FARMING & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 223, 15 June 1921, Page 8

FARMING & COMMERCIAL

NEWS AND NOTES

AUCTION SALES

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES. TO-DAY. 147 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 10 a-.m.— Sale of meat (Hodgkins, Carter). 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 10.30 n in. - Furniture sale (Johuston and Co.). Shannon Yards,, 1 p.m.—Stock sale. 157 Willis (Street. 2 p.m.—Furniture Bale (Williams aud Co.). Dominion Avenue. Wellington 2 p.m.— Furniture Bale (Johnston and Co.). Upper Hutt, 2.30 p.m.—Property Bale (8. G. Nathan and Co.). TO-MORROW. 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington. 10.30 a.m. Bale of corrugated iron (Johnston and Co.). 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 1.30 p.m.— Sale of chocolates (Johnston and Co.). FRIDAY. Show Grounds, Stratford, 10 a.m.—Pedigree Jersey sale (Newton King).

FAT STOCK SALES RESUMED Al JOHNSONVILLE GOOD PRICES REALISED After a lapse of five or six years fat stock sales were resumed at Johnsonville yesterday. The sales were conducted by Messr. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., and Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and _Uo., Ltd., and their renewal was undoubtedly in the interests both of butchers and the publio generally, whilst it should also provide a reliable guide to farmers as to the value of their fat stock. Unquestionably a town of the size of Wellington should have its regular fat stock market, in order to bring it into line with all large towns in other civilised countries. Yesterday's market was favoured with fine weather, and was well attended by buyers, and fair average prices were obtained. The quality of the stock offered was first class in the case of both sheep and cattle, and produced favourable comment from those who attended the sale. Sheep were keenly competed for, and good prices were realised, but the bidding for cattle was not quite so spirited. In the opinion of the trade, however, the' demand for cattle will improv© materially in the near future. Over 50 bullocks and over 500 sheep were yarded, and wore submitted without reserve. All were disposed of under the hammer.

The firstoffering was a small line of extra .prime woolly two-tooths, and they were quickly quitted at 80s. Three pens of prime wethers, frosh from nine weeks on the turnips, brought 20s. 9d., 19s. od., and 20s. 3d. in that order. Thirty ewes from the Bruce Estate were next offered. Bidding started at 145., and the lot were quitted at 17s. 4d. A line of 1.50 wethers realised 225., 21s. 6d., nnd 21s. Bd. Bidding was spirited for the few lots of lambs offering, and they wero quickly snapped up, the highest price paid being 20s. lOd. A pen of store lambs fetched ss. 6d.

The cattle mostly came from Rangioto, and competition was largely confined to a few buyers. Most of thorn were quitted at between _CI2 and £l3 Ils., but two pens of prime Polled Angus readily brought .£l3 15s. Top price went io two fine pens of blacks that realised £l4 ss. Future sales will be held on Wednesday, it being the most convenient day for the bulk of the butchers. Auctioneers’ Report. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., nnd Wright. Stephenson and Co.. Ltd., report as follow:—s3 prime bullocks, 880 prime ewes and wethers, and 89 prime lambs were yarded. There was a largo attendance of butchers, and everything penned was sold under the hammer. The demand for sheep was keen. We quote: —Wethers, 19s. ,9d., 20s. 3d., 21s. 6d., 21s. B<l.. 225.; owes. 17s. 4rl. to 17s. fid.; lambs, 195.. 19s. 2d.. 19s. 6d.. to 20s. 10d.; extra prime woolly two-tooths, 30s. Bullocks: JII2. .£l2 2s. fid., £l2 10s., £l2 17s. fid., £l3 - 25.. .£l3 Us., £l3 153., to £l4 55.; cows. c£lo ss.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS SCARCITY OF WHEAT IN FARMERS’ HANDS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Juno 14. The scarcity of wheat in farmers’ hands is the most notable development of the week. There are two factors contributing to this position. In tho first place, wheat has been rejected this season for milling that in the past two years would have been milled, and this wheat has gone into consumption as fowl feed; secondly, n much greater quantity I has been required for sowing. A. 75 per I cent, increase in the area cropped, which ' has boon suggested as probable, would require 200,000 bushels additional seed. Oats maintain their firm position, but tho market is quiet, any business doing being between merchants. Fair quantities continue to bo consigned Home, tho •’ demand there being decidedly keen for good white oats of the New Zealand Garton type, as against . Australian Algerians. . Cocksfoot is a shade firmer. Linseed has suddenly jumped ip in value, and business has actually been done at equal to £l(> per ton at country stations, a rise of 80 per cent, within .a month. It is understood that the position in Calcutta is responsible for tho sudden stimulation of the market here.

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

INVESTMENT STTATtES. Yesterday's quotations for investment

CUSTOMS REVENUE. Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington yesterday totalled £10,721 68. 2d. EXCHANGE RATES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. June 14, 8.40 p.m.) London, June 13. Foreign exchange rates on London are quoted as follow—Paris. 47.40 francs to Cl- Stockholm, 16.86 kroner; Christiania, 25.64 kroner; Berlin, 267 marks; Montreal, 4,16 dollars; New York, 3.792 dollars; Oaloutta , 15?,d. to rupee; Yokohama, 30d. to yen; Hong-Kong, Jljd. to dollar. P. AND O. BTOCK. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Reo. June 14, 8.40 p.m.) Juuo 13. P. and O. deferred stock, buyers £320. sellers £340. The Canadian Government estimate of the total mineral production of Canada for 1920 is .£«),000,000. The estimated value of gold production is placed at £3,200,000, and the estimated value of coal production is £14,000,000.

THE PRICE OF EGGS ‘ CO-OPERATION AND THE POULTRY INDUSTRY WORK OF~EGG CIRCLES The Wellington District Poultry Association held a meeting last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Mr. H. G. Mumby presided. Among the many present were: —Messrs. S. 11. Scott, Auckland (president of the New Zealand Association); J. B. Morrett, Christchurch (secretary, Jtew Zealand Association); L. Liggins, Christchurch (vicepresident, New Zealand Association); E. W. Griffiths, Auckland (member New Zealand Executive); F. Brown (Government chief poultry expert); and 11. L. Cocker (assistant expert). The chairman mentioned that the meeting had itoen convgped by the Wellington District Poultry Association, and the New Zealand Championship Association, both of which wero affiliated to the ’ New Zealand Poultry Association. The object of tlje meeting was to' meet Mr. Scott and Mr. Morrett, the heads of tho New Zealand Association. Mr. Mumby eulogised the work of Mr. Morrett, who, he said, had been tho life and’ soul of the New Zealand Association. ' Mr. Scott said that he had boen touring the Dominion during tho last fewweeks with the object of better organising tho affiliated associations and the Now Zealand Association. Tho Government had prohibited the importation of Asiatic eggs, but unless New Zealand poultrymen, increased their production this prohibition might be revoked. Ho urged those present to support the Now Zealand which was working in the Interests of poultrymen as a whole. Mr. Scott mentioned that Wellington was tho only centre which did not hold egg-laying competitions. He believed that Wellington should start a competition or obtain a Government demonstration farm. It was necessary to organise egg circles throughout New Zealand for the purchase of food and the fixing of prices. It had been stated that poultrymen were profiteering in the price of eggs, but this was not so. If tho price of oats to North' Island pouttrvnien was only 2s. per bushel, ie cAt to the South Island men eggs would be cheaper. The price of eggs must depend on tho supply and demand. The North Island men were not getting more than they deserved. He was not in favour of high winter prices, but thought that tho price of eggs in the summer should bo higher. The price of eggs would come down if food was cheap'T. He concluded by urging the necessity of co-operation. Mr. Morrett referred to tho large number of returned soldiers who were taking up the poultry industry, and complimented the Government on the way in which it had helped them. ,Ho urged tho need of co-oporation, by moans of which several large leakages could bo I eliminated. Poultrymen when they bought their food supplies were paying for g two or three handlings. There was a wonderful opening for economy in regard to food. He appealed to poultrymen to go to the Government .sports for advice, and expressed the opinion that the poultry industry in New Zealand had t>. great future. Mr Griffiths detailed tho scheme which was working in the Auckland province. Tho egg circle there had something like 13 branches, and was very similar to the organisation of.a co-onerativo daily company. Bv having egg circles throughout the Dominion it would he possible to advise poultrymen of the ruling prices and to prevent the oyer-flooding of the market. The great advents™ of having egg circles was that they allowed the poultrymen to control their own market in tho flush season. It was not the'object of an egg circle to obtain high prices from the public, bur merely to get a fair price for a fair article marketed in good condition. The more poultrymtn organised in New Zealand the more they would get a fair price. Mr. Liggins said he believed that there was a great future before the poultry industry. The New Zealand Association hue. done a great deal for the industry, and it was only through tho egg circles that poultrymen were able to make a living wage. Mr. Brown, in referring to the work of'egg circles, said that the idea was to place a guaranteed article on the markot and receive a fair price for it. Tlie industry was now on a very good footing indeed. The egg circle had also benefited the public. Previously they had not. been guaranteed a good article, but now they received eggs in absolutely good condition. Ho was of opinion that th® egg circle was more for the email man than the big man. There was necessity for increased production if the Asiatic eggs wero to be totally prohibited next year. Men who desired the help of instructors should write to tho Department, and one would soon be on the spot. Egg-laying competitions and poultry shows wore both essential and one was a corrective of the other. He urged the association not to hold egg-laying competitions to the exclusion of shows. Mr. Cocker referred to the help organisation would give to the inspectors. Mr. Mumby, in replying to the criticism levelled at Wellington, paid he knew that there were several defects in Wellington organisation, but he did not think that they were very serious. A co-operative business had been started some time ago in Wellington, and was now defunct, but it had done a lot ol good. Ho admitted that Auckland had the most perfect organisation. Wellington was the dumping-ground for the Dominion, nnd here organisation would be valuable. Mr. Scott said that in the past the Wellington market hnxl been the highest, but he was looking to the future. He was of opinion that within tho next two years there would be an export trade.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKETS

BETTER INQUIRY FOR TOPS AT BRADFORD. (Rec. June 14. 8.40 p.m.) London, June 13. At the. wool salffl there was a poor selection, and competition was scarcely so brisk. Quotations generally were unchanged. For the New Zealand brand "JGG" up to IOJd. per lb. was realised. the average price being 10d. At Bradford there is better inquiry for tops. Quotations are unchanged.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MINING NEWS WELLINGTON SIIAHE MARKET. The quotations yesterday for moling shares were as under:Buyers Sellers. £ s. d. £ ■=. <1 Blackwater Mines — 0 8 0 Mt. Lyell 0 1.-, 0 — Pfllipina n *” Waihi Grand Junction 010 3 010 9 BTOCA EXCHANGE. Bs' Telegraph—l’rras Association. Auckland, Juneij".. gales:- Talisman. 65.: Bunk of Newfr.enland 465. 9d.; B?ldicrs’ Loan, inscribed. £9l 10s.

chares were as follow:Buyers. £ 0. d. Sellers. £ s. d. Inscribed Stock and War Bonds, 1939 and 1938 ... 82 10 0 83 0 91 7 0 —• Bank Australasia (new) 81 0 0 5 9 6 Bank New Zealand 2 5 9 2 6 3 Union Bank 11 19 0 12 1 0 Ahrn.hi’m, Willien)* ford.) A 10 0 Well. Trust and Loan.... 5 1 0 Well. Gas (ord.) —• 0 16 2 15 1 7 0 Well. Gas (pref.) — N’litio’-’**! Insurance . New Zealand Insurance 1 b 6 0 Standard Insurance .... 2 2 6 N.Z. Refrisera-tint: (.£!.'... 1 H 9 N.Z. Refrigerating (10s.) ■ G-enr Meat ..0 JO 1 11 6 9 0 16 1 12 6 Well. Meat Export (£3 12s. 6d.) 3 0 0 3 4 0 Buddnrt-Pa.rker (ord.) ... o 1 0 2 1 3 Westport Goal Wrvnn Con I 1 0 5 13 7 0 6 Levland-O’Brien Timber 1 6 6 N Z. Paper Mills 1 4 6 1 5 0 Wnirarapa Farmers (pref.) 0 16 0