THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 22

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening. Latest London cablegrams state that the wheat market is very firm. The London Grain Reporter estimates the total requirements of wheat for Europe at about 189,700,000 quarters, of which 132,700,000 quarters have been grown in Europe, and 57,000,000 quarters will be required from the rest of the world before August, 1916. The area under cultivation in Now South Wales is 5,130,000 acres, and it is cxnocted that about one million acres will be cut, for ha 3*. With a prospective 13-bushcl crop, it will mean about 50 or 60 million bushels of wheat there this year. The other wheatproducing States —Victoria, South Australia, West Australia—are also wonderfully situated, both as regards increased areas and the crop prospects, and it looks as though Australia this year will produce about 150 million bushels of wheat. The freighting of this will be in the hands of the Federal Government, and it remains to be seen ■whether it is going to make a better job of it than the State Governments have done. The local wheat market continues in a stagnant condition. Millers are not anxious to buy, as most of them are carrying stocks sufficient to last them, for a few weeks longer. Anything that is offering from the north is of good quality, but most farmers are now asking for quotations, and will not themselves name prices. A sale of Tuscan is reported at as low as 4s 9d per bushel and velvet at ss. on trucks, country sidings. An Auckland agent reports under date September 28: —“Dunedin shippers are keen to sell at 5s 3d, f.0.b., sacks in, but buyers aro not very anxious to buy even at the lower values. Forward sellers are fairly numerous, but buyers aro scarce. Millers aro not operating at all, but aro using their stocks in the hopes that values will ho down further by the time they are buyers.” The tariff of the New' Zealand Flour and Produce Agency Company is as follows: Sacks, £l3 j 1001 b bags, £l3 10s; 501 b bags,

£l3 15s; 251 b bags, £l4. Pollard, £6. Bran, £5 ss. Oatmeal is quoted at £l9 a ton for 25’s. Pearl barley, £2l 10s. Oatmeal has been reduced by £2 a ton. There is very little change in the oats market, although the Government purchase during the week of 12,000 sacks of oats at 3s sd, f.0.b., sacks in, gave a little spurt to business. Occasional small lots arc going to the North Island, and North Otago is calling on the local market for parcels for feed for stock. A Gallons are nominally worth 3s sd, f.0.b., sacks in, and B’s Id per bushel less. An Auckland agent reports under date ■September 28: —“The oat market is very depressed, and Dunedin shippers are forcing prices backward. To-day B Gallons are offering as low as 3s 3d, f.0.b., sacks in, although the lowest Bluff quote is 3s 6d, f.0.b., sacks in. Evidently Dunedin holders arc wanting their stores cleared for the wool, and will sell at any price.” PRODUCE REPORT. Supplies of chaff have eased off somewhat, and prices are a little firmer. The demand is pretty well confined to prime quality. Consignments of potatoes have boon on the short side, and prices show a sharp advance. A considerable quantity has been placed with the troop ships during the week, and, as a result, local stocks liave been somewhat depleted. Merchants arc now keen to buy, but some farmers are not anxious to quit yet. It is reported that two merchants in Waimatc are holding 350 tons .between them, and that they say they intend to hang on till the end of the month. Prime picked tables arc worth up to £7. Auckland reports, under date September 28, state that the potato market is the only one there with any life. “ Brices have advanced the last week about 15s per ton, and the upward movement still continues. To-day’s quote is £6 ss, f.0.b., sacks in, but there are only a few sellers.” Sydney reports under date September IS: —“Potatoes: These proved a very disappointing lino this year, and it looks as though very little further business is to be done with you. Our weather conditions hero would be against them keeping any time, as wo are now having particularly hot weather for this time of the year. The Kauri and the Manuka arc now discharging, and it would be easily possible to buy out of these vessels at about £8 5s to £8 10s, and our market next week will entirely depend on what quantity comes forward from Tasmania.” Melbourne onions are quoted at from £ll to £l2 10s a ton, and Californians at from 15s fid to 16s fid per case. There are no alterations to record in the prices of other produce lines. Current wholesale prices are as follow; — Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf, £5 10s to £5 15s; medium to good, £4 to £4 15s (sacks extra). Potatoes.—Prime, to £7; medium to good, to £4 10s. Hay, £6 10s. Straw.—Oaten, to £3; whoaten, £2 5s to £2 10s. Eggs.—Fresh, Is Id. Butter.—Dairy, Is 2d per lb; milled, to Is 2d per lb; eenarator, in 11b packets, to Is 2d. Pigs.—Baconers, per lb; porkers, fiid. Bacon.—Rolls (in quantities), 10gd to lid; sides, lOd; hams, 9gd to 10d per lb; boneless hams, 10gd per lb. FRUIT REPORT. About 300 cases of American apples and 300 cases of American oranges were landed during the week. Jonathans realised from 14s to 16s per case, and other kinds from 13s to 15s. Valencia oranges brought up to 25s a case. All the lines met with a prompt sale. Another shipment of Valencias is clue to arrive next week. Some 500 cases of citrus fruits from Sydney—mandarins, oranges, pines, and lemons—will arrive on the market on Monday. They arc expected to make high prices. A small consignment of Rarotongan oranges, in fair condition, brought from 15s fid to 19s fid per case, and a small line which had been held in local cool stores sold at 25s per case. Vegetables are fairly plentiful, the recent rain having been of great benefit. Rhubarb is in good supply, and fair parcels of asparagus are arriving from Alexandra and Christchurch. Auckland sellers arc already quoting for supplies of new potatoes. So far Auckland grown have not come to hand, but it is possible that some may make their appearance next week. The following arc the current wholesale prices:— Apples.—Dessert are in good demand (short supply). Stunners, 11s to 13s; Rome Beauty, 11s to 12s; good to medium, 2RI to 2gd; cookers —Lord Wolseloy, 10s per bushel; Greenings, choice, 3d per lb. Consignments are promptly sold. Lemons. —Adelaide and Mikluras, 14s to 16s. Bananas.-—Ripe, 17s fid per case; green, 13s to 15s. Oranges. —Rarotongan, 16s to 19s 3d per case; Sydney, 15s 6d to 17s; Californian, 25s to 26s per case. Mandarins, 16s to 20s. Passions.—Choice, 11s to 13s; poor, 6s to 7s. Pineapples.—Choice, 12s to 14s. Asparagus, 7s to 8s fid per dozen bunches. Vegetables.—Good supply. Cabbage: Good, to 4s fid per dozen; eacks, Is to 4s. Cauliflowers. Is fid to 4s fid per dozen ; sacks, 7s. Table carrots, 4d to fid per dozen bunches; 3s to 4-s per cental. Celery, 3d to fid per bundle. Spinach, Bcl to Is per dozen. Parsnips, 2s to 3s per cental bag; 4d to 8d per dozen. Leeks, 2d to 3d per bunch. Rhubarb, 2d per lb. MERCHANDISE MARKET. The ./Eon, from New York, is bringing a parcel of Barry’s Tricophcrous, also a shipment of Pinctrce turpentine and Nye’s machine oil. A shipment of J.D.K.Z. Geneva, which is in short supply, is on board the Arawa. A further supply of Golden Eagle tobacco has been landed ex the Batsford. A parcel of Robertson’s patent barley and groats, also of Dolman's mustard, will bo landed ex the Rimutaka. The Californian dried fruit market continues very firm. Advice by cablegram received this week states that the new season’s Thomson’s oil-bleached seedless raisins have all been sold forward. Thomson’s unbleached seedless raisins are quoted at SRI. Oatmeal has been reduced by £2 per ton as from Friday afternoon. The shipment of bulk dates which came to hand via America, is proving of very good quality. These are being quoted at 3gd per lb. The shipment was held up by the Customs Department under suspicion that the dates had come from Turkey, but has now been released under certain conditions.

Carton dates are rather scarce. They are now quoted at 6s per dozen. The latest selling price for bicarbonate of soda is 11s 6d per cwt bag. The prices for whiting have advanced. The ruling quotation is 7s 3d to 7s 6d, according to quantity. Small bottles of Hanson’s rennet are worth 6s 6d per dozen; large, 9s 6d. A special agency line of Japanese aerated water —“Hurano” —is now on the market. Another agency line is “Ivory” shaker salt, made up in 21b not weight cartons, THE WOOL SALES. LONDON, September 27. Good merinos and crossbreds are firm, but there are considerable withdrawals of faulties. The following prices were realised for the New Zealand clips named: Gerard, top 19d, average 17|d ; Taradale, top 28jd, average 24|d ; Dumgree, top 18d, average 17£d; Muller, top 13d, average 12Jd. September 28 Prices are unchanged for all classes of New Zealand crossbreds. The Braemar clip realised for fleece portions: Top average IS^d. September 29. Crossbred wools displayed better tone at the wool sales. Of New Zealand clips Owhaoko fleece realised up to the average being 19d; Kaipara realised 9d. September 30. The wool sales closed strong and active. Good merinos were selling at full rates, and for crossbreds extreme values were paid. Prices advanced fully from 10 to 15 per cent, on the fortnight. The record price of 18d was paid for greasy comeback and crossbreds. September 30. There is better competition for all sorts at late rates. The following prices were realised for the fleece portions of the clips named; —New Zealand old, top average 14|d ; Waipolai, top 25d, average 20|d. Bradford dull, and business small; 64’s, 39£d; super 60’s, 40’s, 23d. October 1. At the wool sales there were sold for Home consumption 128,000 bales, for the Continent 7000 bales, and for the United States 15,000 bales, and 50,000 bales were held over. The series was marked by a strong United States demand for best crossbreds. The Russian demand was fitful and erratic, but more normal and cheerful towards the close. For best scoured merinos there was a strong demand, generally -gd above July rates. Good greasy combings were firm and unchanged, faulties further declined 5 per cent. For all fine, medium crossbreds the highest prices of the year were obtained; shabby and faulty declined 5 per cent. For finer scoured there was a good demand at par to 5 per cent, decline; slipes weakened till 15 per cent, below July rates. During the last 10 days a strong demand arose, including buyers from the United States. Some slipes recovered Ad. Crossbred lambs declined 15 per cent. Merinos are scarce, and advanced from 5 to 7-| per cent. The following prices were realised for the New Zealand clips named :—Mesopotamia, top 30d, average 27-J,d ; The Lakes, top average 27^d; Kaiapoi, top 25d, average 24£d; Waitae, top 15d, average 14-2 d i Omananea, top 12£d, average ll|d. SYDNEY, September 29. There has been a more active and hardening market to-day for good wools, particularly crossbreds, which sold at from 10 to 15 per cent, above the prices of a fortnight ago. Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Go. (Ltd.) have received the following wool market cablegram, dated 27th inst., from their London agents: —“Inferior and faulty wools practically unsaleable.” The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company has received the following cablegram from its London office: “ Sales closed better tone. As compared with J uly, inferior merino, scoured, fine crossbred, 7|- per cent, to 10 per cent. ; scoured medium, coarse, 10 per cent, to 15 per cent,; crossbred greasy and lambs, 10 per cent. ; scoured merino, medium, 5 per cent, to per cent, lower.” The National Mortgage and Agency Company of Now Zealand is in receipt of the following cablegram from its London office;—“Wool sales: Greasy cross closed steady, merinos unchanged, slipo 15 per cent., scoured cross 12| per cent, below July.” COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, September 27. Wheat: Firm. Only one cargo of Australian offering. The Bank of Australasia deposits are £20,699.952; cash securities, £9.704,281; bills, £19,427,302. September 28. Wheat is firm, with few sellers. Two sailing ships have filled with wheat from Australia for the United . Kingdom. January-February delivery, 60s. September 29. Wheat. American visible supply, 29,559.000 bushels; Chicago December options 93J to 96| cents," May options 96§ to 98§ cents. September 29. Wheat is very firm. Turpentine, 35s 10id. At the tallow sales 1429 casks wore offered and 893 sold. Mutton : Fine, 37s 9d; medium, 355. Beef : Fine, 37s 6d; medium, 34s 6d. September 30. The Bank of England returns show that the stock of gold coin and bullion is £61,818,000; reserve, £48,659,000; proportion of reserve to liabilities, 24.70; notes in circulation, £32,800,000 ; public deposits, £116,217,000; other deposits, £76,689,000; Government securities, £31,287,000; other securities, £132,315,000. Short loans, 4-g per cent.; three months’ bills, 4| per cent-. Consols, £65.

Following are the prices for Government stocks as compared with those ruling

Other colonial stocks are unchanged. * Karly currency, t 1920-1940 currency. § 1020-30 currency. Sugar. —Firm and unchanged. Butter.—Very firm; Danish is still advancing. Cheese. —Quiet. New Zealand, 76s and 775. Wheat. —Firmly held; 51s was paid for the Bluestem Walla sailer, which is about to load. Flour. —Firm. Oats.—La Plata, October, 25s 6d. Peas. —Scarce and firmly held; New Zealand Maples, 625, 655. Beans. —Firm at full prices. October 1. Antimony. 9s 6d, 10s. Danish butter. 198 s to 2025. Tallow: The stock amounts to 11,865 casks; imoort, 4591; deliveries, 4389. Octobe? 2. The wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is S3s,oooqrs, and for the Continent 1,745,000qr5. The Atlantic shipments amount to 669,000qr5, and the Pacific shipments to 58,000. Tho total shipments from Europe are 835,000qr5, Russia 40,000qrs and other countries 19,000, The wheat market is firm. Chicago options, 96| cents to 94g cents; May options 98g cents to 96g cents. Mr Snow estimates the American winter wheat crop at 646,000,000 bushels, and the spring crop at 352,000,000 bushels. Hemp: Quiet and unchanged. Cotton: October and November shipments, 61701.-. Jute: September and October shipments, £25 ss. Copra: September and October shipments, £22 7s 6d. Rubber: Para, 2s 4d to 2s s|d; plantation and smoked, 2s 4|d. Silver: 23 13-16 d per oz. Tin; Tho stocks amount to 17,2861b5, spot 25281 b, afloat 14481 b, deliveries 26601 b. SYDNEY. September 30. Tho banks have altered the rate of exchange on London, which arc now framed on a 4g per cent, basis. FROZEN MEAT MARKET. LONDON, October 2. The following are the latest quotations for all classes of meat, including ex-store sheep. In the case of those not quoted the price is unchanged:— Sept. 25. Oct. 2. d. dOanterbury mutton, light Canterbury mutton, medium ... Canterbury mutton, heavy ... ... 7 Southland mutton N.I. mutton, best brands, 56-641 b K.I. mutton, ordinary, 56-C4lb ... N.Z. ewes Australian mutton, light Australian mutton, medium ... Australian mutton, heavy Australian ewes 5$ Eiver Plate mutton, ligat, 40-651 b Hirer Plate mutton, heavy, 56-721 b Eiver Plato ewes Canterbury lamb, light 7J Canterbury lamb, second quality Canterbury lamb, medium ... Canterbury lamb, heavy North Island lamb, selected ... North Island lamb, ordinary ... Southland lamb, selected Southland lamb, ordinary Australian lamb, best brands ... Australian lamb, fair quality ... Australian lamb, inferior ■ 6J Eiver Plata lamb, first quality... Elver Plats lamb, second quality New Zealand beef, fores New Zealand beef, hinds Australian beef, fores Australian beef, hinds E. Plata beef, chilled fores ... 5 6§ B. Plate beef, chilled hinds ... 8J B. Plate beef, frozen fores ... E. Plate beef, frozen hinds ... S. American sheep, light ... S. American sheep, heavy ... S. American lambs, first quality 7J S. American lambs, second quality 7 S. American ewes Other meats are unchanged. Babbits. —Tery firm owing to a shortage. New South Wales blues, 24s 6d to 255, cx store. LONDON SHEEPSKIN SALES. LONDON, September 30. At tho sheepskin sales 5600 bales of Australasian were offered. About 800 were •withdrawn. There was a fair attendance. Merino combings were unaltered, clothings a shade lower ; crossbred combings from par to id lower, and clothings neglected. Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. have received tho following sheepskin market cablegram from their London agents, dated September 50: —“Sheepskin market prac-

a week ago : — Victorian 4’s Sept. 23. ... 95} Sept. 30. 95} Victorian 3’s * ... — — Victorian Si’s ... — — Victorian 34’s f — — Victorian 3’s — — New Soutli Wales 4’s 05 — New Soutli Wales 3i’s 05} 95} New South Wales 3’s ... 78} — New South Wales 34’s § ... 83» 83} Queensland 4’s — — Queensland 3-i’s ... Queensland 3’a — South Australian 34’s ... — South Australian 3’s ... ... — — New Zealand 4i's 95 — New Zealand 4’s — New Zealand 34's — — New Zealand 3’s ... — — Tasmanian 31’s ... — — Tasmanian 3’s ... ••• ... — — West Australian 34's ... — — West Australian 3’s ... —