DUNKDIN MONTHLY REPORT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 2

DUNKDIN MONTHLY REPORT.

Messrs William E. Bkynolds and Co., Dunetlin, report for the month ending 17th February as follows :—

Harvesting is now in full swing throughout tho length and breadth of the country, and beautiful weather is being experienced, which is a blessing. As far as we can learn the yield will be heavy, but not so much' so as was at first anticipated. Heavy wind) have done a fair amount of damage, and in some districts'the "shaking out" has been considerable, but on tbe whole crops are well saved. Up to time of writing we hay« seen very little new grain, but in another week it should be coming in pretty freely, as threshing is going on Rteadily. In Canterbury we learn the crops are disuppointihg, and are not threshing out nearly as Well as was at first expected. Winda are chiefly accountable for this. Prospects seem more hopeful than they have ■ been for some years past, and we look for kc.dn demand in all classes of grain and produce. Should Lsndon tap our markets prices will fly up, as they will be exceptionally sensitive throughout the year.

Wheat.—This grain is ncarctly moving at all, as there is a feeling of uncertainty amongst speculators and millers ; further offerings are very small meantime. From reports tn hand from Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, and the superior quality of the srain this year, we are inclined to think high prices will rule even at the opening' of the season, as the two latter places are bound to draw heavily, while Victoria will have pfcictically no surplus for export; likewise South Australia. The upward tendency of ths English, Continental, and American markets will strengthen matters, materially, and really it is impossible to predict the outcome of it all. So 'far we know of no shipments having baen made ; at the same time we fancy it will not be long before Sydney is put to the test with consignments, vWe quote to-da.y, with strong upward tendenoy (noniinalty): Prime long-berried, 4s to 4s Id : red sorts, 3s )0d to 3a lid (f.0.b., bushel of 601b, bags iv» net cash). Oats.—Theee are somewhat slow of sale owing to the Weakness displayed in New South Wales, which 13 partly due to heavy consignments sent there from all parts of New Zealand, thus oversupplying the nuvrlcei. A fair amount of shipping continues as regards old grain, while now is not yet to hand. Crops of this grain are good, and the quality should be first-class. At the moment there is no indication of speculation, but we are confident that ere long the plucky ones will be operating quietly and steadily. To our minds prices have touched bottom, or nearly so, for 1896. We will be much surprised if a sharp riae does not take place during March. However, this is mere, conjecture. Threshing is going on freely, and will 1b general in a week or two. 'On the average, ciop'a are turning out well and with good yield. With good prices during the coming season, tl:is colony should be placed in a firstclass position and a large amount of lost ground made uy. We quote: Prime feed and milling, .ls'flid tp Ift lOd ; good sound,ls BJd to Is 9d(f.0.b., sacks in1;' net).

Beads;— New season's ryegrass is now coming in pretty freely, and is of good quality on the 'average, being well saved. Prices range from 2s 9d to Sa 3d (f.0.b., sacks extra, net) for clean farmers' lines, while machine-dressed prime old pasture is worth from 4s 3d to 4s 4d; good old pasture, 3s lid to 4s 2d. The cocksfoot market has not opened yet, and we are therefore not in a position to quote, anticipate about the following prites :—Prime seed, 191b to 201b, 4Jd to sd; 171b to ]81b, 4£d; 151b to 161b, 4d to 4Jd (f.0.b.), sacks extra; net. Crops are not so heavy as last year, and prices should keep pretty steady. Clovers are scarcely moving at all and no prices are established.- Wo therefore prefer not to quote. '

Barley.— This grain remains very steady at late quotations, although very little business is being dons. The new crop is scarcely ready for harvesting yst, but, all being well, a week will see the .machines amongst it. We are inclined to think prices will advance considerably when the new crop comes to hand, and should this fine weather continue the quality should be excellent. Today's prices are: Prime malting, none offering-; Hood sound, 3s to 3s 3d ; feeoing sorts, Zs 6d to 2s 9d (f.0.b., sacks extra, net). Oh*ff.—The new article is now offering pretty freely, and prices have declined heavily sinoo our last renort. Prime is worth £3 ss, good £3 to £3 2s 6d (f 0.b., sack extra, net). Potatoes.—These are only meeting with moderate attention, and hand-to-mouth business doing. Now Ucnvents are worth £3 5s (f.0.b., sscks it), net).

Cheese.—Considerable inquiry holds out for this, and prices shows signs of hardening. Many factories have sold their output for shipment to London and others to local speculators. Latest report? from- Victoria tend to show a firmer tendency there, and should it artvanco New Zealand will not be long in reciprocating. Heavy consignments have been made to London during tho last month. To-day ive quote : Prime factory (loaf size), Bd to 5Jd ; medium, 4Jd to 4Jd ; large, 4d to 4\6 (f.0.b., cases in). Butter.—Only in moderate demand, with very little export inquiry. Good dairy (salt) has bsen receiving a little attention for London, but tbe supply of this is limited. IMme factory is worth1 SJd to lOcl; prime dairy, up to 7d (f.0.b., cases in). Trussed Straw.—ln poor demand: 35s ton (f.0.b.). Flour.—Good demand (best brands, 20001b to ton)-Soo'9, £!) 10s J 100's, £9 15s; 50' a, £10. Oatnmal.—Good demand, Bulk, £'J 10s; 7's, £n ; aSs (short ton), £9 10s (f.0.b.).

Bran.-Good demand, £3 IDs (f.0.b.). Pollard.—Very scarce, £4 (f.0.b.).

The report of the directors of the South New Zetilaml Finance, Loan, Building, and Agency Company, Inverairgill, states that the profit earned last year was £6SR lfe 2d, making, with £■141 12s (id brought forward from the previous year, a total of £U2S 2s Bd. Out of this aura the directors recommend a dividend of 3 por cent, per annum, which will absorb £05 Us 5&, and to carry forward £574 Is 3d. The directors sny that but few of the company's securities have been disposal of during tho year. While auxioua to follow out the desire'of shareholders t:o realise >on the compjmy's assets, the directors tiid not feel justified in sacrificing same by. forced sales when so limited.a demand prevails at present for landed properties. _j