NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14465, 6 March 1909, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

— o (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, January 22. Openixg of New Series of Wool ' Sales. On the 19th inst. tho first scries of colonial wool sales of the current, year were begun with an offering of 10.433 bales, 2149 being catalogued as New Zealand. Messrs Balmo write lliafc there was the usual attendance of buyers; competition was animated and general, th 6 American section of tlio trade being keen operators among the medium qualities of greasy crossbred produce. Prices for morinos and fine crossbreds showed no quotable variation from tho rates current at the closo of (lie previous auctions, whilo medium crossbreds ruled 5 per cent, and coarso qualities 7i per cent above that level. To-day Messrs Balmo write: "Tho result of the auctions is much what was Bxpeclod from the course of events in the manufacturing districts since tlio close of (he last series. Quotations for line wools (merinos' and lino crossbreds) which at present are in large supply, show practically no variation from December iiiinl rates; on the other hand, values for medium and coarse crossbred wools, which are not so plentiful, have risen 5 to 7j per cent. The tone of competition in tho sale room is satisfactory; the American demand, however, appears to bo directed more to medium crossbreds than to merino growths. Among merino wools, tho best descriptions in the greaso suffer somewhat, from the scarcity of American competition, and do not always command tlio rates current at the end of last series. Medium and inferior sorts, however, as well as all classes of sooureds, aro well competed for by European buyers, particularly the English section, at, rates fully up to those previously current. Prices for the finest quality of greasy crossbreds also show very little change; tho medium and coarse growths, however, which are meeting with a strong demand from both English and American buyers, show on advance of from 5 to 7£ per cent. Scoureds and sins have so far not been offered freely. Judged by the few lots catalogued, however, the fine sorts may be quoted unchanged, and tlio coarso 5 per cent, dearer.

Kauri Gum. At yesterday's sale of kauri gum 330 packages were offored, and 80 wore sold at the following prices :—Chopped amber, £11 ss; dark rough pickings, 31s; chips, fair to good pale, 89s ;", £5; dark- brown rcscraped, good, £7 lio 6d; bush, part scraped, 695. Messrs Ficgis announce the next sale for February 18. lloxey. Messrs Figgis report a steady market for New Zealand honey at the quotation of 25s to 40s for fair to lino while. Fair to fine pale Australian is quoted at 12s to 18: per cwt. Dairy Produce! -Messrs W. Weddel state that the demand for Australian butter is somewhat easier, but Now Zealand meets with good inquiry This is probably due to tho Papuroa's butter being too much damaged for the retail trado. The Corinthic's cargo is all there is to meet the retail demand, and for twice tho period of an ordinary ship's arrival. Prices for Australian are easier to about 2s per cwt, but price 3 for New Zealand, descriptions are unfibyged on the week, /

Canadian unci Now Zealand chceso shows no improvement, and values aro unchanged. The Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile. Agency Company announco tho arrival of the s.s. Corinthio with 45,200 boxes of Now Zealand butter. Altogether, including Australian arrivals, 76,200 packages havo boon received during the week. This quantity, together with tho butter landed from the Puparoa, has caused a slight* weakness in prices of both descriptions, but while some of tho Tooley street housea gave way, tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company adopted a firm attitude, and refused to follow their lead. At tho closo tliis Orm reports a. steady demand at Ills to 112s for Now Zealand butter, with 80s to 94a per cwfc for milled and dairy. For cheeso thoro baa boon a good demand throughout tho work, especially for Canadian. Tho N.Z. Loan and Mercantilo Agency Company report a firm market for New Zealand makes at 60s to 62s for white and coloured, Canadian is quoted at 625, 635, and 64s per cwt. N.Z. Meat. The C.C. and D. Company roport tho arrival of tho s.s. Corinthie with 14,592 carcases of New Zealand mutton. Although stocks are still moderate, thero is great difficulty in maintitiirtsu tho output up to requirements. Canterbury sheep ara quoted up to 4d per lb, but the medium and light weights can bo bought at 3 13-16(1 per lb. North Island mutton is selling at per lb, and light .weights command vory lilrlo premium over tho heavier carcases, the hitter being relatively short. There, havo been received from Now Zealand during the week 5123 carcases of lamb; 114,132 have arrived from Australia, and 13,401 from South America. Old season's lambs aro very difficult to movo at prices from 4;d to sid per lb. Somo teggy carcases aro sold down to 3'd per' lb. New season's lambs aro not much in! ovidence, but aro quoted round about sijd ]>cr lb. Although more business is passing in frozen beef, prices havo been vc/ry weak. Tho C.C. and D. Company mention; that somo Australian beef of excellent quality is again in ovidence; quotations aro about id per lb down all round.