CLUTHA DISTRICT PROSPECTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 13

CLUTHA DISTRICT PROSPECTS

A FAVOURABLE OUTLOOK

There is a splendid growth of grass this summer in the Olutha district, du9 to the mild weather so far experienced and frequent rains. As a result stock are looking very well, and lambs especially have made good headway. In fact, it is expected that lambs could be taken for freezers off their mothers without being put into the rape .to top off. But as the space problem in freezing works is r.ot going to be so acute as was feared some months ago, farmers will be inclined to wait until they are sure their lamtis will kill out well, and so, in spite of the dearth of shipping, a. good season is predicted. From present appearances the turnip crops are going to be highly satisfactory this year. Already several good "strikes" are to be seen on some farms up-river as far as Tuapeka Mouth, and some fields are now ready for thinning. Cereal crops in the country between Balclutha- and Tuapeka _ Mouth aro looking very promising. This is especially so in the case of oats, for although, consequent on a rather damp summer so far, there aro evidences of smut in the oats and rust in wheat fields, the Clutha usually gets dry

weather, with plenty of wind in January and February, and it is hoped that the harm which is' duo to the wet season, will be nonexistent before harvesting commences.

COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, January 1. Silver, 43£d per oz. Tin: Spot, £2BO 10s; three months, £277 10s. Other metals unchanged. January 2. The Chicago visible supply of wheat is 23,481,000 bushels.

January 3. Copper, £121; electrolytic, £123. Lead: Spot, £29 10s; three months, £27 10s.

Spelter: Spot, £54; three months, £4l. Tin: Spot, £272, ss; three months, £263 Silver, 43|d per oz. Turpentine, I^6s. Jantiai-y 4.

Bank of England returns: Gold coin and bullion in hand, £58,043,000; reserve, £31,058,000; proportion of reserve to .liabilities, 16.30; notes in circulation, £46,581,000; Government deposits, £32,075,000 ; other deposits, £158,411,000; Government securities, £70,834,000; other securities, £106,481,000. Discounts on short loans, 3§ per cent.; three month's bills, 4 per cent. Consols: £55 ss. War loans, <Bi per cent., £BS 10s; 4 per cent., £93 15s. - Following are the quotations for colonial stocks, a 3 compared 'with those for the pro-

* 1929-40 ourrency. t 1920-30 currency. Shipments of butter have all been cleared, and retailers are eagerly awaiting the next distribution, for which an Australian cargo just arrived, will be available. Wheat: Market lifeless, neither parcels nor cargoes offering, and nothing is available on the spot. Australian is quoted at 81s 6d to 82s 3d per quarter, ex quay. Imported flour: None on offer. Oats: Market firm; no colonial lots offering. L Peas and beans, strong*'at full late rates. Slugar: Granulated, 46s 9d cwt.

vious week: — Dec. 27. Jan. 3. Victorian 4's ... 95 95 3-5 Victorian 3£'s ... 84J 84J Victorian 3i's * S... B9J 70J Victorian it's ... Gl 61| New South Wales 4's ... 81 81i New South Wales U's ... 99£ 99£ New South Wules -i-i's t •■• ... 692 69i New South Wales 3's ... ... ... 69 602 Queensland 4's ... 83 80J Queensland 3i's ... 86 86J Queensland 3's ... 61A 61* South Australian 8*'8 ... 71 71i South Australian 8'8 ... 56 56 New Zealand 4's ... 85 85i New Zealand 3Vg ... 71* 72 New Zealand 3's ... 63J 01| Tasmanian 3i's ... 71 71 Tasmanian 3's ... 64 63f West Australian 3-J's ... 73J 73 West Australian 3's ...• 69 60