TRADE OF TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14282, 24 August 1910, Page 6

TRADE OF TIMARU.

AN INTERESTING RESUME. !At Monday night's meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce the President, Mr C. IS. Cray, reported as follows on trade and shipping for the month of July:--The total imports were 0871. tons and exports 7840 tons; inward vessels 37, 38,777 tons (uctj, outwards 38, 41,330 tons (net). Customs aoid Excise. —For the month ending 3ist July, the Customs and Excise collections at Timnru amounted to £2511 4s 7d as compared with £2240 for July 1909. Following is a comparative statement of the total collections from January to July during the past four years:—l.oo7, £21,048; 1008, £20,513; .1900, £20,09!); 1010, £26,031. The collections far tho current .year include £-370 for sur-tax, which was not in operation during the preceding years, but allowing for this the advance during the last seven months is several thousands of pounds ahead of former years, and may be accepted as some indication of the increase in local trade. Grain.—"Wheat.— During the past month good business has. been transacted in sprouted wheat for shipment to London—freights have been arranged at reduced rates for cargo steamers to arrive shortly, and much damaged wheal which is unsuitable for the use of local Hour-millers is being cleared at prices which, under all i ircmnstanccs, must be reckoned satisfactory. Supplies are equal to the demand', and bv tho cud of September tho bulk of available damaged wheat will have been marketed in all ' probability. The quality of tho wheal already' shipped was below F.A.Q. standard, and prices ranged from 2s 9d to 3s on trucks at linniru, and these rates are still operating for future .shipments. There is a good demand for sound wheat, but the supply is about equal to the demand and prices are quoted as ranging from •is 3d to 3s 8d for Tuscan according to quality, , nd :js 1(M u . |s for .. mo \ elyet There is a limited demand for owl wheat lor North. Island ports at roni 2s lid to 3s Id f.o.b. (sacks in), l>llt the simply is in excess of the de""T L , °-n 1S -~ Tlu ' ,m "' k " L hl eats is at a standstill, growers asking prices in eAcess of Southland quotations limjiest buying odors are now quoted "it ron, Is 8d to LsOd at,,,untry'. station but sellers ask 2s, and no busine.s is resulting. Potatoes.—The demand. for sound potatoes lor shipment to the North Island is keen. |.',„- quality subject to graders' certificate £7 nr;- ton is oh tju.ji.blo F. 0.8. Ti.naru, and the markof is linn. AVooi.—The next London sales will commence (I|l xl 27t| , ()f st ". nil I ho outlook is distinctly satisfacto.-'-tor sellers, the last market closing thin

with a. clear indication of considerable buoyancy. Local business is of necessity' very limited at this .season, and rates are about equal to former reports. I'etail Trade. —Average local prices are quoted by provision mereliants as under:—Flour, 2olh. bags .3s (id, .VJlb. bags os Od, "lOtllb. bags lis. 2001b. hag-i 21s: _'Ad to 2',d per Hi: kerosene, -js per tin, 9s per ease; butter (faciorv). Is 3d to Is -Id. dairv 'lid to is. separator Is id to Is 2d Per lb.; potatoes, I'-'s (id per sack; bran, <is Cd per .sack; pollard. 10s per sack; fresh eggs, Is per dozen. Live Stock. —Since last report the freezing companies -have shut down, and trade is now limited to local requirements. Fat ewes and wethers of all descriptions are eagerly sought for by ileshcrs, and the range of prices is as under: —Best wetucro to 225, ewes 20s, lighter sheep 20s and JB.s respectively. Beef is eliciting strong enquiry, and keen competition. Steers have brought £lO 10s and £ll, heifers up to C!). and cows from C 8 10s to £9. Store cattle of all classes lind a ready sale, and young cattle are .sought for at advancing rates. SLore Sheep.—Kivo hoggets especially straight lines are in 'short supply, and sell readily up to Ids fid for really good quality. .Mixed sex hoggets 12s (id to l'3s (id. wether ho"<'Cl.s to 12s Gd, and all classes of hoggets can find prompt sale on fair value. Ewes in lamb arc I'reelv enquired Cor and 4 and (i-tuorli have sold no to :Ms. 4, (i, and S-toolh io 22s (id, '(i end X-iooih 211s fid. 2-tnoths (well grown and in good condition), to 2L's (i,|. and nmndnionth sbcep at 20s. .Pigs.— iiaenners have improved a little since last report, and are now quoted at 4.'id. Store pigs show no improvement. Horses.—The enquiry for good young draught horses has been better, and .sales have been made more freely than for some months past, and with the advent of spring work prices will probaMv show a con" saleable advance. Land Sales.—Hovers iron, outside districts have been negotiating for .suitable propert'ies and some satisfactory sales are reported.