COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16190, 28 September 1914, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON MARKETS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 24. Wheat.—The market is steadier and unchanged. The demand is slow. Australian landed, 475. Flour is quiet. Australian in store, 38supwards. Oats are quiet. New Zealand in store, 30s to 325. Peas and beans are quiet, but steady. m FROZEN MEAT MARKET. Press Association—By Telegraph—-Copyright. LONDON, September 26. The following are the latest quotations for all classes of meat, including ex-store sheep. In the case of those not quoted the price is unchanged:— ■ Sept. 26. d. Canterbury mutton, light ._ „ 5| Canterbury mutton, medium 5J Canterbury mutton, heavy ... .„ 5| Southland mutton gj N.I. mutton, best brands, 66-64 ib 55 N.I. mutton, ordinary, 86-641b „. 5* N.Z. ewes : [" ..'. 51 Australian mutton, light '." ." _ Australian mutton, heavy ." ..'. Australian ewes ... Biver Plate mutton, light, 40-551b ', 51 Biver Plate mutton, heavy, 66-721b 51 Biver Plate ewes '". '" _ Canterbury lamb, light '. ..'. Canterbury lamb, medium ... ... ... ... Canterbury lamb,'heavy ' ... "\ North Island lamb, selected '. ..'. North Island lamb, ordinary ... ... ... Southland lamb, selected ... ... Southland lamb, ordinary ... "' Australian iamb, best brands _. "' ... Australian lamb, fair quality '.'. Australian, lamb, inferior ... ." Biver Plate lamb, first quality... ." ... Biver Plate lamb, second quality New Zealand beel, fores irew Zealand beef, hinds ... .„ Australian beef, fores _ ... ." Australian beef, hinds ..' _ . '" gs B. Plate beef, chilled fores ..'. _ B. Plate beef, chilled' hinds „ ... ".' ej B Plate beel, frozen fores .„ 31 E. Plat* beel, frozen hinds ._ 4§ Uruguay frozen hinds ... 6J Thero is no chilled beef offering. Rabbits are unchanged. 1 ♦ ■ — MERCHANDISE MARKET. Local merchants report that, up to the end of last week, business had been very satisfactory, but that it had slackened during the last few days. The Opawa has brought supplies of fresh and kippered herrings, also herrings in tomato Jtuce, ling fish, in owt and cases, bovril, Lea and Porrin's sauce, and a number of other commodities which had become short on the market. Increased freight and the taking out of a war risk on the goods will mean that they will have to bear a higher cost. Ling fish, especially, will bo much dearer than they were this time last. year. Prices for new season's salmon .are now being quoted. Values show an increase on those ruling last year, the great quantity which is being sent to Europe having a material effect on prices. Packers are reserving the right to deliver only a portion of the quantity ordered. Advice by cablegram states that a parcel of sultanas and currants was shipped from the on September 21. In-

stead of coming hero direct, as ttsual, ttte fruits will have to bo taken to London and transhipped to the colonies. Figs will bo shipped from Smyrna at the end of the, month. These, too, will have to be carried via London, and it depends on the Mediterranean boats connecting quickly with tho London boats whether the fruits named reach tho colonies before Christmas. The Aparinm brought supplies of sago and tapioca, which wero badly wanted. Pineapples havo also been landed ex this vessel. These shipments went into immediate consumption. Further parcels of sago and tapioca aro expected via Australia, and theso should tend to obviate any further shortage. The Waitemata, carrying transhipments from Sydney, ox Rangatira (from Liverpool and Glasgow), is expected in Duncdin in about 10 days' time. The Waitemata calk at Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton before coming to Duncdin. All tho principal lines of flask whiskies that aro mado up in Now Zealand havo been advanoed in price. Supplies of tho flasks—chiefly made on tho Continenthave now been cut off owing to tho war, and as the existing orders wero fully 12 months behind in being fulfilled, the position has npw become acute. ,«. OAMARU MARKETS. (Fkom Our Own Cobeespondknt.) OAMARU, September -26. Business in the graJn and produce market remains slow. A few transactions in wheat aro reported, but theso havo not been included as lines of note, the biggest reaching only 400 sacks, while some were merely odd lots to clear farmers' barns. Pririio velvet has changed hands at country stations at 5s 2d net and 5s 4d, less commission. Ked chaff and Tuscan combined have been sold at 5s 3d, less commission, at a country station, and tho samo terms wero conceded for a line of Tuscan seconds. Milling velvet was taken at 4s 6d net, delivered in Oamaru. For seconds red chaff 4s 3d net was given at a country station. Oats are a shade weaker. At the beginning of the week 2s 5d net was given at a country station for prime heavy Gartons, but subsequent sales of'' A grade Gartons wero niaito at 2s 4d and 2s 3d net, at a country station. For a line of B gTadc Gortons 2s 3d net was given, at a country station, with short railage, but.2s 2d was the price generally quoted. Some light oats wore taken at 2s Id net, on trucks. A little business has been done in oaten chaff, good heavy samples having been taken at £3 15s net, sacks extra, on trucks, while £3 net was paid at country stations for other lots. Potatoes are still, almost unsaleable. Some small lots have changed hands at 32s 6d and' 35a net, on trucks, but there are few buyers, and those only for limited quantities of primo tubers. To-day's estimates of values for good samples are from 30s to 32s od net, on trucks, with small opportunities for doing business. The stock department shows no signs of returning activity. So far as sheep are concerned, there are few sellers or biiycrs,_ farmers being restrained from doing business becauso of the continued dry weather and the urgent need of moisture to stimulate tho pasturage. Yesterday some good showers were experienced in various parts of the country, but tho influence has been completely discounted by to-day's drying winds. To-night thero is some indication of rain, and l a twenty-four hours' good fall would gladden tho hearts of farmers and , greatly brighten prospects. Until such a rain comes, and ewes and lambs are fit to bo removed, business in sheep must remain quiet. Under existing conditions the only sales likely to be made are where owners aro under the necessity of selling, becauso of insufficient feed for their flocks. Some sales of old ewes in lamb have taken place this week at from 14s to 14s 6d—prices that do not indicate true values, if feed were better assured. One class of sheep for which a good demand exists aro store wethers, of which a fair number have changed hands at from 16s to 18s for good average animals, and up to 20s for extra good lots.- Some business has been done in lambs for forward delivery, but it has not reached a scale to determine values. There has been more activity in respect to cattle. Fat animals aro in great request at this week's sale. An advance of 30s per head was established: for fat cows, which formed the major part of the animals in the fat pens, prices for tho best class reaching up to £11. Subsequent sales by private treaty have fully confirmed the advance. It is computed that in this way during tho week an aggregate of about 500 head of all descriptions'wero sold. A largo proportion of these cattle have been acquired by buyers outside of North Otago. A good many fat bullocks were sold for freezing purposes at from £14 to £15, and fat cows found ready bu »rs amongst butchers at from £10 to £11 for good quality. Store cattle havo been disposed of largely at the following rates:—Bullooks, three years old and upwards, £8 to £9; two-year-old steers, £6 to £7; yearling steers' and heif £2 10s to £3; dairy cows are not good selling property, owing to tho dry weather and the backward state of feed. There was again a significantly liberal yarding at this week's sale, and tho bidding showed an absence of confidence. Well-bred young cows reached as high as £11, but tho prices generally were below the lovorl of a month ago.

SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) INVEROARGILL, September 26. The oat market is firm, but the demand is not so keen owing to the fact that the Home market is somewhat easier. Very few oats are offering from the country, most growers holding firmly. Merchants are also keen holders. As the demand for dressed seed i 6 exceptionally brisk they cannot sell any surplus until the seed demand is supplied. Prices to farmers remain about tho same as last week —viz., 2s l£d, on trucks, for ordinary feed, and up to 2s 3d, on trucks, for prime bright lines, suitable for seed. Black oats and dun oats aro very scarce, and holders of good lines can get high prices, as supplies of these varieties are quite inadequate for the demand. There is a fairly steady demand for chaff, and merchants are open to buy from farmers on the basis of £3 5s to £3 10s, on trucks, and supply sacks. Tho demand for potatoes is somewhat slack, tho only outlet being for local consumption, and prices have a declining tendency. It is very doubtful whether more than £3, on trucks, could be obtained in Invercargill at the present time for table potatoes. Seed potatoes, also, are not greatly in demand, and prices of these are also easier. Large quantities of machine dressed ryegrass and clover seeds are now finding their way to the country, and merchants stocks are beginning to go off fairly rapidly. There is, however, no wholesale demand, Canterbury growers apparently being disposed to use their own seed, which is very nice, but somewhat lighter, than tho Southland grown article. There is nothing whatever doing in hemp, and prices are purely nominal. Linseed is scarce in this market, and prime sairroles would readily bring from £14 to £15 per ton. The stock market continues very firm for all classes, but of fat stock very little is offering, as freezing operators during the past few weeks have been picking up all the fat stoc available, particularly cattle. Beof has advanced considerably in price, and £2 has been readily paid. At Wallacetown sale on Tuesday as much as £2 2s was obtained. There was a good yarding of sheep at this sale, and prices for these were not quite so firm as a week previously, as freezing operators were not quite so keen. This enabled butchers to buy better than at the previous two sales. There is a very strong demand for store sh-oep, but cwe3 are practically unobtainable owing to tho lambing, and very few hoggets aro coming on to the market. Anything decent offering is readily picked up at firm rates. A good demand still exists for well bred and well grown store IvullqcKs, and this class Ms shown **n advance in price 111 bred, small stuff, however, is not keenly sought after, and business in this class is somewhat quiet. It looks, however, as if prices for all classes of stock are going to keep at a high level for some time to come, and farmers and graziers are certainly in for a zood time next year, when fat ewes and lambs ccinc on the market. Prices.—Fat cattle: Ox beef, prime, 39s to 40s; heifer. 37s to 38s; cow, 35s lo 365. Fat sheep: Prime butchers' wethers, 28s to 29a; medium. 26s 6d to 27s 6d; lighter and unfinished. ?5s -o 25s 6d; extra pr ma heavy ewes, 20s to 235; medium and lighter. 17s to 18-5. Store cattle: Three-year-old bullocks, in forward condition. £8 to £9; medium sorts, £7 to £7 10s; two-and-a-lialf-year-olds, £6 to £6 15s; two-year-blds, £4 15s to £5 ss; 18-month*. £3 15s to £4 10s; yearlings, £3 to £3 ss; calves, 30s to 40s. There is no business doing in cvm. Good hoggets, mixed sexes, 17s 6d to 18s 6d; ewe hoggets. 19s to 19s 6d: wether hoggets, 16s to 17s: two-tooth wethers. 20s to 21s 6d; four and six-tooths, 22s to 235.

forward from Palmerston, Balcltitha, Milton, Waitabuna, and from tho Western districts. Tito entry was comprised mostly of good, useful farm mares and geldings. Tlio attendance- of buyers was not too good, although a good many farmers and tho bulk of the town carriers and contractors were present. Bidding was rather slow, due, probably, to tho fact that farm work is now well on. We managed to dispose of all tho country consignments, both privately and at auction, at ruling prices. .«. —_—_ SALE OF STALLIONS. The Otag'o Fanners' Co-operative Association reports Jiaving held its annual salo of, Clydesdale stallions at Forbury Park on Thursday. There was a good attendance of tho public, but practically no buyers wero present, and very uttl,; business was done. However, we managed to eelJ, on account of Mr Thomas Liken, Waikaura, the Clydesdale stallion The Governor, by Lord Ranfurly, g-sire Lord Salisbury (imp.), dam Kate, by M'Kenzic; g-dam, by Lord Haddo, by Young Banker (imp.). This horse was second in the three-year-old class, and was sold at a high figure to Mr Wm. Brown, of Waikouaiti. We also sold, on account of Mr James Hogan, Flag Swamp, the Clydesdale* horso Baron Islington, by Baron Neville; clam, by Lion King, at a satisfactory prico to Mr Wm. Couper, Totarahi. ■» THE CENTRAL PRODUCE MART. Messrs Reilly, Gill, and Co. report:— Shipments of Suva bananas which came forward during the week have kept our fruit department busy. On tho whole, tho fruit landed in excellent condition, and realised iOs to 10s 6d per case for prime quality fruit. Rhubarb has been arriving freely and meeting a good demand. Tomatoes from Auckland realised Is 9d per lb, and cucumbers 15s to 16s per dozen. A few lines of desert and cooking apples have been coming forward, and realising extreme rates. Oranges: The market is practically bare; we have 100 cases due to arrive on Wednesday. Eggs are short of requirements, and stamped, and guaranteed have firmed in price. Potatoes still continue in excess of requirements, and are meeting a dragging sale. Chaff: Prime quality oatsheaf chaff is wanted. Fowl wheat and oats are also eagerly inquired for. Somo very fine lines of hens came forward on Wednesday, and extreme prices wore secured for hens, cockerels, and ducks. Prices wero fully 4d per head in advanco of thoso ruling tho previous week. Apples: Urgently wanted. Stunners, 3d, 3jd, 4d; cooking apples, French Crabs, 3d; Tasmanian Stunners, 12s. Pears: Local Winter Nelis, 4*d; cookers, Cattilac, 2d, 2|d. Flowers: Slow sale; yellow tmmpets, Is 6d v Is 9d, 2s 6d, 2s 9d, 3s, 3s 6d, 4s; wallflowers, Is, Is 6d, 2s 4s; violets, 4s; freezias, 2s, 2s 6d, 3s per dozen bunches; Arum lilies. Pickling onions, 4s per cwt. Table onions: Prime quality, £9 to £10 for locals; £15 for prize Melbournes. Cabbage, Is 6d, Is 9d. 2s to 4« fid per sack. Rhubarb, 2d, 2|d, 2£d. Cauliflowers, 2s 6d, 3s 6d, 4s. 4s 6d, 5s per sack. Carrots, 3s 6d, 4s. Horse carrots, 40s per ton. Parsnips, 6s fid, per sack. Butter: Farmers' pats, lOi.d; separator, lid and Is; bulk, 9d to 9jd. Honey: Sections, 5s 6d; pats, 2s 6d per dozen for ilb pats; 4s, 4s 6d for lib pats; 51b tins, 2s; 661b tins, 3id per lb. Bananas: Ripe, 3Ad; green, 10s to 10s 6d ease. Mandarines: Choice quality, 16s 6d per gin case. Valencia oranges, 22s fid. Island oranges, 15s, 16s. Adelaide oranges (scarce), 15s 6d. Passions,. 9s 6d. Pines, 12s 6d. Lemons: Choice Adelaides, 14s. Choose: Factory, sad to6d per lb; old cheeses, s|d. Pigs; Wanted; baconers, 5f d; porkers. sfd; choppers, 4id. Potatoes: Best quality table potatoes, speoially screened, £4 per ton; other lines, £2 10s to £3; seed, very slow of sale, £2 to £3 10s. Strawberry plants: Laxton's Noble, 25s per 1000; Lord Overton, splendid quality, 50s per 1000; Fillbaskets, 25s per 1000. Eggs: Stamped and guaranteed, to Is; case eggs, lid. Fowl wheat: Consignments wanted, 4s 9d to ss. Oats, 2s 6d, 2s Bd, 2s 9d for prime lines. Rice meal, 8s per sack for 1001b. Molasses, 5s 6d per cwt. Flour, £13 10s in 2001b. Barley. 3s to 3s 3d. Barley meal, 9s. Pollard, £6 10s per ton. • _ Bran, £4 10s. Oatsheaf chaff: Extra nrime qualitv. £4 ss, £4 10s; light and inferior, £3 10s, £3 12s 6d (ex truck). Poultry: Hens realised good values, 2s 3d, 2s 6d. 2s 9d, 3s, 3s 3d each; young cockerels. 2s 9d. 3s. 3s Id, 3s 3d, 3s od, 3s 9d; ducks. 3s 3d, 3s 6d. Turkeys: Hens realised old birds realised, 6£d; and gobblers, 9|d. per lb. Potaluma incubators, from 90s to 300s. Tho Circlet, the cheapest and best procurable. Write for particulars. Paper bags: All sizes and varieties at lowest rates. Spray pumps: The best and cheapest spray pump in commerce. Hand pumps: The new doubleaction Superb, the best hand pump i.n Australasia, 52s 6d. Full particulars on application. Beeswax, Is 3i : d. R»ibbitskins, 6d,' 7W. 7id. Bd. Bid, 9d. 9Ad, MMd. Hides. 4-Jd, 4£d, sd. 5Ad; eowlrdes. 4d, 4£d. 5d per lb: calfskins, 42d. Sd, SM, 6d. 6ld. Sheepskins. 4Ad. 5W- 6 Id. Horsehair, 9id, lOd per lb. Wool, 4d. 5d per lb. Fat, 16s, 16k 6d. We recommend consignments of good fowl wheat and bacon pigs. REILLY, GILL. AND CO., A-uctioneers and Commission Agents, Moray place, Dunedin.