PRODUCE MARKETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3253, 28 February 1885, Page 2

PRODUCE MARKETS.

Tho Now Zoaland Loan and Morcantilo Agency Company report on tho prodnco markets of New Zealand, under date Feb. 2Gth, as follows : — woor,. Dunedin.— Since our last report tho weather has shown a decided improvement. Consignments have come forward rapidly, and our local sales continno to be well attended, though they havo not passed off with tho samo animation as characterised the sales of the previous month ; prices generally display si slight reduction, especially heavy crossbreds and merinos. Since the beginning of the season 12,000 bales have been catalogued, and 8000 sold. The bulk of tho season's clip is now to hand, and tho quantity to bo offered SifteV the Ond Of this month will bo very small. Christchurch.— Tho fourth series of tho season's sales was held last week, when buyers mustered in good force, and bid freely for all light conditioned clips, sound and well skirted. Farmers' parcels received unusual attention, ami were well competed for, but station clips wero gonorally not in favor, consequently bevorol woro withdrawn for shipment. Wo succeeded, however, in placing the White Eock, Mount White, Cora Lynn, Glenthorne, Acheron Bank, Hakatoro and Wai.au clips at satisfactory prices. Onr offerings for tho season have now reached 8411 bales, and our Bales 5637 bales, out of a total by all brokers pf 13,909, and 13,133 respectively. Prices ar»

woll supported, oxcept for strong Linoolns and Leieesters, which must bo writton down id to Id por lb. Invorcargill.— All tho farmors' parcols havo now reached markot, and since the opening sales numerous small lots have been placed privately. Auckland. — Almost tho wholo of tho clip has been placed at auction, and small parcels only are now coming forward. Since last report, the Hermione for London, with 1637 bales, and tho Lavia for London, with 335 bale3, havo sailed. There has been little variation in prices. We quote merino wools, 8d ; half-bred medium, 0d to 7d ; and washed medium merino, Bid to 9d. Oamaru. — Tho first public sale of wool was held on 27th January. About 1200 bales were offered in tho presenco of buyers from England, Melbourne, Dunedin and Christchnrch. Owing to receipt of unfavorable advices regarding London sales, prices wero low, and in consequence only a fow hundred bales were sold. The Loch Fergus now loading here for London direct, has on board 2017 bales, and will sail about 10th March. Wellington. — With the aid of seasonable weather during the month, tho continued despatch of tho clip to town has progressed without interruption, and deliveries arQ now becoming smaller. We have hold two auctions since last report, at which we disposed of tho hulk of tho lot3 offered. Tho recent London cablegrams reporting the closing of the first series of the year, and the irregularity in bidding which characterized the sales, have however operated unfavorably on the local market, and values are decidedly easier. Napier. — The third sales for tho season were hold on Wednesday, the 18th inst., when about 500 bales and sundry fadges and bags wero offered. Our catalogue contained 344 bales, 50 pockets, 9 fadges, and 48 bags, the bulk of which sold under the hammer at a alight decline (quality considered) on the prices realised at our last sale, the biddings being in sympathy with the rather unfavorable reports from the London market. The attendance was good, and the competition fairly active. The catalogue was not a representative one. Greasy merino sold up to Sid, crossbred up to Bd, and lambs to 7d, scoured crossbred up to 9sd. The fonrth sales will be held on or about the 18th proximo. Wanganni, — The clip haa never been so late in reaching town as has been the case this year. The bulk arrived during the past month, and is being shipped as fast as possible. Tho few local buyers are very cautions in their purchases, and only a limited number of transactions have eventuated. GRAIN. Dunedin. — The weather for tho last two or three weeks was all that could be deßired, and harvest was getting a good start, but the unfavorable aspect of the past few days has been very disappointing to farmers. It is estimated the yield per acre will be above the average, but the area in grain is slightly less than last year, almost everywhere farmers are devoting more attention to feed for stock, and less to grain. Wheat — Prime milling has been in fair demand throughout the month, whilo medium continues neglected except at about the valu^ of good fowl wheat. Choice white velvet ha ■ been placed at from 33 5d to 3s 7d up to within a week ago, but in consequence of the advance of harvest, millers are not disposed to operate at these prices except for immediate requirements. The quantity of first-class wheat on hand is very small, and could all have been easily disposed of at prices which are not now obtainable. Oats — Tho slight advance recorded by us at tho end of last month proved of short duration, as immediately after writing, siprns of weakness set in, resulting in a drop of 3d to 4d per bnshel. There is very little demand at present, as buyers are looking for a fnrther reduction in values. Barley — There is none of the new orop yet to hand, and we do not anticipate any business bofore tho harvest is well over. Christchnrch. — This district has been favored with a few weeks of grand harvest weather, which has been made the most of by farmers. A largo area of crop has been secured in prime condition, and many parcols of wheat and oats havo reached tho seaboard. Tho weather broke on the 23rd instant, and heavy rain fell for two days, tho gauge showing ovor two inches in the 48 hours. At tho moment of writing there are indications of the rain clearing off, in which caso no damage will have been sustained. Wheat — The tono of tho English market does not improve, and, under the heavy pall of increasing shipments afloat and an enormous "visible supply" in America, there seems little probability of any change for tho better. Several crops have been threshed out, and the qnality haa given general satisfaction. The market may bo said to have opened on the 21st instant, when several transactions were recorded on tho basis of 2s 9d to 2s lOd, f.o.b. These prices wero given by millers for immediate delivery, and in the present state oft.outside markets may be considered fnll value. It will be satisfactory to growers to learn that freight to London is not likely to exceed 35s per ton. Oats — The quality of the season's crop — now pretty well assured — is excellent, and should meet with favor anywhere. Though tho market has only been open a few days, sevoral largo lines have already chang«d hands at Is 9d to la 10, f.o.b. Barloy — The area in crop this season is much curtailed, but tho yield is proving satisfactory, and from the character of the samples brought forward, the qnality promises well. A few unimportant sales havo been effected at from 3s 3d to 3s 9d, but prices are scarcely yet determined. Invercargill. — For about a fortnight wo enjoyed unbroken sunshine, and the crops everywhere benefitted much in consequence. Already cutting has commenced in several districts, and the harvest would have been general throughout Southland next week if the fine weather had continued. Wheat — This market has been in a stagnant condition during the month. Nothing but inferior samples are offering, and these are unsaleable. We succeeded in placing 400 to 500 sacks for Dunedin account at from Is 8d to Is lid per bnshel, delivered at -svajside stations. Oats — Buyers are holding off altogether until the new crop comes into the market, some of which will be available in the course of a few days. Auckland. — Wheat — Business ia almost nominal, and the quantity arriving from Southern ports has been small. Prime milling sorts may be quoted at 3s lOd to 4s. Oats — The market has continued quiet and inaotivo during the past month. Quotations from tho South have been frequent lately at lower rates than at present ruling here, and wo anticipate a decline in the immediate future. Advices from the Australian market are not promising, and stocks hero are quite sufficient for present requirements. . We quote 2s 9d for milling samples, and 2s 7d to 2s 8d for bright feed. Timarn. — Wheat — Old wheat is moving- off slowly at from 2s 9d to 3s for good milling. Medium is only saleable as fowl wheat, and is now selling at Is lOd to 2s 4d per bushel. New wheat has not yet arrived in the market, and all now depends on the state of the weather for the ensuing few weeks. From small samples submitted the quality appears to be very good, and heavy yields aro anticipated. Oats — A considerable stock of old oats is still in the district, and prices range from Is 9d to 2s ex store for parcels. Only one or two parcels of the new crop havo yet been submitted, but they are in firstclass condition. Wo hoar of one liao of 700 sacks short oats having been placod at 2s on trucks. Barloy— The new crops promised extra, good quality, had tho fine wcuthor continued ; the yield in any caso is likely to be first-class. Oamaru. — Harvesting operations aro in full swing, and a largo quantity of grain is already iu stack. Unfortunately tho favorable weather of tho last fortnight has been broken by heavy rain, but should it tako up again soon wo expect to be able to report a good harvest both for yield and quality. Somo very fine samples of new grain have been shown, but no transactions have taken place. Wheat — Business in thi3 as in other cereals ia dull. We have sold 2500 sacks medium at quotations and several parcels of fowl feed, for which class of whoat thero still exists a brisk demand. Prices offering for prime milling wheat are still low. Oats— Old stocks are cleared out, our last parcel selling at 2s 2d f.o.b. Barley — Nothing doing ; as . acreage in this cereal is small, high prices aro oxpected. Blenheim. — Tho weather during tho past month has boon all that could be desired for harvesting, and most of the grain is now cut and stacked. The averago yield of the district will be good, and the quality and color of the grain oxcellont. Wheat — A considerable quantity has found its way into store, and so far no difficulty has been experienced in placing all that comes to hand. Thero is no speculative demand however, and purchases aro ovidently only made to supply immediate wants. Wo quote for good milling samples, 3s 3d to 3s Gd ; medium, 2s lOd to 3s 3d. Oats— Supplies are coming to hand freely, but are rather difficult of sale. Buyers will not give the pricos demanded by holders, and as the latter are firm, business is restricted. Prime milling aro worth from 2a to 2s 3d. Bright feed, Is lOd to 2s. Barloy— Wo havo no transactions to report. The now crop has been gathorod in splendid order, but it will not be on the markot for somo little time yot. Gisborne. — Barley — Tho now season's crop is now coming forward, and the sample on tho wholo is good, somo of it has been slightly discolored from the effects of tho lato rains duringharvesting operations. No transactions havo yet taken place, but growers expect from 3a 9d to 4s 6d. Nelson. — Barloy— Old stocks aro exhausted. Harvest work is being vigorously carried on, and the weathor is all that conld bo desired. Tho crop promises to be decidedly above the average, both iu quantity and quality. <

Wanganui. — Wheat — Harvesting operations have beon greatly facilitated by tho fine weather we have had lately. The quantity of wheat grown hero has been small compared with last year ; the quality, however, is good, and the condition sound. FROZEN MEAT. We cannot record any improvement in tho Home markot during the month. The mildness of the season is operating in a twofold manner against increased prices, firstly by limiting consumption, and secondly, by enabling graziers to deep up a steady supply of home-fed mutton at a cheap rate. Dunedin. — Since our last the s.s. Aorangi has cleared with 6548 carcases of mutton, and the works at Burnsido are engaged upon a cargo for the s.s. Ruapehu. The ship Turakina is also filling up fast, and is expected to take 9000 carcases. Christchurch.— The Aorangi has cleared since our last report with 3510 carcases mutton and lamb. Tho works at Belfast are now fully engaged upon shipments for tho s.s. Rimutaka and sailing ship Wellington, which will be followed by the Invercargill. Napier. — The s.s. lonic sailed from this port on the/Jth instant, taking 7918 carcases mutton and 333 carcases lamb. The sailing ships Lady Jocolyn and Opawa are now in the bay loading. (By Telegraph.)