CANTERBURY MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 14

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. (Lyttelbon Times, September 1.) The grain market is not active at present. The cessation of importations of wheat from Australia is embarrassing several flour-milling concerns, and it is reported that anotner Canterbury mill is closing down for lack of supplies. The same shipping shortage has stopped the importation of Austral'an flour, which has helped the clearance of accumulated stocks of New Zealand-grown flour. Oats continue firm, the North Island being compelled to look to the south now for feed oats, which had latterly been coming in large quantities from Australia. Prices, n.vfi unaltered.

Chaff is not being offered so freely by farmers, possibly due to the fact that they are now busily engaged in the usual spring work on the land, for which the weather is now particularly favourable. The strongest demand is for heavy-weight Gartons; but this is in short supply. As indicated in a previous report, tho large shipments of chaff from Marlborough to Auckland, mostly in fulfilment of forward contracts, has eased the demand from the north - for Canterbury chaff. The Marlborough sample is this year a good, bright one, and the local growers are unable to compete, even at level prices, most of the produce on offer here being_ only of fair average qtiality. There is still some shipping to other North Island ports. Potatoes are firmer than for some timo past, and values have advanced by 10s a ton for the week. Opinions differ as to whether tho improvement will hold. In tho first place, the general opinion is that Canterbury growers have very large quantities unsold, and it is reported that some crops »n the Ellesmcre district are not yet even dug. On the other hand, farmers consider it more profitable just now to attend to their spring; cultivation. than to 'bother about marketing their potatoes, which, even at the advanced price, are not a payable proposition to tho grower. On ton of this comes an improved demand from Auckland, with the possibility of South Island potatoes being: required until December this year, owinsr to the lateness of tho crop there, due to the unfavourable weather when planting should have been carried out. So that, the potatoes being safe in the pits, the p-rower is inclined to let them stav a little longer, in tho hope that the upward tendency may eont.mue. But the season is advancing, and if the weather keeps warm two weeks should see a erood deal of sproutinsr of the tuHers. Not onlv does this mean deterioration in quality, but also loss of woiarht.. and a charge of about 10s to 15a a ton for pickintr over. Meanwhile, sales uro beincr freely made at £3 per ton. on trucks, and it is r^r>o r tpfJ that some lines have been soM at P.7> ss. Tn dairv produce, the Bonrd of Trade's fixerl prices of butter expire to-day. but. no has been made as to tho summer trade. Tho "cut" in wholesale prices of butter is still confined to one

j factory, due to circumstances recently j .- . : .u> in several instances retailers I aro selling tho usually higher -priced lines j at competitive prjces. j The quotations given below aro for ' purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, delivered at country stations. In , the case of wheat tho maximum prices ! a t Iby the Board of Trade, on an f.o.b. basis. The quotations are as follow: .. .ie.it—Pearl, os lid, f.0.b., Lyttelton; I Hunters, 5s lOd, f.0.b., Lyttelton; Tuscan, jss 9d, f.0.b., Lyttelton"; oats —Gartons, !3s 8d to 4s;. Algerians, 3s 6d to 3s Gd; Duns, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; barley—malting, 4s 6d to 5s 3d; peas—Partridge, 6s; bran, £3 10s;; pollard, £6 15s; oatmeal, £22; flour, £ls; ohaff (nominal), £4 to £4 10s; potatoes, £3; ryegrass seed, 3s 6d to 4s 9d; cocksfoot, 9d to 10£d; white clover (farm dressed), 2s to 2s Id; oowgrass, Is to Is 3d. The following are tho prices paid by grocers and merchants: ■— Dairy factory cheese. 10£d; butter —local factory (first grade), Is s£d and Is sfd; farm separator pats, Is 2d; dairy pats, Is Id; dairy (bulk), lid; hams, Is 2d; sides, Is Id; roll hams, Is 8d; lard pats, W£d; eggs, Is to Is Id. TIMARU MARKETS. (Christchurch Press, September 1.)

There is nothing to report with regard to wheat, offerings still being practically nil. Oats remain firm, but very littlebusiness is doing, except in seed lines. Oatsheaf chaff is inclined to be a little weaker, owing to very heavy shipments to the main consuming centres. Tho Australian strike has made available for the coastal trade a number of Union Company's boats previously engaged in the intercolonial trade, and this has helped towards a congestion of chaff in Auckland. Good quality bright heavy chaff is worth £4- 10s on trucks country stations, while lighter is worth £4. Tho potatoe market has firmed considerably, and a good deal rf business has boon done during the week with the North Island. Values to-day range from £3 2s 6d to £3 7s 6d, on trucks, country stations, sacks included. It is reported that more than this has been paid for specially good lines.