COMMERCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6130, 17 March 1898, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Unitea Press ABBoeiation-rßy Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Beceived March 17, 10 a.m. LONDON, March 16. Messrs Buxton, Eonald, Balme and Company and Jacobson, Son and Company offered wool catalogues aggregating 10,323 bales, comprising an excellent selection. There was a large attendance of Home and Continential buyers, but only a few American houses were represented. Prices for merinoes were at par to 5 per cent above the closing rates of February. Faulty scoured showed the greatest rise. Medium low cross-breds from par to 5 per cent lower. Finest cross-breds 5 per cent higher. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,280,000 quarters, and for the Continent 540,000 quarters. National Bank Bhares, £2. Bank of New Zealand 4 per cents, 103. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company's prior lien 4 per cents, 98. , Messrs Dalgety and Company, Limited, have received the following cable from their London office, under date March «' The wool sales have opened with a fair selection, a large attendance of buyers, and animated competition. For the bulk, of medium and inferior merino wools, prices are on the average 5 per cent higher than closing rates of last series ; for good and best qualities, prices are par to 2A per cent higher; for the bulk of fine cross-bred wools, prices are par to 5 per cent higher ; for cross-bred fleece, faulty and coarse descriptions, any change in prices is in favour of buyers. English and German buyers are the principal operators. American buyers have done nothing so far. The dates of our own sales are March 16 and 24, and April 1."