CANTERBURY MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 11

CANTERBURY MARKETS.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. (Lyttelton Times, June 8.) The grain and produce market continues in a very lethargic state, and since last report there has been little change in any class of commodities. With few exceptions, the permits to purchaso wheat have now become exhausted, and as a result merchants and millers are not in a position to operate further. The fact of this position having arisen has had the i-esult of restraining holders of stocks from placing the grain on the market, and during the laefc week or more the number of samples which have been placed under offer has been verv limited, whilst 'the total wheat offered has been small. In the early part of the season many merchants purchased fowl wheat in large quantities, _ hoping to find a remunerative outlet later in v. ; ew of a prospective shortage, but in many cases they have been disappointed in their hopes, and this class of wheat is now being offered freely to millers chiefly at the maximum price—namely, 5s 9£d. This price, how- j ever, is generally above the parity of actual j values, considering the quality* of some of j the samples placed under offer. It is noted ; that, # although the Government fixed the maximum price for thi3 class of grain, no minimum price has been fixed, and so buyers and »o!lcrs are in a position to bar- j gain for sale and purchaso just the same | as before regulative measures were adopted Little business is passing in oats, due in ' a measure to the very scant offerings, and in part to the absence of shipping facilities with the North Island, whore there j Is a steady demand for this cereal. At | the moment there is an almost absolute dearth of ■ Gartons, for which there are many inquiries, principally for local con-

sumption and seed purposes, but it has been found m many caaea quite impossiblp to fulfil the orders which have come to hand. There is a general consensus of opinion that the oats now in' growers' hands in the northern part of the province have almost reached the vanishing point, and it is not anticipated that there will be any revival *in this grain during the current season. The chaff market i 3 lifeless, owing to the inability of merchants to obtain freight for northern ports, from which numerous inquiries have been received during the last few weeks. In view of tho weakness of the demand, holders are abstaining from bringing their Lnes forward. It is understood that the amount in store in various parts of Canterbury, mostly in merchants' hands, is considerable, and there is little chance that values will greatly improve till these stocks have been substantially reduced. During the week 'the potato market has shown a slight improvement awing to stocks having been somewhat reduced during the slack period, but it cannot be said that there has been any quotable advance in values. This improved position is attributed in a measure to 'the fact that there has been a reduction of shipments from the Commonwealth, owing to freight difficulties. The offerings have been within fairly narrow compass, but they have been sufficient to meet requirements. During the week there has been a decided easing of the demand for white . clover seed, and values, all round have declined. Tho following are the prices- paid to farmers at country stations free of commission, sacks extra: Wheat—Milling wheat, Government price. South Island: May, 5s lid; June, 5s ll£d; July, 6s; August, 6s o£d, f.o.b. North Island. 4d extra. Oats —Seed Algerians, 4s 3d to 4s 6d; choice to 4s 9cl • feed Algerians, 4s to 4s scl; milling Gartons, 4s 6d; feed Gartons, 4s 3d to 4s 4d ; seed Duns,, 4s 6d to 4s 9d; lighter Duns. 4s to 4s sd; Danish, good aualitv. 4e 6d. Barley —Prime malting, 6s 3d to 6s 6d; medium, 5s 6d upwards (nominal}. Flour—£ls 10s per ton; 1001 b bags, £l6 ss; 501 b bags, £l6 10s; 251 b bags, £l6 15s. Bran —Shipping, £5 10s; local, £5 15s per ton. Pollard—£7 10s per 'ton. Oatmeal—2slb bags, £26 per ton; 71b bags, £26 per ton. Oatsheaf chaff—Bright, heavy, £5 to £5 10s (nominal). Cocksfoot—Undressed, lOd to Is 3d per lb: machine-dressed. Is 8d to Is 9d. Ryegrass—Perennial, 4s to 4s 9d; Italian, 4s to 4s f Sd (nominal). Clover—White, Is 5d to Is 6d; red, Is 4d to Is 6d. Peas—Partridge, 7s to 7s 3d ; White Ivory, lis to 12s: Blue Prussian, 15s to 16s; Blue- Imperial, 15s 6d to 18s. Scotch tares —10s to 12s 6d. Onions—£s 10s. Linseed.—£22. Potatoes—£s to £5 5s (nominal).' TIMARU MARKETS. A few lines of wheat were on offer this week (reports the Timaru correspondent of the Christchurch Press), and they were readily taken up. Oats are weaker, and there, are few, 'f any. buyers at last week's prices. A grade seed Gartons are quoted at 4s 6d, and B gride at 4s 3d. on trucks, country stations. There are some Algerians offering, but the demand from the North Island has ceased, tho autumn-sowing being completed. It is probable that the demand will be renewed in the spring. Algerians are quoted at but holders are asking ss. Good heavy dark Duns are worth ss, and lighter parcels 4s to 4s 3d. i

Very httle business is passing in oatsheaf chaff. There is a good deal of inferior quality offering, but there is no demand for it. For good, bright lines there are plentv of buvers, but very little of this quality is offering. It is worth £5 10s, while inferior linos are quoted at £3 10s to £1 Der ton, on 'trucks. The potato market has exhibited a firmer tendency during the week, £5 10s being offered, but growers will not accept this. Potatoes are still being sent over from Australia to the North Island, and this is steadving the market, but the Australian shipments are very irregular, and it is not anticipated that manv more will be sent over. In the mean'time supplies are fully equal to requirements. Linser-d has advanced 10s per ton during the week, to-day's price being £24. Scotch tares are saleable at 9s to 10s per bushel, and white clover at Is 4d per lb for good-quality seed.

OTACO A. AND P. SOCIETY. Owing to the absence of his Worship the Mayor from Dunedin, tho ballot between the the ladies who guessed equally for the largo and small 6ewing machines, in connection with the fat bullock competition, was conducted in tho presence of Mr R. A. S. Cantrell (president) and Mr J. Loudon (member of committee), and resulted in Miss Mowat (6 Glenross street, Kaikorai) winning the large Princess sewing machine, and Mrs John Kirkland (Brighton) the small one. Tho correct dressed weight of the bullock was 137831 b, and eight ladiea guessed within a quarter of a pound of this, but none got the exact weight.