COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 886, 17 February 1879, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

0 VXtmOiBVKX CfWfW EXCftASWB REPORT. The following te the Com Exchange report for the weeli ending Friday evening-, I'ltfe February : 'Che exceptionally dry season,, coupled with Che violent winds, tender the yield of grain- and other produce, far below (she average. Wheat.— 'there is- ft want of animation t» the grain market, the general feeling points to low rates ruling, and the outside markets are by no moans encouraging. From recent ivdvuiee from tendon (in found numbers), there are about 1$ miHioT* quarters wheat ufloat for England. The price quoted for Now Zealand: wheat is only >W» to 'l3s per quarter,, whilst new EngEsh white wheats are only worth 3*5» t" We, red being quoted; ut Ms to <Hs per quarter. 11l is confidently expeeted that tow rates are likely to< coatitiue for wheat., chiefly because- of the great and increasing amount 06 productton in the Colonial possessions of Hreat Britain and the United States of America, In the absence of great wars, and other unforeseen onuses of scarcity, the supply will be abte to keen pace with or even exceed the demand, 'the invention of labour-saving harvesters is nearly sure to cause for many years to come a considerable augmentation of wheat prodilution, 'these are alt potent reasons, and worthy the grave consideration of our Colonial farmers. First-class milling samples cannot! lie quoted at over "if to :3s «d per bushel •• thin and slightly inferior. 2s lOd to "s. Oats, —'there is little to note in oats,, with few orders in the market to execute. The demand at present is purely of a local character, 'the samples coming forward- are not as ii rule tirst-claes : they are wanting in weight. Sides are reported- for fair milling at lis to .'is-'.id. ami for feed; purposes 2S !)d to '-'S U)d per bushel, 'the demand is limited. Parley.—There are enquiries for prime malting barley ; such samples meet with a ready sale at full rates (for immediate delivery). Heller* are looking for very high rates. Their views are supported from thescarcity of matting barley in Victoria, and tin. very high rates which have recently ruled there. For prime malting barley as high as tie has been given. Prices may be quoted at from '4s- b'd to lie. according to .sample. , Potatoes.—'the demand at present is purely tocal: purchases are made from hand to mouth. .Smalt parcele have been sold ;vt from- fJS to Ll!-a ton. The supply is in excess of the demand-. The general crop will be later this season, on account of the early Minuted potatoes suffering from want of rain, tt is very doubtful if the crops will recover from the' continued dry weather, ami in any case they will be light. Various opinions are freely expressed as to the probable future of the yield. Predictions have been publicly recorded as to the extremely low price likely to rule. The tatter seem to have been given somewhat prematurely. I* is too early to quote rates, for the general crop* of potatoes will not be tit to ship tor some considerable time. Crass Seeds.—■& k'ood many samples have come forward; and as a rule rye-grass seed is light this year., and not equal to last year's productions. Extreme rates are looked for tor Hrst-class samples : sales have been rnwle ...it Re «d to (is tid. Cocksfoot is not much in demand : prices may he quoted at from ttyd to Ttt per IK Cheese and Butter.—For the termer H-Sti to 7d. and ltd per lb. for the latter.