COMMERCIAL NEWS. ARAHURA FAT STOCK SALE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1921, Page 4

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

ARAHURA FAT STOCK SALE.

Messrs M. Houston and Co. report:— At the above yards on Monday our yarding consisted of 40 fat ewes and 27 head of cattle. The usual buyers were present, but competition was very weak, prices showing a further decline on those of the previous sale.

We sold on account of Mrs Harcourt, 40 fat ewes at 225; on account Mr JManera 1 bullock at £lO 15s, 4 steers at £7 ss; on account Diedrichs estate 1 vealer at 32s Gd, 4 light heifers at £6 17s fid; on account Mr W. F. Diedrichs 2 bullocks at £lO 15s, 1 at £9 ss, 1 heifer at £9, 2 steers at £fi 15s, 1 at £8 7s fid, 1 heifer at £fi 2s fid ; on account Mr J. Olson 4 heifers at £7, 1 at £fi, 1 vealer at £5 10s, 1 at £3, 2 at £1 17s fid.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, March 21 The High Commissioner’s cabled market report, dated London, 19th inst, is as follows : Meat.—Market conditions have not changed materially. The position is still dominated by the large quantities of frozen beef, resulting in lower prices, ! except for the very best quality Homekilled. Average prices are : —Beef Is Ikl, mutton Is BJd, lamb 2s, per lb. Argentine chilled beef is selling up to tlie maximum prices—hinds lOd, lores 7d. New Zealand ox is selling at 8d and fid for .hinds and fores respectively, lower prices being accepted for lower quality. For heavy-weight Government mutton there is no demand, but free New Zealand light-weight mutton and lamb is in good demand at maximum prices. New Zealand lamb from America is in good demand at the maximum price for first-class quality, and Is OJd -for second-class.

Butter.—The market is irregular owing to the removal of control at March 31st. The final distribution of Government butter is being made undei t ! e present scheme at £l4 19s 8d per cwt wholesale and 3s per lb retail. The average price of English is £lB 4s per cwt (3s 3d lb). Irish is scarce at £l4 10s to £ls per cwt (2s 7d to 2s 8d per lb), but some new creamery is making as much as £l(s lfis per cwt (3s per lb). Cheese.—The market is quiet, and all prices are easier. English is worth £8 8s to £9 per cwt (Is fid to Is 7ul per lb). Canadian is selling at £7 10s to £7 lfis (Is 4d to Is l:{d per lb) for white, and £8 to £8 3s (approximately Is 5d per lb) for coloured. New Zealand is worth £7 3s to £7 fid (Is 3d to Is 3-3 d per lb) for white, and £7 18s to £8 2s ( Is 4J-d to Is 5d per lb) for coloured. Australian is selling at £7 to £7 4s (Is 3d to Is 3.U1 per lb) for white, and £7 14s to £7 lfis (Is ltd to Is l)‘d per lb) for coloured.

Casein.—The market continues, dull and lifeless. Large arrivals from South America are being offered at low prices, but there are no buyers, although there are slight signs of an improvement. The price of best French is easier, and shipments are being held back in consequence.

Hemp.—The .Manila market is quiet and steady. “J” grade Jamiary-March shipment lias been sold at C 33 per ton, and is now quoted at the same price, buyers. March-May shipment has been sold at £37 per ton. The New Zealand market is quiet and unchanged. Quotations, which are nominal, are as follows:—Spot high points £55, fair £43. March-May shipment £42 and £4O per ton respccaivoly. Honey.—The market is very quiet, and remains unchanged. Wool.—The Bradford outlook has not improved. Little business is doing and the financial position is causing anxiety. Values are declining. • Tops are nominally quoted at—fi4’s (merino) 3s fid per lb, s(i’s (super halTbred) 2s sd, -40’s (coarse crossbreds) prepared Is 2td per lb.