HEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 3.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 7

HEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 3.

Yesterday the second series of public sales of woolled sheepskins for the present year was held. The quantities offered were somewhat smuller than übual — viz., totalling only 2638 balos, of which 484- were classed "'New Zealand," and with a biisk demand the catalogues were practically cleared. Messrs Balme tell me that prices in average show little alteration from the January level, inasmuch as, while merino and fine crossbred wool are slightly dearer, coarse-woolled skins have sold for less money. As compared with the values current at the preceding sales, which were held on January 26, Messrs Balme quote: — Merino, fullwoolled, par to id per lb dearer; merino, short and shorn, per lb dearer ; crossbred, full-woolled, fine, par to id per lb dearer; crossbred, coarse, |d per lb cheaper ; cropsbrcd, short and shorn, par to £d per lb dearer. Present prices for woolled sheepskins from New Zealand are: — Merino, full-woolled, sld to 7d per lb ; merino, half to three-quarter-woolled, sad to 6id per lb ; merino, short and shorn, 3|d to 4-{d per lb ; crossbred, fullwoolled, fine, 6d to 6|d per lb ; crossbred, fullwoolled, coarhe, 4|d to 6^d per lb ; crossbred, half to three-quarter woolled, fine 4Jd to s£d per lb ; eropabred, half to three-quarter woolled, coarse, 3£d to 4d per lb ; crossbred, short and shorn. 3£d to 3|d per lb.' Tho third series for the year has been arranged to take place on April 13.

NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Since last week three steamers have arrived from the colony — namely, the Star of New Zealand, the Matatua, and the Tckoa with fresh eupplies of New Zealand mutton, while the Delphic is reported as being off the coast. The C. C. and D. Co. write that the Matatua's arrival with about 10,000 Canterbury bheep was welcome, for stocks had pretty well run out, any that remained in stores being mixed in quality and size, while they were generally very heavy or very light, neither feort being suitable for general requirements. Owing to the diversity of quality, prices for New Zealand mutton cover a wide range. Sales have been made at 34d, 4d, 4 l-16d per lb for sheep which, though a long way from being prime, were the best obtainable. No Dunedin sheep have been marketed ; those from Southland have made from 3^d to 3^d, and a few selected up to 3id per lb. North Island sheep have sold at 3d to 3ad, a very few of the best weights making the last figure. Heavy bheep of 721b and upwards, some very good and meaty, but unsuitable on account of size and weight, have sold at 2!d to 3d per lb.

Demand for lamb has appreciably slackened this week on account of the colder weather, and prices are weaker. The C C. and D. Co. say that few sales are now made over 4gd per lb, and that some of the best lambs marketed can be bought at 4 id small ; while plain lambs range from Ad to to 4^d per lb. In frozen beef trade has been dull and dragging, especially for forequarlers, and I learn from the C. C. and D. Co. that those speculators whe bought freely a week ago find iL difficult to get their money back. This week forequarters have been selling at 2?, dto 2gd, which figures show a decline of id to id per lb since last week. Hindquarters of good weight and quality are not now to be had. Plain beef of indifferent quajity is fairly plentiful, but meat of this sort gives no satisfaction to customers, and is difficult to sell. The Star of New Zealand brought 907 quarters of frozen beef from the colony.