PRODUCE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2407, 19 April 1900, Page 16

PRODUCE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

rent must bo fixed by the boaid, and suggested of the affairs of the association, and in order , a niinimum rent o{ Is per acre for the area to give practical effect to this decision a aPPJ ied foi—l26o acres —Accordingly. special resolution would be proposed at a

WELLINGTON, April 12. Mr Cameron, produce ecmmissioner, writes under date London, March 9: — The butter market rose steadily from 98s for choicest New Zealand to 100s, then declined to 965.The average for the month was 98s. The quality of factory continues to give satisfaction, but "milled" has a large proportion of very inferior, and is unsatisfactory. The market for cheese is steadily hardening 'in prices; so high that it established a record. Colonial cheese is in smaller supply than white, and for it 62s per cwfc is being paid. White fetches 61s. These figures are ior finest New Zealand cheese only, and for- - "tunately the bulk of the shipments from the colony so far this season have come under this heading. Mr Cameron reports a continued growth for New Zealand dairy produce. He lias received numerous inquiries regarding the ship--ment of fowls from New Zealand from all " parts of the country, and the shipment is being watched with interest. The market for mutton is in rather better condition than ■when last reported. Prices are scarcely ligher, but are firmer. As old stocks are cleared off prices will harden, and if small supplies only come forward they will certainly rise^ though not to anything like as high a figlire as they did last'season. Lamb sales are not so numerous as. could be desired, but given seasonable weather they might be expected to rapidly increase. Mr Cameron states that some sheep recently placed at Smithfield for Bale were evidently branded with an ink stamp. He hears strong exception taken to the brand, as when the carcases thawed the ink ran and disfigured the meat.