ENGLISH MARKETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3257, 5 March 1885, Page 2

ENGLISH MARKETS.

Messrs Mile 3 Bros, and Co. report tinder date London, January 16th, 1885, as follows : — WOOL. Trade m onr woollen districts, as well as on the Continent, is not over brisk. Stocktaking having been completed, onr manufacturers are now resuming business ; but although they have some good orders on hand and stocks are becoming reduced, there are but few enquiries for wool. The early date fixed for the first series of salea this year will, however, to some extent account for the absence of a private demand. The low wool sales were held here on the 7th mat., but the greater portion of the 9400 bales of wool and mohair offered was taken m. In some quartors it is anticipated that the decrease m the Australian supplies will have a beneficial effect on our market during the year, and that prices for good sound fine combing wools will be firm. The fresh arrivals to date for the ensuing sales, to commence on the 20th inst., are as follows : Bales. Qneensland 14,741 Now South Wales 53,403 Victoria 75,344 South Australia 2-1,701 Western Australia 356 Tasmania ... 361 Now Zealand 4,941 Cape 34,263 Total 208,110 Some 19,000 bales havo been forwarded direct to the manufacturing districts, and there aro about 10,000 bales of old wool remaining on hand. WHEAT, FLOUR, ETC. Since the turn of the year there has been a marked improvement m the value of wheat, and a considerable business has been done. Good samples of Now Zealand havo advanced quite 5s per qr from the lowest point, while lower descriptions are Gs dearer. This firmness ia to some extent owing to the rapid advance of prices m America, as well as to the decrease m granary stocks here and limited supplies ; but although the present appears to bo a much fairer level, yet m the face of the enormous supply m America, stated to be 43,375,000 bushels, we can scarcely hope for any further permanent improvement. Australian wheat is now worth 39s to 40a per 4961 b ex store, showing an advance of 3s per qr, while January-February shipments of the new crop have improved to a similar extent, sales having been effected at 36s 6d to 37s per 4801 b c.i.f. to London. The arrivals of New Zealand wheathavo amounted to some 23,000 sacks. Prices for good long berry parcels are now 363 to 38s per 4861 bex granary, and good round berry 34s to 375 ; inferior lots, 30s to 335. Off coast the Phoenix has been sold for Plymouth at 31s per 4801 b. Supplies of flour continue large, but the demand has been good, and American brands have advanced Is per sack. Australian superfine is about 2s dearer, quotations being 25s to 27s per 2801 b, and New Zealand parcels bring 22a to 25s per 2801 b. New Zealand malting barley is worth 36s to 37s per 4481 b, but these descriptions are only m limited request, onr home-grown supplies being large and of good quality. Oats aro firmer, and good heavy New Zealand bring 27s to 32s per Imperial qr. New Zealand beans, 33s to 36s per 5041 b. TALLOW AND HIDES. The tallow market still continues dull, though there appears to be more disposition to operate at about present prices, say 33s to 34a 9d for good to fine mutton, and 32s to 33s 6d for fair to fine beef. Advices from Australia state that 100,000 bales of wool will bo short, and this should have an effect on values of tallow, though perhaps not immediately, as the stock is still large, viz., 17,700 casks, which will take some little time to reduce. Quotations from the United States are a trifle firmer, so that with a revival of trade wo may reasonably hope for better prices. At the sale to-day there was a fair demand, 1200 casks being sold out of 1900 offered, at the prioes stated. 11,468 salted Australasian hides were offered yesterday, and 7359 sold at full prices, though the detaand for heavies was restricted. New Zealand heavy ox, sd ; light and cows, 4,5 d ; second class, *Ud ; and kips and skins, 5Jd per lb. FROZEN MEAT. There is not much improvement to note m the frozen mutton trade. A good deal of meat ia being sold, but owing to the large quantities that are being pushed into the market prices have not improved. Best New Zealand sheep are making about s.£d, Australian 4Jd, and Eivor Plate 4id to 4Jd. There is a good portion of several cargoes atill on hand, and the Victory ia expected to-day or to-morrow. The sheep lately have boon scarcely equal m quality to formor shipments, but it is to be hoped there will.be no falling off m quality of the New Zealand shipment, as otherwise it will be difficult to obtain good prices. There are plenty of second-rate sheep coming from Australia and the Eivcr Plate. MONET, Bask rate 5 por cent.