THE ENGLISH MARKETS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2176, 15 February 1881, Page 4

THE ENGLISH MARKETS.

Tho following is Messrs Milks Bros, and Co.’s Colonial Produce Beport, dated London, December 30th WOOL. Since the sales closed there has been a little inquiry for wool for the Home trade, but stocks in first hands are nearlylcleared out. There is also some inquiry for Capo wool for America, and the arrival at Bradford of a large buyer for that market, leads ns to hope that an American demand may set in. Trade in the North remains unaltered, but the stocks in dealers’ and manufacturers’ hands will probably be found sufficient until the next sales open. Business on the continent is still dull, but stocks there are exceedingly low, and, as soon as business revives in France, considerable purchases of the raw material will have to be made. The arrivals for the February sales to date are:— Bales. New South Woles and Queensland 13,431 Victoria 9,544 South Australia 4,570 Western Australia Tasmania New Zealand 4,106 Capo 12,232 Total 43,883 And 16,000 bales old wool. WHEAT AND FLODB. As usual at this season of the year, business on cur corn market is extremely doll, and the failure of several speculators iu America has caused additional depression. Californian wheat, for prompt shipment to the United Kingdom, has been placed at 44s 6d per 5001b5., c.f. and i., but sales cannot now be effected, even at that price. Stocks of Australian wheat here are new rather limited, but holders are not inclined to meet the market freely. Several cargoes of Victorian wheat, for prompt shipment, have been sold at 46s tid or less, and a few parcels for London at 45s 6d to 46a. New Zealand is not in largo supply, but is, nevertheless, neglected, in consequence of tho considerable deliveries by our formers of homo-grown wheat. We quote, in store—South Australian wheat, 49a to 51s j Victorian, 48s to 50a ; New Zealand, long berried, 47a to 50a ; average quality, 45s to 48s ; inferior, 40s to 43s per 4961b5. Australian flour, 35a to 36a -, New Zealand, 33s to 35s per 2Solbs. Now Zealand oats, in good condition, superior, 28s to 31s ; common, 21 a to 25s for Imperial quarters. New Zealand barley, 32s to 42s for 4481b5., according to quality. New Zealand beans, 45s to 47s per 5041b5. ; Now Zealand oatmeal, -CIO to .£ll per ton. TALLOW AND HIDES. Since our last report there have been no sales of either tallow or hides, and prices, therefore, remains unchanged—viz , very good to very fine mutton 34s GJ to 86s, and fair to fine beef 32s 6d to 33s 3d per owt. The imports of Australian tallow has since baen 1820 casks, and the stock to-day in importers’ hands amounts to 11,420 casks. PRESERVED MEATS. Thera is very little doing at the present time in tinned meats of any kind, the attention of the retail traders being turned to dried fruits. In American fresh meats only a limited business is doing at unsatisfactory prices. Bank rate, 3 per cent. ENGLISH WHEAT MARKET.

The following 13 Messrs Berry, Barclay and Co.’s annual review, dated London, December 2!)th :— The year 1830 opened with high prices for wheat, the American supplies, on which Europe was mainly dependent, being kept back by a powerful Medicate, which had conceived the bold project of dictating its own terms of solo. Before many days of January had elapsed however, it began to show signs of weakness, and although it had a temporary success in February, the fine genial weather of Mai ch proved ton much for it. and the combination was finally dissolved towards the end of that month. The enormous “ visible supply” it had accumulated was then pushed forward freely, holders being anxious to realise in view of favorable pro'pecte for the new crop on both sides of the Atlantic. Consumers in the meantime maintained an attitude of strict reserve, purchasing only for their immediate wants and prices during the summer months ruled with slight fluctuations continually in their favor. Australian wheat fell from 60s on Ist January to 45s at the beginning of September, and New Zealand during the same period from 58s to 42s per 4961 b. About the middle of the latter month, however, a reaction sot in ; heavy ruins came to damage part of the English crop, which was found to have been over estimated, while the harvests in Enseia and Germany proved seriously deficient. Speculation ensued, and prices of wheat were driven up 7s to 8s per quarter by the third week iu November Since that date a rapid increase in the American

“■visible supply,” which now stands at 29,800,000 bushels, has alarmed operators here, and a decline in their quotations has been followed by a fall in our market of 2a to 3s per quarter. With such a large reserve, independently of what ether countries are able to send us, and much smaller requirements than last year for the continent, a Xower range of prices does not seem improbable, at all events until the now crop prospects begin to exercise their influence on the market. Australian is selling in retail at 50a per 4961bs on tho spot. Off Coast City of Athens changed hands at 49s 3d ; and Kulie at 49a per 4Solbs For January sh-praont ■x cargo of 8500 quarters has been sold at 46s 6d, and a parcel of 2300 quarters per iron ship to London at 45a 6d, Australian terms. New Zealand —Unfortunately the bulk of recent arrivals baa been more or less out of condition, and unsound parcels have become rather a drag in the market. Their value may to quoted at 38s to 13s, according to quality; fair to good wheat at 4ls to 465; and Tuscan at 47a to 49s por 4961b5, ex store.

Flour has shared throughout tho year in the fluctuations of wheat, prices of superfine Adelaida falling from 42s to 335, and we close with a sluggish trade at about 35s per 2bo lbs, large shipments from America having a depressing influence on the market.

Oats. —The first arrivals from New Zealand sold at fancy prices, say 37a to 33a per 3841 b. As supplies became more abundant, however, the premium was gradually lost, and the fine heavy descriptions, which are now is excess of the demand, cannot bo quoted above 29s to 80a per 3841 bex store. The trade is dull, owing to large supplies and tha prevalence of unseasonably mild weather. Barley.—Although the new crop was large, both iu this country and France, it sustained damage from wot weather towards harvest time, and the proportion of fine bright _ malting quality has been small. Secondary kinds have been iu over supply, and prices have declined gradually to the extent of 6s to 8s per qr since harvest. Nearly all the arrivals from New Zealand have been of this description, and they have met a slow sale at 42s to 38s per 4481 b ex store, tho latter being the nearest quotation at the close.

Oatmeal.—The importations from _ New Zealand have had to compete with Canadian, which has been offered cheaply in our markets. They have arrived mostly in sweet and good condition, but are too finely cut to suit the trade, which greatly prefers the coarser and fresher Scotch product. Prices of New Zealand have ranged from .£lO to £lO 10s per ton. The mild open weather checks consumption, and the market closes dull, with sellers at the lower figure.