COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18157, 31 January 1921, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Saturday morning. Merchandise houses report a decided improvement in business towards the end of the month. , , , , , Looally-manufaotured pearl barley has been reduced to 30s per cwt. Thistle oatmeal is quoted at £25 per ton, Colonial-manufactuxecL starch-, bulk, has been reduced to 100 s per cwt for bulk and 105 s for pockets. The new price represents a fairly substantial reduction. Flag pickles, assorted, are quoted at ISs per dozen; mixed, 18s 6d; onion, 19s. Dutton’s cream preservative has been advanced to 14s 6d per dozen bottles. The current quotations for Waxshine are 7s 6d, 12s, and 255, according to size. The price of methylated spirits, quarts, has been fixed at 24s 6d per dozen bottles. The packers of luncheon sausage have been unable to supply orders for some time. Advice, however, has now been received that a shipment is on the way from Wellington. Hinton’s canned apricots are now being offered at 18s 6d.pcx dozen. Wyandotte is quoted at the following-new prices: Ones, 7s per dozen; fives, 37s 6d. Brilliantshine is quoted at 10s 9d per dozen.

CHEESE AND TALLOW. The New Zealand Loan nad Mercantile Agency Company have received the following cablegram from their London house, under date January 26: Canadian cheese quotations: White, £7 17a; coloured, £8 2s. The market is firm. Tallow: We quote present spot values for the following descriptions;—Fine mutton, £2 6s; good beef, £2 6a; mixed, £1 15s. There is small demand and nominal quotations. Sale by auction suspended.

LONDON ivuiKilETS. Frees Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. January 29. (Received Jan. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) Cotton: February delivery, 9.17 d per lb. Rubber: Para, Is OJd per lb; plantation, Is OJd;. smoked. lOd. Jute: January-February shipment, £37. Hemp: Dull. January to March shipment, £sl.

Copra: January to March shipment, £33 6s a ton. '

Linseed oil, £3l 10s a ton. Turpentine, 80s per cwt. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

STEAMER FREIGHTS WEAKENING,

Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 29.

t-veceived Jan. 30, at S.S p.m.)

Freights continue to weaken. Steamer fixtures for Australian wheat, which were 72s 6d, are now obtainable at 70s. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE OAMARU MARKETS. (From Oua Own Correspondent.)

OAMARU, January 29, Broken weather during the week has interfered to some extent with harvest operations. Rain has fallen on three days—or rather nights—the culminating point being reached last night, when an exceptional downpour was experienced along the coast. Inland the fall was lighter, but a very useful rain occurred generally. The weather otherwise has, too, been mild, and the result will be found in an improved harvest, especially in wheat, which has been enabled to swell, and add several bushels per acre to the yields 'anticipated in the first week of tho year. Thrashing has been on a small scale, and what has been done has not included any wheat, of which little is likely to be seen on the market until well into February. In the meantime two flourmills have closed down owing to lack of supplies. A few samples of oats have been submitted, but no business has been done, growers not being prepared to accept current unprofitable prices. There is a likelihood that a considerable part of tho oats crop will go into stack to wait a favourable turn in the market. Some small transactions in old oats, ex store, are reported at 2s 6Jd for A Gartons and 2s 4d for B’s, sacks extra.

Several samples of barley, both Chevalier and Cape, have been The grain is very bright in colour, but thin. No business has been done, and for malting barley growers are looking for a much higher price than they are likely to get. It is understood that maltsters have made forward contracts elsewhere that preclude them from making any offers in the meantime. Some rape and ryegrass seeds have been on offer, but the market Las not yet opened. One lot of rape seed direct from the mill, and of average quality, was taken at 3Jd per lb net on trucks, but in another instance 4d was offered and declined, the sample being extra clean. The outstanding feature of the stock market this week has been the record yarding of fat lambs and sheep at the regular weekly sale. Altogether fully 1500 head were penned, much the greater proportion being lambs. It has been discovered that it is more profitable to sell their lambs in open competition than by private treaty. That conclusion was supported by the result of the sale. All buyers for shipment were represented, and tho bidding was brisk and the competition keen. Prime lambs ran up to 34a, while the best sorts brought from 31s to 32a 9d, medium from 28s to 30s, and light and inferior from 19s to 22s 6d. Tho brighter outlook in respect to feed as a result of the good rains recently experienced, some demand, has arisen for rape lambs, and during tho week sales of lambs in forward condition have been made at from 22s up to 24s 6d. Though feed through the winter is now assured, a fresh growth ot grass having been stimulated and rape and turnips given o good start, there is no movement in store sheep Only a small amount of business has been passing in cattle, but modest lines of stores have changed hands at the following prices: Forward three-year-old bullocks, from £8 10s to £10; two-year-old steers, £4 10s; eighteen-monih-old mixed sexes, £2 to £2 10s; calves, 10s to 15s.

There is e fair • demand for dairy stock, and sales are reported of cows coming to profit at from £ls to £l6 for beet, and from £lO to £l2 for medium sorts. Heifers nearing calving have found buyers at from £8 to £lO.

SOUTHLAND MARKET REPORT, (From Our Owy Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, January 29. The oat market has firmed during the last few days, and there are numerous inquiries from the north for prompt end forward delivery. Prices have' advanced about 2d per bushel, and quotations to-day are: A Oartons, 3a 4d; B Gartons, 3s 3d, f.o.b.s.i. The recent dry weather has been very much against the growing of this cereal, short and stunted crops being reported in most parts of Southland. When our new season’s crop is available it is to be hoped that freights to the United Kingdom will become easier, so that our produce can be exported to the Home country. Our experience last year was that there were more oats grown in Now Zealand than there was demand for, in our own country, and therefore it is essential that we look for other markets outside the dominion.

Th© harvesting for ryegrass is now pretty general, but so far no new season’s seed has com© on the market. The yield is reported as not being as large as last year, and in the absence of any offerings it is impossible to say at what price the market will open. Owing to the stores'being busy with the wool, no machine-dressed seed is likely to be available until March

As is usual at this time of th© year, the demand for chaff has fallen off, and very little has been changing hands. The price is about £6 per ton on trucks, country stations.

There are not many inquiries for hemp from abroad at present. There are not many mills working in Southland, and the output from those in commission is just about enough to supply the demands of the local twine mills.

During the past week at sales held iu country centres prices ruling were on a par with those quoted about a week ago. There is very little demand for store stock at present, and the quantity offering is rather meagre. We expect business to improve from now on, as there is plenty of feed about, and the country is looking well. Fat stock, of course, is coming back to freezing values, and freezing buyers will be operating at the beginning of next month. This, of course, will have a tendency to make our stock market better.

The following prices may be quoted; Fat Sheep.—Extra prime wethers, 33a to 365; prime, 30s, to 31s; unfinished, down to 28s; extra prime ewes, 28s to 30s; average, 22s to 245; unfinished, down to 18a. Store Sheep.—Extra good mixed-sex twotooths, 18s to 20s; average, 16s to 17s; small and weedy, down to 10s; four and six-tooth wethers, 23s to 24s 6d; average, 20s to 21q,; inferior, down to 16s; good-conditioned lambs for fattening, 16s to 18s; average, 14s to 15s; inferior, down to 8s; full and failingmouthed ewes, 8s up to 12s; four and sixtooth ewes, 22s to 25s 6d; sound-mouthed ewes, 18s to 20s. Pat Cattle. —Ox beef, 45s to 48s; extra prime bullocks, £l6 to £18; prime, £l4 to £ls 10s; unfinished, down to £ll 10a; extra’ prime heifers, £ll to £l2 ; prime, £lO to £lO 15s; unfinished, down to £8 loi

Store Cattle. —Forward three and four-year-old steers, in good condition, £ll 10a to £l2 10s; average, £9 10s to £lO 10s; two-year-old steers, £6 16s to £6 10s; yearlings, 22a up to £3 10s, according to condition. Dairy cows, with the appearance of making good milkers, are selling at £l6 to £18; average, £l2 to £l4; inferior, down to £7. Empty cows are very hard to sell, except those With condition. Prices ruling for this class of stock are £3 up to £7 10s, according to size and condition.

THE CANNING INDUSTRY.

CARELESS AUSTRALIAN PACKING,

SYDNEY, January 29. Mr L. H. Freeman, chief partner in the firm of Messrs Freeman and Co., London, large buyers of canned goods, stated that the careless and indifferent methods of packers and canners were killing the Anatolian export trade in canned and preeerved fruit. There was a glut in ripe fruit at present, and hundreds of tons were_ going to the tip daily or were rotting in the orchards. There was not a single export order in Australia at present, whereas there should bo orSfera for 300,000 to 400,000 cases. He urged the grading of goods true to sample so that they would reach the retailer in. an attractive and marketable condition.

WOOL SALES. Dalgety and Co. report having received the following cablegram from their head office, dated London, January 27, 1921: —“The wool soles closed very firm; competition is animated. The improvement in the demand is partly due to American buying. Continental and English buyers are operating more freely. As compared with last sale’s closing rates, merino wools are par to 5 per cent, lower; 64-70’s combing wools are often rather dearer; merino wools, scoured, par to 5 per cent, lower; crossbred wools, fine quality, 10 per cent. lower; crossbred wools, medium quality, 10 per cent, lower; 36-l O’s sold at 8d to 9ti; crossbred wools, scoured, scarcely any demand. Free Australian wool, 35,000 bales were offered. New Zealand, 1115 bales offered, the bulk being sold.’’ Though the market is quoted lower in the foregoing message as compared with the close ol Decemoer sales, certain qualities—merino and fine halfbreds—have appreciated slightly since the opening of the January series of .ales in Lcnaon

THE FKUIT AND PRODUCE WORLD. Reilly’s Central Produce Mart report;Extremely keen demand for dessert fruits. Tomatoes have been' in short supply, and high prices ruling. Choice lines of Central fruit eagerly competed for, dessert apples realising to lO&d. Nectarines are in short supply. Vegetables have had a good demand, green peas realising to 5d for choice. Choice dessert plums, especially greengages, are madly competed for. Large consignments of section and bulk honey are coming forward. So far good values have been secured. Pigs; Owing to the pessimistic rumours circulated pigs have been harder to sell, some agents clearing consignments at 8d and 9d. Poultry have been in large supply, and as usual at these times sales have been difficult to effect. Flowers: Neglected; to 2s 6d dozen. Tomatoes: Christchurch, Is 6d to Is 9d; locals, Is lOd to 2s Id; Nelson, las 6d to 26s per case. Crapes: Locals, Is lid to 2s. Rhubarb, 2Jd. Potatoes; Canterbury, 7a to 9s 6d cwt; locals, lid, 2d. Peas; Choice, to sd. Butter and French beans, 4d tc 5Jd. Gooseberries: Green, good to 2|d; ripe, to 4d; inferior over-ripe, unsaleable. Bananas, to 355. Black currants: Choice, to 8d; inferior, to 4d. Red currants: Choice, to 7d; inferior, to 4d. Loganberries, lid. Raspberries, Is. Apricots: Choice desserts, 4id to 8d; cooking, to 4d. Plums: Cherry, 3id to 6id; dark, 6d; gages, Bid. Nectarines: Desserts, 9d; cooking, 4d. Pears: Honey, 4d, sd; Jargonelles, sid; W. 8.0., sd. Apples: Desserts, 9d; cooking, to sd. Peaches: Desserts, 4id, 8d; cooking, 3d, 4d. Peanuts, Bd. Preserved ginger, 2s. Almonds, Is 4d. Walnuts, 9d lb. Figs, 4s 9d dozen 4oz packets. American, 42s 6d, Cauliflowers, Is 6d, 5o 6d. Spring onions, 9d bunch. Table carrots, 2s 6d, 5s 6d cental bags. Turnips, 6d. Cucumbers, 10s to 18s 6d. Cabbage, to 4s 6d dozen. Onions; Aucklands, 16s. Bacon pigs: Market easier; lOd, lid. Beeswax, 2s Id lb. Honey: Sections, 14a 3d dozen (wanted); bulk, 9d, 9Jd. Eggs: Stamped, fo 2s Id; cased, Is lid, 2d. Tea: Choice, 3a 3d per lb in 101 b tins. Oatmeal, 32s per cwt. Pollard; Hs lOd per 1001 b bag, 14s lOd per 1251 b bag. Ferro food, 10s per 1001 b bag. Oats, 3s Sd, 8a 6d. Molasses: In- barrels, 18s cwt. Bren, 9s lOd per bag. Langdown’s "Imperial” chick food, 28s 6d per 1001 b bag. Oyster shell grit, 9s. Cape barley, Bs. Prussian blue peas, to 10s. Oatsheaf chaff: Best, to £7 10s, ex store. Oatstraw chaff: To £6, ex store. C.M.W. spray , pumps, 32s 6d.“Mystow” knapsack sprayers, £5. Nicotox, 7s 9d. M'DougalTs fruit tree wash, 7s 6d gallon. Black leaf “40”: 101 b tins, 83s 6d; 21b tins, 18s 9d; ilb tins, 5s 9d. Katakilla, 8s per bag of about 2Jlb. Fat, to 34s cwt. Horsehair, 22d to 24d per lb. Poultry; xiena realised from 3s to ss; cockerels realised from 2s to 8s lOd, ducks realised from 5s 6d to 8s 6d (all at per pair). B. OSWALD REILLY, Manginag Director, Moray place, Dunedin.

One does not often hear of picnics at this time of the year, but you can have a picnic and a rest at any time by opening a tin of St George Camp Pies for tea. No bustle or cooking. Slice and serve cold. You will come back for more. Flavoured with rare spices from the East. —Advt.