ENGLISH PRODUCE NOTES.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 9 April 1907, Page 6

ENGLISH PRODUCE NOTES.

LONDON, February 16. — Wo9l— The first series of London sales terminated on the 30th ult. with a firm tone for all descriptions, the depreciation m coarse grades of greasy cross-bred becoming less marked towards the close. As compared with December rates, best greasy and scoured merino and scoured and slipe cross-bred were m turn dearer, while m the cape of lambs cross-bred marked an advance of _d and merino _d to Id per lb, other descriptions of merino and fine cross-bred being firm. The decline m cross-bred is m large measure accounted for by the more wasty condition of the New Zealand clip this season as compared with last, the demand throughout having been active. Of the quantity catalogued (152,000 bales), 150,000 bales were sold, 60,000 bales being taken for the Continent, and 13,000 bales for America. — New Zealand Hemp. — The firm tone mentioned m my last report continued for some time, and a fair amount of business was done. Subsequently, m sympathy with the decline m Manila, a ret feeling supervened, and prices fell ut 10s per ton. Tlhe market closes very ?uiet, and latest quotations areas follow : — lood fair spot, ±540; January-March, £39; April-June, £38 to £38 10s ; fair spot, £36 10s ; January-March, £36 ; February-April, £36 ; and fair current Manila, £41 per ton, c.i.f. Tow is still inquired for at £14 15s per ton, c.i.f. — Cocksfoot. — The market has been very quiet, and few transactions are reported, buyers having

satisfied their immediate requirements. Supplies are only moderate, and prices keep fairly steady. The N.Z.L. and M. quote: 191 b medium 6eed, 48s to 495; 181 b medium, 47s to 47s 6d ; and ' 171 b medium seed, 46s to 46s 6d per cwt, ex warehouse. — Frozen Meat. — The demand for all descriptions' of mutton has shown an improvement, though m face of the larger supplies offering prices, particularly for New Zealand, have tended m buyers'* favor. Small Canterbury carcasses realise up to 4Jd and North Island 4§d per lb. A good trade is now being experienced m Australian lamb, though the arrivals have proved m excess of trade requirements, and values for all sorts have declined. Best brands make up to sd, but other descriptions range from 4d to 4_d per lb. The demand for new season New Zealand has been very disappointing, and there is no doubt that the low values at present ruling for English and mutton have helped to retard sales. The top price ruling for Canterbury is 6£d and North Island i6d per lb, ex market. The position of the market for River Plate chilled beef has marked! but little alteration since my last report, as, although supplies have been plentiful, a fairly good demand has been experienced at about late rates. Frozen beef, however, continues to meet a poor inquiry, and prices are easier. Latest, quotations: Canterbury sheep, 4d to 4|d; Australian lamb, 4d to sd; North Island sheep, 4dto4|d; River Plate chUk-d beef, hinds, 3gd to 4£d ; Australian sheep, 3_d to dfd ; River Plate chilled beef, fores, 3_d to 3£d ; River Plate cheep, 3fd to 4d ; River Plate frozen beef, hinds, 3|d to 3£d • ewes, 3|d to 3?d ; River Plate frozen beef, fores, 2|d to 2|d ; Canterbury lamb, s|d to 6^d ; New Zealand beef, hinds, 3|d to 3|d ; North Island lamb, s£d to 6d ; New Zealand beef, fores, 2_d to 3d per lb off the hooks at Smithfield. —Tallow.— A good inquiry has prevailed m this market since my last advice, except towards the end of the period under review, when a weaker feeling became manifest. However, at the auctions held on the 13th inst. there was a better demand than was generally anticipated, and the market ] closes firm, prices marking an appreciation . of Is 3d per cwt for inferior descriptions ] and 9d to Is per cwt on other grades. In Australasian for arrival, 43_ Titre, good color, mixed, has been sold at 355, and no color, mixed, at 33s 9d per cwt, c.i.f., but during the last few days no further transactions have taken place, buyers' ideas of value being below those of sellers. Tlie N.Z.L. and M. quote : Fine mutton, 39s to 39s 6d ; fair to good, 37s to 38s 6d ; edible beef, 36s 6d to 37s 3d ; fair to good, 35s od to 36s ,* good mixed, 35s 9d to 365 ; and dark to dull, 31s to 35s 6d. — Butter. — Since my last report the market has further declined, the weakness, however, being most marked m New Zealand sorts. Supplies arriving by three or four boats each week have met with a good consumptive demand, and with advices from Australia that curtailment m shipments may shortly be looked for, the feeling generally is that prices are now near the bottom. Latest quotations : Australian, 96s to 98s, occasionally 100s ; New Zealand, 100s to 102s per cwt. — New Zealand Cheese. — A very 'good market has prevailed, with advancing prices, and with stocks well held and supplies m hands of retailers light, values at the close have a hardening tendency. Latest quotations : New Zealand cheese, 64s to 655, occasionally 66s per cwt. — Grain.— There has been a very fair demand m the wheat market, and prices have advanced fully 9d to Is per quarter. The cold weather experienced this wintea* has undoubtedly stimulated consumption, and the market has been further affected by the news that the Russian Government have been buying American wheat to supply their famine-stricken provinces. At the close a quieter tone prevails, but sellers are not disposed at present to give way m prices. A large business has been done m Australasian for arrival at advanced prices, and 30s 9d per 4801 b, c.i.f., has been paid for a Victorian cargo, DecemberJanuary sailing, and this price is being asked for February -March bill of lading,, and 30s 6d per 4801 b, c.i.f., for MarchApril shipment. The demand for oats, which has been rather quiet, is a little better at the close, although the good supply of English has checked inquiry for the colonial-grown all through the winter. There is a good inquiry for Tasmanian maple peas of good quality, but there is no stock here m first hands. A c.i.f. sale has recently taken place at 40s per 5041 b for spring shipment. English are still offering at 30s to 34s per 5041 b. Beans are firmly held, but the demand this season has been disappointing. Latest quotations : — Australian wheat, 31s 6d to 32s per 4961 b; New Zealand wheat (longberried), 30s 6d tb 31s per 4961 b; New Zealand wheat (short-berried), 30s 3d to 30s 6d per 4961 b; New Zealand barley, 25s to 30s per 4481 b; New Zealand oats, spar-row-bills, 22s to 23s per 3841 b; New Zealand oats, finest sparrow-bills, 23s to 24s per 3841 b New Zealand oats, Danish, 19s to 19s 6d per 3201 b; New Zealand beans, about f.a.q., 32s to 33s per 5041 b; Tasmanian maple, first quality, 48s to 50s per 5041 b; Tasmanian maple, second quality, 38s to 50s per 5041 b; Tasmanian maple, third quality, 36s to 50s per 5041 b; blue pea/?, 34s to 40s per 5041 b; Australian flour, 21s 3d to 21s 6d per 2801 b.