ENGLISH MARKETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2265, 10 December 1896, Page 2

ENGLISH MARKETS.

• Mr George Jameson, representative m London of the Christchurch, Timarn, and Napier Co-operative Associations, and of the Farmers' Co-operative Fire and Marine Insurance Association of Canterbury, reports as follows, under date, London. October 31st, J. 896 ;-«

WOOL. Towards the close of the SeptemberOctober auctions, owing to some increase m French and German competition coming upon the steadily-continued support of the Home trade, prices for all descriptions rallied, and, generally speaking, the series closed at the rates current at the opening. Out of an available total of some 313,000 bales, 56,000 bales were held over, and of these about 23,000 bales consisted of New Zealand produce. The firmness prevalent at the end of the auctions produced a more cheerful feeling m the trade generally, and since the close there has been a considerable amount of enquiry, a large proportion of which has been on American account. The result of this has been that about 1000 bales of Australasian wool have changed hands at prices on a par with the final rates of the July series. During the past week however there has been a lull m the demand, and at the ■ same time holders are unwilling to sell I except at an advance on recent quotations. Trade m the woollen and worsted ' districts m England continues fairly > good, with a tendency to expand, whilst 1 on the Continent some improvement apl pears noticeable. The first two auctions of the year 1897 have been fixed for the 19th January and 19th March, the list to close on the 16th January and 6th March respectively. WOOLLED SHEEPSKINS. There have been no public sales , during the past month, and the next are fixed for the 19th and 20th pvox. The ■ market is steady and values are as follows: — New Zealand longwool merino, , 4|d to s£d per lb ; do do crossbreds, sid to 6|d do ; do medium, 4fd to 5d do : do do crossbreds, 4£d to s|d do ; do' short and shorn, 2fd to 3£d do ; do do crossbreds, 2|d to 3|d do. WHEAT, OATS, ETC. Up to a week ago the wheat market has been firm, and prices steadily advanced, owing to diminished supplies and reports of repeated shipments from California to India m consequence of the threatened famine, and also to the recommencement of exports to Australia. Speculators, both here and m America, forced prices until Califoraian wheat on passage reached 36s per 5001bs. During the last few days the excitement has subsided and prices have receded 2s 6d to 3s per quarter. Prospects for the future, however, appear to be favourable, and a higher level of prices than has been obtained for some time past is anticipated during the coming year. Oats.— There have been some heavy arrivals of New Zealand oats by the Tokomaru and Indraghiri, and these have come to a good market; bright heavy ! samples are selling up to 26s per 3841b5 ; common descriptions are m less request at 18s to 20s. TALLOW The tallow market has again been flat and weak m all positions. At public sales held on the 21st inst., 2012 casks of Australasian were offered, of which 1141 casks were sold with a slow demand, prices for mutton ruling from - late ratea to 6d decline ; beef being fully 6d perewt. lower, the tendency gene- , rally being weak. Present quotations are:— Good to fine New Zealand mutton, 21s to 22s per cwt. : do do Aus- , tralasian, 20s to 21s do; fair to good qualities, 19s 9d to 20s do ; do do beef, 19s to 20s do. FROZEN MEAT. The market for frozen mutton has declined, supplies of all kinds on the market having been m excess of the demand during the month of October. Dutch carcases have been very plentiful, at moderate rates, and there have consequently been fewer enquiries for beßt Canterbury sheep, the price of which i has declined to 2s 4d to 2s 6d per stone, while second quality has been offered at 2s to 2s Zd. New Zealand wether legs make 3s 4d, and ewe 2s 8d per stone. The supply of Wellington carcases has been heavy, and these descriptions have been marketed at 2s Id to 2s 2d per stone. Sydneys make Is lOd to Is lid per stone. Frozen lamb is quite neglected, and present values are at 2s to 2s 6d. Frozen beef is difficult to move, and fore-quarters have been sold as low as 2d per lb, and hind-quarters 2£d per lb. BUTTER. ! There is no New Zealand on the market. CHEESE. In cheese there is but little doing, the trade at the moment not operating freely. Canadian and American are held firmly at 51s to 52s for finest quality, and 48s to 50s for fine, but the enquiry has been limited.