CANTERBURY MARKETS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11649, 13 October 1923, Page 10

CANTERBURY MARKETS

POTATOES LIFELESS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, October 12. Tho potato market is lifeless. Consignments have been, going north on the top of orders and with tho new potatoes that are coming in there is now no need for northern merchants to concern themueives for a fortnight or more. Values to farmers are only nominal, for merchants are not haying, bat it is dcnrbtfnl if more than 48 5s would be paid. Probably a number of holders of twenty tons ana over couldi be numbered on the fingers of one hand, but there are quite a number who have a few tons. During the past fortnight about 10,000 sackß have gone to Auckland. The Atua took 2500 sacks, and the Kakapo 2500. The Pttkaki sails on Sunday or Monday and the Wingatui is due to leave about Ootokor 19th. Nominally f.0.b., s.i., values are about 410 per ton for whites and Dakotah There is still a remarkable lack of inquily for seed potatoes. One reason given is that the proportion of seed to table was much heavier this year and these wore sold early in the season to prospective growers. Some business in next year’s potatoes has taken place for April delivery at 46 5s f.0.b., S.i., but offers generally are 5s less. Merchants say that business in general seed lines has rarely been duller than at present. All classes ate firm, but Inquiry is absent. Cocksfoot is firm, but has not kept pace with the Home advance. Cowgrass Is worth 7d to 81d to farmers and White clover Is to Is 2d. .Linseed is worth .£l6 5s pet tott to 416 10s at country stations, but tho_ quality is not vett good in what is offering. The pea market is still week at Home. There has been a good deal of contract ruing with farmers for next year at per bushel at country stations. On the present London parity this Is a good prioe, tout tho Homo pea market has been d very erratic one this year. Oats are worth 3s 4d per bushel, f.0.b., e.i., or 2s 7JJ to 2s W at country stations.

The Chaff market is quiet and quotations are about 44 10s per ton at country sta tiros. There has been a brightening in the nonthem fescue and doestail market. Chewing feecue is worth Bfd for the beat Quality to farmers. It is reported that the presence of Cape weed is making Cpme pf the fescue unsuitable for export. Dpgstail is quoted wholesale at about Ski pp fid to 8d to farmers.