COLONIAL PRODUCE AT HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4871, 24 January 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

COLONIAL PRODUCE AT HOME

WOOL. Messrs Jacomb, Sou and Co. write, under date November 25: —The sixth and concluding series of sales of colonial wool for the current year commenced hero to-day, when four catalogues, containing a fairly representative assortment of 9693 bales, were, submitted. There is a very largo attendance of buyers, and in view of:the exceedingly small quantity of wool available, it is not surprising that competition is of an animated, and at times excited character. As compared ‘with tho closing prices of last series, merinos show an advance of 5 per cent., fine crossbreds an advance of 10 per cent., medium an advance of 15 per cent., and coarse an advance of 20 per cent,, while South Africans, of which only a few were catalogued, are fully 5 per cent, higher.” MEAT. The Colonial Consignment ‘ and Distributing Company, Limited, under date November 21st, report:— New Zealand Mutton.— I There have been no arrivals, and there is nothing discharging; Wnakatano finished on Saturday. There is little or no change in the market; deliveries at Smithfield continue light, and prices are* about maintained. The more seasonable weather should stimulate demand for both mutton and beef, and make trade brisker. As far as can he estimated, stocks and afloats should suffice, at present rate of output, until new season's shipments come :o hand, _ Canterbury mutton in lines is worth about 4£d per lb, a. few making 5d per lb. Very few Dunodins or Southlands are offering; North Island mutton sells at 4|d •to 42d per lb. New Zealand Lambs. —Cold weather if favourable for beef and mutton, is certainly the reverse for lambs, and deliveries this week have fallen away even from the recent much lessened output; values, too. are lower, and Canterbury lambs that a fortnight ago commanded old to 6d per lb can now be bought at 5Jd per lb, probably less would bo accepted. Frozen Beef. —Duke of Portland brings about 4Go3qrs Australian, Zepbyrus 4500qrs frozen, and Magdalena 4280qrs “chilled” River Plate. With shorter supplies of American chilled and tho higher values ruling for the best. New Zealand hard has been in. slightly better demand, and values a trifle firmer. Hind quarters have sold

at 4id and 5d per lb, to a few at 54d per lb; foro quarters havo mado 4i-a per lb, and are more inquired for. Australian beef is unsolling, but any sold makes about 4Jd per lb for hinds and 3§d to 33d per lb for fores. River Plato hinds sell at 4?d to 4-ld per lb' and fores at 3Jd to 4d. BUTTER. There is a very general impression in the trade, says Messrs \V. Weddcl and Co., that although the supplies from Australia will ho short; those from New Zealand will he much larger. Shipments to date do not, bear out this view. Last year the first five vessels from New Zealand carried 91,656 boxes; this year only 41,670 boxes, or .a shortage of 50,000 boxes, which equals 1250 tons. Tho total import last year from New Zealand was 8300 tons; hence, instead of a largely increased supply, it looks more large diminution. The Panaroa arrived on November 21st with 1815 boxes of Now Zealand now season’s fresh grass butter, which is making virtually the same price as Danish, and is giving great satisfaction. CHEEfiw. The great and sudden rise in price of Canadian checso has temporarily somewhat cheeked business, as buyers have not fully realised what the advance means, but prices remain very (Inn at last week's rates. The Karamoa has just left Now Zealand with the first shipment of New season’s cheese, consisting of about 260 crates.