Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 16

Markets.

"Witness Office, Thursday Morning.

Very general complaints of dullness have prevailed since our last, but it is to be remembered that the condition of things towards the end of the lost, and for some of the first days of the new month, partake* always less or more of this character. The time has t>« far been redeemed from inaction by no less than three sales of recovered damaged goods from the wreck of the Surat, consisting principally of drapery and boots, and realising in all about £2000, the prices regarded as being very good. Of bulk ale, some small shipments have lately arrived^ via Melbourne ; and some enquiry is noted as existing for Bass's pale. The demand for bottled continues, and stocks of leading brands are improved. There has been an arrival of Skipton Mallet, which is coming into general favour, a;ud being sold readily. Hennessey's brandy, in case, is held with a feeling of greater firmness, an endeavour being made to improve on lost week's quotations. Whisky continues dull ; and no improvement has been effected in rum or Geneva. Kerosene is stagnant, and offering at low rates. Since the last sale by auction of sugar, there has been no movement observable. In tobacco, since the .sales recently reported, no transactions of moment have occurred. Oilmen's stores are difficult to sell at payable, or even saving, prices ; stocks, in particular lines, heavy. Butter continues firm, and the price to improve. In cheese, a few parcels of new hay c come in from Canterbury, for which fair quotations are being obtained. Cornsacks are hardening ; held at present for 14s, in wholesale lots. Flour continues at the last quotations ; new is being ground, but none has been as yet placed on the market. Wheat (new) is quoted at 4s Od. Oats are not offering freely, but purchases have been made at from 3s 3d to 3s 4d. Orders, we are informed, have been sent from New Zealand to California for two cargoes, vessels to call at Auckland. Similar orders have been sent from Melbourne to the same market, and we also understand hay c gone to England for Scotch nulling oats, to be landed at Melbourne at a fixed rate. How comes this with the quantity of this cereal which will certainly be raised this year in our own Province and m that of Canterbury '? The increase of land under crop in both Provinces it is known will be great. The surplus of wheat it is calculated, will not be under a million and a half bushels, and it is fair to infer (after last year) that the proportion of increase in oats will bo similar. AVhy then, should orders be going- out of the country, or why to England from Australia? We would strongly urge uiion our farmers that they prevent the recurrence of such a thing. 1 1 is surely a.- much within their power, as it clearly falls within their province, to supply the demand of every market in the Southern Hemisphere.