COMMERCIAL.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11206, 12 December 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

The Department of Industries and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the AgentGeneral, dated London, the 3rd mat : "The matton market is Tery firm. Stocks of mutton are light and firmly held in a few hands. The retail demand is becoming very much restricted, on account of the high prices ruling. The average price today for Canterbury mutton ia 4%d per lb, other brands North Island mutton 4!^d. The stock of lamb is light, and there is a good demand for all offering. The average price to-day for New Zealand lamb, Canterbury brands, is 6i^d per lb, Australian lamb 53£ d. Beef is in better demand. The average price to-day for hindquarters of New Zealand beef is 3d, fores 2J^d. The quotations for New Zealand beef are nominal. The butter market is very firm, and there is general confidence in the maintenance of the present prices. The supply of new season's New Zealand butter, per Fapanui,is practically exhausted. The average price of cnoiceßt New Zealand butter to-day is 105s per cwt, Danish 110s. The cheese market is quiet, but firm ; Canadian 495. The hemp market is firm, and good bueiness was done during the past week. The price of New Zealand hemp, good fair Wellington grade, on spot to-day, is £31 10s per ton, January to March shipment JE3I 10s. The price of Manila hemp, fair current grade, on spot, to-day, is £11 per ton. The present stock of hemp in London is 1338 tons, as against 1077 tons on the same date last year. The cocksfoot seed market is very dull. The average price to-day for bright clean New Zealand cocksfoot seed, weighing 171 b per bushel, on spot, is 50s per cwt."