SOUTHERN MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 263, 2 August 1919, Page 10

SOUTHERN MARKETS

By Telegraph—Press Association.' _;;• Christchurch, August 1. The local grain and produce markets ■are described by merchants as very dull :'on the wholo, so very little of anything ;is offering from the country, and the present position of matters on the railways is generally hampering business. ?.There arc no changes to note in oats, and prices are still nominally about 3s. 9d. to 4s. at country stations. There is some .'inquiry for seed Gartens, and it is evi;dent,ibat there will' be fairly heavy -spring sowing of this variety. The chaff market 'is dull. There is plenty now 'available,' but there is little demand. The price-is about £S to .£6 ss. at ; country Stations for prime quality. .Tho potato market' is easier, and although the general . opinion is that there is no more than will be required for consumption until tho .now crop comes in, the auto- • matic restoration of fsie embargo on the shipment of potatoes to Australia' has eased' the position. It is stated that small shipments have been ma.de' from Wellington to Australia, but through the absence of freight there has been no shipping direct from tho South Island. The-present price is variously quoted at £1 10s. to ,£8 at country stations, but tho higher figure would. probably only be paid for prompt delivery. A fair quantity is now offering. There is good inquiry for seed potatoes, early varieties being worth .£lO to i! 10 10s., and main crop kinds .£5 to £5 ss. at country stations. Eed Clover is firmer, and is now quoted at Is. Od. to Is. GJd. at country stations. Threshing is now practically and most of the seed is iia tho merchants'-' hands. White clover is unchanged at Is. 2d. "arid Is. 4d. Pens are still in good demand, and prices have hardened. Partridge'are now quoted at 7s. to 7s. 6d. at country stations, White Ivories 9s. to 9s. Gd., and boiling varieties 10s. 6d. to lis. There arc no beans on offer, and tho price is nominally 7s. Gd. to 7s. 3d. at country stations. There is nothing like the quantity of beans now prown in North Canterbury as there Was in past .veal's, when there was a greater demand for horse feed.