Commercial.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1030, 31 January 1882, Page 2

Commercial.

(From the Loan and Mebcantile Agency Company’s (Limited) Circular, of the 26th Jan., published in New Zealand). WOOL. In the absence of any particular information from London, save that trade is brisk in the Manufacturing Districts, and that good competition with firm rates are anticipated at the series to be held next month—there has not been much disposition to operate on speculation. The several Auction Sales during the month have, however, passed off with spirit, at prices fully equal to those current at the opening of the season. HIDES. The Home markets have lately displayed signs of weakness in respect of both Hides and Leather, and a sympathetic feeling is manifest throughout the Colony. Christchurch.—The demand has not been so brisk, and sales can only be effected at a reduction of |d. on last month’s rates. Dunedin.—Sales are difficult to effect, except at lower prices, as full supplies are coming to hand, and the demand is slacker. Wellington.—Our fortnightly sales have been well attended, and the various lots have been placed at up to 4frd- per lb. for salted parcels of medium weights, free from offal. Compact heavy hides of good substance are somewhat scarce, and would doubtless command an advance upon this quotation. Auckland. —A steady demand from local manufacturers has been satisfied at 3}d. to 4Jd. per lb., according to weight and condition. TALLOW AND FAT. The recent advance in London—advised by cable—has induced a good demand for shipping parcels, but the quantity coming forward is readily absorbed by local manufacturers. Latest advices from Home, however, are not so favourable, a sharp drop being reported. Christchurch.—There have been no public offerings of Tallow, but the weekly sales of fat have gone off with spirit at full* rates, considering the heated state of much submitted. Dunedin.—There is a fair enquiry for local consumption, and consignments coming forward are placed readily at quotations. Wellington.—Supplies fall short of the demand ; at recent sales we obtained £29 10s. for a parcel of fair mutton ; Good Beef and Mixed made from £27 to £2B, and inferior descriptions £24 to £26 per ton. Shipping parcels are in good demand at full rates. Auckland.—All coming forward has been taken by local boilers at 245. per cwt. for well rendered, 18s. inferior, and l|d. per lb. for rough fat. GRAIN. Christchurch.—Harvest, is now in full swing, and would have been further advanced but for the heavy downpour of rain on the 20th, 21st, and 22d instants. Some of the heavy wheat crops are laid, but the damage sustained in this respect is more than counterbalanced by the immense benefit which must accrue to the late light crops, roots, and pastures. The yield will be a fair average, and the quality should be excellent if the present favorable weather continues. Wheat.—Stocks of old crop are almost exhausted. Sales have been few and unimportant at 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. Transactions in new crop — February-March delivery—are reported at 4«. to 4s. 2d. for Velvet Chaff, and Hunter’s White, up to 4s. 4d. for longberried Tuscan. Oats.—Only a limited business has transpired in this cereal during the month, and until the new crop is brought to market no improvement can be looked for. The area sown this season is lees than formerly. Coupled with a light average, this fact will no doubt help to stiffen prices, seeing also that old stocks are not considerable. Our quotations are for old crop. The new crop will probably open at 2d. per bushel below these rates. Barley.—Good waiting parcels are now /arcly met with, but any offering are bought 1

up at about The area in crop is unusually small, and as the yield does not promise to be heavy, improved rates are looked for by growers. Inferior lots, suitable only for feed, ar? offering at Is. 9d. to 2s. Bd. Dunedin.—Wheat: The market has been stcadv, but transactions 1 ave been limited by th'advanced period of the season and the scarcity of really prime, which is the only quality readily saleable. Millers show no disposition to lay in stock, and medium and inferior sorts are neglected. Oafs : An enquiry for feed oats for shipping purposes has sprung up during the month, which has had the effect of improving the tone of the market to a small extent, hut local demand is quiet. Barley: In this ceieal there is absolutely nothing doing. O’MARU. —Wheat: Old stock is being rapidly cleared off ; within the last few days we have sold several thousand hags at 4s. 4d. per bushel f.o,b. prime milling. The wet weather is interfering with the progress of the harvest, but it is anticipated the new crop will rule at from 3s. 9d. to 4s. delivered at the stores. Oats 1 are lately been in strong demand for shipment. We have placed considerable quantities at Is. lid. to 2s. for feed, and 2s. Id. to 2s. 3d. f.o.b. for milling. There is but little of old stock now here, and the vield in thio district will be much below the average. Barley : Old stocks are all cleared out. The new crop will be short, and is expected to realise satisfactorily to growers. Timaru. —The heavy mins which fell a few days ago have somewhat retarded harvesting operations, otherwise they would have been in full sway. The weather is now fine, and with a continuance of wind and sunshine we anticipate the damage occasioned by rain will prove very slight, Wheat : There is no new wheat yet in the market, but we expect opening prices to range from 3s. 9d. to 4s. Last season’s may be quoted at from 4-s. to 4s. Sd., but stocks are light. Oats : Old stock has been disposed of at from Is. 9d. to Is. lid. for long, and Is. lOd. to 2s. 2d. for short, f.0.b.; the new season’s crop is exceedingly promising. Blenheim. —Wheat: This cereal is largely supplanting barley this season in the area sown, and fair crops are expected. The opening price will be governed largely by the Christchurch market, but 4s. to 4s. 6d. is anticipated by farmers. Oats: The yield promises to turn out well, and growers are confident of improved rates ruling. Good quality may now be bought at 2s. Barley : This crop is looking well, and from the general reports the out-turn promises to be one of the best yields per acre ever produced in the Wairau. The quality it is anticipated will equal that of last year, which received such high encomiums in Mark-lane, and realised £2 10s. per quarter there ; 4«. per bushel is expected to be the opening rate. Invercargill.—Wheat: The crops are expected to be very light, and as a consequence high prices are likely to be maintained. We quote 4s. per bushel for fair milling samples, inferior to medium 3s. Bd. to 3s. lOd. Fowls feed, 2s. 6d. to 3s. Oats: The crops will be shorter than last year, except in favored localities, owing to the absence of rain. Prices, Is. lOd. to 2s. Id. for best samples at port of shipment, inferior qualities up to Is. Bd. Barley has hitherto been plentiful, present quotations 2e. to 2s. 6d. according to quality, except first class malting 'samples, for which higher prices could be obtained. Auckland. —Wheat: Harvest ing is now well advanced. The yield promises to be above the average, and of good quality, if present favorable weather continues. We believe prices will open at about ss' Oafs : In view of new crop there is but little passing in th.is cereal' Present prices are 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. Brzley : No sales to report. Stocks nominal; but little has been grown here this season. GRASS SEEDS. Christchurch. —Ryegrass : Some large lines have changed hands at 3s. 6d. to 45., according to quality and dressing. The demand for outside orders is good, and higher rates are anticipated as the season advances. Cocksfoot is being gathered throughout the Peninsula, The crop is not a large one, but the quality is good. Sales are reported at 3|d. at Akaroa, and 3jd. to 4d. f.o.b. Lyttelton. The demand is unusually good for so early in the season. Gisborne.—Ryegrass : The harvest is turning out wall, and samples are offering at from 4s 9d to 5s 3d f.o.b. Some trial crops of wheat, oats, barley, and hops are giving good promise of opening up a new and profitable industry in the district. Taranaki.—Cocksfoot: The crops are now being gathered, and give promise of a large yield. The price has settled down ts 3|d f.o.b.