Commercial.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 30, 18 November 1887, Page 20

Commercial.

Mb. Donald Stronach (on behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) reports for the week ending November 15, as follows :—

Store Cattle. — Good stores, such as three or four to five-years-old well-bred stores, are in good demand — in fact all sorts are saleable ; but the number offering of any description is limited, and some difficulty experienced in securing lots suitable for requirements and at a price to leave graziers a margin, Store Bheep — The season for the transaction of business in this class of stock is now fast approaching, when no doubt vast numbers will change hands, and at prices which is to be hoped will be more aatisfaciory to all concerned. Up to the present, however, the market has been quiet, no sales of any consequence passing. Sheepskins. — These were in good demand on Monday, when we offered at our regular weekly auction a large catalogue of various sorts to a good attendance of buyerss, who competed with animation, every lot being disposed of at priceß showing a slight advance on last week's. Country dry crossbreds, low to meiium, brought Is 2d to 3-i 9i ; do do merino, Is to 3s 5d ; dry pelts, 3d to 9d ; green do, Bd, 6d, and 7d ; butchers' green cross-breds, 4s 4d, 4s 6d, 4s 9d, 4s lid, ss, 5s Id, 5s 2d, 5s 3d, ; do do merino, 3s Bd, 3s lid, 4s 2d, 4s 4d; lambskins, 9d, lid, 13d, I4d.

Hides. — The tone of the market is slightly firmer. Buyers for local requirements as well as shipment are displaying more eagerness to operate, and at slightly improved rates. We quote : Inferior and bullB 1 , lid to 2d ; light, 2£d to 2fd ; medium, 3d to 3£d ; heavy, 3fd to 3£d per lb. Kabbitskins. — At the public sales held on the 16th September in London the catalogues embraced 1,542 bales of which 1,512 were cleared. In view of the increased offerings, the auctions epened somewhat flitly, at a decline of from 2d to 4d per lb. on recent occurrences. As the sales pi ogressed competition became more animated, and values exhibited considerable improvement, which, however, waß not maintained ; and at the close prices ruled about on a par with opening rates, which were — for good to prime winter skins, 2a to 2s 4Jd ; fair ordinary to good, Is 6d to 2s ; common, 9d to Is ssd. At tne sales held on the 4th inst. as we reportrd last week, best descriptions were lower again by 3d, and other sorts Id per lb. than those of the previous sale. In the local market the demand continues good, but the catalogues now offered are small. We had all the buyers at our sale on Monday when every lot was disposed of under spiriied competition, at prices comparing favourably with those ob'ained last week, quality considered. Ordinary to good brought 14^d to 16d ; others brought 9d to 13fd per lb. Tallow. — This market continues remarkably steady. Although a slight rise is reported in the Home market, there is no quotable change in prices here, which we give as follow : For inferior and medium, 10s and 12s ; me dum to good, 13s to 15a ; best mutton, 17s to 18s ; rough fat, inferior 5s to 7s, medium to good, 8a to 9d ; caul fat (clean) 11b per cwt,

Grain — Wheat : The aspect of the market, so far as this staple is concerned, is rather discouraging to holders, although pricei have bad no material decline, but consumers are unwilling to operate except at reductions on ruling rates, which we quote, and a c—Fore — For best milling; velvet aud Tv-can, 3s 6d to 3s 8d ; inferior and medium, 3s to 3s 5d (ex store), — Oats : There has been a little more inquiry this week for shipment, and a moderate amount of business has resulted, but prices are unchanged, and may not improve to any appreciable extent, but, consideang the few now on hand, it is hardly probable they will recede. We quote best stout milling, Is 9d to Is 9^<l ; short bright feed, Is 8d to Is9d ; medium and sparrowbills, Is 7£d to Is 8J ; inferior, Is 5d to Is 6d (ex store,).— Barley : Good malting is still in demand, with none to offer, Small lots (of feed and mihing are now and then for disposal, but the market in the meantime is pretty clear of all sorts. Quotations nominal.

Grass Seeds. — Beyond the disposal of small retail lots there is nothing passing.

Mr. F. Meenan, King street, reports — Wholesale prices, bago, included : Oat 9, medium to prime, Is 5d to Is B£d. Wheat : milling 3s 61 to 3s 9d ; fowls', 2s 9d to 3a 3d. Barley : malting, 3s 6d to 4s 6d ; milling, 3a 6d ; feed, 3s. Chaff : best, £2 15s. hay, oat, £3; rye-grass, £3. Bran, £2 10s. Pollard, £3 10s. Potatoes : Derwents, £1 10 a. Butter : fresh, 3d to 8d ; salt, nominal 5d Cheese, 3d to 4£ 1. Eggs, Bd. Flour : sacks, £9 ; 501fc, £9 10s. Oatmeal, £8 se. Roll bacon, 6d ; lides, 6£d ; hams, Bd.