Commercial.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 999, 15 November 1881, Page 2

Commercial.

LONDON SEED TRADE. Messrs. John Shaw & Sons, of 37 Mark Lane, London, E.C., report through their agent, Mr. Leonard W. Blake, of- Christchurch, that the market during the fortnight ending Sept. 23rd the firm tone, mentionad in their last report, as prevailing on the market still continued and all varieties of seeds where very strongly held. The transactions in Bed Clover Seed had not been large, but where business had been done, the prices paid were all in favor of the seller. Samples of the new crop from Hungary, France, and the United States were arriving, but the high prices asked for the last-named prevented business. Advices from Canada state that considerable damage had been done to the new crop, both by the drought and the maggot. White Clover was tending upwards ; supplies of the new seed were very scanty, and there can be little doubt that the range of values must be considerably higher than last season; some people were predicting an absolute dearth, as*the season advanced, but this is not supported by facts. Alsyke continued firm ; New Italian Rye Grass, easier; Perennial Rye Glass was coming to market freely, but the high prices asked prevented business. Canary again dear; but Hemp more reasonable. From the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, For 23rd September. Wool. —Since date of our last issue by this route considerable progress has been made in the disposal of wools available for sale during the currency of the present series. Up to and including yesterday 250,178 bales had passed the hammer, of which 228,778 bales had been sold and the remainder withdrawn. Particulars of the quantities dealt with arc as follow:— New South Wales A Queensland 69,427 bales Victoria ... 57,579 „ . South Australia ... 19,273 „ Western Australia 578 „ Tasmania ... ... ... 13,147 ~ Naw Zealand 58,729 „ Cape of Good Hope ... 31,445 „ Total ... ••• 250,178 bales During the past three weeks, although some irregularities have been observable in the tone of competition, considerable animation has been exhibited by all sections of the trade, and within the last ten days a distinctly firmer feeling has existed, due in a great measure to an increase of energy on the part of the Home

buyers. The result has naturally been a favorable turn in the value of those classes of wool » which are more especially suited' to the re- . quirements of English consumers. Cross-bred wools have consequently marked a clear advance on opening rates —that is to say, whenever the parcels under sale have been of desirable quality and in fair condition —while medium scoured merinos have almost recovered from the decline to which they were subjected at an earlier period of the sales. Combing merino wools as a whole present no material alteration, save in respect of the finer grades which are taken at improved values. Lambs’ wool in grease, frea from fault, is selling well, but the demand for the same class scoured is not relatively so good. Inferior scoured merino descriptions, faulty, bitty, and heavy, are lower and are not generally in request. Corn Market.—The improved weather of the past week has favored the completion of the wheat harvest, which, except in the more northern and backward districts, is now practically secured. The country markets are becoming well supplied with home produce, which being pressed for sale inconsequence of » the financial necessities of farmers, has declined in value. The influx of English supplies has naturally diverted attention from imported wheats, and prices generally stand at 2/ per quarter below those current a month ago. American exports during the last month have been liberal, but the visible supply has increased to 19,750,000 bushels. Russian shipments also promise to be heavy during the remainder of the shipping, season. Shipments aflo-it have now reached the large total of 2,000,000 quarters, and with such heavy prospective arrivals speculators are not inclined to venture upon further extensive operations. An Australian cargo on passage was sold on 12th instant at 54/3, c.i.f. terms, and since that date 55/ has been offered and refused for a shipment almost due at port of call. Victorian wheat for present shipment to London direct is offered at 53/, and 53/9 is bid for a cargo under May Bill of Lading. A New Zealand cargo on passage, per iron vessel, was sold on 16th instant at 52/6. Supplies of this wheat in granary are large, and t:ie demand is slow at a reduction of 2s per quarter since date of our last advices by this route. Good barley of English growth being exceptionally scarce higher quotations have been secured for New Zealand descriptions, some of which are of very good quality. Oats bring improved prices, the imports from New Zealand having been light. Current values ex granary, are as follow : — South Australian » ; wheat > 57/6@58/per496fl)s. Victorian j New Zealand, long berried 56/ „ 58/ „ „ „ N. Z. average ...54/ ~56/ „ „ „ . Australian Flour, superfine 39/ „ 41/ ■ „ 2801bs. Do. do., households 35/ „ 38/ „ „ „ New Zealand flour 36/ „ 38/ „ „ „ N. Z. oats, fine ...26/ ~33/ „ Imperial qr. Do., do., feed ...24/ „ 26/ „ „ „ Do., barley, mltng.3B/ ~45/ „ 44Slbs. Do., beans 45/ ~48/ „ 504H)s. Australian Peas ...40/ ~44/ „ 504fts.