COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 142, 21 August 1880, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE

The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for tiie week ending Friday evening, the 20th inst.

Confirmatory reports from various districts are to hand with respect to the seasonable weather for farming operations. The unusually mild winter has enabled the farmers to carry out sowing under the most favored circumstances. The rainfall from the beginning of the year in many parts is stated to be below the average. At Christchurch Meteorological Observatory, the recorded rainfall from first of January to the end of last month has only been 10.93 inches, the general average for the same period being 15.92 inches since the beginning of 1866. Up to the present date the measured rainfall much resembles that of the year 1878, which for the first seven months was only 9.50 inches. The grain market is in a languid state. The farmers do not seem disposed to realise upon their wheat, even at the advanced rates which have recently taken place. At the present prices there is no opening for the buyers operating for the Home markets. The local millers will have no difficulty in purchasing for their requirements, and it is probable that rates may then recede, unless the harvest prospects in the United Kingdom become unfavorable. The intercolonial wheat markets are easier. Advices from Adelaide tons of cereals have been shipped, and that there is a balance of 87,607, yet available for export out of last year’s crop. The market value for the best wheat is reported at 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d. per bushel, and these values have been asked for cargoes. Freights are now procurable there at 50s. per ton for export to the United Kingdom. The season in South Australia has been very favorable, and the crops in consequence promise well. Wheat. —The wheat market is in short supply of good milling wheat. The local millers are still operating freely. Sales have been effected during the week at full rates for average size parcels for milling purposes. Farmers in easy circumstances are not anxious to sell. Wheat in prime milling order is worth 4s. to 4s. 2d. per bushel. There are several enquiries for seed wheat, which is saleable at 4s. 3d. to 4s. 9d. according to quality. Chick feed is in demand at 2s. to 2s. 6d. per bushel. Oats. —The demand has improved. The price has not altered during the week. First-class bright milling are obtainable at Is. 6d. to Is. 7d. per bushel. Feeding kinds are in free supply at Is. 3d. to Is. 4d., and inferior kinds do not command over Is. to Is. 2d. Barley. —There are enquires for firstclass malting barley at 3s. to 3s. 3d., second class at 2s. to 2s. 3d., feed at Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel. The supply of inferior qualities is in excess of the demand. Potatoes—There is a total absence on the part of the trade to do business. The stocks held by the farmers are heavy. There is no inducement to ship to the Sydney marKet. As the season advances there will be a slacker demand, and consequently the present rates are not likely to be maintained. Since last week's report the price has fallen. For potatoes in prime condition values cannot be quoted at over LI to LI 2s. 6d. per ton. Grass Seed—For .rye grass there has been a fair demand. Well cleaned samples are offered at from 2s. 9d. to 35., medium to inferior at 2s. Cd. to Is. 6d. per bushel. Cheese and Butter—The former is offered freely from 4d. to 4id. per lb. Butter is in good supply at Bd. to 9d. per lb., with a slack inquiry. Hay —sos. to 555. per ton, delivered in town. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, Aug. 20. Prime beef, 30s. to 325. 6d. per loolb.; mutton, to 3d. per lb.; good sample milling wheat, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. ; fowl’s wheat, 2S. 6d. to 35.; feed oats, is. sd. to is. 6d.; milling is. 7d. to is. Bd.; malt barley, 2s. gd. to 3s. 3d. ; feed, is. gd. to 2s. id.; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d. ; grass hay, L2 los.; oaten hay, L 3 ; medium wheat, 3s. gd. 1045.; chaff, L2 155.; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 55.; pollard, 1-4 ; flour, Lio to Lio 10s.; oatmeal, Lg 10s.; pearl barley, LlB ; onions, 7s. 6d. to Bs.; cheese, Sd, ; bacon, rolled, gd.; hams, sides bacon, per lb. (grain fed).

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST; S' d. S' d' Butter, inferior to best lb IO 0 to I 2 Eggs, is? dozen - - I 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, $ lb o 6 to 0 8 Bacon, prime smoked, li? lb o 10 to 1 0 Hams in cloth, i? lb I 2 to 0 0 Flour in bags, I# loolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 251b 4 0 to 0 0 Lard, # lb - 0 7 to 0 0