COMMERCIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7080, 28 February 1893, Page 1

COMMERCIAL.

ENGLISH MARKETS.

Messrs Miles Bros, and Co.’s produce report, via San Francisco, under date London, Jan. 21st, 1893, is aa follows : WOOL, Since the close of our last auctions there has been very little enquiry privately for merino wools, and the market for thie description, in most quarters, is very quiet indeed, Germany alone being the exception, where a very good trade ie doing. The run at the moment seems to be on the coarser and bright haired descriptions of crossbreds, for which there is an American demand. A fair consumption of the raw material is taking place in the manufacturing districts, and old stocks are light. Colonial wools have been coming in slowly owing to contrary winds, and the available quantities to be offered at the impending series of sales to be opened on the 24th instant., will probably only include 280.000 bales, as compared with 313,000 bales catalogued the same time last year. So far as we can judge at present we do not anticipate any material alteration from late rates, but it is not probable that merino wools will do more than hold their own. The arrivals to date are as follows Bales. New South Wales ... ... 30,486 Queensland 83,730 Victoria 51,742 South Australia 14.775 Western Australia 3,392 Tasmania ... 272 New Zealand 11,464 Cape and Natal 66,302 Total 212,163 Of the above, 34,000 bales Australasian and 44.000 do Capes were forwarded direct from ship to the Continent and Yorkshire. WHEAT, ETC. Our wheat market has been more active daring the past week, and prices hare hardened to some extent, the severe weather experienced both here and on the Continent having caused a considerable increase in the consumption, while arrivals have been moderate. Australian wheat on the spot has met with a more ready sale at slightly improved values, all wheats in good condition having commanded greater attention. In parcels to London direct some 15,000qrs have changed hands at 31s 3d to 31a 6d, JannaryPebruary, per 4801bs, c.i.f.; iron. Of Now Zealand wheat the arrivals into London have been email, viz., some 10,000 bags. Good samples are scarce, and are firmly held for full values, but out of condition lots are stilt in large supply and continue to bring very poor prices. In cargoes no business is reported. Flour is in rather better demand at a slight advance in value.

Barley—For both malting and grinding barley there is an improved demand at some what higher prices the former description may be quoted at la more money, and the latter at 3d to 6d.

Oats are in good request at higher value*, in consequence of some of the Russian ports having been closed and supplies stopped. Good heavy New Zealand are scarce, and are bringing high prices. We quote values about as under Australian wheat 34s to 340 6d per 4961ba, New Zealand do (long-berried) 32a to 33s do do,do do (short-berried) 28a to Sla 6d do do, do do (inferior) 25s fid to 27s 6d do do; oata (fine) 27s 6d to 29s fid per qr. imp., do (common) 23s to 26s do do; barley (nominal) 30s per 4481b5; Jflonr, Australian, 25s to 27s fid per 2801bs, do New Zealand (nominal) 23s do do. TALLOW, BTC. The first sales of the year, which took place on the 6th instant, opened with an active demand, and of 1663 casks catalogued 1502 were sold at an advance of 9d to Is per cwt. on mutton, and 3d to fid per owton beef tallow. Since these sales the tallow market has continued very firm, and at the auctions yesterday there was again a good demand, 904 casks being offered and all sold at an advance of Is per cwt. all round. We quote goods to fine mutton 29s fid to 31s, and fair to finest beef tallow 27s fid to 29a per cwt. FROZEN HEAT. Trade in colonial mutton opened fairly firm at the commencement of the year. A number of selected Sydney sheep of about 621 b weight were placed on the market and offered at 2a to 2s 2d per stone: They were of good quality and difficult to distinguish. from second-class Wellington sheep. Daring the past week, with lighter supplies, trade all round has been firmer with a slight advance in values. The Dutch sheep season being now over English ewes have become dearer, and this should considerably assist the colonial mutton. There have been some enquiries for New Zealand lambs, but up to the present time very few have arrived, and quotations would not be reliable. Prices to-day are English and Scotch sheep 4s to 4s fid per stone, English ewes 3s to 3s 8d do. North Canterbury (N.Z.) do 2a 8d to 2s lOd do, Wellington do 2s 5d to 2s 7d do, Sydney do la lid to 2s°do, Queensland do 2a do. BUTTBB. During the month we have had a dull and depressed trade for colonial butter; with advices to hand of large quantities being shipped from Australia there is every probability of a further decrease in values. We quote present prices as under:— Colonial best quality 112 s to llfis per cwt., second do 100 s to 108 s do, third do 80s to 100 s do, fourth do 80s to 90s do. CHEESE. The cheese market has remained steady, with a good demand for all descriptions. The cheese ex Ruapehu is of fwriy good apd 'condition. Jfoefit New Znlad U aw worth 59a per cwt.