COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13829, 16 February 1907, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Friday evening. Tilt amount of revenue collected at the Duut(l in Custom Ilouso to-day on foods cleared for consumption was £938 13s 3d. BREADSTUFFS, Lalest London adviccs record a firm market in wheat, owing to rumours of the possible partial prohibition of Russian exports bccauso of tho famine, Australian wheat cargoes, aggregating 101,000 quarters, ■have been placed at prices ranging from afts 3d to 30s 4£d, and the High Commissioner's weekly eablo stales that Now Zealand short-berried wheat, ex granary, per quarter of 4961b is quoted at 29s 6d on a firm market. In our breadstuffs review last week wo quoted from " Beerbohm" of December 28 somo significant figures which went to show Ihut though tho world's prcduotion of wheat increases each year, it has not inereasod -in grealer ratio than tho world's requirements, and the samo tiuthority indicated that the course of prices durins January to March of tho present year will depend largely upon tho Russian export. From tho cabled advices it now appears that the prospect of a possible partial prohibition in (lie, Russian export lias already hardened prices and made iho market firm, thus justifying tho forecast of I he generally reliable London, authority on this subjoct. Dealing further willi the Russian situation, "Beerbohm" of January 4 says:— Tlio market lins passed through another very quiot week, with 110 striking change in pricos, except that La. Plata wheat for shipment have como down a further 3d in prico, and. as is usual at this period of tho ycai, aro very free'y offered. Meanwhile tlio shipments to Europe romoin quite small, and the quantity afloat cxperioucod a further reduction of 400,000 quarters last week. Buyers, however, continue very circumspect in their operations, and evidently do not yet oonsider tho prices asked for forward delivery to bo sufficiently attractive, moderate as they now undoubtedly are. There can be littlo doubt, wo think, that tho nest threo.mouths will bo a period—as it, indeed, usually is—of moderate supplies aiul diminishing stocks. Added to this, there is a probability of Russian wheat being very difficult- to buy, so that the prospective larjjo supplies of Argentina, wheat ought to easily find a, home. The world's visible supply 01 wheat decreased slightly during'Doceinber, as is usual. Below wo give the respective totals

below those of 1905, whilst the gross supplies in the United Kingdom during tlio post year have bean also rather less than the average of the previous three years; oppressive supplies, therefore, are evidently not the cause of tho depression which has prevailed during tho greater part of tho past year.

Tho samo authority, in its issue of December 28, says;—" This week's shipments of wheat from the Argentine are quite small— viz., 41,000 quarters, and tho total of wheat for the year to all dominations will coma out at about 10,750,000 quarf-ors, which, with about 650,000 quarters in the shapo of flour, makes a total of 11,400,000 quarters, against 14,250,009 quarters in 1905, and 12,600,000 quarters in 1904."

'J'ho Commonwealth market is also firm, and latest advices show an advancc upon last week's quotations. In Sydney on February 13 milling wheat was quoted at 3s,- in Melbourne 3s Id, and in Adelaido 2s lid to 3s.

The Commonwealth ■ situation is summarised in tho following advices:—

Town and Country Journal (February 5): — " The Sydney quote for f.a.q. wheat is firm at 2s lUd a bushel, and an extra Jd is asked for choice milling. These local prices aro above London parities, and may block fresh eharterings from being entered into 011 a large scale. Shippers have made provision for four or five ships already chartered. The amount of wheat stored in country districts on farmers' account is a record, and, knowing this aggregate must be sold in the near future, millers and shippers are merely buying to cover* sales." Sydney Mail (February s):—"As indicated in last week's Jfaii, tho wheat market has gathered strength, and yesterday and to-day buyers experienced difficulty in getting supplies of f.a.q. grain 011 the basis of '2s UJd Darling Harbour, which means an advancc of id per bushel within a fortnight. Shippers at present cannot afford to pay over this rate, as they aro governed entirely by Mark Lena quotation?, but many of the millers, who have sold heavily in flour for forward delivery, have not hesitated lo buy at 2s lljd, and in several quarters at Us for prime samples. Fanners, as usual, however, when the market is firm, Iravo not bpen good sellers, a.nd conlinuo to send in their wheat freely <>n storage. 111 the meantime, both exporters and millers have control of ample supplies to keep them moving for sonio time to come. Tho Australian grain fleet at present numbers 80 sail, distributed under:—Sydney, five, vessels loading, fivo waiting in the harbour, and seven to arrive; 'Melbourne, la ships in port, five at Geelong, and seven (o arrive; Porl Adelaide five; at other South Australian ports, 11 and 10 to arrive, with six ships for optional ports. Iho wheat export from Sydney last week according to the Customs returns, were 372,58 D bushels, of which 343,100 bushels went to the £?><*» kingdom, 26,460 bushelß to Japan, and i-l bushels to New Zealand. Tho oversea shipments of flour were the equivalent of 33G0 sacks, of which 16i0 sacks were pent to Noumea 610 sacks to New Zealand. 500 sacks to Manila, 845 sacks to Singapore, Java, etc. 403 sacks to Colombo, and 63 sacks to tho South Seas."

Melbourne Loader (February 9);—"Looally the market is firm at lato rates, at which considerable purchases liavo been mcdo direct with the country. Tho wheat arriving in town is nearly all going into store, and consequently. offerings 011 tho spot ar o restricted Values aro 2s lljd to 2s l»d alongside, and for exceptional lots an advance is asked in somo quarters." ,

Tlio local wheat market continues firm, puces ruling aliout the same as last week— VlZ 'iw I - to on truc,;3 as far north as Waitaki, and 3s Old to 3 S Id further north, .the new season's tiheat coming forward 13 in first-class condition, and as the bulk of tho crop is likely to be threshed from the stook-owing to tho hardened nature of the grain and the line weather— deliveries during tho next few weeks aro expected to be on a kirgc scale. There las not been much business doing in the local market during tho week, owintr to millers disinclination to operato at prices which it is contended do not allow .1 martin of . P rofi f' MiHors_ stafo (j jat fI)0 D ,. ice3 which ihoy ca.n givo for grain is rexnJcitcd by the prico ah which Australian flour can bo landed in tho colony. There is practically no fowl wheat on tho local markot, and tho indications point to a continuance of this condition owing to tho excellent icondition of the new season's i«i?' '' 3 generally of milling quality, '"hat is now being sold as fowl wheat is virtually second quality milling samples, and is quoted at 3s 3d to 3s 4d ex store, and shippers' quotations aro 3s 4d f.0.b.. s.i. There is no chango in flour. The New Zealand Fourmillcrs' Association's tariff remains as follows:—Socks', £8 15s per ton; 100's, £9 ss; 50's, £9 10s; 25's £9 15s. The shipping prico remains at £8 10s per ton f.o.b.

The demand for offal continues good. Pollard is quoted at £3 for both local and shipping orders, and bran remains at £4 for local orders and £3 15s f.o.b. for shipment.

Oats are firmer than last week, and there aro not sufficient on the market to cover file demand. Shippers cjuoto A grade 2s 7Jd, B grade 2s 7d, and f.a.q. 2s Cd. Millers' quotations, ex store, arc:—A grade 2s 6'ti, B grade 2s sd, and f.a.q. 2s sd. Oatmeal remains at £13 per ton, and pearl bai'ley is unchanged at £14 10s. PRODUCE MARKET. Potatoes.—Supplies have been plentiful during the week, and the price has cosed a lilflo. Prime samples aro quoted at £7 to £7 ss; medium to good, £6 10s to £6 15s; small and inferior (little inqiiiry), £4 15s and upwards. Butter.—'The Rimutaka, which sailed on the 14th inst. took away 40,831 boxes of butter. Owing to the overstocked and depressed condition of tho Homo butter market somo 20,000 boxes have been held over from shipment in the North Island, and wo arc informed that the factories in tlie South Island have teen storing for sometime. Quotations (locally):—Dairy. 8d to 9d; milled, $d to 9{d: separator. 9id to lOd per lb. Cheese.—The shipment by the Rimutaka was 12,141 crates. The High Commissioner's cable under date February quotes New Zealand brands at 65s per ton. Locally, tho market is quiet, and retailers are not inclined to operate largely at present prices. Eggs.—New-laid, Is 5d per dozen; case, Is 3d and Is 4d per dozen. The market is well supplied. Poultry.—The over-supply of poultry continues. Hens are quoted as low as Is to Is 6d per pair; roasters, 3s to 3s 6<l per pair, according to condition and weight; ducklings, 2s to 2s 6d per pair; goeso (no demand), 2s 61 to 3s per pair; turkeys—liens 5d per lb, gobblers 7d to 8d per lb. Pigs,—Baconers, 4jd; porkers, 4jd per lb. Bacon, choice mild cured, 7£d per lb. Chaff.—This market lias been more fully supplied during the week. Tho bulk of the consignments coming forward aro of good to prime quality, and for anything answer--ing this description there is a good demand. Best oaten sheaf, £5 to £5 ss; medium to good, £4 17s 6d to £5 (sacks extra). Straw.—The market is bare, and any coming forward meets with a ready sale on arrival Whoa ten, 37s Gd to £2; oaten, £2 7s 6d to £2 10s per ton, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Arrivals of fruit, during tho week have been exceptionally heavy—viz., 3000 cases from Melbourne, 1020 eases from Hobart. Very large supplies of Canterbury and Toviot fruit also coming in. A Suva shipment of bananas on Monday comprised 4500 cases, which arrived in indifferent condition. 'Frisco shipments of oranges and lemons are duo on Monday next. Current quotations aro as follow;— Oranges.—'Friseos. 18s nor case. Bananas, 4s to 10s per case. Lemons—Messinas, half-eases, 7s 6(1; California, 7s Gd per half-ease. Apples.—Auckland, Is 6d to 2> per box, cases up to 7s 6d; local and Canterbury cookers, from 2s 6d to 4s Gd per ease; dessert, 3s to 7s per cose. Pears.—Early varieties, 2s to 2s 6d per half-ease, and from 4s to 5s Gd per case. Best Melbourne Bon Ci'etians, 10s; inferior, 4s to 7s 6d. Plums.—Best jam, to 2d per lb; dessert, 2|d to 3d. Ponchos. —In better supply, and selling from 2?d to 4d per lb. Apricots.—Choice, 5d per lb. Raspberries.-There aro still a few coming forward; sj,d to 6d per lb. Cucumbers.—Market glutted. Auckland grown. Is 6d- to 2s per box; local grown, 5* and up to 4s per dozen. Tomatoes.—Moderate supply. Auckland grown. Is 9d to 2s 3d per box; choice, 4s 6d: Nelson. 4s to ss: Canterbury—Choice hothouse. 3Jil to 4(1; local hothouse, <ld to 5d per lb. Crapes.—Market well supplied; Is to Is 3d per 11). Clover Honey.—New season, in bulk, 4d to 4|d; in lib packets, 5s per dozen; lib jars. 6s per dozen. Nuts.—Japanese (large). 3d. Cocoa-nuts, 9s to 10s per sack. Brazil nuts. lOd; walnuts, 7d to 7Jd ner 11). A egetable=.—Cauliflowers (scarce), 3s to 3s 6d per sack; cabbage. 2s 6d to 3s per sack; green peas (choice), 2il per lb; Kronen beans. 3d to 3id Onions.—Choice Melbourne, Is per cvrt. We are requested to stato that the above quotations for produce, fruit, and vegetables are current, wholesale prices between agents and distributors. CHRISTCHURCII GRAIN MARKET. (Psst United Przss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 15. There lias been, a considerable amount of business dono in wheat during the week at tlio all-round price of 3s at handy o _atiy stations, ft little ntjre money having been paicl

for Himtors of not quite such good quality and at more distant stations. The wheat oflering is in sound condition and colour, end tho bulk is of prime milling quality. Sales amounting to 7100 bushels of Hunters, 4800 bushels of pearl, and 6500 bushels of Tuscan at 3s at near stations aro reported, and also of 1300 bushels of Hunters at 2s lOd to 23 lid.

Oats are still being held firmly by growers, and in order to fill their requirements local buyers have had to muico a, sharp advanco in prices. Prime milling ore now worth is 5d and 2s Gd, and feed Is 3d to 2s 4d at country stations. Among tho sales reported aro 5700 bushels of prima milling Gartons at 2s 6d, and 3000 bushels of prime d.uns at 2a Gd at near stations. The price of oatmeal has been raised locally from £13 to £14 10s per ton. Tho bulk of tlie prime malting barley offering this season lias apparently changed hands, and 1 what samples are now coming forward are more or less light, They aro worth from 3s to 4s. A line of 575 bushels lias boon takoa at 4s 4d, and another of 2100 bushels at 4s. There is a fair inquiry from tho North Island for ryegrass for early autumn sowing, and thero is a ready sale far any ryegrass ancl cocksfoot- offering whero tlio prico can bo agreed upon. A fairly large lino of cocksfoot, 1311) seed, extra clean and bright, has beea purchased at Id per lb.

HIDB MARKET. Press Association—By Telegraph—Cop^E^t. MELBOUIU\E, February 15. For hides there is good competition. Tho market is steady, and prices aro unchanged. PROPERTY SALES. Messrs James Samson and Co. report haying sold on account of Air Richard Watt his freehold property, being allotment 15, township of Ca'.ton, North-East Valley, with fourroomed dwelling thereon, situated Arthur street, to Mr 11. Kitto for £215. All that parcel of land, being section 9, township of St. James Pari;. North-Eust Valley. G1 x 2-vl, with a modern four-roomcil verniidah dwelling thereon, was sold to Mr James Turner for £390. Section 41.. Musselburgh, 24 poles, with a modern dwelling of six rooms and outbuildings thereon, was purchased by Mrs 1311c.il liobson for £655. Messrs James Samson and Co. sold by auction at their rooms yesterday, Mr J. Wright's property, being allotment 13 on plan of- extension of tlio village of lCirkland Hill, quarter-acre, with dwelling of six rooms thereon. Bidding started at £250, and advanced to £395. when it was knocked down to Mr J. Salmond. SALE OP A FARM. Messrs Quin and Rodger report having offered Mr James Duncan's farm at auction on Saturday, but it did not reach owner's reserve. Tho farm was disposed of privately on Monday to Mr E. G. Barton, at tlio upset price. Tho property comprises sections 1 to 6, 53, and part 51, block XIII, G-lonkenieh, of -117 acres. Mr Duncan will now retire for well-earned rest, after having tilled the farm ho has just -sold for over 30 years.

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