COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16666, 11 April 1916, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. (Peb United Press Association.) : • WELLINGTON, April 10. The High Commissioner cabled as follo-ws from London on April 8 (Note: Tho quotations) unless otherwise specified, are the average market prices on spot):— Meat.—Only a small quantity of New Zealand, meat is available. Mutton:' Canterbury and other brands than Canterbury, 7£d; ewes, River Plate mutton is selling at 10d owing to the short supply. Lamb: New Zealand lambs of all descriptions, Bgd per lh, including this season's; Australian lambs of all descriptions, Bj|d; River Plate lambs are selling at 103 d owing 'to tho short ■gnpply. Australian and New Zealand, together with River Plate prices, aro now under Government control. Beef: Only New Zealand bull beef is on the market, and ie selling at the following rates:— Hinds, 7d; fores, 6d; chilled hinds,. fores, 7d<. Butter. —The market is steady. Danish, (firmer), 174s to 176s per owt; New Zealand tsfeady), 162s to 1645; Australian (quiet), 158s to 160s; Siberian (fair demand), 126s toM34s; Argentine (steady), 148s to 1525. Cheese.—The market is very firm. Canadian (first stock small), 106 a to 108s perewt; •New Zealand (market * firmer), white and coloured, 10Ss to 104s; United States' (firm), 100s to 103 a; English Cheddar (very firm),

114s to life; Oaeehire, 120 ato 1225. , On April 1 it was estimated that Canadian and United States cheese stocks at London, Liverpool, and Bristol woro 97,000 boxes, as against 79,500 at the same timo last year, and that New Zealand and Australian choceo stocks in London nd Bristol were 28,000 crates, as against 19,000 last year. Hemp.—The market is firm, but not active, owing to the difficulty regarding shipment, although prices are. maintained. Now Zealand, good fair, on spot, £49 per ton; fair, £47; Manila, new graded fair, £54; coarse, £50; April-June shipment, New Zealand good fair, £47 10s; fair, £45 10s; Manila, new graded fair, £53; coarso, £49. Tho output from Manila for the week ended to-day was 26,000 bales. Wheat.—Tho market is firmer, and prices ,havo improved, btrfc there is only a moderate demand. Canadian, arrived, 62s 6d per quarter; April-May shipment, 58s 6d; Australian, shipment in Aj)ril (nominal), 645. Oats.—Tine market is firm, and thero is more demand. Argentine, arrived, 31s 6d.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Donald Reid and Co, report: Wo hold our weekly auction sale of grain and produce on Monday, when values ruled as under: —Oats: Consignments are not so heavy, and those arriving havo rather moro attention from buyers. Better inquiry has been experienced iroin the north for Gartons, and although prices show little change, best oats are more readily placed at quotations. Prime milling, 2s 4d to 2s 4|d; good to best feed, 2s 3d to 2s 4d; medium, 2s Id to 2s 2d; inferior, Is 10d to 2s per buehei (sacks extra). Wheat: Only choice lots have any demand from milers at late rates. Tho market is over-eupplied with velvet ear and Tuscan of medium quality, for which there ia limited demand. In many cases this class of wheat is being sold to supply orders for fowl wheat. Prime milling velvet, 5s to, 5s Id; Tuscan, etc., 4s 6d to 4s 8d; m'edium. 4s 3d to 4s 4d: best whole fowl wheat, 4s Id to 4a 2d; medium to good, 3s 9d to 4s; inferior, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes: In consequence of the sudden drop in prices in Australian markets, there has been a decided Blackening in the local market. Consignments are arriving freely, and only choice lots are in favour with buyers. Best table potatoes, £5 5s to £5 10e; medium to good, £4 15a to £5; others/ £4 to £4 10s per ton (sacks included). Chaff: The market continues to be fully supplied. The demancl is practically confined to prime quality, lower grades being difficult to deal with to advantage. Best oaten sheaf, £3 5s to £3 103; medium to good, £2 15s to £3 2s 6d per ton (bage extra).

Messrs Dalgety and Co. report as follows:—Oats: During the past week there has been mare inquiry for bright heavy hones, and a fair quantity has been placed for North Otago and Canterbury requirements at an advance on late rates. Farmers are not ready sellers at present rates, many preferring to.store in anticipation of better prices later in the season. The demand has been for oats bright and heavy, while other qualities, discoloured and lighter, have found an outlet for local feed requirements. Prime milling, 2s 4d to 2s 4^d; good to best feed, 2s 3d to 2s 4d per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat: Therft w little alteration in milling wneat. Velvet, which is evidently in shorter RuppFy than other varieties, is receiving most attention from millers. Tuscan is offering freely, and only lines of prime milling quality ure attracting attention Fowl wheat is in full supply, and late rates are barely maintained. Prime milling velvet, 5s to 5s Id; red -wheats. 4s 6d to 4s 8d; medium ,qualrty, 4e 3d to 4s sd; best whole fowl wheat, 4s to 4s 2d per. bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes: Since'our last reports, consignments have been coming forward more freely, with the result that 6ales can only be effected at a reduction in values. The quality of the tubers ooming forward this season varies considerably, many lots having to bo cleared on arrival to best advantage on account of disease and scab. The de:mand being mainly a local one, choice lines receive most attention from buyers, and sales are being mado of these-at quotations. Choice tables, £5 to £5 10s; medium, to good, £4 to £5 per ton (sacks in). Chaff: Of late supplies have been increasing, and with no outlet for shipping has limited the "market to local consumption, for which there Jβ only a moderate demand: _ Feeders are buying new season's chaff sparingly for mixing purposes with old season's _ chaff. "Sales'can only be made at a reduction on late rates. Best oaten sheaf, £3 5s to £3 10s; medium to good, £3 to £3 6e per ton (sacks extra).