FARMING & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 66, 10 December 1921, Page 10

FARMING & COMMERCIAL

NEWS AND NOTES

AUCTION SALES FOPTUCOMINC FIXTURES. MONDAY. Oldfield's Farm, Mannkau, 1.30 p.m.—Sale of furniture and stock (Abraham and Williams). 203 Lambton Quay, Wellington. 2.30 p.m.— Property sale (Longmore and Co.) 105 Customhouse Quay. Wellington, 2.30 p.m.—Property sale (S. G. Nathan). 105 Customhouse Quay. Wellington. 3.30 p.m.—Sale of shares (S G. Nathan). TUESDAY. Te Matai, Palmerston North, 11.30 a.m — Sale of timber (Dalgety and Co.). Levin Yards, 12 noon.-Stock sale. I 141 Manners Street. Wellington, 1.30 p.m. I Poultry sale (Wheatley and Co.). 195 Lambton Quay. Wellington, 2.30 p.mProperty sale (Harcourt and Co.). LONDON WOOL SALES SERIES CLOSED AT HIGHER RATES CATALOGUE - PRACTICALLY CLEARED (Rec. December 9. 5.5 p.m.) London, December R. The wool salts have closed at the highest rates of the series. A catalogue of 135,450’ba1es was ottered, and practically all were sold. The attendance, was well maintained throughout. Home buyers have been the largest operators. 1 rance and Germany have given good support, especially since their exchanges appreciated. Merinos’ improved from the opening slackness, and there was a widening and stronger demand at tie close. Scoured wools met a fair demand, but were still 5 per cent, below October rates. Crossbreds showed irregularity, but improved in the latter half of the series, closing at 5 per cent, above the opening. S'ipes were in large supply, and were well competed for at about 10 per cent, below October rates. lambs were mostly average and inferior sorts, and met good competition at October rates. The Fairfield clip sold at led. The Bradford market is quiet, and little business i_s being done. Quotations —Sixty-fours, 43d.; fifty-eights, 32d.; fifties, ioid. DATES FIXED FOR 1922. From Our Own Correspondent. Palmerston North, December 9. Advice has been received here that at a meeting of the Colonial Wool Merchants’ Association in London the following dates were fixed for the opening of the first five series of wool sales to be held in the course of next year:—First series opening January 10: Limit of 200,000 hales (inclusive of 8.A.W.8.A., Cape, and Punta Arenas). Second scries: March'7: Ditto. Third series: May 2: Limits to be fixed later on. Fourth series, June 13: Limits to be fixed later on. Fifth series, July. 18: Limits to be fixed later on.

AGENTS’ REPORTS. Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co. report that they have received a cablegram from their London friends, Messrs. Sanderson, Murray and Elder, Ltd., dated December 8, reading as follows:— "Sales have closed firm; improved competition; more Continental competition; compared with last London sales’ closing rates, greasy iperino, best descriptions, declined 71 per cent.; greasy merino, other descriptions, declined 10 per cent.; pieces greasy merino carbonising declined 5 per cent, io 7i per cent.; lambs’ 'merino greasy, bos. descriptions, advanced 5 per cent.; scoured merino, best descriptions, declined 7.J jier cent.; scoured merino, other descriptions, declined 10 per cent, to 15 per cent.; crossbred greasy comeback, par to 5 per cent, decline (ffbod demand); crossbred greasy fine declined 10 per cent, to 15 per cent.; crossbred greasy medium, par to 5 per cent, decline; crossbred greasy coarse declined 10 per cent.; crossbred scoured declined 10 per cent.; crossbred lambs’ greasy declined 5 per cent.; slips market irregular; slipe crossbred lambs declined 10 per cent, to 15 per cent.; crossbred lambs’, short, declined 71 per cent.’’ Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having received the following cablegram from their London house, under date- December 8:—

"Wool sales closed firm, but prices are somewhat irregular. As compared with last sales’ closing rates, merino wools, fine greasy, 71 per coni. lower; merino wools of other descriptions, greasy, 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, lower; merino wools, scoured, 10 por cent, io 15 per cent, lower; crossbred, fine quality- greasy, 10 per cent, lower; crossbred, medium quality greasy, 7J per. cent, lower; crossbred, coarse greasy, 10 per cent, lower; slipe, fine crossbred, 10 per cent, lower; medium and coarse slipe crossbred, 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, lower; crossbred wools, scoured-; 10 per cent, lower; faulty bellies and pieces, good demand. 73,000 bale.s of free wool were offered, including 11.000 bales Punta Arenas: and (12,000 bales sundry. B.A.W.R.A. offe/ed

112,000 bales. The home trade took 81,000 bales, America 1000, and Continent 40,000.” Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., have received. the following cablegram from their London agents, dated December 8:— "Wool sales have closed firm, buyers operating freely. As compared with the opening sales of tins series, tho closing sales show prices generally unchanged." The Bank of New. Zealand, produce department, has received the following advice from its London office, under date December 8:—

"The sales have closed firm and withdrawals are practically nil. There is a good demand for all kinds of woo). Current quotations: Crossbred, fine, lOd. to nd. per lb.; crossbreds, medium, fi.ld. to “Jd. per lb.; crossbreds, coarse, 51<t. to fijd per lb.; halfbreds. 13d. to lad. per lb. merinos, super, IGd. to 17d. per I'b.: merinos, inferior, lid. to 12d. per lb." BUTTER AND CHEESE LONDON MARKET REPORTS. (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 8. The butter market is very weak. The Government has reduced the prices of Australian and New Zealand first grade by 20s. per cwt., consequently prices for free butter slumped, and are now very ■irregular. New Zealand choicest is quoted at about ISOs. to 1845.; Australian, 1,565. to JOOs. Tlio demand is improving at the lower level, but a further decline is probable. The market for cheese is slow at about late rates.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUCKLAND WOOL SALES ADVANCE ON NAPIER RATES. Ur lelezranli.—Prn-fs Association. Auckland, December 9. The first wool sale of the season in Auckland was held to-day, 6743 bales being offered in good condition. Competition was keen, and CO per cent, was sold at prlees which, th several instances, showed advances"’-on the Napier rates Bradford. Continental, and American houses, and local woollen mills and scourers were operating. The range of prices was:— Average Iwilfbred medium, 9d. to lid. Fine crossbred, super, 9d. to Hid.; fine crossbred, average, Cd. to 7-jd. ’ Medium crossbred, super. 6?d. to 6Jd.; average, 4d. to 51d Coarse crossbred, super, 4Jd. to sjd.; average. 4d. to AJcl. Low crossbred, med um, 3d. to 3Jd. Hoggets, flue, up to 9d.; medium, id. Io 6td.: coarse, 4d. to 4Jd.; low grade, 3d. to 3Sd. j Lambs, super, 81d.; line, 6d. to 7d.; medium. 3d. to 4-hl. Bellies and pieces, super. 4M.; medium, 2Jd. to 3d.; low grade, Id. to lid. Locks, id. to Id. \

WOOL SALES_AND EXPORTS FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER. Sales of wool in New Zealand during November were as under, according to returns compiled by Alesers. Dalgety and Co.:—

WORLD’S MILK RECORD GIVEN BY A GOAT. What is believed to bo a world’s record yield of milk in proportion to the animal’s body weight 'has been given by a goat belonging to Mrs. Potton, of Rayleigh, Essex (states'the English “Veterinary Record’’). Weighing: just under 1001 b. and standing only 26 indies high, the goat was milked three times in ono day and gave a few ounces above 201 b., or two gallons ofjnijk. This is over onefifth of her entire body weight, and no cow has yielded in milk more than oneseventh of her body weight in 24 hours. Two of the goats recently imported by the New Zealand, Government and now browsing contentedly on Soajnes Island, were bred by Mrs. Potton. / HONEY CROP PROSPECTS The Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture has received from iho apiary instructors the following reports concerning the honey crop prospects:—

Auckland.—The weather dpringi November has been very dry, but favourable for the gathering of nectar. Bees that survived the exceptionally severe weather experienced during October have built up remarkably well. Ti-treo is blossoming profusely this spring, and is yielding honey freely. If we get a’good rain in the near future- the crop should be heavy. Prices remain as stated in last report.

Wellington.—-At the present period there is evidence of satisfactory progress by the bees towards securing a good crop of honey. The flora in the various parts of my district is distinctly ahead of last, season, and clover is now blooming freely. Generally speaking, the colonies are in excellent condition for the main nectar flow. Prices are remaining firm, but there are no bulk lines offering. No sections offering. Beeswax is in demand at 2s. per lb. Christchurch and Dunedin.—Conditions have improved since Inst month’s report. Swarming is fairly general in most districts. Where the boos are in good order a surplus is Leins- stored. The clover is starting io yield well, and given fine weather a record season will be experienced. Prices are on a par' with last month’s Quotations. HEMP AND TOW GRADED The total number of bales of hemp graded nt the ports of the Dominion during November was 7549, as compared with G 835 for the corresponding period of last year, an increase of 714 bales. For the 12 months ended November 30 the number of bales graded was 61,882, as compared with 96.646 for the previous 12 months, a. decrease of 28,16-1 bales. During the month 142-1 bales of tow were graded, as compared v.Tth 1535 for the same month of last year, a decrease of 111 bales. For the 12 months ended November 30 the number of bales graded was 12.8-13, as compared with 19,827 for (he previous 12 months, a decrease of 6981 bales. Only IS bales of stripper slips were graded, ns compared with 105 for the same month of last year, a decrease of 87 bales. For the 12 months ended November 30, th-.- number of halos graded was 1791, ns contoured with 619 for the previous 12 months, an increase of 1175 bales. FROZEN MEAT MARKET Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having received the following cablegram from their London house, under date of Decepiber 8:— "Frozen Meat. —Quotation New Zealand prime crossbred lamb: Canterbury, heavy, Gild.; Canterbury, light, 7Jd.; North Island, hoayy. 6}d.; North Island light. Bid. Demand for Now Zealand lamb runs principally on finest qualities, market weaker. "New Zealand prime crossbred mutton-. Canterbury, hoary, P,l. to 4’:!.; f'anlerhury, light. 5.1 d.; North Island, heavy. 4Jd.; North Island, light. sd. to 5Jd. De- I maud for New Zealand mutton poor, I market weaker. | "Now Zealand prime ox beef hinds 5d.: I fores. 41. Demand for New Zealand beef runs principally on finest qualities; market weaker. "Good average quality for crossbred lamb: Australian, heavy 51d.. light G. Demand for Australian lamb poor." THE FREEZERS’ AWARD WAITARA UNION [DISSATISFIED. d.v Telcgrap’- I’--—«. .v-mri.-Hio,: Waitara, December 9. The Waitara Freezing Works Employees Union decided by resolution not to accept an engagement to work on and after Monday in terms of the new award. It was understood that one of the main reasons for this action is an objection to the clause giving the Arbitration Court power to review the bonus at any time. MINING NEWS WELLINGTON SHARE MARKET. The quotations for mining shares yesterday were as under:— Buyers. Sellers

Corresponding 0 Nov., Totals for months, 1921 5 months. 1920 Sold Offered Sold Sold Bales Bales Bales Bales Invercargill -— •7.224 5,989 1.227 Dunedin — 11,828 10,979 2.119 Oamaru — Timaru H09 2,171 1,956 1,514 Christ church 261 9.761 8,726 4,198 Nelson — — — 520 Blenheim .... Welling!on . 16 28,031 5,925 4,419 Wanganui .. ...... — 10,377 8,244 2,796 U aitara — — — 916 Napier .... — 6,662 5,645 3,497 Gisborne. Tokoma.ru Bav, and Tologa. Bav — — » — 2,032 Auckland .... — 5,048 4,666 1,861 586 81.105 7 2,130 26,827 Exports of wool <1 uring November were CorresMonth of Total ponding November for 5 5 months, 1921. months . 1920. . Bales. Bales. Bales. Invercargill ... 1,459 15,663 13,018 , D,tuned in 231 14.298 5.993 .... 95 Timaru ....... Christchurch ... .7,428 37,002 20*075 Blenheim ... — 1,437 ' 39 Nelson — 129 5,384 Wellington .. .. 6,667 46,160 61.914 Wanganui .... .. 3,669 11.837 8,151 New Plymouth 110 489 1,965 Waitnra — 5,152 Napier and Wairoa .. 1,787 9,168 15,185 Gisborne & Tokornaru Bay ... 787 8,229 Auckland and Whangiarei .. 9,625 17,017 ' 10,074 31,858 171,007 175,063

£ a. d. £ 8. d Walhl ... 0 19 0 1 0 3