COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 268, 14 February 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The English Markets. The following is Messrs. Miles Bros, and ; Co.’s, Colonial Produce Report, dated London, December 30th : Wcoh—Since the sales closed there has been a little inquiry for wool for the Home trade, ' but stocks in first hands are nearly cleared out. There is also some inquiry for Cape wool for ■ ‘America, and the arrival at Bradford of a large ■ -buyei for that market leads us to hope that an 'American demand may set itu Trade in the ■ North remains unaltered, but the stocks in dealers’ and manufacturers’ hands probably be found sufficient until the next sales •pen. Business on the continent is still dull, but stocks there are exceedingly low, and, as soon as business revives in France, considerable purchases of the raw material will have to be made. The arrivals for the Feb. sales to date c a re’: Newfibuth Wales and Queensland, 13,431 bales ; Victoria, 9,544 bales ; South Australia, 4,570 bales; New Zealand, 4,106 bales ; Cape, 12,232 bales. Total, 43,883 bales. And 16,000 bales old wool. ... Wheat and Flour.--As usual at this season of the year, business on our corn market is extremely dull, and the failure ofseveral speculators • in America has caused additional depression. Californian wheat, for prompt shipment to the ■ Doited Kingdom, has been placed at 44s 6d per JJOOlbs., c.f. and i., but sales cannot now be. effected, even at that price. Stocks of Australian wheat here are now rather limited, but holders are not inclined to meet the market freely. Several cargoes of Victorian wheat, for prompt shipment, have been sold at 46s 6d or less, and a few parcels for London at 45s 6d to 465. New Zealand wheat is not in large supply, but is, nevertheless, neglected, inconsequence of the considerable deliveries by our farmers of 1 home" grown wheat. We quote, in store : South Australian wheat, 49s to sis ; Victorian,

48s to 50s; New Zealand, long berried, 47s to 505.; average, quality 45s to 48s; inferior, 40s to 43s per 4961b5. Australian flour, 35s to 365; New Zealand, 33s to 35s per zSolbs. ; New Zealand oats, in good condition, superior, 28s to 31s; common, 21s to 25s for Imperial quarters. New Zealand barley, 32s to 42s for 4481b5., according to quality. New Zealand beans, 45s to 47s' per 504165. ; New Zealand oatmeal, Lio to Li I per ton. Tallow and Hides.—Since our last report there have been no sales of either tallow or hides, and prices, therefore, remain unchanged —viz-, very good to very fine mutton 34s fid to 365, and fair to fine beef 32s fid 1033 s 3d per cwt. . The imports of Australian tallow have since been 1,820 casks, and the stock to-day in importers’ hands amounts to 11,420 casks. Preserved Meats.—There is very little ..doing at the present time, in tinned meats of any kind, the attention of the retail traders being turned to dried fruits. In American fresh meats only a limited business is doing at unsatisfactory prices. Bank rate, 3 per cent.