CANTERBURY MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, January 16.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2862, 20 January 1909, Page 22

CANTERBURY MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, January 16.)

Owing to the delay in consequence of the protracted period of wet weather in the new season's grain coming on to the market, and the fact that even should fine weather be experienced during the next couple of months teveral wesks must elapse before the offerings will be more than spasmodic, the tone of tha wheat and oats market is firmer. Merchants were confidently anticipating ihafc the new grain would be available at the usual time, but as that is now out of the question, and as their stocks are becoming depleted, they show more disposition than of late to secure any parcels of old wheat that may be available. They are nor, prepared, however, to extend their limits, and holders being firm in their demands for higher prices, little business has resulted. For fowl wheat there has been, considerable inquiry, but supplies are email, and prices are on a par wtih milling quality, and orders are difficult to fill even at that

figure. It is clear that when the new season's wheat is placed on offer the market will toe quite prepared to take it. Some fears are entertained that should the present moist weather continue much longer the effect will be tc injure the quality of the grain, and farmers in general are now very anxious for a couple of months of fine .weather to enable them to secure their crops in good condition. Little oats ha^e been offered during the week, and there are some inquiries for supplies, especially for Gartons, which are difficult to obtain. To-day prices are firmer than they have been for some time. The price of fresh eggs has advanced to Is per dozen. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net ersh, sacks extra, except where otherwi&s specified': — Wheat — 4s Id to 4b 3d, at eoiintry stations. Oats — Du>ns Is 7d, Garton-s, sparrowbills, and Canadians Is 6d to Is 7d, at country stations. Barley — Extra prime 5s to 5s 3d, second quality 4e to ss. Chaff— Oatsbeaf £2 12s 6d to £2 15s at country stations. Oatmeal— £l2. Flout — The New Zealand Flourmillero' Co-operative Association, Limited, quotes the followjmg prices per ton, local or shipping:—Sacks £10 10s, 1001b bags £11, 501b bags £11 ss, 251b bags £11 10s. Bran £4 15e. pollard £6. Seeds— Ryegraes, light 2s 6d fo 2s Bd, heavy 3s to 3s 6d, cocksfoot 6|d to Bd. Dairy Produce. — Cheese dairy, large b^d, loaf 6d; factory, large 5Jd to 6d. Butter, fresh local factory prints Is, farm separator 10£ d, farm dairy 9£d. Hams Bd, sides Tfd, rolls B£d, shoulder rolls and middles (eoual quantities) B£d, shoulder rolls only 7fd, middles 9d. Lard, pats Bd, bulk 7*d, bladders Bd. Fresh eggs Is per dozen. ASHBURTON. There is no business in old wheat to report. The coming crop is approaching maturity, but is again being delayed, and not improved, by the constant cold rains. What is now required is four or five weeks of -warm weather to ripen off, and allow farmers to get on with She harvesting. Although the crops in many cases have been beaten down by the rain, the dry winds following have done much to restore them, and so far no great amount of damage has been reported, with the exception of the hailstorm about threa weeks ago. There has been a slightlj. better inquiry for oateheaf chaff owing to smaller offerings on account of the weather preventing cutting, also owing to the fact that 6tocks are almost exhausted. Immediate delivery is worth 55s on trucks for prime quality.