COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2368, 8 December 1908, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

The approach of the Christmas holidays has caused increased orders to come into tho wholesale houses from the retailers and the connury stores, and business is generally reported as brisk. Most ol the mer- . ' chants anticipate a large turn-over during the month, and state that, despite the alleged scarcity of money, trade has not so far shown any de- ' or case on the turn-dyer of previous Christmas seasons. In consequence of the holidays a few lines of produce have advanced in price, the increase being noticeable in the quotations for eggs, bfccon; and hams —usual Christmas fare. Tho poultry market is under-stocked, and good prices are obtainable for ducks and turkeys, while geese are inquired for, but there are few to be had. Poultry farmers who have birds xuid.v for the table could not do better than send their supplies to market before the large stocks that usually reach the auctioneers during Christinas week come to hand. The wholesale merchants in Gisborne quote as follows for produce: Flour. —Sacks £l2 10s, bags £l3. Potatoes. —Old season’s £7 10s per ton; new season's from 2d per lb, with only local supplies obtainable. Onions are' scarce, and are selling •at 2-1 d per lb, and 20s per cwt. Butter is quoted at from lid to Is for best brands ; retail Is Id to Is 3d. Oats 2s 9d to 3s per bushel. Chaff. —Best Southern £7 10s per ton.

Wheat. —5s 3d per bush eh Eggs are dearer, not from any decrease in supplies, but front increased demand. They are worth from Is 3d to Is 4d, guaranteed fresh. Bacon and hams have also advanced in price. Christmas hams .10id to lid; piece hams to Is per lb; bacon 9d to lit? lb. Cheese. —-6d to 8d >lb; honey ltd per lb.

THE LONDON MARKETS

[Press Association.]

WELLINTGON, Dec. 7

The following is the High Commissioner’s cable, dated London, December 5: The mutton market is qmet, although tho stock is small Canterbury brands are quoted at 3ld per lb, and North Island at 3fd per lb. The lamb market is dull. There is scarcely any demand. Canterbury lamb is quoted at s£d, other than Canterbury 5d per lb (nominal). Tho beef market is dull. The supplies of River Plate and chilled* beef are heavy. Prices are firm for homekilled beef on account of the quarantine enforced against America. New Zealand beef is being held for a rise. Current quotations are 3-jdper lb. for hindquarters, and 3jd for forequarters.

The butter market is quiet, but rather steadier at the decline. There is more demand. Quotations are: Choicest New Zealand butter 109 s, Danish 115 s, Australian 106 s, Siberian 105 per cwt. The cheese market is dull, but holders are firm. New Zealand makes are quoted at 565, and Canadian at 61s. The hemp market is quiet, with small business doing, and there is no change in prices. The stock, in London aftiounts to 248 tons. Last week’s Manila output amounted to 21,000 bales. The cocksfoot seed market is quiet, the nominal quotation being 78s per cwt.

There is a great improvement in the hop market, and a scarcity in the best quality is anticipated on account of the general and active demand. The price is at 85s per cwt. American hops are quoted at 63s per cwt. Best wools on the market are firm, with an upward tendency for inferior quality, but rather unsettled. Followingnrc the shipments of frozen meat that arrived from River Plate during the month of November: London, 118,466 carcases of mutton and 7696 carcases of lamb; Liverpool, 108,161 and 3415; Hull, 10,802 and no lamb; iSouthampton, 6198 and no lamb; 'Cardiff, 16,177 and 41; Newcastle, 9570 and no iamb. River Plate mutton is quoted at d. The market is dull on account of heavier arrivals. A quantity of 9244 cwt of butter has arrived at London and Southampton from River Plate, and is quoted at 105 s per cwt. LONDON, Dec. 5. The Bradford wool market is very quiet, the turnover being extremely limited, with prices nominally unchanged. The London sales included : Oreti 9]d, Gear BJ. The butter market is very flat. Danish is quoted at 114 s to 116 s. Colonial is neglected. Choicest Ausr tr align 104 s to 106 s, occasionally 103 s; New Zealand 108 s to 110 s. The cheese market is dull; New Zealand 57s to 58s. The wheat market is quiet, with a slight hardening tendency on tho Jess favorable weather reports received from the Argentine. Quotations for cargoes in sailing ships afloat range from 38s to 395; December-January shipment, 37« 6d; Jamnry-Febraary 37s to 37s 3d; Australian, spot, 40s Gd to 41s 6d.

WOOL. United Press Association. Copyright LONDON, Dec. 6. Owing to the Iml light, there was no wool sale on Saturday. Alll wools suitable for America show ail appreciation on the opening rates. Merinos generally are very firm. The prices arc fully maintained, except for coarse and shnbby crossbreds. The quantity catalogued to date is 93,428 bales; sold, 99,178 bales. The fleece portion of the Rupamii clip realised an average price of 10|d.