NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE AT HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4288, 22 February 1901, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE AT HOME

Messrs Thos Borthwick and Sons, 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 id per lb dearer with more demand, and as stocks are light, and in few hands, there will be a run of high prices for some time yet. Though we do not quote ov. 5d per ib for best Canterbury sheep : still a much larger proportion can be sold at this price than three weeks ago.’’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 ncsition is generally manifest, and this has been’ strengthened by the result of the Antwerp sales which-opened on the Tils 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.’ Crossbred wool was in very small supply, and so far as can be judged the prices paid showed little or no change. Ays 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 of New Zealand mutton are also reported by the .National* 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 Christinas and the marketing of stale parcels have prevented any material rise in values. Really prime bright Canterbury sheep haye been very scarce, and carcases of this description.. "48 to Glib, are now saleable at 5d per lb on Smithfield; heavy weights range down to 4-Jd per lb.

New arrivals of frozen, rabbits (to January 121 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 falllng-off in supplies from Australia' have imparted a more cheerful tone, there being a better inquiry at fully late rates. The following are the marker quotations for reliable brands of New Zealand frozen rabbits:—Selected, 3lb and up. Did .each: large. 211 b to 31b. 81d each: young; 21b to 211 b, 6ld to 7d cadi. Importations into London during the past three weeks have included 168 cases fronrylew Zealand. , After the termination of the New Year holidays, and also in consequence of the colder weather, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company stales 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 cwt., good to fine being set down at 100 sto 103 s per cwt. A comparison of these figures with those rilling at the same period last year shows an advance of 10s per cwt.