PRODUCE MARKETS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 683, 30 January 1883, Page 2

PRODUCE MARKETS.

The New Zealand' Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report on the produce markets for the week ending Jan. 25, as follows:— • . - • Wool.—The .mail via San Francisco places us in possession of priced catalogues to 30th November, winch fully confirm cable advices at the time, announcing irregularity in biddings, and a general deHipe of M to Id in prices, excepting for finest ..qualities of merinos, and-* hallbreds. It will be remembered, however, that subsequent telegrams wero of a more reassuring character, and lhat lief ore the close of the series on Bth December the drop had been partially recovered, and the nrirkut ..waa again firm at September rates. 1 The.somewhat unsettled condition of trade ju various centres, both in England and on thp Continent, 'coupled" with the fact that large stocks were held by dealers at latest mail advices, dispelled the hope of any very substantial improvement in valnes at tho February series. It is doubtless owing to these circumstances that buyers in the Colony have been unwilling to operate in long wools, c.rossbreds. and coarse merinos, except at a reduction of about 10 per cent, on the opening rates of the season, and in most ca66B growers have appreciated the situation and accepted the rates offered. Chiisichurch—The third series of the year was held .on the 16th and 17th instants, when ,4100'ba'es were brought forward,, of which, upwards of 2500 wqtq placed nndor the hammer, or privately immediately after the auctions. Wβ submitted 1754 bales, and quilted 1090 at tho following rates :— Merino, 7d to 10£ d ; halfbred, 8d to 9d ;. crossbred, to Bsd; Romney, 8d: Leicester, 7d ; scoured lambs, 9d ; scoured crossbred, to ll|d .* scoured merino, Is 4fd to Is 7|d. The bulk of the wools offered were heavy in condition, being full of yolk and earthy, though no fault could be found' with the staple. Some wellgrown 'merino clipg, light in condition, elicitM keen competition, and realised satisfactory prices, notably 67 bales Buc■cfoilch brand, at lo£d ; 103 bales Whiterock brand, at same figuro ; and 13 bales Ashley Downs, at 10d. Our nest auction sale will be held on the 7th February, for which 700 bales are alraady in store, including some choice merino, clips. ' Grass Seeds. —Christchurch — Ryegrass —A larg9 crop has been gathered in good condition, and the quality generally is all that could be desired. -Supplies aro not coining lo hand so freely as expected, but doubtless when the grain crops are secured, grass seed will have more atten tiori. Some parcels have been placed at .3sto 3s 3d. according to dressing. Cocksfoot.—Great activity prevails on the Peninsula, where an abundant crop is now being harvested. From samples received the quality appears to be'first-class this season. We hear of some heavy purchases having been effected at prices withheld. For February delivery 3id. f.o b.. Akaroa is asked.. Blenheim— Ryegrass— Enquiries are now being made, and prices are ex pected to range from 4s to 4s 9d, according to quality. Gisborne—Samples of new crop just to hand are clean well-de-veloped seed. No transactions aro reported, farmers asking ss. Dunodin— Rye-grass seed for autumn sowing should shortly be in rrquest, hut as yet there is no demand. With a fair supply of old stock on.hand; and a heavy yield frotn crops now being saved, the market will probably open in favor of buyers. Oamtiru —Farmers are busy threshing out rye ami Italian, and on the whole are well satisfied with the yield and quality. There are buyers at from 3s 3d to 3a 6d, but growers 'aro looking for higher values which we think may fairly be expected, as-th«re are likely to be large areas sown down during the coining season. Napier—There is no change to report in this'niarket. Provincial grown cocksfoot is being Eold at 3£d per lb delivered on the run.. >( For Akaroa 5d per lb, delivered at wharf, has been paid. No business has yet been done in new season'e ryegrass seed. Miscellaneous.—Christchiwch—Butter. —A strong demand for butter, which the limited supply coming to hand is unable to satisfy, has sent prices up to 9d and 9Ad f.0.b., whilst we hear of 10d having been paid for a very prime parcel, kegu 4s 6d extra. Cheese. —The' demand has somewhat slackened, and 7d is now a full price for shipping quality. kelson.— Mali—A fair demand for good malt is bus- , ■tamed at 6s 6d to 7s 6d. Hops—A large yiild is now pretty confidently looked for, aud large quantities of the growing crop aro already sold for export. It is expected that the market will open at about 3s.