COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4314, 18 January 1875, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MELBOURNE PRODUCE MARKET. Messrs, Goldsbrough and Co.’s circular of the 30th December says Wool. —The auction sales held during the month have been well attended, and a larger quantity than usual has been offered and sold, 39,424 bales having been catalogued, and about 26,300 bales sold since the departure of last mail. The unfavorable telegrams received early in the month reporting the close of the November and December sales in London at a decline of Id. to 2d. per pound on inferior and faulty sorts, also at a proportionate reduction on other descriptions, had a depressing effect in this market: and since then a lower range of prices has ruled. _ This reduction has been chiefly noticeable in inferior to ordinary sorts aud small lots, though even the best clips have participated to some extent. Altogether we should quote prices Id. to lsd. lower during the past three weeks. At these altered values a fair amount of business has been transacted, as the growers generally prefer to sell in the colony at current quotations rather than incur the chances of shipment to a distant market. The demand for America may be considered almost over, moat of the buyers from that country having left Melbourne for New Zealand, owing to the class of wools now coming forward in this market being, with a few exceptions, unsuitable for their requirements. Altogether they have, from the commencement of the season to this date, bought and shipped from Melbourne about 19,000 bales direct for American consumption, and they have secured a large proportion of our best greasy clips; indeed, their purchases have been restricted almost entirely to the choicest flocks. Tneir competition for these enhanced the value of other sorts ; and, whilst their operations were being actively sustained, the sale of all descriptions was to a certain extent stimulated. A large proportion of the lots brought forward during the post few weeks have been small parcels from farmers, many of them new beginners with sheep. These clips have, in many instances, been indifferently got up, and otherwise in inferior condition, and unsuitable for shipment; consequently, the range of prices obtained for them been under the average. They have been principally bought by fellmongers for sorting and scouring, previous to being exported. We look for a great improvement in the value of these lots, when the growers have gained more experience in classing an J skirting, and possess better appliances for washing. At present it is difficult to make them understand why their clips do not realise prices equal to large flocks which have been carefully bred and culled for years past, and which are sent to market in the best order for the manufacturer. The usual sales have not been held this week, owing to the holidays ; blit they will be resumed next week. The warehouses are well filled, and considerable quantities will be offered during the coming month, after which the season will be nearly over. A late telegram from London announces that the February sales will not commence until the 23rd of that month, consequently an unusually large proportion of tho Australian clip will be offered at the first sales of the year. Freights to London continue at Jd. per lb. for unwashed, and jd. for washed. , , ~ _ . Sheepskins. —The regular auction sales held during the month have been well, supported by the fellmongers and shippers, all the skins offered finding ready purchasers at about late rates. Very few fullwoolled skins are being sent forward, but they maybe quoted nominally from 4s. to Cs. 6d. each. Pelts arc worth from Is. to 2s. 3d. each; lambskins, 25.-to 3s. each ; and station skins, sd. to Bd. per lb. - Hides are in good request, and we have disposed of a large supply for local tanning at the following quotations, viz. Ox hides, 22s to 325. Cd. each; cow hides, 14s. 6d. to 21s. Od. each ; Victorian salted, 4ld. to sd. per lb., and New Zealand, fid. to fUd. per lb. There la a fair prospect of this market remaining steady at present prices. Tallow. —During tho month we have held four auction sales, anti sold 1485 casks of all descriptions at a slight reduction on last month’s prices, attributable to the increased rate of freight to London. We quote; Mutton, from £3l to £33; beef, £3O to £3l; and mixed, £2O to £3O per ton. Most of the largo parcels are purchased for shipment to London, the quantity taken for local consumption being smaller than usual. Preserved Meats.—Some of the factories continue in operation, although only on a limited scale, as fat stock has not sustained any further decline in value.