COMMERCIAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13050, 12 January 1917, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

AVCKLAND MARKET

(Special to Oamaru Mail.)

Auckland', January 8

The weather during the Christmas and New Year holidays was changeable, with a. considerable amount- of rain, but on the whole it was fairly good. Thecountry is looking well, and there is an "abundance of feed —in fast the difficulty is that there is not sufficient stock in some of the districts to keep down, the grass. Large quantities of fat stock are being killed' for export, and the drain on the available herd's is very considerable. Oats. —The Kurow arrived from the South with considerable quantities during the holidays, and some of the oats were sold at very low. prices—a line of Gartons, almost equal to B's, realising 2s lOd ex wharf. There are plenty of oats available for Jill requirements here, whatever the position might be in the South. There are rumors that the southern oat markets are firmer today. although at the. end of last week li Gartons were quoted at 2s. 9d f.0.b., s.i., Canterbury port, for prompt shipment. Very considerable quantities of Algerian oats were carried forward from last year at an average cost of, say, 4s into store, to which of course storage and interest must now be added. There is no indication yet as to what prices may rule this year, but it i-; obvious that very considerably lessi quantities will require to be purchased by Auckland merchants for tlieir requirements. Chaff". —Prime old Blenheim is bow practically exhausted.,. and' as high as £o 2s 6d has been paid for a- small parcel for prompt shipment. New quality is, ho waver, available, and as. it is fectly dry it should' carry safely. Quotations vary considerably for forward delivery, say, from January to April, from 92s 6d ta 100s f.0.b., s.i., Pict'on, is being asked. It is doubtful how the quality of our local chaff will turn out, and the alternate spells of liot and wetweather will in all probability affect it considerably.

Potatoes. —Large quantities arc now available, and prices fluctuate somewhat, although from £lO to £ll f.0.b., s.i.. is the general quotation. There is some little enquiry for March-April delivery from the South Inland, and indications point that somewhere in the region of £5 os f.0.b., ?.i., would make business possible. Wheat. —There is not very much animation in the wheat market, and sales 1 of good whole fowl wheat have been made at os 9d: f.0.b., s.i., southern ports. Merchants are awaiting with interest the fixing by the Board 1 of Trade., of the new season's wheat.

Flour.—Merchants are not buying more than their requirements, being content to buy from hand! to mouth. Nominal southern quotations for Auckland only range from £l4 10s to £l4 less 2A per cent, f.0.b., s.i. Brail and Pol!<ard. —The demand for both these offals l is quiet, 60s and 120s respectively being the nominal southern quotations for Auckland only, whilst the local mill's price is £4 10s and £7 delivered.

Barley.—The demand' is fair, and from 3s"Bd- to 3s 10d f.0.b., s.i., according to qualitv, is the ruling quotation. Onions. —The last of the imported onions are just now to hand, but sufficient good quality locals are now available. at about- £l2 10s per ton, Auckland.

Maize. —Owing to the holidays, only small quantities are coming to hand', and saler have been made at 4s 9d ex wharf. However, it is anticipated that in the course of a few. days larger quantities wiH be arriving, and prices will accordingly. Seeds. —There are now several quotations for both perennial for later delivery at prices much below last year, and 16-17 cocksfoot is also being asked for February-Ala reh delivery. It is. difficult to give an estimate of the quantity of seed that might, be sown this season, as the exigencies of the war may curtail the sowing to some considerable extent/- Aluch ■ depends also 011 the amount of bush that has been cut- for burning this season, and the high price of fencing material is also an important item