COMMERCIAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 65, 17 March 1911, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

MARKETS

(Christchurch Press, Wednesday.)

The local wheat market is very quiet since buyers reduced their limits, many farmers preferring to hold rather than accept present values. Exporters say they cannot give more than 2s lid at country stations, though prime milling samples may in cases realise 3s. During the last few days some 800 to 900 sacks have fc^en purchased at 2s lOd for Hunte*s\ and 2s lid for Tuscan at a 3d station.

The oats market is very firm, and offerings still scarce. Gartons are worth up to 2s 2d, and for Algerians up to 2s 3d at country stations has been paid. A Ghristchurch business man, who has been on a visit to Southland, states that the crop there will be all harvested within a fortnight. About ninety per cent, of the oats now grown are Gartons, and the bulk this year will be "A" grade. The weather has been so fine that, a large quantity of oats is being threshed, from stook, and the crop so far as yield is concerned, is an average one. At present 2s at country stations is being paid, though in a week or two, when offerings''increase, prices may ease somewhat. The shortage of oats in North Otago and Canterbury is expected, however, to keep the market firm. The prices asked for oatsheaf chaff are beyond exporters' limits, but there is a certain amount of speculative business being done in consequence of a probable shortage of feed in the winter. Up to 70s at country stations has been paid. A fair amount of business is being done in potatoes, though most of the samples being offered are not yet ripe enough for coastal shipment, and outside of the demand for immediate use most of the business is being done for April delivery. Partridge peas are easier in consequence ox a falling market at Home, and 3s 7d is the outside price now paid. The undermentioned are the prices paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission, except where otherwise stated: —

Wheat.—Old wheat nominal; newmilling wheat 2s lOd to 2s lid, at country stations. "... ■

Oats.—New Algerians 2s to 2s 3d, Gartons 2s to 2s 2d, Duns Is lOd to 2s, at country stations.

Barley.—(Nominal). Ryegrass.—ltalian 3s 6d to 4s, Perennial 3s 3d to 4s, at country stations.

Cocksfoot.—6£d to 7Jd, on Peninsula.

Peas.—Partridge 3s 6d to 3s 7d, at country stations.

Flour.—£B 10s per ton. Bran.—£3 15s, local £3 10, f.0.b., per ton. '

Pollard.—£6 per ton. Oatmeal. —25's, £13 per ton. Oatsheaf Chaff.—New 655, at country stations.

Onions.—3ss, at country stations: Potatoes.-:—Early varieties and Up-to-Dktes, £2 12s 6d to £2 15s 3 for immediate delivery/ and £2 10s for April delivery, at country stations.

Dairy_ Produce.—Cheese,, factory ssd, dairy sd, loaf s§d; butter, factory lid and 12d, farmers' separator lOd, dairy B|d; bacon, sides 7£d, rolls Bd, hams B§d; honey, extracted, 3Jd per Ib, wax Is 2d per 1b; lard (packets) 7£d; fresh eggs 14d per dozen.