COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 8, 28 September 1880, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Christchubch, September 23. The week has been an uneventful one, and transactions have been about on a par -with operations of the preceding week. The information to hand from the country districts reports the crops as looking well. Although a Blight rainfall took place one night during the week, a steady rain for a number of hours -would be very acceptable to the farmers. Wheat is without material alteration. Oats — Sales of milling oats have been made up to 1b 7d and Is 8d for superior lots. The easier tone noted in our last report still continues, and buyers are not so willing to take up lines at fall rates. JJarley — a few enquiries for fair raaltiuflpand feed quality are reported at 2s 6d to it 9d and Is 6d to Is 9d respectively Potatoes do not show the slightest improvement, and continue exceedingly difficult to sell. Grass seed is quieter, and we have to report a weaker enquiry. Prices, however, are unchanged. Dairy produce — Butter is in full supply, and prices are nominal. Cheese is quoted at 4a to 4s o§d ; hams and bacon iemain the same. The stock market tbis week was rather dull. Sheep showed a drop, 2J per lb. being the quotation. In cattle there was no improvement on last week's price* ; 21s per lOOlbs is the quotation. Wellington, Friday. Colonial Produce.— Wheat. — Stocks in the Southern Island are said to be sufficient for, but not in excess, of the season's wants. The prices paid to farmers ranjre from 3s lOd to 4s 2d. Tho London market in weak at 4,1 ato 433 per 49Glba. The harvest in England is over, and the estimated yield is slightly under thrt average, being 11.500,000 bushels, pnd the quality is very superior. From America we learn that the lowest calculation of surplus for export is 700,000 tons. In Australia there i« now a surplus of about 60,000 tons, and this within three months of harvest. Trade parcels of flour are selling in Melbourne as low as £8 15s. The following information re Continental crops may be interesting — " Advices from Paris state that the indications of good orops in France are abundantly satisfactory ; she, however, will not have sufficient grain to meet her own demands. What is true about the crops in France applies also to those of Italy, Hungary, Houmania, and Germany. In Southern Russia the worm has been destructive, and in consequence a discussion is pending there, as to the propriety of issuing a ukase forbidding the shipping of grain from that country." Flour remains stationery at £11 to £11 10s per ton. Oats have maintained about the snme position as when we last quoted, viz., about 2a to 2s 2d per bushel. Chick wheat is plenty ful, but in little demand, at 2s to 2s Id. Bran, 7jd to Bd. Very best samples of barley for malting have been quitted at 3* per bushel. Stocks of keg butter, both wholesale and retail, are heavy, and with absolutely no market. Sales by public auction of good quality were done at 3£d, kegs free. Hams and bacon— The market is fully stocked, and the highest value obtainable for mixed is 8d to BJd. Cheese is dull at 5d to 5Jd Potatoes —We have lately commented on the imprudence of large shipments, chiefly from Canterbury, amounting to four times our consumption, being pressed upon as. They still, however, continue, and the results during the past week have been most disastrous to shippers. Cargoes have been quitted by auction at Bhip's side as low ns £1 2s 6d"to £1 10s per ton, bags included, consignees deeming it prudent to sell rather than incur storage and other charges. We tru*t that shipments will be discontinued for some little time to come, to allow the market to recover itself. Maize — Stocks are exceedingly heavy, and sales are restricted to retail lots Concessions on oar late quotations to the extent of 4d per bushel would be accepted. No business of consequence, however, can be done.