1 9 4 2 to 4 6 Danish Nono offering. Barley 6 0 to & 4 5 S to 6 8 Peas— Partridge Hone offering. 5 0 Bran 80 0 135 0 Chad (nominal) 90 0 140 0 Oatmeal 340 0 460 0 Pollard 340 0 160 0 Potatoes 140 0 100 0 to 110 0 Flour 230 0 800 0 Seeds— , * ... \ Ryegrass 6 « 5 6 to 6 0 Coek«foot (121b) 0 9 to 0 1:1 0 6§ to 0 7 W. Clover (farm > • ’ dr’ss’d) 1 0 to 1' 8 1 0 . Cowgras3 0 8 to 0 10 0 CJ to 0 7 Dairy Produce. iSopt. 1, Sept. 1, 1916. 1915. S. d. - «. d. Dairy factory cheese . 0 11 • 010| Butter— Local factory (1st grade) 1 7 1 5 Farm separator . . 1 8 11 Farm dairy . . 1 2 0 11 Hnms m . . 1 1 0 10 Sides , , . . 0 11 0 9j Rolls . . 1 9 0 10J Roll Hams . 1 4 0 10J Lard Pota # . . 1 1 0 10 Eggs . 0 11 1 0 Prices quoted for butter are less discount.

prices: — s. d. s. d. Apples, dessert, per lb 0 4 Apples, ' cooking, per lb 0 3fc Oranges, Sydney, per case . 32 G to 13 6 Oranges, Sevilles, per caso . Mandarins, per case 14 0 to 15 0 17 0 to 38 0 ’Frisco Valencias, per caso . Lemons, Milduras,. per case . 22 0 to 24 0 19 0 Pineapples, per cose 1C 0 to 17 0 Leeks, por dozon. . . . 0 5 to 0 b Cucumbers, per lb . . 0 G to 0 7 Potatoes,' per sack ■ . 14 0 to 14 S Cabbages, per dozen . • 5 6 to (> 6 Cauliflowers, per dozen . 6 0 to 7 6 6 Color}', per dozen 0 5 to 0 Carrots, peT dozon • » 0 S to 0 9 Turnips, por dozon • • O' 8 to 0 9 Khubarb, per dozen • . 7 0 to 9 0 Parsnips, per dozon . • 0 10 to 0 11 Onions, por cv/t ,. ' • •: • b b Beet, per dozen bdls. • . 0 4 to 0 5 Marrows, per dozen . . 2 3 to 2 6 Pumpkins, per dozen . 6 G to 7 6

Cross-bred—• d, d. : Mediuip to coarse . . .14 to 14j , Pieces end bellies . 8 to 6 Locks-and stained pieces . . 3 to S' Crutchings— Medium to good . . .. : . . 10 to 111 .Seedy'and-inferior i . 3 to 9 Lambs . . . • — 1 9 to 13' Le*d wool . . . . . 11 to 13 :

BANKS— & o. di National . ... 68 New South Woles (ex rights) (ex 0 .f di.) . . . . 3510 0 Australasia . . . . . 119 10 0 Near Zealand (fully paid) . .17 5 0 New Zealand (£3 6s paid) . . 11 2 6 ; Union of Australia (ex div.) . a . 54 5 0 Commercial of Australia (pref.) . '5 15 0 Commercial of Australia, Ltd. * . 0 14 6 BREWERIES— Crown . . . . . , 114 0 ■ Manning . . ’. . .' . 4 12 e Ward . . . , . .8 1# 0 CEMENTS— Golden Bay . . . .13 0 Miiburn: Lime . . . . ■. 1 16 0 N.Z. Portland . . . . . 0 12 6 Wilson’s Portland . ' . . 15 6 Wilson’s Portland (pref.) . .14 9 COAL— Taupiri , 013 6 Westport . . . . . 1 10 0 Stockton . . 06 6 Stockton (S per cent pref.) . 0 10 6 FINANCIAL— Christchurch Building Society . 11-12 6 Dalgety 6 5 0 Dalgety . . . . . 10 0 0 Mutual Benefit (Canterbury) ' . 11 $ 0 -National Mortgage . . .40 0 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile (ord.) £0 5 9 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile (prel.) 75 0 9 N.Z. and River Pla.e Land Mortgage . ... . . -f-2 0 0 Permanent Investment (Cant.) . 9 0 0 UASAthbnrton (44 10a paid) . .GO 0 Auckland . . . . . 1 10 0 Christchurch - 6 15 0 Gisborne ■ , . . , 1 14 6 Hokitika .. . .... 5 0 0 Napier . . • * . 16 0 New Plymouth . . . .60 0 0 Timaru . 7 15 0 Wellington (£10 paid) . . .14 15 0 ; Wellington (5 per cent cum. ,pref.) 0 19 0 INSURANCE- .- .Formers’ Co-operative (£5 paid) . 5 10. 0. Farmers’ Co-oporativo (£2 10s pd.) 2 15 0 National . . . ■ . . 2 13 6 New Zealand +6 3 6 South British . . . ,62 0 Standard 1 13 6 MEATS- . Canterbury . . . , . 8 2 6 Canterbury (C per cent cum. pref.) 5 2 6 N.Z. Refrigerating (£10 paid) . 19 15 0 N.Z. Refrigerating (£5 paid) . . 9 0 0 N.Z. Refrigerating (£3 paid) . .50 0 N.Z..Refrigerating (£2 paid) . , 3 19 0 Gear (£4 paid) . . . 17 0 0 Gear (£1 paid) . . . . 4 10 0 -Wellington (£5 paid) . . . . +0 0 0 Wellington (24 ■ paid) . . . +5 0 0 Wellington (£2 12s paid , . +3 0 0 TIMBER— Kauri (fully paid) . . . ... 1 13 0 Kauri (15s paid) ..' . • . 0 14 0 Ley land O’Brien . . . .12 0 Taringamutu . . . . 1 18 0 MISCELLANEOUSAshburton Eleotrio Light (ex div.) 1 t> 0 Auckland Electric Trams . .10 0 Auckland Trams (6 per cent pref.) 0 18 0 Booth, Macdonald . . ' . . 10 0 Booth, Macdonald (6 p.c. cum pref) 1 0 0 Cooper and . Duncan (20s paid) . 0 12 8 Caut. Farmers’ Co-op., Timaru . 2 15 0 Cant. Farmers’ (pref. re div. only) 5 0 0 Colonial Sugar . . ..Ml? 8 Colonial Sugar (Fiji and N.Z.) . 21 16 0 Canterbury Saleyards . . . 6 0 0 D.I.O. (10s paid) . . . . 0 10 0 D.I.C. (5s paid) .* •' .06 0 D.I.C. (6 per cent pref.) , . . . 10 3 L'onaghy’s Rope . . . 12 c Glenmore Brick ■ . .. . .016 0 Mason, Struthors, (£1 paid) . .+12 0 Maarn, Struthers (14s paid) . . +0 16 0 N.Z. Consolidated. Dental . . 1 .2. 6 N.Z. Drug . . . . .2 7 6 N.Z. Farmers’ Co-op . . . 2 9 6 N.Z. Farmers Co-op. (1st pref.) . 6.6 0 N.Z. Farmere’ (“A • uham, pref. ro. div. only) . . . .52 6 N.Z. Paper Mill* . .. . 0 18 6 Perpetual Trustee* . . .12 8 Sharland and-Co. . . . -. 16 6 Sharland and Co., (pref.) . .16 3 Simpson and Williams (20s paid) 1 0 0 Simpson and William* (10* paid) 0 10 0

Trustee.*.' Ejrecntor* and Agency 0 10 <? Werre, Hockley . 0 0 0 Weeka. Ltd. . . • 5 6 0 ■WTiitcorr.be end Tombs e io. 0 SHIPPING— . New Zealand . . • . 23 0 0 Now Zealand (6 for coat v • 10 5 ■ 0 U r, ion Steam . 2 1 G Union Steam (prat) , , , 1 1 3 Huddart-Parker • . • 1 6 3 Huddart-Parker (6 per cent pref.) 1 1 3 Northern Steam (ex. dir.) t 0 11 6 Northern Steam {7a paid) . 0 .7 0 WOOLLEN— Kaiapoi . . ■ . +S-0 0 Kaiapoi .(prof.) « fS 15 0. Woeeiel B 18 0 Oamaru . . • ■ « • 1 8 0 Oamaru (prof.) 1 G G Wellington .. < 6 C G "Wellington (prof-) MININ Q— , : . . - - 3 ! 17 +118 6 Waihr- (ex' div.) . • - • .6 Junction . ' . # * # ;V 018 0 Tnlisman . . • 0 9 0 Heroulos . ■ , » 0 15 6 Mount Lyell . • 1 7 6 tEx dir. •Cum di*.