WHEAT SUPPLIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17759, 1 February 1926, Page 8

WHEAT SUPPLIES.

DISCUSSION IN HAMILTON. QUESTION OF DUTY. | HAMILTON, January 28. A discussion on the duty levied on wheat imported into New Zealand took place at the quarterly meeting: of the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr A. W. Bisley said the Dominion was not growing enough for its own requirements, and that it appeared rather outrageous that people had to face a heavy duty to maintain the industry in the South. It was quite time, he thought, that a definite step was taken in aiming to have the duty removed. Mr 11. Yalder remarked that the subiect opened up the question of protec-

-as a protectionist country, and the Government could not make fish of one and fowl of another. The question was a very big one. and really one of principle. and should, he considered, be in the hands of the men who made the country's laws. Mr C. Lambeth said the farmers stated that if no duty was imposed on wheat they would go out of the wheat growing business altogether. It was questionable whether the c hamber was competent to tell the farmers at what price they could grow their wheat. No action was taken. DAIRY PRODUCE. DALGETY AND* CO.’S REPORT. LONDON, January 28. Butter.—The market is firm. New j Zealand salted 176 s per cwt, for excep- i tional New Zealand brands 178 s. Finest Australian salted 170 s. unsalted 1725; Danish 184 s per cwt. Cheese.—The market is steady. New Zealand white 10 Is, coloured 105 s, Canadian 104 s to lOSs per cwt. SYDNEY PRICES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY. ’ 1 .’lanuary ,1 ’:!l. The wholesale price of butter had been increased by id per lb. GOLD. LONDON QUOTATION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 31. 5.5 p.m,) LONDON, January 30. Gold is quoted at S4s Sjjd per fine oz, compared with X4s 1 1 id on January IS. WHEAT. CHICAGO QUO T A T J O X S. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 31, 5.5 pp.m.) NEW YORK. January 30. Chicago wheat quotations:—May. new . 176 4, old 17 41; July. 1538; September, 144 & cents per bushel. LONDON QUOTATIONS. (Received January 3 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 2: * irv at from 3d to 6d advance in sympathy with American quotations. A shipment of 3200 tons by the Eknaren brought from P 6d 1 o Ts dearer. Shipments ex Persic, ex Chltral, ex Hobson’s Bay, ex unnamed, brought 595, and ex unnamed in bulk 58s 6d. Liverpool futures are quoted March 11s lOd, May 11s 9d, July 11s Sd per cental. 1 "GARNET" VARIETY. A variety of hard wheat known as ••Garnet,” which has bp-thunder proclaimed as a possible successor to Marquis for yielding, milling and early » MS’ *f.,M it does equally wall in all parts of tin! country, a virtue not possessed by Marquis and some other of the early ripening strains. A .60-acre field on an institutional farm in Alberta this year gave an average yield of 38. 4 bushels pel acre. The grain was sown on May 6 and was cut on August 4. ten days earlier than Marquis. Garnet wheat vas developed at the Dominion Experimental Farm, Ottawa, and has been-grown In all parts of the Dominion with such such favourable results that it is likely that it will soon be distributed for general cultivation. CANADIAN CROPS. The latest estimate of Canada's total wheat production this year is 4-_,3-* ,- <IOO bushels. This is the second largest production on record for trie Domnil- - The previous highest total was 471.199,000 bushels in 1 923. The pS for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta arc as follows: — MANITOBA— _ , 924 Wheat • 39.962,000 41.464,000 novi..v 53 497.000 40,923,000 * 5 152.000 5,875,000 Flaxseed":::.'.'.' • 1,712,000 3,403,000 S A SKATC H E W A X—--Wheat •• 240,551.000 132,918,000 oJt v 174.967,000 97.345.00 u nurlcv 27.061,000 17,360,000 £vc ' '::::::: 4.512.000 2,507,000 Flaxseed .... T, 439,000 6,119,000 ALBERTA — , Wheat 114.0 43,000 61',31 2,000 Oats *230,000 n^JGLOOU Barley C^tuoOo Flaxseed 46,000 u«>,900 GRAIN AND PRODUCE. OAM A RU M A RK UTS. From Our Correspondent. A verv welcome* rain was experienced in the Omnaru district yesterday .aftevnot "neatd v* as much as farmers would havc win^do^greatjan’nunt ( Root crops and pastures will also bene--2d so?k*?£ t!!« district. h Th2 Ihri’sjdiiK of oats is proceeding apace ami Horn both Algerians and Cartons the *™ r *** e vield per acre will be highly satisfactory. The threshing of oats and grass sor’d will commence in the Enfield and Awainoa districts on Wednesday next, provided the weather clears m the meantime. Wheat is looking exceptionally well throughout the district, and in most cases the heads are numerous and full. Potatoes arc doing well ami the returns per acre should be up to last r season's average. The local grain and produce markets remain steady, with values as follows: — Wheat. —In milling wheat no samples of new season’s crop have appeared on The market. It is understood here that forward buyers are offering is oh trucks, Ashburton, for fair average quality milling Tuscan, delivery when threshed. Millers and merchants alike arc awaiting the result of the conference in Wellington on Tuesday next before committing themselves too heavily. In fowl wheat North Island merchants are not responding to southern holders’ prices. An odd line of good whole fowl wheat changed hands during the week at 7s 3id f.o.b. Oats. —The forward market is easier, which can be accounted for by the reduction in price of Canadian white oats which can be landed in Auckland at approximately ss. Nominal quotations for April-Septe-mber delivery, A grade Gartons, are 4s Sd f.0.b., s.i.. and 4s 5d for B’s. Farmers are obtaining a good price for Algerians, 35-361 b, which have been taken over by Ashburton merable. whether this price can hold for any length of time. Heavy yields are expected in North Otago. although threshing will not be general throughout the district for another week or Potatoes. —Sales have been recorded to Sydney at a price much above local f.0.b., s.i. quotations. This has had the effect of firming the market to the extent of 10s per ton and indeed it would be difficult to-day to find sellers for April-June delivery at £6 10s. Willowbridge crops will benefit considerably by last night's heavy rain. So far the potato crops in North Otago and Willowbridge have not been affected by blight to any extent and some high yields are expected. Some early flowering was responsible for email tubers early in the & ° Chaff.—The market for forward delivery is still firm and merchants indicate £B. f.0.b., s.i., as the price for April-June delivery. The spot market, however, is much easier and consignments to Dunedin are practically unsaleable. To-day’s value is approximately £5 10s on trucks, for good bright oaten chaff. Flour.—2oolb sacks, £18: 1001 b bags, . £l9; 501 b bags, £l9 12s 6d: 251 b bags, £2O; all at per ton, f.0.b., Oamaru, Ti--1 maru and Lyttelton. Bran and Pollard.—£B and £9 per ton respectively, f.0.b., southern ports; extra for smaller packings. ■ Oatmeal.— Locnlfi £23 per ton. f.0.b.; Thistle brand, £33 per ton, f.o.b. "M.'NEDI N M A R K E T S. From Our Correspondent. DUNEDIN. January 3 0. There is nothing fresh to report in the

merchants are waiting to see how the new season’s crops turn out. Millers’ stocks at the present time are chiefly composed of Australian wheat, and the first panels of the New Zealand-grown cereal should bring good prices, as they will be required for mixing purposes. The present Australian market for wheat shows that milling quality can be bought at f.s 5d f.0.b.5.i.: Adelaide advices also state that prices have an Cd Stocks "of New Zealrifbl-grown fowl wheat now available, are ’on the small side. Tivnaru is quoting 7s 3d f.o.b. OIL-BORING. OPERATIONS TN GISBORNE DISTRICT. Per Press Association. GISBORNE. January 30. The Gisborne Oil Proprietary, a subsidiary company of Taranaki Oilfields, has decided to commence boring operations in the Gisborne district and a well will be commenced within the next few days. Drilling plant has been obtained from America, and is now in Auckland waiting transhipment. The exact locality of the first bore has not been definitely decided, but this will be regarded as more or less of a test well. Mr Charles N. Taylor, who has been in charge of the leasing activities of 1 the Gisborne company, has now been appointed assistant-manager of the Taranaki company, but will remain in Gisborne in charge of affairs here. THE MEAT TRADE. LON DON QUOTATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 31, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Januaryr 30. The following prices arc for wholesale quantities delivered at Smithfield: FROZEN MUTTON. .Tan. 30. d per lb. Canterliurv— Light 7 Medium 7 Heavy 6 if North Island— Light «*. Medium 6 i Heavy «& Australian— Firsts 5g Seconds lift Ewes 43 Heavy 6 4 if Ewes 4} . FROZEN LAMB. ' a Light Ur3 . 11 Seconds 8* Other selections— Light 105 Medium 8* North IslandFirsts (new season) 10* Seconds Si Australian— Victorian, firsts Si Other States 8 1-6 Victorian seconds S Other States ~2 Thirds 7$ Argentine— Firsts, light 9 Medium 7$ Seconds "L FROZEN BEEF. New Zealand— Fores 3 i Hinds -IS Australian — Hinds 4 S CHILLED BEEF. Argentine 5| Others are unchanged. PRICES OF FAT STOCK. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advises that the following, prices were being offered January 28:— Auckland—Wethers, 561bs and under, aid per lb; second quality wethers, 4id; ewes, 56lbs and under, 4d; prime woolly lambs, 361bs and under, Sid; 37-42 lbs, Sd; 43ibs arid over, 7£d; second quality lamo.s, Sd Poverty Bay—Wethers, 561bs and Under, i>i d; 57-G4lbs, aid; second quality wethers, sd; prime woolly lambs,. 361bs and under, Sid; S7-42lbs, 8d; 431bs and over 7d; second quality lambs, 7id. Hawke’s Bay—Wethers, 561bs and under, GJd; 57-Gllbs, 6£d; 65-721bs, aid; second quality wethers, Sid; ewes, 56 lbs ami under, 4id; 57-641bs, 4d; prime woolly lambs, 36Jbs and under, Mid, 37-42 lbs, Sffd; 43lbs and over, 8d; second quality lambs, Sad. Wellington—Wethers, 561bs and under. 61; 57-641bs, sid; second quality wethers, 5Jd; ewes, 561bs and under, 4id; 57-641bs, id: prime woolly lambs, 361bs and under 9-id; 37-421bs, SSd; 481bs and over, Sd: second . quality lambs, 361bS and under, Sid; over 361bs, Bd. Canterbury—Wethers, 561bs and under, 6id; 57-64 lbs, s£d; second qualitywet liers, sd; ewes, under 4Sibs, 4 id; 48-6 libs, 4ld: prime woolly lambs, 3 6 lbs and under, 93d; 37-421bs, Sid; 4 3 lbs and over, 7Jd: second quality lambs, 361bs and under, 8?d; over 3Gibs, 4* id. South Otago—-Prime woolly lambs, 361bs and under, 3d; 37-42 lbs- 7id; 13-501 bs, 7d. Southland—Prime woolly lambs, 361bs and under, B*d; 37-421bs, 7£d; 13-50ibs # LONDON QUOTATIONS. PRODUCERS’ BOARD’S REPORT. The New Zealand 'Meat. Producers’ Board has received the following cablegram from its London office dated Januarv 29, advising Smithfield delivered prices at that date as follows. Prices for the. previous week arc also shown:— Jan. .Tan. ~d. ~ (1. N.Z. Wethers and Maidens:—, Canterbury quality, selected brands, 561bs and under . . 7 Ik 57-64 lbs 7 7* 6 5-721 Its 6J 7 Other brands—--56 lbs and under 63 65 57-641 bs . . 62 65 65-721bs 6 * New Zealand Ewes: — 64 lbs and under 5 5 New Zealand Lamb: 36l'bs aiid under 11 Ili •4 3-50 lbs « 8 Seconds Si Si Selected brands—361bs and under 305 111 3 7-4 2 lbs 8 i 85 Other brands, first quality—--4 2lbs and under UH Seconds 95 New Zealand Beef:— Ox fores 5 3 4 Ox hinds 4 6 4 5 Cow fores 3ft 34 Cow hinds >ii Si Chilled Beef:—Argentine— Ox fores •’’•S Si Ox hinds 5? 6 DALGETY AND COMPANY'S REPORT. LONDON, January 28. Frozen Lamb.—The demand is limited and any change in prices is in favour of bn vers. Prime cross-bred lamb. Canterbury heavy Sd, light lid: North Island heavy 7id. light 11 d per lb. These quotations arc for last season’s lamb. Australian g.a.q. cross-bred heavy 8d per lb. Frozen Mutton. —A moderate demand. The market is weak. Prime cross-bred mutton. Canterbury, heavy, 7d: light. 7gd; North Island heavy 6id, light 71«1 per ll>. There was a limited demand for Australian mutton. G.a.q. cross-bred heaw sd, light 5d per 11>. Frozen Reef.—The demand is nominal and prices are nominal. Prime ox beef hinds 5d fores Id per lb. Pork —The demand is not so good and prices are 5d per lb lower. THE WOOL TRADE, LONDON SALES. By Telegraph. Pre*« Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 31, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. January 30. At the wool sales there was a good selection of merinos and strong general competition. Continental firms were the chief operators and prices were firm. Cross-breds were in small supply. DALGETY AND CO.’S REPORT. LONDON, January 28. The wool sales will close on Febru-

MINING. osuimniuM fields. Osmiridium valued at approximately’

River field. Tasmania, mo to the end of December. An official report on tlu* field has been made available, and states the probable life cannot be determined with any reasonable degree of accuracy. The field is essentially an easily worked one. the deposits being at shallow dentil, and treated by ordinary methods. Further, the great, majority of the claims arc. situ- j a ted away from large streams, so that no problems of drainage and the diversion of streams had to be faced. These factors enabled even inexperienced miners to easily and quickly treat, the deposits and so exhaust them comparatively quickly. Tn tho earliest history of the field the deposits worked were the shallowest, richest and most, easily worked. As time went on the deeper and more difficult t.o work deposits the large number of men who endeavoured to locate claims. Tn tlic course of a few 1 months the " get-rich-quick ” methods gave place to more, deliberate and systematic methods, and such are being continued at the present time. The Question of water supply baa also influenced the history and life of the field. The majority of the claims have to depend on a large and regular rainfall. Mining methods for such condition* have been evolved, but they do not wholly solve the problem. A great, number of the claims, as being worked at present, have a life of at least twelve months. A somewhat smaller number will have a life of two years. ’Che ground already treated i« expected to be re-trcat.ed hv other miners, as well as patches of virgin ground missed by the first parties. This will give employment. to many miners for a further period of years, although the number will r.ot he as large as those at present engaged. Tn addition there has to lie reckoned the new claims located during the future, not only in the present known osmiridium-bearing areas, but also in possible extensions. Another important factod affecting tho life of the field 13 that of the price and marketing of the osmiridium ore. The price was originally £3l 10s per oz. and after rising to £32 15s. and being maintained at that figure for a few months, it began to decrease. it dropped to £3O in November, and to £2B in December, while latterly £25 10s was being offered in Hobart. The buving has also been intermittent, buyers onlv operating at intervals. There was a world (shortage of? osmiridium before the Adams River field was discovered, and it is a. question as 1o whether this has been overcome at present, so that the law of supply and demand will operate. An.v scheme or method that can be adopted to achieve a reasonable price of. sav. £3O an oz./and continuity of marketing, will bt of incalculable advantage to the field, and will prolong its life. FRUIT. DLX E DIN REPORT. From Our Correspondent. DUNEDIN. January 3ft. Business has been very brisk in the fruit inarts during the week. Only a few strawberries are now coming forward, arid the season is about finished. part, of the week, but they firmed again to-day. Supplies of peaches and apricots have been on the light side, and good sales have been made. A lot of the Otiig«Ei’own fruit is being forwarded to the North Island and to Canterbury, where it Supplies of old season's Sturmer apples ha.ve arrived from Canterbury, but tho demand is not very keen. New season’s apples are not coming forward in any quantity so far. A few Canadians arc still arriving, being sent down by Wellington merchants, and as they are of very good colour they are meeting a better demand titan that of Stui'mers. (rood dessert plums ate selling well. Medium duality have a fair inauirv only. Locally grown raspberries are still coming forward fairly plentifully. Black and red currants are just about finished. Some nice new season’s pears have come forward from Otago Centre.!. Increase-:i supplies are expected from now onwards. 21 here is an inquiry for cooking pears. Bananas are in short supply in wholesale bands. The next shipment is due on Tuesday. New potatoes are in good suddly# but the main crops are late this season. r Other vegetables have a poor demand with the exception of marrows, which arc Belling well. MARKET REPORTS. ASHBURTON. at tho. UTattoiw'i Mort<r«£2 hora2 <ilr*St I Ashburton on Friday, consisting mainly of back and harness horses. The following are some of the prices obtained:— Hacks—Gelding 7yrs £B, mare 9yrs £4. Draughts—Mare (aged) £8 10s, fulldraught mare Syrs £l2 10s. mare (aged) £B, gelding (aged) £l9, mare (aged) £lO. The entry of pigs at the Ashburton stock and produce sale on Friday was small, and values showed a drop on ruling rates. There was a medium entry of poultry, anrl prices were firm. Fruit and vegetables were still in plentiful supply and sold well. The following is a list of values:— Pigs—Weaners 15s to 26s 6d. stores up to 335, porkers up to 555, baconetl up to £3 15s. oh Like n? i s—a" fa t* per pair* ‘ dU ° K s 4 " ’ Vegetables—Cabbages id to fid, rhubarb fid a bundle, peas Is fid peck, tomatoes (Nelson) fid to Sd, local 30d to Js; potatoes 2 i cl lb. Fruit.— l Hums 2Jd lb, apricots 3d to 4d, peaches 3d to 3ld, apples 2Jd to 3d, cherries lOd per lb. TATTERSALL’S HORSE SALE 1 Messrs H. Matson and Go, report having bad an entry of 28 horses at Tattersail’s sale on Saturday last. The entry comprised a number of useful draughts, which met with keen competition. Very few good harness horses were offering and a good number of this section yarded could be classed as nondescript.. Anything stylish and of a. favourable age sold readily. The principal transactions were:—For Messrs T. Hall. Waipara, eiglit-year-old mare £47: Canterbury (N.Z.) Seed Company, Lec’ston, six-year-old mare £39 10s; seven-year-old gelding £4O; Hussey, H.arewood, eight.-year-old gelding, gig and harness £2 4 10s; R. Ford, Woolston, aged mare, £8; client, aged mare £9 ss; H. Mitchell, Papanui, nine-year-old gelding £l2 10s. Aged hacks and harness horses sold at