NORTH OTAGO PRODUCE AND STOCK

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 23

NORTH OTAGO PRODUCE AND STOCK

MARKET. (Froh Oue Own Cohbespondent.)

OAMARU, June 20.

r There has been a slightly improved inquiry for prime miljing wheat, but the volume of business transacted is still small. There is no «xport trade in the meantime, and coastal shipments for northern ports are light. The feeling, however, is generally a little better. Sales of prime mailing have been made at 2s lOd and 2s 10|d, on trucks at sidings, less commission, and one offer of 2s lid is said to have been declined. Samples of good velvet and Tuscan, have also been placed at 2s BJd to 2s 9d on the same terms. Fowl feed is in some demand at 2s 4d, f.o.b. Oamaru, sacks extra-,

snd good seconds are also attracting attention at 2s to 2s Id, one exceptional sample having ' l>een placed at 2s 4d, at siding. Oats are not

in such request in the last few days, odd lots

of bright Gartons being quitted at Is 4£d, at eidings, less commission, and slightly discoloured Gartons at Is 3d to Is 3£d. Danish

feed of good quality seems scarcer than was

thought earlier in. the season, and prime, bright lots have changed hands at Is 3d to

Is 3&d. Seed lines command a little more. Very few prime line 3of barley are available, 2s lOd on trucks at sidings being about the

value. Peed barley is difficult of sale at Is 10 to Is lid. Potatoes are bringing 25s for local consumption, but consignments to Dunedin realise even less. Flour, locaKy and for shipment, is quoted at £1 10 a, and oatmeal 3ias receded to £8 10s. Eggs, Is 3d. Pork, 3|d.

The stock market continues quiet. Prime

Sat wethers are changing hands at 235, fat v ewes at 16s t0. 205, and fat lambs at 16s to 18s. Store wethers may be qxioted at 15s to 18s, store lambs- 12s to 15s, and store ewes (in Jamb) 19s to 22s for good, young ewes and 17s to 18s 6d for full-mouthed. Beef is easier all xound, and prime bullocks are only worth 22s 6d per 1001b; cow beef, 18s per 1001b. Dairy cows are bringing £6 to £8 10s, according to

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) report: — We held our weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores_on Monday. Our catalogue was not large, and with fair competition nearly every lot was placed at prices fully equal to late quotations. Values ruled as under: — s Oats. — During the past week there has been more inquiry for export lines, both 23 and- C grade being in more request. A grade are inquired for occasionally, but there are very few of this class offering. Good sound Danish have more attention, and altogether a better demand has been experienced, although prices show no quotable change. Quotations: Prime aWHing, Is 4|d to Is s&d; good to best feed, Is 3d to Is 4d; inferior to medium, lOd to Is 2d per bushel (sacks extra).

Wheat. — The market has been unsettled for some time, owing to the uncertainty regarding the Millers' Association. This combination lias now ceased to exist, and a considerable drop in the prices of flour does not facilitate the sale of wheat. It is unlikely, however, that values of prime quality will recede, and as a cheaper flour has to be produced millers' i attention may be Erected towards wheat of lower quality, with which the market is fairly i well stocked. Quotations : Prime milling, 2s lOd to 3s ; medium to good, 2s 4d to 2s 9d ; whole fowl wheat, 2s 2Jd to 2s 3^d ; broken and damaged, Is 9d to 2s 2d> per bushel (sacks extra).

Potatoes. — Moderate supplies continue to airive, and are readily quitted at late values. Quotations: Good to prime Derwents, £1 15s to £2; other sorts, £1 103 to £1 15s per ton (sacks in).

Chaff. — There i 3 still a fair quantity of medium chaff offering locally. This class, however, finds little favour, with buyers, the demand being almost entifely for prime, bright oaten sheaf, with which the market is poorly .supplied. Values of the latter quality have a .firmer tendency. Quotations: Best oaten eheaf, .€2 10s to £2 15s ; choice, a^shade higher ; medium to good, £2 to £2 7s 6d per ton (bags extra).

Turnips. — On a few consignments arriving, and values a shade firmer. Quotations : Beat swedes, 14s to 15s per ton (loose, ex tiuck).

Straw.— Best oaten, 27s 6d to 30s; wheaten, 23s per ton (pressed).

Hay. — Market well supplied. Prime to choice cover and ryegrass, £2 10s to £3; medium to good, £2 to £2 5s per ton (pressed).

Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited), Dunediu, report having held their weekly sale of grain, etc., at their stores on Monday, when they submitted a small catalogue to a good attendance cf buyers. Competition for most of the hues on offer was only fair, although late rates were well maintained. Monday's prices are as under: —

Oats. — A good demand exists for clean bright lines suitable either for .milling or seed purposes, but the proportion of oats of this quality offering is small. Undoubted B grade has a .fair inquiry, (principally for coastal shipment. Farmers, however, show no inclination to force the sale of their grain in the meantime, and "Ibe business passing is simply filling small shipping orders, and even these are not coming to hand freely. Quotations : Prime milling, Is 41d to Is 51d; good to best, 3 s 3d to Is 4d ; medium and infeiior, lOd to Is 2d per bushel (sacks extra).

Wheat. — The majority of the local millers are carrying fairly heavy stocks of wheat, and with the cutting in the price of flour they cannot see their way to buy largely at prices still asked. Prime milling has mo-t inquiry, medium Lcu.g mere or less neglected. Fowl ■wheat is still offering freely at late rates. Quotations : Prime milling, 2s 9d to 3s ; medium do, 2s 4d to 2s Bd, whole fowl feed 2s 2Jd to 2s 3Jd ; broken and damaged do, Is lOd to 2s Id per bushel (sacks ex(ia).

Potatoes. — The market is heavily supplied, end sales arp difficult to effect even at present low rates. Quotations Good Derwents, £1 15s to |£1 17s Cdj best do, £2 £ci- ton (bags m).

Chaff. — Owing to the late imfavourable weather consignments have been very light, which has had the effect of considerably reducing local stocks. Prime, bright, well-cut oaten sheaf is inquired for, and is readily sold on arrival, but medium qualiiy has still only a moderate sale. Quotations: Prime oaten sheaf, £2 7s 6d to £2 12s 6d ; extra do, £2 15s ; medium do, £2 to £2 ss ; inferior, £1 10s to £1 17s 6d per ton (bags extia). Straw.— We quote wheaten at 25s to 263, and oaten at 27s 6d per ton (pressed, ex truck).

HIDE SALES

Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows: We held our fortnightly bide 6ale in our Maclaggan street stoics on Thursday, 16th inst.. when v, c offered a large catalogue of hides to a very representative gathering of the trade. Our total was 580 hides, comprising 329 ox, 220 cow, 22 calfskins, and 9 yearlings. U.-dding throughout was very animated for all classes of hides, but slightly lower prices had to be accepted for heavy ox. Medium weights were, if anything, higher, while light hides of both descriptions sold at from par to Jd per lb lower. We had no really prime lots forward for this sale, and are therefore unable to report any extreme prices. Taking our sale as a whole, we are certain that our figures will bear favourable comparison with returns from any other source. We sold individual lots at yesterday's sale at up to 35s per hide, and a very large number at from 303 to 35s per hide. Our top price for ox bides was s|d', and our top price for cow hides 5Jd, both of which are records for this week's Dunectin market. Yearlings are in great demand. We quote: Extra stout heavy ox, 5Jd to s|d; heavy do, 4Jd to s£d; medium do, 4gd to 4Jd ; light do, 4!d to 4Jd ; extra stout heavy cows, 4|d to 5Jd ; medium do, 4Jd to 4£d ; light do, 4£d to 4Jd ; stags, 2d to 3d; yearlings, 3fd to 4^d per lb; calfskins, Is 6d to 3s 6d each.

The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Lnmited) report as follows: We held our usual fortnightly sale of hides at our stores, Cumberland street, on Inursdoy, 16th inst., when we submitted a catalogue of 283 hides, comprising 231 ox and 52 cows. There was a representative attednance of buyers. Bidding for light hides was fairly brisk, and prices obtained for this class compare favourably with those received at our last sale. For medium weights and heavy ox competition was very dull, and prices for these show a decline of £d to |<1 per lb. We give a few of our individual sales as under : — Ox : Three 671b, s|d; 10 721b, sgd; six 841b, sid; four 821b, sid; 13 781b, sgd; 12 811b, s!d; two 701b, 5Jd; 12 811b, sd>; seven 791b, sd; 13 731b, 4|d; 10 731b, 4£d ; seven 711b, 4£d ; 15 641b, 4Jd; five 771b, 4|d. Cows: Four 391b, 4£d ; four 441b, 4id; three 491b, 4id; 10 461b, 4Jd ; six 431b, 4J<3 ; 15 4Olb, 41<3 per lb. We quote : Extra stout prime heavy ox, sicl to 52<3 ; heavy do, 4|d to SJS ; medium do, 4!d to 4Jd ; light do, 4gd td 4Jd ; extra stout heavy cow, 4Jd to 4|d; medium do, 4Jd to 4|d; light, 4d to ihd per lb ; yearlings, 5s to 6s ; calfskins, Is 6d to 3s each.

Messrs Stronach Morris, and Co. report holding their fortnightly sale of hides at their stores, Crawford street, on Thursday, 16th inst. There was the usual attendance of the trade, but compared with values ruling a fortnight ago a lack of competition for heavy ox hides bayondi a moderate limit was noticeable, the decline being attributed to weaker markets in other centres. All light hides sold well, and cow bides of best descriptions were well competed for, making up to s|d per lb for good heavy sorts. We offered only a small catalogue -of 133 hidies and calfskins, but for reasons given above passed in some good lines of heavy ox. Prices obtained were as follow : Ox hides— 74lb, sid; 741b, SJA; 741b, 70lb, and 731b, 5Jd ; 741b, Tllb, 711b, 70lb, 931b, 941b, sd ; cow hides, 70ib, s|d ; 611b, 4|d; 38lb to 631b, 4£d per lb; calfskins, 2s 3d to 2s 7d ; yearlings, 3s lOd to 7s each.

Messrs A. Moritzson and Co. report as follows: We held our usual fortnightly sale of hides at our stores, Bond and Jetty streets, yesterday. We offered a fairly large catalogue, which was comprised of light and heavy hides, but only of medium quality, nothing extra, stout being under offer. Prices declined in heavy hides |d per lb on account of bad reports received from the Home and Australian markets. There is practically no change in light hides, excepting those that were faulty and in bad condition, these being neglected. The following are a few of the prices obtained at our sale: Four ox hides averaging 561b gross, „4|d; six cow hides averaging 481b gross, 4!d; three do averaging 591b gross, 4id ; six do averaging 551b, 41d ; three ox hides (sheety) averaging 641b, 4Jd ; two do averaging 701b, 4Jd. We quote: Extra prime ox, stout, 5Jd to s|d; heavy do, 4£d to sd; medium and light, 4!d to 4£d; cows, heavy, 4Jd to sd; medium and light, 4Jd to 4|dj per lb; yearlings, 4s 6d to 53 6d, calfskins, 2s 6d to 3s each.

The Olago Farmers' Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Limited) 'report :— We held our usual fortnightly sale of hides at our stores, Crawford street, on Thursday, 16th June, when we submitted a fair-sized catalogue to a representative attendance of buyers, who competed briskly for every lot submitted, and the restilt was a speedy clearance at pricces fully equal to late rates. Light hides are still in request, and sell relatively dearest, while for heavy ox hides, not being in such good demand, prices on same suffered accordingly. We quote as follows: Ox hides (light), 5d to old ; prime cow hides, 4|d to -IJd ; medium to good, 4j?d to 4|d; light and inferior, 4Jd to 4|d; stags and bulls, 2Jd to 3|d per lb; yearJings, 3s to ss; calfskins, Is 6d to 3s; goatskins, up to Is 3d each.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) report having held their fortnightly sale by auction at their stores, Lower T?attray street, on Friday, 17th inst., when they offered a full catalogue to the usual attendance of buyers, none having missed bein^ present. Competition was keen for light ana medium-weight hides, for which prices about equal to those lately obtaining were realised. A fair demand also existed for heavy ox, but prices ruling lately are not now obtainable, owing doubtless to the unfavourable reports from outside centres. We quote : Heavy ox, 4^d to sid; extra heavy and stout do, sid to •52d ; medium do, 4§d to 4Jd ; light do, 4Jd to 4Jd ; extra stout heavy cowg, 4|d to 5Jd ; medium do, 4\d to 4sd ; light do, 4Jd to 41cl; stags, 2d to 3d; yearlings, 3Jd to 4id per lb; calfskins, Is 6d to 3s 3d each.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) report as follows: — We held our usual fortnightly sale of hides at our stores, Vogel street, oil Friday, l 7 th inst. Our catalogue was comprised almost entirely of country butchers' hides, and included a few nice lines of cow hides of medium weights, but we did not catalogue any very extra prime lots. There was a good attendance of buyers present, but on account of bad reports from the markets at other centres prices for heavy prime hides suffered a decline of from £d to Jd per lb compared with those ruling a fortnight ago. Competition for medium and light-weights was brisk, and these soM fully up to late quotations, light hides, relatively speaking, bringing belter prices Ihan those cb'ained for the heavier sorts. We quote : P.-ime extra stout o:; hides, 5Jd to 5Jd ; hr-avv do, 4£d to 5 3 jd; medium do." 4}d to 4|d , light do, 4.\d to 4Jd ; prime heavy cow hides, 4^d to sd ; medium do, id to l^cl; light do, 4d to 4Jd ; stags and bulls, 2d to 3d per'ib ; yearling hide", Is to 7s, calfskins, 3s lid 3s 3d each.

Me«srs Da'getv and Co. (Limited), Duuedin, reogrt having held thoir usual fortnightly gale

of hides at their stores, Vogel and Cumberland streets, on Friday, 17th inst., when they offered a catalogue of 245 hides, comprising 127 ox, 114 cows, and 4 yearlings and calfskins. There was a full attendance of buyers, and bidding was very brisk for all light and medium-weight hides suitable for shipment, and for this ckss very satisfactory prices were obtained. On the other hand heavy ox hides did not command the same attention, and they suffered a drop of Id to id per lb, due to the unfavourable reports received of the Australian markets. They quote: Extra stout ox, s*d to 6§d ; heavy do, 4Jd to 5Jd; light to good do, 4|d to 4^d; extra, "tout cows, 4Jd to sd; light to good do, 4Jd to 4gd ; damaged hides, 2£d to 3Jd per lb ; calfskins, Is Id to 23 6<l; jeaiiings, 3s Gd to 5? 6d each.

PROPERTY SALES

The New Zealand Loan aaid Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) report having soid the block of land, situated near Dunback, known as the " Smith Block," of about 6000 acres, to Mr A. D. Bell, of Waihemo, on beha-lf of Mr E. C. 1/owndes, of London, at a satisfactory price; also, the fa<rm known a3 '■ Kiness," on tue Tokomairiro Plain, on account of Mr William Moore, at £17 per acre. This sale was made in conjunction with Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited).

Messrs Wright^ Stephenson, and Co. report the sale of the following properties : — On acrount of Mr Alfred Evans, Oreti Plains, his farm, being part of section 114, Oreti Hundred, and containing 249 acres, to Mr T. J. O'Brien, South Hillend. On account of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited), block XXIV, Waimea Estate, containing 2130 apres, to Messrs W. A. and G. A. Morris. This is part of what is known as the Mo\mt Peel country, and is well known as a fine piece of pastoral land. On account of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited), al&o, blocks XX, XXI, and XXV, and part block XIX, "Waimea Estate, comprising about 8500 acres. This is the balftnce of the Mount Peel block, and also that part of the Waimea Estate known as the North Peak block. The purchaser is Mr E. U. Bowler, of Gore (as agent). On account of Mr A. E.. Robson, "Waikaia, his Argylo Station, situated at Wsikaia, and being Runs 327 a, 328 a., and 529, Waikaia, and sections 11 and 12, block X, Waikaia, with buildings, fencing, etc., and 10,500 sheep given in. This is one of the best properties <jf its cla«s in Otago, and the buyers. Messrs Kain Bros., of Springfield, are to be congratulated on securing it.

DUNEDIN HORSE SALEYAEDS

Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows: — There was a small entry at last Saturday's weekly sale, on'y about a score of horses being entered. Without any exception there was not a good hoise ia the yard, ard for the c'ass forward there was not much demand. About hall-a-dozen horses . changed hands, the highest price paid being £44 for a bay draught gelding. We have to draw attention to our special sale on Thursday, 30th inst., when we shall offer a shipment of 30 superior Clydesdale fillies of the AW I brand on account of Messrs Moxham Bros., of New South Wales. Messrs Moxham Bros.' previous consignments of this well-known brand met with much favour among buyers last year. Vide advertisement in another column of this paper. We quote: Superior young draught gelding, £50 to £58; extra good, prize horses, £60 to £65; medium draught mares and geldings, £33 to £18 ; aged do, £22 to £33 ; upstanding carriage horses, £30 to £35 ; well-matched carriage pairs, £80 to £100; strong spring-van horses, £30 to £40; milk-cart and butchers' order-cart horse 3, £22 to £30; light hacks, £10 to £13; extra good hacks, £18 to £30; weedy and aged hacks and harness horses, £3 to £7.

THE LA.BOUE MARKET.

John Skene and Son report under date June 21 a3 follows: — During the past week we have experienced a little quietness in this market, owing, no doubt, to the wet cold weather we have been getting. However, given some good weather, things will soon liven up. There are a good many practical workers calling on us daily, on the look-out for suitable employment. Wages are as follows: — Ploughmen, 223 6d, 23i 6d, 255 ; waggon drivers, 255 ; shepherds, £C) oto £65; milkers, 15s to 20s; fencers, 255; station couples, £70; farm and station rouseabouts, 17s 6d, 20s ; hotel porters and grooms, 17s fid, 20s ; cooks and bakers, 255, 30s, S'Js 6d ; labourers, 7s 6d; flaxmill boys, 15s; others, 6s daily; cutters, 5s 6d, 6s ton.