CANTERBURY GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 15

CANTERBURY GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

CHEISTCHUBCH, May 9. The grain and produce markets are very at present. There is nothing fresh to report in the wheat trade, and growers are apparently reoognising that they must hold their wheat until millers require it. Although only Borne two months of the new cereal year have gone, millers have already purchased over 2,500,000 bushels, and therefore are holding good stocks. In addition to this, some Australian wheat has arrived, and another cargo is expected shortly. The oats market has gone back a little, both in the rates at which forward sales can be effected and in the prices that would be offered to growers at country stations. Farmers are, however, holding firmly, and it is doubtful if many would sell at under 4s at country stations at present. With the winter to face with an unusually large number of stock to carry, and much of it in very low condition, oats will be required to play a rnost important part in feeding, as there is but a limited turnip crop. The nominal value of A grade G-artons is now 3s 8d to 3s 9d and B grades 3s 6d to 3s 7d, country stations, with no business doing with growers.

Oatsheaf chaff has firmed in sympathy with oats, an inquiry having set in from the North Island. It is now quoted at £5 'to £5 ss, at country stations. The continued fine weather is tending to keep the chaff market easier than it otherwise would be.

There is practically nothing doing in grass seed. Cow grass is a shade easier, and the best price is now reported to"* be Is.

There is a fair demand for peas, and a number of sales have lately been made by growers at 5s for Partridge, 6a to 5s 6d for "White Ivories, and up to 6s for Blue Prussians, at country stations. • The fine weather has enabled potato growers to push on the work of digging. The deliveries have been large, and considerable quantities have been shipped to the North Island. At present the market is a little easier, and £5 10s at country stations is trio top price. Onions are firmer, and- are now quoted at £6 5s at stations. There has been quite a spurt in tha linseed market, and sale 3 have been made up to £l7 per ton. The following are quotations : "Wheat.—Milling wheat, Government price. South Island, 6s Ghd, f.0.b.; North Island, 4d extra. Oats. —Euakuras, 3s to 3s 3d; seed Algerians, 83 4d to 8s 6d; feed Algerians, 3s to 3s 3d; milling Gartons, 3s 5d to 3s 6d; seed Duns, 3s 8d; Danish, good quality, 3s 4d. Barley.—Malting, 6s 6d. Flour.—£ls per ton.; 1001 b bage, £ls 15s; 50lb bags, £l6; 251 b bags, £l6 ss. Bran.—Shipping, £5 10s; local, £5 15s per ton. Pollard.—£7 10s per ton. Oatmeal.—2slb bags., £2B pex ton; 7lb bags, £32 per ton.

Oa-tsheaf Chaff.—Bright heavy, £4 15s to £5. Cocksfoot.—Undressed, 6£d to 7d; machine dressed, Is. Ryegrass.—Perennial, 4s to 4a 9d; Italian, 4a to 4s 6d (nominal). Clover.—Whtc, 6d to lid; rod, 9d to Is 2d. Peas.—Partridge, 4s 3d to 4s Gi; White, 4s to ss; Blue Prussians, 6s to Ss; Blue Imperial, 8s (nominal). Scotch Tares.—lis to 12s 6d. Linseed.—£ls to £l6 per ton. Potatoes.—£s 10s per ton at country stations. . Onions.—£6 ss. TIMARU. The Tirmaru correspondent of the Christchurch Press writes: —Owing to the fact that there is a congestion in most of the consuming centres of the North Island, the potato market has- eased, and very few orders are ooming to hand. The value to-day is £5 15s to £6 per ton, sacks included. The Board of Trade have announced that they will not at present remove the embargo on the export of potatoes, but that the matter may, be considered later on. From present appearances it would seem necessary to allow export business, as the quantity in sight indicates that the crop will yield an excess over the requirements of the Dominion. The crops are turning out very well. It is estimiated that, on the average, the yield will be about 10 tons per acre. COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, May 3. The Auckland Electric Tramways have declared an interim dividend of 6d per share. Rubber.—Para, 28|d; plantation, 23d; smoked, 22§d. Hemp.—Market quiet, prices unchanged. i May 5. The Bradford wool market is firm, and a good inquiry continues for merinos and fine erossbreds. May 6., Tin: Spot, 2147 tons; afloat, 201 Z-tons; stocks, 3113 tons; deliveries, 2118 tons. The tallow sales will resume on the 14th inst. May 7. The imports into the United Kingdom decreased by £7,670,296, and exports increased by £18.410,783, and the re-exports increased by £11,205,774 during April, as compared with a year ago. The lead imports last month were 26,634 tons and the exports 1232 tons.