NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12000, 24 June 1902, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

[from our own correspondent.]

, London, May 16. From Messrs. Weddel I hear to-day that the amount of New Zealand butter now on the market is getting into much restricted dimensions, that holders are obtaining unprecedented prices at this • season or the year, namely, 102s to 104s for " choicest" brands, and 98s to 100s for "finest.' : Messrs. Weddel recall the fact that in February of this year fiheir firm suggested to the British Dairy Farmers' Association, " that the British dairy . farmer has much to learn from his colonial brethren, both in the manufacture of butter and its preparation for our markets, and that it would be a good incentive and a profitable example to him if a class were added to the schedule of the dairy show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, next October, at which makers of colonial butter could compete against each other." The association, Messrs. Weddel tell me, have accepted the suggestion, and decided to add the following classes to their schedule:—Colonial butter, salt, in boxes containing not less than 561b, with a first 'prize of £5 and silver medal, and second prize of £3 and bronze medal. Colonial butter, fresh, in boxes containing not less than 561b, with a first prize of £5 and a silver medal, and second prize of £3 and bronze medal. It is to be hoped (add Messrs. Weddel) that the makers of colonial butter will take advantage of this opportunity and produce an attractive exhibit for the British public at the next dairy show. For New Zealand cheese I am informed that the demand continues fail-, though prices have made no advance in the week. There lias been a fair demand for all classes of New Zealand mutton, and as supplies are only moderate, Messrs. Weddel regard the position of the market as strong, while prices have advanced £d per lb. The later arrivals of Canterbury mutton show less irregularity in quality, and as much as 4gd per lb is being made for 48-5611) carcases, while selected weights ol Dunedin, Southland, and W.M.E. Company's sheep are quoted up to with 4d per lb as a more general price. For lambs the weather remains unseasonable, and continued forced selling has caused a further slight break in prices, and there appears to be no prospect of any recovery until the supply and demand are more in l harmony. I By Messrs. Charles Balme and Co. I am informed that the wool sales have pro-; gressed with great spirit, competition from all sections of the trade being very animated, and the tendency of the market fojr the finer grades of produce is in sellers.' favour. Merino wool, both scoured an«il greasy, has gradually hardened during the past week, and now stands in average 10 per cent, above March final rates, the improvement being most pronounced on comVjing descriptions, while short and faulty scoured merinos rule only slightly in excess of that level. The position of greasy crossbred wool has not materially varied since the beginning of the auctions, > the finest grades selling at 10 per cent., medium 12£ per cent., and coarse 7£ per cent.' advance on last sales' closing quotations. Prioes for scoured crossbred and for fslipes have, however, recently strengthened., and may now be quoted 10 per cent, advance. The .auctions were adjourned yesterday for the Whitsuntide holidays, and will be resumed on the 2}st inst. The quantity catalogued to date amounts to '109,025 bales, of which only some 2400 have been withdrawn, leaving about 130,000 bales available for the second portion, of the series. The fourth series of sales open on July 8, the list of arrivals being closed at 4 p.m. on the day on' which a gross total of 300,000 bales is reached, or, in any case, not later than June 30.