COMMERCIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 83, 3 December 1912, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

THE WOOL SALES. . London, December 2. The wool sales are spirited and all classes show a hardening tendency—--27,796 bales were catalogued and 26,851 sold. Napier, December 2. Tho Napier wool sales were held today, when 13,809 bales were offered, as against 12,036 for the corresponding sale last year. There was a record attendance cf buyers from all parts. Competition was keen, and practically all offerings sold. Prices were extremely satisfactory to growers, and show a marked increase on last year’s rates. The highest price for best halfbred was 14d, and there was a strong demand for all crossbreds, which showed a substantial advance. The range of prices was as follows, the, 1911 quotations being given in parentheses:—Best halfbred, ll|d to ltd (10jd to lT|d) j medium halfbred, 10id to 13Jd (93d to 10Jd); fine crossbred, 12d to 13R1 (9-id to lO.jd); medium crossbred, lOd to 11 ;]cl (9d to lOd); coarse crossbred, 9)d to iO-)d (7|d to 9d); inferior crossbred, Bfd to 9d (7d to 7|d); pieces, 7jd to 10jd (Old to 9d); bellies, 7d to 8-|d (5Jd to 6id); locks, 5d to Gd (2)d to 4cl); lambs up to lO.jd (7cl to 8clj; dead wool, 7-)cl to 9d (7d to 7id).

The Bank of New Zealand has received the following cable advice from its London branch:—Current prices for North Island farmers’ lots: Coarse crossbreds 36s to 40s; quality, average condition, IOJd to lid; medium crossbreds, 44s to 465, lid to 11 fd; fine crossbreds, 60s to 645, 12d to 13d.

LONDON MARKETS. London, December 1. The wheat market is tending to be easier, on reports of more favourable weather. Argentine afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,710,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,175,000 quarters. The Atlantic shipments total 531,000, the Pacific 35,000. The total for Europe is 14,000,000, and Australian 16,000. , , ■ Copra.—Active; South Sea hags, £2O 12s 6d. Hemp.—The market is strong at £4O; fair January-March, £32. Rubber 4s 6d. Linseed oil £27. Hides.—There is insignificant business; heavy,Queensland Bd. Leather.—Firm; first Wellington 18'd. Cotton . —November - December, 6.82 d. THE POTATO MARKET. Sydney, December 3. Potatoes are quoted at £l6, a fall of £2. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT.

Wellington, December 3. The High Commissioner, cabling from London under date 30th November, states, inter alia:— Butter.—The market is very _ unsteady, and speculative. There is a better demand for best quality, but little demand for second class quality. Quotations: Choicest New Zealand, 115 s to 118 s; ordinary quality New Zealand, 110 sto 114 s; Australian, 110 s; Argentine, 108 s; Danish, 129 s ; Siberian, 107 s. Cheese.—The market is steady, and fair business is doing at lower prices. Quotations; White 59s 6d, coloured 60s 6d.

LONDON WOOL SALES. (Received 10.35 a.m.) i London, December 2. At the wool sales there was a good demand for all classes. Merinos were unchanged and crossbreds were firm. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited and Reduced, have received the following cablegram from their London house under date, 29th inst. :—Frozen Meat. —The market has slightly improved for beef; is firmer for mutton, but the enquiry for lamb is limited.