PRODUCE NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4819, 24 November 1902, Page 2

PRODUCE NOTES.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, October S'. BUTTER. For some few weeks a steady sale has been experienced for butter, though the demand, this week has been very dull# prices, in buyers' opinions, having been forced up too rapidly, and they are inclined to stand aside as much as possible and only operate lor immediate requirements and that only in finest qualities. The advance of two kroner* in Copenhagen this week has hardly been obtainable on any of the markets. Current prices are as follows:—Danish, 120 s to 122 s per cwt; Friesland, 103 s to 110 s per cwt.; Canadian, 102 sto 10-ls per cwt; Irish creamery, 110 s lo 112 s per cwt. CHEESE, Canadian cheese meets with a fairly steady sale, and prices are rather firmer. Arrivals of Home Cheddars and Dunlops on our market are fairly largo, and tho demand not by any means brisk. ’ The current prices are:—Scotch Cheddars 56s to 625, Dunlops 52s to 58?; Canadian*. 50s to sls per cwt. FROZEN MEAT. During the past few weeks the tone of the Smithfield market for mutton has ruled firm, tho demand being good (although stocks are fairly heavy) and values havo hardened in consequence. Advices of shipments to com© show, a largo falling oli in quantity as compared with the latter part of last year. Prime Canterbury is to-day worth from 2s 7d to 2s 9d per stone; Dunedin and Southland. 2s fid to 2s 7d; and North Island, 2s 4-a to 2s Cd per stone. A keener demand has been experienced for lamb, which has enabled holders to advance prices considerably. Prime Canterbury is now worth from 3s 4d to 3s fid, Dunedin and Southland Ss 3d to 3s 5d (nominal), and North Island 3s Id lo 3s 3d per stone. Owing to tho high prices realised from time to time for town-killed and American chilled beef, it has been possible to advance values for frozen (stocks of which ar© in small compass) fully id f° id Per lb. Prime New Zealand nmas are to-day worth from 3s 3d to Ss 4d; fores, 2s 8d to 2s 9d; Australian hinds, 3s 2d to 3s 3d (nominal) and fores, 2s 8a (nominal), per stone, ex market. FROZEN RABBITS.

The market for this article rules very firm, and good prices are being realised, ■there are large quantities of both Australian and Now Zealand now arriving, and taken all round the rabbits''are turning out in excellent condition, more care evidently being taken in packing, etc. Prime large hew Zealand realise from Bj)d to Std, young 7Jd to Bid, and small o'id to 7d each; Australian prime large fid to 9d. young GJd to 7d and small (id to 6Jd eacn, ex market. • WOOL. There was a largo attendance of buyers at the opening ot the fifth series, all sections of the trade being well represented, and under the influence of spirited competition, values for merino and the finer qualities of crossbred—the formor being but sparsely represented in the opening catalogues—ruled 5 to 10 per cent higher, coarse descriptions showing little or no change. With the progress of the sales the firm tone of the market became further emphasised in -the case of most descriptions, and at the close, as compared with July closing rates, values were as follows:—Greasy, fine and medium merino, 10 per cent, higher; scoured, fine and medium merino, about 5 per cent higher; greasy, fine crossbred, par to 5 per cent, higher; greasy, medium crossbred, 10to 15 per cent, higher; greasy, coarse crossbred about 5 per cent, higher. Faulty and washy merino displayed some irregularity throughout and showed little or no appreciation on July rates. As regards crossbred the improvement was most’ marked in the cose of heavy conditioned fine and good medium. Per medium and coarse greasy crossbred the Continental demand was more than usually active, while considerable purchases were also made on American account. New Zealand slipes, which were in large supply, for the most part met a good inquiry at an advance of Id on fine and ;d on medium qualities, coarse par to id per lb dearer. The total quantity sold was 165,000 halos, of which 68,000 (inclusive of 7000 purchased for Abierica) were taken on foreign account. HEMP. ' Xu sympathy with a good demand for the lower qualities of Manila, the market for New Zealand has advanced and some 800 tons have changed hands, and though there is a quieter feeling at the close, prices generally are maintained. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile quote for' good, fair Wellington, August B/L, ,£33 10s; September,. .U 33 to .Ail 7s 6d; October, .£33 ss; October-Docember, .£32 10s to J 332 15s; J anuary-March, JJ3O 10s to A3I, spot £3%, • in dock A 33 10s to J 333 15s per ton o.i.f. COCKSFOOT. There has been a good inquiry during the period under review and prices have hardened. The stock in hands is small, and values may further advance. There is a demand for the heavier teed. Current quotations: 161 b seed 665, super 181 b seed 60s per cwt, c.i.f. TALLOW. V There has been an improved demand during the past three weeks and prices have advanced about Is per cwt., excepting in the case of edible beef, which. has been selling at late rates. The feature of the past few days has been tne active inquiry for finest mutton, and some 10U tons, comprising the leading brands have been placed at 34s 6d to 35s per cwt. To-day’s quotations are: Good to finest mutton, 33s 6d to 35s 6d: fair,3ls to 325; fair to good beef, 30s 6d to 325; edible beef, 34s to 35s per cwt. There is nothing doing on c.i.f. terms for shipments, but a , few parcels in second-hand have been selling. GEAIN. A firm tone continues to rule the wheat market here, notwithstanding the liberal supplies from foreign sources and doubtless the late English harvest has tended to keep up vaTues. There is no New Zealand on the market and for the small quantity of Australian still remaining very high prices are asked. There are no transactions to report in respect of Australian cargoes, of which there are none offering. There is a good inquiry for New Zealand beans and peas, the poor quality of the crops in this country accentuating the demand. In Partridge peas, the extreme price of 50s has been, paid for a small parcel. The N.Z.L.M. quotations to-day are as follows: Australian wheat 35s 6d to 36s per 4961b5; New Zealand wheat (long berried), nom, S2s 6d to 33s per 4861b5; New Zealand wheat (short berried), nom, S2s 6d to 33s per 4961b5; New Zealand barley, nom, 26s to 28s 6d per 44Slbs; New Zealand oats (fine), nom, 27a to 28s 6d per 3S4lbs; New Zealand oats (common), nom, 22s to 23s per 3301b5; New Zealand peas, S6s 6d to 52s per 5041b5; New Zealand beans. 36s to 37s 6d per 5041b5.