COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18766, 20 January 1923, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Friday evening. Tho American Department of Agriculture, basing its figures on returns as of October 21, estimates tho total wheat yield for Europe this year at 985,650,030 bushels, compared with a previous- estimate of 1.100.991.000 bushels, and with a final estimate for last year’s crop of 1,215,084,000. Tho revised estimate of the whole world’s wheat production this season is 3,012,293,000 bushels, compared with 3,049,074,000 in the final estimate for last year. The department estimates tho French wheat yield at 335.380.000 bushels, compared with 323,467,000 in 1921, and the German production at 69.670.000 bushels, compared with 107.798.000 last year. It gives a late estimate in which tho production of Jugoslavia As reduced by 2,300,000 bushels from the previous estimate, and 4,068,000 from last year’s yield. The remark is added that "latest reports continue to predict a yield in Russia sufficient to supply domestic requirements.” Tho Sydney wheat market yesterday continued quiet, many millers not being disposed to pay more than 5s 7d per bushel, Darling Island basis, us against tho pool quotation at 5s 9Jd (says the Sydney Telegraph of January 10). Growers as a rule were holding off, but the sale of one large parcel of 6000 bags was made to a city milling firm at 5s 8d per bushel, on trucks, Sydney. Alill products were in steady demand, bran readily commanding £9, and pollard £lO per ton, l ex mill. The association prices were unchanged at £8 15s and £9 10s per ton, ex the mills, for bran and pollard respectively. Fleur was quoted at £l2 per ton, delivered, Sydney, and Newcastle. A cable message received through private sources stated that tho wheat market overseas was “steadier, but quiet.’’ A further cable advised that the market was inactive. Seilers were asking 52s 9d per quarter, c.i.f., for steamer parcels afloat. There was no inquiry forward. January steamer cargoes were offering at 52s 3d per quarter, c.i.f. LOCAL MARKETS. There is not much doing so far as milling wheat is concerned. Millers continue 1o buy odd lots at the Government fixed prices. They aro, however, carrying fair stocks, and arc not experiencing any difficulty in obtaining all their requirements. ’ The fowj wheat market shows a considerable improvement, consequent on inquiries from the North Island. Very little fowl wheat is at present coming forward. The current quotation is 4s Cd per bushel, f.0.b., sacks extra. This price is equivalent to about 4s per bushel, on trucks, country sidings. Dunedin millers prices are as follow. Flour: 2001 b, £ls 10s per ton; 100’s, £l6 10»; 50's, £l7; 2S’s. £l7 10s. Bran, £5 10s per ton. Pollard, £B. Oatmeal: 25's, £18; 200’s, £l7. A welcome inquiry for oats has bee'll experienced from Australia and the North Island, and a fair quantity has been disposed of to both these markets. Stocks are now very low in Dunedin, and orders are bsing mostly filled from the Bluff. The prices realised during the week were 3s sd, f.0.b., s.i., for A’s and 3s 3d for B’s. It is satisfactory to bo able to record that there will be no carry-over of oats this seaeon. Farmers, of course, are holding small quantities, chiefly in stack, to meet their own requirements. There is not such a Jarre area under oats this year as was sown down last year, but a good harvest should bo reaped if the weather remains favourable The Whangape carried several thousand sacks of oats to Sydney last week. A reod inquiry exists for oats for spread delivery from April to September. There are plenty of buyers for this forward business, but few sellers. Buyers aro prepared to buy at 3s 6d for A’s and 3s 4d for B’s.

Very little business, is passing m ryegrass. There is still a fair carry-over from last year. A few samples of Canterburytrrown seed have come on tho market, but practically no business has resulted, ns the prices asked are too high. Tho quality is not of the best, but is no indication, of course, of what the quality of the later crop will be. Samples of fescues aro now expected! from the south. Some areas have been cut, and threshing will commence in a day’or two. There is nothing doing in clovers. One or two inquiries have been

received for ryegrass, but no business has resulted, the margin being too great between buyers’ and sellers' ideas of value. PRODUCE REPORT. Stocks of chaff are on the light side. The local supply is just about equal to the demand. Prices range up to about £3 per ton. Dairy butter lias advanced Id per lb. Melbourne onions are easier in price. There rs no change in the prices of eggs. Supplies arc plentiful. Current local wholesale prices for produce are as follosv Chaff. —Good quality, £4 15s to £5, ex truck; medium and light, £2 10s to £3. Old potatoes.—Finished. Dairy Butter. —Bulk, Is; pats, 1s 3d; milled, Is 3d. Eggs (.slow of sale). —Stamped, Is Id; ordinary, 9d' to lid. Alolbourno onions, 17s Gd per ewt. Bacon.—Rolls, 11 Jd per lb ; sides, 104:1. Hams, 3s 3d; boneless, Is 3d. FRUIT REPORT. Business has been of a satisfactory character in tho fruit marts during tho week. Supplies of stone fruit have not been so plentiful, partly owing to the wet weather and partly to the slackening off of supplies of early peaches. Christchurch hothouse grown tomatoes have taken a jump in price of about 50 per cent. Supplies have dropped consequent on the interval of ripening in the artificially heated hothouses and the ordinary sun-heated hothouses. Reports from Nelson state that wet weather has interfered there with the ripening of tomatoes. Locally-grown are in keen demand, and prices in the marts have ranged up to Is 5d per lb. A line of cooking apples reached the market from Christchurch, and was quickly bought up. Dessert apples are inquired for. Some

nico samples of new season’s Beauty of Bath, from Otago Central, brought up to 8d per lb. Any good coloured desserts would meet a ready sale. Lines cf early pears are now coming forward fronv Otago Central. Supplies of raspberries have cased off. Really good samples bring lid to Is. per lb, lower quality 9d to lOd. Nectarines aro not too plentiful. Larger quantities should bo available when tho weather improves. Tiro Wanaka brought a thousand cases of bananas, transhipped in tire north. They did not open in too good condition. Rhubarb is almost unsaleable, as householders prefer to buy peaches for stewing. Cauliflowers have a fair inquiry. Really choice cabbages are in request, and so also are peas and French beans. Turnips, carrots, and parsnips have little inquiry. Now potatoes, in cases, have firmed slightly in price. Prices range from IJd to 14d per lb, Oamaru and Taieri-grown being up to 8s per cwt. Tho following are the latest prices; Apples.—Alarket bare. A few new season’s dessert realise 8d per lb; cookers, 9s to 10s. Tomatoes.—Christchurch hothouse, Is Id to Is 3d; local, Is 4d to Is sd. Bananas.—Ripe re-packed, 30s to 355; choice green to 27s per case. Rhubarb.—Slow sale. Nectarines. —Half-cases, 4s; crates, 3id to 4d per lb. Grapes, Is 6d to Is 9d per lb. Oranges.—Adelaide, 22s to 27s 6d. Lemons.—ltalians, 355. Plums.—Dessert, 3d to SJd; cooking, IJd

to 2d per IK Peaches, 3s to 5s 6d per half-case; choice dessert, in crates, from IJd to 6d. Apricots, 4s to 6s per half-case. Pears, 4s to 5s per half-case. Cauliflowers, 6s to 10s per sack; loose, 3s to 5s per dozen Cabbages, 7s to Os per sack; medium, 4s to 6s; small, Is 6d to 3s; choice to 5s 6d per dozen. French beans, 4Jd per lb. . "• Marrows, 5s to Cs per dump case. Green peas, 2Jd to 3Jd per lb for best; medium, IJd to 2d. Cucumbers, Gs to 8s per dozen. Lettuce.—Poor demand. Spring onions, 3d to 4d per bundle. White turnips, 8d to Is per dozen bunches. New carrots, Is per dozen bunches. Beetroot, now season’s. Is, per dozen. THE MEAT MARKET. (Peb United Peess Association.) WELLINGTON, January 19. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advises that the following prices were offered on January 18: Auckland wethers, 611 b and tinder, 8d; 65 to 721b,' 5Jd; 731 b and over, lid; second quality wethers, 4gd; owes, 641 b and under, 4;jd; 65 to 721 b, 4Jdl; 731 b and over, 3|d;

second quality ewes, 3|d. Prime woolly lambs, 421 b and under, 9d; 431 b and over, 8ld; second quality lambs, 6£d. Prime ox beef, 22s 6d per 1001 b; second quality ox beef, 20s 6d per 1001 b; cow beef, 15s per 1001 b. Poverty Bay wethers, 641 b and under, 6Jd; 65 to 72'b,‘ sid; second quality wethers, Gjd; ewes, 641 b and under, 4Jd; 651 b and) over, 3Jd; second quality ewes, 3Jd. Prime woolly lambs, 421 b and under, 9d; 431 b and over, Bid; second) quality lambs, KJcl. Prime ox beef, 21s per 1001 b; second quality ox beef, 18s 6d per 1001 b. Hawke’s Bay wethers, 641 b and under, 6d; 651 b and over, sid; second quality wethers 5Jd; ewes, 641 b and under, 4Jd; 651 b and over, 4d; second quality ewes, 4d. Prime woolly lambs, 421 b and under, 9Jd: 131 b and over, SJd; second quality lambs, BJd. Prime ox beef, 21s per 1001 b; second quality ox beef, 18s Cd per 1001 b. Wanganui wethers, 641 b and under, 5Jd; 65 to 721 b, 5Jd; 731 b and over, sd; ewes, 001 b and under, 4 id; GO to 721 b, 4Jd. Prime woolly lambs, 421 b and under, 9|d; 431 b and over, BJd; second quality lambs, B*d. Canterbury wethers, SGlb and under, 6Jcl; 571 bto 641 b, 5Jd; ewes, 561 b and under, sd; 57 to C4lb, 45d. Prime woolly lambs, 421 b and under, lOJd; second quality laiAbs, 9<(l. The above prices are being offered by operators for export. Higher prices have been, given for fat sheep and cattle purchased by tho head. This applies particularly to sheep in Canterbury. Cable advices from Home indicate that there is a better feeling generally in the beef market. ' ■*> HIGH GRADE OF CHEESE. The Little Akaloa Dairy Company, Canterbury, has graded 94J for a line of export cheese. This is a high grading, as last year the South Island Dairy Association’s competition was won by the' Omimi Dairy Company with 93.099. The Little Akaloa grading is: Flavour 454, body and texture 284, colour 15, finish 5. This is tho possible for colour—a record, and hard to obtain. ENGLISH MARKETS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 19. Bariev: English, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; Cape, 2s lid to 3s. Oats: 3s fid; feed, 3s 6Jd. Potatoes, £7 10s to £B. Onions, £6. (Received Jan. 19, at 8.5 p.m.) Butter is firm. There is a good consumptive demand. New Zealand, choicest 1965, exceptional 198 s .unsaltcd 198 s to 200 s; Australian, choicest 190 s to 1925, unsalted 194 s to 106 s.

Cheese is easier. New Zealand, coloured 12Gs, white 128 s. The retail price of Is 3d per lb is checking the demand.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RABBITSKIN MARKET. LONDON, January 18. (Received Jan. 19, at 8.40 p.m.) Anninga and Co. report that at the rabbitskins sales 2466 bales were offered and 1210 sold. Hatters’ sorts were in strong demand, with prices hardening throughout, closing at 5 to 10 per cent, above the November rates. Tiro lower grades showed the greatest improvement. There was a' good demand for turners’ sorts, principally finer grades, which advanced 5 per cent. There was little inquiry for mediums, a few being sold at about 5 per cent, decline. Harcskins advanced 10 per cent.—A. and N.Z. Cable. Messrs Dalgcty and Co. report having received cable advice from London to the effect that at the last rabbitskin sales 2175 bales were offered and 1210 bales sold. There was a strong demand for hatters’ and best furriers’ sorts, but medium sorts were in small demand and were largely ■withdratwn. As compared with the last sales, prices for furriers’ sorts were unchanged. and haffcrs’ sorts were from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, higher, OTAGO FARMERS’ HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) report having hold a successful sale of horses at their bazaar, Crawford street, Dunedin, on Friday, January 19. when they submitted to auction a catalogue of 60 horses of all classes. The yarding on a whole could not bo termed a good lot, as there was only a limited number of draughts offering, and the spring-carters and harness horses were not np to the usual standard. There was a good demand for good young draughts for town work, and those forward changed hands at very satisfactory prices. The inquiry for farm sorts was slacker on the day, while aged and weedy kinds were hard to quit, but nevertheless the bulk of the entry changed hands at satisfactory prices. Wo anticipate a good demand for all good young draughts ready for work, as soon as harvest operations become general.

CANTERBURY MARKETS. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 19. For the present time of the year (here is a healthy, optimistic tone in business circles which shows every sign of being maintained. The wheat market is still in an uncertain state. Despite statements that, have been made to the contrary, many growers arc of the opinion that the Government will again fix the subsidy to lie paid, so that the industry may receive the benefit of good prices. Oafs and chaff are still firm, chaff particularly so, and the indications are that the present prices will be maintained .for some time to come. Orders for chaff are coming to hand from Auckland. This trade is more welcome, seeing that practically no chaff has been shipped from Canterbury to that port for the last three or four .years. Ryegrass is firm at late rates. A better tone is evident in the cocksfoot trade, and Peninsula growers should have a better season than they have had for the last two years. With regard to peas, it is stated that the acreage sown for the present season is about double that of last season, and it is the largest over put down in the dominion. A few lines of Algerian oatA have made their appearance and have been placed at 2s 9d on trucks—a pricb considered too high for the market. SHEEPSKIN SALES. Messrs Murray, ißoberts, and Co. have received the following cablegram from their London agents, dated January 18; Sheepskins.—Merino and fine crossbreds, 10 per cent, dearer. Crossbred, medium, and coarse, 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, dearer. BUTTEE AND CHEESE. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report having received the following cable from their head office, dated London, January 17: Cheese: Since our last wire prices are higher by 2a per cwt. Butter: Prices are lower by 4s to 6s per cwt. ■ -oEXPORT OF STUD STOCK. SHIPMENTS FOR AFRICA, AUSTRALIA AND THE ARGENTINE. Past predictions that in the course of time the export trade in stud stock would develop into a very valuable asset for the dominion are likely to be realised. Frequent shipments of both stud sheep and cattle were made during the latter part of the past year, and already this year (says the New Zealand Times, numerous shipments have been arranged for. The destination of the stock is widespread, report Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.), whose stock department is attending to the selection and shipment. By thcT New Zealand Shipping Company’s s.s. lonic, a special selection of 15 Corriedale ram hoggets was forwarded to Montevideo. This was an excellent line of rams, and the price paid, 50 guineas, shows that the demand for the highest class of sheep has been revived. These sheep were selected in the South Island. By the Moereki a further shipment of Friesian cattle to Australia was made. This selection comprised the champion bull at the last Canterbury Metropolitan Show, and six females and two young bulls from the Bay of Plenty. They were a choicelybred consignment. A sale of Jersey heifers to South Africa has also been completed. These cattle were bred in Taranaki, which is the loading province in the dominion for the breeding of butter-fat producing cattle. Although New Zealand-bred Jerseys have been exported to various parts of Australia and to Tasmania, this is, the first occasion on which a sale to South Africa has been made. Arrangements are now being made to forward a shipment of New Zealand-bred merinos to the Argentine. Very few stud sheep of this breed have been exported to that country, although shipments of flock rams have been mad© both to the Argentine and to Honolulu. A large shipment of over GOO head of Lucerndale merinos is being shipped from South Australia on February 6 to the order of New Zealand breeders in Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Some of the prize sheep at the last Sydney Sheep Show are included in this consignment, which should be of considerable interest to New Zealand breeders. Recently an inquiry from Tasmania for a stud flock of Suffolk sheep had to be declined, as Now Zealand breeders would not part with any of their stock. The breed is in great demand in the South Island.

“ CONSIGN YOUR EGGS AND BUTTER” To BRAY BROS., Fruit and Dairy' Produce Auctioneers, STAFFORD STREET, DUNEDIN. Prompt Attention given to correspondence.

Fraser and 00., selling- agents Otago Egg Circle, produce merchants, 116 Crawford street, Dunedin, report:—Eggs: The market is over-supplied, and sales are slow and difficult to make. Egg Circle eggs nominally Is to Is Id; plain, Sd to lid. Wo do not expect sales to improve for a fortnight yet. Butter; Market firm. Pats la 3d to Is 21d, bulk la 3d per lb. Pigs; Prices steady and the demand is absorbing all on offer. Bacon pigs 6d to GJd per lb, porkers GJd, over-weights to 4d per lb. 'iallow: Market steady. Worth from 16s to 335, according to quality. Honey: Demand is limited. Prime bulk to 6d, 10lb tins 6s to 7s per tin. Sections 7s Gd per dozen. Beeswax, Is 5d to Is 6d per lb. Potatoes: Supplies sufficient to supply demand. Oamaru cases 7a 6d per cwt, bags 6d 6d to 7s per cwt. Green peas 3d per lb. Wo stock Star P chick food, lucerne meal, poultry meal, fowl wheat, oats, egg crates, bran, pollard, leg-rings (various colours), Is 6d per dozen. Special quotations for quantities. Poultry: Wednesday’s entry comprised mostly old hens, which sold rather better than the previous week’s lot. Hens, 2s to 4s; ducks, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; ducklings, 7s 2d; cockerels, 2s 6d to 6s, all at per pair. January 19.