COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 24

COMMERCIAL.

PRICE OF OATMEAL. ADVANCE OF 30s PER TON. The price of oatmeal has been advanced, from £2O 10s to £22 a ton. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, March 1. Barley: English, 4s lOd to sa; Cape, 3s Id to 3s 3d. Oats: Milling, 3s 2d to 3s 3d; feed, 3s to 3s 2d. Potatoes, £4 Is to £5. Onions, £5 15s to £6. SYDNEY. February 28. Oats: Algerian 3s 3d; milling, 3s 4d to 3s 6d; Tasmanian, 4s to 4s sa. Barley: Cape, 4s to 4e 3d. Maize, 5s 4d to 5s 6d. Potatoes: Tasmanian, £4 10s to £7 10s. Onions, £7 to £7 10s. ADELAIDE, February 28. Oats, 2s lOd to 3s. OAMARU STOCK MARKET. GTIiOM 008 OVVV OnUiSBFONHEKT.) OAMARU,,-March 2. The stock market on the whole continues quite firm, especially in regard to store sheep, and all classes in fat cattle and small stores! are slightly easier, and likely to remain so for some time. No doubt with the autumn ' grass falling away, the yarding for store cattle will be extra heavy, and prices likely to recede. It looks, however, with the very fine crops all through the country, that store sheep will hold their own. The demand, we believe, will be particularly good, as a large number of graziers have decided to-carry this class of stock through in preference to other stuff. Graziers' values at time of writing.do not admit of a great profit off fat sheep to the feeders, and it looks as if all 'through store prices will be right on top during the season for sheep. One or two large stock sales will be held in the various "centres in the near future which will determine what prices are likely to be. Prices may be quoted : Store Cattle.—Three and bullocks, £l2 to £l3 15s; 24-year-old, £lO 15s to £l2 ss; two-year old, £9 10s to £lO 16s; 18-monthers, £7 5s to £8 ss; yearlings, £5 10s to £6 10s; calves-, £3 5s to £4 10s. Fat Sheep.—Extra prime wethers, 38s to 39s 6d; prime, 34s 6d to 36s 6d; medium, 32s to 345; extra prime ewee, 33s 6d to 355; prime, 31s to 325; medium and lighter sorts, 26s to 295. Fat Cattle.—Ox beef, 46s to 46s 6d ; heifer, 43s to 43s 6a; cow beef, 40s to 41s 6d. Store Sheep.—Two-tooth ewee, 32s 6d to 345; four-tooths, 34s 6d to 365; eix-tooths, 33s to 345; eight-tooths, 30s to 31s; fresh, failing-mouthed, 25s to 275; yearlings and other eorts, down to £1; rape lambs, 22s 6d to 235; good store lambs, 21s to 21s 6d ; medium sorts, 19s to 19a 6d; two-tooth wethers, 28s 6d to 29s fcd; four and sixtooth 30s to 325; tuesock ewes, 32s to 32s od; tussock lambs, 19s to £l.

SOUTHLAND STOCK MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCAEGILL, March 2. The week has witnessed a good amount of business in the stock market, but au easement is anticipated owing to Canterbury operators having purchased sheep in the North Island on a large scale. This ,s likely to reduce the demand here, Canterbury buyers having been largely instrumental in producing activity in this market. Though a large number of sales are reported for the week, they did not include any transactions of magnitude, the chief of'them being one composed of 1000 twotooth ewes at 365, and another of 1000 ewe lambs at 265. Other business wa3 done at the following prices :—Sound-mouthed ewes, with lambs, 255. 25s 6d (all counted); fullmouthed ewes, with lambs. 22s 6d and 23s (all counted) • failing-mouthed ewes, with lambs, 23s 6d (all counted); two-tooth ewes, 36s 6d; small two-tooth ewes, 295; mixed four, six, and eight-tooth ewes, 35s 3d; mixed six and eight tooth ewes, 375; soundmouthed ewes, from 31s 6d to 345; soundmouthed 'halfbred ewes, 30s 6d; full-mouthed ewes, 24s 6d; sound-mouthed merino ewes, 20s - K cull merino ewes, 6s 6d and 7s 6d; fat wethers, 36s 6d; six and eight-tooth store wethers, 28s 6d; fat and forward ewee, 26s 6d; ewe lambs, 25s and 25s 6d; good rape wether lambs, from 23s 9d to 2456 d; mixed-sex rape lambs, 23s 6d to 24s 3d. Some pales of cattle in lines of various sizes are reported, the biggest being one of 70 head composed of mixed-sex yearlings, with sprinklings of older and younger animals, for which £5 10s all over was given. Other sales comprised the following:-—Fat bullocks, £ls and £l6; mixed two and ahalf 10 three-year-old store steers. £lO ss; two and a-half-year-old steers, £l4; two-vear-old steers, £10; mixed-sex vearlings, £5 to £6; calves, from £3 to £3 10s. ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. CHRISTCHTJRCH, February 27. At the Addington»yards to-day the entry of store sheeip was a good one, including

lines from Nelson. The demand was keen right through the sale for anything good. The range of prices was: Two-tooth ©wes, 22s 9d to 34s j four and six-tooth ewes, to 86s 8d; six and eight-tooth ewes, to 83s 10d; sound-mouth owes, to 83a 9d; two-tooth wethers, to 86s 6d; four and six-town wethers, to 81s fed; six and eight-tooth wethers, to 80s 6d: bap© lambs, 20s to 25e 8d; medium, 17s Id to 10s lOd; lighter and cull, to 17s. There were 8130 fat lambs yarded, as compared with 2110 last week. Prices remained on a pax with the previous sale. The range of prices was: Extra prime, to 84a 2d; prime, to 28s to 23a lOd; lighter, 22s 8d to 265. Fat Sheep.—Approximately the same number were entered as last week, and there was little recordable difference in values. Ewes were slightly cheaper. The range of prices was: Extra prime wethers, to 40s; pr Itae wethers, 84s to 38s 8d; ljghter, 20s to BS3 3d; merino wethers, 19s to 22s 6d; extra prime ©wes, to 35s 9d; prime ©wes, 82s 3d to 83s 7d; medium, 29s lOd to 30s 9d; ligtfter, 24s 6d to 275. Fat Cattle.—The yarding was rather smaller, a large proportion being cow beef. The quality was fair all through. Range of prices: Extra prinie steers, to £22 17e; prim© steers, £l7 to £l9; ordinary steers, £ll 17s 6d to £l7 10a; prime heifers, £ll 6s to £ls 12s &J"; ordinary, £9 fis to £11; prime cows, £l2 10s to £l7 2s 6d; ordinary, £9 to £l2. There was a very, keen sale of vealers, and the market was swept of laige sorts. Prices: Runners, £2 10s; good vealers, £3 2s 6d to £5 10s; fair, £2 6s to £2 8s; small and inferior, 63 to 88s. Store Cattle.—Prices remained unchanged. There was a large entry of dairy cows of uneven quality. A few extra good sorts brought £l7, moderate £7 10s to £9 10s; inferior, £5 12s 6d to £7. There was a small entry of store pigs, and ft good demand. Prices: Best stores, 55s | to 69s 6d j medium, 453 to 645; weaners, 22s 'to 275. There was a medium entry of fat pigs, and Government baoon price regulations quietened th© demand. Prices: Choppers, £4 10s to £6; extra heavy baconers, £5 5s 6d to £5 12s; heavy baconers, £5 10s; light baconers, £3 15s to £4 10s, equal to 8d per lb; heavy porkers, 57s 6d to 70s; lighter, 60s to 555, equal to B|d to 9d per lb.

LIVE STOCK MARKET. Burntide, Wednesday. February 27. Fat Cattle.—l 9) head yarded. The quality on ihe whole was fair to medium, with a few pone of prim© bullocks. Prices compared with last week's rates were slightly easier for medium quality, but good quality was firm at last week's rates. Best bullocks, £l9 10s to £2l 12s 6d; good, £l7 10s to £lB 10s; light, £ls 10s to £l6 6e; best cows and heifers, £ls to £ls 10s; medium, £l2 to £l3; light, £lO 10s to ill ss. The National Mortgage and s Agency Company sold: For R. Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 cows £l2 7s 6d; Wrn. Conn (Waipahi), 1 cow £l2 10s, 1 £lo.—The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency sold: For Peter Anderson (Stirling), 2 bullocks £2l 12s 6d, 1 £2l 10s, 2 £2l, 2 £2O 15s; J as. W. Blair (Outram), 2 bullocks £l7 12s- 6di, 1 £l7 10s, 1 £ls 7s 6d; John Callander (Allanton), 2 bullocks £l7, 2 £l6 12s 6d; Thomson and Co. (Wairongoa), 2 bullocks £ls 17s 6d; Alexander Menzies (Duntroon), 2 heifers £l3 7s 6d, 8 £ll 2s 6d, 4 £lO 17s 6d, pen cows to £lO 7s 6d; Mrs W. Kirk (Mayfield), 2 heifers £lO. Wright,. Stephenson, and Co. sold: For R. A. Johnston (Pukewhenua), 1 cow £2O; John Callander (Allanton), 2 bullocks £l9 12s 6d, 2 £l9 7s 6d; J. C. Benton (Owhiro), 2 bullocks £lB 12s 6d, 1 cow £lO 17s 6d; Mrs W. Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks £lB 10s, 2 heifers . £lO 15s; Thomson and Co. ("Wairongoa), 2 builooks £l7 7s 6d; J. Rawcliffe (Kokonga), 2 bullocks £ls 12s 6d, 2 cows £l2 15s, 1 £ll 12s 6d, 1 £lO ss; W. J. Sutherland (Birchwood), 1 cow £H, 2 £l2 17s 6d, 3 £32 15s, 2 £l2 12s 6d, 2 £l2 7s 6d, 1 £l2, 1 fll 10s 5 W. Lindsay, sen. (Allanton), 1 bullock £l7, 1 cow £l3 7s 6i; Mrs John Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 heifers £l3 2s 6d; Walter Blackie (Mcsgiel), 2 bullocks £l2 2s 6d; Thos. Thomson (Maungatua), 2 heifers £lO 10s; J. Cooper (Pukewhenua), 1 cow £lO 17s 6d. and Co. soldi: For Aigyle Station, 2 heifers £l4 15s, 2 £l4 ss, 2. £l3 10s, 2 £l3 7s 6d: K. Kirk (Mosgiel), 1 bullock £l6 17s 6d, 1 £l4; T. G. Spain, 1 bullock £l2 12s 6d;J. Vv. Blair (Outram), 2 bullocks £l3; Thomson and Co.. 2 bullocks £l3 7s 6d; John Callander (Allanton), 2 bullocks £ls. 'Donald -Held and Co. sold: For G. H. Paul (Milton), 1 bullock £8 6s; Sinclair Bros. (Titri), 3 bullocks £ls, 2 £l2 6s, 1 cow £lO 10s, 1 heifer £lO 10s; Thomson and Co. (Wan-ongoa) 2 cows £ll 10s; Walter Blackie, sen. (Mosgiel , 2 bullocks £l4; Wm. Lindsay, jun. (Allanton), 2 £l2 7s 6d, 2 heifers £lO 2s 6d; George Ford (Momona), 2 bullocks £l6 15s, 2 £6 ss, 1 cow £ll 2s 6d, 2 heifers £l2 2s 6d; I*. O. Hazlett (Salisbury), 2 bullocks £l9 15s, 3 £lB 2s 6d, 2 £ls 10s„ 3 £ls 15s, 1 £lB 17s 6d, 1 £ls. The Otago Farmers' Co-opsraUye Association sold: For executors of the late W. J. J. Charters (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks ±lB 15s, 2 £l7. 1 £l6, 1 heifer £l4, 1 £l3, 1 £11; Mrs Wm. Kirk (East Taien), 2 bullocks £l7 17s 6d; Thomson and Co. (Wairongoa;, 2 bullocks £l7 6s; Geo. M'Leod (Momona), 2 bullocks £l6 17s 6d, 2 £ls 2 £l3 17s, ML, H. Townsend (Woikouaiti), 2 bullocks £ls 78 Sd, 2 £l2 12s 6d, 1 cow £l3, 1 £ll 12s 6cl, 1 £ll 15s; Jno. M'Leod (Maungatua), 1 cow £ll 17s 6d; Walter Blackie, sen. (East Taien), 2 bullocks £lO 2s 6d; Wm. Lindsay, sen. (Allanton), 2 heifers £9 17s 6d -—Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For Roberts andl Co. (Gladbrook), 2 bullocks £2O, 1 £l9 17s 6d, 2 £l9 12s 6d. 2 £l7 17s 6d, 1 £l6 15s; Thonison and Co. (Wairongoa), 2 bullocks £l7 10s; J. Callander (Allanton, 2 bullocks £l/ 10s A. Allen (Awamangu), 4 bullocks £l6 17s 6d 2 £ls 15s, 1 £l4 15s; executors late W. -K-irfc (Mayfield), 2 bullocks £ls; W. Lindsay (Momona), 1 bullock £l3 17s 6d, 2 heifers £ll 12s 6d. ' ,-i Store Cattle.—A good yarding met with good competition at last weeks rates, all sorts being in demand. The National Mortgage and Agency Company sold: H or a client, 2 bullocks £l4 2s, 2 steers £7, ■ 5 bulls to £l4; H. E. Pannett (Waipahi), 1 cow £lO 12s 6d; Alex. Robertson (Waipahi), 1 heifer £3 37s 6d, 1 bull £9 ss; S. M'Knight (Ida Valley), 2 steers £lO 7s 6d, 1 cow £lO 12s 6d, 1 £6 16a, 1 £4, 2 heifers £8 17s 6d, 1 calf £3; J. L. Clarke (Woodhaugh), 13 steers and heifers £6 Bs, 10 heifers £6, S yearlings £4. The New Zealand Loan i and Mercantile Agency Co. sold: For Kain Bros. (Beaumont), 9 steers £l2, 2 £B, 4 cows £B, pen yearlings £4 123 6d to £2 6s; Hore Bros. (Patearoa), 1 steer £11; A. Menzies (Duntroon), 6 heifers £lO lis. Wright, Stephenson and Co. sold: For J. A. Johnstone (Shiol Hill), 1 bull £l2 10s; T. G. Spain (Kaikorai), 2 cows £lO 10s; Mrs A. White (Port Chalmers), 1 cow £9' 2s 6d, 1 £7, 1 vealer £4 13s 6d; John Rawcliffe (Kokonga), 1 cow £5 15s; Thos. Thomson (Maiungatua), 3 yearlings £5 lis; J. Braid (Halfway Bush), 1 bull £2. Dalgety and Co. sold: For clients, cows to £ll, bulls to £7 ss. —Donald Reid and Co. sold- For Mrs Townrow (Gavershain), 1 cow £9 12s; T. I/eitch, 1 steer £4, 2 £3 12s, 1 bull £l2 ss; executors late Jno. Kirk (Mos-

rel), 2 cows £ll 10s; J. H. Paul (Milton;, heifers £6 6a, 1 steer £6 6s, 1 bull £l2 6s. 1 £ll 10s; H. T. Jefree (Berwick), 1 steer £4 6s; T. Palmer (Taieri Mouth), 1 vealor £4 15s. 1 bull £7 10s; Carter Bros. (Saddle Hill), 1 steer £l2, 2 £7 ss, 1 heifer £6 ss; J. W. Laing (Sawyers Bay).l oow £9, 2 vealerg £2 Bs, 1 £2 6s; T. Wilson (Kuri Bush), 1 bull £5 2s 6d; executors late Wm. Kirk, 1 bull £l2 7s 6d; Sinclair Bros. (Titri), 1 bull £ll 16s; a client, 4 yearlings £4 12s 6d; Allan Keen (Taieri Mouth), 1 bull £4 12s 6d. The Otago Farmers' Co-operativ« Association sold: For T. Miller ' (Mosgiel), 1 cow £l2: J. Baird (WaitatD, 1 cow £8 10s, 1 £B, 1 £6; H. Yorston (Taieri Beach), 1 cow £8; a client, 1 cow £6 10s; Geo. M'Leod (Momona). 1 bull £l6, 1 £lO, 1 £9 6s; H. Townsend (Waikouaiti), 1 bull £ls; Jno. Kinney (Hyde), 1 bull £l3 17a 6d, 2 steers £6 4s; a client, 1 cow £lO 12s, 1 bull £6 15s; J. Naismith (East. Taieri), 1 cow £lO 2s 6d; H. Palmer (Otokia), 1 bullock £10; Rev. it M'Cloy (Otokia), 1 heifer £9 15s; executors of late W. J. J. Charters (Mosgiel), 1 beifer £7 15s.——Stronach, Morris and Co. sold: For A. Allen (Awaniangu), 1 bull £l6 10s; J. W (Jeeves (Kuri-Bush), 1 bull £l3 10s; J. Herriott (Waitati), 1 cow £9 7s 6d, 1 £8 7s 6d, 1 £7 2s 6d. Dairy Cows.—Wright, Stephenson and Co. sold: For Jas. Johnston (North-East Harbour), 1 £ll 7s 6d; J. A. Johnstone (Shiel Hill), 1 £7 10s. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For J. H. Paul (Milton), 1 £l2 15s; J. and W. Ford (Pino Hill), 1 £ls 10s, 1 £l3 17s 6d. Calves.—Wright, Stephenson and Co. sold: For T. Bishop- (Anderson Bay),- 1 15a; F. Black (Henley), 1 41s; D. Robertwn (Highcliff), 1 38s; E. R. Briiisdon, 4 .calves to 24b; Jno. Harbrow, 4 to 17s. Dalgety and Co. sold: For. G. Smart (Wylie's Crossing), 2 to 27s 6d. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For D. Andrew 1 27a; G. Butler, 1 £3; J. and P. Dow, 284 s and 255; J. Johnson, 4 5s to lis: R. Block, 212 s and 16s; D.. Adam, I 18a; Hamilton Bros. 212 s and 455; J. and W. Ford, 217 s 6d and 18s Gd. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For J. Knox (Caversham), calves to 28s; L. D. Robertson (Highcliff), calves to 245; T. Miller (Mosgiel), ogives 123 to 17s. Stronach, Morris and Co. sold: For Miss Jessie Mackie (Mosgiel), 1 £2 »s; T. O'Connell (Mount Oargill), 1 £1 lis; Mrs W. Wyllie (Mosgiel), 1 £1- 10s, 1 £1 9s; Miss Mary M'Killop (Mosgiel), 1 £1 7s. Fat Sheep.—l 724 penned, the quality being hardly up to the standard of 'recent yiardings. Prices were rather erratic, but on the whole were on about a par with last week's rates. Extra' prime wethers, 46s to 475; prime, 41s to 4Ss 6d; medium, 87s to 40s; fighter sorts, 82s upwards; prime ewes, to 40s 8d; medium, 33s to 87s; light and aged, 26s upwards. The National Mortgage and Agency Co. sold: For H. Williamson (Milburn), 11 wethers 375, 7 ewea 83s; R. J. Wilson (Clarendon), 65 ewes at quotations; R. Mitchell (Otakau), 184 wethers and ewes to 88s. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. sold: For W. C. Palmer (Otokia), 19 wethers 39s 9d, 24 87s 3d, 17 86s 9d; W. Kain (Fairfax), 64 wethers to 37s 3d; Jas. Gow .(Inveraray), 39 ewes to 24s Gd. Wright, Stephenson and Co. sold: For Geo. Stuart (Brooksdale), 39 wethers 465, 22 43s 9d; W. James (Forest Hill), 42 wethers 38s 6d, 87 33s 9d; 21 ewes 275; 13 26a 6d; a southern client, 35 wethers 37s 6d, 22 ?4s Gd, 8 ewes 29s 9d; D. Andrew (Mosgiel), 12 wethers 37s 3d, 12 35s 6d, 12 ewes 17s; D. Borrie (Papakaio), 38 owes 37s 3d, 20 33s 6d; J. Crawford (Waikoikoi), 33 wethers 36s 3d, 13 335, 8 ewes 35s 9d, 8 29s 6d; S. Young (Outram), 38 wethers 355, 22 33s 9d; J. Sinclair (Titri), 35 wethers 335, 26 ewes 275. Dalgety and Co. sold: For clients, truck wethers to 35s 6d; ewes to 33d. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For Saml. Young, 60 'wethers 34s to 36s 9d; W. C. Palmer J. Senior (Lumsden), 18 wethers 33s 9d, 43 ewes 32s to 84s 3d; Jno. Wilson (Grassy Hills), 60 wethers 32s to 34s 9d; A. Williams (Glenegris), 8 wethers 475, 44 ewes 37s to 40s 8d; Praitt Bros. (Milburn), ■ 7 ewes 28s 3d; Jas. France (Milton), 6 ewes 395; Mrs H. Walter and Son (Berwick), 30 ewes 23s 9d to 26s 9d, 10 wethers 355, 1 ram 28s; J. Wisely (Milburn), 82 ewes 25s to 28s ,6d; E. F. Blakely (Athol), 14 ewes 24s to 265, 48 wethers 27s to 29s 6d; a client, 9 wethers 41s; D. C. Hazlett, 22 wethers 80s to 325. ■ The Otago. Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For D. Ferguson (Kelso), 26 wethers 42s 9d; 14 88s 3d, 24 ewes S4s; Wm. Grey (Milburn), 35 wethere 39s 9d, 28 36s 3d, 5, 84s 6d; Findlay Bros. (Dunrobin), 33 ewea 86s, 82 82s 6d; Wm. Blackie (East Taieri), 17 wethers 80s 9d, pen ewes 335, pen ewea 21s 6d; a client. 16 ewes 293; John Kinney (Hyde), pe'n ewes and wethere 33s 6d, pen ewes 20s; H. Jeffries wethers 38s 9d, 14 ewe 3 and wethers 32s 3d, 7 ewes 30s 6d. Stronach, Morris and Co. sold: For J. F. Whyte (Pomahaka), 9 wethera 42s 9d>, 30 39s 9d, 19 ewes 34s 3d; Roberta and Co. (Gladbrook), 6 wethers 36s 6d, 87 34s 9d, 21 31s 8d; A. Scott (Arngibbon), 25 ewea 31s 9d; R M'Donald (Heriot), 6 ewes 37s 9d, 27 32s 6d, 31 80s; J. Steel (Middlemarch), 9 ewes 863 6d, 17 27s 9d; E. Jensen (Lookout Point), 5 wethers 29s 3d; D. M'Ra-e (Moonlight), 10 ewea 34» 9d. Fat Lambs.—43o penned, which met with fair competition, prices ranging from 22s to 28s 6d. The National Mortgage ; and Agency Company sold: -For a client, 23 265, 40 24s Gd, 12 22s 9d; P. Williamson (Milburn), II 253 9d. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For W. James (Forest Hill), 1 28s 3d, 4 24s 6d, 8 20s. Dalgety and Co. sold 110 at quotations. Donald Reid and Co. sold:. For J. B. Hagen (Milburn), 5 24s 3d; Jas. Fiance (Milburn), 12 24s 6d to 2Ss; L. C. Hazlett (Salisbury), 15 25s 3d'' to 28s Gd; L. M'Lean (North Taieri), 8 28s; Raitt Bros. (Milton), 226 s 6d. -The Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association sold: For Wm. Blackie (East Taieri), 3 28s, 8 27s 3d; Jno. Kimrey (Hyde), 16, 255, 3d, 16 235, 34 22s 9d, 9 22a 6d. Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For D. M'Rae (Moonlight), 22 27s 9d, 13 25s 9d, 23 26s 6d; John Steel (Middlemarch), 25 2Gs 6d,,10 23s 9d. Pigs.—A medium yarding,- which sold at prices slightly easier than those ruling la-st week. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For Geo. Fox 2 £6 Is, 1 £4 ISs 6d; Thos. Govaai, 1 £5 19s; a client, 2 £5 2s, 2 £4 18s; A. West, 1 £2 18s. -Donald Reid and Co. sold: For D. Messent (Wodderburn), 1 £6 4s; a client, 3 £4 14s; D. Gordon (Outram), 1 £2 14s, 1 boar £2 8s; G. Outler (Leita Vallev), 2 £3 lis; J. S. Blah- (East Taieri), 1 £6 16s; J. Harvey (East Taieri), 1 £6 10s; Sonntag Bros. (BTOckville), 2 £4 13s; J. and W. Ford (Pine Bill), 3 £2 10s, 2 £2 10s 6d; J. and P. Dow (Allanton), 1 £1 lis, 1 £1 4s; J. Hanna (Brockville), 8 £1; G. G. Walker (Otokia), 7 £1 10s 6d; Wm. Harvey (Momona), 6 £1 10s 6d. The Otago Farmers Co-operative Association sold: For G. W. Bush (Brighton), pigs £5 18s; Geo. Craig (Mosgiel), pigs £5 8s; W. Dickson (Henley), pigs £5 15s, 8 £2 16s, 2 £2 16s 6d; G. Middleditoh (Port Chalmers), pige £5 15s and £4 19s; Jno. Ritchie (Green Island), pigs £4 8s; Young Bros. (Sandymount), 2 £3 3s, 3 16s Stronach, Morris, andi Co. sold: For Mrs A. Scott (Arngibbon), 2 £4 19s; F. Williams (North-East Valley), 2 £5 16s; *£, M'Miilan (Green Island), 8 £2 15s, 1 £2 4s 6d,

DT7NEDIN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT. Messrs A. Moritzaon and Co., auctioneers, wool, gtock, station, grain, produce, end pommission agents, Dunedm, report (wholesale) for the week as under. All quotations are ■tibject to market fluctuations. Farmers are flaked, when sending sample*, always to put a price m> lhem, ae buyers do not feel IBclin' .'- ~fo offeror — Bal :.- malting, 6s to 6s 6d; feed task-. .- sa. • Cup is Cd to 4s. 9d on trucks. •Wbaiv .--■-• milling, Government fixed r otts.—Milling, 4s to 4a 3d;, good feed, 3a 6i to 3a Bd. ■ nA , Chaff—Good, bright and heavy, £6 10a, jnediium, £5 10s to £6. Maizo (sacks extra).— 6s 9d (old crop). Straw—Wheaten, £.3/, oaten, £3. Say.—Clover and ryegrass, £5 10s to £6. Ryegrass.—Farmers' dressed, new crop, 4s to 4a' 6d; machine dressed, 6s 6d to 7s bd; Italian, 5s 6d to 6s. .- , •.Cocksfoot.—lid to Is.3d; machined seed, la >9d. Chewings Fescue.—Farmers' dressed, 3id to id; machine dressed, lOd. Onions.— £7. Potatoes.—£6 10s to £B. Salt Butter.—ls to Is 2d; separator, la 2d to Is 3d; storekeepers' pats, Is to la 2d. Chee#e.—Factory, lOd to lid. Honey.—Section honey, 9s; bulk, 6d; lib ipats, 10s dozen; 10lb tins, 6a 6d to 7s 6d. Walnuts.—lOd to Is lb. Egg3.—Storekeepers', Is 9d; stamped, Is lOd. . Beeswax.—ls 9d to Is lOd. . Pigs.—BJd for porkers; baconers, 8d to BJd. Hams.—ls 2d to la 3d. Bacon.—Roll, Is 2d to Is 3d. Rabbitakins.—The monthly sale of rabbitekins was held on Monday, the 25th ult., when small catalogues were submitted, the usual buyers being present. Bidding 'was keen, and prices ruled firm at the following quotations:—Super winter does, 50d' to 60d; super Winter bucks, 48d to 50d; winter does, 44d to 49d; winter bucks, 44d to 47d; inoomings, 40d to 42 Jd; autumn, S6d to S 9&; prime racks, 26d to 28d; light racks, 24d to 26d; runners and suckers, 12d to 17£d; outgoings, 34d to 40d; springs, 27d to 34d; milky doss,, 17d to l&k&i winter broken, 18d to 22|d; hareshins, lid to 13id; catskins, Id to 6d; super winter blacks', 48d to 60£d; winter blacks, 86d to 44d; eummer blacks, 20Jd to 24d; •winter fawns, to 35d; summer fawns, to 193d'; liorsehair, 14Jd to 16Jd; cow tips, 16d to 17d. Tallow. —Prime mutton, in casks ready for shipping, 39s to 42s 6d; second mutton, in casks, 34s to 375; best mutton, in tins, 32s to 37a; second quality, 28a to 325; mixed, 20s to 275. ... The next rabbitskin sale will be held on March 25. Storing Grain.—We are prepared to store, receive, deliver, and insure for three months free storage at 3d per sack. Faim Produce and Fruit.—We receive all kinds of consignments, and render account Bales promptly. THE CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS OF OTAGO (LIMI1EB). Report an exceptionally busy week, heavy consignments of. all classes of. fruit comingforward. Tomatoes are in excess of requirements ; dessert apples are offering freely. Wo have had some'- fine consignments of bacon pigs forward, and for one line were a'b!o to secure BJd per lb. Stamped and guaranteed eggs are meeting a steady demand. Potatoes have been realising good values. We received and sold :'— Apples.: Cox's Orange, 7s 6d to tfOs; Scarlets, 53 6d to 8s; Astrachans, 6s. to. 7s 6'd; cooking, 4s to 5s 6cl; inferior, 5s 6d per cwt. Banauas: Suvas, to arrive, 17s. Lemons: Adelaides, 225; American, to arrive, 425. Peanuts: s|d per lb. Tomatoes; Nelson, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; Christchurch, outside, l'fri to 3d; locals, 4id to 7id; Central Otago, 2|d to s|d. Apricots: 3|d to 6id. Peaches: Crates, 2id to 81d: cases. l|d to 3>UI. Pears: iW.B.C, 7s 6d to 12s; other varieties, 6s to 12s. Plums: 3s 6d to 63. 6d per halfcase. Nectarines: to sid. Grapes: Locals, Is to Is 2d; Christchurch, 10£d. French and butter beans: Id to l§d. Cabbage :,' Slow sal©. Cauliflower: Slow sale. Cucumbers: 3s to 4s 6d per dozen; locals, 5s to 6a 6d. Green peas: Choice, lgd to 2Jd ; others, unsaleable. Lettuce: Is per case. Onions: 8s per cwt for choice new season. Potatoes: 7s to 9s 6d. Bacon: Prime rolls, to Is 4d. Pigs: Bacon and porker, prime, Bgd to B£d. Butter: Bulk, Is; separator pats, Is dd; extra prime separator, Is 6tl; inferior butter quite unsaleable. Eggs: Caso eggs, Is 7d; stamped, Is 8d to Is 9d; preserved, is 6d. Honey: •New season's, prime, 9d; section, 7s 3d to 7s 6d per dozen for choice; 101 b tins, 7s. Tea: First tips Broken Orange Pekoe. Is Bd. Bran: 5s per 1001 b. Cape barley: Eagerly inquired for. Those having supplies, would do well to communicate with us. Maize: Market bare. Lime j'ulphuf: " Giraffe" brand, 2s 2d per gallon, in casks, 5s 6d in tins. Cross Keys meat meal: 18s per 1001 b. Molasses: In barrels, 6s 6d. per cwt; tins, 15s per cwt. Oaten pollard : 16s per bag. Oats. Best short oats, to 4s 3d. Oat sheaf chaff: £6 15s, for choice. Oaten dust: 6s per sack. Wheat: Best Australian, 7s 3d per bushel. Rice meal: lis 6d per .bag. Wheat pollard: 12s 7d per bag. Beeswax: Is Bd. Wood wool, 355. Wrapping paper: Pure sulphate, 7s 9d per roam. Horsehair: to 15d. Egg crates: "Economic." lis each. Tallow: 26s 6d, 275, 27s 6d, 29s 9d. Rabbitskins: 27§d, 36£d, 50£d. Poultry: Hens—--7 at Is 7d, 26 at-is Pd. 45 at is 9d, 46 at Is lOd. 29 at Is lid, 36 at 2s, 19 at 2s 4d, 3 at 3s 3d, 10 at 2s 6d; cockerels—s at Is Bd. 27 at Is 9d, 6 at 2s, 11 at 2s 2d, 36 at 2s 3d, 12 at 2s 7d, 16 at 2s 9d. 8 at 3s 2d. THE CO-OPERATIVE ERU IT GROWERS OF OTAGO (LIMITED). . E. OSWALD REILLY". Manager. Moray place, Dunedin. CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. There is still very little wheat offering on the local market, and a rather largo proportion of what has come forward has been of only moderate quality. The effect of the late rains is apparent in much of the grain, which is discoloured, and in some oases has been damaged by sprouting. The' outlook for inter-island snipping space is much better now, and the demand ijor both oats and chaff is good. There is no quotable* difference for oats, but chaff has appreciably hardened, and is worth from £4 to £4 10s for good samples. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. (Pep. United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 5. In the High Commissioner's market report the cablegram dated March 2 his been Sepoatcd, with the result that it is now

found necessary te make the following corrections:—■ Moat.—Notwithstanding the very limited supply of all descriptions of meat, the demand is limited owing to the of the rations scheme being in force. Supplies consist chiefly of English meat, Patagoman lamb, and Argentina mutton, which areselling at maximum prices. New Zealand lamb and chilled beef are in small supply. Hemp.—For Manila hemp, the market is steady, with a moderate demand. The output during the .two weeks ended February 23 was 40,000 bales. Lor New Zealand spot the market is quiet, and email business is doing for forward shipment. VALUE OF AMERICAN CROPS. High prices were responsible for some impressive statistics' of American crop value in 1917, this being strongly re-inforced. by record crops of corn, oats, rye,, white and sweet potatoes, tobacco, and beans. The principal farm crops reached £2,400,000,000 in value, minor crops reached £500,0G0,000 and animals and animal products "turned out were valued at £1,300,000,000. The 'grand total value is placed at £4,200,000,000, which compares with £2,900,000,000 in 1916, a year ago, a gain of 45 per cent. Some of the estimates of values of different crops were: —

AMERICAN LOANS TO THE ALLIES. On January 31 it was announced that America had made a further loan of £53,000,000 to finance purchases by Great Britain in the United States of America up to December 1. It was shown that since the United States entered the war on April 6 the following sums had been advanced to the Allies under the Act of April 24, 1917 :

MONEY MARKET. A large amount of wool, frozen meat, and dairy produce has been moved since the beginning of the year, which has released a fair amount of money, but there are still very large accumulations of produce of all kinds in store awaiting shipment, and the ■ shipping outlook is not very hopeful. The value of this produce (says the Trade Review) is probably- over £12,000,000 and although the wool is paid for, and 90 per cent, advanced against dairy produce, there is still a large amount of capital locked up in this, direction.

The value of our exports for 1917 was recently announced by the Minister of Customs, and the values of exports and imports, apart from specie, compare as follows for the past three years:—

-There is still a splendid surplus of exports; however, these figures have, to a certain extent, lost their lull significance as regards the money market, owing to the large amount that is paid out on wool, dairy produce, etc., prior to shipment. There is a firmer tone generally in the money market, and the larger institutions are asking mostly 6£ per cent, for first-class mortgages, and even this figure is said not to shovv as good a return as the war loan. We hear that some estates that lent large amounts on mortgage aro withdrawing fhes© funds where possible and investing in the war loan owing to the heavy taxation, and fear of future taxation. BRITISH WAR TAXATION. In reply to Mi- Evelyn Cecil, who asked for figures of the estimated yield of new taxes imposed since the war began, Mr Bonar Law gave the following statistics early in December:—Estimated yield in 1917-18 Excess profits, £200,000,000; excess mineral rights, £103,000. Customs and excise:— Kinematograph films, £180,000; clocks and watches, £300,000; motor cars and cycles, etc., nil; musical instruments, and parts thereof, £50,000; entertainments, £+,500,000; matches and mechanical lighters, £1,200,000; table waters and cider, £1.400,000; motor spirit license duty, £280,000. In reply to a further eiuestion, the Chancellor gave the following figures, showing the estimated yield from duties increased during the war : INLAND REVENUE.

These two sots of figures together give an additional revenue, from new taxes or increase of existing taxes, of £253,649,000, and they do not take into account increased yield from old taxes not changed, since the war. PRIVATE COMPANIES. Notification of the registration of the following private companies is contained in the Mercantile Gacztte : Nimmo and Blair, Limited.—Capital: £25,273 into 25,273 shares of £1 each. Subscribers :—J. H. Nimmo 15,632, R. D. Nimmo 9641. Objects: To acquire and carry on business of seed merchants, etc. lately carried on by Nimmo and Blair. Glendermid, Limited.—Capital: £BO,OOO into 80,000 share 3 of £l each. Subscribers: —David E. Theomin, Walter Gow, John Mill, David Phillips, John A. P. Fredrio, James Brown, L. F. Oleghorn, all one share each. Objects: To acquire and carry on the business of tanners, leather

merchants, etc., lately carried on by Michaelis, Hallenstein and Co. CUSTOMS RETURNS. The not amount of Customs duties received at the Dunedin Custom House for February was £23,743 17s lOd ; and the beer duty for the same period was £6902 2s sd. In February of last year the net Customs were £23,118 10s Bd, and the beer duty £5173 2s 2d. There has been an increase in general Customs of a little over £6OO, and in the beer duty of nearly £IBOO. NEW ZEALAND DRUG COMPANY. At a meeting of directors held on the 4th a dividend at the rato of 4£ per cent, (making 8 per cent, for the year) was recommended. INVESTMENT STOCKS. March 4-. National Bank—Buyers £5 7s 6d. Bank of New Zealand-(£6 13s 4d paid)— Sellers £l7 10s. Bank of Now Zealand (£3 6s 8d paid)— Buyers £l2 7s 6d, sellers £l2 8s 6d. Huddart-Panker (orcl.)—Buyers £1 18s 7d, sellers £1 19s 4d. Westport Coal Co.—Buyers £1 10s, sellers £1 10a 6d. Westport-Stookton (ord., ex div.)—Buyers 7s 6d, sellers 8s 7d, Auckland Electric Trams— Sellers £1 Is. D.I.C. (ord.)—Par. D.I.C. (pref.)—Sellers £1 0s- 6d. New Zealand Refrigerating Co. (new)— Sellers £2 0s 3d. Milburn Lime and Cement—Sellers £1 lis. Mosgiel Woollen Factory—Buyers £4 2s. New Zealand Portland. Cement (ord.)— Buyers 7s, sellers 9s. New Zealand Paper Mills—Buyers 19s 3d. New Zealand War Loan (4£ per cent.)— Buyers £99. Wright. Stephenson, and Co. (ord.)— Buyers £7 ss. Dunlop Rubber—Buyers. £1 5s 6d.

1917. 1016. Corn £031,800,000 £450,000,000 Ootton lint ... . 520,000,000 216,000,000 Cotton seed ... . 67,000,000 55,600,000 Hay 278,000,000 232,000,000 Wheat , 264,000,000 205,000,000 Oats ... • 105,000,000 130,000,000 Potatoes 112,000,000 83,406,000 Tobacco . 49,800,000 34,000,000 Beans 24,000,000 9,000,000

Great Britain £372,000,000 Franco • 164,000,000 Italy ... ... 97,000,000 Bussia •' ... 65,000,000 Belgium ... 13,200,000 Cuba 3,000,000 Serbia .- 600,000 Total £714,800,000

Exports ... Imports ... 1!)17. ... £31,507,547 ... 20,742,131 1916. £38,381,087 ' 25,045,403 1015. £31,430,822 20,653,720 Excess of exports ... ... £10,855,417 £8,235,654 £10,772,102

Estimated vield Yield in 1917-18. in 1913-14. Income tax £205,000,000 £43,902,000 Super tax Totals 19,000,000 3,339,000 £224,000,000 £47,241,000 CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. Spirits 10,550,000 23,975,000 Beer 15,100,000 13,685,000 Tea 14,000,000 6,499,000 Cocoa 1,0.10,000 341,000 Coffee 540,000 180,000 Chicory 50,000 43,000 Sugar, glucos e, molasseo, and saccharin ' 10,750,000 3,388,000 Dried fruits. 500,000 514,000 Tobacco ... 33,930,000 18,284,000 Motor spirit 1,450,000 841,000 Medicines Totals ... 660,000 361,000 £94,560,000 £68,021,000