The Markets. CHRISTCHURCH.— July 22.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 5 August 1871, Page 14

The Markets. CHRISTCHURCH.— July 22.

Very few transactions of any importance have come under our notice in wheat during the week, and the demand has for the moment been less active. Holders of good samples, however, will not quit at anything under 59. 6d. for forward delivery. Stored lots have changed hands at quotations ranging from ss. 6d. to ss. 9d. Our principal millers are fairly stocked, as recently the orders for flour for export have fallen oIF considerably, consequently their operations in wheat have been somewhat curtailed. Flour remains firm at £15 nett cash, delivered in town. Few samples of oats are being offered by the farmers, and the trade doing in this cereal is in a great measure confined to stored lots. Good bright milling oats, are very saleable, at 2s. sd. to 2s. 6d., and even a shade higher could be realized for picked parcels. Tartarian of good colour meet with a steady demand at 2s 3d ; stocks limited. Several lines of barley found purchasers during the week ; prime bright malting being quitted at 3s. to 3s. 4£d. ; medium do., 2s. 4d. to 2s. Bd. ; inferior ditto ranges from Is. Bd. to 2s. Butter has been attracting more notice, and several good-sized parcels were placed at 7d. Cheese cannot be quitted with any freedom, and 4d. is the top quotation. Hams and bacon remain at last week's rates. Potatoes rule low, sales taking place at 35g. up to 455. according to quality. Hops are held with more firmness in this market, as recent advices from England note an advance of fully 10s., and tin's, together with the unfavourable reports of the coming crop, holders will have little difficulty in maintaining improved rates for prime Kents of 1870. With regard to cattle, it is not likely that butchers will be put to any serious inconvenience in procuring supplies, bufc it is not easy to see whence the shops are to be supplied with fat mutton, as it is well known that there are scarcely any fat sheep in the country. Messrs. H. Matsou and Co. report as follows on the live stock market for the week ending July 21 : — "Very little business has been transacted in the live stock market during tho week ; only about 30 head of cattle and 600 sheep were penned. The majority, of inferior description, were turned out unsold ; the attendance was small, and bidding without spirit ; for good fresh stock there is a brisk demand, but in consequence of the great scarcity of iced, inferior qualities are dull of sale, except at considerably below venders' valuation. In beef, the demand ia fair ; any good quality coming forward would meet with brisk competition. In sheep, the market is quite bare of prime mutton, and presents a favourablo opportunity to holders of fat sheep for obtaining high figures. Quotations — Beef, 20s. per lOOlbs. ; a few extra up to 225. per lOOlbs. for town use ; best quality cross-breds, 2fd. to 3d. per lb. ; best quality Merino, 2£d. to 2jd. per lb. ; medium to good mutton, 2d. perlu."