GLEANINGS

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 54

GLEANINGS

The Mere Mere Dairy Company, near Hawera. lias just built a branch cheese factory, near the Mere Mere Pah. The factory is also fitted up as a skimming station, so that should cheese-making at any time prove unprofitable, it will serve as a feeder for the central factory. Cheese-making operations have alreadv been commenced.

Mr W. Stock, of the Mahora Dairy Factory, Hastings, has just, erected a skimming station at. Tara dale.

The settlers at Rawliitiroa, in the Eltharn district, intend forming themselves into a co-operative company for the purpose of turning their raw product- into cheese.

Already four 00-opertaive dairy companies are in process of formation in the Auckland district-* in order to be ready to manufacture next season. They are being formed by settlers at Kaitaia, Terauamoa (King Country), Kawhia and Mauku.

A co-operative dairy company is also being formed at Albury (South Canterbury) with a central factory and skimming st-atians.

During the second week in December 5300 boxes of Argentine butter have arrived at London. So far, no prices have been fixed, hut the shipments have attracted considerable attention. They are irregular, a.s regards quality, but the finest lots are worth 108 s to 110 s, and other qualities from 955. This trade is expected to develop rapidly. The imports of all classes of butter continue to show a decline on the total for [he same period in 1899. The following comparison is given in the C. C. and B. Company’s circular :

2,662,535 2,826,520 Australia— <. Victoria ... 206,749 ... 166,594 New South Wales 69,379 ... 34,614 New Zealand ... 145,408 ... i 02,492 Total ... ... 3,084,071 3,130,250 Sweden, Germany, Holland, France, Canada, United States and other countries show decreases, while Denmark (45,547 cwt), Russia (201,253 cwt) and Australia (117,806 cwt) show increases. The total decrease is 46,179 cwt.

Regarding the London dairy produce market, Messrs Wm. Weddell and Co. write: —“The demand for strictly ‘choicest’ quality of Australian and New Zealand butter remains good, particularly in country districts, where ties have gone to provide for the Christmas market. Prices arei easier to the extent of 2s per cwt, owing to rather large arrivals expected next week, combined with the desire of agents to clear their stocks before the holidays. The arrival of the Kumara butter at the agents* floors has been very disappointing, and butters which have not come to hand until the end of the week have been sold at 2s per cwt less than those which reached the market at the beginning.”

The advance in the New York, wheat market was naturally immediately reflected in London wheat prices, and a rather sharp movement in colonial wheat cargo has resulted; 303 6d is the rate offering per 4801 b, c.i.f. and e. for cargoes, and 29s 3d to 29s 6d for parcels. The upward movement was not wholly unexpected —though. it has been delayed—for it was evident that immediately big supplies sent forward in anticipation of the ice block had been consumed, prices would very probably improve. Argentine crop estimates of a reliable qtmracter are now available,. and probably the offerings for February-March have been lighter than operators expected. Reports of late from the Argentine have been contradictory, not that a good harvest was hoped for, but estimates of the deficiency as compared with last season varied materially. The outlook may he regarded a,s fairly hopeful. A rise appeared to be imminent some time back. A short Continental and Russian production, last year’s ; Indian famine, a smaller British crop, a much reduced United States and’ Canadian output, and the knowledges of a decrease in the Argentine production, were all classed as factors in our weekly summarises likely to induce a rise. Their influence has, however, scarcely been felt, but as mentioned in our annual review, perhaps the delay will be followed by a more marked improvement than at first expected. With freight rates somewhat declining and the London wheat market improving. the outlook for local growers has improved on the past two months.

The committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce' to make suggestions for the amendment or otherwise of the Government proposals in reference to the classification of hemp has recommended (1) 'that the front part of the tag on the bales should have the

name "New Zealand” and the quality of the hemp (“superior,” “fine,” “good fair,” “fair average,” or '‘common quality/'’) marked thereon; (2) that- the particulars of the grading should be recoided by the and his explanation given to the various millers interested for their information. The Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the recommendations, and ordered them to bo forwarded to the Agricultural Department.

11 Months Ending SOth November. Countries. 1900. 1899. Cwt. Owt. Russia 201,253 ... — Denmark . 1,366,948 ... 1,321,401 Sweden 182,128 227,184 Germanj' 34,545 35,867 Holland 261,989 268,735 France 300,812 329,379 Canada 135,530 243,906 United States 52,941 156,461 Other countries .. 126,389 243,587