THE MARKETS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 979, 3 January 1883, Page 4

THE MARKETS.

We take the following from the N.Z. L. and M.A. Co’s circular dated December 28. WOOL. When we last wrote, the final series of sales in London were in progress. These were brought to a conclusion on December 8, when the market showed more firmness, with a good demand for all finer descriptions, whilst faulty lots and coarse crossbreds were neglected and difficult to quit, except at a red notion on opening rates. Privately we learn that trade in the manufacturing districts is fairly active, and that several bought-in lots have been' taken up by spinners since the sales. 9 his augurs well for the forthcoming series in February, though any appreciable enhancement in values can scarcely be expected, seeing that the quantity available for catalogue is expected to exceed that of any former year. SKIES. Christchurch.—The large proportion of pelts now displayed in the weekly catalogues, has considerably reduced the volume of trade passing in this market, and indicates that a new season has been entered upon. Pelts were in keen demand early in the month, and extravagant rates wore paid ; but a sudden reaction has brought values down to a normal level. Woolly skins command full rates and are well competed for—especially station skins in bales. In regard to packing these, our clients would do well to remember that the skin should be doubled with the wool on the outside. The quantity brought forward during the four weeks has been 30,000 skins, .3,900 of which have passed through our hands, HIDES. Christchurch.—We have no alteration to make in values ; the market is steady and all coming forward are absorbed at 4d for dry salted, 3£d for salted, and 34d for green skins. Auckland.—Hides have been sold in larger quantities at from 24d to 3-£ d per lb. TALLOW AND EAT. Christchurch.—Supplies for shipment arc on.a liberal scale, but no prime parcels of tallow are offered locally. Inferior and medium quality are taken by boilers at 22s to 26s per cwt. A largo proportion of the rough fat has been of an inferior quality, as usual at this season of the year, for such Hd to IJd is full value. Medium descriptions, not heated, realised 2d to and prime, well-saved, up to 2£d per lb. GRAIN. Christchurch.—The weather continues most propitious for growing crops, and present prospects indicate an unusually heavy yield of both wheat and oats. In some districts the wheat plant is already in ear, whilst in others the bloom is well forward, and from a'l parts of Canterbury the reports are most encouraging. Wheat. The market has diapln}'ed somewhat more animation than during the preceding month, owing to the presence of a few shipping orders. These have been executed at 4s to 4s 3d f.o.b. according lo quality, and this is now the nominal value of such lines. Milleis are holding aloof until arrival of new crop, the market for which is expected to open at about 3s 6d per bushel ; inferior and seconds have been placed by us at 3s 6d to 3s 9d ; and chick at 3s to 3s od. Flour is nominally £lO to £lO 10s per ton, but holders would accept less for parcels. Oats have received fair attention at last month’s quotations, but sales have been more difficult to effect during the past few days, and a slight easing of rate* must be noted. Stocks are reduced very low, and it is satisfactory to know that very little old crop remains to be carried forward to the new season. Dunedin.—Wheat continues from week to week without any demand whatever. Holders do not feel inclined to force sales, consequently there is little or no business being done, and quotations are merely nominal. OATS. Stocks have again increased during the month, and the trade having been previously well stocked, and no shipments being made, business is at a standstill, so that, to make sales, a concession of 3d to 4d per bushel on last month’s prices would have to bo made. GRASS SEEDS, Christchurch.—Holders of ryegrass arc anxious sellers, and would, accept. 4s 3d for well dressed samples, but at the moment, buyers are not forthcoming. The supply will probably be unusually heavy, though it is doubtful if any large quantity Jwill be available in time for early autumn sowing, in which case present rates may be maintained until the end of February, after which, the prices will depend upon the cost of threshing. cleaning, and delivering. The cocksfoot crop will likewise be an abundant one, and last season’s rates must not be expected. We hear of contracts being made at Id., delivery at the Bays ; but growers arc prepared to accept less money, provided the time for delivery is not too stringent, Napier.—Ryegrass. —The weather lately has been most favourable, and an abundant harvest is expected, Cocksfoot. —Home orders have been submitted at 5d per lb., delivered here, but we do not anticipate much business at this figure. A good harvest of ryegrass will considerably affect the demand for cocksfoot. MISCELLANEOUS, Christchurch.—Butter.—The deliveries have not been so heavy as usual at this season of the year, which has enabled producers to obtain paying rates. Prime butter is now worth S.UI to ‘Jd. f.Oib. Kegs extra. Cheese. —A satisfactory business has been passing at G£d for new up to Sd for old. Oamaru. —Potatoes. — The season is now over, and there is nothing doing in this tuber. Blenheim.—Fungus. —Parcels coming lo baud are readily placed at Hd per lb.

GK & F. HORNER’S STOCK REPORT. In consequence of the exceptionally dry season, the demand for cattle during the past month has been small. At our yards at Manaia on Friday last, upwards of 250 head were entered, including cows and calves in good condition, dry cows, 2 and 3- steers, fat cows, 18-months-old heifers, and hand-fed yearlings, steers, and heifers* The following prices were realised : 2-year-old steers, £3 15s; 18-month-old heifers, £2 Is ; mixed yearling steers and heifers, £2 11s 6d ; and one well-bred bull, £4 Is. From £4 to, £4 2s 6d foxcows and calves, and £3 5s for dairy cows were offered and refused. At Patea we have sold privately cows and calves, £3 15s ; cows, £3 2s 6d ; 3-year-old steers, £5 ; fat bullocks, £6 12s 6d. MR FREEMAN R. JACKSON’S FORTNIGHTLY STOCK REPORT. The sales since my last, report have been on the whole dull, the continued dry weather making fanners careful in their purchases. Prices, therefore, for all descriptions of stock may be quoted a shade lower than those ruling a fortnight ago. At Mr Derritt’s clearing sale the attendance was not so large as at clearing sales generally, the bidding was slow, and a dragging sale was the result. However, all lots, with the exception of the engine and thrasher, were disposed of. At Kakaramea on the following day only a few cattle came forward, and about one-half were sold at the quotations below. At St. Hill-street the yards were fairly well filled. Very little was sold at the auction, but I succeeded in placing all the cattle and the bulk of the sheep afterwards. Horses sold freely, nearly all that offered being quitted. CATTLE.— At Wavcrloy 452 head were yarded. Those on account of Mr Derritt met with good competition—Steers, £5 9s ; cows and calves, £4 14s 6d to £4 16s ; heifers, £3 5s ; 2-year-old steex-s, £3 16s ; 2-year-old heifers, £3 5s ; yearling steers, £2 T2s ; heifers, £2 8s 6d. At Kakaratnea—Yearlings, £2 5s ; steers, £3 2s6d. At the yards to-day 248 head were sold—Fat cows, £4 10s to £5 ; cows and calves, £3 10s ; steers, £4 to £4 5s ; yearlings, £2 6s. Sheet. — At Waverley 925 were sold — Wethers, 10s 6d ; old ewes, 5s 9d. At Mr Derritl’s farm 350 wex-e also sold—2tooth ewes,-9s lOd ; wethers, 10s 4d ; 4- wethers,TOs 9 ; ewes and lambs, 14s 2d. At St. Hill street 358 were sold —Wethers, 10s 6d ; hoggets in wool, 10s 10d. Horses. —-At Mr Denitt’a clearing sale —Draught animals, from £l7 10s to £33, according to age and quality ; unbroken draughts, £ll 10s to £22 10s. At the. yards about the usual number were offered, and sold at ruling rates.