COMMERCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 7 June 1924, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH PRODUCE

MARKET

By Telegrnpii—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June G

The produce market business continues to be on the quiet side, although there is quite a lot of life in respect of one or two lines.

Potatoes remain about the same despite reports from Auckland that there 'is an over-supply there. Auckland merchants to-day were offering large quantities to Christchurch in the hope of breaking the market still further, and in a number of cases the offers were accepted. It is reported from Sydney tliai. blight is prevalent in Australia, ■-” - only requires the market there ,th rise to cause local prices to move in sympathy, in any case very lew potatoes are being offered at present by farmers. The Isfavua lifted .'LOO sacks for Auckland, and there will be no other steamer going north until late next week.

In oats, the forward market remains steady at late rates. Actual oats are in demand, and A grades are being sold at 5s 9Jd f.0.b., Lyttelton. Chaff is in demand, and a sharp rise has been recorded, £6 15s being quoted on trucks to farmers. Linseed has also jumped up, and is worth £l6 15s on trucks at country stations. The inquiry comes from the North Island. . Cocksfoot also is being inquired for, and some North Island merchants are buying in anticipation of tlie spring demand.

LOCAL MARKETS. The local produce market during the past week lias been very quiet, and little business is reported. Wheat is practically finisliod, and farmers are baking advantage of the favourable conditions to put in crops. It is anticipated that a little more than last year will be sown, providing that weather conditions remain favourable. Fowl wheat is scarce, and with Australian supplies not coming to hand, is inclined to be dearer. During the week lines have been sold as high as 6s 6d f.0.b., which is equal to from 6s 4d to 5s 5d on trucks to growers. Inquiry is setting in for oats for local sowing, the local stocks of Gartons suitable for sowing not being heavy. Southland stocks are also reported to be short, and supplies have been railed. Good Gartons are worth as much as 6s in retail quantities. Local feed could be valued at from 4s 8d to 4s 9d, on trucks. Chaff is inclined to harden in sympathy with oats. The value to growers is about £6 5s to £6 7s 6d on trucks for good bright quality. Fair quantities are offering especially from the Ashburton district.

Linseed is still being taken up at £l6, f.a.q. samples, on trucks, sacks extra. In sympathy with the Calcutta markets values are inclined to ease a little. An Auckland buyer has recently been touring the district for samples. ' Reas are dull, and what small stocks are held are still in merchants’ hands.

Grass seed is meeting with better inquiry, and stocks are going into consumption fairly rapidly. Tlie value to growers is from os 6d to 6s, according to quality. Potatoes are meeting with a little inquiry from speculators for late delivery. Values for prompt delivery, are whites, £5 and reds at £4 10s on trucks. At present there is a poor demand from consuming centres. At the present time the Auckland market is overstocked with potatoes owing to heavy shipments received from the south by the Wingatui and Navna, and consignments from Australia. It is expected that potatoes will rule low in price for the next month at least.