THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2978, 12 April 1911, Page 18

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

r riuay. The course of the markets abroad during the last few weeks has made it clear that plenty of wheat is available in various parts of the world to supply European requirements for the next tew months, while the position of the crops in Europe and North America docs not appear to give any ground for anxiety. Furthermore, the cablegrams received from Australia this week intimate a fail there during the past week, shippers in Sydney now offering 3s Id to 3s 2d as against 3s 2gd the previous week. The Melbourne market has also weakened -ad, but in Adelaide values have gone up 2d. It is rather hard to account for the latter increase, unless it be that the South Australian market is just at present in a rather tender condition, and it has been fluctuating considerably within the past four weeks. As a result of the unfavourable reports received from Australia and England, local millers have not been operating at present prices, which so far as they are j concerned may be described as merely I nominal. Few samples have been c flaring 1 from either north or south during the whek, and if farmers pressed .sales at the present juncture the result would no doubt be a reduction on the prices ruling during the pant week or 10 days. It is difficult to give a forecast of .the future 1 of the market, but if prices in Londonwhich governs the world’s markets —recede much further it must bo certain to reflect on our local prices. Nevertheless, farmers are at present firmly holding their stocks of wheat. Millers hold fairly, i good stocks, and consequently are not willing to pay holders’ present quotations, preferring to wait future developments. ; Apart from the millers’ operations, Bio market has assumed a slightly better ! tone, with sales a little bit easier to 1 effect than was the case a week ago, though prices remain unaltered. It is reported that a fair quantity of wheat vyas secured yesterday afternoon by two shippers at the prevailing values. I Christphuroh reports also refer to the disinclination of growers to accept c-ur-I rent prices, and an absence of speculation owing to the, low prices ruling in the Commonwealth and in the Home Country, i Bccrbohm reports as follows under date February 24: — l The wheat market has been very quiet all through tl c v eek, prices sagging from day to day up to yesterday, when, with Plate shippers pressing sellers at a decline of about 6d per quarter, and holders of all other descriptions willing to accept lower prices, the weakness became very pronounced. New crop Indian wheats were also offered freely, No. 2 Club Calcutta selling at Is 3d decline on the week. At present there appears to be very little in- ! clination on the part of buyers to operate freely even at the lower level, consumers continuing to adopt a very cautious policy. The change to milder weather in South Russia, leading to the expectation of more liberal shipments in the near future, has also been against the market. The world’s shipments were again fairly liberal, but the proportion to the U.K. direct still continues on a small scale. The imports to the U.K. last week were below the consumptive requirements, resulting in a further deoreise pn port stocks, and this is likely to be the case again this week, especially as deliveries of English wheat will now be falling off, after having been quite large during the past four weeks. The Continental demand for cargoes is, poor; several further cargoes, originally bought for Continental account, have been offered on resale - this week, but unless the United Kingdom demand improves considerably they will have to bo ordered home. Included in last week’s exports from Australia were no less than 90,000 quarters per steamers for France, whilst this week a further 64,000 quarters have been shipped direct to the same destination, making the 1 total since January 1 340,000 quarters; this, no doubt, partly explains the absence of demand for sailers. On the American markets prices have continued to decline during the week, the favourable outlook for the winter wheat cron, and the absence of any export demand of consequence, i being the principal causes of the weaknesev It is quite probable, provided nothing unfavourable happens to the winter wheat ©rep, that, later on, there may bo a moderate increase in shipments from the United States, partly in the shape of flour. The present level of prices is a moderate one, but buyers, in view of the present favouri able outlook for another large world’s crop, are very reserved. At the same time, with the exception of India, the crops in other countries have still four or five months’ weather vicissitudes to go through before they can bo considered safe.” j . Writing under date April 1, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that “ the wheat market yesterday was easier, and 'in a dull state. Little business was done. Lon-

don was cabled as ‘dull,’ with no demand for Australian wheat, and another cable advised ‘dull and declining.’ Our own cable., reporting a cargo just arrived as having been sold at 34s a quarter, also indicates a decline on the price of a recently arrived or near cargo, and gives as a reason for the weakness the enormous quantity of grain on passage. Locally, shippers were offering yesterday for farmers’ lots on the basis of 3s 2d to 3s 21 d a bushel, ex South Sydney. For a parcel in store in Sydney from 3s 3d to 3s Sid would be asked. Millers wero offering from 3s 4d to 3s 4id for primest. and any portion of a purchase which did not come completely up to their ideas they had no hesitation in rejecting.” The Melbourne Argus of March 30 reported that, “ in the grain yesterday wheat was rather dull, reflecting the condition of the London market, which appears to bo influenced by the full shipments which continue to be made to Burooo from various parts of the world. W*oh the large crop in Victoria, it can only be expected that the local market will depend upon the markets outside Australia throughout the season. Feed grains show no alteration, the better qualities of oats being steady, and maize being firm owing to the ’ uncertainty as to the outturn of the crop.” Prices for wheat are;, nominally the same as last week—namely, 3s for Tuscan, velvet ear, and red chaff, while 3s Id is being offered for velvet, on trucks, in the vicinity of Oamaru and Waimate. For velvet from southern pai'ts up.to 3s 3d is being offered, according to railage, delivered in Dunedin.

while for primes* samples of velvet perhaps a shade higher values might be obtained. The tariff of the Flourmillers' Association for flour and other lines is as follows: Flour—Sacks, £8 15s; ICOlb bags, £9 ss; 501 b bags, £9 10s; 251 b bags, £9 15s; Oitmeal, £l2 10b per ton. Pearl barley, £l3 10s .per ton. Bran, £4 5s per ton. Pollard, £6 per ton. Owing to the scarcity of feed there is a keen inquiry for bran. The stocks held by millers are light, and there is no likelihood of prices receding within the next few months. The oat market is in an unsettled condition. Farmers are firm holders, and' are asking prices which will not allow of a paving business being done with-the North Island. However, supplies in the Nortn Island are not too heavy, and as a result forced purchases have had to be made in some instances to fill immediate demands. I It would appear that the farmer holds the key of the position, but, it must also not bo overlooked that with increasing prices largo users of oats will endeavour to restrict the consumption of this commodity bv trying other fodder. Still, at the present time holders are sticking firmly to the. prices they aro asking. Quotations are about the" same as last week, with a buovant market. Sales have taken place at 2s 4id for A grade Gartens, f.0.b., s.i., with B grade Gartons and A sparrows—both of which are in short supply—at £d lower. The reason of the shortness of sparrowbills is ascribed to the fact that tho farmers are now mostly devoting their attention to the growing of Gartons. There is an inquiry for "spread" delivery for several months ahead, while small quantities are being received for transhipment to South Africa, via Melbourne. It is expected that the next week or two will afford some fairly sound indications of the future values for oats. Ryegrass is very quiet, with only theprimest e stations saleable. Special good clean undressed seed id quoted up to 3s 3d. Oaten and wheatea -.traw is i,n good demand, with not too much offering. Prices have improved from 2s 6d to 5s during the week. Hay is very scarce, and is in prime request. Owing- to the prevalence of the grub- in the Oama.ru district, all lines o f potatoes arriving from the s:»uth are meeting with brisk competition, and prices have again advanced. Advices fiom the south report splendid crops in Southland, and it is, therefore, rather difficult to account for the increase in values. One of the reasons offered is that Oamo.ru shippers have nad to come on the market to fulfil forward North Island orders, their own crops having been ruined as a result of the worm. These .damaged potatoes are selling at any reasonable offer from £1 to £2 10s per ton, according to the ravages of the worm. The onion market is well supplied, with rather slow business. Eggs are getting scarce, and have firmed Id in price. " . ' Butter is still in short supply, with a keen demand. Bacon pigs aro scarce, and wanted. Current prices are as follow: — Chaff. —Prirro heavy oaten sheaf, £4 10s to £4 15s; medium to good. £3 15s to £4. Straw.—Oaten, .VI 15s to £2; wheaten, £1 10s oer ton. Hay.—£4 to £4 10s per ton. Potatoes. —Prime new quality, £4 2s 5d to £4 5s per ton; medium to good, £3 10s to £3. 15s. Onions.—Melbourne, .V 4 ss; Canterbury, £3 15s raer ton. Eggs.—Fresh, Is 4d per dozen; stamped, Is 5d to Is 6d. Butter.—Dairy, lOd per lb: milled, lOd to lid per lb; separator, in lib pats, lid to" Is. Pigs.—Baconers, to 4£d per lb; porkers, 4id. - Bacon. —Rolls (in quantities). 7Ad to 8d; boneless hams, 8d; sides, 6|u ; hams under 201 b, 8d to 9d per lb. FRUIT MARKET. . Supplies of all doseriptione of New Zea-land-grown fruits are rapidly falling off,, with a. consequent increase in prices. Tomatoes from Canterbury are slackening off, and prices firmed this morning to 2fd. Cooking and dessert apples are also in short supply, best cookers reaching 2gd, while desserts are worth up to 3d. There is likewise a scarcity of pears, which are now bringing from 8s to Ids per case for choice dessert, with medium qualities ranging from 6s to 7s. The market is quits bare of oranges till the arrival of the shipment from Rarotcnga next Thursday. There are 2275 cases of fruit contained in the shipment, the majority teing oranges. Peaches are firmer, as a result of the ending of the season's output. A few parcels of new season's Canterbury walnuts have come to hand during the week, and sold at up to 7d per lb. Lemons are very scarce, but the Mildura crop is now just about ready, and in two or three weeks supplies should be more plentiful. There is a good quantity of bananas on the market. Tho recent rains have had a beneficial effect on vegetables, which are now a little more plentiful and of a. better quality. Peaches are nearly over. Small jam, 2d ; medium. 2Jgd to 3d; extra choice, in crates, 4d to 7d per lb. Plums. —In very short supnly. Cooking, 2d to dcesort, 2J,d to per lb. Passion fruit, in quarter cases.—North Island, 6s to 7s per case; New South Wales, 5s 6d to 6s 6d per half-gin. Pears. —Local and Canterbury, 6s to 10s per case ; medium, 4s to ss; cooking, 3s 6d to ss; Tasma.nian, 6s to 8s per box. Vegetables.—ln short supply. Cabbages, from 2s to 3s 6d per sack; loose, Is 6d to 3s 6d per dozen. Lettuce, 8d to Is 4d per case. Cucumbers, 2s 6d to 5s 6d per dozen. Green peas, 2d to 3d. Celery, 2d to 4-d per bunch of six bundles. Grapes.—Choke local, 7Ad to Is; Adelaide, 3Jd up to 6jsd; - Blackberries. —5d to ssd. Honey—Choice, 3fd to 4d per lb; lOlh tins, 3s 3d to 3s 6d: choice sections-, 5s 6d to 6s 6d per dozen; medium. 03 to 4s 6d per dozen; in packets, 3s 6d to 3s 9d per dozen. Peanuts. —Japanese, 2J,d to 2gd. Barcelona nuts, sid to 6A<l; Brazils, BA.d to 9d. Lemons. —Italians. 17s 6d per half-case; whole cases, 30s; Mildura., 15s per half-caee. Market bare. Apples.—Locally grown and Christchureh are coming forward in small lots. Christchurch cookers, 5s 6d to 6s 6d local, 4s to 5s 6d; windfalls, in sacks, 7s per cwt; choice cookers. Id to 2^d; small fruit, lgd; dessert, 2d to 3d per lb. Tomatoes. —Christchureh : Outside, to 23d; hothouse, 2£d to.3£d; local, 4d to 6Ad. Pines.—Roughs, 6s to 8s 6cT|

Queens, 10s; in poor condition, 3s to ss. Bananas—Green, Bs. to 9s; ripe, 2d to 2£d per lb. OHEESE AND BUTTER MARKET. Mr J R. Scott has received a cablegram from London, dated April 6, in which the current quotations for New Zealand butter a.re given as follow :-Salted, 107 s unsaltcd, Ills.' The prioe of Danish is 120 s. lne market is slightly firmari Cheese is ruling at 61s od to 625, with an upward tendency. The Ruahine, which sailed for England on Thursday, took away 10,683 boxes of butter from the Dominion and 13,017 crates • At the' end of March there were 33,400 boxes of butter in the Government grade stores, while at the end of this week there will be a very large quantity m store A considerable amount of butter is being held back from shipment. IMPORT MARKETS. Most of the local storekeeepers have completed their annual stock-taking, and busi ness in the local merchandise market has now again assumed its normal dimensions, Jeyes's fluid, large, .which- has /been oft the market for some time, is again in full supply, a shipment coming forward by the Rakaia. Pints -and half -pints , have also been landed by the same steamer. The Rakaia also brought to hand supplies of Morton's cream of tartar, in 401 b tins, which was rather scarce on the market. This line is quoted at Is l£d. Tartaric acid crystals are likewise landing ex Rakaia, and are now costing moremoney, being distributed at Is 5d per lb. This price shows an increase of 2d per lb on previous rates. , - _^ Other commodities landing by the Rakaia which have been wanted for some time are Black Horse coarse and fine salt (tho latter especially). Peck's pastes, .in terrines, have also come forward, and are quoted at 8s 6d per dozen. Thomson's needless raisins are still short on the market. Merchants who have stocks are asking 4id per lb for them. Supplies of lard in pats have been difficult to obtain from the north. A small parcel landed recently has been selling at 7£d net. The Kent had in her cargo supplies of Golden Shred- marmalade, lib jars, which has been off the market for some weeks. This scarcity was caused by the wreck of the Aotea, which had supplies of marmalade on board for the local market. Sago and.tapioca are still advancing in price. Tapioca is very scarce, while sago is firm at 21s per cwt. A timely diipment of Juno tobacco has landed ex the Rakaia. The manufacturers of Senior's linoleum reviver have, owing to the cost of ingredients, advanced their prices to 9s per dozen for six dozen; less than six dozen 9s 6d per dozen. The shortage in Royal Vesta matches should be relieved this week, when further supplies are expected from the factory at Wellington, which would appear to be very busy at present. English stout is scarce on the market at present. The delay in the arrival of the Ariel was probably the cause of this shortago. • Indications point to an increase in French wines, brandies, etc., in sympathy with an increase in the Home market. The failure of the French vintage last year is the direct cause of this anticipated advance. SALE OF L NO. GREEN ISLAND (SUNNYDALE) SECTIONS. On Saturday afternoon, at the Early Settlers' Hall, Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. held a very successful sale of Green Island sections, fronting the Brighton road and also on tho Main road south of the point at which it joins the Brighton road Close on 300 people attended, and, as showing the keenness of the bidding, 29 sections out of 35 offered were disposed of by auction, the prices being considered eminently satisfactory. In all, the salca effected ran up to be respectable total of £1338, and in addition the auctioneers are in treaty for the disposal of two of the larger four-acre blocks at the back of the smaller sections. The area of these smaller sections was approximately a quarter-acre each, and the prices ranged from £27 up to £65. Following are the names of the buyers and the prices realised: Section 1, £62, A. Roberts; section ?., £6O, •D. Stevens; section 3, £57 10s, D Stevens; section 4,- £65, D. Sloan; section 5, £56, Falconer; section 6, £SO, R. Jaffray;'section 7, £SO, A. Roberts; section 8. £49, A. E. Dore; section 9, £4B, F. Crimp; section 10, £44 10s, W. Brundell; section 11, £33 10s, C. H. Duncan; section 18. £3O, G. V. Price; section 19, £4O, Mrs Anderson; section 20, £49, T. Miller; section 21, £42 10s, Tweed ; sections 22 and 23. £43 .each, W. Sloan; section 24, £52, H. Smellie; section 25, £62, J. Lindsay; section 26, £56, T. Barclay; section 27, £27. Mrs Mary Tansey; section 28, £27, Miss M. -Hamilton; section 29. £37. Miss A. Tansey; section 30, £53, R, Robertson; section 31, £46, Mm Tansey ; section 32, '£4o,' Mrs Campbell ; section 33 £37, T. Miller; section 34, £37, T. Barclay; seclion "35, £4l, Mrs H. .Johnstone. ,' The purchasers are moStfy Green Island and pity.residents. v

Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. report thesale of 11 sections in Musselburgh (part of Tainui). during the past week, at- an aggregate prioe of £9OO, with a keen demand. These sections are part of the 29 Musselburgh allotments which have just been put on the market.