COMMERCIAL

Southland Times, Issue 22497, 6 December 1934, Page 2

COMMERCIAL

FINANCE AND TRADE

LOCAL MARKETS. Times Office, Thursday Morning. Grain and Produce. Oats.—There is very little business passing at the present time. Occasional orders are coming from the north for coastal shipment, but there is no great activity. The recent shipments to England absorbed the greater part of the stocks held by merchants, and this has left stocks light until the new season’s crop comes in. There are practically no offerings from farmers, and any further supplies from this source will probably not be available until next season. The value to farmers is nominally 1/9 for A’s and 1/6 for B’s. Wheat.—The past season has not been a very successful one for Southland farmers regarding the acceptance of their wheat by the Purchase Board. The moisture content has been too high for the grader and most of the wheat will now have to be disposed of as fowl wheat. Good, whole lines of this are worth up to 3/- on trucks, country stations. Chaff.—There is no activity in this market, practically all the business being confined to the supply of local requirements. Offerings from farmers are ample to meet the present demand. The value to farmers for good, bright grade which is the only quality in demand, is about £2 10/-, o.t.c.s.

Ryegrass.—This market continues dull, although occasional sales are being made for shipment. The demand for certified seed in many localities is limiting the outlet for Southland seed and it is probable that farmers will require to restrict the areas held for seed; or as an alterative, produce seed which will qualify for certifying by the Department of Agriculture. There is practically no business with farmers at present, as all of their seed has passed into merchants’ hands, but values may be quoted nominally as 2/6 to 3/o.t.c.s.

Potatoes.—The supply of old potatoes is now on the short side, but with the new season’s available prices have not advanced to any extent. There will probably be a limited demand for old potatoes up till Christmas, but the range of values will remain as at present. The value to farmers for freshly picked lots runs out at £2, o.t.c.s. Fruit and Vegetables.

The past week has been one of .the busiest experienced in the fruit marts in recent years. A veritable rush of strawberries and cherries, along with other seasonal fruits did not catch merchants and retailers unawares, however, and as provision had been made to deal with the extraordinary supplies the fruit was handled to advantage. Cherries and strawberries are now in full supply, but according to reports the season will be over in a matter of days. The hot weather has brought the crops on very quickly and much of the fruit has arrived in a heated condition Consequently recent consignments have not shown the usual good keeping properties. The demand, however, has been sufficient to cope with the big daily supplies and it is probable that a demand will exist until after the season finishes. The market for these fruits fluctuated and at times during the week prices were very erratic. Best cherries in firm condition sold at from Bd. to lid., while others sold at lower values, according to condition. Strawberries realized similar values. Tomatoes became scarce towards the end of-the week and the beginning of this week and values firmed to 1/5, but with increasing supplies again this week values have eased again to lOd. to 1/- for choicest samples. Seconds are selling at 7d. to 9d. First Nelsons sold at 7d. to lOd. Lemons are scarce when the demand is greatest. Available New Zealand lemons are fetching 15/- to 18/- and Californians 60/- to 65/-. The orange market is just about bare of fruit. Only a few are left and these are selling at 28/- to 31/-. It is understood there will be no surplus of

Jamaicans which will arrive to a practically bare market next week. It is expected that there will also be a demand for Californian oranges. Apples are still coming to hand steadily. For best Sturmers 7/- to 8/is being received and for best Delicious the value runs from 8/- to 10/-. Inferior sorts are bringing 5/- to 6/6 with cookers in demand at 6/- to 7/-. Pears are again on the scarce side. There are practically none procurable. There are still fair supplies of bananas available. They are selling well. It is expected that supplies will be in short compass by the time the next shipment arrives on December 19. i , ■ Vegetables are scarce. Cauliflowers are unprocurable and cabbages are selling at 1/6 to 2/3, while lettuces, which are in very good demand, are realizing 3/- to 4/6. There is a keen demand for new potatoes, which are not too plentiful, at up to 2Jd. and also for peas, which are scarce, at 4d. to sd. GENERAL MERCHANDISE. The Union Steam Ship Company has advised that the Waitaki with sugar and general cargo for this district is scheduled to leave Auckland on December 7 and should reach Bluff about December 14. The position regarding desert canned fruits is evidently acute throughout the Dominion and Australia. Supplies of peaches are practically non-existent while apricots and pears are becoming scarce. There is a keen demand for pineapple and stocks are exceptionally low for this time of the year. The Colonial Sugar Company advises an advance of ten shillings a ton on all refined sugar, also syrup and treacle Eggs are plentiful and for this season of the year are exceptionally low in price. According to cabled reports on the tea sales held at Colombo last week prices were on the general average about a halfpenny a pound lower The quality was reported to be poor, which accounts for the slight depression. This week’s cables advise a full recovery and prices advanced a halfpenny a pound. The bacon market is very firm and prices have already been advanced a halfpenny a pound in some districts. Local butter factories have advised merchants and retailers that butter has been reduced one penny a pound.

Current Prices. Wholesale. Eggs, 9d to lOd. Bacon, IOJd to lljd. Bran, £5 5/-. Pollard, £6 15/-. Butter, factory, 9£d; separator, 6d to 7d. Flour, £l4 12/- to £l5 17/-. Oatmeal, £l9 to £23. Retail Eggs, lid. Bacon, 1/1 to 1/2. Pollard, 8/- per 1001 b. Butter, factory, lOd to lid; separator, 8d to 9d. Bran, 6/9 per 1001 b. Flour, 25’s 4/6; 50’s 8/9; 100’s 17/-; 200’s 33/6. Oatmeal: 25’s 6/9, 50’s 13/-. Onions: 4d lb. ADDINGTON STOCK SALE. SHORTER YARDINGS. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, December 5. There were shorter yardings at Addington to-day, owing to the uncertain feed prospects following continued heat. Store Sheep.—There was a mixed section, and though keen interest was shown in the sale, prices were slightly easier for all classes. Values: —Good wether hoggets, 16/9 to 18/-; medium, 15/- to 16/7; medium four and sixtooth crossbred wethers, 17/9 to 18/8; mixed sex hoggets (woolled), to 19/4; good two-tooth threequarter-bred ewes, to 22/6; ewes and lambs (all counted), ■ll/1 to 14/4. „ , Fat Sheep.—The offering totalled 42,000, the quality not being up to that of last week, Chatham Island drafts included. Butchers competed keenly for wethers of their weight, and the price advanced a shilling a head, while ewes were firmer. Values:—Extra prime heavy wethers, to 27/1; prime heavy, 23/- to 25/-; mediumweight, 21/- to 22/9; ordinary, 19/- to 21/6; light, to 18/6; extra prime heavy ewes, to 24/1; prime heavyweight, 20/- to 22/-; mediumweight, 17/6 to 19/6; ordinary, 15/to 17/-; light, to 14/-. Fat Lambs.—The yarding showed signs of going back through the hot weather, but competition was steady at the schedule rate of 7Jd per lb. Fat Cattle.—The smaller yarding of 435 was penned. The quality was good, but there was a slack demand for all but the best. Prices were down all round by 10/- a head. Best beef made from 26/- to 28/- per 1001 b; good, 23/to 25/-; heavy, 19/- to 20/6; medium, 15/- to 18/-; and light down to 10/-. Values: —Extra prime heavy steers, to £ll 17/6; prime heavy, £9 10/- to £lO 15/- prime mediumweight, £8 to £10; ordinary, £5 to £7; light, £3 to £4 15/-; extra prime heifers, to £8 17/6; prime, £5 10/- to £7; medium, £3 15/- to £5; light, £2 to £3 10/-; extra prime cows, to £8 17/6; prime, £4 15/to £6; medium £3 to £3 10/-; light and aged, £1 10/- to £2 5/-. Veal.—This section was in oversupply, and competition was confined to best quality, the top price being £4 7/6. Store Cattle.—There was a heavy entry of mixed quality, and sale was difficult for anything but the best. Values:— Five-year-old steers, to £6 13/-; three-year-old, to £4 10/-; 18 months old to two-year-old, to £3 2/6; heifers, to £2 11/-; cows, 10/- to £3 10/-. Fat Pigs.—Porkers and baconers were in heavy supply, and though competition was steady, values were slightly easier. Light pork did not show much change; some were bought for export. Values:—Porkers, 33/6 to 36/-; heavy, 38/- to 44/6 (an average of s’,d to 5Jd per lb); choppers, 25/- to 45/-; baconers, 48/6 to 54/6; heavy, 58/6 to £3 2/6; extra heavy, to£3 5/6 (an average of 5d to 5Jd per lb). BURNSIDE STOCK SALE. OVER-SUPPLY OF BEEF AND • MUTTON. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, December 5 Owing to the recent hot weather, butchers were short of lambs, but were over-supplied with beef and mutton, and the result was noticeable at today’s Bumside market. Fat Cattle.—The entry of 321 included a large proportion of cows and heifers, and a drop in prices was again recorded. Bullocks showed a drop of 10/- to 15/- per head, and cows and heifers 15/- to £l. Values:—Extra prime heavy bullocks, to £ll 12/6; prime heavy, £8 7/6 to £9 7/6; prime medium £7 2/6 to £8 2/6; light and medium, £6 to £7; prime heifers, to £7 2/6; medium heifers and young cows, £4 2/6 to £5 7/6; light and medium, £2 12/6 to £3 17/6. Store Cattle: The bulk of the yarding of 220 was comprised of cull cows, with only a sprinkling of graziers’ sorts. A pen of three-year-old steers realized £4 18/-, and a pen of two-year-olds £3 18/-, Competition was

slack throughout, and lower prices were recorded. Dairy’ Section.—There was an entry of 38 head, with prices showing a slight appreciation, this applying more particularly to young, good-conditioned cows, close to profit. Fat Sheep—Practically the whole of the entry of 1400 was shorn. Very few prime wethers were forward. Light and medium sheep sold at last week’s rates, but prices were easier for plainer sorts. Prime wethers were wanted, and made from 1/- to 2/- per head better than last sale. Values:—Extra prime heavy woolly wethers, to 32/6; shorn, 28/3 to 32/6; prime heavy woolly, to 27/-; shorn, 21/- to 23/-; light and medium shorn, 15/- to 18/-; extra prime heavy woolly ewes, to 25/3; shorn, to 20/6; prime medium woolly, 18/- to 20/6; shorn, 14/- to 16/-; light and medium shorn, 10/- to 13/-. Lambs. —The small yarding of 195 lambs was of good quality. Butchers bought- keenly at a rise of 1/- to 2/per head on last week’s rates. Values:— Extra prime heavy breeds, to 29/-; prime, 22/- to 24/-; light and medium, 18/- to 21/-. , , , Fat Pigs.—The entry of 183 included some excellent quality baconers. Values were firm. Store Pigs.—The small entry of 44 met with keen competition at late rates. COLOMBO TEA SALE. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, December 5. Mr L. M. Wright has received the following cable report on the Colombo tea auction of December 4:— “Fine quality teas were firm generally, while common and medium grades were irregular and easier at the close of the sale. The quantity auctioned was 2,210,0001 b. At next week’s sale 2,300,0001 b are catalogued.” LONDON WOOL SALES. PRICES TEND FIRMER. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, December 4. At the wool sales 8566 bales were offered, including 4216 from New Zealand and approximately 6953 Australian and New Zealand were sold. There was keen Home and Continental competition, and the price tendency was firmer. New Zealand greasy crossbred “Waikohu,” top price 10d, average 7Jd; scoured Merino “Crosskeys-Otematata” 23d and 21Jd. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. HIGHEST PRICE FOR SEASON.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.50 p.m.) Sydney, December 5. At the wool sales 11,681 bales were offered and 10,808 sold, 699 being disposed of privately. There was strong competition from Japan and Yorkshire and good support from the Continent. The market was very firm. Greasy Merino sold to 20d, constituting a record price for this season. It was obtained for five bales from Narraba. DAIRY PRODUCE PRICES. Mr G. Blaxall received the following cable dated December 4 from Messrs Lovell and Christmas: Butter. —Fresh finest 72/-; first 71/-; stored finest 70/-. Market quiet. Cheese.—White 45/6, 46/-; coloured 44/6, 45/-. Market quiet. The South Island Dairy Association reoort having received the following advice from the N.Z. Producers’ Co-op. Marketing Association under date December 5: —Butter quiet. New Zealand 72/- 73/-; Danish 116/-. Cheese quiet. White 45/- to 46/-; coloured 44/- to 45/-. MINING REPORTS. CENTRAL SHOTOVER RETURN. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, December 5. The Central Shotover return from a paddock (approximately a quarter of an acre), completed on November 30, was lOoz sdwt. GOLDEN SANDS, LIMITED. DIVIDEND OF 10 PER CENT. Christchurch, December 5. The directors of Golden Sands, Limited, have decided to pay a dividend of 10 per cent, payable on December 15. THE BELL-KILGOUR GOLD MINING CO., LTD. The secretary of the Bell-Kilgour Gold Mining Co., Ltd. (Mr F. R. Thompson) advises receipt of a report from the manager, dated December 1, reading as follows:— During the week work was concentrated on opening up the north and east branches at Murray’s claim. The North Branch was advanced 14ft and the East Branch 12ft. In both faces large boulders formed the principal material above the clay. Ihe wash in the North Branch now has a better appearance and is carrying a little gold, with the wash floor sloping away from the face. As only a few trucks of wash were secured for the period no wash-up took place. (Continued on Next Page.)