COMMERCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2193, 18 May 1908, Page 1

COMMERCIAL

STOCK. The prices ruling locally for stock show no improvement, but rather a snglil decline, upon the quotations_oi last month, while yartlings are increasing in size. Buyers are not as numerous as they should be, and competition is almost unknown. The bidding lor store and fat stock shows no animation, and farmers arc likely to experience a bad winter market, unless prices show a quick rise. The squall last week took 2000 sheep, mostly fat or forward, to Auckland, where good prices are ruling, and it is needless to say the cargo paid the consignors well. At the various sale yards around Auckland high prices for sheep are ruling, fat wethers are worth from 18s to 225, fat owes Ids to 18s 3d, fat lambs 12s, and forward iambs 10s. These prices are nearly double tlioso obtainable at Matawhero, and shippers are fully recompensed for their risk and trouble. I'lie market at Addington last week was well supported, and despite the cry of depression, prime wethers sold to 21s ,and prime ewes 19s. The Home market for meat is still firm, and shippers have no reason to fear a decline in' prices. WHEAT. The position of the wheat markets of tile world .at flip present time area by no means satisfactory "from the Oread consumers’ point of view, as prices are rapidly advancing, and as tlie first result the price ot Hour has been raised in New Zealand, in Auckland the quotation for Hour lias •been increased by L2s 0d per ton, and it is stated that in the other centres -the advance will be probably £1 per ton. Of course Hie whole position is dominated by the London marker, because by it Australia is regulated, and through the Comomvealth the prices ruling in New Zealand are likewise alluded. It is therefore significant that since Saturday the London market for wheat advanced Is Od per bushel, and a later cable announced that wheat is a shilling a quarter dearer. The fact that the London “Times” prophesied a world’s shortage of wheat may have had something to do with drawing attention to the actual position of the wheat holdings of this grain, and-the crop prospects all over the world. Owing to the financial crisis in the United States, those holding wheat were in many cases forced to sell, and the Argentine crop was shipped there, -it is now stated that there is very little wheat to carry 0 n with until the main crops arc due next (September or October. As far as, New Zealand is concerned, nearly .18,500 acres less were put in wheat this year, and even then the drought reduced the yield to a considerable extent, which accounts for the holders continuing so firm in demanding a good figure for their wheat in the past. Now, when this sudden rise has taken place Li the outside, markets, it is safe to assume that holders will advance just at the same ratio as the prices rise in Australia. At present the quotation in New Zealand is 5s 2d. but it will bo remembered .that last year it reached .as-'high as os 9d and Gs. ■DAIRY PRODUCE. The London butter market shows very little alteration, but the prices locally are oil the decline. Dairy is quoted at lOd and factory at bid. Cheese at from Gd fo 7d; eggs 2s to 2s Id. ’ HORSE SALES. Messrs AYiliiains and Kettle, Ltd., yarded about 70 horses, most of them fair quality, at Wyilic’s horse bazaar on Saturday. There was a good attendance of buyers, competition was keen, and good prices realised right through. Hacks sold particularly well, and brought from £5 to £ls, some nice horses selling at from £lO to £l2. The chestnut gelding, oyrs, by Rupert AY.- —Buapchu mare, sold for £25 12s Gd; ponies from £3 to £5, and a nice draught horse brought £35. A few unbroken colts sold at fair prices.

PRODUCE SALES. Messrs F. S. Malcolm and Co., auctioners, report the following prices realised at their produce sales on Saturday:—Ducks Is 4d to 2s, hens Is 2d to Is Bd, turkeys 4s Gd, butter lOd lb, eggs 2s 2d to 2s 4d doz, lemons 9d doz, walnut 4d lb, kumaras Id lb, artichokes Id lb, potatoes Id lb, 8s cwt; pumpkins 4s to 4s Gd doz, melons 2.s doz, onions and picklers 1.1 d lb.

The Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., report on the stock sale held on Thursday, 14th inst.: There was a fair attendance, but the demand was limited, and sheep were dull of sale, especially ewes. Sheep—Our entry comprised 4027, of which we sold 1744, mostly wethers, for which there was fair competition. The following are the day’s quotations: 2 and 4-tooth wethers in forward condition, Us Gd to 12s 3d, light weights 9s 3d to Us' 2d, wethers, 2-tooths, 9s 9d and 10s od, fat ewes 10s and 11. s, hoggets, small, 2s Id, empty ewes il'.j Gd, ewes in lamb 9s Gd. Cattle —There was only a small yarding, for which there appeared to be no demand. Fat steers sold at £5 10s, fat.cows £4 15s, cows in calf £2 10s, cows and calves £3. Pigs—There was a fair demand. AVeaners in good condition 12s Gd to 13s Gel. Our next- sale will be held oil Thursday, 21st. LONDON WOOL SALES. United Press Association —Copyright - LONDON, May 15. AVool: There was a strong demand and animated sale. All crossbreds are 5 per cent, above tho opening rates. Merinos occasionally showed a similar advance.