COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15866, 12 December 1923, Page 2

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

HAMILTON MARKETS. GRAIN, SEEDS, PRODUCE, ETC. A firming of prices Is the most outstanding feature of the Hamilton market this week, this being due entirely to the dry weather that has been experienced in most parts of the Dominion, and to the fact that the crops in the South Island are being seriously affected thereby. An increase in the price of Western Wolths, perennial rye and Akaroa cocksfoot has taken place, for a continued dry season will. mean light crops and big bush fires. Bush felled during the last three years" has not been burnt, and consequently if such a large area is burnt at once the demand for grass-seed will be heavy. At present indications point to supplies of the more popular varieties of grass seed falling short of requirements. Oats have advanced 2d per bushel in the last few days, while fowl wheat has advanced 3d. The chaff market continues firm, and contracts are being made for the new season's crop at an advance of 5s per ton on last season. The market in tnaize is very firm, to-day's price, however, remaining at 6s 6d per bushel, ex store, Hamilton. Fruit and Vegetables.

Considerable activity is being experienced in the fruit market, and prices are highly satisfactory. Ripe rot is again in evidence amongst the apricots. First grade apricots are realising from 9s to lis', second grade from 5s to 7s. Christmas plums are selling well at from 3s to 6s. Sharp's Early have made their appearance, and are selling at from 7s to Bs. Evans' Early are fetching similar values. Gooseberries have advanced and are now quoted at from 8s to 9s, while strawberries, first grade, are being disposed of at from Is 3d to Is 7d, and others from Is to Is 2d. Owing to the .iot weather strawberries are ripening too quickly, and if conditions remain the same for any length of time the season will soon come to an abrupt close. The market is bare of oranges, and will find no relief until the arrival of the next Island boat. Of the apples, Stunners are quoted at from 17s to 20s, Doughertie* from 12s 6d to 15s, Americans up to 255. The potato market has sustaiuel a sharp advance and prices are now up to 10s per cwt. Onions are scarce and the price is firm at 37s 6d per case. Cabbage are selling at from) 5s to" 9s per sack and cauliflowers at from 8s to 12s 6d, carrots, parsnips and beetroot from Is 6d to 2s 6d per dozen bundles.

HAMILTON SALE.

The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Co., Ltd., report:—At Hamilton yesterday we had an average supply of cattle and pigs, but sheep were in small numbers. Competition for beef was dull, but most of the yarding was cleared. Steers made from £6 5s to £8 ss, cows to £6 17s for heavy weights, medium weights from £4 7s 6d to £5, forward cows £2 10s to £3 12s 6d. The store cattle pens were well filled, but values were lower than at recent sales. Store 1 cows sold at from £1 5s to £1 15s, 15 to 18-month empty heifers sold from £2 to £3, small heifers £1 5s to £1 15s, calves 12s 6d. There was fair competition for sheep, ewes making from 26s to Z9s, fat lambs 275. Pigs were again yarded in full supply, values being steady at late rates. Best baconers 1 made from £3 5s to £4, light baconers £2 10s to £3 2s 6d, porkers £2 to £2 10s, slips 22s 6d to 30s, weaners 9s 6d to 16s. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report:—At Frankton yards on Tuesday we had an average yarding of fat and store cattle. A steady demand existed for all classes, and prices were slightly better than at last week's sale. We quote: Fat cows, £4 12s 6d to £5 ss; fat steers, £7 15s; cows in fresh condition, £2 10s to £2 19s; store cows, £1 lis to £2 3s; 15-month-old Jersey cross heifers, £3 10s to £3 15s; Holstcin heifers, £3 ids; Shorthorn heifers, £2< Is to £2 2s; bulls, £2 to £4; fat ewes, £1 5s to £1 5s lOd; fat wethers, £1 10s 6d; fat lambs, £1 5s 6d. Pigs: A good entry of fat and store pigs came forward. Prices in both classes were slightly below last week's quotations. Heavy baconers, £3 12s to £4 2s; medium baconers, £2 17s to £3 10s; fat porkers, £2 5s to £2 10s; unfinished porkers, £1 19s to £2 2s 6d; good slips, £1 10s to £1 17s; weaners, 18s to £1 ss; smaller weaners, 10s to 16s. Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report having held their usual weekly stock sale at Frankton on Tuesday, as under: —There was a moderate entry of fat sheep, which sold at slightly lower rates than last week. Fat ewes 23s to 265, good quality twotooth fat wethers 28s, There were no store sheep yarded. Beef was yarded in average numbers, and sold at lower rates. Prime bullocks at up to £B, prime cows £4 10s to £6 ss. Store cattle were lower, with a weak demand. Store cows 30s' to £2 10s, aged and inferior 15s to 28s, three-year-old Shorthorn steers £4 6s, yearling steers £2 7s to £2 10s, two-year-old dairy heifers £3 7s 6d to £3 15s, yearling heifers 25s to 37s 6d, calves 12s, dairy cows £3 to £5 10s. Pige were yarded irt average numbers, and sold at last week's rates. Prime fat pigs made £2 15s to £3 17s 6d. WAIKATO MARKET REPORT. The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Co., Ltd., report as follows: Beef. —The decline in beef continues and at the present rate freezing level will soon be reached. Although not definitely quoted this is expected to be about 20s per 1001 b. Present yard quotations for prime ox arp from 22s to 245, cow 16s to 19s Mutton.—Mutton is still declining, although the markets are far from be;'ng oversupplied. The freezing value of wethers will prevent them falling much below the present level. Ewes if sound in mouth should meet with competition from breeders, and in this event will probably not descend to freezing values. Lamb.—Considerable reticence has been observed by the freezing companies this season in the pursuit of their operations. What object they had in view can only be surmised, but certain It is that no sense of alarm was spread to those whom it might have been supposed to affect, viz., the lambraisers. Secrecy is, however, now disappearing, and lambs seem to have some value after all; B*d is now being offered. It is certain that anything under this figure would have been insufficient to induce business on this side of the water. Store Cattle. —There has been much stronger enquiry of late for all classes of store cattle, and competition is everywhere met with. The demand for grown steers is not easy to satisfy and many regret not having taken the opportunity to purchase when lines were thrown on the market. Young steers alao are being sought for and are not easy to obtain. Empty cows hftve been selling remarkably well viewed in comparison with the present value of beef and the uncertainty of

the outlook. Empty heifers have regained a little «f their buoyancy and many gjood sales have resulted. Store Sheep.—The enquiry for wethers is not too strong, but breeding ewes are being quietly sought after and give every indication of realising fair values. Store lambs are being quoted for forward delivery, hut apparently too high to be tempting.

Pigs.—The pig market, has been subject to considerable fluctuation lately and is still unsteady. Operations will no doubt be curtailed somewhat until Christmas has passed. Weight sheets ex yani sales work out about t4d per lb for fai-s. Store pigs maintain their position well and good competition is ever pcesent. We quote:-

Bullocks, heavy prime £S iOs to £9 10s, medium £7 10s to £3 ss; cows, heavy young £5 to £5 10s, medium £3 15s to £4 i'Os, forward £2 10s to £3; steers, 4-year forward £4 10s to £5, stores £4- to £-4 10s; cows, stores 25s to £2; steers, 3-year- best £3 10s to £4; empty heifers, 2-year best Shorthorn £3 to £-4, do. medium £2 10s to £3; steers, 2-year best. Shorthorn £3 5s to £3 15s, medium £2 15s to £3 2s 6d; yearling heifers, best Shorthorn £2 10s to £3 10s, Holstein £3 5s to £4, Jersey £4 10s to £6 15s: yearling steers, best £2 10s to £3, medium £2 to £2 7s 6d; wethers, prime heavy shorn 30s to 325, medium 27s to 28s 6d; ewes, heavy shorn 25s to 275; ewes with iambs at foot £2 to £2 10s; store wethers; 4-tooth, shorn, 26s to 28s; store hoggets, good, shorn, 23s to 255, medium 21s to 22s 6d; pigs, heavy baconers £3 10s to £4 55,; light baconers £3 to £3 7s 6d; heavy porkers £2 5s to £2 15s, good slips 25s to 30s, small do. 18s to 235; weaners, 10s to 16s; horses, heavy draughts £4O to £SO, medium £3O to £35, light 18s to £22; harness horses, £lO to £ls; hacks, £5 to £lO.

LONDON MARKETS^. The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated Bth inst., from the High Commissioner, London: — Butter. —Spot supplies New Zealand and Australian short, and America buying Danish. Market very firm. Official quotations are:—New Zealand, sailed, finest 220' to 2225, up to 224 s per cwt (Is iljd, Is ll'fd, 2s per lb). Australian, salted, 214 sto 218 s per cwt (Is Hd to Is Hid per lb); unsaltcd 216 s to 220 s per cwt (Is lid to Is Hid per lb) ; exceptional, 222 s per cwt (Is 113 d per lb) ; other qualities (salted), 208 s to 212 s per cwt (Is 101 d to Is 10:Id per lb) ; unsalted, 204 s to 210 s per cwt (is 9Jd to Is 10J per lb). Argentine (steady demand), 1945, 200 s, up to 204 s per cwt (Is B.?d, Is 9*d, Is 92 per lb); other qualities, 156 s to 190 s per cwt (Is 42d to Is 84d per lb). Danish, 232 s per cwt (2s Id per lb). Cheese. —Market quiet and easier for Colonial. English firm. Official quotations are:—English, finest farmers' 135 s to 145 s per cwt (Is 2£d to Is 3*d per lb). Canadian, coloured and white, 108 s to 110 s per cwt (Hid to ll?d per lb). New Zealand, coloured and white, 108 s to 110 s per cwt (Hid to 113 d per lb). Estimated cheese stock at December 1, London, Liverpool, Bristol, Canadian and Amcrcian 132,700 boxes, against 84.600 for the same time last year; New Zealand and Australian 13,100 crates, against 2140 last year. Hemp.—Manila market opened firm but weakened towards week-end, closing dull. "J" grade sold at £33 15& per ton. "G" grade quoted at buyers £3B per ton. New Zealand market unchanged, and no business reported. Wool.—Sales suspended on account of the election until Monday. Fruit. —Apple market firmer, and shipments not as large as anticipated. Oregon Newton apples, lis to 13s 6d; Oregon Jonathans, 8s to 10s 6d; British Columbian Cox's Orange, 20s to 245; British Columbian Delicious, 9s 6d to 10s.

THE MEAT MARKET.

LONDON QUOTATIONS

The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has received the following cable from its London office, dated December 7. 1923, advising the SmUhfleld delivered prices at that date as follows:

New Zealand wethers and maidens, Canterbury quality, selected brands, 56 and under BJd per lb, 57/64 7£d, 65/72 7Jd; other brands, 56 and under 7 5-Bd, 57/64 7Jd, 65/72 7|d, New Zealand ewes, 64 and under, 6Jd. New Zealand lamb, Canterbury quality, 36 and under Hid, 37/42 10 "3-Bd, 43/50 9id, seconds lOd; selected brands, 36 and under 10Jd, 37/42 10 l-8d; other brands, first quality, 42 and under 9 7-8 d; seconds, 9id.

New Zealand beef, ox fores 3id, ox hinds 4|d, cow fores 2 7-Bd, cow hinds 3?d. Argentine chilled beef, ox fores 4.}d, ox hinds 5 7-Bd.

Argentine frozen beef, ox fores 33d, ox hinds 43d.

Mutton market firm and likely to advance. Lamb market quiet but steady.

CANTERBURY PRODUCE. The following are the quotations to be paid to farmers at country stations, Canterbury, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: Wheat, Tuscan 5s 3£d, Hunters 5s s£d, Pearl 5s 7id; fowl wheat, 5s 5d to 5s 6d f.0.b.; chaff, bright oatshcal £4 15s; oats, Oartons 2s lOd to 2s lid; white clover, Is to Is 2d; Italian ryegrass, 4s to 4s 3d; perennial ryegrass, 4s to 4s 6d; cowgrass, 8d to 83d; cocksfoot, 5d to 6d; Hour, £ls 10s per ton; pollard, £7 per ton f.o.b. main ports, 10s extra for smaller packing; bran, £5 per ton f.o.b. maiu ports, 10s extra for smaller packing. The above prices are at country stations, Canterbury, sacks and bags extra, and to them must be added handling charges. Railage, store charges, freight and wharfage on grain (about 2s per bushel), and the cost of cleaning in the case of seeds, which Is approximately: Cocksfoot and clovers 4d to 6d per lb, ryegrass Is 6d to 2s per bushel.