NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12602, 4 March 1903, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

(Fkou Onn Own Cskrespondent.) LONDON, January 23. WOOL. Tho first series of colonial wool sales of the present year opened on Tuesday with three catalogues totalling 10,490 bales, inclusive of 3065 bales from New Zealand. In regard to the rfwi g s '<t m h rs C!lilrle , s B » In >® *"1 w. tell me that the sale room was well attended, while competition from all sections of the trade was animated. The prices realised for merino wool do not materially vary from those current m December, scoureds and the better classes of greasy wool being slightly above that level, but inferior and wasting unwashed parcels occasionally somewhat below it. Crossbred wool met Y . a v fy kee « demand from both Home and foreign buyers at an advance of 5 per cent for fine and 10 per cent, for medium and coarse growths. South African wools ruled in favour of sellers. The net available supply for the series comprises about 135,000 bales of new arrivals aftei deducting some 81,000 bales " less amount in transit." Some 5000 bales of oid stock bring up tho whole available supply to about 1-10,000 bales. Messrs Weddel speak of the spiritod competition which characterised'the opening night of the current series of wool /?files, and remark that a very large attendance of the trade was present, Compared with prices inling in Decomber, the better grades of merino wool showed a rise of about 5 per cent., but there was not much change noticeable in the case of heavv wasty sorts. The finest grades of crossbreds also improved to the extent of about 5 por cent, while medium grades moved up 74 per cent' and coarse 75 to 10 per cent. The sales wili closo on Saturday, 31st inst. Yesterday the first series of nublic sals of woollcd sheepskins for the present year took place, and Messrs Balmetcll nie that 6134 bales were catalogued, New Zealand heading the list with a contribution of 1554 bales, Victoria' coming second with 1447 bales. Tho total offered was rather larger than for somr time pnst, and comprised a considerable quantity of crossbred description. The attendance of buyers was well up to the average, and competition for merino skins was animated at last sales' rates. The demand for crossbred skins, however, was not quite so satisfactory, and the tendency of the market for these descriptions was in buyers' favour. As compared with flic values current at the sales held at the beginning of-December, Messrs Balme quote:— Merino, full to three-quarter-woolled, par; half-woolled, par; merino, short and shorn, par; crossbred, fine, full and thrce-quartcr-woolled, Jrt to Jd per lb cheaper; crossbred, coarse, full to three-quarter-woolled, Jd per lb cheaper; crossbred, half-woolled, Jd to }d per lb cheaper; crossbred, short and shorn, par; lambs, Jd per lb dearer. Messrs Balme append the following dates for the sales of woolled sheenskins throughout this year-—March 5, April 23, June 11, July 23, September 3, October 22, December 3, and the opening salo for 1901 will bo held at (he Wool Exchange on January 21. DAraY rEODDCE. ■ From Messrs Weddel and Co. I hear (o-day that., there is an improved demand for New Zep-land butter, but it has not yet grown, to sufficient volume to increase prices, which remain the same as for last week. The Athenic is duo to-morrow for discharge on Monday. With refo'rcnce to New Zealand cheese. Messrs Weddel say that the quantity shipped this year to data is about 10,000 crates, against 15,000 last year. A strong demand is being experienced at G2s to 64s per cwt. TAM.ovr. Trade in tallow is said by Messrs Weddel to have been disappointing during the past fortnight, but values have been maintained. At puMic auction 1788 casks have been offered, and PB7 found buyers. The demand was mostly for tho lower grades, which were occasionally 3d nor cwt dearer, but finer (leseriptions were again neglected. A large trade lias been done in South American sorts, and it is reported that about 3000 tons have been sold since the Ist inst. The bulk of this is said to be going to Russia, and will, of course, take the place of Australian tallow, which for shipment is generally held too high in the colonics. NEW ZEALAND MEAT. Arrivals of New Zealand mutton are reported to have been moderate, totalling only 65,000 carcases for the fortnight. Messrs Weddel say that Canterbury sheep are still scarce, and values for that description remained steady throughout the last two weeks. at s}d to 5Jd per lb for small and medium weights, and 5Jd for the 641b to 721b grade. Other qualities of New Zealand mutton, although not in heavy supply, have been less firmly held, and the drop of Jd per lb in River Plate prices caused a corresponding fall in values of North Island sheep. Mild, foggy days are responsible this ■week for a slow consumption, and the market closes -weak. Sheep from Dunedin may bo quoted up to Ed, and Southland sheep up to 4jjd per'lb. The general quotation for North Island sheep is did, although to effect sales 4gd per lb has occaeionally to be accepted.: Inferior sheep and ewes are slow of sale even at to 414 per IK'

For New Zealand lamb, especially for prime carcases, Messrs Wcddel report a firm' market. Arrivals includo 4000 carcases from New Zealand, 30,000 carcascs from Australia, and 8000 carcasc3 from tlie River Plate. New Zealand stocks being practically exhausted, the shortage from Australia is making itself felt, more particularly owing to tho absence of any number of really prime lambs in present marketings, Tho continued dearness of Home-fed mutton and lack of supplies from tho Continent are also hardening factors in the ,lamb market; ! so in all the circumstances tho position for New Zealand lamb is unusually strong, difficulty being experienced in buying even at tlie present level of prices. Canterbury lambs of 30lb to 421b now realise GJd to 6gd per lb, heavier carcases making 6d per lb; secondary qualities are scarce, and may bo quoted up to Gd per lb. Tho Stan of Australia brought some new season's North Island lambs of good quality, and these realiwd tlie fancy prices of GUI to GJd per lb. Offerings of ordinary to plain quality Australian lamb aro fairly numerous, but these descriptions arc not wanted, nil inquiry being for prime, wcll- , finished carcases. Tho beef market lias been quite at a standstill, and receipts (including 1000 quarters iroiu' New Zealand), though moderate,' are in excess of trade requirements. "What sales havo taken placo have been confined to a small number of forcquarters.