HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12749, 22 March 1910, Page 1

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Wellington, March 21. A cablegram from the High Commissioner, London, dated 19th March says : — ' The mutton market is strong, and prices arc advancing for all descriptions. The demand is principally speculative on account of the dimculti' of obtaining supplies. Holders are firm. Average prices: Canterbury 4}d, North Island 4jd, Austrahon 3|d, River Plate 33d. Tho lamb market is very firm, with a general active demand. Average prices: Canterbury s|d, other New ™ i , -, 5 % d > Austra lian and River Plate 4sd. The beef market is firm. The stock is small, and high prices are restricting business in New Zealand beef. New Zealand hindquarters average H<\, forequarters 3|d. Tlie butter market is steady, with a moderate demand; but tho high level values restrict business. Buyers are holding back expecting prices bo go lower. The shipment of butter per Corinthic arrived in good condition. Average price: Choicest New Zealand butter, 124s per cwt; Australian and Argentine 121s : Danish 130s ; Siberian 1225. The cheese market is very firm. Buyers are cautious, and business is dull. New. Zealand finest white cheeso average 625, coloured 60s. The hemp market is quiet, with small business doing. Prices on spot: -New Zealand good to fair £25 per ton ; fair, £24. Manila, current £24* 10s; April to •June shipments, good to fair £24 10s ; fair, £23 10s ; Manila. £23. The week's output of hemp from Manila was 26,000 bales. _ The wool market is firmer for merinos ; but not quite so firm for medium and coarse crossbreds.

(Special to "The-Colonist.") The New Zealand Fruit and Produce Co., Ltd., report regarding tlio Wellington market— The arrival of large quantities of cooking apples has weakened th© market for that class of fruit : also heavy supplies of pears from South have - caused all but th© best varieties to weaken in price. The potato market is still firm. A much better demand for vegetables was shown at the end of the week. -The following prices will enable growers to have a good idea of values ruling here;— Apples (cooking) 3s 6d to 4s 3d ; dessert 5s to 8s ; plums (cooking) 2s 6d to 3s j pears (cooking) 4s to ss, jlesserfc 3s to 10s ; grapes 7d to 8d per lb ; 'ilackberries 13d to 2d per lb ; peaches 'cooking) 2s to 3s, dessert 3s to 3s 9d ; iranges (Californian) 7s to 10s (Island) 7 s to 8s 6d; bananas (case) 7s 3d to Os 6d, (bunch) 3s 6d to ss; lemons 'Messina) 11s 6d (150); pines 7s 9d 'o 10s. Potatoes 5s to 6s 3d cwt ; onions 4s \o 4s 6d cwt ; swedes 2s 6d cwt; turnips 3s sack ; carrots 3s to 5s sack ; parsnips Is 6d to 6s sack; beetroot 2s 6d to 3s 3d sack ; cabbage Is 6d to 6s sack ; cauliflower 6s to 9s sack ; peas 4s to 8s 6d '.aek; marrows Is to 2s sack; beans 'French) 2s to 3s sack ; beans (broad) ?s to 3s 6d sack ; lettuce Is to 3s case ; tomatoes ls-3d to 2s case ; cucumbers 3s to 5s 6d case. Eggs Is 4d to Is sd, (good demand) ; hran 9s per sack ;» chaff £4 to £5 ; ■vheat 4s 8d bushel ; ducks 4s 6d to 5s per pair ; hens 3s to 3s 6d per pair.