MARKET REPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 2

MARKET REPORTS.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 29. _ Grain continues to como forward in about tho usual quantities, and, while for the moment tho feeling in business circles is a little easier, there aro no changes in values to chronicle. As has has been the case during the whole of the season, Tuscan represents quite 90 per cent of the wheat; indeed, Hunters and Pearl arc exceedingly difficult to procure, and for these varieties prices up to 3s 8d on trucks at country stations have been paid for consignments. For Tuscan 3s 6a is tho standard price, but an additional halfpenny has been paid in a few instances. As is well known ; the trado that is being done in grain is almost entirely within the dominion, export business having virtually ceased. In this connection it is interesting to learn from the latest leaflet issued by the Agricultural Department that the wheat exported from the dominion during the first fifteen days of tho current month was 132 busheis, valued at £32, against 41 bushels, valued at £B, for the corresponding period of last year. For the three months ended March 31 last, the exports of this cereal amounted to 69,480 bushels, valued at £12,873. There is a slightly easier feeling in the oat market, due mainly to the absence of outside markets, but prices remain f unaltered, holders refusing to part with their stocks except at full market rates, growers being remarkably firm holders at the moment. As in the case of wheat, the export of oats has almost ceased, as during the first half of the current month the parcels sent to places beyond the dominion amounted to only 4236 bushels, valued at £545, against 104,563 bushels, valued at £11,852. The exportation for the three months ended March 31 amounted to 130,326 bushels, valued at £15,318. The chaff market remains unchanged, but business is somewhat handicapped on account of the difficulties experienced in securing shipping accommodation for northern ports, the companies giving the preference to heavy goods. In_ all parts of the province potato digging is now in full swing, and, as is not unusual at this season of the yeaF, the reports received regarding returns are in many cases at variance, some claiming that the returns are quite up to the usual standard, while others assert with, equal positiveness that the crop falls much below the average of recent years. In many instances tne current price, *£3 17s 6d to £4, is not sufficiently attractive to induce holders to part with their lines, the majority of growers showing unusual confidence in the future of the market. Few lots are being exported at present, but in view of a possible shortago in the Commonwealth some farmers are looking expectantly in that direction for an outlet for their stocks. During the past fortnight of the current month the exports aggregated only 79 tons, valued at £589, against 5 tons, valued at £26. for the corresponding period of 1912. The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, delivery at country stations:—

Wheat—Tuscan 8b 6d to 3s 6Jd, Hunter's 3s 7d to 33 9d, Pearl 33 7Jd to 3s BJd. Oats—Gartons Is lid to 2a 3d, Duns 13 9d, Danish Is 9d to 28' Id, Algerian Is lid to 23 Id.

Barley—Malting' 3s 6d to 3s 9d per bu»h«l, according to quality. Partridge Peas—3a 3d to 8s 4d. Chaff— £2 17s 6d to £3 2a 6d. ''Potatoes—£3 17s 6d to £4. Onions —£4 to £4 ss. Flour—£9 per ton, 1001b bags £9 Ss, 501b bag's £3 10a, 251b bag's £0 15s. Brail—Local £4 15s" f.0.b., £4 10s. Pollard—£6 per ton. Oatmeal—£l4 per ton. Seeds —Ryegrass, Italian and Perennial, farmers' parcels 2s to 2s 6d, machine-dressed psrcols 3s 3d to 3s 9d, cocksfoot 3Jd to 3Jd, plain seed Bd, white clover to lOd. Dairy Produce—Cheese, dairy, large 5Jd, 10-af 6d; factory, large 5Jd to 6d. Butter. fi.psH local factory prints Is 2d, farmers' separator lOd, farm dairy 9d. Hams lid, sides 9£d, rolls IOJd, rolled hams lljd. Lard, pats BJd. Eggs is lOd per dozen. THE EGG MARKET. At the auction sale of guaranteed eggs yesterday prices realised were:— First-grade hen eggs 2s to 2s 2d, sec-ond-grade hen eggs Is 8d to Is lOd; duck eggs Is 7d to Is Bd.