NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IS LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IS LONDON.

(From Ouk Own Correspondent.) LONDON, December 24, ■wool.

It is stated m the report of Messrs W. Weddel and Co. that since the date of the closing cf the wool sales here nt the beginning of the month, markets in maimfacluiing centres have teen in a rather unccitain condition. To begin with piices eased off perceptibly owing in no small degree to the efforts of interested parties to "bear"' pnees, while the consequent fluctuations in values which have occiured have m?de the useis' position a difficult one, and the unremunerativo condition of business has also assisted in adversely affecting the value of the raw material. During the last wesk, however, thexe has bc-cn a rather better feshng in the various markets, particularly in the case of ciossbrcd wools. Trade, moreover, is likely to continue quiet l ill after the turn of the yeir, while, in order to avoid the accumulation of stocks there seemi a geneial disposition to voik shoitcr tino ilrin usual during the holiday season. At the

auctions of Eiver Plate wool, held in Liverpool this week, 3395 bales were offered, and all were sold. Ths attendance was large, an<^ the bidding rctive. As compared with closing December London rates both merinos ai.d crcsabreds lulcd about 5 per ceut. higher.

SEW ZEALAND MEAT

According to the C.C. and D. Company there hiiA c been no auivals of New Zealand mutton since last week. The gieat improvement in 1 the demand then led to heavier Ditchings than ior some months past, and prices closed very firm. This week, although a laige trp.de is not to b; expected, quotations for North Island sheep have been advanced. Heavy carcases of bulb to 651b are Ecarce, and now command 3Jd per lb, but the light-weight sheep are less leady of sale ab little better than 3Jd, the average for all classes being about 32d per lb. Canterbury mutton has not shared in the advanca yet, and is quoted at 3£d to 4Jd, according to weight. Southland sheep are of about Ihe same quality and value as those from the Xorth Island, averaging 3£d to 3Jd per lb. There is a more conn-dent tone m this section, of the market, paid supplies are mam!y in strong hands. The trade in New Zealand lamb is veiy slow indeed. A few of the best from Canterbmy make 4Jd per lb, but the general quotation is 4Jd. Dunedin lamb is worth 4Jd, but the consumption of al! descriptions is very limited. New Zealand forcquarters of beef are a, little firmer vt 2id per lb, but hindquarters are easily piocurable at 31d per lb. Those impoiteis who were recently pressing saloe have apparently new sod sufficient for the proswt, pnd are firmer than they were, and the market h?s benefited accordingly. Canterbury sheep cannot now be bought at le&a than 4d pei- If for all weights. Dunedin and Southland carcases aie nun at 3Jd per lb, the iavcori'-e Wellington biands realising up to 3gn per Ordinary North Island sheep have been sold at 3id, and even less money, but they close cvn.sideiably above the worst at 3 9-16 dto 3gd. Ewes are scarce and comparatively firm at) fully 3Jd per lb for small and medium weights. There is very little inquiry for lambs of any desciiption. and while a few sales of the latest arrivals from New Zealand and of new season's Australians pre being made from day to day, realisations of the fair numbers of stored NewZealand lambs are impossible at present. In the circumstances Messrs V. eddel remark that it is satisfactory to be abe to report a maintenance of quotations. Canteibury lanib<3 are quoted at 4id to 4£d per lb". Ordinary NewZealand lambs sell slowly at 4\A for heavy and 4|d to V_d foi light-v, eight carcases. Good, Imek New Zealand beef, full'of suet, and meeting the requnernents of the Christmas tiade, sells at 2UI to 2Jd per lb foi forequarters and' 3^d to 3fd for hindquarters; medium-weighi 1 quarteis realise 2id foi fores and 3^d for hinds; p'amer lots make only about 2£d foi fores and 3id per lb for hindquarters.

MISCELL S.NEOtT'S.

llossrs Weddel note that anivals of >~ew Zealand arid Australian butter are large. "What business ia being transacted is done at last week's prices, which remain fairly firm.

There is a large supply of i\ew Zealand oats, and values, it anj thing, are a- ■'urn easier. The Papanui brought 4735 sacks of seed from New, Zealand The demand for beans from tlia colony is slow at recent value.

Xo sale of tallow has been held this week. At the auction last week ilessis Weddel say, that 491 casks were offered and about 331 sold.' at fully previous price* The demand is steady, and, if anything, ]o v soit* rie inclined to be lather fkmer. EdibV qi ahties sue still < •_- tieiii° ! y Ju,l of =a!e— t.ilin.v prices onlj bcib d in. r, niton, but betf ij, in i-ithci better denied.