COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 953, 25 April 1889, Page 18

COMMERCIAL.

' The Argus of the 13th inst. reports:—! " locally, wheat is a shade weaker, owing to the [ want of buyers. For small parcels on spot 5s 8d is' Obtained with difficulty; quotations for 1 large lines are 5s 1 8§d to 5s 9d, nominal. Flour; is unaltered, and in slow demand, The market in feed grains has been rather quiet. The trade are now practically dependent upon New jZealand for supplies of oats. Fair sales' have been : made to the extent of about 1500 bags on spot, at 3s lid to 4s, the' latter price being obtained for bright samples. Seed oats are' in steady demand, Tartarian fetching 4s 3d to 4s od. More forward business has also been transacted. Little is doing in barley, Cape still being quoted , at 3s sd. Maize is unaltered at 4s 6d to 4s 7d. ( Peas are very dull, with small trade sales at up: to 4s 9d, delivered. Bran is quiet at Is 2Jd to' Is 3d."

Messrs, Murray, Rdberts, and Co., have received the following cablegram from their London house (Messrs Sanderson, Murray, and Co.). dated the 17th inst. :—" Market weaker, but: not quotably lower." • - , ;

. Messrs DAXGBTrAND Co. 'report as follows:— Our Melbourne branch reports under", date, 17oh Inst. t' "Breadstuff s, market quiet but pricei well maintained. Victorian f.a.q. wheat, 5a Bd.' New Zealand milling oats, 3s ll£d. New Zealand chevalier barley, 5s 7£d. Maize, 4s ;6d. Cocksfoot grass; seed, 3jd ; ryegrass, 3s 9.d." ( Our Sydney branch,re-' perts under the same date., "Wheat market exceedingly dull, hardly any business doing; impossible to make sales without' sacrifice. 'New Zealand; fee"d oats, market quiet.'.but prices well maintained. 1 Maize, market weak, quantity coming forward in excess of requirements. Potatoes, depressed by enormous quantities; Tasmanian, available. Heavy, rains have fallen in most districts "of New South Wales. ' ' !l •' ' ' ' The Savings Bank returns show that for the March quarter of this year the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by £4779. The total amount of ,the quarter's deposits was £407,115 as against £401,017 last year. The withdrawals amounted' to £402,336, as against £352,764. The' largest deposits 1 'weWt in Ohristchurch (£85,498), Wellington coming 'next (£70,195;, Dunedin (£85,519)* third, afld Auckland (£49,307) fourth. The largest excess of 'deposits over withdrawal (£6774) was in Christohnrch, Wanganui (£2165) coming next. The" largest eicess of withdrawals over deposits was (£2878) in Greymouth, Nelßon (£2031) coming next. [*These returns do not, of course, include thoseof the Dunedin Savings Bank, which is a local association.] The employment of postal .notes for, the liquidation of small acbonnts seems to be growing in'publio favour. The total number sold in the colony during the past first quarter ef the year was 39,318; re'pre Benting a value of £15,008 16s 9§d, being- an .increase of nearly £2000 over the value of those issued during the corresponding quarter ol 1888. , The total commission gained by the sale of postal notes was £286 5s 3sd. " • ■ Mr Oonnell sold at Oamaru on Saturday a 15-acre paddock at Kakanui, divided into 12 allotments. Mr Alexander Elder purchased the first two lots at £25 108 and £29 10s per acre respectively ; Mr Hugh M'Kay purchased the third lot at £29 10s per acre. The other nine lots fell to Mr Alexander Thomson at

£27 per acre.' The Wellington Trade Eeview regrets that it is unable to give the particulars of the exports of the colony for the first quarter of 1889, but there is yet one port from which the returns have not been sent in, It is, however, one of the minor ports that is missing', the exports of which in the first quarter of 1888 amounted in value to £66,048. Assuming that shipments to the same value left it- in the quarter just,' concluded, we find, that the exports of , the colony, for the' tKree months peached the high total of £3,416,478.' This is the' largest quarter's exports that "ever left ' the colony . -The 'total for a twelvemonth, ending with the , March . quarter, amounts . to no less ,than £8,200,353, as against, £7,069,247 j for .the preceding' twelvemonth. TWs 'is also the largest year's export that the colony has witnessed, and it iB noticeable that it exceeds our imports during the' same period by considerably overtwo millions >Bterltng. For the comfort of those who (regardless #f,'the indebted condition, of the, colony,) seem to pin their faith on, the doctrine that it is a good sign when a country's, imports exceed its exports, we may mention that thd' present 'relative proportions of these two branches of our trade are quite exceptional, and' that, .taking a period of 15 yeara, it will be found that the balance ia heavily on the side of imports. The totals, for the. 15 /years, from 1874 to 1888 inclusive,, are as follows :— ' - ":..' £111.452.422

' Imports ... 1 Exports ...

... 96,226)115 - Excess of imports " „«. £15,227,307 t/ or at the rate of over a million per annum. \ > Mr Thomas Green, Gore, reports having offered on Saturday, 20th inst., the right of cropping about 3000 acres on the Wantwobd' estate, thd' property, of Mr G. M. Bell. About & third of the land is equal to any in Southland for growing wheat, while the balance will, in a fair aeaion, average from .40 to 60 bushels oats. Owing to the large attendance of farmers arid others the' sale 1 had to be adjourned to the Horse Bazaar. The land known as the Wash-

)Hi il'», 11,' i ';,! (til, ' V'j ( I , , i i (1, i i " ' ' MiO ■*' "•-' ipooly and, which -h»s been iffigrass, for a number, ot jyeajrs.iwaa first offered, .and, after. ;keen competitiipn Ijoldat price* i»ngingjrorij;ipeuto27B>per,«!re, the, .'balance; which Umostly.ln tdrnips, bringing from lls to 149. per acre, ,I'he sale was a most successful * ['one jiaod ihows that ia ipite of the low prices for.all •descriptions of farm produce, wbioh, have been the >rule for some years past, the Southland farmers have sufficient enterprise and confidence In the future !to take advantage of a genuine speculation.' when 'offered. . , • There" Is (says the North Otago Tlmse), a most i marked demand for farms in this district, and wifch- r in the past few days'we have heard of several having; .'changed hands. This week a farm at Totara, another' i near weston, and.anotherat Awamoko have found' purchasers. Althdughthe ino'reas'e'd price of cereals may have something tO'do with this, the position is strengthened a good deal by the faot that all New Zealand products now range at higher prices than they- have done for years past. At Mr Pease's sale of sections at. the Waikaka - siding, or 1 Donaldston, on Thursday (aays the Southern Standard) every, section was disposed of at prices, ranging from- £6 los to £47. , The 18 gectitaß .realised £229 108; or at the rate of £57 7s 6d per aore. The Auctioneer was very happy in v hls prevision of .hotels, stores, &o. at Donaldston, whioh is, and will be, the outlet for, the whole of , the Waikaka Valley district. The purcnaserß were Messrs Wilioa Hall, G. Woods, G. M; Bell, T. Green, fa G. Neill, andH. M'Kinnon. ' Messrs DalgetyjandjiCo., haye.,receiyed the follows . ing telegram from their London office, dated April 18;— "For, sheepskins there is a brisk demand at Somewhat higher prices— say par to id rise.", WEEKLY LIVE AND PRODUCE: REPORT.

Wednbsda'y,

April 24

Fat Cattle.— 247 head, including some very prime drafts, came forward to one of the worst markets ye, remember to have seen at Burnside. Several ,of the-

verypri

: largest butchers were not operating, paving- considerable stocks on hand from last, week's full market' and , outßide purchases, consequently bidding .was ' very languid and prices lower. Indeed/ ,Jn , many i instances very little over store rates were obtained, I and several lots from ' the Taierl were ' tiurned out unsold. The best lotsof cattle forward tbis',week were those from Trevenna, Inve"rmay, Riccarton, Waimate, West Taieri, Ldvell's Plat, and Catlins districts, and it is to be' regretted that the prices obtained for such excellent ' stock must in most instances result in a loss , to,, the grazier. — WSiaHT, Stephbnson, and " Co. Bold 150 head as follows: — For Mr James Guild (Trevenna) six prime' bullocks at from £7 7s 6dto £7 17s 6d-; for' Mr James Gow (Invermay),' 15 prime shorthorn steers and heifers at up' to £6 16s for former, and up to £5 12s 6d for latter ; for Mr Alexander Douglas " (Eiccarton), 26 head—bullocks afc from £0 to £7 12b 6d,- and cows at from SA 1C& to' £5 ; for' Messrs Bryce Broa. (Lovell's Flat), three prime bullock* at £6 7o 6d, and four prime cows a*t £4 17s 7d; . for. Mr William Quinn (Makikihi), six steers and heifers at £4 to £5 2s 6d ; for Mr^ George Spence (Laurels farm), 24 prime bullocks (heavy weights) at from.£d 15a to £7 175.6 d: for Mr- James Matheson(of Koremata), 10 very prime bullocks at from- £6 to £7 15s;-. for Mr Alexander Fleming (Henley), 8 steers and heifers at from £3 to £4; for Mr J. B.' Green (Oatlins 'district), 14 prime steers (light weights); for Mr ,J. Nicholson (Cjitlins district), 7 steers at quotations; for M r William Maoara (Gore), 7 steers and cows' at from SA 5i to £4 10s ; and for Messrs William Geary, jun., A. and J. M'Farlane, James M'Kewen, John Graham, D. Young, Johnlnglis, T., Groves, William Wilson, and, James Anderson, 21 cows qt from £1 5s to £B.^i Ebid, }&.isn&x& , and Co. sold : For the Waimate estate. 2 at £7, 2 at £6 15s, 2. at £6 15s, 2at £6, 15b, 2at £6 12b 6d, 2at £6 ,2s 6d ; on account of Messrs Bi'Gov.erin and Hardj (Waimate), ,2 prime heifers at £6 12s 6d, Bat£s 7s 6d, 2at £5 '2s 6d ; and for Mr Porterfield, cows at, £3 10s.— Donald Ekid _ and Co. yarded 47, and sold': ,Oh account of Messrs i M'Goverin and Hardy (The Hpok, Waimate), 7 prime heifers at £8 , to £5 ; on account of Messrs M'Leod ' Bros. (Woodside), 9 bullocks (small, but, nioo quality) , at £4 5s to £3 17s 6d,,3 heifers at £4' 7s 6d; ,on> account of Mr John Muir (North Taieri), 9 ,bullocks • (stores) at £4 to £3; on account of Messrs B. Craigle , and Sons (Biverbank), 7 bullocks at £5 7s 6d to £5 2g 6d ; on account of Messrs Grey Bros. (Mllburn), ; 4 bullooks at £4 10s 10 . £3 sa, 4 heifers at £4 5s to £2 15b ;, on account of.Mrß. Bottjtagj and others,, 4 cows at £2 10s to £2.-r, John Gbindlby (for the Farmers'. Agency Company, limited) yarded 69, and sold for Mr James , Guild (Temuka), 6 prime bullocks at £7 12 a6d ; for' Messrs M'Govern and Hardie, 7 heifers at £5 ss ; for , Mr J.Meehan (Makikihi), 7 bullocks at £4 6s; for; Mr Harry Palmer (Dtakia), 15 bullookß at£s2s6d; to £6 17s 6d, 5 cows at £5 ss ; for Messrs A. arid J. , Brown, 3. cows at £4 10s ; for Mr James Sinclair, 7 ' heifers at £4 12s 6d ; for Mr William Lindsay, 5 cowe at £4 ; for Mr John Thompson, 7 cows at £3 2s > 6d'to£slos. . Fat Sheep.— The supply this week consisted of •2065 sheep, fully two-thirds of them ewes, the rest, .wethers of good .to prime quality. The demand, throughout the sale was brisk, especially for best, lots, and for, such prices may be quoted a shade in. advance of those of a^week ago., Best crossbred wethers brought from 12b to 13s 3d ; medium, 10s 6d to lls 9d; light, 9s to 10s; best crossbred, ewes' brought from lls 6d to 12s 6d (a few extra prime 13a V 3d) ; medium, 9b to 10s ; Hght;'7B to 8s 6d.— Wbiqht, ■ Stkphknson, , and Co. sold 728 as follows :— For Mr David M'Kellar .(Brooksdale esjbate), JB2 crossbred wethers at from 13s 3d to 11b •9d ;> for Mr James Wylie (West Taieri), 30 >very prime! Southdown ewes at, from 13s 3d to 12s; for Messrs ;- Bryce Bros. (Lovell's Flat), 60 prime maiden halfbred ewes at from lls 9d to 115.3d ; for Messrs W. and G. Barron(Gore), 58 prime crossbred ewes at ! from 12s 6d to 11b 9d ; for Mr, Peter, Granf (Gpwrie),; 84 halfbred ewes at from 95,9 d to,Bs 9d ; for Mr Jphn O. Ellis (Merrivale estate), I JB crossbred ewes at from, 8b 9d to 9b ; .for Mj; Jfomes M.'Lauchlan (Maungatua), 10 crossbred ewes atl'os'3d ; and for Mr Charles Dore (Strath^ierl),^ merhHrwethers at quotations.--Donald Stronach (bnjbehalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) sold on account of Mr Allan 1 M'Lean (Waikakahi); 237 prime crossbred ewes, at 12s 3d to 10s 3d; Mr Tesohemaker,6l nice quality, crossbred ewes at 10s 3d to 9b 10S ; Mr C. F. Durinett (Kelso),- and others draftsat qubtationß.— Skid, Maclban, and Co. sold as follows :— On account Mr Barron (Waikaka), 39 crossbred ewes at lls 6d, 27 at JOs 9d,,; on account of Mr Shand (Greytown), 35 crossbred ewes at lls 3d to 12s 3d, 31 half-bred ewes at 10s 9d ; on account of Mr W. Jaffray (Saddle' Hill), '20 crossbred wethers; medium weights, at 10s 9d, 22 halfbred Down wethers at 1 10s 6d, 20 croßsbred ewes at 9s 9d, arid 19 at 9s 9d. Privately during ,the week, Eeid, Maclean, and Co. have sold 1010 freezing wethers, immediate delivery, at full market quotations.— Donald Kbcd and Co. yarded, and sold on account of Mr F. W. Mdmiston (Timaru), 33 crossbred ewes at 8s 9d, 27 crossbred ewes at 8s ,6d ; on account of Mr A. Lee Smith (Lakeholm), -1(5 crossbred wethers at lls 3d, 33 crossbred ewes^at 9b ; on account of Mr John Allan (Holme's), 45 ordssbred ewes at 10s ; for Mr Wm. Shand (Keith Hall), 36 crossbreds at 11s, 32 crossbred'ewes at 11b 3d.— Gboegb Todd (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited) sold draffc*,on behalf of Mr David M'Kenzie and others, up to lls for wethers, and 10s 9d for ewes. — John Grindlby (on behalf of the Farmers' Agency ' Company, Limited) penned 609 and sold:— For Mr W. Grant (Grange), 50 crossbred eweß at 11s 6d to 12s ; for Mr Alexander Brown (Mataura), 62 halfbred

wethers at 19s 3d, 64 small crossbred ewes at 7s 6d ; for Mr Hugh Cameron, 91 half bred ewes at 9b 9d to 10s 9d, 74 ' merino' wethers at '8s to 8a 9d ; for Mr G. Wallace, 82 small crossbred ewes at 8s ; for Mr Thos. Joyce (Hampden), 33 crossbred ewes, and wethers at 9s 6d; for Messrs Grey^Bros. (Waihola), 80 merino wethers at 7« 6d ; for Mr T^illiam Grey (Milbuni), d 9 crossbred ewes (culls) at 7s 3d. ' Fat Lambs.— 376 came forward *to an sale, prices for best ranging from 8s to 9s 3d arid for others from 8s to 6s. -J - Wright, Stbphbnson, and Co. sold 302 as follows :— For Mr Janjes M'lnto9h (Tarapuna), 116 very prime lambs at from 8s 9d to 9s 3d ; for Mr James" M'Laolilan (Maungatua), 53 at from 9s 3d' to 7a 3d; for Mr Peter Grant "(of Gowrie), 35 at BsV- and privately' for. Mr D. T. Shand (as administrator of the Otakia estate)* 100 attquotations.— Donald Ebid and Co. yarded and.sold for Mr Wm. Shand (Keith Hall), 30 at 8s 6d.— John Gbindlkt (no behalf of the Farmers' Agency Company, Limited) sold for Mr Alexander Douglas (Bast Taieri). 22 at 8b -6d' to 9s ; for Mr George Watson (Flag Hill), 23 at 8s to 8s 3d. 40 at 6s. ■ '■ • Hgs.-0n1y.102 penned, about one score of, them heavy weight bacpners, the rest principally half and three-parts pigs, not prime enough for the curero. "Well-fed bacon pigs 'of suitable weights would have commanded .ke'en competition 1 and fully last week's prices, but the descriptions forward sold at a considerable reduction on late crates.— Weight, Stephknsow, and Co. sold 91 ac follows : — 10 light weight baconera at 43s 6d; 50 half and.three-parfcs fat pigs at from '27s to 355 ; and 31 stores at from 18s to 25s.— John Gbindlet (on behalf of' the Farmers' Agency Company, Limited) sold for Mr W. M'Leod (Falmentonj, 6 heavy baconeri at 53s to 625 ; for Mr

N.M'Bitchie (Tapanul),,2,at '80s; for others, 10' at 1 4 Store Cattle.—T he present W'range of'yalueitfr fat cattle has rendered business' in Btores' almost lm-' -possible, We have not heard of any' transactions during the past week. ;\* ' .' v . , , ! Store Sheep.^-A fair business continues to be done 1 under this head, chiefly in breeding ewes to farmers, whose stubble fields are now dear. Some important 'auction sales have been held during the week, particulars of which are subjoined. ' Privately Messrs WKt<WtT?;'STEPHBNBON, and Co. sold 1000 six and 'elghtrtooth crossbred ewes. ,700 , three-quarter-bred .lambs, 1000 halfbred lambs, and 500 six and eighttooth halfbred ewes. , " '' ■ .Country Sales.— On Thursday, last, 18th inst., 1 ; Eeid, Maoxban,' and Co. he.ld a sale of Store aheep" at Messrs Wilsbn's yards, Balclutha. There being another fixture in the shape of a sale of store sheep at Bjilclutha on the same date, a very 'large' gather^ 'ing of farmers and^ others of the district .took place,' 'and the day's transactions all roi^i must be 6pn- . sidered satisfactory Iri eyery ' way; , In all we catalogued 2(300 sheep, for every tfne.of .wbich there was a brihk 6onlpetttion, ririd a 1 of the wHole.at the following qu'otatidns':-;^ four-tooth .crossbred (mixed sexes) at 8s ed; S3l itfefdlrM class; mixed two-tooth halfbreds, In aotoewhat low Condition, 6s 2d; 316 fialfbred lambs', many of, them certainly on the" inferior side,, at ss'Bdto 559d;32 culls at 3b 3d ; 568 halfbred ewes, six-tooth attd full*' mouthed, at 6s lOd to 7s 2d ; 60.7 merino ewes of the . same age 4s sd ; 18 Leicester ew es at 12s 6d ; Leicester .Leicester lambs to ,7b 6d; 24 four?tooth Leicester •rams' to, IJgB; "13 Leicester, ram lambs at, 1 20b', '-275, and ,28s; ".older 1 sheep' at 20s.IJo'hn Gbindliy (on' behalf. 6f "the, Farraars'. ! Agency Company; Limited) sold privately for Mr W' ' Grant, 1000 merino wethers at '5s |6a ! ,'.'and at their monthly sale, Balclutha, on Thursday last.'as follows:—105 two-footh crosßbred ewe's, ,10s Sd;' 85' ! six-tooth do do; ( 9s lOd; 450 two-tooth do wethers, 9a 9d;,445 full-mouthed d'o^WeV^s'ld^lSS'twotboth do, 8s 5d ;'IOO lambs, 6b to' ,8s 9d; 63 do, 7s ;, SObdo, sslodtoss lid; 360 full-mouthed crossbred; owes, 6s. lid'; 292 do do, 8s 6d ; 90 do merino ewes,' !ssj>l4 lattibß,. 6a 6d; 6Q Imerlno. ewes .(call), 3s; {total, 9Pßtt« , . 1 , '" r „ _ , . , Flock ' Earns.— Wsiafir. S*Ht>aßNßoif, and Co.'. Isold on account of Messrs M'Kerohar Bro8(Wbo'd r lands), 50 twp-tooth Leicester ram b at a'sati»faotory 'price.— Jotbf ,G6iNi>tEY (on behalf of t^e FatfrnW J Agency Company, Lmited) sold during the week prl- : vately > For,Mr John John»ton(Kahiku),2o two-tooth 'merino ranis) fdr'Mesflrs James Sndith and Sons (Gre'enfleld)i'3a i ßlx'and flight-tooth Leicesters at 12g8;1 2gB ; for Mr M.Paterion (KalhikiG', four four-tooth Leice'sters a<i ligs to 2igs. . " ' ... • Wool.— Cable advices received during the week in reference to the London wool sales now in progress are of a. most satisfactory tenor. .They inform us tba't competition is' active, with a .firmer tone;- that withdrawals, are exceptionally few.,' On the 17th inst: the naarket was' reported as follow? :— " Since i the opening of the sales superior greasy, superior combing washed,' and scoured fine, orossbred' have advanced £d to Id, per lbi X Medium and inferior greasy have ad variced Jd per.lb; other desoriptionß unchanged , but the market is very firm. Up to date 152,000 bales havo been sold." Sheepskins.— There-was a large at the sales this week" "(which 1 were' held on Tuesday, owing to' Monday being/ a holiday) tto compete for- the heayy supply brought forward, and we have to report' that, competition was well suttained throughout, prices being more even than for some time past, and ruled on a par with those of the previous week.' Good heavy green skins and well saved lambskins were in excellent demand.- Gountr'yjdry skina also received good attention, and full .rates' were secured. We quote for butchers' skins :-fCroßsbreds, prime 3s9d,'3s6d, 3s 3d, 3s ; do medium, 2a 9d r 2s ,Bdi , 2s 6d ; do inferior, 2s 6d,,2s 4d, 2s 3d,j green merinps, prime, 2s 6d. 2s sd, 2s 4d ; merinos, medium, 2a 3d, 2s 2d, 2s ; merino, inferior, Is 9d, 1b 7d, Is' 3d ; lambskins, best quality, 3s 7d,,3s sd, 3s 3d ; lambskins, medium. 3s, 2b lOd, 2s 8d ; lambsidns, inferior, 2s 6d, 2s '4d', 2s 3d ; country oryoroßßbreds, inferior to medium, 1* 3dto 35,6 d; do do merino, Is 4d to 3b ,sd; full-woolled qrossbreds, 3s lOd to 6s ; do do merino, 3b 6d to 5s 9d; dry, pelt's, 2d to Is Id. ' Babbitsldns.— There is very little doing in the meantime, but for the few offering there is a very good demand. There are buyers in the market prepared to operate immediately supplies are forward, ■ and , having secured , large orders at limits which should secure a large, proportion of the offerings here, ! it is considered that the prospects for the coming season, from a seller's point of view, are very encouraging. ,Eabblfcers f up-country dealers, and others, interested would do well to try the epen. .market before making any commitments for sale by private treaty. , < „ ' . Hides.— This market is without any very material alteration. v Sound hides without scars are always j preferable, and realise much better prices when compared with those paid for cut and otherwise slovenly flayed. Quotations are as follows —viz. : For inferior and bulls', ljd to 2d ; light, 2Jd to s^:, medium to good, 2|dto 3Jd; beßt and over 601b weight, 3Jd per lb. ' Tallow .—T he market remains inactive, notwithstanding the alighV advance recorded lately in values at Home. ' Buyers for shipment are disinclined to, operate except at prices leaving no margin to the renderer. demand for local requlrementis continues moderately brisk. All ' odd lots coming forward are taken up by manufacturers at about equal to late rates, which are as follows :— For prime rendered mutton, 21s to 21s 6d; medium to good, 17s 6d to 19s; inferior and mixed, 14s 6d f;o 16s 6d ; rough' fat- best* mutton caul 13s 6d to 15s, medium to good 10s to 13b per cwt. . , ; ; Grain.— Wheat has come to hand .more freely during the past week from the South, the condition o£ whichis somewhat raw. The,, market shows no improvement since date of our last report. Millers are not free buyers under any oiroumstances, but when in ' the market their small purchases are confined to prime, hard ,- conditioned samples ; second - ral«i samples, in the meantime, have np attention what-; ever, neither is fowl wheat in very much demand. 1 At present the tendency of the market is' .downwards. We quote prime milling ir'ecl straw, white velvet, and Tuscan) 4s to 4s 3d ; medium tq good, 3b 6d to 38 9d ; inferior to medium, 2s 9d to 3s 3d (ex store).— Oats :' A moderately fair demand continues to exist, but the want of tonnage prevents shippers from operating to the extent that they.woulddoif they could only get their purchases. away. The holidays have also interfered with business to some extent, and deliveries being somewhat heavy, the bulk of the arrivals had to be taken into store. This week's quotations are somewhat on a par with those, of last week, but while there is fair inquiry, the tendency' is towards lower priceß. We quote prime milling, 2s' 7d to 2s 7|d ; beat bright short feed, 2s 6d to 2s 7d ; medium, 2s 4d to 2s sd ; inferior- and carelessly dressed, 2s 2d to 2s 3d (ex store). Barley: There ia aome inquiry for shipment if suitable parcels offered. Occasionally prime lots are taken up by the local maltsters, but on the whole the market is very quiet. We quote prime malting, in suitable parcels, 3s 9d to 4s; medium, 3s 3d to 3s 6d (ex store). , Ryegrass Seed.— With the exception of an odd sale now and .again, the market is very quiet, but holders are hopeful that farther onja decided improvement will be experienced. We quote undressed 2s 3d to 3s, dressed 3s 9d to 4a. Cocksfoot has no demand of any consequence ; quotations nominal. ; Potatoes.— There Is no .material alteration to note in the tone of the market;. A moderate business is passing, and' values remain about the same as last ' week's— say from 80s to 825,6 d per ton for northern growth.

. . HORSE REPORT. • Messrs Wbigkt, Stkphknson, and Co. report as follow,?,;— , For Saturday's sale about 40 horses came, forward, ibut owing to the holidays business was slack, and 1 only a very few changed hands. We sold a draft on account of Mr J. Hughes (Outram) at satisfactory prices. We quote :— Fireglass heavy draught horses, £18 to £23;. medium draught horses, £10 to £15; light draught horses, £5 to £10 ; first-class backs and light harness horses, £15 to £20 ; medium hacks and light harness horses, £6; to £12; light and weedy, £1 10b. to £3. ' .• • ■ ■ < [The individual reports of wool, ra&bitskin, or grain brokers can be inserted in the Daily limes and Otago Witness at special rates,']

GRAIN REPORT.

Messrs Samuel Ocr and Co., Stafford street, report for the week ending April 24 as follows 5-- >

Another week's fine weather, and during that lime farmers have been busy carting their grain to wayside stations, which in some Instances are getting blocked, scarcity of trucks being the drawback. The Raiiw&y department are, however, meeting the requirements, of the season iri a creditable manner. The holidays, of course, put a damper on business, and the week closes with but a small amount being, done on this account and the trouble of inadequate freight, the latter

beihft'a' vWy' eeriotwidrawback to) ipeculaton and farmer's also; When the^rushof the grain season U W.^atfpractlcally no-tftnais noflngiveß Jor grain to Mit the station. The arrival*. during, the week of all claffses of grain have been! numerous Indeed, and. have weakened the markets. In bat* -especially the quantity coming" forward Js (large, and mdre thaa ithe' demand meantime warrants, so that storage fas- Wen resorted' ' to; -The- .Australian markets' show signs of ' weakening* but' recent reports from there eay; that they. can. absorb, from '8000 to 10.000 sacka a week in Melbourne alone; and as Sydney can consume an equal quantity, wa nan see no reason whatever that oats should go lower than they are now. Tasmania sent in auarge quantity to Melbourne, which helpedto stagger the market there while the two apodal Bteamersiromhei» 'arrived. '• '• ''' '• l! ''■■.>''"■ '■'- ■ . Wheat.^ locally • our wheafc'/market Is at a *sttodstill, a« toillert will only pnrchase^in.very, Bmairaoanttties to keep their machinery in- operation, aria:t6air' purchases are /only confined toi-fin* ;top dualiey.' 'Tae Honte and contlnefttai <nu»ket» exhibit fao signs' dl'i-etlving.^hfoh oftfcburseyieepf .this iriarket'brick, while ifl Australia the demand is ■not so animated. • The present price at Home would' only koUnWof Ispeoulatioii at 8»' 8d a bushel, add we i feel sure farmers would not sell af tbisprice to^ahlp on their own account on 1 the face-of jgetting. auon 1 'diiastrous returns. We quote -prime northern Tug. 'can and velvet up to 4s 2di>mejliam, 3s 7d to 3s lid j Ifowl feed, ?s 6d<*o 3s 3d. • u- r „ ;/ i Oats.—Qn aecoutit of the hplidayß, only, a. .business' has taken place,, and. as arrmls; i , > ara numerous and ..sales .being (.pushed ., PQces, ara '< rather easier; though during, the week ( we«Wdgopd{ I feed for. the following :-jTA Clarkavtlie, , *J*Tffto& oFD,Kelio, JK Kelso, at, 2a,^d, sacks 6di and^W UK Clinton, land MH Waiwera,.at',3B^d,;saoki v od; while for many others of sam.? quaU^y we get 2v 7d and as 7id, bags in. For a_quantlfcy of T and MH Waiwera, we got 2s 7d, sacks 6d,,t0-day; and quota prime milling up to V 2 8 7Jd, bifight short etout feed 2s6dto'2s inferior' and discoloured 2s 4d to It s|d. Our sales for the week have been about 16,000 bushel ' ■ ""' ' "

Barley.— Demand locally -is small," but for export ' there is a very good one, but quality must be of the very beet.'"^e quote. prime maltlngup toi4B(oaoki . extra), mining 3s 3d, feed as 10di>. •«. " " i Chaff.— The T arrivals hayeincreased.Bothafc price* [are easier-say, for oaten sheaf, dean and well out, >'up"to£3 ssto'£3los. ' ' ' '■-< ••■■ T?otatoeß'.-<The supply this week has been rather ' more tina'ri' usual, and yesterday, saw price* 2s6dto ' 5s a ton Idwer, so'can' only quote'Derwents.up tow ,2s6d in quantities. :•• ■( " ' ' -;• J ' , ' ' ' ' '. ffitaY MARKET!, REPORT. '-' ;; ' Moßrazsoar and Hopkjn, Millers^ Grain, Produce, and Oommiesion Agents, Manse street, Dunedin, *e« port as follows:— ■ , . . • : ■ 1 -i WHOLESALE BBPOHT. < ■' / Wheat : We have no alterations to report. 1 Miller* ' are still holding back, and are not-willing to operate, 1 which is not alone due, 'as they state, 1 to nigh valnfes, | but I ' chiefly that 'bakers are fully 'stocked , for,' six I weeks ana outside orders going, chiefly to rollec mills". Prime Northern Tudcans, 4s Id to 4a 3d; other sorts; 4s ; Southern Tuscans, 4s ; other sorts, 3b 9d to 3s 10dl .Fdwld' 1 wheat: For good shipping parcels there is. a good' demand, and we quote beat whole'3s 3d to 3s 6d;- medium and inferior lota from 2s 9d to 3s 3d, We have inquiry 1 for shipping lines. Barley : The market this week has not improved, and maisters'are still 'holding baok;;Bomti are still working on last year'B ' malt. Malting (nominal)* 3s 9d to 3s : milling, 3s 3d to 3s fld ; feed,'2s 6d,to 3s. Oats: Theßolidayshaveiigfeatly interfered-Jwith this cereal, as has also the scarcity of freight obtainable, and if the Union Steam Ship Company- would giv'eshlpperi.'say, Wo steamers per week to enable them to execute their orders, we feel sure farmers would see better value— at any rate 2d per butheU Prime milling. 2s 7n to 2s 8d ; > bright plump feed from 2i sd to 2s 7d '; off colour, 2* 4d}. long Tartars in good demand at 2s lOd; short Tartars, 2s 8d to 2s 9di Tlmaru roller; £11 f.0.b.; Oamaru roller, *IO; Southeraandtownbrand6£lo-So'«l6Bonabovepriceß. Oatmeal': Long ton- in bulk, £13 10s; 26's, £13 10s; 7'b' and We, £15. Braa, £4 f.o.b. Timaru. Sharps, £(J' f.o.b. Timaru— very scarce. Potatoes: Be»t Oamaru Derwents we place at £4 to £4 5b per ton; other ldnda. £8 15s.' - Kidneys i We have inquma for seed lines. Pigs t Well fed up to 1801Di;4d to 4jd. Onions, £12. Ohaff: Well cut heavy oaten sheaf (riddled), £8 15s to £4. Straw ohaff, £2. We havo inquiry for 700 tons straw and sheaf ohaff for Australia. Turnips, 15s to 20s. Carrots, £2. Straw! (oaten and wheaten), 36s to 40s. Hay (oaten), 80s. Clover and ryegrass' hay, 60s. Butter (salt): The market is languid, arid; only" 9d is offered.' We have placed a few fines at 10d-4:egs'extra. >, We hope to see better prices during May and .June. Eggs are coming freely forward , and have' fallen 2d. Honey i Eun;3fdto4d'; extracted, 4§d.' Cheese: Prime Akaroa (large), sd; loaves, s|d ; factory! (large), C^d; loaves, 6jd. We think prices will harden 1 when' factories stop next month." Hams and bacon : Hams* in cloth, 9d ; rolls and flitohes, 6fd. iGraw seeds : Eye* ■grass, 2s 9d to 3s- for farmers' >Jlots>; machine dressed, 3s 6d to 4s ; Poverty ßay,4s 6dtoss; ltalian ryegrass, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; cocksfoot, 2Jdfco 3sd.

I MANUFACTURERS AGENTS' REPORT. Messrs Abthub ' Sl'Donald and Co. report aa follows for the week . ending' Wednesday,' April The ' varied experience we have gained in the dis« posalof colonial produce in the capacities of buyers on manufacturers.' account, buyers on' speculative account, and ajjeufs f,or producers places us in the v bes'tpositi6n to judge 1 the merits and demerits ofoon- | ducting the business as between producer and, con* I Biiiiiev,itaii"&fUx l lbav6fhl thought arid looklnspat the quesMon'from all'polrits, it is our 'opinion that it ia I directlyoppoßedtothe'interestßOf the producer. To cover,the|groupd aba thoroughly explain ourmeatiing Would occupy ihore'timethan we'have at our disposal at present. We thereforeconterit ourselves with giving the following rough sketch. Tol begin with/let us ' look atf the business' as ' ah present ' conducted. "A ' grower" consign 1 ?' his 1 wool, grain, 'skins,' &c. toan "agent in I>une(dra (for instance) for sale^:that agent undoubtedly tries his'utmqs't to secure the b&trt« turns from tHe buyers he has at his disposal; and charge's (including commission '.and warehousing) about 5 per cent. 1 The buyer, aa'aitiaturalGoneequenoe. must hive' his margin of profit.' The goods are ' then consigned by the' local ' buyer to an agent in Lbriddri,' 'Australia, or {elsewhere, who also adds a' part ' of charges and sells to tho manufacturer. This .system is fast disappearing, for already we Haye 1 manufacturers Bending direct orders for the' various classes of 'Roods 'produced in' the colonies ; and fur 'tier than that.mivfty of them have sent" out their own' buyers to be' represented here. But this all means expense, which of course doe* riot 'come 'out of .their' pockets. In England, for example) the producer takes his wares and sell* direct to the manufacturer, and thereby derives the fullest beneit from his labours. This cainnot be done in the colonies', because w,e have not' the population to consume our productions; but the corn producer here can bring himself into direct communication with manufacturers in the following manner i— M» the producers, or a portion of them, form themselves into a cooperative society whose object it would t» to keep themselves in constant correspondence witn manufacturers in the various markets of the world add to sell their wool, grain, skins, or whatever 16 may be direct. This mode of conducting busines* may not. come about in the immediate future, bno something pertaining to it- must eventually takelW place of the present system. It has been argued that producers have now the option of selling to any market they may think fit. So they have, but even then it is done through an agent here and coniignw to an agent elsewhere. . In the meantime the nearest approach to ww above system ii the present bußinea* we are engage in, and,that is selling direct to the manufacturer ana avoiding all commissions, middlemen (excepting ourselves), &o. ; and we hope in the oourseof time w show producers what we can do ai s V^^Pvii and what they could do if they. would follow out tno lines we have laid down. . , i . ,At present we have large orders for wool, sneepskins/and rabbitskins, and guarantee fullest raw* freeof all charges. „ . '~< ■

RABBITSKIN MARKET.

Messrs Bbmshardt and Co., Manufacturers Agents, corner of Cumberland and Water etreewi Dunedin, report as follows:— , * Supplies are arriving more. freely since our.™" report. Values are unaltered, and we quote Jaw»7 caught from 8d to lid, with increase in value as w«» Bklriß become more fully furred ; well kept Bummer*, 5d to Ud ; spring skins;- from 8d to Is ; and . •opMJ| Mto 3d. We make no deductions of any, kind, ana forward proceeds immediately on receipt of. gooa».. No»B.-On applicatlori we .wilL forward bagi «*» woolpacks free of charge (except, freight) W , To ensure the" safe delivery of goods all &*&*# \ should jbe. branded very plainly, ■aa.^E,;? labels, (which, may be had on .application* affixed securely to' the package.

All requisites, such as sewing twine, &c, supplied at lowest market rates. April 24, 1889. , DUNBDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PBODITCM BSPOBTB. Mr J. Fleming. Prince* street ■ south, report! nnder date the 24th mat. »)T» )T - Wheat: Best milling, 4s Chaff (oaten), £3 ss' to £3 to 4s 2d per bushel , ' 1C a' per ,ton. Medium milling, 3a 9d to Bran, £4 per ton ' 3» lid per bushel <..11. 1 <PoHardv'£sper ton jowls' wheat 2»9d to 3s 3d' Flofcir, £10; £10 '10s to perbuihel • '•■'' ' f £ll'per ton. Oafcs milling, 2s 6d to 2s Barley dust,' £4 per ton 9d per bushel Bacon (rolled) 6|d per lb feed oats, 2i 3d to 2s 5d Side bacon, 7d per lb perbmhel ' „ (grainfed) Mult barley, 3s 8d per .Oatmeal; £14 per ton bushel . Cheese 4|d to 5d per lb Onion* 14s per owt , Smoked Hams, BJd per lb , yeed Barley, 3s per'bushel Strawy £1 15s per tdn Pearl barley. £18 per ton | Cape Barley, 3s 6d per Oaten Hay £3 lOsJper toja (. bushel. Good salt butter 7d - ta 9d per'lb. Beßt Oamaru potatoes £4 per ton ; good kidney potatoes, £5 per ton. New rye grass hay £3 5b per ton. The, niarket is well supplied with potatoes . Flour (Silver Dust), In 50!s ? £12 per ton. JAJSM JLND DAISY tBODUOH. JAeßßn.MyriseK Bros. recorfc r j paying for produce during the week en ding 24th insfe.:— '■ ' ' Hggs, lbGdpfrdoz - I Salt butter, new Beason't Bacon (roll), 6d per lb | Sdperlb Ham*i 8d per ,1b . | Fresh' bufct«r.' best brands Is r>er lb. Fresh butter, good ordinary (in lib) and ilb print*), 8d to lOd • • perlb.. ; - „, , : „,, AUCTION' SALE OF GkAIN. Beid, MAOLB^ir,,jLND Co. l^eld ,the first of, their series of grajn aajes at the Princes street stores pn Saturday, last*, i4,9is bushels wheat, 5521 bushels oati, 8952 6'ifsheli barley, and 1072 bushels "of grasi' seed being" catalogued. There was. a fair attendance, including a/ number of farmers, as also represeufativei from rapptiof^he city, houses intertsted in the §rain'trade,, ; fFor .wheat there was little or nothing 6;ng, 'buyers evidently holding back in anticipation^ of an Bailer' 1 market." Whether their expectations will be realised or not'remains to>be seen, but' in fstcKOf the recent cables from Australia we think that a little cdnoess.ion-.on the; part, of; producers will be required in the shape, of values befpre any great amount of business.wUl bie done either locally or for jhipment to Australia at present. Barley.— The camples > to i.handjiwere, generally ■ of a secondary Class, no exchanges taking place beyond the disposal of a.-few small. lots .for.'feeding purposes. In oats we placed/during the. progress of the sale and Immediately aftprwardsj.about 300.0 bushels at quota- ( lions ranging up. to, 2s 7d,per bushe}. Although buyers itflthis line; were inclined tp operate,, they ■were somewhat hampered by the want ,of .freight accommodation, and prices throughout were slightly • easier JShan, those ruling during the early part of the week. We quote prime milling wheat, 4s to 4b 2,d; maltin&barley,3Blod.to4s; bright milling oats; 2b U to 2s 7£d'; feed samples, 2s 5d to gfl 6d, ex store. , ,' GRAIN ARRIVALS. ; The, following are. the grain arrivals at Dunedin for the week : — „ — Oats. Wheat. Barley. Pot. Flour. Total. 1 ' . &c. bags. Thursday 3174 616 583 60 281 4714 Saturday 1348 1546 110 ~>. 330 3334 Monday. 4054, 1272, 298 48 ,150 5822 Tuesday 3723 1435 290 192 172 5812 .Wednesday 3634 1398' 92 240 .80 5444 T^B LABOUR MARKET. Mr Skenb reports under date April 23 :— Winter engagements have begun in earneit. Ploughmen, couples,' Bhephdrds, and milkers are moving. Inquiries havealready begun for rabbitera . In town the dry of the unemployedds always heard, and will' never be got ridfrf while civilisation lasts, and whilst people persist 'in getting old and past work. Employers will have-smart young people, and value for their money. .W^gea keep steady.