COMMERCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2027, 12 March 1907, Page 4

COMMERCIAL

Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 8. Wool: The Bradford wool market is very firm. Forty-sixes, 181 cl; common, sixties, 26d; super., 27d. The Antwerp wool sales have closed, with tho demand animated, and prices firm. Coarse crossbreds were five centimes below tho prices of the January sales. Six thousand five hundred and oighty-two bales of La Plata wore offered, and 5034 sold.

Press Association. CHRISTCIIMUCH, Saturday. Tho question is being raised as to whether tlioro will bo sufficient wheat this year to meet all requirements. Tho area available for threshing, according to the Government return issued'on February 21, was 211,185 acres. It appears that there is likely to be a shortage unless tlio quantity of old wheat held over is sufficiently large to make up tlio deficiency. Tlio quantity estimated to be required for local consumption for 12 months is a little over 6,000,000 bushels, and about 320,000 bushels may be wanted for seed. Without reckoning old wheat carried ovor it would require a 30buslicl yield per acre to give something near the quantity required, but judging from reports it may be anything up to five bushels per acre less, and in that event there does not appear to bo a sufficiency in tho crop to last a year out. One thing to bo noted, however, is that tho whole of tho wheat harvested this year is prime milling, there being littlo or no grain damaged through bad weather. The local wheat market continues to gain a littlo strength, and while tho general run of sales has been at 3s, several lots upon which only a penny railage is payable have made a penny por bushel more. For a lino of 1800 bushels of prime pearl, 3s 2d at the mill has been paid. A mixed lot of 2200 bushels of Hunter’s pearl and Tuscan taken at 3s Id; 4300 bushels of Tuscan and Hunter’s, mostly the former, at 3s, and a mixed lino, not up to prime quality, at 2s lid at country stations.

There is no change in oats, offerings being limited, and mostly in small lots, prices being firm. The only sale reported is of about 1000 bushels of dun Gartons and sparrowbills, at 2s 6d, at a country station. Barley is easier, and is fully Is a bushel below the prices paid at the opening of the season. There is a keen demand for peas, which arc somewhat scarce. Potatoes and onions are weaker, tho former being now worth £4 to £4 ss, and tho latter £3 at country stations.

WELLINGTON, yesterday,

Tho Department of Industries and Commerce has received the following cable from the High Commissioner, London, dated 9th inst.: The mutton market is dull and declining. There is a scarcity of prime mutton. Good Australian and River Plate carcases are being offered at reduced prices. Following are current quotations: Canterbury 4bcl, North Island 3|d, River Plate 3-Jd per lb. The supply of Australian mutton exceeds the demand, and it is quoted at 38cl per lb. Tho lamb market is very dull. T 1 market is becoming more depressed on account of heavy arrivals and large shipments afloat. Canterbury lamb is quoted at sd, other than Canterbury brands 43d, Australian 4d per lb. Tho beef market is quiet, but there is a fair demand for the better grades. New Zealand hind-quarters are quoted at 3Jd and fores 2§d per lb. The butter market is somewhat steadier, although largo supplies are coming forward. There are 320,000 boxes of colonial butter expected to arrive by the end of the month. Last month 323,518 boxes were received, against 279,232 for the corresponding period of last year. Choice New Zealand brands aro quoted at 995, Australian 975, Argentine 90s, and Danish Ills per cwt. The cheese market is quiet, and prices are slightly weaker. New Zealand cheese is quoted at 65s 6d per 'cwt. The hemp market is quiet and rather unsettled, although moderate business is doing. Good fair grade is quoted at £3B, April to June shipments £37 10s; fair current Manila, on spot, £4O per ton. The cocksfoot seed market is firm, and buyers have been offeriug more freely. Bright clean seed, 171bs to the bushel, is quoted at 50s cwt. The wool market is strong. All stocks aro advancing.