PRODUCE NOTES FROM LONDON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1650, 14 October 1903, Page 68

PRODUCE NOTES FROM LONDON.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, September 5. WOOL. Whilst manufacturers complain off the slack demand for the finished article, the fact that supplies will be in small compass during the remainder of the year keeps the prices for the raw material very firm, especially for the coarser grades of crossbred, in which business has been done at an advance of 5 per cent, on July sales closing rates. The list of available arrivals for tlio sales which will open on 15th inst. was closed to-day, the net quantity for sale, including old stock, being 158 bales. GRAIN. The market for wheat has been quiet during the period under review, buyers adopting a conservative attitude in view of the uncertainty as to the result of the Home and Continental harvest. The better descriptions of oats move slowly at late rates, but inferior sorts are more difficult to sell. The latest N.Z. Loan and Mercantile quotations are: —Canadians 25s to 265, Sparrowbills 23s 6d to 24s 6d, Gar tons 23s to 24s per 3841 b. Duns 20s per 3361 b, and Danish 16s 6d to 17s per 3201 b ex store. Beans .are unchanged at 37s to 38s for old N.Z., and 33s for new per 5041 b ex store. TALLOW. There has been a steady demand, and most of the tallow offered at the three public sales held during the period under review lias been disposed of. Low descriptions have received the most attention, and have advanced Is per cwt. in value, whilst fine mutton shows an improvement of 3d to 6d. The Heme melt is less plentiful, and the general indications point to a continuance of the demand. There are no transactions to report for arrival. Quotations. —Fair . to finest mutton, 28s 3d to 29s 6d per cwt; fair to good beef, 27s 6d to 28s 6d per cwt; edible beef, 29s 6d to 31s per cwt. FROZEN MEAT. During the earlier part of the period under review the demand for mutton continued fairly good, but with a change to hot weather this week the inquiry has been adversely affected, and prices are not quite so firm. As is usual at

this time of the year the demand for lambs has been lessening every week, and the placing of several damaged parcels on the market has further aggravated the position, with the result that values are easier to the extent of from Jd to |d per lb. There is no change to advise in the position of frozen beef, the demand remaining practically about the same, with prices as last quoted. The latest available quota cions are: Canterbury sheep, 2s 9d to 2s lid per stone (weak); North Island sheep, 2s 7d to 2s 9d; ewes. 2s 6d to 2s 7d; Canterbury lamb. 3s 3d to 3s 5d : North Island lamb 3s 2d to 3s 3d; N.Z. beef, hinds 2s 8d to 2s 9d, fores Is 8d to Is 9d. BUTTER. The demand has continued good and values for finest descriptions are firmer Danish is worth 105 s to 106 s, Siberian. 92s to' 94s per cwt. CHEESE. There is vei-y little New Zealand on offer, the small lots being sold realising from 50s to 52s per cwt. Canadian (white and coloured) are worth 48s to 49s per cwt. COCKSFOOT. There is a good demand, and prices have advanced since our last advice, and seem inclined to> go still higher. Good heavy seed is much wanted, an don the spot 181 b seed is worth 51s to 52s per cwt. ex store. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile quote to-day: 17jb seed at 48s, and 161 b seed at 46s per cwt c.i.f. HEMP. The market has been quiet and prices have tended downwards. Just at ,the close there is a firmer feeling, and values have advanced in consequence. La cost quotations: —September-Octobcr, £3O 15s per ton c.i.f. ; October-February, £3O 10s per ton c.i.f.