FINANCE AND TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 6

FINANCE AND TRADE

GOLD DREDGING RETURNS. PEE?S ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN. December 23. Gold dredging returns;—Good Cluincc. 940 z 9cnvt; . Rise and Shine No. 1., BJoz Brlwt; Rising Sun, 65cz’ 3dwt; Rise ana Shine No. 11., 570 z sdwt; Golden Bed, sioz lEdwt; Karaunui, 30oz lOdwt; Kopuin.i, 240 z ISdwt; Central Charlton, 20oz Idwt; Waikaia, 17oz odwt; Lady Roxburgh, 9oz 15dwtCHRISTCHURCH GRAIN MARKET. ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, December 25. There is some wheat on otter, but millers are indifferent about buying, and only prime samples attract their attention. A line ot prime unwcathcred Tuscan nas changed hands at 3s 6d at a country /nation, and l.a.q. wheat of the same- variety ai 3s, tho latter being a sample that would probably have made 5s 3d. a snort time ago. There :s no business doing in oats, and chair is also quiet. A runnelout sample of barley ot nice quality has been shown on the market, but no business in new grain is reported. , WELLINGTON MARKETS. ( FRUIT AND PRODUCE. There has been a fairly largo increase in the supply or uome lines oi local summer fruits during tho past lew days, nut it is noticeable that the volume available is not ot uie same aimensions as at the same period last year. Furi.iiermc.re, there is * largo diilciduco between .the supply to hand from Sydney last Christmas and that which came forward this week. The market consequently is displaying a particularly buoyant ton©, with the exception of tor peaches,-which have undergone a smart, ac-cime this 1 weoh. Apricots are in very small supply, and the demand for choice linos is particularly strong; raspberries, together with what few dessert plums are available pj-e meeting with an excellent measure of attention, but after the holidays it is anticipated that incroa&Kl quantities will come forward, and the market will decline. In fact this may be £3id in regard to all descriptions cf fruit. Japanese varieties of plums usually commence to make their appearance in very heavy supplies early in January, and it «s expected that this will be the feature of the market again this season. Tomatoes are in excellent demand, but this line will see a decline after Christmas and New Year. No Island , fruits will reach Wellington before January sth, when both Fijian and Cook Island bananas are due, together with CaMfornian oranges. It is not anticipated that any American lemons will bo ma.koled this season, as this fruit is particularly scarce in tho States. Some few oases of Messina lemons have arrived this week, and opened up in good condition generally. Apples, choice coloured imported 16s to 17s 6d case, prime 12s to 14«: plums, choice dessert 4s 6d to’ss 6d half case, prime 5s 6d to 4=, others 2s 6d to 3s; tomatoes, choice 36s to 18s half case, prime 12s to 14s: anricots, choice 9s 6*l to 10a case, nrime 7s 6d to 8s 6d: gooseberries lsd to 2d lb; lemons llocals) Ss to 6s case; peaches choice 4s to 5s half case, ’prime 3s to 3s 6d;- strawberries choice Is Id to Is 4d box, prime 9d to 3s. POTATOES AND ONIONS. For choice lines of new potatoes there Is a better inquiry, and it would not be surprising immediately after the holidays to fee a temporary advance. There is evidence of the blight being in existence in some districts, as a small percentage of some of the tubers to hand have .opened up affected. It is difficult to forecast just yet what trend the market will take. If unfavourable weather cornea in the producing districts the fear of the blight | making its appearance no doubt will rej suit in an immediate increase in tho J marketings. A fine sample of local onions has made its appearance on' the market, and as only a- email Quantity came-for-ward from Victoria yesterday this lot met w’th keen competition.. It will be some three week? yet before anything like even moderate quantities will be available.

OTHER VEGETABLES. A good inquiry is existing for all lines of vegetables; green peas, ' marrows, pumpkins,- and narsnipa are maintaining good attention; French beans have arrived in far heavier quantities, and prices arc. much lower.

Cauliflowers, choice 6s to Ba, prime 4s to 5s fid; cabbages. Is tb 2g sack; turnips. Is 6d to 2s 6d sackr parsnips, 4s to 5s sack; cucumbers. 3s to 6s dozen; rhubarb. Is 6i to 2s 6d dozen; carrots, 3s to 5o sack; gram* peas, largo fresh 9d to Is peck, small 6d to 8d; lettuce, 3g 9d to 4s case; French beans, 2d to 3d lb: marrows. Gs to'Bs sack; pumpkins, 7s to 9s sack.

EGGS. Tho market for fresh eggs is . displaying a more buoyant tone than that which was noticeable last week.. Supplies ar© not any too large, and the demand is good at lid to 1b dozen.

. . POULTRY. In anticipation of a strong demand for Christmas, supplies have arrived liberally, and there is a w'eaker tone in evidence Hens, 3s 6d to 4s pair; roosters, , good young 4s to 4s 6d; othei*s, 2s 6d to 3s: ducks, 4s 6d to 6s , pair; turkeys, gobblers 18s to 22i, hens 9s to Us. . ' SALES OF~LIVE STOCK. EKETAHUNA. Balgety and Co., Ltd., report having held tbe'r usual Lrtnehtly sale at Eketahuna yesterday. No sheep come forward, but tln-re was a fair yarding of cattle, which all sold under- the' hammer'at prices In favour of vendors. Fifteen-month steers made £5 12s 6d,- yearling steers £3 3s to £5 7s, empty eighteen-month heifera £3. 2s 6d to £3 6s, springing heifers £4 to £4 15t-