SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 22

SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET.

INVERCARGILL, April 23

Oats. — Dunn? the week only a very limited business has been passing in the local market. The North Island markets aie only buying sparingly, especially so with Auckland. Prices to farmers can bs quoted on a par with those 1 Tiling l?st week — namely, Is 5Jd 011 trucks at wayside stations, though in some cases Is 6d has been paid foi good lines that are loaded at stations close to town It is not expected that the above prices can hold unless some large outside demand comes along. It is pretty certain that a good deal of speculative buying has been going on, and that as soon as this stops there is every chance of the market coming back. The best price merchants have so far sold at is Is 9d (f.0.b., stacks in, net) for B grade, and, allowing for railage ancl handling thiongh store, this is equivalent to Is 5Jd, sacks extra, on truck? at stations such as Centre Bush in the western district, and Edendale in the eastern, so that on present market price merchants are only getting their cost out of the business. A good quantity is coming forward to the Bluff for storage on farmers' account. The local merchants expect to have the new season's, samples fixed up during this week.

Chaff. — Kew chaff is now offering pretty freely. Merchants are buying- at irorn £2 7s 6d to £2 10s on trucks at country stations.

Wheat. — Prices remain unchanged. Several samples of milling qtiality have been offering during the week, and sold at 3s Id to Ss 2d on trucks at country stations. Fowl wheat can be ouoted at 2s 6d to 2s 9d on trucks.

Linsepd. — Farmers are not at all keen to sell, though it is reported that two or three lots have been sold at 7s on trucks at country stations (bags extra).

There is no change to report in the local sheep market. Prices for all classes remain uitchanged, and there is a strong local demand for all classes of young sheep, especially ewes.

There is no move in cattle, though there are plenty offering, but buyers are very difficult to find.