COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 24

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, January 10. Barky, 5a 3d to 5s 9d; Cape, 3s lid) to 4s 2d. Oats: Feed, 4s 3£d to 4s 6d. Potatoes, £l4 to £ls. Onions, £ll 10s. SYDNEY. January 9. Oats: Algerian feeding, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; Tasmaniam, 5s to 5s 4d. Maize, 7s 3d. Pototoes: Victorian, £18; local, £ls to £lB. Onions, £lO 10s to £l3. Tin: Spot, £241 ss; forward, £236 ss. Copper: Spot, £92; forward, £B7. Lead, £37 10s. Spelter, £52. Silver, 48 7-16 d per oz.— A. and N.Z. Cable. SOUTHLAND STOCK MARKET. (Knoa Our Own" Correspondent.) » SOUTHLAND, January 11. It was expected that after the holidays there would be a revival in the stock market, but this has not eventuated. The attendance of the public at Wallacetown sal© on. Tuesday was large, but there was a total absence of the expected briskness .in the market, the only class of stock in demand being two-tooth ewes out of the-- ; wool. The demand for other classes of sheep is effected by the fact that shearing is still held up for want of men. The demand for all classes of cattle is distinctly poor, fats, stores, and dairy cows showing a falling off in value. Prices may bo quoted: Fat Cattle.—Prime ox beef, £l9 10s to £22; medium, £l6 to £l6 10s; lighter, £l4 10a to £l6; prime heifer beef, £l3 10s to £ls; prime cow beef, £l2 10s to £l4; medium, £lO to £l2. Fat Sheep.—Prime woolly wethers, 49s to 61s 6d; medium, 47s to 48s 6d; lighter, 44s to 465; prime shorn wethers, 36s to 39s 6d; medium, 35s 6d to 375; lighter, 33s to 34s 6d; prime shorn ewes, 32s to 31s; medium, 30s to 31s 6d. There are very fewfat lambs offering, from 22s to 255. Store Cattle.—Forward-conditioned two and three-year-old steers, £l2 10s to £l4; 18 months and two-year-old, £9 10s to £11; good yearling steers, £6 to £7 10s; m.s. yearlings, £4 10s to £6 10s'; empty cows and heifers, £7 10s to £8 10s; 'good dry cows (milking for three months), £l2 to £l4. Store Sheep.—Extra good shorn two-tooth ewes, 30s; medium, 26s to 28s; good twotooth ewes and wethers (shorn), 26s to 27s 6d; two-tooth wethers, 25s 6d to 28a; four and six-tooth (shorn), 30s to 32s 6d; shorn ewes and lambs, 20s to 21s 6d (all counted); poorer, 17s 6d to 19s. OAMARU STOCK MARKET. (Faoi* Oca Ow» CnußgeroxDßST.) OAMARU, January 11. The sheep market has gone back. This was made apparent by the lifeless character of the weekly sale at the Waiareka yards on Tuesday. A slight improvement was noticeable at the Duntroon sale on the following day, andl it is possible that a further movement towards recovery may be made in tie near fixture. What is now prejudicing the market is that rape has not come away well, and as lamb 3 sold for forward delivery are now coming forward there are no buyers of lambs or sheep for fattening purposes or for forward delivery. Some business has been done in modest lines at the following prices: Full-mouthed ewes in the wool, with lambs, 235, all counted; mixed shorn four, six, and eight-tooth owes, with lambs, 235, all counted; aged ewes in the wool" and in fair condition, 225. all counted; shorn aged ewes, with lambs, 19a, all counted; and 17s for others in. low condition; two-tooth ewes, from 29s to 33s 6d, according to quality; two-tooth ewes, for delivery at the end of February, 363; mixed-sex hoggets, in the wool, from 82s to 37s 6d; and shorn from 28s to 30s; mixed! six and eight-tooth wethers, in forNftird condition, 295; two-tooth wethers, from 26s to 28s, according to condition. Fat sheep are scarce, and wethers have been sold, out of the wool, at from 34s to 36s 6d, and ewes at from 30s to 355, the top figure being for maidens. The cattle market is exceedingly slow, and the only sale in stores reported m fk line' of

yearling steers at £4. Fat steer beef is scarce, and worth 60s per 1001 b, while cow beef is plentiful, and hard to place at 37s 6d. ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH, January 8. At the Addington market the yardings of fat sheep and lambs were smaller than those of last week, ..but in other departments the entries were larger. Fat cattle were somewhat 'irregular, but on the whole there was little change in prices. A little more business was done for export in cow beef. The export buyers were operating in lambs on an average of about 8d per lb over all. Fat sheep prices recovered and were almost level of the double market before Christmas, and there was, therefore, little business done by export buyers, supplies not being much beyond butchers' requirements. Store sheep were easier, especially backward sorts. The first offerings of rape lambs were in the market, audi they made 17s to 20s 2d, which was about 3s per head below what vendors expected Pigs of all classes sold well. There was not a very active demand for store cattle, except for dry cows, but dairy cows met with a fair sale.

Store Sheep.—Two-tooth ewes, 25s 3d to 26s Id; two-tooth wethers, 16s 9d to 26s 4d; four and six-tooth wethers, 23s 7d to 28s 6d; four and six T tooth wethers, 25s lOd to 29s 9d; six and eight-tooth wethers, 31s; rape lambs, 17s to 20s 2d; mixed-sex lambs, 16s lOd to 17s lOd.

Fat Lambs.—Extra prime, 30s 6d; prime, 25s to 28s; medium,. 23s to 24s 6d; lighter lambs, 20s 6d to 22s 6d. Fat Sheep.—Extra prime wethers, to 39s sd; prime wethers, 34s to 375; medium wethers, 31s to 33s 6d; lighter wethers, 31s to 33s 6d; lighter wethers, 27s 3d to 30s 6a, merino wethers, 24s lOd; extra prime ewes, 375; prime ewes, 32s to 355; medium ewes, 293 to 81s 6d; lighter ewes, 25s to 28s 6d. Fat Cattle.—Extra prime steers, to £23; prime steers, £l7 to £2l 10s; ordinary steers, £ls 120 6d to £l6 10s; prime heifers, £ll 6s to £ls 15s; ordinary heifers, £8 17s to £11; extra prime cows, to £l9 10s; prime cows, £l3 to £ls; ordinary cows, £9 17s 6d to £l2 10s. Stoie Cattle. —Calves, 15s 6d; mixed-sex yearlings, £4 12s 6d; 18-months steers, £5 12s 6d; 18-months to two-year heifers, £7 12s 6d to £8 163; three-year steers, £10; dry cows, £4 to £10; dairy cows, £8 to £ls 10s. Pigs.—Choppers, £5 to £9 17s 6d; baconers, £5 to £8 Is 6d—equal to 9d to 9Jd per 'lb:, porkers, £3 to £4 10s—equal to 10Jd per lb; large stores, £3 to £3 8s; medium, £2 2s to £2 153; smaller, 33s to 40s; weaners, 14s to 28s, breeding sows, to £6 Is. LIVE STOCK MARKETS. Burnside, Wednesday, January 8. iTat Cattle.—2Bß head yarded. A large yarding, comprising a fair proportion of good quality. The quantity proved in excess of the trade's requirements, and throughout the sale bidding was erratic. Good beef sold at late rates, but medium to good steers* were lower by 10s per head compared to last sale's report, while cow and heifer beef declined fully 15s per head compared to late ruling, rates. Quotations: —Best heavy bullocks, £22 10s to £25; good, £lB to £2O; medium, £ls 15s to £l6 10s; light, £l3 10s to £l4. 10s; best cows and heifers made £ls 5s to £ls ss; good, £l3 to £l3 10s; light, £9 10s to £l2. The National Mortgage and Agency Company sold: For R. Ford'(Stirling), 8 bullocks - £18; R. Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 £l7 ss; Walter Blackie (Mosgiel), 2 £l7 ss; H. J. Powell (Wheretoa), 3 £l6, 2 cows to £l4 12s 6d; John Matheson (Otokia.), 1 cow £ls 17s 6d, 1 £l3 2s 6d, 1 £l3, 2 to £l2 15s; a north client, 3 cows and heifers to £l3 12s 6i. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company sold: For P. Anderson (Stirling), 2 bullocks £23 7s 6d, 2 £2l 10s, 2 £2l ss, 2 £2O 17s 6d; P. Winders (Invercargill), 6 bullocks £22 10s, 1 £l9 7s 6d; Johnston Wylie (Mehzies Ferry), 8 bullocks £18; William Kirk (Bayfield), 2 £l7 12s 6d. —Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For Mrs L. Cohen (Otokia), 2 bullocks £22 6s; W. Lindsay (Momona), 2 £lB 7s 6d, 1 £l7 7s 6d, 1 heifer £l3, 1 £ll 15s, 1 £9 7s 6d; J. C. Renton, jun. (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks* £lB ss; Walter Blaekie (Mosgiel), 1 £l7 10s, 2 £l7 ss, 1 £l3 17s 6d; Mrs William Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 £l7 2s 6d. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For Mrs r J. Cohen (Otokia), 2 bullocks £2l 17s 6d; John M'Leod (Maungatua), 2 £22 ss, 2 £l7 10s, 1 £l6 2s 6d. 1 heifer £11; James W. Blair (Outram), 2 bullocks £22 ss, 2 £l9 10s, 1 heifer £l4; George M'Leod (Momona), 2 bullocks £lB 53, 3 £ls 15s; Mrs William Kirk giel), 2 £l7 17s 6d; a client, 1 £l6 12s 6d:. D. Ford (Allanton), 2 £ls 15s, 1 heifer £ll ss, 1 £11; P. Clent (Balclutha), 1 £ls 17s 6d, 1 £l2 12s 6d, 2 £l2, 1 £11; a client, 1 £lO 17s 6d, 1 £9, 1 £lO 15s; F.Wright (Upper Junction), 1 cow £8 15s. Dalgety and Co. sold: For clients, bullocks to £l7 12s 6d. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For R. Yardley aftd Sons- (Moa Flat), 2 bullocks £ 25, 2 £23, 2 £22 2s 6d; Arch, Altcheson (Hampden), 2 £24 17s 6d, 2 £22 7s 6d, 1 £2O 10s, 1 heifer £ll 15s; Executors of late H. Palmer (Otokia), 1 bullock £23 17s 6d, 1 £2l; Mrs W. Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 £2l 155.; J. M. Stark (Fairfax), 2 £2O 123 6d, 2 £lB 10s, 3 £ls 2s 6d, 6 £l4; 3 £l2 17s 6d, 1 cow £l3 17s Gd; James Brown (Pine Bush), 1 bullock £l9 2s 6d, 3 £lB, 3 £l7, 2 £l6 17s 6d; J. A. Sutherland (Allanton), 2 £lB 10s, 2 £l6 2s 6d; J. C. Renton (Mosgiel), 2 £lB ss; Thomas Ayson (Wyndham), 3 £lB ss, 3 £l7 12s 6d, 1 heifer £ls 10s, 2 £l4 10s; M. F. Simpson Uxing Bush), 2 bullocks £lB ss, 3 £lB, 3 £l7, 1 cow £ll 10s, 1 £ll 2s 6d 1 £lO 17s 6d, 1 £lO 2s 6d, 1 £8 17s 6d; Donald Ford (Allanton), 2 cows £lO 7s 6d. Donald Reid and Co. sold: • For R. Dalziel and So (BTOckville), 1 cow £l4 12s 6d; W. P. Fleming (Otokia), 1 cow £l3 12s 6d; T. Ayson (Wyndham), 7 bullocks £lB 12s 6d to £l9 2s 6d, 1 heifer £ll 12s 6d; James Renton (Mosgiel), 2 bullocks £2O 17s 6d; Executors of late William Kirk (Mosgiel), 2 £l4 15s; Walter Blackie, sen. (Mosgiel), 2 £l7 10s; J. Sutherland (Momona), 2 £18; J.' W. Blair (Outram), 4 heifers £lO 5s to £l2 2s 6d; L. C. Hazlett (North Taieri), 7 bullocks £ls 7s 6d to £l7; William Lindsay, jun. (Allanton), 2 heifers £lO 5s to £l2 12s 6d; Guinness and LeCren (Waimate), 8 heifers £ll 12s 6d to £l6 12s 6d; D. Ford (Allanton), 2 heifers £ll 10s. Store Cattle.—Dalgety and Co. sold: For clients, 7 cows to £S 17s 6d; R. Johnstone (Blackstono Hill), 4 steers £l2 4s, 1 bull £8 12s 6d. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For R Yardley and Sons (Moa Flat), 1 bull £ls; J. R. Sutherland (Kapuka), 2 steers £ll 15s, 2 cows £9 12s 6d, 3 steels £lO 55,'2 cows £9 15s, 1 bull £B, 9 yearlings £2 18s 6d; J. J. Sullivan (Seacliff), 1 bull £8; F. Kropp (Mount Cargill), d bull £8: J. Cross (Otakou), 4 heifers £7 7s Gd, 1 cow £4, 1 yearling £3; C. M'La-chlan (Mihiwaka), 1 cow £8 10s; G. M. Roskilley (Waitati), 1 heifer £5 12s 6d, 1 cow £1 103; R. Burns (Otakou), 1 bull £5 15s, 1 cow £4 10s. Stronach, Morris, audi Co. sold: For Tikey (Green Island), cows to £6 Is, yearlings to '£3 19s. ——The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For T. Hewitt (Goodwood), pen steers £ll, 1 cow £lO 6s, 1 £8 13s, 1 steer £4 12s 6d, 3 vealers to £3 15s; P. Clent (Balclutha), 5 heifers £8 15s, 12 vealers to £4 10s; R. Stevenson (Wylie's Crossing), 1 heifer £8 15s; a olient, 9 steora £3 12s j R. Harvey (Woodeide), 1

heifer £7 10s, 1 £2 15s; A. Blowers (Woodside), 1 oow £6 15s; R. Dalzeil and Sana (Brockvillo), 1 cow £6 13s, 1 £5 2s 6d; a client, 1 steer £lO 17s 6d, 1 bull £l3 13a, 1 £3 17a 6d; J. M'Leod (Maungatua), 1 bull £10; James Williamson (Wylie's Crossing), 1 bull £6. Donald Eeid and Co sold: For William Blackie, jun. (Glasgow Farm), 1 bull £10; J. S. Finch, 2 vealers £2 Is, 1 heifer £4 7s Gd; Bruce Christie (Oamaru), 1 heifer £8 7s Gd, I£7 7s 6d; A. P. Fleming (Otokia), 1 cow £lO 12s 6d; 1 £8 17s Gd; J. W. Blair (Outram), 6 vealers £3 6s to £3 17s; Mrs M. Bruce (Momona), 1 vealer £3 15s; A. and T. Ford (Pine Hill), 2 cows £lO. Dairy Cows.—Wright, Stephenson and Co. sold: For a client, 1 cow £8 15s, 1 £7; J. J. Sullivan (Seaeliff), 1 £7; Mrs S. Sinclair (Mihiwaka), I£s 17s 6d. Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For a client, 10 heifers £lO ss. 2 £lO ss. Donald Eeid and Co. sold: For Casey and Miller (Sawyers' Bay), 1 cow £l4 15s, 1 £ls ss; Edward Laley (Sawyers' Bay), 1 £l4; A. and T. Ford (Pins Hill), 1 £S. Calves. —Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For George Donaldson (Leith Valley), 1 £2 j9s- E. Hellyer (Anderson's Bay), 1 40s; Mrs E Hellyer (North-East Harbour), 1 38s; G- . Harris (Mihiwaka), 1 28s, 1 275, 1 255, 1 245, 1 235; W. Bowles (Portobello), 1 275; Hamilton Bros. (Caveraham), 1 21s, 1 14s; E F. Black (Henley), 1 16s; D. Luke (Anderson's Bay), 1 12s.——Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company sold :For Wirl: Welham, 3 255. Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For D. O'Connell (Seaeliff). 1 355, 1 325, 3 30s, 1 295; Mrs Rattray (Mosgiel), 1 31s; Mr Tikey (Green Island), 1 31s; Mrs Joyce (Mosgiel Junction), 1 18s. Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association' sold: For T Quill (Milton), 5 to 375; W. L. Craig (Mosgiel), 3 to 265; T. Hewitt (Goodwood), 2- to 255; A. Baxter (Brighton), 2 to 445; Sonntag Bios. (Brockville), 1 40s; Mrs E. M. Aitkenhead (Tomahawk), 1 265; J. Glover (Mosgiel), 1 20s; J. Harvey (East Taieri), 1 14s; J. Harbrow (Tomahawk). 1 6s. Donald Reid ?nd Co. sold: For George Weetwood (Brighton). 1 31s; D. O'Brien (Wingatui), 1 265; J. Kenyon (Green Island), 1 85s; A Lindsay (Burkes), 1 375; D. Adam (Green Island), 1 15s; a client, 1 225, 1 395; W. Laing (Sawvers' Bay), 1 365; T. Bishop (Anderson's Bay), 1 30s6d; H. T. Gullett (North-East Valley), 1 20s, 1 30s. Fat 'Sheep.—llo9 penned. A srriall yarding, mostly of good useful quality. At the commencement of the sale the market was very firm at prices showing an advance of about Ss compared to last sale, but as the market progressed competition became lees keen, and towards the finish prices fell Is 6d per head compared to opening rates. Best shorn wethers, 44s to 47s 6d; extra, to 51s 6d; medium to good do, 40s to 435; medium, 34s to 365; best shorn ewes, 38s to 425; extra, to 455; medium to good, 30s to 345. Wethers in wool sold at 52s to 565. National Mortgage and Agency Company sold: For J. A. Duthie (Milton), 20 wethera 42s 6d, 19 40s 3d, 10 38s 6d, 5 ewes 37s 6d, 6 32a 6d. Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For'T. Henderson (Green Lshmd), 1 pen ■wethera 345, 1 31s 9d; D. M.. D. M'Laren (Hanfield), 8 ewes '33s, 37 28s .9d, 19 275. New Zealand Loan and<Mercantile Agency Company sold: For Thos. Henderson, (Abboteford), 12 woolly wethers 53s 6d; Alex. Campbell (Milton). 1 pen woolly wethers 50s, 22 ewes 35s 3cf; Robert Wilson (Stirling), 30 wethers 44s 3d, 22 42s 3d, 11 37s 9d, 1 pen ewes 31s 9d; A. D.'- Mathieson (Clinton), 27 wethera 435, 20 39s 9d; Stiell and Drake (Berwick); 22 wethers 42s 3d, 21 41s; G. Fox (Waimahaka), 1 pen wethers 40s. Otago Farmers l Co-operative Association sold: For a client, 16 wethera 565; Southland Farmers' Co-operative (Gore), 34 wethers 455, 21 43s 6u, pen 41s 9d; P. Bathgate (Outram), pen ewes 455, 33 33s 6d; G. S. Wright (Waiwera, South), 30 345, 29 275. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: For J. T. Simpson (Kapuka), 15 wethers 47s 9d, 6 445, 8 425, 10 41e 3d, 7 ewes 31s 3d; John Turnbull (Waikaka), 44 wethers 43s 9d, 16 41s 9d; J. W. Blair (Outram), 17 wethers 435, 16 40s; Fred. Moynihan (Sutton), 29 ewe 3 355, 16 32s 3d, 13 28s 9d. • Dalgety and Co. sold: For a client, 2 trucks wethers; John Wilson (Lauder), 70 wethers to 375; G. J. Fox (Fortrose), 12 455, 21 89s, 12 ewes 38s, 8 34s 9d; J. Orloweki (Clinton), 33 ewea. L\ Reid and Co. sold: For J. W .Blair (Outrifm), 21 shorn wethera 43s 9d; trustees late John Tough (Milton), 9 shorn ewes 325, 5 shorn wethers 31s 6d; James Franco (Milton), pen shorn/ewes 40s; J. P. Gardiner (Green Island), pen woolly wethers, 525; F. J. Keast, (Brighton), pen shorn ewes, 27s 6d. ' > ' Fat Lambs.—3ll penned, the _ quality of which was only moderate, but included in the entry were some very good-tjua!M;|* lambs. Ihe market for lambs was firm? at late rates, but medium sorts were lower by Is per head compared to late rates. : Best lambs, 28a 6d to 31s 6d; extra, to 36s 3d; medium, 24s to .265; light, 20s to 225:; —-Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For Mrs Scott (Burnside), 3 20s. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company sold: For •■ Wm. Kirk (Mayfield), 5 26s 6d, 5 23s 6d. Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For Mrs M. Moynihan, pen 36s 3d; M. Geary (Poatiri), 12 30a; G. S. Wright (Waiwera South), 5 28s 3d, 5 19s 9d, 216 s; Mrs Wm. Kirk (Mosgiel), 16 ,255. Wright, Stephenocn, and Co. sold: For Thomas Henderson (Abbotsford), 4 28a 9d. 3 and Co. sold: For J. Orlowski (Clinton), 34. D. Reid and Co. sold: For A. Scotf (Burnside), 20 25s to/ 275; trustees late John Tough (Milton), 26 25s 3d to 275; James France (Milton), 25 2Gs 3d to 28s 9d; a client,' 10 25s 9d to 31s 6d; W. Bell (Waihola), 10 20s 6d; F. J. Keaat (Brighton), 1 pen 26s 6d. Pigs.—A good yarding of fats and small entry for stores. The demand for fats of al- descriptions was very keen, and prices ruled on a very high level. Store pigs sold well also at prices considerably in advance of late rates. Stronach, Morris, and Co. eold: For D. O'Connell (Seacliff), 2 £9, 1 £7 13s; D. Harbour (Leith Valley), 2 £7 17s; J. M'Millan (Green Island), 1 £2 Is, 6£l 17s; F. Williams (North-East Valley), 6 £1 18s; T. M'Carthy (Leith Valley),. 4 £1 »s, 4 £1 Is 6d; T Richards (Opoho), & 19s. Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association sold: For J. Harvey (East Taieri), 1 £5 12s; a client, 2 £3 12s. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold:! For Mrs E/Bell (Anderson's Bay), 3 £8; a client, 1 £7 6s, 1 £7, 2 £6 18s; J. A. Cook (Forest Hill), 4 £8 4s, 2 £5 16s, 1 £4 7s, 2 £4 3s; George Nichol and Son (Allanton), 2 £6 15s; T. Fleming (Sandymount), 2 £4 ISs; Fred. Moynihan (Sutton), 1 £3 18s, 3 £2 15s; R. Morrison (Poatiri), 3 20s, 1 14s 6d. Donald Reid and Co. sold: For Young Bros. (Sandymount), 3 £6 ss, 2 £5 6s; Thomas Thomas, 2 £6 12s, 1 £5 Is; a client, 2 £7 10s; John Moloney (Burkes), 2 £8; a client, 2 £5 2s, 1 £4 4s, 11 £1 16s 6d, 3 £1 2s 63; G J Huband (Burnside), 1 £5 3s, 1 £4 7s: H Box (Port Chalmers), 1 £5 10s, 2 £3 lie; William Wright (Milburn), 1 £6 10s; C. White (Waihola), 1 £5 2s; W. Bell (Waihola), 2 £5 2s; a client, 15 £2 15s to £8 2s; T. Schofield (Mount Cargill), 2 £7 10s; J. 8. Finch (Milburn), 2 £8; John Cowie (Milbum), 1 £8 lie; a client, 2 £6; A. Spoor (Pine Hill), 2 £4 10s; T. E. Walker (Sawyer* Bay), 2 £6 2s t .

CIENTRAL PRODUCE MART (LTD.). Reilly's Central Produce Mart (Ltd.) report:—A keen demand has been experienced for all lines of dessert fruits and vegetables. Heavy consignments of potatoes are coming forward. Poultry has been in short 6upply, and a keen demand has been experienced. Consignments of fruit from Canterbury, Auckland, and Nelson are eagerly competed for. Stamped and guaranteed eggs arriving freely. We were fortunate in securing good prices for our customers. Bacon j?igs have been in demand. "We received and sold:—Apples: Christchurch Sfurmers, 16s 6d; Nelson Gravensteins, 16s 6d. Lemons: *" Mission" brand, 72s 6d. Strawberries: Outrams, la 3d to Is 6d; Waimate, lid to Is 3d; Central, Is 4<L« Cherries: Canterbury, Is 8d to Is lid; Oamarui la to Is 4d; Central, Is 9d to 2s ldi. Gooseberries: Bottling, 2id, 2Jd; jam, l£d, : 2d; ripe, 4Jd to Bd. Currants: Black, 4Jd to sd; Ted, 3d to 4£<L Peaches: Choice, 8d to lOd; jam, 4Jd to 6d. Apricots: Choice, 8d to lOd; jam, 4d to 6d. Cherry plums, Bid to Bd. • Cauliflower, 7b 6d to 9s. Cucumbers, 12s Gdl to 16s per dozen. Tomatoes : Christchurch, Is 3d to la 9d; locals, Is 4d to 2a 2d. Mushrooms, 6Jd. Green peas, 2Jd, 3d. Rhubarb, 2d, 2Jd. New potatoes, 2id to 3d. Onions: Aucklands, 355. Bacon: Golden Bay rolls, la 3Jd; sides, Is 2id; hams, Is 3d. Pigs: Boconens, prime, 9Jd. Butter: Bulk, Is 2d; separator pats, Is 2d to la 3d; special, Is 4d. Eggs: Stamped and guaranteed, Is -6d; case eggs, Is 4d, Is sd. Honey: Bulk, 8d; 10lb tins, 5s to 7s 6d; sections, -10 s6d dozen. Tea: Extra prime quality broken Orange Pekoe, 2s. Bran, 7s per 1001 b bags. Linseed meal and calf foods: Special quality,. 15s per 1001 b. Meat meal: V Cross Keys," 18s per 1001 b. Molasses, 7s 6d per owt in casks; eases, 4s. Oats: Best short .oats, to 6s, Cape barley, 7s 6d. Oatsheaf chaff, £8 10s. Oaten dust, 5s Gd per sack. Wheat, 6s 9d to 7s. Wheaten pollard, 14s per 1501 b. Lime sulphur, 2s 3d per gallon in barrels; 4 gallon tins, 3s per gallon. Black Leaf 40in: Now available. Beeswax, 2s per lb. Egg crates, 14s 6d. Rabbitsluns realised from. 15$<3. to 32*d. Tallow, 22s to 28s 6d per cwt. Poultry: Hens—s at 4s Id each, 4 at 2s 7d each, 94 at 2s 4d each, 121 at 2s 3d each, 153 at 2s 2d each, 21 at 2ft Id each, 12 at 2s each,' 43 at Is lOd each; ducks—l 6at 4s 3d each, 10 at 4s each, 3 at 3s 6d each, 8 at 3s 3d each; cockerels-' Is 6d to 3s 9d each. E. OSWALD REILLY, Managing Director-. THE ONION MARKET. ' The'Kaiapoi, now at Bluff, is due to arrive here to-day. ■ She is bringing large quantities of onions-. _At the .auction marts yesterday onions weresold at 4d to 4Jd per lb. WAIRARAPA FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. (Phb CJsltkd Press AssootatioiO , . DANNEYIRKE, January 14. The most important commercial transaction in -the history of 'Southern Hawke's Bay was completed yesterday, when the old-established business, the Dannevirke Co-operative Association, -was amalgamated with the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association. In future business will be carried on in new buildings which are being erected. Last year fire swept an area on which will be built the biggest departmental store in Hawke'e Bay. ..... The amount involved in this transaction "Will be approximately £90,000. •THE-BUSINESS OUTLOOK. The' statement which'appeared in the Otago 'Daily"Times" a few ■ weeks ago that several lines of 'merchandise in general use were likely to show a considerable fall in price is proving to be correct. Salt is a line which - shows a considerable reduction in price, and it is but one commodity which has weakened in coat as the result of the conclusion of the war. Local merchants, who are oarrying stocks purchased at war prices, are facing their impending losses in a philosophical, spirit, though it cannot be said, that this is the experience in several of the large North Island towns, where some of the merchant firms are becoming uneasy at the outlook. This state;, of' affairs is all the more remarkable when one ■ considers that the larger portion of the money spent in maintaining the New Zealand soldiers, etc., in the campa was absorbed by North Island firms, and offers one more illustration of the financial soundness of Dunedin.

A local merchant who has his finger on the pulse of the .trade position in the United Kingdom and America, gives it 83 his -unqualified opinion that many lines of soft goods will also show a reducton in cost, and to back up his view ho says that advices from New York state that commercial travellers there, who- had been " called in " by their firms while the war was on, were immediately instructed toigo out on the road again when peace wasun sight. This instruction would demonstrate that these firms had the goods to sell and were eager to again take up ordinary trade relations with their customers. Another Dunedin merchant states that on the latest position of affairs it would not appear that there is likely to be any shortage of overseas shipping. It is reported that a hardware firm in the South Island failed to realise that the end of the war was in sight, and a few months ago sent' two travellers to the North Island and two to the South with instructions to buy all available lines of hardware irrespective of cost. Lines were obtained at high prices, but in the face of e falling market this firm—it was not a Dimedin house—stands to suffer a severe monetary loss. CORRUGATED IRON AND HARDWARE LINES. PRICES REMAIN FIRM. Despite the fact that the war has practically ended, the price of roofing iron in New Zealand has, according to a leading Dunedin hardware firm, declined very little. The price in Dunedin a few weeks ago was £llO per ton, now it is £IOO. However, even at the latter price, it is considered impossible to obtain for immediate delivery a fair quantity of an all round specification. A few of the sizes may be obtainable, but the middle or best sizes are in short supply. Both corrugated and plain galvanised irons have been in very short supply all over the dominion for some considerable time, and it will bo many months before good specifications are available. It is understood that some ehipmonts of galvanised iron are due to arrive in New Zealand in about four weeks' time, and it is then we estimate the price will be from £BO to £9O per ton. These shipments and probably several following ones will represent iron of American manufacture, and, if so, the price at which the goods can be sold at cannot possibly bo under about £BO per ton," that is, if the buyers are not expected to lose money. As regards English roofing iron, the firm in question states that fairlj reasonably prices are being quoted by English makers, but the question of delivery to N-dw Zealand is a most important factor. It is impossible for merchants in New Zea land to estimate with any amount of cer-

tainty when a number of lines of goods are likely to reach New Zealand. If the consumer is prepared to take all risks and wait for an indefinite period, probably nine to 24 months, then reasonable quotations can be submitted by New Zealand merchants. Assuming that merchants can get English iron along in what may bo considered reasonable time, it is estimated the retail price of iron in 12 months time in New Zealand will be about £6O per ton. However, the position is so uncertain it would be inadvisable for anyone contemplating buying to bank on getting iron at that figure in the time mentioned. Briefly, the position is that prices in New Zealand cannot reach a reasonable level until such time as reasonably bought goods actually arrive hi New Zealand. Before the war New Zealand merchants were able to buy locks from the manufacturers at list prices, less 50 per cent. Assuming that if cost 50 per cent, to land the goods in New Zealand, it meant that £IOO list value of locks could be here at £75. Now the manufacturers' price is list, plus 200 per cent. Again, assuming it coat 50 per cent, to land the goods, it means that £IOO list value could not be landed here under £450.' This is equivalent to a rise of 500 per cent. The latest quotation represents a rise since the armistice was signed. The firm of Hunt's,'has increased its prices. These people make-spades, shovels, rakes, hay knives, trowels, andl, in fact steel goods and principal tools of all descriptions. The Welland Vale and Wallingford Companies are two very large American concerns making spades, shovels, picks, mattocks, axes, saws, rakes, hay forks, wedges, etc. Here again prices have been increased. The goods made by the American Chain Co. —dog chains, trace chains, plough chains, truck chains, and in fact welded chains of all 'descriptions—have also been increased in price. The letters received by the Dunedin firm all indicate the fact that sundry lines made of iron and steel, are increasing in price and increases at the manufacturers' end means increased selling rates in New Zealand. PRICE OF WHISKY. With the conclusion of the war, and the removal of the war service restrictions placed on the big Scottish distilleries, it might have been expected that whisky prices would show a marked fall at Home. This is not likely to happen, however, in the immediate future, as one of th© largest firms in Scotland, in writing to a local firm under date November 15, states: —"If you have any thought of prices coming down we feel we can safely say that such a thing is not yet in view, as there will ba no chance of any distilling taking place this season, and stocks of Scotch whisky have become considerably reduced." THE FRUIT CROP.. Officers of the Horticultural Division of the' Department of Agriculture report as follows regarding the condition of the fruit crop in Otago and Southland at the end of December:—

Otago.—Apples: Fair to good crop. Hail has marked the fruit in some localities, bu.t cannot at present specify to what extent. Apricots: Medium crop; season later than usual. Gooseberries: Better crops being marketed than anticipated. NeotaTiens: Medium crop. Peaches: Medium crop. Pears: Medium crop. Plums: Medium crop. Plums (Japanese):. Medium crop. Roseberries:. Promising fair crop. Later than usual. Strawberries: Better- this month; fair crops being picked. Tomatoes: Coming, away slowly; weather very erratic. Southland.—Apples: Fair crops; damaged by hail. Black spot very' bad on all crops, due, no doubt, to the wet Orchardists unable to carry out sprayings in pink stage on account of bad weather and later' epidemic. . Gooseberries: Heavy crops. Pears: Poor crop; damaged by hail. Pear mite prevalent. Plums: Light crop. Plums (Japanese): Nil. Raspberries: Heavy crops, late ripening. Tomatoes: All crops under glass setting well. Prospects of heavy crop.

TARANAKI OIL WELLS. NEW PLYMOUTH, January 11. The refinery plant of the Taranaki Oil Wells Company has been acquired by th j Anglo-Persian Company, in which the British Government is largely interested.

INVESTMENT STOCKS. January 13. National Bank —Buyers £6 2s. Bank of New Zealand (£6 13s 4d paid)— Buyers £l7 17s, sellers £lB 4s. Bank of New Zealand (£3 6s od paid)— Buyers £l3 Is. National Insurance —Buyers £3 6s, sellers £3 9s. New Zealand Insurance —Buyers £ll. P. and O. (deferred)—Buyers £402 10s, sellers £4lO. Standard Insuranee-n-Buyers £2 5s 3d. Union Steam Ship Company (pref.)— Buyers £1 Os 9d. Huddart-Parker (ord.)—Buyers £1 17s 3d, sellers £1 18s 6d. Huddart-Parker (pref.)—Buyers £1 Is. Westport Coal Company—Buyers £1 lis. Westport-Stockton (ord.) —Buyers 8s 6d, sellers 9s. Auckland Electrio Trams (pref.)—Buyers 16s 6d. . D.I.C. (ord.)—Buyers 6d prem. D.I.C. (pref.)—Buyers £1 0s 6d.. .Dominion Rubber Company—Sellers £1 i4s 6d. _ . -I \m New Zealand Refrigerating Company— Buyers £2 6s. Milburn Limo aud Cement —Buyers £1 14s 6d, sellers £1 15s 6d. National Mortgage—Buyers £4 6s. New Zealand Drug Comnany (£2 paid)— Buyers £2 12s 3d. New Zealand Drug Company Rights— Buyers Is 4d. Wilson's Cement (ord.)—Buyers 14s,- sellers 15s. New Zealand Paner Mills— Sellers £1 2s 6d. Otago Daily Times—Buyers £2 13s. Perpetual Trustees—Buyers £1 6s 6d. Sugar of Milk—Buyers £1 ss, .sellers £1 15s. . Whitoombe and Tombs—Buyers £6. Wright. Stephenson, and Co. (pref)— Sellers £4 15s 6d. Papu-in Products —Sellers 2s 4d.