LATEST COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 20

LATEST COMMERCIAL.

Messrs AA r . AVoddel and Co,, London, report on 9th March : Frozen Mutton.— New Zealand—The demand Is by no means active. Supplies are about sufficient for the present requirements of the market. There is no glut of sheep, and with an ordinary trade such as might reasonably be expected at this time of the year, supplies on hand would be little in excess of trade necessities. Best grades aro not plentiful, but although so few really pritno parcels are available. Id per lb lias been made only in exceptional eases. For any largo quantity no more than ffiffl to 33d per lb can bo quoted. Secondary descriptions are in good supply, hut unfortunately many of the sheep are wanting in quality. Good Dunedins aro worth about 2{ d to 2(d per lb for wholesale lines. From Wellington some very good lots of slice)) aro to hand, and these average about 2!d per lb at Smithtield. Ewes and sheep of inferior quality are not in much request, and prices for this class of mutton remain unaltered, at little over the rates ruling for Australian and Plate sheep.

Wood. —The second series of colonial wool sales was begun here on 3rd inst. In the presence of a very full room, competition from the outset was of a most animated description, especially from Continental buyers, and Germany in particular, and prices moved upward to the extent of about 5 per cent. Long, shapely, combing wools, however, were more in demand than tho shorter kinds. Crossbreds likewise appreciated to the fame extent. The quantity of slipes offered was too small to fully gauge the market. Prices appeared to he very firm, with an upward tendency. New Zealand Wig at (ex store)—Stocks in London are exhausted. Reports of serious damage to the crops, by strong, hot winds, have been received and the yield is expected to he much lighter than was at one time anticipated. New Zealand oats (ex store) The demand lias been very limited, hut prices are not quota lily altered, viz. —Fine heavy samples, 25s to 27s ; fair ordinary, 21s to 22s per 28 fibs.