COMMERCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 91, 30 October 1878, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. Throughout the cc louy the grain markets are at a standstill. Wheat and oats are held for better prices, and barley is not to be had. At the different New Zealand ports wheat is quoted at within a penny or two the either side of 4s ; oats from 4s to 4s 9d. For quotations of barley we must go to Australia. We hear of Californian barley of first-class quality fetching 9s l|d in Melbourne. At this port wheat was quoted (October 1G) at 4s lid to ss. Oats, scarce, 5s 3d to 5s Gd. Messrs 'Bollock and Co. sold on Thursday last 80 sections near the town belt, Ashburton, at an average of ±.36 each. A farm of 107 acres at Alford Forest they sold at £9 per acre. A Longbeach farm of 305 acres was passed in at £lB 10s per acre. Messrs H. Matson and Co., Christchurch, report a keen demand for all classes of horses, especially hacks and light harness horses. Messrs Jonas and Co., Timaru, report to the same effect about the horse market in Timaru ; also that cattle of all kinds are in good demand. Messrs Miles Bros, and Co. report under date London, September 12th, 1878, as follows;—Wheat and Flour : The improved tone advised in our last w'as not of long duration, for OAviug to heavy shipments (333,000 quarters last week) from the United States, where stocks are rapidly accumulating, and prices gradually declining, our market is again dppressed, and prices have weakened. Recent reports from France fully confirm the deficiency in the harvest there, consequently the purchases which will have to be made on French account may to a certain extent support prices. Owing to the small parcels of Australian wheat on offer, prices for that description are fairly maintained ; but for New Zealand, which came into competition with our new English wheat, a reduction of 2s to 3s has to be submitted to, in order to induce sales. We quote Australian wheat ex granary—sls to 51s 6d per 496 lbs., and New Zealand, 45s to 49s ; Australian flour, 30s to 33s per 280 lbs ; and New Zealand, 26s to 30s.