COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 219, 20 February 1875, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Globe office, Saturday. Sales of grain are now being made freely, and the farmers appear anxious to quit at once. Wheat is quietly bought at 3s, but no anxiety is exhibited to lay la stocks at this figure. The last advices from Melbourne arc very discouraging, as the “ Australasian” states limits for purchasing ou English account are reduced 4s per quarter, and this shows the tendency of the English market must be downwards. Oats met a ready sale last week at 2s 9d, but during the past few days buyers have reduced prices to2s 6d, aud do not appear disposed to go beyond this figure. In Melbourne, feed oats are quoted at 4s 3d, and they are expected tofallto3s9d. Alarge consignment of oats has gone forward by the Albion from Timaru, for absolute sale, which will, no doubt, tend to depress that market. A tight money market will, no doubt, induce consignments, as few can afl’ord to hold. Actual sales of prime barley arc being made at 4s 3d to 4s 6d in large lines, and we have not heard of any absolute sales at higher figures, although some farmers are asking more. Last season more barley was grown than could be disposed of at quotations, thus showing prices ruled too high, but this year there are fully 100,000 bushels surplus, as compared with 1874, and whatever prices may range at during autumn, it may be taken for certain that a dull market will rule during spring. Wc have to report an average business transacted in the import markets during the past week. In sugar the trade done lias been very large. Several lines of white crystals have|been placed at £34 10s to £35 10s. Yellow crystals are much firmer, owing to scarcity in the Mauritius market; in fact, large orders cannot bo supplied. Several lots have been disposed of at £34. Yellow counters meet with little sale at from £29 to 32s i.b. Teas.—The market is almost bare of finest qualities, and shipments now due are anxiously looked forward to. Several Sarcels medium have been disposed of at 2s to 2s Id .p. Low qualities are very difficult to place at Is 6dto Is 9d d.p. Dried fruits are meeting with attention. A few parcels of currants have been disposed of at 4}d to and 5d to sjd has been paid for first class fruit. Spirits.—Heunessy’s pale brandy moves oil - at 9s 3d to 9s 6d; case, 29s 6d. Good second brands are ottering at 7s 6d to 7s 9d. Rum, whisky, Geneva, and Old Tom have been quitted in trade parcels at full rates, we have no large sales to report in these lines. Tobaccoes —The demand has been only for local requirements at our last quotations. Bottled Ales and Stouts —The demand for good brands in stouts has been general. Sales have been effected at 12s to 12s 6d. Bottled ale works off slowly at from lis 6d to 12s. Kerosene is now offering at Is 10Jd, d.p., for parcels of 50 to 100 cases ; stocks are sufficient for at least four months’ consumption. Candles are quitted in large parcels at lujd to lid. Sales have been made in English hops at 2s 9d to 2s JOd d.p. The market is almost bare of tills line, and importers should get an advance on these prices, considering that there is little, if rfny, to arrive here within the next month or so. Galvanised iron—The market is still bare, very little, if any, in first hands ; we have no sales to report. Cement moves off at 22s to 22s 6d for an entire shipment. Cornsacks have met with considerable attention at our last quotations.

Messrs H. Matson and Co report on the live stock market for the week ending 19th February, 1875: — At the Canterbury sale-yards, on Wednesday last, 164 head of cattle and 2016 sheep came to hand. There was a good attendance, and for superior stock competition was keen, whilst for inferior sales were made with great difficulty. For cattle biddings were if anything more brisk than on the preceding week. There is a very large demand for all classes, Ihe supply coming to hand is very small, and not at all equal to the wants of purchasers, although the prices given for store cattle seem high in comparison to former seasons. We consider purchasers are quite justified in securing supplies even at a considerable advance in price, as it is evident, from the scarcity of aged stock, that the price likely to be obtained for fat cattle during the winter months and early spring will amply repay graziers for their trouble and outlay. We sold 80 head for various owners at satisfactory prices. We quote prime beef at 25s to 27s 6d per lOOlbs. There were no fat cattle yarded on Wednesday, several lines of good fresh stores passing into the hands of the trade as a substitute. In sheep our entries comprised 1300 head for various owners. Prices obtained were equal to rates obtained last week. In store sheep there is a capital demand for cross-bred wethers, with none in the market. Merinos are neglected even at low figures. We .'quote crossbred two-tooth wethers 8s to 9s per head, merino wethers, 3s 6d to 4s 6d per head; do ewes. 2s 6d to 4s per head; cross-bred lambs, 6s 6d to 8s fid per head; cross-bred ewes, 8s 6d to 12s, according to description. Sheep skins—At our stores we sold a considerable number of sheepskins at full rates. Best butchers’ cross-bred pelts, at Is lid each; do merino, is 5d each; culls, is to Is 6d; lamb skins, 2s 4d; full-woolled skins, 3s lid to 5s 3d; rough far, 2d per lb; hides, 4d salted.

Messrs J. T. Ford and Co. report fon the live stock market for the week ending Friday, the 10th instant, as followsTaking 1 into consideration the busy season of the year, the yards on Wednesday last were very fairly supplied with sheep and cattle. About 3000 sheep were penned, and 150 head of cattle. The sheep comprised all classes, from the heavy Lincoln down to the merino ewe, and prices can be quoted as under—For fair average crossbreds the price varies from 8s 6d to 12s each, a slight difference of value acting either way, according to the supply, representing from 2Jd to 2id per lb. Merino wethers, butchers’ sheep, bring about 7s 6d each, and our experience tells that this class of mutton is not sold at so high a rate in proportion as the crossbred, except in a solitary instance of prime quality. Half-bred lambs are bringing from (is to 9s each, according to their age • and quality, and their character of wool. There is a greater demand for crossbred breeding ewes this season than wc have ever before experienced, and wc attribute such demand to the fact that such a class of sheep are better adapted, from their habits, to paddock purposes, aud also that our farmers are becoming alive to their interests, inasmuch as there is far more protit in good sheep than In old merino ewes. The price current lor thorn .is about 10s 6d and Us each for mixed ages, and possessing some Leicester type. There is less demand for old merino ewes than previous years, and we cannot expect a sale for this particular class of sheep in large lots, except they arc large-framed, healthy, and sound mouthed. Store merino wethers are being quitted, to be delivered with terms, at from 5s and upwards, according to age and condition. Cattle arc much enquired after, and good two-year-old steers, for grazing purposes, arc in great demand, with few coming to hand. Onr sales at the yards on Wedncsday comprised about 1500 sheep for different owners, viz—On account Hon K. W. Stafford, ofthe Lansdowne estate, crossbreds at from 16s to 17s each; also on account of same owner, fat merino wethers at Us each, in both instances topping the price of the market. The sheep were excellent quality, and reflected great credit to the grazier. Also on account of Messrs Fitzroy and Acland, some nice quality merino wethers, at 7s 6d each. On account of Mr Pearson, some crossbreds at ss 6d each all round. On account of Mr Lodge, some fat merino ewes at 5s 6d each, and lambs for same owner at 6s each. Also a line ol ewes and lambs at 7s each, and some cull ewes at 3s. In cattle, we sold on account of Mr Keith some steers and heifers at from £7 5s to £8 each. Privately during the week we have disposed of upwards of 6000 sheep, of different classes, at above quotations. DUNEDIN STOCK REPORT. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. report forthe week ending 13th February, as follows Fat Cattle.—A full supply came forward, causing prices to droop a little below last week’s rates. 1 to Jjead wax yarded. We BuidollieadaUrouj£7 to £l [ J

10s for bullocks, and £6 to £9 17s 6d for cows, Wc quote prime quality 25s to 27s per lOOlbs ; medium do, 20s to 2ls.

Fat calves are in good demand. We sold 13 head at from 25s to 47s each.

Fat Sheep.—l6oo were penned, of which about 1000 were taken by the trade. We sold 400 merino wethers, medium quality, at 7s 9d; 75 do, good quality, at 10s; and 100 half-bred ewes at 12s 6d. We quote prime half-breds 2jd per lb ; do, meriuo, 2|d. At former rate wc sold privately 1500 crossbreds.

Fat Lambs.—3so were penned. We sold 65 at from 7s 9d to 8s 6d. Store Cattle. —No transactions.

Store Sheep.—We have numerous enquiries for young merino sheep, both ewes and wethers. Our sales comprise 4000 merino wethers, full-mouflied, at 5s 6d ; 2000 merino ewes, 0-tooth snd fullmouthed, at 8s for former and 5s for latter ; 1450 mixed cross-breds, 4-tooth, at lis; 250 Leicester rams at £3 10s to £4. We have also several transactions pending. We quote cross-breds, 4-tooth, Us to 12s ; do, 2-tooth, 9s to 10s 6d; merino wethers 2 and 4-tooth, 7s 6d ; do, full-mouthed, 5s 6d to 6s ; merino ewes, 2 and 4-tooth, 8s to 8s 6d ; do, fullmouthed, 4s to ss, according to quality. Horses—Our sale on Saturday consisted mainly of dealers’ lots, of which only a few changed hands. We quote first-class draughts, £6O to £7O; medium do, £4O to £SO ; light draughts, £25 to £35 ; good saddle and light harness horses, £25 to £3O; medium do, £l4 to £ls ; light and inferior, £5 to £B.

Melbourne.—The “Argus” of February Bth reports : —ln the import markets business this forenoon was not marked by anything of a special character. Early in the day information was received of another disastrous wreck on King’s Island, the Blencathra, a barque of 900 tons, from Glasgow to Sydney, having gone to pieces there on Thursday last, fortunately, however, without any loss of life. Transactions in breadstuil's are not of much account. Ordinary parcels of flour, however, are being quitted at £lO 10s, and small lots arc got rid of at up to £lO 15s. Wheat is moving off at 4s 7d to 4s 7ld. Business is reported, but not to any great extent. Oats arc not dealt in, and quotations are nominal | at 4s 4d to 4s 8d; inferior are offering at less money. Maize is very firm at 5s 9d. Supplies are very moderate, the steamer from Sydney, which was expected to bring forward a fair parcel, not having on board more than 75 bags. Cornsacks are in slow sale. Dundees arc quoted at 9s 9d to 10s, but there is no inquiry even for trade purposes. Candles are firmly held ; offers have been made for very large lines, but refused ; the smaller buyers, not being willing to pay the higher rates demanded, naturally keep back until actually forced to purchase. The trade oiler 10id, without being able to purchase. Kerosene oil is neglcbted, an dno inquiry whatever comes under our notice. Hops are moving off for trade purposes at 3s to 3s Id for 1874 Kents. Malt is firm at lis 6d for best new. ENGLISH COMMERCIAL, WOOL. Messrs Milos Bros and Co report ou December 24th— The next sales have been fixed to commence on Tuesday the 23rd of February, and since the terminal ion of the last series there lias been no material alteration in our markets. A few parcels have changed hands at late rates, but manufacturers do not appear to purchase very freely. Advices from the continent, however, state that a rather better feeling prevails there. We are still of opinion that prices will not droop in February, but that there may possibly be some decline later on. The arrivals to date are 27,300 bales, and the quantity for oiler at the next series will be about 122,600 bales. Messrs Dalgety, Ducroz, and Co report: The concluding series of wool sales for this year closed yesterday. There had been ottered of Bales. New South Wales and Queensland ... 19,800 Victoria 15,000 Adelaide 2000 Tasmania 200 Western Australia 400 New Zealand ... 13,300 Cape of Good Hope 38,700 Total .. .. 89,400 These quantities, allowing au excess of 10,000 bales of Australasian over the totals declared available when the sales opened, and this excess consisting chiefly of secondhand wools, the trade thus adopting a course which, combined with the excessive advances in the bank rate of interest from 4to 6 per cent, lias had the effect of depressing the market for wool, and it must now be quoted on the average a full Id per lb below the closing prices of the previous sales. The figures at foot show the year’s imports from each colony and the quantities which arrived for tiie several series of sales. They prove an increase of 100,000 bales over 1«73, and that the bulk of the Australasian clip is lauded here within about seven months, from January to August. o e> o o o • o o o o c rz co o o o ■S gf g 77* s g r-i Ct Oi O _J o O o o C- . 73 5 0 0 0 S fe 3 Iffl fj, c> os M o w o fcsl -so a N S’| : 8 8 8 8 O) CQ M 1 i I | i I rH au H - i § 8 8 8 8 £ a co o w co i>. H CD r-T rH CO O CO CO r-i CO 02 =3 A 8 8 8 8 S t-4 CO Ci O | gf s’ s s s . ,g H Cl KssS 0000 o oooo o pH CO CO rr* <0 S S 3 -h cT t>T co . O CQ lO Tji rH CO S cs rH § S 3 o | § : « t 5 g ’£ a a o Q | g, o S *£ 5 5 O oo oo rH Cl r-H r-4 WHEAT AND FLOUR. Of Adelaide wheat and superfine ilour there is absolutely none ou the spot; Burrows aud Perks say the former would bring 52s to 53s per 4961b5, aud the latter 36s to 38s per 280 lbs net ex granary ; but wc doubt whether, with large arrivals, these quotations could be easily maintained. Tasmanian aud New Zealand wheat ol flue quality are worth 50s to 52s per 4961b5, and secondary qualities of the latter from 44s to 48s per 4961b5, lauded, with, however, an inactive demand. Messrs Miles and Co, report— Since our last the market lias been steady for all kinds of grain, and as stocks of wheat in granary have been much reduced in consequence of the large business which lias lately been done by millers prices may 'probably harden for the next month or two, but the large shipments from California will keep prices from advancing to any great extent. NEW ZEALAND HEMP. Messrs Miles and Co. report . At the moment there Is no business passing in Now Zealand hemp, demand is very dull, and there is no improvement to notice. PRESERVED MEATS. The Australian Meat Agency (Tallerman’s) Company, Limited, report:— The demand for preserved meats during the month has been extremely languid, but not unexpectedly so, as it is customary for grocers; who arc the principal dealers in the article, to devote all their attention to the display and sale of fruits and other seasonable goods. The export of beef to the continent continues, and the various contracts now in course of execution will absorb all to arrive for some time fo come. Most of the shipments advised have been disposed of to arrive at full rates. Some holders of mutton, with the view of closing their consignment accounts with the year, have effected sales at reduced rates, and, iu the absence of legitimate business, no rates can be quoted. The arrivals since the departure of last mail have been 22,451 eases, as against 10,235! canes iu previous four weeks.

Messrs Miles Brothers and Co. report The demand remains inactive in consequence of the article being neglected by the grocers, who are at present otherwise engaged. Beef is in good demand, owing fo large continental orders, and 4’s and 6’s may be from 6|d to 6jd per lb; but mutton is not much enquired after, and can be bought for 4fd per lb for 6’s, some holders having accepted lower rates to clear off their consignments before the close of the year. The following is the produce telegram received from the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), dated London, February 3rd: *• Wool—Up to date 140,000 bales have arrived; trade in the manufacturing districts is not so good. Tallow—Dull of sale. Supplies of town melted are heavy. Mutton, 42s per cwt; beef, 41s xier cwt. Leather—Trade demand is good. Copper—Market unchanged. Ore of 17 per cent is worth 16s perunit. Wheat—Off - coast cargoes have declined 2s per quarter of 4961bs since last report. Preserved meats—The provincial demand has declined. Boiled mutton without bone, 61b tins, is worth 6}d per lb. Kauri gum—Market firm. Stock according to last returns was 600 tons.” TALLOW AND HIDES. Messrs Miles and Co, report:— The tallow market has been firm, and prices have again advanced 6d per cwt, the present value of good to fine New Zealand mutton being 43s 6d to 44s 6d, and beef tallow 42s to 43s per cwt. The demand for hides is null at this season of the year, and few sales have been made; but the quotation for New Zealand remains the same, viz., to 7d per lb for botli heavy aud light weights of good quality.