COMMERCIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14384, 4 March 1911, Page 2

COMMERCIAL

timaiiu maiuucts. Tli© season is proving a very successful one for the majority of the farmers of South Canterbury, and, aided by extremely favourable weather conditions, they have-made considerable headway in harvesting operations. Cutting has been completed, in nearly all portions of tho district and though there are some instances of sprouted and 1 sweaty' samples, these ore by no means numerous enough .to cause any uneasiness. While the settlors did not at first look at the", opening prices with a favourable eye, general oircumstanees have induced them to accept the present quotations. One feature that has caused a fair amount of concern was the recent dron of Is a quarter in the London market, which now seems to be graduallv losing its stability. There are indications too. of lower prices ruling. Consequently a good deal of business has been transacted locally during the past week, and from various sources come reports to the effect that large lines have • changed hands. In somewhat the same way conditions are affecting other parts,' and keenness is therefore the dominant -characteristic of the wheat trade.at the present moment. There has been a-further easing in prices for wheat during the week, and values -arc now 3s lid at Timaru for Tuscan ."vnd Hunters, and 3s for Velvet. The oat market -remains firm, And Garfcons, Duns and Danish are quoted at 2s.' There is good enquiry . .for Algerians,- and higher prices could be obtained for these, but no lines tire offering. The present state of the potato market is not very promising for holders, and for the l>est samples the price is 60s on trucks at country stations, sacks in,' and .prompt delivery. Another fall in price is expected. CHRISTCHTJRCH PRODUCE MARKET. Per Press' Association. OHHISTOHURCH, March 3. There has not been quite so much wheat offering this week, and holders of good samples are not selling very freely, some holding out for .3s" 2d and up to 3s 3d lot* Pearl. Merchants andi millers, are not' giving more than 3s, and some sales, amonnting to"over 6000 bushels, have changed hands at 2s lid at country stations. One firm's purchases since the middle of the week, amounting to 15,000 bushels, -were purchased at 2s id to JJs. The lower prices rnling in Australia are making exporters cfhary of, paying 3s for wheat .for shipment. Oats are firmer .hi consequence of the difficulty of obtaining supplies, and up to 2s 2s at country stations has been paid, for prime samples". forward business in potatoes is now taking place, contracts for delivery before the. end of the month being .made at £2 IQs for ITp-to-Dates. So far ths crop has turned out very well, both as to yields and- freedom from blight., . i

The arrival' of a. shipment of barlov tram, ban Francisco is reported, and tins no doubt accounts for the recent shipment to Australia, of CanterburTr^a. ftat had been inte " tie(i