NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE AT HOME

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 44

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE AT HOME

Messrs Thos Borthwick and Sous, writing on January 11th, say:—“Best Home sheep are now touching 9d per lb, a very high price at this season. Cattle are also rather a better sale, but with full supplies of dead beef, the rise is only slight. There has not been-much change in the frozen trade since last report, both mutton and lamb are about |d per lb dearer with more demand, and as stocks are light, and in few hands, there will he a run of high prices for some time yet. Though we do not quote over 5d per lb for heart Canterbury aheep still a much larger proportion can b& sold at this price than, three weeks ago.'' The New Zealand Loan, and Mercantile Agency Company remarks that, the chief interest in the wool trade at the present time (January 12) is centred in the near approach of the first series of London sales, which opens next 'Tuesday; meanwhile a quiet tone prevails at Bradford. A more confident feeling, however, in the position is generally manifest, and this has Been strengthened by the result of the Antwerp sales which opened on. the 7th inst., when, with a large attendance of buyers and spirited competition, values for Buenos Ayres and Monte Video merino wool marked an advance of 5 to 10 per cent, upon the rates ruling at the auctions held at that centre in November. Crossr bred wool was in very small supply, and* so far as can be judged the prices paid showed little or no change. As at present arranged, the first of the London series of sales .opening, nex Tuesday, will be brought to a close on. the 13th February, though some curtailment will probably be found necessary.

Stocks 1 of New Zealand mutton are also reported by the N ational Mortage and Agency Company of New Zealand to be

getting into very, small compass, and holders have consequently been very firm in their ideas, although the limited demand usual at Christmas and the marketing of stole parcels have prevented any material rise in values. Really prime bright Canterbury sheep have been very scarce, and carcases of this description, 48 to. 641 b, are now saleable at 5d per lb on Smithfield ; heavy weights range down to 4-id per lb. New arrivals of frozen rabbits (to January 12) comprise about 40,000 crates. It is stated in the report of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, that the colder weather and the slight falling-off in supplies from Australia have imparted a more cheerful tone, there being a better inquiry at fully late rates. The following are the market quotations for reliable brands of New Zealand frozen rabbits:—Selected, 31b and up, B£d each; largo, 241 b to' 3lb, BJd each; young, 21b to 241 b, to 7d each. Importations into London during the past three weeks have included 168 cases from. New Zealand. After the termination cf the New Year holidays, and also in consequence of the colder weather, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company states that prices for butter have recovered lost ground, up to 112 s now being paid for “finest,” which is quoted from 110 s to 112 s epr ewti, good to fine being set flown at 100 sto 108 s per cwt. A comparison of these figures with those ruling at the same period last year shows an advance of' 10s per cwt.