COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2187, 11 May 1908, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

WOOL. The fall in the price of wool has not boon without its effect upon both buvors and sellers, ami the Homo market is slacker in operation than it has been for years, crossbreds showing a continuous declino. With the prospects for next season still doubtnil, and the mutton market well maintained, local station owners are naturally putting more faith m meat export than they arc in wool. Many aro seriously considering the wisdom of stocking cattle, as there is not so great a probability of a slump in toed supplies and in raw material lor wearing apparel. Others, acting upon tho advice of the wool-brokers, look upon, tho fall in- tho market as but temporary, and for tho sake of tlio wool export trade of the Dominion it is to be hoped-tho quality of the sheep will bo maintained, and muttonraising not allowed to oust tho primary object of sheepfnrming—the growing of wool. CATTLE AND SHEEP. The local stock market is still "uiet, with prices showing no improvement. Last weok tho ynvdmgs at Alatawlioro were smaller than usual, tnou« f h the quality was better, iarmers apparently taking tlio cuo from recent quotations and refraining from, sending poor lots to tlio ealo to bo sacrificed. With tho turnip crons coming to hand, winter food should bo more plentiful, and bolding for tlio spring should pay hotter than accepting the ruling prices for store wethors and empty owe 6. At Homo tho frozen moat market is reported, as steady, with prices slightly in advance. Tho demand is chiefly upon small carcases, which arc scarce. Canterbury mutton is quoted at from 4jd to 4Jd for prime quality, and North Island 4d to 4RI. There is good inquiry for lambs, and though they declined a- fraction of a penny a month ago, have now quite recovered their position in the market. Canterbury are quoted at 5Jd to op, and prime North Island slightly bolow that prico. Tho beef market is also satisfactory to exporters. Tho markets in Christchurch and Auckland nre firm, with prices greatly in advanco of Poverty Bay quotations Thcro is a keen demand in tho northern city for both fat and storo sheep, and tho s.s. Wanaka will on Tuesday, carry north a cargo ot IOUU, and will thon return for a similar number. . . . Tho forward condition of tho turnip crops in the Waikato and North Auckland districts is making a demand for storo sheep from the East Coast, and during tho last few weeks fair-sized lots liavo been taken overland. Tho weather is now getting too cold and unsettled for droving, and any further supplies will need to bo shipped. There is little doing in tho srain market. Flour is showing a tendency to riso, and is quoted locally at tio per ton. On this advance it is very probable the bakers will raise tho price of bread. t , Barley, oats, chaff, and potatoes remain at recent quotations. BETTER. The local butter market is easier, and consumers have nothing to complain of for this time of tho year. There is a difficulty in obtaining supplies at Home, and the ruling price for the New Zealand article of prune duality is 114 s per cwt. The stocks in storo locally are being reserved for homo consumption, and verv little shipping is being done. Already New Zealand factories arc making arrangements to ship direct next- spring, and it is improbable that any huge dairy companies will make contracts with buyers for the English market. HORSE SALES. Messrs Williams and Kettle Ltd. yarded over 80 'hacks and unbroken horses at AVyllio’s horse bazaar on Saturday. There was a small attendance of 'buyers, the prices obtained being only moderate. A 'number of Maori ponies sold at ridiculously low prices, many failing to reach £l. The rest of the umbroken’s were poor in quality, but met with fair competition and sold from £2 to £4. The hacks offered wore of a fair class and met with good demands. .Prices ranged from £5 to £ls the majority selling at between £7 to £lO. MARKETS. Messrs. Malcdlm and Co., Auctioneers, report tlio following realised at their produce sales on Saturday:—Hens lid to Is 6d, pullets Is to Is 6d, roosters Is 8d to 2s 6d; eggs 2s 3d to 2s sd, butter lOd to Is, potatoes 14s 6d per sack, onions Id to lid, kumeras Id to 1 Id, artichokes Id, cabbages 2s 9d per dozen, carrots 3d per bundle, citron and pie melons |4d to 9d each, pumpkins 3d to 6(1 each, marrows Is 6d to 3s per dozen.