WRIGHT, STEPHENSON, & CO.'S WEEKLY REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 26

WRIGHT, STEPHENSON, & CO.'S WEEKLY REPORT.

' Wednesday, April 13. -

Fat Cattle.— 22o head yarded, including very few prime lots. The demand was again slack, and value* were even lower than larfe week's rates, the decline being 10s to 153 per head on all but the primesfc stock. Prime heavy bullocks brought £7 10s to £8 ; good do, £5 10s to £6 10* ; light do, £4 to £5 ; prime cows, £5 to £6 ; good do, £4 to £5 ; iLferior do, 10s to 30s. We sold 81 head as follow s :— For Mr F Bradfield (Owaka). 8 steers and heifers at up to £6 12* 6d ; Mr J. E. Humphries (Mataura), 8 bullocks at up to £7 2s 6d ; Messrs Bryce Bros. (Lovell's Fiat), 7 cattle at £4 5s to £5 7s 6d ; Messrs Dickson Bros. (Partobello), G. Butting (Naseby), R. Orr (Oamaru), J. Winters, W. H. Cox, Geo. Fisher, D. Davidson. O. Moran, J. M'Nab, Mrs Young, and others. 53 head at quotation*. Sheep — 3554 penned, and this number proved in excels of requirements, the demand being chiefly confined to trade wants. Prices for good wethers were well maintained, but the entry comprised for the most part half fat and inferior ewes, and for these values were lower than those of last week. We quote : Extra heavy crossbred wetherp, 32s to 12s 9d ; good do, 10s to lls 61 ; medium, 8s to 9s 6d ; small, 6s to 7s ; best crossbred ewes,.7s to Ss Stl ; medium, 5s 9d to 63 6i ', timll, 3* 6d'to'" 43 6d. We sold 336 head as follows :— For Moa Mat cstp-te, 60 crossbred wethers at 9s 9d to 103 fid; Mr William .Armstrong (Becks), lOSdo ewes at up to 9s 3d ; Mr F. Bradfield (Owaka), G8 do wethers at 7s 6d to 93 9d ; Messrs Di-kson Bro*. (Portobello), 85 do ewes (small) at quotations ; Mr ] John Couttb (Palmeraton), 15 do at quotations. • I

Fat Lambs —904 came forward this week, most of them inferior to medium quality, and the demand was again slack, prices being (if anything) slightly worse than those obtainable last Wednesday. We quote : Best lambs, 8* 3d to 9j 4d; medium do, 6s to 7s 3d ; small, 4s to 53. We sold 485 as follows :— For Mr ,1 -.hn Coutts (Palmerston), 106 at quotations ; Mr William Armstrong (Becks), 140 at up to 9s 4d ; a northern client, 220 (small) at up to 4s lid ; and 19 (prime) at Bs.

Pig3.— l46 penned, and these all found buyers at prices that must have been satisfactory to vendors. Extra he.wy bacon pigs brought 57s to 603 : Heavy do, 41s to 46s ~6d ; light do, 38s to 40s; porkerß, 27s to ?53 ; stores, 21s to 24s ; slip3, lss tid to 18s ; suckers, 9s 6d to 14s. We sold 110 at these rates.

Wool. — There is nothing fresh to report in this. The local market continues steady &t late rates for ail oddments offering.

Rabbitskiijs.— Owing to Monday being a close holiday we have held no sale since our last report. Prices, however, remain unchanged. Sheepskins. — We offered a fair-sized catalogue at the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, when there was a very good attendance of buyers, and prices for all descriptions were well up to those current at our last auction. Fine halfbreds and merinos, especially half to full-woolled skins, meet with the best competition. We 'quote: Green pelts, Is 3d to 2s 3d; extra good quarter-woolled, up to 2s 9d ; do lambs, Is 6d to 2s 4d ; dry crossbreds— good to best 3s 8d to 5s 6d, frtir to medium 2a Id to 3s, pelts and inferior 7d to Is 6d ; dry merinos — good to best 2s 9d to 43, fair to medium Is 6d to 2s 6d, pelts (small or damaged) 3d to Is each.

Hides. — Market remains ihm, without change. Stout, well-flayed ox, which are scarce, are in exceptionally good demand, and realise very full prices. We quote : Prime heavy ox, 3Jd to 3}d ; medium, 2|d to 3d r light and inferior, lfd 1o 2id. Tallow. — All consignments meet with ready demand at the following prices .-—Best rendered niuiton, 10s to 12s 6d ; extra good do, up to 13s 6d ; medium, 9s to 10a ; di«coloured and inferior, 7s 6d to 9s ; rough fat, 7s 6d to 10s per cwfc.

Grain.— Wheat : The market is very dull, millers for tho most part preferring to hold off meantime ; sales are, therefore, difficult to make, even at a reduction of Id per bushel on last week's prices. Prices, however, we consider, have very nearly touched bottom, and unles* the unforeseen happen? are not likely to go much lower. We quote : Prime Tuscan and red sorts, 4s 4Jd to 4s sid ; medium to good, 4s 3Jd to 4s 4H ; velvet, prime, 4s 6d to 4s 7d ; medium to good, 4s 5J to 43 6d ; cluck wheat (whole), 3s 7d to 3s lid (off trucks Dunedin. sacks in, terms). Oamaru velvet, 4s 2d to 4s 3d (on trucks country sidings, net cash, bags extra) Oats > Larger quantities have been offerIng during the week and prices, if anything, are a shade easier than when we last reported. We have buyers for all descriptions of feed and milling, and can place these at very full rates. We quote ; Good to best feed, 2s Id to 2s lid ; fair to medium, 2s to 2s OJd j discoloured and inferior, Is 9jd to Is lOd ; best milling, 2a 3.1 per bushel (sacks extra, net) Barley . Market remains firm, and prices are on a pat with those quoted last week. There is a strong demand for all lines fit for maltiDg. We can place any quantity of this description at very full rats 3. We quote Prime malting, 4s 9d to 5s 3d ; fair to medium, 4s 3d to 4a 8d ; feed and milling, 2s 6d to 3s 6d per bushel (sacks extra, net). Chaff. — The market has been weil supplied, and prices show no change on those ruling last week, although there is a distinctly easier feeling. Bright, heavy, well-cut oaten sheaf is worth £3 153 per ton. We quote Prime oaten sheaf, "£3 lo* to £3 15s , good- do, £3 5a to £3 7s 6d per ton (sacks extra, net).

Ryegrass. — Very little offering. Prices are fully equal to those ruling last week. We quote : Farmers' dressed, shotty and clean seed, 3s 2d to 33 5d ; ordinary clean seed, 33 to 3s 2d ; medium seed, 2s 8d to 3a ; light and inferior, 2s 3d to 2s 7d per bushel (sacks extra, net). Forthcoming Sales.— To-day, at Gottesbrook yards, Middlemarch, store- sheep ; Saturday, 16th Inst., at Duuedin Horse Saleyards, horses j Saturday, 16th task, »t our wool stores, land ; Monday,

18th inst , at Dunback, clearing sale ; Tuesday, 19th inst., at our wool stores, wool ; Tuesday, 19th in3t., at Chamber of Commerce, sheepskins ; Wednesday, 20th icst., at Burnaide saleyards, fat stock.

THE GRAIN AND SEED REPORT.

Messrs Samuel Orr and Co., Stafford street, report for the week ending April 13 as follows :—: —

Weather in the far south still fine and harvesting getting on well, and a3 season is; so late farmers are working from early morn till late in the evening. The threshing returns iv some districts are not so heavy as was anticipated, or as good as last season. Wheat. — Locally, our market 13 simply stagnant, as millers are so full ; and though a break in recent prices is offered it cannot induce sales. This, of course, will right itself in time, as they are getting well rid of their flour. Oats. — Good demand for all grades, notwithstanding prices aro so very low in Sydney. This market will in time stir itself up, when supplies of maize drop off. The Victorian market has firmed, and will have its effect ere long on tt^e one across the border. We quote : Prime milling, up to 2s 2d ; bright heavy feed, 2s Id ; ordinary, Is lid to 2s ; and sold long Tartars and duns at equal to 2s 4d here.

Barley.— Demand still good, and rold several good-sized parcels during the week at prices which have been obtained by tli3 farmers tor 18 years.

Chaff. —Market over-supplied, and best oaten sheaf telling at up to £3 17s 6d ; ordinary, £3 to £3 103.

Potatoes. — Market again a bit overdone, and southerns selling at £3 to £3 10s.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Messrs William E. Reynolds, Bond street, report for the week ending 13th April as follows :— - . ,

Wheat.— We have to report, that during the week this market has weakened slightly, in consequence of local buyers being hard to find for lin^s coming forward, and the fact of a larcce quantity having been imported from Australia recently at prices under those being asked by local farmers. We quote to-day : Prime velvet up to 4s 7d f Tuscan, 43 6d ; red sorts, 4s 3d to 4s 4d ; whole fowl wheat (which is in good request), from 3* lOd to 4s. Oats : The new crop is now coming forward in larger quantities than last week, which has eased the market, and with the season in full swing we anticipate a fall in prices. We quote to-day: Piitne milling 'up to 2* 2d ; prime feed, 2* Id ; and ordinary feed, I 3 lid to 2s. Barley : This keeps in good request, and any lines on the market are readily saleable, although we do not think there is any likelihood of prices hardening on to-day's values. We quote_ : Prime Lakea^ from 4s 6d to 4s 10* : medium quality, from 4s 4d to 4a 84. Chaff : A large quantity of this has been on the market duriug the week, consequently prices are a shade eaeier on our last quotations. Best oaten sheaf is selling at from £3 12s 6d to £3 17s fid ; medium to good, £3 5s to £3 103. Potatoes : Prices have dropped still further owing to stocks being much heavier this weak. We quote : Prime Derwent?, up to £3 17s 6d ; medium to good, £3 12s 6d.

Byegrass. — We have a good inquiry for small shotty aeed, and invite our customers to send us samples.

Haystacks. — We hive to advise our many clients and supporters tb*t as clsief agents for the Imperial Insurance Company (Limited) for Otigo, we are now in apposition to insure grainstacks and haystacks at lowest currant rates, and' will be pleased to send particulars, together with proposal form, on being requested to do so. '

WEEKLY MARKET REPORT.

Messrs Moritzson and llopkin report for •veek ending April 13 :—

Wheat— The demaud is not so keen owing to millers holding off the market, and to m*ke sales lower prices have to be accepted. During the week we have placed a fair quantity at top rates. We quote : Best velvet, 4s b'd to 4s lOd ; best Tuscan, 4s 5d to 4s 7d ; fovyls' wheat, 3d 4d to 33 9d. Oats : The market is brisk, but prices are without alteration. We quote: Best feed, 2s to 2s Id ; medium, Is lid per bushel ; Sutherlands, 2* 3J. Barley : Feed sorts are quoted at 2a 3d to. 2s 6d ; milling, 3s 3d to 4s ; malting, from 4s 6d to s=». Ryecorn, 3s 3d to3s9d. Elour: We quote £11. Oatmeal in 25's, £11 103. Pearl barley, £21 10s. Bran, £3. Pollard, £4 10?. Nelson hops ara quoted at lOJd to Is. Chaff : Arrivals _ have been heavy, "and prices have given way, especially for medium qualities. Extra prime, £i 153 ; medium, £3 to £3 12s 6d. Ryegraes : The demand is good for small, bho''"ity seed. We have large orders to fill, and can place any quantity. Fanners' dressed, 2s to 2* 101 ; machined, 3s 3d to 4s. Cocksfoot, 3i to 3Jd for farmers' lots, and 4Jd to sgd for machined. Linseed (wanted), £10 10s to £11. Pressed straw, 255. CJover hay, £3 ss. Nitrate of soda, £15. Basic slag, £5. Clovers, rape, &c, just landing. We can offer all classes of seeds pure and fresh.

Potatoes. — Owing to large quantities coming to hand prices have fallen 103 per ton. We quote : Derwents, £3 5s to £3 10j ; northern to £3 15s. KMney3 have little demand at £2 10s per ton. Hides, IJd to 3fd, according to weight and condition.

Tallow : Rough fat, 9s to lls ; rendered, 12s to 15s.

Horsehair, Is to Is 3d. Rabbitskins.— The market here is very firm, and prices show an advance of Id to lid par lb on late quotation. We sell by auction every Monday. Sheepskins.— The demand is very keen and prices firm, at quotations. We quote : Dry crossbreds, 2s Sd to 5s 9d ; inferior, Is 3d to 2s 4d ; dry pelts, Id to 9d ; dry merinos, 2s 3d to ss ; inferior, Is to 2s ; green pelts, Is to 2s 3d ; green lambskins, Is 3d to 2s 5d each. We undertake country clearing sales. FRUIT AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Butter : Prime salt, 8d to Sid ; medium, 3d to 4d. Butter cases, with parchments.'lSs per dozen. - Cheese : Good Akaroa, 3Jdto 3Jd ; factory, 4d to 4}rt. Pig 3. — For good quality, 3|d. Poultry received for sale auy day. Roosters (young), 2s 6d to 3s ; hens, 2a ; ducks (young), 3s to 3s 3d, according to quality. Beeawax (wanted), Is 2d to Is 5d for prime quality. Fruit. — We receive consignments of all kinds of fruit and garden produce, which we sell either by auction or privately, as we think best in the interests of consignors. Apples : Dessert, lid to 2d ; cooking, Id to ljd. Pears : Dessert, " 2d to 3d ; cooking, Id to 2d per lb. Tomatoes, 2d to 2}d per lb ; bananas, 2d to 2£d per lb.

FRUIT AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Messrs Thomas Paterson and Co.. Manse street, report for the week ending April 13 :—

Fruit. — Market fairly well supplied with locally grown fruits We quote: — Oranges . Italian, 183 (double cases) ; halves, 8s 6d. Lemons : Italian, £ss. Bananas, 2d to 2Jd. Pears (good demand), 2d to 2Jd ; choice, up to 3Jd ; other sorts, Ud to 2d. " Apples : Cookers, Id to ljd (full supply) ; dessert, IJd to 2Jd. Plums, Id to lfd (good demand for choice dessert, and would probably reach 3d) ; inferior Borts, Is to 2s 6d per case. Peaches, 2d to 3Jd. Tomatoes, 2£d to 2Jd ; hothouse, 4d tosd. Grapes, 8d to 10d. Quinces, Id to lid. Cucumbers, 2s 6d to 4s 6d per dozen. Peanuts, walnuts, figs, dates in stock at market rates.

Produce. — Eggs, prices higher. • Butter in good demand— fresh, 7d to lOd ; salt (prime), 7£d to 9d. Cheese : Factory, 3f d to 4jd ; Akaroa and farmers', 3£d to 4d. Bacon . Roll, b'd to 6Jd. Hams : Wo have inquiry for supply. Pigs, 3id to 4d. Poultry. — Prices show improvement on last week's. ' Sales every day. Potatoes —Kidneys, £3 to £3 10s ; Derwents, £4 to £4 10s. Onions.— £6 to £6 10s.

_ . - SKIN- AND HIDE REPORT. Messrs Remshardt and Co. (near railway station) report as follows :—

Rabbitskins are in brisk demand at price 3 comparing very favourably with those obtained for the last five years. Being very busy buying and filling order*, we have not the leisure some of our opponents enjoy and pass in. drawing up irresponsible statistics to their own satisfaction : nor aia

{ they worth examining, as the big round figure* ; tell their own tale. What we wish our friends to • know, and what we can prove by biokers' cata-j loguea and by private contracts, is that we pay the highest prices in this market. Let those wher doubt it give us a trial with their skins. Sheepskins still firm, with an upward tendency for good shipping skins, which we are prepared to buy at outside values. Hides. — Market very firm, with excellent de^ mand. We can do with an unlimited number foe our orders, and are ready to enter into time contracts with butchers for all they kill at prices that will be a revelation to them. j t Fat continues steady at lats values — viz ,8s to 103 for rough, and from 10s to 14s for rendered. As we charge no commission, our prices are all x net cash.

MARKET REPORT.

Messrs Ed ward Thomas and Co., Bond street, Dunedin, wool, rabbitskin, hair, and hide, merchants, *c., report :—

Rabbitskins.— Owing to the Easter holidays no public sales have been held, but several parcels havß been bought at last week's quotations. Prices rule firm owing to extensive orders being placed here from abroad. We quote : Suckers and runners, 2d to 4£d ; light racks, 4J_d to 6Jd ; racks, fijd to 8d : autumns, 8d to 9jd ; incomings, 9id to lid. Hair.— Continues firm at late quotations. Hid. s.— AH coming forward meet a. ready market at good prices. -Wax.— We still have inquiries for this comtno* dity at from 15d to 18d per lb.

GRAIN AND PRO OTJCE REPORT. Messrs Donald PvEid and Co. report that prices ruled" as under at their auction sale on Monday : —

Oats.— We offered several lines of fair to goo<2 feed quality, which were disposed of at 2s to 2s Id per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat.— Good whole fowl wheat is in request at 3s lOi to 4s ; medium, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel (sacks in).

Potatoes.— The market i 3 well supplied, and in consequence prices were a shade easier. Be&fc Dements sold at £3 7s 6d to £3 10a i medium, £3 to £3 5s (sacks in). Chaff. —Supplier are rather above the average, and sales more difficult to effect. Prime heavy lots meet with fair demand, but other sorts aro not in demand. We sold best oaten sheaf at £3 12s 6d to £3 153 ; medium to good, £3 to £3 10s per ton (bags extra).

Messrs Dalgety and Company (Limited) 1 re> port having held their usual weekly auction sale, when prices ruled as under :—: —

Oats.— Only a few lines offered. Bidding was fairly brisk. We quote milliDg up to 2s 2d ; good feed, 2s to 2s Id ; medium and inferior Is lOd to Is lid.

Wheat.— Fowl feed only offered, which sold at -for whole 3s 9d, broken 3s.

Chaff. — Pair q^ntity offering, and buyers therefore not very keen. Best brought from £3 12< 61 to £3 17s 6d ; medium, £3 5s to £3 10s.

Potatoes.— Owing to large quantities on hand prices again dropped. We sold one truck of prime Northern Derwents at £5 16s 6d. Southerns biought from £3 to £3 lls according to quality.