THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 31

THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

WELLINGTON, March 6.

The Industries and Commerce Department has received the. following cablegram from the Agent-general for New Zealand, dated London, the 4th inst : — " There has been a better tone in the mutton market since last week's report, the average price for Canterbury mutton being 4£d per lb (light-weights) ; for Dunedin, Southland, and W.M.E. Company's brand, 4|d per lb; for other North Island amtton. 3%& per lb. The lamb market is steady, and there is fair business doing. The average price to-day for prime Canterbury is 6|d per lb, and for New Zealand bra.nds other than Canterbury 5Jd per lb. There has been no alteration in the beef market since last week's report. The average price to-day for hindquarters of New Zealand is 3Jd per lb ; forequarters, 2id per Jb (quotations nominal). The butter market is very firm. Bnyers, fearing an advance, arc buying freely, and the market prospects p-re favourable. The average price of choicest New Zealand butter to-day is 104s per cwt ; Danish, 109s; Argentine, 102s. The cheese market is steady, but there is only a small demand for cheese. The average price of finest New Zealand cheese is 50s per cwt. The market is more likely to advance than decline. Deliveries are now diminishing. The hemp market is dull. For spot deliveries there is more demand than in distant deliveries. The price of New Zealand hemp, good fair Wellington grade, on spot to-day, per ton is £30 10s. The present stock is 974 tons, as against 1022 tons at this date last year. Th-e price of manila hemp, fair current gTade, on spot to-day, per ton^is £39 10s. There is a better demand for cocksfoot seed, mat the supply meets the demand. The average price to-day for bright clean New Zealand cocksfoot seed," weighina; 17ib .per bushel, on spot, is 503 per cwt. The prospects of the hop market are improving, and prices are firm at £7 per cwl. Importations of River Plate mutton, lamb, and butter into the United Kingdom during the month of February last totalled respectively 294,685 carcases, 36.282 carcases, and 8830cwt, distributed as follows: — Mutton: London, 89,431 carcases; Liverpool, 175,249; Hull. 16.31* ; Southampton, 1000; Newcastle, 5062; Ply-mc-uth. 1241 ; Glasgow, 6383. I»amb : 15.0S8; Liverpool, 20,791; Plymouth, 100, Glasgow, 300. Butter: 8830cwl k> Liverpool, Hull, and Southampton.