CANTERBURY MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 23

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORT. (Lyttelton Times, Saturday, March 19.) Since last report there has been little change in the wheat market, although a fair amount has been placed on offer. A 'considerable proportion of the samples olaced on the market during the week have shown very unmistakable signs of the unfavourable weather which prevailed during the time the bulk of the grain was in the stook, and the number of lines prouted is very large, many being so >adly affected "as to make them quite unfit nther for milling or shipping. Another ? actor seriously affecting the condition of : be wheat is the fact that it was put hrough the mill much too soon after being ---tacked, "with ;ho result that it is being >laeed on the market in a damp condition, which will bring about rapid deterioration if stored. Indeed, no small quantity if the grain which is being placed on offer should be kiln-dried. At present the only outlet for weathered samples is for feed purposes in the North Island. While this is the condition of the greater part of the wheat in North Canterbury, a large proportion of the crop in South Canterbury is reported to be badly damaged, but still further south the condition of the wheat leaves little to be desired. During the last few days a fair amount of damaged wheat changed hands at prices ranging from 3s 5d to 3s-6d, while the best offers made for prime milling samples, free from sprouting and saved before the rain, do not exceed 3s 8d and 3s 9d on trucks at country stations, but in most cases holders decline to accept these offers, and consequently only a limited quantity of this quality has found purchasers since last report. Except for prime quality unsprouted grain, the Home market does not at present afford an outlet, but it is expected that later lines only slightly damaged will be sent to the Old Country. The present range of prices runs from 3s for chickwheat to 3s 9d for prime milling, these prices being on trucks at country stations. Since last report the New Zealand Flourmillers' Co-operative Association has reduced the price of flour by 10s per ton, present prices- being:—Sacks £lO, 1001 b bags £lO 10s, 501 b bags £lO 15s, 251 b bags £ll. The firmness in the oat market continues, more especially for parcels of good colour

and undamaged by the weather. The quantity offering is somewhat limited, and in many instances the oats, like the wheat, show unmistakable signs of the rigour of the weather during harvest operations. Prices are unchanged. As a result of the firmness of the market, the price of oatmeal has been advanced to £ll 10s per ton. The wet weather having, resulted in damage to a considerable amount, of straw, it is expected that the quantity that will be available for chaffing during the coming winter will be much smaller than usual, and already inquiries are being received from outside for quotations, but, generally speaking, the offers made have been on too low a basis to allow of much business being done. The present price for prime, undamaged chaff is 55s on trucks at country stations, but damaged lines range down to 40s. Potatoes are now offering more freely, the principal lines on offer being Up-to-dates, the crop of Derwents not yet being ready for digging. For the former class the current price is £3 10s to £3 12s 6d on trucks at handy stations. There is a •vide diversity of opinion among growers and merchants concerning the condition of the potato crop, some maintaining that the prevalence of blight will result in very serious damage later on, while, on the other hand,-there are those who contend that the present condition of the crop is anything but unsatisfactory, and that the ravages of the blight will not be nearly as destructive as in former years. However, it is yet too early to get the full strength of the position. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, except where otherwise specified: Wheat—Milling 3s 6d to 3s 9d; chickwheat 2s 9d to 3s; damaged wheat 3s to 3s 3d. Oats—Duns Is 7£d to 'ls 9d, heavy Danish Is 7d to Is 8d; Gartons, A grade Is 8d to Is lOd, B grade Is 7d to Is 8d; sparrowbills Is Bd. t ~ Barley—Feed 2s, malting 3s to 4s 6d, according' to quality. Chaff—Oatsheaf £2 to £2 15s, at country sta-tions. , ; . , Potatoes—Early varieties, £3 10s to fco 12s 6d per ton. Beans—2s lOd to 3s. Onions—£l 5s to £1 10s per-ton. Oatmeal—£ll lCs. Flour—The New Zealand Flourmdlera Co-operative Association, Limited, quotes the following prices p.er ton, local or shipning:—Sacks £lO, 1001 b bags £lO 10s. 501 b baas £lO 15s, 251 b bags £ll. Bran £3s sd, pollard £l. Seeds—Ryegrass (nominal) Is 9d to 2s ud, cocksfoot (nominal) 3£d to 4d, white clover (farmers' samples)-6|d to 7d, cowgrass 6d to 6£d. Dairy Produce.—Cheese, dairy, large sd, loaf 6d; factory, large, s|d to 6d. Butter fresh local factory prints Is Id, second aradn factorv Is, farm dairy Bd. Hams 7£di to Bd, sides 6fd, rolls 7£d, shoulder rolls and middles (equal numbers) 7£d. shoulder rolls ->nly 6?d, middles rolled hams B£d. Lard, pats 6£d, bulk 6d, bladders 6d. Fresh RANGIORA. The wheat market continues in the same unsatisfactory state, sellers' ideas of values not coinciding with buyers'. A few lines ->f milling quality have been sold during. the week up to 3s 6d per bushel, while a fair quantity has been bought at 3s, but this was bleached and sprouted. There is absolutely no life in the market, and the nrospects of an improvement are not very bright. No business has been done in oats, the few lines available being held for higher prices. Partridge peas are quoted at 4s 3d .o 4s 4£d for best dry lots, and Prussian Blues up • to 4s 9d for the best. Ryegrass seed is at Is 9d to 2s 6d, and Italian Is 9d to 2s 3d. Farmers' undressed lines of cowgrass have changed hands at Sid to 6id, and white clover at to 7d. Best oat-sheaf chaff finds a market at 50a per ton, and oat straw chaff at 27s 6d. Potatoes are- quoted at 65s to 67s 6d. Small, clean lines of linseed are quoted at the rate of £l2 10s per ton. ASHBURTON. There is very little activity in the wheat market, and although millers continue to buy up any prime lines available, prices have, if anvthing, weakened slightly, and second quality wheat continues to collect. There is very little prospect of any shipping business beinor done at the rates asked by farmers for this quality of grain, and when threshing from the stack becomes general, the quality will have to be much better or farmers' ideas more in accordance with London values before a great deal of business can be carried out. Meanwhile it is likely that stores will be again utilised to their full extent. The grain this season may be divided into three classes: A grade, wheat which was stacked Drier to any rain: B grade, or f.a.q. quality; and C grade, which is practically known as good whole fowl wheat. For A grade, from 3s 6d to- 3s 7d is still obtainable, B grade 3s Id to 3s 2d, O 2s lOd to _ 3s. The demand for oats continues quite equal to the small amount ■which is being offered, and consequently prices have firmed, if anything. There has been no opposition from the Southland market, and as oats, both in North and South Canterbury, appear to 'have failed, mid-Canter-bury has been supplying a large proportion of the oats used for local and shipping purposes. Quotations, based on sales made, are as follows:—Milling Gartons and Canadians Is 9d to Is lOd, B grade Is to Is Bj>d, duns and Danish Is 6d' to Is 7d. Several sales of prime, bright, oatsheaf chaff have been made at £3 per ton on trucks, sacks extra, -which is full market price for this quality. TIMARU. Since last report, there has not been much activity in the market, millers having cased off in their buying. Prices have an easier tendency all round, but for good lines giowers are very firm in their demands. Values are: Tuscan 3s lOd, velvet and Hunter's Is, f.0.b., sack? extra; good whole fowl wheat 3s 4d f.0.b., sacks included; seconds up to 3s 3d, f.0.b., sacks included. Only a few odd lines of oats are offering from farmers, and business in this cereal is almost at a standstill as far as local oats are concerned. "Values are: B grade Gartons 2s Id, A grade Gartons 2s 2d, f.0.b., sacks included; Danish, 2s. Local seed requirements are absorbing all the duns offering, and they are readily disposed of at equal to 2s Id f.0.b., sacks included. A few small parcels of barley are being offered by farmers; prices vary from 2s 3d to 3s on trucks. A fair busi-

ness is being don© in potatoes at 80s f.0.b., sacks included, for prime Up-to-dates. Considerable damage has been done in this district through blight, and farmers are looking for higher prices. TiTT'NTT7 , T\T'\T TV/T A T?TTT?. r PS

... - I quality New potatoes, £3 15s to M per ton. Market bare of good hay. FARM AND DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs Irvine and Stevenson. George street, report paying for produce during the week ending the 22nd inst. as follows;—• BacoiT (roll), 7}d per lo I Freaa nutter, 8d to Ham, 8d per It 9d per lb Fresh eggs. Is 2d dcz I Salt butter : not buying Fresh butler, good ordinary (in lib and |lb prints), 8d to 10d per lb. Pigs, 1301 bto 160:b, 31 d. Honey, 3£d. Fowls, 3s to 3s 6d (boiling). Also buying rabbits. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLEGRAM. WELLINGTON, March 21. The Commerce Department has received the following . cablegram from the High Commissioner, dated March 19:—The mutton market is strong, prices advancing for all descriptions. The demand is principally speculative. On account of the difficulty of obtaining supplies holders are firm. The average price of Canterbury is 4£d; North Island, 4^d; Australian, 3|d; River Plate, 3|d. The lamb market is very firm, with a general active demand. Canterbury lamb is averaging s|d peir lb, and other New Zealand s|d; Australian and River Plate, 4fd. The beef market is firm. The stock on hand is small, and high prices are restricting business in New Zealand beef. New Zealand hindquarters average 4gd,~' forequarters. 3|d. The butter market is steady, with a moderate demand, but the high level of values restricts business. Buyers are holding back, expecting prices ’to go lower. The shipment of butter per Corinthic arrived in good condition. Average prices: Choicest New Zealand, 124 s per cwt; Australian and Argentine, 121 s; Danish, 130 s; Siberian, 1225. The cheese market is very firm. Buyers are cautious, and business dull. New Zealand finest while cheese is .averaging 625; coloured, 60s. _ The hemp market is quiet, with small business doing. Prices: Spot, Now’ Zealand, good fair, £25 per ion, fair £24; Manila, current £24 Ids; April to Juno shipments, good fair £24 10s, fair £23 10s; Manila, £23. The week’s output of hemp from Manila was 26,000 bales. CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 18. The local wheat market is weaker, sales taking place on a lower basis than last week. This is particularly the case in regard to damaged grain. Some inquiries have come to hand from London, but the uncertainty regarding quality prevents definite offers from being made. For a parcel that was shipped early 37s 6d per quarter was given. There is a fair quantity of wheat still changing hands, but only choice lots bring 3s 8d at country stations, good milling ranging from 3s 6d to 2s 7d, second class milling 3s to 3s 3d, and damaged 2s 9d to 3s. For a line of 500 sacks of prime pearl, and for another line of prime Tuscan, 3s 8d was paid. Other sales reported are 1000 bushels each of Hunters and Tuscan at 3s 3d, and 1000 bushels of Tuscan at 3s 3d, at country stations. Oats are still very firm, though at present prices no export business can be done. For extra good quality Is lOd would probably be paid, but most of the business is being don© at Is 8d to Is 9d for short oats and extra good duns. Lines of 900 bushels of Gartens were taken at Is 8d at a 2|d station, and 900 bushels of snarrowbills at the same figure at a handy station, the latter being a great deal discoloured. Gartens are generally worth Is 8d to Is 9d, duns Is 7d to Is Bd, and Danish Is 6d to Is 7d. , , , Oat sheaf chaff is in short supply, and firmer in price. Cocksfoot remains without change, and so far very little export business has been done to London. OAMARU MARKETS. (From Oue Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, March 21. The wheat market eased considerably on Saturday, and the week closed with the volume of business much less than that chronicled for the previous week. This is accounted for by the fact that millers are standing off, haying satisfied their requirements for some time to come, in some cases right up till October. During the w’eek sales of prime samples of velvet were made at 3s 9d and 5s Bd, on trucks, at country stations (less commission), and 3s Bid net cash, on trucks, at siding, was offered and refused for a large line. For a line of prime velvet, delivered at Oamadu, 3s lOd (sacks extra) was obtained. To-day, however, the nominal value of velvet and Red Tuscan is 3s Bd, on trucks, net cash, to farmers, at which price several lines changed hands on Saturday. Oats are still offering sparingly. Nominally they are worth Is 81.(1 for A Gartens, and Is 7d for Algerians. Sales -were made during the week at prices ranging from Is 6d to Is Bjld, on. trucks, net cash, to farmers. Malting barley has been sold at 3s per bushel, but the sample was thin and discoloured. A line of old/ barley changed hands at 2s lOd, on trucks, at Oamaru. Potatoes are offering very freely, most of the crops having been dug. During the week sales were mad© at prices ranging from £3 10s to £3 7s 6d net cash, to farmers, on trucks at country stations, and these may be taken as the nominal range to-day. It is. however, anticipated by some experts that the price will drop to £3 per ton after Easter, more especially as the Canterbury farmers aro now digging potatoes of good quality.

WHOLESALE PRODUCE REPORTS. Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports under date the 22nd inst.: — Wheat pei bushel. per ton Best milling 4/3-4/4 Oatmeal, in 25 ’s 210/0 Medium do ... 4/1 Oaten chaff 55/0—62/6 Fowls’ ... 3/5—3/7 Ryegrass hay 52/6-60/0 Milling oats ... 1/10 Straw ... 27/6 to 35/0 Feed oats... 1/8-1/9 Pearl barley .. 340/6 Malt barley ... 3/0 cwt Feed barley 2/0—2/3 Onions, good 5/0—5/6 Cape barley ... 3/6 per lb. Maize ... ... 4/6 Rolled bacon 7Jd —8d per ton. Side bacon ... 8^d Flour, in 200’s ... 215,0 Smoked hams 9d Flour, in 50’s ... 2"0/0 Cheese 6d—6ijd Pollard ... 80/0 Good salt butter, 9d 10 Bran ... 65/0 IGd, according to