COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 807, 1 December 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. report as follows :—On Tuesday, November 2ist, at the Tinwald yards, we penned 1,509 sheep and 207 head of cattle for Messrs Dudley and Northey, Hardwick, W. Wilson, A. Jackson, J. Shearer, Wm. Saunders, R. Anderson, S. Mullins, Mrs Hawkins, .A, M'Quillan, W, tPrebble, D. Leach, Wm. Wood, G. Coe, J. Small, J. Davis, and others. There was a large artendance, and nearly every line was disposed of at satisfactory prices, as under— 423 merino wethers at 10s, 300 at 10s, 105 crossbred couples at 13s 3d, 103 crossbred hoggets at 12s 4d, 531 merino couples at 10s 6d, 119 mixed sheep at 7s lod, 119 merino wethers at 8s 6d, and about 500 mixed classes in small lines at proportionate rates. In cattle the following are some of the principal sales :—ls head at* L 3 7s, 15 yearlings at Li 15s, 14 at Li 17s, 14 at Li 7s, 16 at La Ss, 18 at L2, 14 at'Ll 10s, 20 at Ll Bs, 10 at L2 3s, 19 at Li 19s 6d, 17 at Li Bs, 6 at L 4 15s, 5 at L 4 15s, 7 at Li Bs, 9at L 3 7s, 9 at I.i 6s, 4 at LS 125 6d, and about 60 head in small lines at corresponding prices. On the 28th at the Ashburton yards, on account of Messrs Wm. Stiachan, H. T. Smith, W. Simpson, D. Brick, T. Trevurza, A. Jackson, Wm. Melgrier, W. Marcroft, O. Digby, S. Mullins, we submitted 32 head of cattle and 1,100 sheep, all of which were disposed of at prices a shade lower than those of the previous week. Privately during the week we have sold 431 hoggets at us, 187 crossbreds in the wool at 12s, 275 merino couples at ns qd per couple, 900 shorn, merino wethers at 5 s 6d, 681 merino wethers in the wool at xos lid. About 3 00 head of cattle at market rates, as also several horses, drays, etc., at satisfactory prices. The , New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report as follows in their circular on the produce markets, dated 30th ult.: —Christchurch - Grain : Since we last wrote, the weather has been all that the heart of the most fastidious farmer could desire. Genial rains, alternating with sunshine, have prevailed throughout the interval. - The crops have consequently made rapid progress, and there is now every prospect of the mosj bountiful harvest the country has yet gathered.— Wheat: 'I he market has been devoid of interest throughout the month. A few parcels of milling quality were taken up early in the month for a foreign port, at a price caual to 4s 4j£d f.0.b., but the market is now quite dormant, and this price is difficult to obtain except for prime tuscan. Chick feed has had some enquiry and small lots have been placed at 3s to 3s 6d, A farther decline of 10s per ton in the value of flour has to be noted.—Oats: A steady demand for local trade has been maintained throughout the month, and prices are well supported at former quotations. We have placed several- large parcels at rates given. —Barley : Our previous remarks under this heading apply with equal point to the period now under review. There have been no transactions in malting qualities, and feeding sorts have only had a limited business at 2s 6d to 3s. —Peas and Beans : The former have been forced on the market at exceptionally low rates, 3s 3d haying been accepted for a line of superior black eyes. Stocks of beans are appreciably reduced by shipments to England, 1,800 sacks having gone forward. — Grass Seeds : The fact that an extensive area —— for Vi-iir ,_>vlih every .nrosuect, of ailgrass seed to anticipate a glutted market, by quitting at greatly reduced rates. Pnme samples, which were held for 5s 6d two months ago, are now offering at 4s 3d to 4s 6d. The cocksfoot seed crop promises to be excellent. Dunedin Wheat : Wheat has been exceedingly dull; in fact during the whole month sales of milling have been only to supply pressing requirements, millers holding off expecting to buy at lower prices. Quotations consequently are quite nominal. Inferior and fowl feed are more readily placed.—Oats : Stocks have become much reduced, and the market is firmer, with a slight advance on last month’s prices. Sales by auction have been made up to 3s 4d, which we quote as present price of milling. Inferior and discolored feed are not inquired for, and are difficult to place at 2s 6d to 3s per bushel. —Barley : There is nothing doing in malting, prime quality of this description being very scarce, and brewers showing no eagerness to , purchase. Some sales have been made of feed barley at from 3s to 3s Bd.--Timaru.—Wheal ; Prices have been receding during the past month, and prime milling can now be procured at 4s 3d to 4s 6d f.0.b., in small quantities. Stocks of prime are low, but a large quantity of medium and inferior is in the district at present. Millers are supplying themselves slowly, and the English and intercolonial markets offer no inducement to ship. Oats are in fair supply, with a downward tendency's to values. The rates ruling in the Australian Colonies are not sufficiently tempting to induce consignments. Barley : Though stocks are not large sales are difficult to effect.

The Corn Exchange report for the week ending Friday evening, the ist Dec. :—The past week has been but a repetition of its predecessor. There is no alteration to note in value, with business almost at a stand still. Harvest prospects never were better, and at present there is every indication of a most abundant harvest. Wheat : Although the business which is being transacted is only of a nominal character, holders are asking from 4s 4d to 4s 6d per bushel for prime quality, second quality, 3s lod to 4s ; screenings and chick wheat, 3s 3d to 3s yd per bushel. Oats : The business which is being transacted in this cereal is of a purely local character, prices, however, are well maintained. Prime short milling, 3s $d to 3s 6d ; feed quality, 3s 3d to 3s 4d per bushel. Barley: For prime malting samples there is little or no inquiry. Prices nominal; feed, 3s 4d to 3s 6d per bushel. Potatoes : There is very little inquiry; holders, however, are still looking for L 5 to L-s 10s a ton. Cheese and Butter: The former, old, Bd, new. 6d ; the latter, 8d to per lb.