COMMERCIAL

Southland Times, Issue 19123, 15 December 1923, Page 2

COMMERCIAL

CANTERBURY MARKETS. GOOD RAINS BRIGHTEN PROSPECTS. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 14 The rain which fell during the week has undoubtedly done good, but the more recent nor’-westers are having a bad counter effect. Threshing of ryegrass has commenced in Ashburton district, and crops are turning out well. The demand for cocksfoot has gone off to some extent, and at present there are more sellers about than buyers. Machinedressed seed is worth from 93d to lOd. Reports from Home regarding partridge peas are anything but encouraging. The latest advice states there are between 600 and 700 tons of New Zealand peas in the London stores still unsold. The demand for oats has slackened off, during the week though inquiries are still coming to hand from Australia, but so far no business has eventuated. There is a slightly better demand for white clover and cowgrass from the North Island, although no sales of any considerable extent have been recorded. The position in respect of chaff is unaltered. Graders at Lyttelton have tightened up the grade for good bright grades, and merchants in consequence appear to be a little shy in quoting for it in any quantity. WOOL SALE. GOOD CLEARANCE AT CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. There was almost a total clearance of the 4062 bales which were submitted at the wool sale to-day. Bidding was hardly so spirited for plain and shabby wool, as was the case yesterday, but for all wool of good quality there was practically’ no change in values. Crossbreds maintained the previous day’s high prices. There were no record prices to-day, and several buyers who had been present at the sale yesterday were absent to-day, having satisfied their requirements, but their absence did not affect the keenness of the competition. THE SHARE MARKET. YESTERDAY’S TRANSACTIONS CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. Sales reported: Bank of Australasia, £l2 19/-; New Zealand Breweries, £102; Union Bank, £l4 17/6; New Zealand Insurance, 29/-; Goldsbrough Mort., 45/3; Auckland Gas (2/- paid), 3/6, 3/5. Sales on ’Change: Goldsbrough Mort, 45/3. AUCKLAND, December 14. Sales: War Loan, 1938, £96 15/-; New Zealand Inscribed, 1938, £96 17/6; Auckland Harbour 5| per cent., £99 10/-; Bank of New Zealand (old), 51/6; Union Bank, £l4 17/6; New Zealand Insurance, 29/-; Goldsbrough Mort, 45/6.; National Pictures, 18/6; Refrigerating (contrib.), 11/-; Wilson’s Portland Cement, 27/11; Waihi, 28/3; New Waiotahi (contrib.), 7d. WELLINGTON, December 14. Sales reported: Union Bank, £l4 17/6; New Zealand Loan Mercantile (cum.), £B2; Huddart Parker, £2 2/-. DUNEDIN, December 14 Sales: D.I.C. (pref.), 21/-. . Sales reported: Loan & Mercantile (ord.), £B2 and £B2 10/-; Bruce Woollen, 34/-; National Electric, 19/-. LONDON WOOL SALES. INCREASES MAINTAINED. Messrs Murray Roberts and Co., Ltd., are in receipt of the following wool market cablegram from their London agents, dated 12th inst:— “The market is very firm, with keen, competition from all sources, compared with the opening rates at the present London sales. Merino has advanced 5 per cent.; crossbred fine 5 per cent.; medium 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, and coarse 5 per cent.” MEAT BOARD’S PRICES. OFFERING ON DECEMBER 13. WELLINGTON, December 14. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advises that the following prices are being offered on December 13, 1923: AUCKLAND. Wethers, 641bs and under, 5Jd per lb; prime woolly lambs, 421bs and under, BAd; 43lbs and over, 8d per lb; second quality lambs, 7Jd per lb. POVERTY BAY Wethers, 641bs and under, 5Ad per lb; prime woolly lambs, 421bs and under, 84d per lb; 431bs and over and second quality lambs, 7id to per lb. HAWKE’S BAY. Wethers, 641bs and under, 6d per lb; prime woolly lambs, 421bs and under, 9d per lb; 431bs and over and second quality lambs, Bid to BAd per lb. WANGANUI. Wethers, 641bs and under, 6d per lb; prime woolly lambs, 421bs and under, 9d; 431bs and over, B£d per lb; second quality lambs, 8d per lb. • Prime ox beef, 20/- per lOOlbs. WELLINGTON. Wethers, 641bs and under, 6d per lb; prime woolly lambs, 421bs anl under, 9d per lb; 431bs and over, BAd per lb; second quality lambs, 8d per lb. CANTERBURY. Prime woolly lambs, 421bs and under, 9sd per lb; 431bs and over, 9d per lb; second quality lambs, 9d per lb. / BUTTER AND CHEESE. THE MARKET EASIER. HIGH PRICE LIMITS DEMAND. (By felegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, December 14. Butter is easier owing to the Danes reducing the price (220/-), and the high retail prices (2/2 to 2/8 per lb) for best checking consumption. The market is also affected by the fact that over 500,000 boxes of New Zealand, Australian and Argentine are due to arrive before mid-January. This is making buyers cautious. Choicest New Zealand is quoted at from 214/- to 216/-, Australian 206/- to 208/-; both unsalted are 4/- to 6/- dearer Cheese is quiet and tending easier. New Zealand is, quoted at 106/- to 108/-. THE HIDES MARKET. MELBOURNE SALES. MELBOURNE, December 14. The hides market is improving in tone. Medium and light sorts advanced one-eighth to a farthing. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. CURRENT QUOTATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, December 14 Oats.—3/5 to 3/6. Barley.—English, 3/9 to 3/10A. Potatoes. —£9 to £l2 11/- per ton. Onions. —£7 to £8 5/- per ton. SYDNEY, December 14. Oats.—Tasmanian Algerian feed 4/9, white 4/10. Maize. —South African 6/8 to 6/9. Potatoes.—Local £l7 per ton, Westralian £lB, Tasmania £2O. Onions.—Victoria £ll 10/- to £l2. ADELAIDE, December 14. Oats.—3/2 to 3/3.