COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2691, 14 December 1895, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Nicw Zkaland Tidtk» Office. Friday evening. Thb New Zkaland Loan and Mkucantile Agency Company, Limited, report for tho week ending 13th December, 1895, us follows : Woor.. —Wo hold our firnfc Halo of tho season on (Ith in«t., whan we brought forward a representative catalogue con.-usting of 754 bales and 37 bag*. Thorn way a full attendance of buyers mid bidding was decidedly keen and tho quantity passed in exceptionally small. Since the Hale nearly the whole of tho paHHoddn lots have been disponed ol at prices a shade In advance of those ruling 1 on the oth. It in generally admitted that our first sale of the season, 1895-6, was the most successful that has been held in Wellington for Home years past. Our second auction is fixed for 17th January, 18H0, tho catalogue of which will ho kept open until tho overling of Wednesday, 15th idem. Under date 12th hist, our London office cables us follows :—Tho Bales cloned firmly thin day. Since the close of last sales greasy moririo wuper is par to Ui per lb higher; greasy merino, medium and inferior; Hue crossbred greasy, washed and scoured ; medium crossbred greasy, washed and scoured * coarse crossbred washed and scoured are id per lb lower: greasy merino lambs super, medium and inferior, are id per Jb higher ; slips and medium scoured merino imvo declined id per lb ; oilier descriptions unchanged. The total quantity sold during tho past sales is 149,000 bales, of which 80,000 bales have been taken for the Continent and 12.000 bales for America. It is estimated that 21,000 bales have boon hold over for future disposal. The first series of 1800 Halos open on 14th January. Sheki’SKlnh. —An active demand continues for all descriptions. During tho week we have carried forward a full catalogue, which was disported of at prices lately ruling. Quotation* —Prime full-woolled crossbred‘4, S.fd to s : ld ; medium to good, 4Jd to 5d ; dead and faulty, 3jd to 4fd ; inferior ami broken, 2d to S.jd per lb ; green pelts, fid to Is ; lamb skins, Is 2d each. HjDK.s.—Transactions for the week have been satisfactory. Tho market, however, continues dull for all doscriptions excepting prime stout ox, which meets with active competition at late rates. Wo quote —Prime stoat ox. 4d to 4|d ; medium, 3d to 3£d ; light, 2jd to 3u ; calfskins, 3)d to 4d per lb. Tallow, —Market dull, with a tendency to lower values, Tho quantity of prime mutton coming to hand is limited, for this description we have a few enquiries at JUT 10s to £lB ; mixed and medium rule at £l6 to £l6 30s; inferior and badly rendered, £l4 10s to .£lsloa per ton ; rough fat, IJd per lb. Hemp. This market lias not been characterised by any now feature. The business passing is practically nominal, and the reports to hand from Loudon are not calculated to inspire much hope of ah early recovery. Fungus.— Since our last report prices nave receded ,Jd to id per lb, current quotations for prime dry parcels being 3d to 3.id per lb.

I*aery and Co., Limited, report for the past week a« under:—Wheat—TUo quantity available throughout the Colony is very small, and although buyers are only operating from hand to mouth holders continue firm in their demands, and values show little alteration. Oats—The volume of business passing is moderate, hut prices are well maintained. Chaff EiOoal stocks are light, and considerable difficulty is experienced in obtaining further supplies. The consumption, however, as is usual at this season of the year, is far from heavy. Potatoes —As now potatoes are now coming in very freely considerable difficulty is experienced in clearing stocks of old Dorwonta, which have fallen during the week fully 10s per ton. Sheepskins—Wo have passed a considerable quantity through our hands daring the week at prices showing a slight decline on those last quoted. We quote : Wheat Prime milling, 4s Id to 4h 3d, f.o.b. Southern ports: whole fowl wheat, prime, 4s, ox stores Wellington, inferior fowl wheat, 3a. Oats —Prime short; 2s Cd to 2 s 7d ; duns, 2s 6d ; Danish, 2s (Id ; aeed Tartariana, 2sGd to 2s 9d. Barley—Boat feed, 2a 7d to 2s 8d ; prime malting, nominally 3a; Capo, 2s Bd. Chaff Prime bright heavy, 90s to 95s ; medium to good, 85s ; straw chaff, 60s per ton. Ryegrass—Prime bright machine.drosfiod, 4s 3d to 4s 9d ; medium, .3sCd to4a per bushel. Potatoes —Prime Oamaru Dements, 00s to 70s; Canterbury, Css ; Napier, 45s ; Wanganui, 40s per ton. Sheep«kins—Country crossbreds, medium to fine quality, well-saved pelts, sJdtos?d; ordinary, well-saved pelts, 4 ; |d to sd; medium, badlyeavod pelts, 3d to 4jd ; best country merinos, 4Jd to 5d ; ordinary, 3d to 4d per lb. Hides —Extra, heavy ox, well flayed, 17s to 21s; plump, heavy, ]3s to 15s; medium, £a to I2s ; cow hides, heavy, 7s Cd to 10a ; medium, Cs to 7a ; light, 5s to 5a Cd. Messrs Levin & Co. have received the following cablegram, dated London, 11th December, from their agents, Messrs Ualgoty and Co., Limited: —“ T‘ho sales have closed Arm, and prices are rather higher, especially for the bettor classes of wool; but for short, vasty, burry and seedy wools prices are relatively lower than the closing rotes of last aeries to the extent of 5 or G per cent. The actual total quantity of colonial wool available at the aeries, including old stocks, was 170,000 bales, of which some 58,000 bales have boon sold for homo consumption, 80,000 bales for the Continent and 12,000 bales for America, leaving 20,000 bales to bo carried forward to next series. The prospects for -the next aeries are encouraging. Many American buyers are expected.” The London market cablegram received by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Aokhoy Company states Wheat—-Market firm. Spot quotations have advanced Cd per 4001 b since last report.