AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 19

AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

The Department of Industries and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the Agent-general, dated London, Februaly 6: — "The stocks of mutton on hand are light, and firmly heia in a few hands. The market is dull, notwithstanding the reports of light shipments from New Zealand. The average price to-day for Canterbury brands was 4id for Dunedin and Southland, W.M.E. Company's brands 4gd, other North Island brands 4Jcl, River Plate mutton 3-^l. The lamb market is quiet. The average price being realised for a shipment of ths new season's, ex Athenic, is 6Jd; River Plate lamb, 4Jd. The beef market remains very depressed. The average price to-day for hindquarteis New Zealand beef was 3|d, fores 2ld. The butter market is weaker, though prices cannot be quoted as low2i\ The average price for choicest New Zealand butter to-day .vas 97s per cwt, Aigentine 925, Danish 110s. The cheese market is dull, ancl veiy little business is doing. The average price for the finest New Zealand cheese to-day was 51s per cwt. The hemp market is quiet. The price for good fair Wellington giade on the spot is £32 10s. February to June shipments are quoted at -£32. The price of manila hemp, fair current grade, on spot today, was £39 10s. The cocksfoot; niaiket is steady, but withotit animation. The average price for bright, clean New Zealand seed, averpging 171b per bushel, on spot to-day, was 53s per cwt. The following are particulars o£ shipments of Argentine mutton, lamb, and butter landed in the United Kingdom during the last month: — Mutton, 155,194 caicases, 01 which 10,696 were landed at Londou, 101,330 at Liverpool, 13,656 at Hull, 15,456 at Newcastle, 11,050 at Cardiff, 2000 at Southampton, and 1006 at Plyruoxith. Lamb, 3-1,010 carcases, of which 6560 were landed at London, 20.480 at Liverpool, 2000 at Hull, 1000 at Newcastle, and 1000 at Cardiff. Butter, 15 288cwt was landed at London, Liverpool, Hull, and Southampton."