COMMERCIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 21

COMMERCIAL

Stamp duty has been paid on the following estates of deceased persons finally certified :—: — William Carruth (Auckland), L 5241 9s 7d ; Johnstone Dougal (Auckland), L 4153 15)s 7d ; Isaac Walker (Wellington), L 4575 3s ; William Tustin (Wellington), L 4668 10s Id : Maria Spencer Scott (Christchurch), L 140.) 12s Id ; Neil Joseph Bruce M'Gregor (of Silver&trcam), L22,3n5 5s lid ; Mary Keenan (Dunedin), Llll3 9s 6'd ; William Laing (Dunedin), 1,1413; John M'Millan (Hokitika), Llsßni2s Id.— "M. and B. Gazette."

It has been decided to wind up the Clinton Meat Preserving Company. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr Lange said that the company had liabilities at the beginning of tho season of over L7OO. In face of that it was madne«s to carry on ; but on inquiring they found that the low prices .last year were owing

to bad shipments, po with better prospects they decided to carry on this season. The next question was how to finance. Tho bank would not advance anything, so they got peverat promissoiy notes amounting to Ijl&O. This kept the company going for a bit, and on the output in meat they were advanced (id a tin. With this and price of skin 3 they managed to carry on, ar.A things went right enough. But it occurred that it

cost over 8d a tin to land it in London. They only Rut 71d for it, so they were actually losing nearly Id a tin. They carried on in the hope that returns would be satisfactory ; but they were not, and the loss this way was LSOO. If the returns had been lOd a tin, as they had a reasonable right to expect, they would have been nearly LIOOO to tho good. The directors did everything in good faith, and many of them advanced their own money from time to time for wages and current expenses, in addition to the promissory notes for L2O. In the course of the discussion the manager (Mr Heath) blamed the directors for the mismanagement, and for the result of sending their meats through third hands. He denied that the meats of the factory were in any way tainted. He had had a case made up for the Chicago Exhibition, and was prepared to go to London with the meat now layiner in the factory and have the thing cleared up. Two local storekeepers testified that the products of the factory were voted first-class by their customers. The Stirling Dairy Factory Company are able to declare the usual dividend and wipe off 10 per cent for depreciation. The directors recommend payment of ,3id net cash per gallon for milk during the ensuing season, promising a further increase should ttje cheese market warrant it. — Clutha Leader. The Southland Frozen Meat Company give 2Jd for prime sheep, delivered at either the Mataura or Wallacetown yards. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) have received the following cablegram from their London office :— " Tallow : Market unchanged. Frozen Meat : Mutton market quiet ; Canterbury is worth 3sd per lb ; Wellington, 3Jd per lb. Lamb market is linn ; prime New Zealand lumbs are worth, per carcase, s}d per lb. Beef market firmer ; New Zealand forequarLcrs are worth 2Jd per lb ; hindquarters, 3Jd per lb." The National Mortgage and Agency Company (Limited) are in receipt of the following cable! gram f rom,theiv London office, dated 13th inst. :—: — Frozen Mutton : The present price of New Zealand mutton is 2s 3Vd per stone of 81b. Kabbitskins: Good winter* skins at Is sd, with no present prospect of an advance in price." The annual meeting of the United Farmers' Agency ' Company was held at lnvercargill on Saturday, Mr Alfred Baldey, chairman of directors, presiding. The annual report showed the turnover for the year to have amounted to L70.00J, and the profits to LBBO 14s Id. A long discussion took place as to the advisjbleness of buying the goodwill of the business of Messrs Mitchell, White, and Co., and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr George Crosbie — " That it be a recommendation to the directors to take immediate steps to terminate the existing arrangement for the payment of the first three years' profits of the company to Messrs Mitchell, White, and Co., in order that the business cau be carried on upon strictly co-operative principles, as delined in article-57." This article provides for referring the fixing of the amount to arbitration, if necessary. — Southland News. The Woodlands Dairy Factory dmpany will pay this season a dividend of 8 per cent , and make a further payment to milk suppliers of Jd per gallouon the quantity delivered at the factory during tho past season making a total of 31d per gallon net for the whole season. The following is the number of bags of grain and produce, received at the Dunedin railway stations during the week :— IBar- Paa- ProWheat. Oats. Bran. ley. toes. duce. Tl. Thursday 445 110 — — 180 6!i7 1431 Saturday 625 790 — — 324 175 1914 Monday 472 54S — — !>6 6.)5 1811 Tuesday 548 5!>4 — — 96 3)9 1587 Wednesday 124 70 — — 144 156 494 WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. Wednesday, August 17. Fat Cattle. — 14Qhead yarded. The most noticefable feature of to-day's sale was the uniform quality of the cattle to hand, in fact at no market for several months past have we seen beef of so good a class all round as that on offer to day. Included in the entry were several lines of well grazed heifers, but the greater number consisted of good to extra prime bullocks. The sale generally must be- considered a satisfactory one, but tho increased supply of good beef caused a slight decline in prices for the heaviest and best cattle, though for medium weights there was little or no perceptible change. ' Prime bullocks brought L 8 to L 8 15s ; extra heavy, L 9 5s to LlO 7s 6J ; medium, L 7 to-L7 15s; light and inferior, L 5 10s to L 6 ss ; best -cows and heifers, L 6 10s to L 8; light to medium, Li to L 6. — The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) sold for Messrs W. S. Mosley and others, heifers at from L 5 to L 7 10s ; medium bullocks at L 7 7s 6d. — The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) sold drafts for a southern client, Mr Thomas Kirk (East Taieri), Mr John Smith (Inchkeith)i James Bright, Alexander Selkirk, and others, bullocks fetching up to LlO 7s 6d and cows to L 7 7s 6d ; also, privately, during the week, 80 head at market rates. — Stronach Brothers and Morris sold for Mr Alexander Douglas (East Taieri), bullocks at L 6 17s 6d and L 6 10d, and cows, at L 4 10s.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) yarded 3S head, and sold :— For Mr Fen wick (Maraweka), 3 bullocks at LS ss, 3 cows at L 7 17s Cd, 2 heifers at L 7, 2 do at L 6 7s 6d ; for Messrs M'Govern and Hardie (The Hook), 2L bullocks at LS 7s 6d to L 9 ; for Mr A. Sonntag (I'arihaka), 4 bullocks at L 6 17a 6d to I^B, 3 cows at L 6 15s to L 7 15s ; and privately during the week for Mrs E. Donnelly (Lauder), 15 bullocks ; for Mr Peter Flanncry (Ida Valley), 11 bullocks ; for Mr Thomas Flannery ("Ida Valley), IS bullocks; for Mr T. Harper (St. Andrews), 6 bullocks; for Mr S. M'Kenzie (St. An<irews), 70 bullocks, all at satisfactory prices, — Donald Reid and Co. yarded 41, and sold :— For Mr William Kirklaud (Elm Grove), 8 bullocks at LS 7s 6d to L 5 15s, 9 heifers at L 6 to L 5 12s 6d, 1 cow at L 6 17s 6d ; for Mr James Parkinson (The Poplars). 10 bullocks at L 8 2s 6d to L 7 2s 6d ; for Messrs James Anderson, F. Thomson, J. Holmes, andother3,l3 head it L 4 2s 6d to L 5 17s 6d.— Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold 71 head as follows : For Mr Alexander Cameron (Southland), 5 prime bullocks at LlO 5s ; for Mrs M. S. Orbell (i'he River), 6 prime bullocks at L 9 15s to L 9 2s 6d ; for Mr James Guild (Trevenua farm), (5 bullocks at L 9 10j to L 9; for Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. (Gladbrook estate), IS bullocks at from L 9 7s 6i to L 7 15=, and 12 prime heifers at from L 7 17s 6d to L 6 12s Od ; for Mr George Parker (Elmbank), 6 steers at LS 7s 6<i to L 7 10s ; for Mr William Kirklaud (Strath-Taieri), 6 steers at L 7 10s to L 7 2s 6d, and 3 heifers at L 6 10s ; and for other vendors 9 cows at quotations. Fat Sheep. — The supply to-day represented about an average entry, a total of 2074 being penned, of which 454 \\ ere merinos. With very few exceptions the quality was not'eeably good, both in crossbreds and merinos, the former being for the most part wethers— some of which were e.vtra prime. 'Jhe opening transactions of the sale were very firm, and for the best lines of crossbreds a slight advance on last week's rates was obtained. Towards the finish competition was not so brisk, in fact there was a difference of nearly Is per head between the opening and clo-ing rates. . Outside the temporary advance referred to at the start of the sale, prices were much the same as last week. One pen of extra heavy wethers brought 20s 3J, several other firstclass lines 17s 6d to 18s 6d, good average wethers ltis to 16s 6d, light to medium 14s 9d to 15s 6d, ewes 12s 6d to 16s 6d, merino wethers (good) 12s to 153 9d, others 7s fid to 10s. — The Alutual Aoency Company of New Zealand (Limited) soM for Mr R. Wilson (Romania estate), 31 crossbiu<l wethersat HSstid, 32at 16s6d, 36 at 16s 6d, 32 at 15s 3J. 34 at 133, 35 at 15s ; for Mr John Bruce (Groj town), 40 crossbred wethers at 17s, 40 h -ilfbmls at 15s ; also privately during the week, 120J crossbred wethers at full market rates. — Tun Xcw Zealand Loan and Mercantile A<;j.:>ly Company (Lilited) sold for Messrs A. nil J. Brown (Abbotsford), crossbred wethers to 17s !).l ; for Messrs Brugh Bros. (Cloau), crossbivil v.ctlurs 10 17s 9 J ; for Mr Godfrey Foster (Milljuri!/, Mro ile.ul> (llilburn), and others, li.r'it Pios-ibred ewes at 13s ; for a southern client, merino wethers to lls 9d.— Stronach Brothers and AlGKSvii sold for Messrs Murray, Roberts, ami Co. (-M iiMWoka), two tooth halfbred wethers at J7:, -'! I, J 0.1, 16s 3-1, 16d. and 15s 9d ; for Mr Th<i-.. I'.i'u'v, wethers and ewes at 15s 9d and 12s !'.!,— Tin, lAffii.iss' Au-fc.NCY Company (Limit i;d) pbuntd LjiJ, ami i?ulJ for Mi James Lo^au (Kel&o),

124 crossbred ewes at 15s to 15s 3d ; for Mr Robert M'Caw (Middlemarch), 73 crossbred wethers at 15s 6d to 17s 3d, 57 merino wethers at 12s ; and privately during the week 800 at a satisfactory price.— Donald Reid and Co. yarded 695, and sold for Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co (Gladbrook), 75 crossbred wethers at 20s 3d to 183 9d, 43 crossbred maiden ewes at 15s 9d ; for Mr James Gray (Kuri Bush), 36 crossbred ewes at 15s ; for Mr James Forbes (The River), 21 crossbred ' wethers and 6 ewes at 17s 9d, 109 crossbred wethers at 18s to 17s; for Messis' A. and J. Boyd (North Taieri), 19 crossbred wethers at 15s, 61 merino wethcisat 10s to 8s 9d ; for a client, 40 crossbred wethers and ewes at 16s 9d to 16s 6d ; for Mr James Freeman (Abbotsford), 18 crossbred wethers at 14s lid; 37 crossbred ewes at 13s ; for Mr John Bell (Whare Flat), 67 merino wethers at 7s Id ; for Mr Win. Onborne (Tuapeka West), 33 crossbred wethers at 17s 6d ; for Mr John Lory (Eweburn), 13C merino wethers at 8s 6d.— Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold 680 as follows :— For Mr Peter Duncan (Waikouaiti), XJX J 36 crossbred wethers at 17s 6d, and 24 crossbred ewes at 16s 3d ; for Mr John Douglas (Waihao Downs estate), 45 prime merino wethers at 15s 9d, 45 do do do at 13s 9d, and 40 do do do at 13s 3d ; for Mr George Nichol (Abboteford station), -42 crossbred wethers at 16s 9d, and 44 halfbred. wethers at 15s 9d, also 182 merino wethers at 10s 9d to 10s ; for Mr Alexander M'Master (Oban Park), 122 halfbred wethers at 10s 9d to l?s: for Mi James Sutherland (Maungatua), 36 crossbred ewes at 16s 6d to 15s 6d ; and for Mr David Ross (Meadowbank), 64 halfbred wethers at 15s'9dto 14s 6d.

Pigs. — 128 yarded, of which about 30 were prime baconers, the balance porkers and stores. Fbr ciirers' lines thore was no change in valurs from last week, porkers selling readily at lather better prices, and stores at late rates. Prime bacon pigs brought 33s to 45s ; medium, 33s ; psrkers, 21s to 32s ; slips, 13s to 15-s ; stores, 17s to 203 ; suckers", 7s to lls.— The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limiteb) sold a few pens of slips at quotations. — D -iNald Rkid and Co. sold : For Mr D. Andrews, jun. (The Granse), and others, several pens at quotations. — Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold 135 at quotations. Store Sheep. — Although a fair amount of business is being done in this class of stock, the inquiry is not as general as it was a month since, especially for wethers. Most of those who have turnips to feed off have already made their purchases, or adopted the alternative course of selling their feed, the high prices asked for store wethers being prohibitive to extensive exchanges. Hoggets are now inquired after, but for good lines owners ,are asking 12s 6d to 13s 6d, and it is somewhat early in the season to warrant those who desire to purchase in paying such prices. It only requires the first growth of spring feed, however, to wing about a very extensive trade and to enable owners to readily command such values as those referred to above. Privately and at auction during the week The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) has sold 174 crossbred wethers at 15s 6d, 420 mixed crossbreds at 15s 6d, 279 crossbred ewes at 12s Id, 60 crossbred ewes at 15s 3d, 103 crossbred wethers at 14a 6d, 74 mixed crossbreds at 13s, 115 crossbred wethers at 15s 2d, 120 mixed crossbreds at 13* 6d, 425 crossbred hoggets at 13s, 170 at 13s, 87 at 13s 6d, 147 at 12s, 40 at lls 9d, 46 at 16-t, 80 halfbred wethers at 14s 3d, 236 halfbred full-mouthed ewes at lls 6d, 100 mixed quarter-breds at 9s ; total sales, 2666. — The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) sold privately this week 750 crossbred hoggets (light) at 13s to 12s.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) have sold privately and by auction during the week 4409 sheep at current rates. Store Cattle. — At the present time there is a very general inquiiy for all classes of store cattle, and more particularly so for three and four-year-old bullocks. Cattle of this description, however, appear to be very scarce, and those who jdesire to purchase have great difficulty in meeting their requirements. Privately and at auction during the week The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) has sold 200 head at quotations. — The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) duriDg the past week sold 75 steers and heifers at from 50s to L 6 10s.

Country Sales. — The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) report as follows :—: — On Thursday, Ausrust 11, we held a sale of horses at the Crown yards, Balclutha. The entry was not an extensive one, and a moderate amount of business only was done. On Friday, August 12, our usual fortnightly sale took place at the same" yards, for which a good supply of stock came to hand. There were plenty of buyers for store cattle, and a fair inquiry for sheep also, most of the lots on offer changing hands during the day. Crossbred ewes sold at from 12s Id to-153 3d. crossbred wethers to 15s 7d, forward conditioned bullocks L 5 10s to L 6 3s 6d, other ages and classes proportionate rates. On Tuesday, August 16, our fortnightly sale at the Milton yards was held. The entry comprised 1300 sheep, chiefly crossbred hoggets, and a few cattle and pigs. In several cases owners' ideas of values were a little too high, but most of the lines changed hands at v.cry satisfactory figures. Several lines of good hoggets sold at 12s 6d, 13s, and 13s 6d, one extra good lot at 16s; halfbred wethers at 14s 3d, fullmouthed halfbred ewes at lls lOd. Wool. — The next Antwerp sales are fixed for the 23rd of this month and several succeeding days, though little (if any) Australian wool will be catalogued. The Bradford market is reported as being firm at late rates, with a fair amount of business doing. Sheepskins. — At the usual weekly sale of the above, neld on Tuesday last, fair-sized catalogues were submitted, including the usual assortment of dry country line 3 and butchers' town parcels. Buyers were fully represented, and a brisk demand was shown throughout, all lots selling readily at prices marked by a firmness in comparison with late rates. Butchsrs 1 green crossbreds brought 4s to 4s 9d — that is for really good lines ; extra good, to 5s ; medium to good, 3s 4d to 4s ; merinos, 2s 9d to 3s 6d ; early shorn dry crossbreds, 4s to 4s 6d ; full-woolled, to 6s 3d; medium, 2s 6d to 3s 6d ; inferior, Is 9d to 2s 3d ; merinos, proportionate rates ; pelts, 6d to Is 3d. Hides. — In the quantity of hides coming to hand there is not much variation, and the market at present ib well supplied. Values are practically unchanged. Well flayed heavy ox being worth 2Jd to 3d per lb ; extra heavy, to 3Jd ; medium, 21d to 2id ; light, ljd to 2d ; inferior, to lid ; calf skins, 9d to 2s each. Tallow. — The tallow market has shown no change for some time past, excepting perhaps a slight firmness in values during the last week or two, owing to the limited supplies coming to hand. The small parcels offering are quickly taken up at the following rates, which in unren • dered fat are equal to an advance of about 6d per cwt. We quote prime rendered tallow at 18s 6d to 20s per cwt ; medium, 15s to 17s 6d ; clean caul fat (unrendered), 13s to 13s 6d ; rough fat, 10s to 12s 6d.

Rabbitskins. — For the sale on Monday last the large entries of the previous week were again repeated, the attendance including every buyer in the trade. There are still some few lots of summer and autumn skins arriving, but the bulk consists of winter- caught lines. The keen competition of late is still being maintained, and consignments of the last-mentioned class change hands very freely at from 15Jd to 162 d per lb for the best ; medium winters, 14d to 15d ; autumns, 9d to 12d ; summers, 6d to Bid ; suckers and halfgrown, 4d to std. Grain.— Wheat : For the week the market shows no particular change. Prime milling samples of all sorts keep in good demand, but second quality and inferior lots are quite neglected and difficult to place at anything over fowl feed price. Prime Tuscan and velvet are most in demand, and any lots offering are rapidly placed. Fowl feed is also in request, both, for shipment and local requirements, and prices have hardened. We quote :— Prime milling, 3s 6d to 3s 9d ; medium, 2s 9d to 3s ; whole fowl wheat, 2s 3d to 2s 6d; inferior, Is 9d to 2s. Ex store, sacks weighed in, terms. Oats : The market shows a decided improvement, especially for bright lots of milling and feed, and as stocks are getting light there is not much chance of prices reced^ ing. We quote: — Best bright milling and feed, 2s ; medium, Is 0d to Is lOd ; inferior, Is 6d to Is Sd ; good seed samples, 2s to 2s 3d. Barley : Practically nothing doing and few lots offering. Best malting may be quoted at 3s fid to 3s 9d ; medium, 3.s to 3a 3d ; feed and milling, 2s to 2s fid (ex store, sacks extra, terms). Grass Seed is in full supply, but the demand is not c.\ir.i good, only &ui:ill lots changing hands. We quote : best dresttd perennial, b's yd to 4B4 B

medium, 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Cocksfoot is also moving ! off slowly at from 3}<l to 4d, for best dressed samples ; medium, 3d to 31d. Potatoes. — Mark'-t glutted, with no signs of improvement. Best Derwents sell from 25s to 30s ; other sorts unsaleable. Chaff. — For the week heavy supplies have been coming to hand, in consequence prices have ea^ed off. We quote: Best, 40s to 455; medium, 30s to 355. . [ghc individual reports of Wool, Babbit skin, or Grain Brokers can be inserted in the Daily Times and Otago Witness at Special Rates.] GRAIN AND SEED REPORT. . Messrs William E. Reynolds and Co. Stafford street, report for the week ending August 17 as follows : — The past week, like the previous one, has been fine, and outdoor work is being pushed on vigorously. v - \yheat. — There is very little, if any, change worth noting in regard to the state of the market for this cereal, and we can practically repeat what we have reported for the last four or five weeks — viz., that millers are only buying from hand to mouth, unless tempted by a very prime lot for mixing purposes, and, therefore, competition is anything but keen. We quote : Prime velvet and Tuscan, 3s (5d to 3s 8d ; extra prime, up to 3s 10(1 ; medium qualities, 3s 2<i to 3s 5d ; ordinary, 23 9d t) 3s Id ; fowls' feed (somewhat scarce), from 2s 4d to 2s 7d. Oats. — As predicted by us for many weeks past, the market has again advanced since we quoted last week (in fact we might say since Saturday), owing, we think, to Australian buyers operating, and what we quoted last week at Is lid we can now quote at 2s, with a possibility of getting 2s Id. Prime feed, bright and heavy, Is lid to 2s ; ordinary, Is 9id to Is 10id ; inferior, Is 6id to Is BJd. We may mention that speculators seem uncertain as to the quantity still in farmers' hands in the country, and arc, therefore, only buying moderately. Were the qunntity inland ascertained to be as small as we believe it is wo think prices would likely advance still further. Chaff. — There is too much forward, and lower prices have to be accepted. Prime quality is in most request, and is saleable at up to 47s 6d ; ordinary and inferior, from 30s to 40s, according to quality. Potatoes.— lt is practically useless quoting any price. Grass Seed. — For ryegrass the demand is certainly better, and as we are yet only entering into spring we anticipate that as the season advances tho demand will be very good, as there arc large areasto be sown down. We do not, however, anticipate that prices will alter to any great extent. We quote best old pasture up to 4s 3d ; good machine-dressed, 3s 6d to 3s 9d ; ordinary, 3s to 3s 4d. Cocksfoot : This seed is also having attention, and is moving off faMy well We quote best dressed up to 4\<\ ; ordinary, 2^<l to 3id. Clovers : These are also having their fnir share of attention, and if the demand keeps as good during the next six weeks stocks will then be pretty law. We shall be glad to send samples on application. FARMERS' AGENCY COMPANY (LIMITED) WEEKLY REPORT. Country Sales. — At Clinton, on Saturday, we held our regular sale and had a large entry of draught horses, the whole of which found buyers at satisfactory prices, as follows :— One gelding L 32, Ido L 27 15s, Ido L 15 ,1 do Ll7 10s, 1 do Ll9 10.<, 1 mare LlO 10s, filly L 9, mare L 33, do L2S, 1 gelding Lls 10s, 1 gelding Ll3, 1 do Ll4 10s, 1 do Ll7 10s. 1 mare Lll 15, 1 mare L 24 15s, Ido L 5 15s, 1 hack L 9, Ido L 6 17s 6d, 1 gelding L 31 ,1 do L 27 10s. Our next sale will take place on Saturday, 27th August. We direct attention to our sale at Strath -laien, on Tuesday next, when we expect to offer a fair entry of cattle and sheep ; also direct attention to our spring cow sale at Burnside on Friday, 26th, when we expect a big entry. Store Sheep. — At Clinton on Saturday, and Gore on Tuesday, we sold by auction and privately, as follows :— 2300 merino wethers, in one line, at IO3 ; 61 crossbred ewes (aged) 8s Id, 136 do wethers 13s sd. 75 do 13s 6d, 7b do 13s, 108 do 15s 9d, 329 hoggets lls 6d, 100 ewes 13s 6d, 254 merino wethers 9s, 50 small hoggets 7s lid, 30 merino ewes 5s 2d, 890 ■crossbred and merino wethers 12s 6d ; — total, 4409. Rabbitskins. — We had a large catalogue for our sale on Monday— some 60 bales, mostly prime winters. Best brought 16} d ; mixed winters, 13d tp 16Jd ; others, 4id to 12Jd per lb. The whole finding purchasers. . jGrain. — Wheat : There has been an unexpected spurt in this during the last few days, anything •like decent quality, free from sprout, going on wejl at advanced prices. There are still, however, sonte large parcels of sprouted grain, which is practically useless for milling, and therefore it is hard to place. We quote : — Prime milling, 3s 9d to 3s lid ; extra, 4s ; useful sound milling, 3s 4d to 3ißd ; inferior, 2s 9d to 3s 3d ; fowls' wheat, 2s to, 2s t 8d (sacks weighed in as wheat ; usual terms). Duripg the week we Eold over 20,000 bushels at qiiotations. Oats. — The demand for bright feed and good milling qualities has brightened up, and buyers are now operating freely, so that anything offered (if in condition) is readily snapped up. Outside markets do not, however, show much response in advanced values, but as stocks are low, and some .well-known producing districts almost cleaned out, we think there need be no fear of a reduction for some time to come. Best samples make Is lid to 2s ; bright feed, Is 9d to Is 10id ; inferior and damaged. Is 5d to Is 8d (all bags paid for extra). Our week's sales were 41,501 bushels. Barley.— Nothing doing. In view of a big demand next year from a local malting company, we would recommend growers with buitable land to give this cereal their attention. Ryegrass Seed. — We have some nice line 3 for bale to farmer'; and growers. Cocksfoot plentiful. Chaff plentiful, with a reduction in values. Potatoes dull at un remunerative rates Dairy Produce. — Active demand for all sorts. Clovers. — Our feed now to hand, and samples will be forwarded on application. Wire. — We have just landed a large shipment of plain and barbed wire, which will be quoted at reduced rates.

WEEKLY MARKET REPORT.

Moritzson and Hopkin, Manse street, Dune lin, report (wholesale) for the weekending August 17 as follows :—: —

Wheat :— We quote prime milling at 3s 7d to 3s 8d : an extra prime sample would fetch 3s 9d ; medium, 3s to 3s 6d. Fowls' wheat : We quote — Good whole, 2s 6d to 2s 9d ; medium and broken, 2s to 23 6d. Barley is in fair demand if good bright. Malting at from 4s to 4s 3d ; medium, 3s 3d to 33 6d ; milling wanted at from 3s 3d to 33 6d ; feed, 2s to 2s 3d. Oats : We have good inquiry for all sorts. We quota prime muling, Is lid ; good to medium feed, Is 8d to Is lid : inferior, Is 6d to Is 8d ; all sacks extra, off trucks. Seed sorts, long and short, 2s to 2s 3d. Prime Nelson hops, Is. Linseed, Ll3 (wanted). Potatoes : 20s to 30s. Carrots, 20s to 22s 6d per ton, sacks extra. Onions, L 5 for best Melbourne. Pigs :In good demand, 150's to 160's well killed, not too tat 3J to 4d. Chaff : The market fairly supplied during the week and has sold at from 35s to 455. Tip-top is worth 555. Turnips, 12s 6d to 153. Butter: Fresh, best, lOd. Salt butter: We quote prime salt at from 9d to lOd— packages extra or returnable. Lard, 4d to4Jd. Honey, 4d. Beeswax, Is per lb. Cheese : Factory, 5Jd to sid ; loaves id more. Best Akaroa, 4Jd to 4id ; medium, 3}d to 4d ; loaves id more. Hams and bacon : Rolls, 5d to 5Jd ; ham for flitch, 6d ; hams, 7d to 7id. Grass seeds : Rye rass — Fanners', 2s to 3s 3d ; machined, 3s 3d to 4s 6d; Italian, 3s 9d to 4s 6d ; cocksfoot, 3id to 4d. We receive consignments of rabbitskins, pelts, hides, wool, and tallow, and pan quote as follows : — Selected does, Is 43 d ; incoming winters, lid to Is ; good summers, 6d to 7d ; mixed good bucks and does, 15id to 16d. Desiccated cocoanut, 6d. Fruit to hand by every steamer. We can supply woolpacks and bags free of charge on rail here to intending consignors of rabbitskins, and should advise our friends in the country to send them to us, as we have made special arrangements as to their disposal. We have just landing Standard phosphates, kaiuit, and nitrate ofsoda.

A. LORIE AND CO.'S PRICES CURRENT. August 17, 1892.

Hdbbitfakins : Best winter does, 16d to 16} d; sururueib, sjd to 7jd ; buckets and half-grown, 3id

to sd. SVe class all skins consigned to us. Sheepskins : Slaughtered merino, 5d to 5Jd ; crossbred?, 5d to 6d ; fallen skins, 4id to sd. Onionß, 603 to 80s. Dead wool, 3id to sd. Horsehair, Is. Hides : Ordinary, 144 to 2d ; heavy up to 3d ; damaged, 3d to Id. Fat : Good rough, 13d to 13d 6d ; rendered, 10s to 20s. Beeswax (prime), Is Id. Pigs wanted— l3olb to 1601b, 3id to 3Jd. Bacon : Good rolls, s}d to s}d. Hams, 7d to Bd. Chuff in oversupply—best 47s 6d, inferior 30s up. Potatoes forward in large quantities. We have sold nearly all readily at 30$. We do not recommend consignments of inferior. Cocksfoot dull ; have sold all forward at 3d to 4d. Poultry in great demand. Cocks, 3s 7d to Is Id ; hens, 3s to 3s 7d ; ducks, 4s lOd to 53 6d ; turkeys— cocks Bd, hens 6Jd to 6}d. Butter sold forward at — prime, JHd to lOd ; medium, 7d to 8d ; pastry, 5d to 6d ;" fresh firm. Eggs more plentiful and falling. Honey (dull), 4id. Cheese : Prime, 5d to 5Jd ; inferior, 3d to 4d. Fruit : Apples— prime 2d, Hobart 7s fid to 8s 6d ; pears— cooking 2d ; orange, 6s 6d to 7s 6d ; lemons scarce ; pines, 16s ; Mandarins, 7s 6d to 8s 6d ; Sevilles, 9s to 10s.

FRUIT AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Thos. Paterson and Co., fruit and produce agents, Manse street, report on August 17 :—: — Fruit.— Market is now well supplied with all descriptions of seasonable fruit, prices remaining as last quoted and demand fair. Apples : Tasmanian French crabs, stone pippins, and Stunner's, 7s 9d to 8s 6d ; smalls, 6s 6d to 7s 6d. Scarlet Pearmains are nearly done, and fetch 9s for prime samples. Canterbury apples (few only forward), 3s 6d to 6s 6d per case of Sulb. Oranges : Sydney, 6s 6d to 7s 6d; mandarins, 8s; Tahiti, 9s 6d. Lemons (scarce), 15s to 17s 6d ; pines, 16s per case ; bananas (none in wholesale hands), 2id nominal ; cocoanuts, 9s per sack. We received into store during the week 60 cases mandarin oranges, 16 do lemons, 7 do pineapples. 287 do Sydney oranges, 230 do Tahiti do, and 364 do prime Tasmanian apples, extra heavy weights. (Note. — The above quantities are as per ship's manifest.) Produce.— Eggs in fair supply. Fresh butter has good demand ; prime salt, very little prime offering, but has only local demand at 9d to 10d ; factor}-, Is 2d. Bacon : Roll, 5Jd to 6d ; hams, 7d to 8d (a few first-class-cured in store). Cheese has slow sale : Akaroa, 3id to 41d. Pigs in good demand at 3}d. Honey, 4Jd. Beeswax, Is Id. Potatoes (in full supply), 25s to 30s ; kidney (seed), L2ssto L 2 15s. Onions (market glutted), L 3 to L 4, latter price for strung. Carrots, 20s to 22s 6d (sacks extra).

RABBITSKIN MARKET.

J. H. Kirk and Co., Bond and Crawford streets, rjport for week ending August 17 as follows :—: —

Prices continue all in favour of the seller, notwithstanding the distinctly unfavourable cable advices of la^t London sales, which would lead us to conclude that the values ruling locally are out of all proportion to those now current in London.

We entirely disagree with the mactice of some other exporters in quoting "catch" prices which the seller's own experience will have proved to bo very seldom, if ever, realised.

For our own part we guarantee to return honest market value for all skins entrusted to our cire.

Our prices for the past week have ranged from 151 dto 16|d for prime poisoned skins, according to condition and get-up. No deduction for commission or store chargos, nnd returns are posted by first mail after receipt of {roods. Highest prices given for wool, sheepskins, horsehair, &c.

RABBITSKIN MARKET

Messrs Remshardt and Co. report for the week ending 17th inst. as follows :—: —

The market continues firm, but without alteration in prices. Our advices from Home are, however, less reassuring, for according to our cable the demand in the London sale of Friday last was only moderate, the highest price for winter greys being Is 5d per lb. Our orders being still incomplete we would advise our friends to forward their skins and take advantage of the present high values.

RABBITSKIN MARKET.

Messrs A. R. M'Donald and Co. report as foL lows for the week ending August 17 :—: —

Since we had this pleasure a week ago, a very large business has been transacted, our operations being about 100 bales. Prices are firmly maintained at Is 4Jd for prime lots of winter greys (bucks and does); selected skins Jd to id more: winter coloured, lOd to Hid ; prime autumns and second - class winters, about Is ; second - class autumn and summer skiDs, 7d to 9d ; suckers and half-grown, 4d to sd. We guarantee that our prices are the best in the market, and free of all charges. Consignments are reaching us from all directions — in fact we are working early and late to keep pace with supplies. News from London by this week's mail is very satisfactory.

AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL.

Sydney, August 17. Wheat : Chick, 3s 3d to 3s 6d ; milling— New Zealand (dull) 3s 6d to 4s 6d, local 4s 9d to 4s lOd (nominal). Flour : Roller brands, New Zealand, L9to L 9 10s. Oats : Short feeding, 2s 9d to 2s lOd; seed, 3s. Maize, 3s 6d to 3i 9d. Barley: Giipe, 3s 3d. Pease : Prussian blue, 3s lOd to 4s. Bran, 12id. Pollard, 12Jd. Potatoes : Now Zealand, L2ssto L 2 10s ; Circular Heads, L 3 10s to L 3 13s. Onions, L 3 ss. Butter : New Zealand factory made, Is 3d to Is 4d ; local dairy made, Is 3d to Is 6d ; factory made, Is (3d. Cheese, 5d to 6d. Bacon : New Zealand cured, 8d to Sid.

Melbourne, August 17. Wheat, -4s OJd. Flour : Stone makes, L 8 10s to L 8 158 ; roller brands, L 9 53. Oats : Danish, 2s Id to 2s 2d ; Tartarian, 2s 2d ; stout, 2s 3d.

Adelaide, August 17. Wheat, 4s 2id (without animation). Flour: Roller brands, L 9 10s to LlO. Oats : Feeding, 3s 4dto3ssd. Bran, Hid. Pollard, HJd.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE. The following is tho Corn Exchange report (per Fred. Denham, secretary) for the week ending August 13 :— Great foresight was shown by the Jockey Club in making the Grand National meeting for this week, as it gave our produce merchants and exporters two days of relaxation when there was absolutely nothing doing, and possibly helped them to torget for the time the want of business and other troubles. Wht-at remains in the same depressed state. W6 have been shown the returns of a consignment to England. It netted 2s 9d, and for this parcel we offered 3s 10il before shipment. We would draw present holders' attention to this fact. Barley : A little inquiry at about 3s, but buyers want good value. Oats still look healthy. Potatoes in Sydney remain the same, and our market is in sympathy. The following are prices paid to farmers f.o.b. (packages extra, potatoes excepted): — Wheat: Prime millinp, 3s 8d to 3s 9d. Barley : Malting, 4s. Oats : Milling, 2s. Pease, 2s 6d to 3s 2d. Beans, 3s. Potatoes, say, 15s at stations. Butter : Fresh factory. Is 3d. Cheese, 3id to sd. Ryegrass : Machinedressed, 3s 6d. Supply greater than demand. Cocksfoot, 2Jd to 4id.

THE ADDINGTON MARKET.

The Christchurch Press reports that on the 10th the sale of fat sheep was not quite on a par with the markets of the past month or two, the local freezing works having a full supply on hand ; and one of the exporc buyers who usually operates very largely consequently did but little business. Nothing but the very pritnest pens brought anything like last week's rates, and a drop of from 9d to Is 6d was noticed in all other sorts. Merino wothers brought from 9s 6d to 15s 6d. A line of Mr George Rutherford's merino wethers ran from 15s to 20s, and those sent forward by Mr E. G. Wright from 17s to 17s 4d. Prime crossbreds ranged from 17s lid to 19s, 20s, 21s, 21s lOd, and 22s 7d, while one pen of extra heavy sheep realised 21s. Some heavy halfbreds brought 21s lid and 22s lid, crossbred wethers and maiden ewes ran from Kis 3d to IS3 and 20s 3d, and prime-quality ewes 17s 6d to 2ls 2d. The bulk of the entry of store sheep consisted of merinos, of which ewes in lamb brought from 7s, wethers 8s 7d and 9a to lls 7d, crossbred ewes 12i 6d to 20s, wethers 15s ld f halfbred hosjgets lls 2d. There was a fair supply of fat cattle, and values equalled those of last week. Steers sold from L 6 103 to LlO 7s 6d, cows from Lsto L 5. There was a good entry of store cattle, and useful Unea of stores sold at from 33s to 48s

for yearlings, L2ss to L3 l2* 6d for 18 months-old cattle, and L 3 93 for two-year-old heifers ; cows and springers, according to age and quality, went at all prices from L 2 5s to LB. The Lyttelton Times states that tho market was conspicuous by the advent of some early lambs of remarkable growth and condition. Eleven were from Mr George Rutherford's Dalethorpo estate, and were bred by him from some of his picked purebred merino ewes of immense size, from Hampshire Down rams, bred by Mr Max Fried!ander. of Lyndhurst, near Ashburton. The lambs were born in the first week of April this year, and were therefore four months old. The best was estimated to weigh 451b when killed, and was bought for a guinea. The other 10 lambs realised 19s 6J, 19s, ISs, and 17s 6d. Some nice Leicester cross lambs, bred and fattened by Mr J. F. Rudd, of Greendale, sold at 14s to 15s 6d.

THE LONDON MARKETS. WOOL.

The National Mortgage and Agency Company, uuder date July 8, in referring to the wool sales then proceeding, report that of the total of 136,200 bales of New Zealand available, 112,436 had been catalogued and 6561 withdrawn. Heavy wasty merino greasy was about Id lower at the opening, and this fall has since become more pronounced, and may now ba called id to 3d. A very largo proportion of the New Zealand merino comes under this head— it has seldom or never been as heavy and wasty. Crossbreds, of which exceedingly large quantities are daily c italogued, show a rather stronger market than last scries for the fine grades, while medium sorts, which opened steadily, are now about Jd to Id lower. Coarso descriptions mark a decline of fully id per lb.

COKN MARKKT.

Wheat. — The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report : — Under generally favourable conditions of climate, the Homo crops have made good progress, while the prospects in France are reported to have materially improved. Advices from other parts of the Cuntiueut are also for the most part favourable, and point to a yield quite up to the averaco. Deliveries of domestic wheat have on the whole been liberal, and values have further receded, tho Imperial averages- recorded during the past four weeks being respectively 30s sd, 29s lOd, 29s 6d, and 29s 3d per quarter. The restrictions regarding the export of wheat from Russia woro rescinded early in the month, and shipments hither have been resumed. Exports from India have continued heavy, but as most recent statistics point to a considerable deficiency in the crop as compared with last season, a falling off may be looked for during the rest of the year. Oats. — The same company report : — Supplies of New Zealand have continued to be on a liberal scale, but the demand has been fairly well maintained. There is no material # change to report in values of medium and ordinary sorts, but best descriptions must now be quoted from 6d to Is per quarter lower. Quotations : Heavy, 26s 6d to 28s (Jd per Imperial quarter ; ordinary, 22s Cd to 255.

Cocksfoot. — Tho demand has been quiet, and with heavy shipments from New Zealand and reports of a heavy crop in America, values are lower. For the finest bright descriptions of New Zealand 4-ls per cwt is the best price obtainable, while dark-coloured descriptions have been disposed of at fro,m 36s to 40s ; and North Island seed, weighing 131b to 161b per bushel, at from 31s to 36s per cwt, as in quality.

RABBITSKINS. The National Mortgage and Agency Company report :— Offered at public "auction, 791 bales ; sold 706 bales. The sales passed off with excellent spirit, and best quality skins were about Id per lb dearer than at last sales ; inferior qualities showed no change. We quote : Good to prime winter Bkins, ljlb to 2Jlb per doz, Is 5d to Is BJd per lb ; fair ordinary to good, ljlb to 2glb per doz, 7?d to Is 4}d ; common and low season, iflb to 211b per doz, 2Jd to lljd ; small and suckers, Jib to 51b per doz, 3d to 71d ; black and fawn, 3d to Is ljd.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report :— The stock of last season's American and Canadian is now exhausted. Receipts of the new make have not been of the finest quality, much being heated, prices have consequently receded. Shipments from Now Zealand have been small and for the most part indifferent both as regards quality and condition. One parcel of fine "white" cheese recently to hand has, however, been sold at 56s per cwt. We quote :— Finest American and Canadian (new), 448 to 46s per cwt ; New Zealand, 40s to 50s per cwt. Importations from New Zealand during the four weeks ended 2nd inst. aggregated 4058 packages.

FROZEN MEAT.

Mr Towers, manager of the Central Markets Cold Air Stores, reports :— During -the past four weeks there has been a very serious depreciation in the values of colonial meat, and the market closes at the lowest prices we have seen for many months. Prime North Canterbury mutton has fallen in sympathy -with other qualities, and it is not possible to effect large sales at present quotations. Inferior brands of New Zealand mutton, are very plentiful. A large proportion of heavy carcases are coming to hand, which 'will have the effect of bringing that class ot meat to a lower range of prices. Carcases not over COlb suit this market best. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company state that the quality and condition of some of the recent shipments have been by no means satisfactory, part being soft, spotted, and mildewy, while a largo number of carcases have fecen condemned, and this has further tended to depress values.

DUNEDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PRODUCE REPORTS. Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports undor date the 17th inst. •— Wheat: per bushel. Pearl Barley, ...320/0 Best milling 3/4—3/8 per ton. Medium do 3/o—3/3 Oatmeal, in 25's, 200/0 Fowls 2/0-2/9 Oaten chaff 45/0-62/6 Milling oats 2/I—2/12 Ryograss hay 60/0—65/0 Feed oats 1/7—l/9 Straw ...30/0 Malt barley 3/5—3/8 por cwt. Feed barley ... 2/3 Onions ... 3/6 Capo barley 2/9—3/3 per lb. Maize ... 3/o—3/6 Rolled bacon ... 0/6 per ton. Side bacon 0/6 — 0/7 Flour ... 180/o—2lo/0 Smoked hams 0/7—o/8 Pollard... ... 80/0 Cheese ... 0/4—o/5 Bran ... ... 70/0 Good salt butter B— lOd Barleydust ... 3/5 according to quality. Oaten hay ... 60/0 Kidney potatoes, LI 10s to L 2 per ton. Potato market (tutted, no demand ; carrots, LI 5s per ton ; turnips, 13s por ton. FARM AND DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs Mercer Bros, report paying for produce during the week ending the 17th inst. :— Bacon (roll), sid p. lb Fresh butter, Is 2d p. lb Hams, 7id p. lb Salt butter 8d p. lb Fresh eggs, 9d p. doz Fresh butter, good ordinary (in Ub and Jib prints), 9d p. lb.

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Mr A. Towers, managing director of the Central Markets Cold Air Stores, reports under date July 1 : —

Large consignments of frozen meat have again come to hand per Aorangi, Maori King, and Duke of Sutherland, thus adding further to the accumulating stocks. The continual arrivals and summer weather have combined to force prices down, and there is nearly id per lb reduction all round as compared with prices ruling a fortnight ago. There is no immediate prospect of a reaction in favour of enhanced values.

Mutton.— There is difficulty, in pressing sales at the ordinary quotations. Buyers know heavy shocks are on hand, and are therefore unwilling to purchase except at an advantage in price. There has been an unusually heavy fall in Australian mutton, which is id por lb lower than 14 days ago, thus making the relative value between this and New Zealand much greater than has been the case lately. Canterbury mutton is not so ready of sale as of late, and the stocks are increasing. Lamb. — The quotations remain about the same but the demand is not quite so good as it has been. The arrivals have not been quite so lar^e bo the current quotations may become firm ' Beef.— There is still difficulty in afTectiii" sales at lower rates. The American chilled supnly has not been so large for the past 10 days, but notwithstanding this frozen beef is virtually immovable in considerable quantities. There is little hope of anything but a sluggish trade for some time. The present quotations are:— Mutton: New

Zealand, best Canterbury, 2s 8d to 2s lOd per Sib ; do medium and good grades, 2s 6d to 2s 7d ; Sydney and Queensland sheep, 2s 2d. Lamb : New Zealand, best, 3s 8d to Us lOd. Beef : New Zealand, hindquarters, prime, 2s 4d to 2s (id ; do forequarters, prime, Is 8d to 2s ; Queensland, hinds, 2s -Id ; do fores, Is 8d to Is lOd.