ENGLISH MARKETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3280, 1 April 1885, Page 2

ENGLISH MARKETS.

Messrs Miles Bros, and Ce. report under date London, February 13th, as follows : — WOOL. The current series of sales, which opened on the 20th January, showed little variation during the first fortnight. The tone was firm and competition, was brisk, especially on foreign account. Good combing merinos and best croesbreds - sold at November prioea. Superior lambs wool was also m good demand, hut faulty and inferior parcels showed a decline of id to Id per lb. During the past week the sales have dragged considerably, with heavy withdrawals nightly, and prices for all descriptions, crossbreds excepted, have ruled m buyers' favor. The present sales will close this evening, and tho next series will open on the 17th March, the fresh arrivals for which are as follows, viz. : — Bales. New South Wales 16,743 Queensland 5,615 Victoria 11,124 South Australia 21,327 Western Australia 336 Tasmania 131 New Zealand 6,749 Cape 10,568 Total 72,593 WHEAT, PLOUE, ETC. Onr wheat trade lately has again been very inactive, and prices have further receded la to 2s per qr. Foreign supplies have not been exoessive, but our farmers appear anxious to realise, and are pressing their stocks on the country markets. In America the " visible supply" is still enormous — 42,700 ,000 bushels — and until this has been worked down to a more moderate level, we are not likely to see any permanent activity on the market. The quantity on passago from all parts is estimated at 2 ; 100,000 qrs. Only a few parcels of Australian wheat have arrived, nevertheless these descriptions are cheaper, quotations now being 36s to 37s per 1961b. For forward delivery sales have been made at 35a 6d to 36s 3d per iron ship, and 34s 9d to 35s per wooden ship, and 34s 6d to 35s c.f. and L terms, London direct. New Zealand wheats are weaker, m sympathy with the deoline m prices of English samples, and the demand is not very brisk. Good long-berried is now worth 32s to 345, perfect round-berried 31a to 335, and inferior 27s to 30s per 4961b5. Supplies of American flour have been heavy, and prices are rather easier. Australian superfines bring 24s to 255, fines 20s to 225, and New Zealand 21s to 22s per 2801bs. Best heavy New Zealand oats are worth 31s to 32s per 3841bs_, and ordinary feed 22s to 23a per qr Imperial. New Zealand beans bring 32s to 335, and broken 30a to 31s per 5041b5. Best malting barley may be quoted at 34a to 36b, and ordinary 30s to 42s per 4481ba. Best hoiling peas 353 to 365, and common feed 30s to 32s per 50-ilbs. TALLOW, HIDES, &C. The tallow market continues m a very unsatisfactory condition, as there ia almost a total absence of demand, and at the sales today only 468 casks of Australasian wero sold at and after, ont of 1166 casks offered, at a decline of 6d to Is on mutton, and Is per cwt. on beef, the price of the former being 32a to 34a, and of the latter 31s to 33a 6d, and even at a greator rodnction the catalogues could not have been cleared. The fact is the trade ia juat now overstocked with Home tallow, and there ia little or no demand for the Continent at this time of the year, whilst trade genorally ia dnll, hence tho great depreasion m oils and tallow. Tho stock m importers' hands amounts to about 15,600 casks. There 18 no change to notice m hides since our last advicea. The next sales are fixed for Thursday pert, the 19th inst.'

FROZEN MEAT. The supplies of Home-killed mutton on the market is shorter, and although tha demand for frozen mutton is rather better, tho supplies have been so large that there is little improvej ment m prices. The cargoes of the "Ruapehu," " Elderalie," and " Victory " are now almost finished, and turned out m fair order. Some of the sheep ex "Ruapehu," however, were slightly damaged. The " Kaikoura " has just discharged her cargo, some 200 earcaaea_ of which were badly damaged, Tho " Coptic " now discharging, condition good. The " Tongariro" will be due shortly, followed by the Arawa." Pricos this week.— Best N.Z. 3a 2d to 3s 4d and 33 6d ; inferior or merinos, 3s to 3s 2d ; Melbourne, 3s to 3a 2d ; River Plate, 3s to 2s lOd ; lambs, 4s 8d to 4s ; beef, nominal. MONET. Bank rate 4 per cent.