CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE REPORT.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2212, 3 June 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE REPORT.

Tho following is the report of the Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday evening, Mly 30th : business during the week in the produce market has been a shade brisker, with special inquiries for wheat and potatoes. The advices from the importing po/ts point to higher rates ruling. Wheat. — Thcio is an increased demand for local requirements, with several inquiries for export ordeis. This is the outcome of the certainty there now exists of large supplies being wanted for market? in t'lo adjoining colonies, notably Victoria. Shipments of wheat and Hour have been made fi eely from Melbourne, from the early part of the year to the present date, placing reliance upon th 9 produce return being more than equal to the requirements for home use, which has now tiu'ned out far below the estimate, and importations are required to the extent of twico the quantity exported. The exports f to- a Melbourne this season to the IOHi instant are 173,532 sacks of flour and wheat. For the week ending 13th instant 31 3G sacks flour and 20,J)7(> sacks -n heat were exported to the United Kingdom and Callao. At the latter date the Camilla and Nellie Bret were both loading bread stuffs fur Calko. The fact of those importations being required show how seriously £he crops all over the Australasian colonies have been affected from the want of rom, and equally how important it is for the Govc cnment of New Zealand to publish a weakly report of the rainf ill all through the piincipal districts in New Zealand. Important suggestions of this nature seem to have no effect on tho Government. Values for this coivj.l in the colonial import markets have iuircabul, notably in Melbourne ; prime milling quvlitics arc quoted thereat 5s fid, vith a linn market. Here sales have bi en made fo." medium samples at 3s Gd ; for fii stc' ass qiWi tics higher rates are looked for. The tone of this market is stronger, and an improved tendency. Chick wheat is in demand fiorn 2s lOd to 3s. Oats— The market is weak, and sales are dull at last week's quotations. Local dempud ib fairly good. No export trade can be done, as New Zealand plump milling are quoted in Melbourne fiom 3s 6d to Ss 8d per bushel, V ith a plentiful supply. The3C low prices aio attribuliblc to the abundant supply of maize o i the one hand and large importations of oats from New Zealand on tho other. The mild weather during the last three ■w eoks, causing a flush of grass, has also had a tendency to weaken prices. There is little doubt, however, that as winter draws on piLos will improve. Last Avcek's rates are fatill to the fore, with hardly such good inquiry. Milling qualities, 2s 8d to 2a 9d ; iced, 2-i s^d to 2o 7d. Barley — The local markets are fairly supplied. There are still inquiries for export, but at reduced rates. Prime malting quality cannot be quoted at over 5s 6d to 5s Dd ; medium quality, 4s 3d to 5s 3d ; feed samples, 2s Gd to 3s 6d. Potatoes. — Sevei'al exportordcrs have been executed during the week at advanced rates. Ti.c laofc that extremely high Sydney quotation have appeared in one of the public otgans has unsettled the minds of holders. '! !i s extreme quotation should be confirmed if correct or corrected if quoted in error ; in tho -meantime it is looked upon as unreliable. 'Uie supply of potatoes all over the Australa-

sian colonies is short, .aud more particularly in Victoria. It is roughly estimated that if Canterbury continues exporting freoly hisjh rates will rule ere seed time. Farmers are holding in face of the above facts for an advanced price. Sales have been made during the week for pressing demands at L 3 10s per ton. The market is A r ery firm, and higher rates will have to be paid for large parcels. Grass seed has not been much inquired for chuiug the week, and although an increased demand was in existence a few days ago, it has not been sustained. There will be no great inquiry till spring, when there is little doubt it wiil meet with ready sale. Prices nominal. Cheese and Butter.— The former 6d to 6}d, the latter lOd to lid.