COMMERCIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1922, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN CARGOES. B.v Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received Aug. 25, 5.5 p.m. aondon, August 24. Australian cargoes ar«- steadily held owing to scarcity of Transvaal; ex-New South Wales 50s. Parcels are in moderate demand at 6d to Is decline. CANTERBURY MARKETS. POSITION OF POTATOES. Christchurch, Last Night. Potatoes still continue to be the uncertain bid Of the market; although there is a slightly better feeling in some quarters consequent on reports from Auckland that supplies are lightening there. On the other hand this information is questioned by other merchant#, who point to the heavy supplies going north several weeks ago and the improbability of these yet being consumed. Special inquiry yesterday elicited . the reply that re-sellers were oSering at £6 15s per ton, and for store quotations were £6 10s. The trouble this year is that there has been an excess of specifications in tubers, and one view expressed by a merchant vas than the prospects were better than he previous week, and that he was offering £4 10s to farmers without much response. Although business between merchants had taken place at the equivalent of less than this, farmers were not offering, but it was a question whether their attitude was due to being too busy with other farm work or to the price not being satisfactory. The price of £4 10s requiring digging from the pit, which is equal to nearly 30s per ton, would be no better than £3 a few weeks ago, which was readily offering, and probably they are content under the circumstances to leave the potatoes in the pit until they secure at least the equivalent of the April price. Small consignments have been the rule for the past fortnight. The Wingatui, due to sail to-morrow night, is taking from southern ports about 40.,0 sacks, including seed, and about another 1000 from Lyttelton. The Opihi, on Sunday, is understood to be taking a small lot. of 700 sacks, and the position in Auckland is dependent on what the Katoa takes next Wednesday. This boat is the last for the month, and to date Instructions from forward buyers for delivery are coming to hand very tardily. Opinions vary as to the quantity held by farmers. Some opinion is that it is not large, and other ra naturally reversed. Quotations to farmers at country stations vary in the meantime from £4 7s 6d to £4 10s.

The freight on. oats to England has been reduced by 15s per ton, and for September Is quoted' at. 45s and November at 50s. Offers of business under the reduction have led to no reply. A’s are worth about 2s 2d at country stations and B’s 2s. Chaff is lifeless, except for small local* trade. Blenheim is doing what limited North Island business is available. Cocksfoot is weak under the offers being made of Danish seed, and 5d per, lb. is about the value to farmers.

LOCAL MARKET PRICES. The local market prices last week were as follow (spot cash) :

Buying. Selling. Eggs 1 1 1 3 Hams 0 11% Bacon (sides) 0 11 Bacon (rolls) 1 1 Butter (creamery) pats ... 2 0 2 0 Butter (bulk) 1 11 Butter (separator) 1 6 1 7