Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 611, 15 September 1858, Page 4

Markets.

The dullness which pervaded all business during the long wet weather has, as might be expected, given place to a show of activity since the restoration of sunshine. The improvement effected by this cause in the roads aud thoroughfares has allowed carting operations to be carried on more freely, and we consequently notice that produce of all kinds is being brought down to the shipping places on the rivers inconsiderable quantities.

In Christchurch on Saturday the attendance of formers and others was more numerous than it h;is been for many weeks; although the opportunity offered by the weather at last of preparing the ground for seed must have detained many farmers in the country. There was fair attendance at the auction sales (Mr. Parkinson's sale of horses and Mr. O)livier's sale of furniture), and moderate prices were forthcoming. There is no alteration to report in the grain market, 6s. remaining the millers' price for wheat, and flour standing at £18. We regret to say,that, from the general inquiry here *and "by the reports from consignees of shipments of tvheat hence to neighboring provinces, we learn that our anticipations at .'harvest time of the damage lucely to accrue to. this crop from the wet weather has been surpassed by the reality It is not unlikely that the good name of our province will suffer materially in the neighboring markets in consequence of this season's misfortunes; and we have much reason, further, to expect that from the lateness of this year's seed time, the wheat crops of next year will be indifferent in quantity and quality. The mills have been obliged to use great caution in making purchases, and, even so, we are aware that a quantity of bad flour has passed into the bakers hands. This in a, serious injury to all parties. On the other hand, we may confidently say that the worst is passed. Where stacks have been well secured, it would evidently be the proper course not to open them durine the ; rainy weather, and in this and other ways we

may presume that a largo amount of grain of good quality still remains to be brought to market. .... As to the prospects in the neighbouring colonies, we aro able to add to day a small amount of information from Melbourne papers which have come to hand since our last in addition to those which.arrived by course of post.

In the Melbourne papers of the middle of August we find it stated that the market for agricultural produce has undergone no change. Wheat is quoted at 7s. 9d. to Ss. 3d.; flour, £21 per ton : colonial oats, 6s. to 6s. 6d. The demand for flour was confined to small parcels for immediate use, but, except in one locality, supplies were runningl shot-ton the gold-helds. Wheat was being disposed of readily at the prices quoted. Oats had arrived in large quantities, but prices were not expected to go any lower. Barley was in little request. In Tasmania (Aug. 7) dullness and inactivity prevailed in the grain market; quotations are scarcely so high as those of Melbourne. South Australian markets (Adelaide, Aug. 9) are brisk, and farmers hold the comparatively small parcels remaining for better prices. For wheat 7. 6d. was offered at the date quoted, and i-efused. Commercial advices reach us from California to the sth June. The grain market very firm, stocks in hand being largely drawn on for the state itself, and anticipations were current that the supply would not be more than adequate. For the information of sheep farmers we subjoin the following report from Messrs. D. Ha- ( zard and Son's wool circular at the conclusion of the May sales : —

From the continued contracted state of trade both here and abroad, it was not expected that the prices of the previous February sales would be maintained, and which opinion was realised by a decline taking place at the commencement of these sales of I.J-d. to 2d. per lb. on Sydney, Port Phillip, and Van Diemen's Land fleeces, Id. to 1J on South Australian and Cape of Good Hope, l-£d. on scoured, and 2d. on slipe and greasy wool.

The attendance"of buyers was at first moderate, including more from the continent (principally from Prance) than for the last two series of sales. About the middle of tbe sales a better feeling was exhibited, the attendance became rather more numerous, the competition more regular and spirited, and prices gradually recovered by Id. to l£d. per lb. ; this advance was most observable on good bright fleeces and scoured, which throughout have been in most demand ; inferior descriptions, though firmer, have not recovered so much ; wool in the grease advanced ±d. to -I'd. per lb. The improvement has been fully maintained to the close.

Many of the Port Phillip flocks were inheavier condition than usual; the Sydney and Van Diemen's Land were generally in about the average condition V the South Australian wool was, with very few exceptions, in the grease; some flocks were very heavy and much infested with grass seeds. The very high prices paid for these wools in grease last year, coupled with certain local considerations, have doubtless caused so large a proportion to be sent unwashed; a considerable quantity of the Cape of Good Hope wool was of inferior quality and .condition ; the wool from the Natal district continues to show much irregularity and want of ■ care in sorting and packing. The next sales will be very large. The quantity already arrived is 54,000 bales; but should the prospect for the harvest be good and trade improve, it is probable that the present prices may be fully maintained. The export trade of the country, though still showing a considerable falling off as-compared with last year, particularly in wool and woollen goods, has lately shown signs of improvement. The quantities brought forward were 58,464 bales.' New Zealand, 413 bales; fleeces* Is. 4Jd. to is. 7^d.; lambs, Is. s^-d. to Is. 9d.; scoured and handwashed, lOd. to Is. lid.-, unwashed, 9^d."'to'.. Is. 3^d.; locks and pieces, Is. to Is. 3d.