INTERPROVINCIAL GRAIN and GRASS SEED MARKETS.

Western Star, Issue 943, 29 April 1885, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL GRAIN and GRASS SEED MARKETS.

.JVe extract the following from the N. Z. Loatt-and Mercantile Agency Co’s circular for April Dunedin. During the last month there has been no interruption to harvest operations, the weather having continued most favorable. Very little grain remains in the field, and threshing is now in full progress, the samples turning out in excellent condition. Prices are considerably lower than at this time last year, but the quantity secured in mch fine condition will more, than cover the difference in value. Wheat.— Until within the last few days the market remained quiet. There were no buyers for shipment, and millers showed no disposition to purchase beyond their immediati * requirements; but on receipt of cable newsreporting an advance in the London market* some activity was apparent, and daring thf| last week a large business has been done; prices have consequently advanced slightly. Prime milling quality of while velvet is now worth 3s 3d to 3» 4d; red straw, 3s to 3s lid. 'Fowls’ wheat is.in short supply, and realising / from 2s 3d to 2s 7d ex store, bags weighed in. Oats. —Supplies of this cereal during the last few days have been coming to hand freely, a nd meet with a fair demand, milling for local consumption, and feed for export coastwise and intercolonial. Price? reported in our last have not been maintained, particularly for milling sorts, which we now quote at Is 9d, or 3d’ under previous rates; bright feed, Is 8d to Is B£d ex store, bags weighed

JH. Bablbt.— There is a better demand existing for this grain ; prime samples for malting are readily placed at up to 3s 9d, but medium is not in much favour. In the meantime our maltsters having so many samples to choose from, confine their purchases to spot lots, neglecting fair average lines which are coming to hand freely and being stored. Christchurch.

Three weeks of fine autumn weather, with on occasional drying wind from the northwest, has done much to improve the grain in stack, and has enabled farmers to make good progress l with threshing. Large quantities have been bagged and brought to market, but the condition of much is so unsatisfactory, that great discrimination has to bo exercised in purchasing, to the serious curtailment of business. Wheat.—At the date of our last issue, the value of prime milling wheat was 2s 9d f.0.b., a lower quotation than has been,recorded for many years, though apparently the extreme limit buyers could safely go to for shipment to London. As the season advanced, and deliveries assumed important dimensions, it became evident that the quality of the crop generally was defective, and prices advanced aldto Ud per bushel. Although there is a large quantity of damaged grain on the market, it is satisfactory to note that the hulk of it is dry and in shipping condition. It is therefore improbable that the experience of last year in regard to its condition on arrival in England will recur. Second quality, but sound, is worth 2a 6d to 2s 7d, and slightly, sprouted, but dry, has improved during the last few days, from 2s 2d to 2s 4d. Damp and tough grain, suitable only for feed purposes, is most difficulty of sale, at Is 10c! to 2s. , , . Oats.—An active business has been passing during' the month, chiefly in furnishing orders for Australia. Prime milling, and bright heavy feed have maintained their values at Is 8d to Is lOd; bright Danish' command Is Bd. Discoloured parcels are in plethoric supply and difficult to placo at Is 5d to Is 7d for short, and Is 3d to Is 4d for long varieties. Barley.—The quantity brought to market has been larger than for some seasons past. Some very poime samples have come to hand, and for these 3s 9d to 3s lOd was readily paid. But maltsters being now pretty fully supplied, prices are somewhat easier, and we have to quote prime at 3s 7d to 3s 8d; medium to good (of which stocks are rather heavy), 3s 3d to 3s sd; inferior, 3s; feed quality, 2s 3d to 2s fid; and badly damaged, Is fid to Is 9d. Auckland. Wheat, —Business is dull, and excepting parcels to millers’ orders, no shipments from the South are reported. Oats. —No great quantity has yet reached this market, but prices tend in buyers’ favor. Samples and quotations from the Soiith are numerous, andvendors appear willing to accept lower rales than those quoted from Southern markets. Good milling samples are worth, 2s 4d to 2s-6d, and bright feed 2s 3d to 2s sd, ■ and must be. really first class to secure the higher rates. Barley.— Quotations for malting are nomiml, and little or no business is being done, for feed sorts no more thao 2s to 2s 3d can be obtained.

Timaeu. Wheat. —Wheat is now coming to hand freely, and as the trade is not operating, the bulk is going into store. Farmers who shipped Home last vear 1: ving lost rather heavily, are not inclined to risk their wheat again in the present state of the London market. The condition of the grain, so far, is, as we anticipated, good. The mills are only buying for present requirements, and ate giving the preference to samples of velvet. Prime red chaff is now worth 2s 9d to 2s lid ; velvet and Tuscan, 23‘ilOd to 3s, f.0.b.; while medium to good may.be quoted at Id to 2d per bushel lower. Fowl . wheat is in request, but deliveries to date have been small. Oats. —Discolored oatsiu considerablequantity are being forced on the market, ai d prices jor these have fallen considerably. We hear of several parcels having been, sold at Is 41 on trucks, Timaru. Good prime samples continue in demand, and fetch fair values. Since our last, we have placed several lots at from Is 6id to Is 101 f.0.b., the former being the lowest price we have yet accepted. There are very few inquiries for milling sorts, and quotations are nominal. Barley.—Good samples are being enquired for, but very little is as yet coming to hand. Our opening grain sale of present season will be held at Studholme Junction next month, and we shall then submit some large parcels of prime malting barley. 0 AMARU. Wheat.—A large quantity is daily coming forward. Most of the samples show signs of having suffered from the weather, and sprout is common. In few oases we have seen really first-class wheat. The late cable advice from London of the rise in values, has not yet affected this market to any extent, although we anticipate a more lively demand in a few days. One result of the English news has been that farmers who had already resolved to hold their wheat for better prices anc \ a ll are agreed that it will not pay to grow at present rates—have been strengthened in their determination. We hold several thousand sacks prime old velvet, for which owners expect a ready sale at improved prices, as soon as it becomes known how much of the new crop is damaged. Inferior sorts are not enquired for, and could not be sold, except at low figures. Fowl feed is scarce, and in good demand.

Oats.—We have again to report a decline for all kinds except for bright full Canadians for milling. This class, on account of its scarcity, is still in request at late prices. Pew bright samples of feed oats arooffering, but suqh kinds sell readily at < •, Barley—The same remarks as those relating to wheat samples apply to the pew crop of barley, most of that coming into store being more or less weather-stained. We find a slightly improved demand, with indication of a rise in values. <i; ■j’ ■ :, ; i v Blenheim. Grain —The grain market has been comparatively inactive during the past month, but is now beginning to revive. There is still however a good deal of difference between growers’ ideas of value and those of purchasers, and the former will have to reduce their reserves before extended business can be done.

Wheat.—We have sold a few small Jines during the month at prices about equal to 3s on trucks at Blenheim. There i* a fairly good enquiry, and prices show a hardening tendency. Wo quote, prime milling, 3s to 3s 2d ; medium to good, 2s lOd to 3s. Oats. —Most of our clients are holding their parcels for better prices, and we have little business to report. Milling oats are worth Ts lid to 2s Id ; bright feed, I* 91 *o Is lid. We have large quantities in store, but holders ore not disposed to accept above prices. Barley.—There has been pood enquiry during the month, but as growers and dealers could not agree as to price, business has been restricted. Wo have sold a few lines at prices equal to about 3s 5d on trucks, but in the fi.ee of Southern quotations we cannot expect do a large business at this figure. Prime malting; is worth about 3s 3d to 3s fid; medium, 3s to 3s 3d. : • ’i Gisborne.

Barley. -A few transactions have taken place at 4a, but prime samples are held for higher rates. '' Nelson.

Barley.—There has been a brisk demand for this' grain, and a satisfactory coastwise and intercolonial business has resulted, at prices ranging Lo n 3a fid to 3s 9d f.o.b. >- * Wanganui. Wheat.—There is lit tie doing in this cereal, miliars are only buying lo supply present requirements. Oats, - The market is dull, and farmers are holding for a rise in price. GRASS SEEDS. i Dunedin. Etegbass.— Business continues quiet, quotations nominal. Cocksfoot. —We hare enquiries for this seed, but sellers and buyers’ ideas of va'ue differ to an extent that precludes any business of consequence; stocks here are light. i V ! - , . Cheistchurch;'* Etegbass. —The demand has slackened off considerably, and the volume of business has not been large. Machine-dressed has been neglected, but farmers’ lots have had fair business at 2s 61 to 3s. Cocksfoot —A large business has transpired in this seed for local and coastwise trade; we have not heard of any purchases on English account althoush some lines have been shipped on consignment. Prime bright seed touched 3Jd par lb eany in the month, but 3£d is now full value. Supplies of this quality are not large, and we do not look for lower prices. Discoloured seed is almost a glut in the market. ; nevertheless some heavy sales hare been made at 2£d to 3d, and at the moment prices are drooping. Auckland. Business is somewhat animated and enquiries numerous. We anticipate that a considerable business will be done during the month at advanced rates. Gisborne. The season is now almost over, and there ore few transactions to record. What little remains in the Bay is firmly held.