The English Markets.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2953, 27 November 1900, Page 4

The English Markets.

The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Christchurch, the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Timaru, the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Cooperative Association of Napier, and the Farmers’ Co-operative Fire and Marine Insurance Association of Canterbury report under date, London, \ October 20th, as follows :

WOOL.-—The fifth and last series of colonial wool sales for the present year opened on the 9th inst., and according to present arrangements, will close on the 10th prox. The net available bales were 565, COO. There was a very full attendance of buyers from all quarters, but biddings were chiefly confined to the home trade, the restricted state of credit on the Continent, causing foreigners to act with extreme caution. Merinos showed a decline of 10 to 15 per cent., faulty seconds and heavy greasies showing the greatest depreciation. In crossbreds medium qualities were 7£ per cent, lower, and the finest grades 15 per cent., while the coarser grades were eagerly competed for by Yorkshire buyers at prices quite equal to those ruling last sales. During the last day or two the purchases of merino wool on Continental account, have been somewhat larger, and the tone of the market has been a trifle better. In the woollen districts in the north trade is remarkably quiet, the market for the moment being less favourable in tone, and in the actual business passing. Purchasers of woollen cloths do not operate with confidence, and there is a feeling that values have not even now touched their lowest point. Inquiries for merinos are limited, and the finest descriptions of crossbreds are neglected, but medium sorts are steady. WOOLLED SHEEPSKINS.—There have been no public sales of woolled skins since our last, and the next have been fixed for the 25th inst., when the following quantities will be offered Australasian 4610, Cape 90, Punta Arenas 100; total, 4800 bales. 1 Present values are about as under : —New Zealand merino full-woolled, 4d to sjd per lb; merino 4to ij-woolled, 3|d to 4jd; merino short and shorn, 3d to 4d; crossbred full-woolled, fine, to s|d; crossbred full-woolled, coarse, 4d to sd; crossbred £ to -|-woolled, fine, 3id to 4^d; crossbred 4 to t-woolled, coarse, 3|d to 3£d ; crossbred, short and shorn, 2£d to 3d.

WHEAT.—The wheat market has been quiet during the month, for owing to heavy shipments and abundant supplies, buyers have shown little disposition to operate, and values have declined Is per qr.; added to this, granary space is becoming scarcer, and there is a threatened trouble with lightermen, but a further decline has been arrested by recent advices of damage to the wheat crop in the River Plate, and firmer advices from America. English wheat has been more freely offered in the country markets, and values have fallen 9d to Is per qr., the imperial average price now being 28s 9d against 27s 3d a year ago. For Australian cargoes the price now asked is 30s fid to 31s per 4801bs. c.i.f., and ex-granary here the value is 32s per 4961b5. From New Zealand, the cargo of long berried wheat, per Milton Park, has arrived at Falmouth in perfect order, and 31s is asked for it. The best offer made to-day is 295. On spot the value is 30s fid to 31s for long berried, and 30s to 30s fid for short berried, per 4961b5. OATS have been depressed in consequence of heavy arrivals, and have lost fid per qr. New Zealand* are extremely scarce, and may be ((noted 24s fid to 25s fid for ordinary Bluff, and 26s fid to 27s fid for Canadian per 5841b5. Duns are worth 17s fid to 18s fid per 3361b5., ex store. BARLEY for malting is offered freely in the country markets, and fine samples maintain their values. New Zealand is in full supply, but at present there is no great demand for it. The value is about 29s up to 35s for very fine quality per 4481b5,, ex store.

TALLOW. --The demand has generally been good, and with some slight fluctuations, values remain unaltered. On the 26th ult. 2748 casks were offered, of which 1646 casks were sold at previous rates. On the 3rd inst. 1616 casks found buyers out of 2834 casks catalogued at 3d advance. On the 10th inst. 1460 casks were disposed of out of 2047 casks offered at previous prices, and on the 17th the catalogues comprised 3129 casks, of which 1266 were sold at a decline of 3d per cud;. Present quotations are :—Fair to finest mutton 27s to 28s, and fair to good beef tallow 26s 3d to 27s 3d per cwt. Considerable transactions have taken place in goods afloat or in the lliver on c.i.f. terms, and amongst the latest prices were 27s 3d for good mutton, 26s 9d to 27s for fine beef, and 25s 9d to 26s for mixed. FROZEN MEAT.—Trade has not been over active at Sinithfield during the past month, bub as holders have been firm, values have not given way. Canterbury

carcases have been in better demand and prime sheep have improved 3d per stone, the price now being 2s 8d to 2s 9d per stone ex market, up to 2s lOd for anything choice. Sydney and Melbourne sheep are 4d better. Sydney large and small bring--ing 2s 4d, Melbourne large 2s sd, and ordinary 2s 4d to 2s 5d per stone. River Plate carcases have hardened 3d and are now worth 2s 4d per stone. Lambs are unaltered in value, and they are in fair demand, but the trade may now be said to be practically over. Canterbury carcases are making 2s lOd to 3s 2d at Smithfield. Frozen beef is slow of sale, especially hinds, notwithstanding that American chilled has advanced 3d per stone. New Zealand hinds are quoted at 2s lOd to 2s lid, and fores which are in better request, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ex market.

BUTTER.—There has been an improved demand for all discriptions, and values have advanced. For Normandy, extra mild 120 s is now asked, finest 116 s, and seconds 106 s. Danish and Swedish have a hardening tendency, and selected parcels have brought 114 s to 118 s. Colonial butter is now coming to hand, the Australia having brought 8826 packages, and the Ortona 9000 packages, the arrivals to date from Australia amounting to 16, 200 packages, and from New Zealand 3800 packages. The enquiries for colonial, butter are numerous, and larger shipments are looked for to supply wants. Australian is worth 105 sto 112 s, and New Zealand 108 s to 110 s. CHEESE. Trade has been rather quiet, and owing to reported difficulties in connection with the trade in America, operators here have shown considerable caution. Sales of American have, however, been made to retailers here at full prices, viz., 54s to 56s I for both white and coloured, which are about Is better than they were a month ago. New Zealand cheese is worth 57s to 59s in .good condition.