THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS.

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

THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS.

WELLINGTON, February 5

The Department of Industries and Commerce has received the following report from Mr Gow, commercial agent for the colony in South Africa, dated Durban, Ist ultimo* — Oats : Algerian feed and South American are offering at ss, c.i.f., m bond. Algerian seed : Little change to repoit. Quotations acLordirg to sample from 7s 6d to 8s 6d, l.b. The latter figures only demanded fcr the pvimest lines. Stout Whites: Little demand; B giades changing hands horn 6s 3d to 6a 6d in bond; C giades are extremely slow of sale. Lucerne. — Stocks much lighter since date of last report. Rates ruling, Is 6d per 1001b, c.i.f.

Bran.— South American, 4s c.i.f.; while for Cape 4s 9d and os for New Zealand, duty paid, is being accepted. Stocks still exceed demand. Potatoes.— Colonial (South African) are coming along at from 12s to 14s per -nuid of 1501b. Importations from Europe have almost .ceased at the moment, early rose seed chai ging hands at 7s per case of 661b, delivered. Australian lose to hand at £9 per ton, in cases.

Onions. — Market glutted owing to excessive' arrivals and fair quantities of locally-grown being on offer. Recent quotes from Australia, at £8 c.i.f. failed to tempt importers in consequence of the present glut. The prices now ruling are Id per lb duty paid. The duty being Jd per lb, leaves no margin for the merchant.

Maize. — South American whites selling at from 8s lOd and North American do 11s, both c.i.f., per 2001b bags; South American yellows, about Bs, c.i.f.

Flour.— For hard wheat sorts from £10 to JEII, and from £0 10s to £10 for soft for bakers' parcels, delivered.

Wheat. — Quotes from Australia for f.a.q., South Australia, for sailers, is 23=i c.i.f. per quarter of 4801b, shipment January and Pebiuary. For steamer parcels a shade higher is asked.

Butter. — Choicest Australian is selling at 9jd f.o.b. Australian ports, for pats. New Zealand factories arc obtaining about the same, and in some instances a. shade less, while for extended contracts a shade higher is the rule, 9|d to lOd best Victorian, and up to lOJd extra choice New Zealand, both cloth and paichment pats.

Cheese. — Fair business being done in Gouda of fresh makes. A good sale for Canadian and a little in New Zealand.

Poultry. — The demand for the Christmas trade was not veiy strong, and supplies appear to have been quite sufficient. Good, large fowls sold at 5s 6d per pair (the duty being temporarily suspended on frozen poultry) ; ducks, 6s 6d pei pair ; turkeys. Is per lb, c.i.f.

Eggs. — Imported, from Is 5d up to 2s 3d per dozen ; locals, 2s 6d to 3s.

Meat. — New Zealand and Argentine mutton, 3Jd ; beef, 3^d ; lamb, 4d to 4|d.