COMMERCIAL

New Zealand Tablet, 10 December 1914, Page 31

COMMERCIAL

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. Wellington, December 7.—The High Commissioner cabled as follows on December 5 (note, quotations, unless otherwise specified, are average market prices) : Mutton.—A poor demand continues. The market is declining on account of the large supply of Dutch, together with frozen supplies, which are likely to increase. Holders are anxious to sell. Canterbury, 5 11-16 d; North Island, sgd; ewes, s£d. • Lamb.-The market is dull, and is declining, especially for light-weights. , Canterbury twos,’ 6 9-16 d; heavy-weight, fours, 6]d; other than Canterbury, 6|d. Beef.—The conditions are unchanged. The arrivals at the market include 55,000 quarters of frozen from New York. New Zealand hinds, 6§d; fores, 5-M. Chilled is in moderate supply. Hinds, 6d ; fores, ssd. Butter.—The market is very firm. Danish is in restricted demand at 147 s to 149 s ; New Zealand in good demand, 1325. to 134 s : Australian, firm, 120 s to 1325; Siberian, good inquiry, 120 s to 1245; Irish, creamery, offerings very small,. 126 s to 132 s ; Argentine, firm and in good request, 128 s to 130 s. Cheese.-The market is very firm. Canadian in fair demand, 78s to 795; New Zealand, white and colored, firm and' little offering, 76s to 775. It is estimated that the stocks of Canadian cheese on December 1 at London, Liverpool, and Bristol were 215,000 boxes, as against 309,000 boxes last year. * 1 Hemp.- market is rather quiet. The stock of New Zealand is small, and prices are nominal. Spot New Zealand, good, fair grade, £24 10s ; New Zealand, fair grade, £23 ; fair current Manila, £24;. forward shipment about the same price. The output from Manila for the week was 19,000 bales.

Messrs. Donald Beid and Co. report as follows:

We held our weekly sale of grain and produce on Monday, when values ruled as under;

Oats. There is a good inquiry for all lots of prime Gartons and sparrowbills. Shippers and millers are buyers of all lines of this description. Prime milling Gartons, 2s 9d to 2s lOd; good to best feed, 2s 6d to 2s 9d ; inferior to medium, 2s to 2s 7d per bushel (sacks extra).

Wheat.ln the absence of any wheat offering the market is unchanged, and prices remain as before. Potatoes. —The demand for old potatoes still continues, and any freshly picked lots meet with ready sale. Best tables, £4 10s to £5 ; medium to good, £3 IDs to £4 5s per ton (sacks included). Chaff.—The market at present is barely supplied with prime chaff. During the past-week a considerable quantity has been sold for shipment, and any lots of prime quality coining to hand are readily disposed of. Prime oaten sheaf, £4 10s to £4 12s 6d ; choice black oat,‘to £4 15s; medium to good, £3 15s to £4 5s ; light and discolored, £3 to £3 10s per ton (bags extra).

Messrs. Stronach, Morris, and Co., Ltd., report for week.ended Tuesday, December 8, as follows: ■ Rabbitskins. —Our fortnightly sale was postponed until Friday next, owing to most of the buyers being absent at the Christchurch wool sale.

Sheepskins. The next sale takes place on Tuesday, the 15th inst.

Hides. —We offered a large catalogue at our sale last Thursday, when the demand was very keen, and prices, with the exception of calfskins, showed an advance of -Jd to ]cl per lb. Extra stout hides.are worth to 9)d ; stout heavy do., 8)d to B|d ; heavy do., 7fd to B|d: medium and light weight do., 7fd to B£-d; best heavy cow hides, Bcl to B§d ; medium weight do., 7fd to S j-d ; light weight, 7|-d to 8-£d; damaged and inferior, 5d to 7d; yearlings, to B|d ; calfskins .to lOd per lb ; horse hides, 8s to 14s 6d each. Tallow and Fat.—We offered a medium consignment last Saturday, when prices showed a further advance of 6d per cwt. Quotations; Best rendered tallow

in casks, to 23s 6d; in tins, to 22s 6d ; good do., 17s to 18s 9d; medium, 14s to 16s 6d; best 'caul fat, to 17s; rough fat, 12s 6d to 15s 6d. Oats.— are very few ‘offering and owners are inclined to hold stocks in the expectation of a further rise. Quotations: Prime milling Gartons, 2s 9d to 2s 10d; good to best feed, 2s 7d to 2s 9d; inferior, 2s 4d to 2s 6d per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat.— here is practically nothing doing in this cereal as the bulk of the stocks held have been dis--1 posed of. Values are therefore nominal.

Chaff.—There has been a. good demand at up to £4 15s for choice lines, prime oaten sheaf bringing 10s to £4 12s 6d ; medium to good, £3 15s to £4 5s per ton (sacks extra). Potatoes. Very few have been forward this week, and it is difficult to get any in good condition. Prime lines have commanded up to £7 per ton, while good are worth £4 10s- to £5 10s; medium, £3 10s to £4 5s per ton (sacks in).