THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 15

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening. Latest cablegrams from London state tn.it the wheat market is quiet. There lias been no iurther reference this week to the alleged arrangement for the chartering of 25 steamers to convey wheat to England (says the Melbourne Weekly Times). On the contrary, grain merchants are preparing to cover country stacks, and extremely large supplies of galvanised iron have been obtained for the purpose. It is genorally recognised that at least a third of tho harvest will have to bo held over the winter. Exchanges report an anticipated shortage in the new European and American crops, which may lead to a maintenance of current high prices in London. There is no alteration in tho wheat market. Millers will not buy anything except prime lines, and then only in small lots. Stocks in stores and country barns are being firmly held by farmers. Velvet is quoted at 5s Id, red chaff at 4s 4d to As sd, and Tuscan at 4s Id to 4s 2d. Flour is quoted by some local millers at £l2 a ton, and by one miller at £ll 10s. Pollard, £7 10s. Bran, £4 10s. Oatmeal, £ls a ton for 25's. Pearl barley, £2O. Although there has been a great number of farmers in town during the week, tho quantity of oats offering has not been of largo dimensions. Most farmers, indeed, appear inclined to hold for a further rise, as tho market has been a little excited Consequent on tho recent purchases from Phristchurch. Prices at Gore range from Bs 2d to 2s 3d on trucks for good Gartens. What oats are being purchased are nearly all for railage to Canterbury for seed purposes. The shipping price is 2s 8d to 2s Bid, f.0.b., s.i. PRODUCE REPORT. Fair consignments of chaff are coming forward. A good demand exists for all sound lines. Potatoes show an advance on the week. The market is very firm for sound lots, with a rising tendency. Supplies of onions from Canterbury are on the short side, and prices show a smart advance. Eggs have receded in price, larger supplies now being available. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf, £3 10s to £3 15s; medium to good, to £3 (sacks extra). Hay, £5 10s to £5 15s. Straw.-Oaten, £2 5s to £2 10s; wheatcn, to £1 15s. Potatoes.—Prime, £5 10s to £5 15s; medium lots, £4 to £4 10s a ton. Onions, to £6 10s. Eggs.—Fresh, Is 9d; stamped, Is lid; preserved, Is 4d. Butter.—Milled, Is 3d per lb; dairy, in lib packets, Is 2d; separator (bulk), Is 3d. Pigs.—Baconers, 6|d to 7d per lb; porkers, 6Ad. Bacon.—Rolls (in quantities), Is Id; sides, Je; hams, Is id per lb; boneless hams, lis 2d. FRUIT REPORT. Business has been on the quiet side during the week. Good dessert apples have not been coming forward in any great quantity. Prices have ranged from to 2|d per lb, and occasionally 3d. Cookers jneet with a good demand at l|d to 2d per lb—the latter price for choice green. Pears are still plentiful. Choice realise to per lb, other sorts from Id to 2d. The season for tomatoes is about over. A few late hothouse lots have realised up to Is per lb. Vegetables, especially cauliflowers and cabbages, are still saarce. Prices are high, but irregular. During the week one lot of a dozen brought 8s 4d. Cabbages will no doubt be dear this winter, owing to the groat quantity being taken for the Camps at Wellington and the failure of the young plants through the attacks of blight and moth. The following are the current wholesale prices:— Apples are in better supply. Dessert Central and Christchureh, l£d to 3d; cookers, 2s 6d to 5s 6d per bushel. Lemons.—American, 40s; Auckland, 12s 6d; Mildura and Adelaide, 20s, to arrive next week. Bananas.—Green, 7s to 12s; ripe, 2id per lb. Oranges, 17s 6d to 20s, Pears.—'Cooking, Id to lid; desserts, to 2£d. • Tomatoes.—Local hothouse, lOd to Is; small, o^d; outside, finished. Quinces, IJd to l|d. o Grapes.—Local, 16 6d to la 9d. Vegetables, in short supply. Cabbages, $9 to 4s 6d per dozen. Cauliflower, choice 6s 6d to 8s per dozen; medium, 3s to 6s; small. Is to 2s 6d per dozen. Carrots, Is 6d per bag. Parsnips, 2s to 3s per cental. Swedes, 2s per cental, 2s 6d to 2s 9d per Back. Celery, 3d to 6d per bundle. Leeks. 2d. Artichokes, Is 6d to 2s 6d per halfbushel. Pie melons, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per cwt. Marrows, 5s 6d to 7s per sack. THE WOOL RATES. LONDON, May 29. The fifth wool series will be limited to 100,000 bales, of which 90,000, which arrived on the 6th, aTe allotted for September 5. The limit, if any, will be fixed later. Subsequent sales are to be held as frequently as required during the season. English buyers are gratified at Australia's prohibition of the export of wool outside the Empire. May 30. At the wool sales to-day 5515 bales were offered. There was an excellent selection, chiefly New Zealand and Westxalian. There was a large attendance of buyers, and keen competition, especially for merinos. Owing to their scarcity, best advanced 10 per cent, and average sorts 0 to 7£ per cent. Fine crossbreds were fully 5 per cent, better, while medium and low barely maintained previous levels. The wool trade considers it unlikely that the Australian embargo will be removed, and the general impression is that the situation demands the conservation of merinos for the next few months. May 31. At tho wool sales there was good competition for all merinos and fine crossbreds at fully firm rates; low and medium crossbreds were unchanged. The following prices were realised for tho fleece portions Of the New Zealand clips named:—Hopejrood, top I9d, average 18^,d; Westhoe,

top 184 d, average 17Sdj Kaputone, top 34id, average 33d. Official i Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations the military authorities are taking a census of all wool and wool products. June 1. At the wool sales fine crossbred and merino wools fully maintained their firm tone; medium arid low crossbreds were rather irregular. The following prices wore realised for the fleece portions of the New Zealand clips named :—Kaiwara, top 24£d, average 22£d; Lyndon, top 23d, average 22|d; Otemataka, top 19£d, average 17Jd. June 2. At the wool auctions there were animated sales, merinos further advancing and low-crossbreds being dearer; others were firm. The New Zealand Gear clip realised—top 19d, average 18gd; the Omarama clip, top 18d, average 17gd. June 4. At the wool sales 31,055 bales were catalogued and 29,713 sold. The stronger tone for crossbreds continues, and there was spirited competition for merinos at full sale rates. The Awhea clip brought top price 19Ad, average 18-|d. MELBOURNE, June 3. The Minister of Customs to cable for a full statement regarding the Imperial Government's attitude. SYDNEY, May 30. A sensation has been caused in woolbroking circles by the prohibition of the export of wool. May 31. The embargo announced at the Bris bane wool sales has been modified to per mit of the export of merino wool to Japan Private telegrams from Brisbane confirm the London cable regarding the reason for the wool embargo. The High Commissioner has advised the Woolbrokers' Association that the Imperial authorities are instituting the embargo because they feared a shortage owing to heavy American purchases. The commonwealth is negotiating with the Imperial Government, and come relaxation is possible. It is anticipated that the Brisbane catalogue will be offered in conjunction with the Sydney sales next week. The embargo dislocated shipping. The Waikawa's trip to Brisbane, to load 10,000 bales for San Francisco, has been cancelled. June 1. It has been decided to offer the Brisbane wool at Sydney next week on sample. June 3. The wool sales have been postponed pending the Imperial Government's final decision regarding the embargo. BRISBANE, May 30. At the wool sales the secretary of the Wool Brokers' Assoc'at'on slated that the embargo on export would not be lifted, and it would therefore be useless to hold the sale.

WELLINGTON SERIES. WELLINGTON, Juno 2. The last of the New Zealand -wool sales was held to-day, when a catalogue of 19,000 bales was submitted. There was a good attendance of buyers. Bidding was restrained in the early part of the sale, but improved later. Best crossbreds maintained the February sale levels,_ with occasional slight advances, but medium and inferior sorts were Id to 2d down. _ Merinos sold well. The sales will not finish till a late hour. The range of prices so far, compared with February, is as follows: Feb. price. June price. d. " d. d. d. Merino 12 to 13| 12 to 154 Halfbred super ... 17£ to 19 None offered Halfbred medium 16 to 174 16 to 184 Halfbred inferior 12£ to 15J 14 to 15| Crossbred super 164. to 184 16 to 19 Crossbred medium 16 to 174 15 to 16 Crossbred coarse 15 to 164 13 to 144. Crossbred inferior and seedy_ ... 11 to 144. 10 to 124. Crossbred pieces and bellies 9 to 154. 9 to Hi Halfbred pieces and bellies 10 to 114 9 to 10], Locks 7 to 8j 4 to 7 Crutchings Noneoffered 12 to 15 Crutchings, seedy Noneoffered 6 to 114 Lambs beet ... 16 to 184. 16 to 19i Lambs medium ... 13 to 15i 12 to 144. Lambs inferior and seedy 7 to 12 No bids Southdown 16 to 184. 16 to 18 NAPIER SALES. NAPIER, June 5. A supplementary wool sale and sale of oddments was held to-day. There was a full bench of buyers, Yorkshire, Continental, Japanese, and colonial houses being represented. The total number of bales offered was 4132. There was an advance in prices for the better classes as compared with tho February sales, but all seedy and inferior lots were neglected. Thero was limited demand for lambs' wool. Tho highest prices were : for greasy crutchings, for scoured crutchings, 164,d for lambs' wool, 15£d for merino, and "6|d for medium crossbred. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLE. WELLINGTON, June 1. The Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated London, May 30, -with regard to the London avoo! sales: —"'The wool sales have opened with strong competition and a large attendance of buyers. Merino and fine crossbreds of all grades are Id per lb higher; medium and coarse crossbreds of all grades are firm at last sale's prlce3. The total net quantity of New Zealand wool available is 28,500 bales." The New Zeafand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company has received the following cablegram from its London office in

regard to the fourth series of wool sales : —“ Sales, strong competition. Merino, 5 to per cent, higher; crossbreds (fine), 5 per cent, higher than May 5 ; medium, market firm, with upward tendency; coarse, about same as last.” Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. have received the following wool market cablegram from their London agents:—“Sales have opened firm, good attendance of buyers. Merino advanced 5 to per cent. ; fine crossbred advanced 5 per cent. ; medium to coarse crossbred shows no change.” The National Mortgage and Agency Company of Now Zealand is in receipt of a cablegram from its -London office a.s follows: —-“Merinos are from per cent, to 10 per cent, dearer. Fine crossbreds aro 5 per cent, dearer, while medium and coarse crossbreds are unchanged.” Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. have received cabled advice from their London agents (Messrs Sanderson, Murray, and Co.) regarding the wool sales as follows:—“Fifth series limit, 100,000 bales. _ Sixth series commences September 4; limit not fixed.” Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) report having received the following cables from their head office, London, May 30: —“Wool sales opened, selection mostly crossbred and Westralian; good attendance; competition animated. As compared with last close, merinos 5 per cent, to 71 per cent, dearer ; good combing, occasionally more; crossbred fine, 5 per cent, dearer; medium coarse, unchanged. Limit fifth series, opening 11th July, 100,000 bales net new arrivals. Sixth series opens sth September, limit, if any fixed later. Subsequent sales frequent intervals.’' May 51: “ Wool sales very firm. Good combing merinos 10 per cent., merino lambs 10 per cent., crossbred lambs par to 6 per cent, dearer than last.” Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. have received the following market cablegram from their London agents, Messrs Sanderson, Murray, and Co., dated June 1:—“Wool: Merino combing advanced further 5 per cent. Sheepskins: Merino combing advanced Id to Clothing advanced |d. Crossbred advanced Id.” COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, May 30. Wheat is dull on account of American weaknesa. A Calcutta message states that the final wheat estimate for India is 39,750,000 quarters—nearly a 16 per cent, decrease as compared with 1915. ‘Antimony: 10s 3d forward. Silver brokers buying for Continental units agreed to refrain from outbidding each other, recant selling having cleared much that was weakly hold "from the market, causing a healthier undertone. May 31. At the tallow sales to-day 1101 casks were offered, and 679 sold. Mutton: Fine, 50s 6d ; medium, 465, Reef: Fine, 60s; medium, 45S ' June 1. The Bank of England returns show that the stock of gold coin and bullion is £58,840,000; reserve, £45,276,000; proportion of reserve to liabilities, 31.72; notes in circulation, £35,289,000; public deposits. £53,534,000; other deposits, £82,858,000; Government securities, £38,187,000; other securities, £72,653,000. Short loans, 4 per cent.; three months’ bills, 4 9-16 per cent. War loans, £BB 15s and £95 15s. Following are the quotations for dominions’ stocks, as compared with those for the previous week:

Wheat : Market quiet and unaltered. Australian shipment sold to the Continent at 72s 3d, or several shillings above its market value, due to special circumstances. The American visible- supply is 114,909,000 bushels. Chicago May options are quoted at 104-A cents, and July options at 107-J, cents. Flour : Dull, easier. Australian shipments not offering. Oats : Slow. Teas and beans : Quiet and unchanged. Tallow : Stock, 6776 casks; imports, 2466 casks; deliveries, 2230 casks. Copper : Supplies, 37,837 tons; deliveries, 40,093 tons; stocks, 6562 tons; afloat,' 4100 tons; visible supply, 13,662 tons. Butter : Market steady, prices unchanged. Australian and New Zealand stocks are practically cleared. Cheese : Market easier. New Zealand white, 103 s, 110 s; coloured, 106 s. Sugar ; Unchanged. Bradford tops : Limited business only. Sixty-fours, 49d; super 60's, 48|d; common 60s, 47-id; 56's, 46's, 29d; .40's, 27d. Tuno 2 Tin—Stocks, 21,000 tons; on spot, 2512 tons; afloat, 3460 tons ; deliveries, 1852 tons. At the sheepskin sales there was a good attendance and active competition; 1500 bales were offered and sold at an average of one- penny advance, mostly on merinos Juno 3. The wheat market is quiet, and is tending to become easier. Chicago July options, 1052 cents to cents; September, 107$ cents to 105 i cents. Very little meat is being marketed. New Zealand mutton, 9d; Australian, 8 7-8 d; South American, lOgd; New Zealand and Australian lamb, lOd; South American, 12gd. The rabbit market is quiet. New South Wales, blue, ex store, 24d to 25d. It is expected that about half of them will be condemned. Tire jute market is lifeless, and quotations aro nominal. The hemp market is dull, and prices aro unchanged. Rubber.—Para, 2s B^d} plantation, 2a 7d; smoked, 2s 6id,

Copra.—May-June shipment, £33 ss. Cotton. —June-July shipment, 8.11. Juno 4. New Zealand hides (nominal), 2id to 24d. Tho total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,590,000 quarters, and for the Continent 4,270,000 quarters. The Atlantic shipments were 816.000 quarters, and tho- Pacific quarters. The total shipments for Europe were 1,485,000 quarters/of which tho Argentine sent 102,000 and Australasia 119,000 quarters. RUINED BELGIAN FARMERS. ASSISTANCE FROM NEW ZEALAND. CHRISTCHURCH, Juno L The Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of Canterbury have decided to associate themselves with the Agricultural Relief of Allies Committee of tho Royal Agricultural Society of England, which lias been formed under the patronage of the King to assist agriculturists in allied countries which have been invaded and devastated by tho German armies. It has been decided to forward the following remit to the annual dominion conference, *o be held shortly in Wellington:— "That the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of the dominion be asked to start and vigorously promoto a movement for the collecting of funds for settlement on the lands of ruined Belgian farmers, and that the Government be asked to subsidise any moneys collected pound for pound." An appeal has also been issued by circular to the farmers and pastoralists of Canterbury. DUNEDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PRODUCE HEPOET3. J. Lindsay and Co., Princes street south, rt» port under date tile 6th inst.:

Wheat per bushel. hem milling ... 5/U fowls' ... J/o—4/3 Milling oats ... 3,0 Feed oats.. 2,<i-2/9 Alalt barley ... tf/0 Feed barley ... 5/0 Cape bailey ... 6/0 Maize ... ... 5/6 per ton. Flour, in 200's ... BW/U Flour, in 50's ... 275/0 Pollard 15U/0 lirac 90/0 Oatmeal, in 25's 420/0 Tear! barley .. 430/0 y.gg*. fresh 2/2—?/4

' Oat«n chaff Prime 85/11 Good 80/0 Inferior fiO/0—75/0 Ryegrass rind clover hay IOW Straw: Wheaten 40/o—ls/;J Oaten 60/0 Rolled bacon ... 1/1 Side bacon ... yd Smoked hams ... 10d Uheese ... ... 10d Salt butter 9d—lOd (accoruiusj to quality)

Onions.—Canterbury, £6 103. Potatoes.— £G to £0 10s. Straw Chaff.—Wheaten, 30s; oaten, 608. FAltil AND DAXEY PEODUCK. Mr B. J. M'Ahthub (successor to Measrt M'llroy Bios.) George street, report paying ior produce during the week ending tn* 6th inst., as follows: -

Stamped fresh Kggs I ]/y aoz Halt Butter, \ji lb | Se;>. iiutter, J/3 lb |

Uonty (bulk), -U-.l lb Honey (section), «j/'J u° z Honey (Cartons), b/- doz Beeswax, /i.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, Juno 2. The High Commissioner reported as follows on June 3. (Note: The quotations, unless otherwise specified, are the average market prices on spot): —■ Meat. —The demand is in excess of the supply for all descriptions of frozen meat. Home-killed mutton and lamb are in small supply, and prices are high. Owing to the scarcity of New Zealand mutton and lamb, record prices are being made for Argentine lamb. New Zealand mutton, B|d per lb; owe mutton, S^-d; New Zealand iamb, 9-^d; Argentine mutton, lOd; Argentine lamb, 12£d; Home-killed mutton, 13d; English lamb, 15d. Argentine beef is very scarce. Chilled hinds, 12d; fores, 10|d. Butter. —'Ihe market is quiet, and prices are slightly weaker. Danish, 1723 to 176 a per cwt; Irish creamery—salted 160 s to 1645, unsalted 162 s to 1665; Australian— salted 156 s to 160 s, unsalted 158 s to 160 s; good to fine quality, salted, 152 s to 1545; unsalted, 154 s to 1565; New Zealand salted, 163 s to 170 s; unsalted, 168 s to 170 s; good to fine quality, salted, 164 s to 1655; Argentine, salted, 154 s to 1565; unsalted, 158 s to 160 s; Siberian, 1.30 s to 138 s. Cheese. —The market is weaker, and the tendency is downward. Prices are irregular. Canadian, white, 104 s to 106 s per cwt; coloured, 104 s 6d to 106 s 6d ; English Cheddar, 118 s to 1225; New Zealand, white, 106 s to 110 s; coloured, lC4s to 106 s; United States, white, 100 s to 103 s; coloured, 100 s to 101 s. The estimated Canadian and United States stocks in London, Liverpool, and Bristol on Juno 1 were 59,500 boxes, as against 63,500 boxes at the same time last year. The estimated stocks of New Zealand and Australian cheese in London and Bristol on Juno 1 were 7000 crates, as against 13,250 at the samo time last year. Hemp.—The market is quiet, but steady. The supply of Manila meets the demand, but, though largo shipments are expected, the scarcity of other sorts maintains prices. Government graded fair, Manila, £53 10s per ton; coarse, £sl ; New Zealand, good fair, £49 10s; fair. £47 10s; June-August Government graded fair Manila. £53; coarse, £SO; New Zealand good fair, £4B; high-point fair, £47; fair, £46. The output of hemp from Manila for the week ending last Saturday was 27,000 bales. Wheat.—The market is dull, and prices arc declining, the English harvest prospects being favourable. Canadian wheat afloat, 535; June-July shipment, 52s 6d; Australian, none offering. Argentine has been taken on'account of the Continent. Oats. —Tho market continues dull. Hops.—The market is firmer, as tho Imperial Government has prohibited their importation after Juno 7. Wool.—The market is very strong for merino and all grades of fins crossbreda, and quiet, but steady, for all grades of medium and coarse crossbreds. The Home clip is now coming on the market. SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (From Ouh Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, Juno 5. Tho oats market remains the samo as last week, the general buying price being nominally 2s on trucks for A grade Gartens, but any oats that are going through are commanding more money. Tho market is firm, and at tire moment it is a moot point with merchants whether it will remain, so or slacken off, all depending on the destination of certain purchases which have been made for Juno and later delivery. If the oats are not going out of Now Zealand it seems hardly likely that prices will advance beyond 2s, at any rate for several months yet. The chaff market is fairly firm, current -••ices being £2 15s to £3 on trucks for

prime quality. Many farmera are not aito sell at those figures. The potato market Is fairly firm, and from £4 &» to £4 103 on trucks la iow being offered, but farmers appear in no great hurry fco eell, especially as many ©£ them have pitted their crops.

Tho hemp market continues firm in spito of freight difficulties. At the same time sales aro fairly difficult to effect fiir ahead, buyers being afraid of tho freight problem, and of tho abnormally bigb prices at which hemp is now ruling. This being tho

oil season, there are practically no sales going through. There is a good inquiry lor undressed ryegrass, but prices are still fairly low, buyers not caring to exceed from 3s 6d to 4s 6d on trucks, according to quality and weight. There is a fairly active demand for wheat on the basis of 4s 5d to 4s 7d for velvet and 3s 9d to 4s 2d for red straw and Tuscan. The wholesale price of flour remains at £l2 10s, on the usual terms. OAMAKU MARKETS. (From Ouk Own Coiu:espondknt.) OAMARC, June 3. An exceedingly slow week has been experienced, many of those concerned being away at the Duiiedin Winter Show. The offerings of wheat from the country have beeu few. and it is now quite evident that oul.v a small quantity remains in first hands. Velvet is the "only variety for which any ready sale pan be found, and the quantity coming forward falls far short of the demands. One line of 4&) sacks was acquired at a distant country station at 5s o£d net, and several small lines have changed hands on the same terms. Some holders are demanding bigger money, and refuse to sell at the current prico. | GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report as follows :—Oats: There has not been a great deal of actual business passing during the past week on account of the Winter Show, a, large number of farmers being in town. : There is a good inqtiiry for all lines of good, bright, heavy oats, suitable for seed or feed requirements, and for these late ' rates aro maintained. Prime milling, 2s 4d to 2s sd; good to best feed, 2s 3d to 2s 4d; damaged and discoloured, 2s to 2s Id per bushel (sacks in). Wheat: The bulk of j the offerings comprise Tuscan of medium ! quality, for which there is little demand. I The only variety attracting millers' attention | at present is prime velvet, which is not I offering so freely. For this class late rates i are fully maintained. Fowl wheat is in j full supply, and meets with a moderate demand at quotations. Choice milling velvet, 5s to 5s 2d; choice lines of red wheats, 4s 2d to 4s 4d ; prime milling, 4s to 4s Id ; best whole fowl wheat, 3s 9d to 3s lid per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes: Consignments of late have fallen oil' considerably. This applies more particularly to lines of choice quality, for which there is a keen demand, and sales have been effected at an | advance on late rates. This rise, however, is not so marked in medium quality and faulty lines, for which there is only a fair inquiry at proportionally lowt-r values. ! Choice tables, £6 to £6 103; good tables, |£s to £5 10s; medium quality and faulty \ lines, from £4 per ton, according to quality. Chair: Consignments during the past week j havo boon very light, with the result that i the market shows a firmer tendency. The 1 demand is principally for bright, heavy oaten sheaf, which has been meeting with a ready j sale at enhanced values. Lines of dis- : coloured and medium quality are not so I readily sought after. Choioe oaten sheaf, i £3 15fl to medium to good, £3 5s to £3 10s pei- ton (sacks extra). !

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report: — Oats: The improved demand reported last week is fairly well maintained, and all good to prime lines suitable for shipment are saleable at quotations. Medium and inferior lets have ready sale locally _ in moderate quantities, and choice seed lines are more in favour. Prime milling, 2s 4£d to 2s sd; good to best feed, 2s 3d to 2s 4d; inferior to medium, 2s to 2s 2d per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat: Millers are not operating freely, and are in most cases very particular as to quality. Choice lines are easily dealt with, and good sound lots i are also saleable, but doubtful or medium ! lines are without any demand except as fowlwheat. This is offering freely, and is ; not readily quitted, except in small lines. prime milling velvet, 5s to 5s 2d; Tuscan, 4s 3d to 4s 4d; medium, 4s to As 2d; best whole fowlwheat, 5s 9d to 3s lid; medium, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; inferior, 3s to 3s 3d per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes: Consignments have slackened considerably, and with more inquiry Tor immediate and forward delivery prices show a decided advance. The demand is chiefly confined to prime j lines, free from blight and scab. Best j table potatoes. £6 to £6 10s; medium to ! good. £5 5s to £5 15a : blighted and scabby. £4 to £5 per ton (sacks included). Chaff: During the past week the market has been | poorly supplied, and the bulk of the chaff : offering ■ .. the snot at present is of only medium quality, for which there is not j much inquiry. " Prime oaten sheaf meets | with good demand, at an advance of about j 5s per ton on last week's prices. Best oaten sheaf. £3 15s to £4: medium to Rood, £3 5s to £3 10s; light and discoloured, £2 15s to £3 per ton (bags extra). RABBITSKIN RALE. The Dunedin Wool brokers'. Association (Otago Farmers' Co-operative, Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency. Donald Reid and Co.. Stronach, Mossis, and Co., National ; Mortgage and Agency, Dalgety and Co., Wright, Stephenson, and Co.. A. Moritzson ! and Co.) reports having held its fortnightly sale of rabbitskins. when small catalogues were offered to a full attendance of buyers. Competition was keen, and prices showed an advance of from Id to 2d per lb on late rates. The following are the quotations: Small, 7gd; light racks. ll£d; racks, 12J>d; summers, 11 ; early autumns, 16d; early winter, 20^d; autumn and incoming, 19gd; j autumn black, 38id ; winter bucks and does, j 23d; winter black 56d; catskins, 2d to 12£d; j hareskins, lOd; horsehair, ISJd. WOOL AND SHEEP SKINS. Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co. have re- j ceived the following market cablegram from j their London agents (Messrs Sanderson, I Murray, and Co.), dated Ist inst: —"Wool: j Merino combing advanced further 5 per cent. Sheepskins: Merino combing advanced Id to lid. Clothing advanced ijd. Crossbred advanced Id." SHEEPSKIN SALES. The Dunedin Woolbrokers* Association I (Messrs Dalgety and Co., A. Moritzson and I Co., National Mortgage and Agency Co., j New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association, Donald Reid and Co., Stronach, Mor- I ris, and Co., and \. right, Stephenson, and Co.) report as follows:—The usual fortnightly sales were held on Tuesday, when moderate catalogues were submitted to a full attendance of buyers. Bidding was ' brisk throughout, and late rates were main- j tained except in the' case of pelts, which wore barely as firm, while lambs and hog- j gets were selling in favour of vendors. I Quotations: —Best half bred and fine cross- j bred full-\*ool skins sold at from Hid to I 12£d; best full-wool crossbreds, lid to 12id; best half-woolle-d crossbreds and halfbreds, j 10j?d to Hid: pelts, best 7d to 8d; medium pelts, 5d to 6d; best lambskins, lid to ll|cl; medium lambskins. 9d to lOd; dead halfbred, to lOfd; dead crossbred, to 14d; merino, best, to Bj-d; dead merino, 5d to 7d.

MELBOURNE HIDE SALES. MELBOURNE, June 1. At the hide sales to-day there were moderate supplies, and good competition. Prices were unchanged. SALE OF SHOW STOCK. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company reports having made the following sale of for cattle at the Winter Show on the Ist:—For Mr A. J. 801 l (Stir ling), 1 two-year-old bullock, at £2l 15s; Mr R. T. Kirk (Mosgiel), 1 three-year-old cow, at £l9 10s, 1 two-year-old heifer, at £l6 10s. SALE OF SHOW EXHIBITS. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association of New Zealand report having held their annual sale of show stock in the Agricultural Hall on Thursday, when they sold : For Mr Wm. J. J. Charters (Ury Park, Taieri). 1 bullock. 3yrs, at £2C 10s, one do at £2O, one three-year-old cow at £2O, 1 yearling heifer at £9 2s 6d; Mr Jas. Gordon (Toiro). 3 hoggets at £2 16s 6d, 3 do at £2 12s; Mr Wm. Miller, jun. (Taumata, Waiwera South). 3 hoggets at £1 18s 6d, 3 do at £1 18s; Mr A. Fraeer (Forsyth), 1 wether at £2 Bs. ANNUAL WINTER HORSE FAIR. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) report as follows: —We held our annual winter horse fair on Thursday and Friday of last week, when we submitted* a catalogue of 193 Clydesdale horses and 34 spring carters, and light harness horses and hacks. There was an exceptionally good attendance of the public, and, in spite of the horse market being in rather a depressed state, thero was good competition on both days, and very little difficulty in disposing; of sound young horses of all classes. Aged and inferior horses, however, were practically unsaleable. We had consignments from all the leading studs in Otago and Southland, and, although no animals of really outstanding merit were on offer, there were several very good young mares and gc Idings. Messrs Konyon Bros. (Morton) had a particularly good consignment of young mares forward, mostly by the imported hcrso Relief. Their highest priced animal, however, was a six-year-old mare by Shepherd Lad, which topped the sale at 63g=, the buyer being Mr W. J. Charters, of Ury Park. The well-known Southland breeder Mr W. Waddell, of the Rough Craig Stud Farm, also had a particularly nice string of horses forward. His showyard gelding Star topped the market for geldings, being purchased by Mersrs Throp Bros. (Moa Flat) at £4O. His filly Flower Black realised £37, the buyer being Mr D. T. Shand (Clydovale) • and his bay mare Dainty of Waikaka Valley (2394 C S B ) was secured by Messrs Kai'n Bros. (Henley) at £36. Mr Hugh M'Call (Sea-

I ward Downs) also had a good consignment Jof young horses. Sis top price was 44gs, | this being paid by Mr James Patrick (Lee j Creek) for his pedigree six-year-old mare Lady Crest, by Silver Crest (imp.). On account of Mr Donald Macdonald (Edondale) we had some good big mares and geldings, which realised up to £36, Mr James Patrick securing the six-year-old mare Flower at this figure. The balance of this consignment realised up to £35. On account of Mr W. Herron (Pukerau) wo sold a big, well-turned I five-year-old gelding for £35 to Mr George | Cormack (Christ-church); on account of Mr | John Callander (Allanton), a four-year-old I Clydesdale mare for 58gs to Mr James Pa*- ! rick; on account of Mr John Stewart i (Crookston), a five-year-old mare Pearl, by i Captain Stewart (imp.), at £36 to the weU- ; known Canterbury studmaster Mr J. D. ! Wyllio (Sefton); on account of the Hon. R. M'Nab (Knapdale), a big fine-moving gelding, seven years old, at £35 to tho Ohristchurch Meat Company; on account of Mr W. M'Corkindale, a big heavy five-year-old gelding to Mr D. Lyon (Awamangu) ! for £32 10s. j The above are some of the highest prices j obtained, but there were a large number of j three-year-old and four-year-old colts and I fillies sold at from £2s"to £32 10s. * The i best of these horses sold in the neighbour- ; hood of £3O. Most of the horses sold came from the country. The few town horses i oilercd were a bit stale, and were not in ' demand. We were expecting a fair demand | for good young horses, but the attendance i of buyers was much larger than was generally- expected; and, in face of the stagnant state of the horse market for som :> time past, the demand was surprisingly good, fully twothirds of our catalogue being disposed of under the hammer. Amongst the light horses there was only one cob of outstanding merit, this being a good, thick, weight-carrying sort offered on account of Mr Donald Macdonald (Eden- | dale), which v. as secured by Mr W. J. | Dailey (Waimate) at £2O. One or two good i spring carters offered realised from £l7 to ! £23, but the majority of the light' horses i were of a very ordinary class, and were not in great demand. HORSE SALE. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association report:—\Ye held our Winter Show sale oi Clydesdale mares, fillies, and geldings on Thursday and Friday, with .an entry of 200 horses and a splendid attendance of fanners, graziers, contractors, and traders. Buyers were present from South i Canterbury, North Otago, Taieri, Toko- | mairiro, Balclutha, Clinton, and the whole of | Southland. Big weighty geldings, sound ! and young, although limited in number, realised highly satistactory prices. Hie entry comprised a large number of very useful mares and geldings suitable for town and country work. several consignments from the north western districts met with excellent competition, being noted for their hardiness of constitution and working capabilities. Aged mares and geldings were j somewhat neglected, but a complete clcari ance of this section was inalde at low prices. ! Young and sound spring-carters were in j fair demand, but harness and hackney sorts I were almost unsaleable. For draught geldi iiigs the highest prices obtained were £36 i for a big well-finished horse belonging to i Mr William Charters, Ury Park, and £34 I for a live-year-old gelding belonging to Mr i Peter Bathgate (West Taieri . Amongst j the sales were: —Mr Geo. Harvey (Christi church), five very nice cliffy mares and geld- ; iiigs. £27 10s to £32; Mr Alex. Hall (Nga- ■ para), five-year-old mare, £2B; Mr A. M'Mil- : lan (Waitahuna), five-year-old mare, £27; i Mr John Rend-all fi'e Houka), good class I aged mare. £2B 10s; Mr John M'Leod i (Maungatua), four year gelding, not heavy, £25 10s; Mr Felix M'Carthy (Maniototo), five years old gelding, £37; Mr Fred James (Ngapuna), mare, £29 10s. A large number of useful horses found new owners at prices ranging from £l3 to £25, and aged horses realised from £lO to £ls. For Mr A. W. Brown's pair of dapple grey buggy cobs competition was soirited, and they fell to the bid of Mr H. E. Pannett (Waipahi), at 41 guineas. SALE OF TAIERI MOUTH SECTIONS. Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. on the Ist held a sale of holiday sites situated at Taieri Mouth. There was a very large attendance of interested buyers. Bidding was spirited, and the auctioneers report the tallowing sales: —Block I, section 1, R. Mathias, £l4 10s; section 2, H. Day, £ls j section 3, W. M'Kinlay, £l4 10s; section 4, Mr Mathias, sl4 10s.; section 5. Mr Wilson, £2l 10s; section 6, a client, £l2 10s; section 7, Mr Mathias, £l2 10s-; section 8, C. Taylor, £11; section 9, a client, £11; section 10, Mr Mathias, £ll 10s; section 11, Mr Mathias, £7 10s; section 12, a client, £lO 10s; section 13, Mr Wilson, £l2; section 14, Mr C. Wilson, £l2; section 15, Mr Mathias, £11; section 16, Mr Mathias, £l6 10s; section 17, Mr Watson, £l2; section 18. Mr A. Whalen, £ll 10s; section 19, Mr Barber, £ll 10s; sec-ion 20, a client, £10; section 21, Mr Jas. Adam, £11; section 22, Mr C. Wilson £11; section 23, Mr Mason, £lO 10s; section 24, a client, £9 10s; section 26, Mr Thomson, £ls 10s. Block II: Section 1, Mr Carter, £8 10s; section 2, Mr Boyes £ls 10s; section 3, Mr H. Swan, £l3 10s; section 4, Mr Spence, £l4; section 5, Mr M'Kenzie, £ls; section 16, Mr R. Wallace, £l3 10s; section 7, a client, £ll 10sj section 8, Mrs Young, £lO 10s; section S, Mr Mathias, £l4 10s-; section 10. Mr W. Ross. £25; section 11, Mr Davidson, £l3; section 12, Mr Smith. £l2; section 13, Mr C. A. Wilson, £l2; section 14, Mr J. Wails, £11; section 15, Mr Ruddiman, £lO 10s; section 16, Mr (Stark, £ll. The whole catalogue of sections was quitted at satisfactory prices, realing £531 10s.

May 23. June 1. Victorian 4’s ... 953 95| Victorian .34's ... 843 804 Victorian 34’s t ... 714 72| Victorian 3’g ... C3J 634 New South Wales 4’s ... ... 854 855 New South Wales 34's ... OG 5-16 963 New South Wales 3’s ... ... 714 714 New South Wales 34’s § ... 733 Queensland 4’s ... 913 924 Queensland 34’s Queensland 3’s 87J 875 ... 644 65 South Australian 34’s ... 734 724 South Australian 3's ... ... 59 J 604 New Zealand 4’s 85J 874 Now Zealand Si’s ... 744 74 j New Zealand 3’s ... 644 62| Tasmanian 34’s 724 733 Tasmanian 3’s West Australian Si’s ... ... 634 ... 744 634 744 West Australian 3’s ... 694 694 t 1920-1940 currency. § 1 920-30 currency.