COMMERCIAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11808, 18 December 1912, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS

(Pee Press Association.) Christchurch, December 17,

The principal business passing in wheat has been between merchants, but even that is limited, as there are fewbuyers. Holders are, however, firm in, their ideas of values, and what sales have taken place are on a larger basis of values than those, lately ruling. Mueh of the wheat that is still held is of poor quality and unfit for milling, and it is only grain in prime condition that commands full market rates.

Nothing is doing in oats, and stocks are said to be low. It is expected! some cutting of early oats will be done next week.

The grass seedcrop should be a heavy one this season if the present favorable weather continues.

FROZEN MEAT MARKET. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing . Company, Limited, report as follows under date Bth November:

New Zealand Mutton.—During the week under: review- only 5468 carcases have come to hand, and this small shipment , will,' under the present' conditions, sooh.be disposed of, as stocks are by no means heavy. The value of-North Island mutton has advanced: fully &d per lb, today's - quotations being 4§d to 4Jd per "lb. 1 The position as regards the-supply of Canterbury mutton is unchanged, consequently it is not possible to give reliable quotations, a little business is, however, being done at 4Jd "to 4fd per lb. Frozen Lamb. Arrivals comprise 2028'careases from New Zealand, 41 •car-; cases from. Australia, and -15,148, carcases from the River-Plate. The-sup-ply now is daily getting shorter, and the limited trade:done shows,? hardening tendency in pricesr ; lamb mav be quoted at' from ;s§d. to 5Jd per lb, and North rsland'sJd to s|d. per fb, these values being just about Jd per lb better than in the corresponding week of last year. .. ■ .. r i; ~v.; , . .--■.•-. Frozen Beef .—Only, '3l .quarters arrived from Australasia'.in : the past week South America, however;" again supplied a large quantity, ' consisting, ot 4d,bß» quarters frozen and ..43,790-quarters chilled beef. These shipments following the previous; week's 1 %eayy arrivals of over 100/000 .quarters maturaUy v tend to keep prices down;, present time frozen beef is not readily saleable. Large quantities of Irish beef are still arriving at Birkenhead, but when these exceptional supplies are disposed] ot there is every reason to believe thatan improvement in values of beef may be expected, provided the supplies from South America are not excessive.