THE BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 20

THE BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET.

Mr J. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, is in receipt of the following cablegram, from London: "Butter: Danish, llos; New Zealand salted. 110 s; unealted, 114 s; better demand. Cheese: New Zealand white, 71s; coloured, 71s 6d; market improving, demand active; prices firm."

Mr Soott points out that the recent attempt at bearing the Home cheese market has evidently not succeeded, which goes to bear out the forecast ho made when the information came to hand of the bear operations^ —namely, that he did not consider they would be successful.

CANTEEHUttY MARKETS CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORT. (Lyttelton Times, May 11.) Only a limited amount of business is being done in wheat, the principal reason being the limited offerings, but tho small amount of trade can also be attributed -in a measure to farmers being firm holders. Buyers are not anxious to enter into any extensive transactions just at present, holding that the prices current are too high in comparison with those ruling in the Home Country and on the Continent, whilst the majority of the Dominion's millers appear to have already secured fairly largo stocks, and are consequently not keen buyers. Prices, however, are firm, owing to paucity of offerings. The majority of stores are full, and, consequently it is out of the question for merchants to purchase for speculative purposes, as it would be impossible to procure accommodation. Oats, if anything, are rather easier, although there has been no quotable drop in values. A fair amount has been placed on offer, but already it is evident that the rush of the season has passed. Competition for contracts has resulted in the bulk of th© business going to Southland, where prices are relatively lower. Vessels loading during the current week have taken a fair amount of oats for the Commonwealth and English markets. Inquiries have been received from Australia for oatsheaf chaff* and baled straw, but so far it is understood the offers made have been too low to lead to business. Locally, only a small amount of trade is being done in chaff, which commands prices ranging from 55s to 60s on trucks at country stations. The potato market, with limited supplies, continues active, and the current price is £4 15s, while in a few cases sales aro reported to have been made at £5. Notwithstanding the high prices ruling, and the prevalence of disease in many localities, growers are firm holders, and in numerous cases refuse to accept current quotations. Tho market is firm, with an upward tendency. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra: delivery at country stations: — Wheat.—3* 6d to 3s 7£d, pearl to 3s Bd. Oats.—Algerians 2s 4d to 2s 6d, Gartons 2s to 2s Id; Canadians, 2s; Duns 2s 2d to 2s 3d; Danish, Is lid to 2s. Barley.—Malting 4s 6d to 4s 9d per bushel according to quality. Chaff.—Oatsheaf £2 15s to £3. Potatoes.—£4 15s to £5. Peas.—Partridge 3s to 3s Id. Onions.—£7 10s per ton. Oatmeal. —£14 per ton. Flour.—The New Zealand Flourmillers' Co-operativo Association (Limited) quotes the following prices per. ton, local or shipping :-Sack« £8 10s. 1001 b bags £8 15fl. 501 b bags £9, 251 b bags £9 ss. Bran £4 15s. pollard £6. Seeds. —Ryegrass, Italian and perennial 2? 2d to 2h 6d; cocksfoot to sd. Dairy Produce.—Cheese, dairy, large sid, loaf 6d; factory, large s|d to 6d. Butter, fresh local factory prints Is 2d, second crrr:de pats Is Id. farm dairy lOd. Hams 9Jd. sides 9d. rolls 9Jd, rolled hams 9|d. Lard, pats Bid. Eggs to Is 9d per dozen. RANGIORA. The quantity of wheat on offer this week was small in comparison with previous weeks. Tuscan, Hunters, and Bordier of first-grade milling quality were sold at 3s 7id, and pearl at 3s Sid. The offerings of oats wero limited. A grade Gartons sold at 2s Hd, B grade 2s to 2s OJd, A grade Algerians 2s 4d to 2s 6d, B grade 2s 3d, A Duns 2s to 2s 2d, B grade 25.. Linseed is very flat. There is almost a total absence of orders from Australia, and merchants are not inclined to speculate. Tho nominal price for best clean lots is from £l3 10s to £l3 12s 6d. and for dirty lots from £lO 10s to £ll 10s. Potatoes. —Tho current rate of £5 does not tempt many to sell. Tho fact is that crops are verv poor all round, and growers, anticipating a rise in values, prefer pitting, with the hope of getting better' prices later on. Oatsheaf chaff is dull, and £2 15s for good, briarht. clean stuff is the ruling rate, but possibly £3 could be obtained for something special. Merchants comment on the absence of orders from the North Island. ASHBURTON. Wheat. —Offerings have not been heavy during the week, and while sellerß are not anxious to dispose of their holdings, buyers are not over keen to give extremo limits. Sales that are being made are on tho basis of 3s 7d to 3s 7Ad for mixed paroels, pearl alone commanding id more. Oats. —The market remains firm, and all lines of good quality, samples offering, are easily placed. A grade Gartons command up to 2s Id on trucks; B grade Gartons, Is Hid to 2s; good quality Duns, 2s Id to 2s ljid; inferior down to "is lOd; Danish. Is lid. Oat-sheaf Chaffi.—The demand is improving, and buyers are operating at 57s od to 60s per ton for prime quality. TIMARU. Wheat. —Since last report the wheat market has further advanced, owing chic-fly to outside influences. A considerable quantity has changed hands during the week, and to-day's price may now be set down at. 4s f.0.b., sacks extra. Fowl wheat. —There is a good demand, but the market is bare. vSales of small parcels have been made at up to 3s 9id f.0.b., s.i. Oats. —Considerable business has been done here with Australia during tho last fortnight, and the market is perceptiblv firmer in tone. To-day's values are:—B

grade Gartens 2s sd, A grade 2s 6d, Duns 2s 5d to 2s 6d, f.0.b., e.i. Potatoes.—The market has further advanced during the week, and quotations for prompt shipment have now reached £6.