THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, May 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 23

THE AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, May 8.

There has been rather more movement in wheat during the week, as some business is now being done for export, in view of the probable reduction in freight by direct steamer. Prices, however, show no improvement, purchases having been made at 2s 6d and 2s 7d at country stations, most of the lines being obtained at the first-named price. A line of 700 bushels of pearl and Hunter's was taken at 2s 7d; 3300 bushels of Tuscan and pearl, 1400 bushels of Tiiscan and Hunter's, and smaller lots of Tuscan, were all bought at 2s 6d at country stations, the wheat being of prime milling quality. There is practically no really^ prime wheat offering. The only business passing in oats is in small lots. Buyers who require laTge quantities are now operating in the south. Quotations are unchanged. Beans are coming on the market, and 2s 6d is being offered at country stations.

Considerable quantities of potatoes aie reported to have been rejected akJßort. The opinion is gaining ground as the crop is being dug that the damage by blight is not nearly so bad as was anticipated, though it remains to be seen whether the potatoes will keep well.

OAMARU PRODUCE MARKET. (Pbom Our Owir Correspondent.)

OAMARU, May 7.

The wheat market is very quiet, only a few small lines changing hands. Millers' stocks are sufficient for present requirements, and in view of the weakness of the London market they are disposed to watch events in the meantime. Prime velvet was placed during the week as late as Saturday at 2s Old, less commission, at country stations ; and Tuscan might command Jd more, but agents limit their quotations to 2s lOd, less commission. Red chaff was sold on Thursday at 2s 7d, less commission, the sample being a fair one, but other offers on the same basis have not restilted in business, farmers being disinclined to accept the rates quoted. Fowl wheat is worth _2s 5d to 2s 5Jd, and is pretty scarce in this district, the bulk of the wheat having been saved in good condition.

Oats are firmer in price, and Gartons are changing hands afc Is 6£d, and Danish at up to lp s£d for good samples. At these qxiotatinos a fair quantity has been secured for coastal • shipment.

Potatoes of good keeping quality are in request, and are being sold at up to £i 10s at sidings for best descriptions. Eggs, Is 4d.

THE POULTRY MARKET.

Messrs A. Moritzson and Co. report: — There is •exceptionally brisk demand for poultry, and hardly sufficient is coming forward to satisfy existing orders for South Africa. The G-oveniment has decided not to receive poultry into the depot on Fridays or Saturdays. The press of work" has been so heavy that the staff cannot overtake the work bjr Saturday, afternoon if it has to receive

consignments both on Friday and Saturday. It takes the depot all its time to clear out for the week all poultry that arrives in Dunedin on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We can quote at the present time the following revised prices for export: — Turkeys should not be over 10 months, and gobblers not weighing less than 13lb and hens not less than 9lb; 8d per lb for gobblers and 6d for hens. If young, the heavier the bird the better the prices that can be obtained. Goslings, not over six months, 81b and over, and geese not less than 101b, 5s per pair; below these weights, 4s per pair. Ducks and ducklings, from 4lb and upwards, 3s 9d per pair; from 3lb to 41b, 3s. Fowls, from 3h\h to 4lb, 3s; from 2|lb to 3£lb, from 2s 3d to 2s 6d Only poultry raised for export — that is, white-fleshed— is required for our customei-3 oversea. The prices indicated for poultry for export are for on trucks at the country railway stations. Local prices are fairly firm, but the demand is not very large. Turkeys, 7d per lb for hens, 9d per lb for gobblers ; geese, 5s to 5s 6d ; ducks, from 3s 6d to 4s; roosters, 3s 6d to 4s 9d; fowls, 3s to 3s 6d. The local prices are, of course, subject to railage, and therefore we think 110 better than export prices.