Commercial.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1042, 28 February 1882, Page 2

Commercial.

(From the Loan and Me ecantile Agency Company’s (Limited) Circular, of the 23rd Feb., published in New Zealand.) WOOL.

In the North Island the season ia virtually closed, only the remnants of clips—stragglers’ fleeces and-scoured broken wool—coming to market ; but in the South, it is but very recently that deliveries have materially fallen off. Prices are generally a shade easier than when we last wrote, owing, no doubt, to the reduced limits cabled out to the representatives of foreign buyers. From London we learn that the next series of sales open on the 2Sth Feb ; the quantity to be Offered is restricted to 309,003 bales. During the corresponding series of 1879, 1880. and 1881, the numbers catalogued were respectively 262.110, 189.302, and 277,161 bales. Trade continues brisk in the manufacturing districts, and the general tone of advices supports the opinion that the closing rates of December will be fully maintained.

Dunedin.—Since last report seven public sales of wool have been held at this centre,'at, and immediately after which, about 2,840 bales were disposed of. Private sales (particulars of which have not trans >ired), would probably bring the total up to 3.500 bales. The descriptions best competed for were merinos light in condition, and fine l.alf-breds at slightly easier rates. Coarse wools have not been enquired for to the same extent, but at t’ e nx st recent sales a slight improvement has been apparent. The highest price reported for both cross-bred and merino has been 12d per lb. Christchurch.—Only a limited private trade has been passing during the month. The fourth series of auction sale* for the season were held on the 21st and 22nd instants, when good competition was manifest throughout. 1,867 ’bales were catalogued, of 1,350 found buyers at 7Jd to 9Jd for croesbreds. and 8d to lOp.l for merino, scoured touching Is 6 1. Our catalogue comprised 937 ba’es, and we succeeded in placing 613 bales at very satisfactory rates. The lowest price recorded for merino was BpJ, and the highest lOfcd, for 107 bales, of the “St. James’s ” dip. and 42 bales of the “ Mt. White” clin. The extreme rates for cross breds were Bsd and 9|d; for scoured we realised Is s|d. SHEEPSKINS. Christchurch. —The easier state of this market noticed in our last issue has become more pronounced in the interval, and prices ruling are now more in -consonance with the value of fleece wool For sound large pelts competition is keen, and relatively higher values air obtainable. Our offerings have made up-to 6s Id for good full-woolled crossbreds, and 6s 2d for similar quality merinos. Gra*n pelts Is 2d to 2s 4d, and lauibskins Is 6d to 2s 6d. HIDES. The position of this market nt the various centres is not materially altered from last month. Home and Australian’advices offer no inducements f-'rshipment-s hence, and local manufacturers wiil nor ope rare except at tlie reduced quotations recorded in January. Christchurch.—The demand issla- k with DO competition at the public sales. But tanners will take all clean conditioned well salted lots coming forward, at 3id for green and id ealted.

Auckland.—Supplies are bought up privately by local tanners, at from 3d to pet lb. according to quality and condition. Napier.—Very little business is passing in this produce, quotations vary from 3d to 4fcd per lb. GRAINChristchurch.- -Our last issue had scarcely left the press when a most unwelcome and cruel north-west wind commenced to b’ow. It continued with only brief intermissions for three days, and the havoc occasioned to the crops is only now being fully realised through t b e threshing machines. In some districts from 15 to 20 bushels to the acre were shaken out, in others 10 to 15, whilst elsewhere on the pains from sto 10 is the record. Heavy rains followed at the time the bulk of the crops were in stock, but any damage barley may have sustained from this cause has been more ti an counterbalanced by the immense benefit accruing to pastures and roots. Wheat.—The balance of old crop remaining on hand lias been cleared off at 4s 6d f.o.b. Considerable s des of new crop have already transpired at-from 4s 3d for Hunter’s white, to 4s 6d for long-berried Tuscan, with a ten- ; to still higher rates. The large amount • ! of tonnage chnrteied for the transport of wheat I has induced a keen demand at full rates, which is being promptly met by farmers, who are i actively engaged in threshing operations to i fulfil enpajements to deliver. The quality of the ci op i< generally excellent, especially from the districts least affected by the nor’-west wind.

Oats.- This crop has been gathered in good condition, but up to the present, very little has been placed in the market. The few samples displayed show fair quality, and will at once command rate J lately ruling for last season’d. Some large lines of o‘d have been taken up for export at 2s 2d to 2s 3d f o.b. Barley.— I bis cereal, as before observed, lias-suffered slightly whilst in stock, from rainfall. There will consequently be less of prime malting to dispose of than was anticipated a month ago. The market is already hardening, and 4s is readily obtainable for first quality malting. Second-class parcels have changed hands at 3s 3d to 3s 6d. For feed qualities, Is lOd to 2s 3d is only obtainable. GRASS SEEDS. '

Cristchurch. —Ryegrass: An active demand has been experienced throughout the month, causing an enhancement in values, which is still progressing. Only a limited quantity lias been brought forward, for wl;i. h competition is keen at 4s to 4s 6d, dependent upon quality and condition. Cocksfoot: Kecent high winds have re.luced the yield, and rains have discolored the crops generally, giving it an indifferent appearance, but we believe the quality is fa rly good. Sales have transpired at 3|d in Lyttelton, but growers are now asking 4d. InvErCARGrLL. —Ryegi aas is in fai r demand. We have sold new crop at 5s per bushel f.o.b.

Napier.— Ryegrass has been sold at from 4s 3d to 6s 6d per bushel, according to quality. •Cocksfoot : Sales have transpired at 41 d to 4|d per lb. Gisborne.—Ryegrass : Until within the past fortnight, transactions were of a restricted character, but parcels are now selling freely at ss. Wo have recently cleared off a special line at 5s 6d, delivered in town.