COMMERCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1718, 31 March 1888, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

fIEW ZEALAND CHEESE AND

(Otago Daily Times.) A correspondent who has made a study of the New Zealand cheese market informs us that he has reason . to believe that there is a very much lew quantity on hand than those immediately concerned have any idea, He says: — I have not been able to obtain a .return of the exact quantity sent to london, but I am certain that it •aggregates far more than 25 per cent. -of the factory-made cheese in this asland. In addition to this, owing to the low price of milk ruling this year,

in conjunction with the bad season, the factories have not made within 25® per cent, of the quantity they made last year, so that our stock has been virtually reduced by fully 50 per cent. In face of the fact that though there was a great glut of cheese at one time last season, the whole of it was got rid of before direct shipment commenced, the inadequacy of the present supply to meet demands may readily be seen In support of my assertion I will instance three of the principal factories in Otago. As lam not at liberty to disclose names I wiil speak of them by numbers. No. 1 at this moment holds less than 20 tons, as against 70 during the corresponding week of last year. None of that on hand is sufficiently matured to be called cheese yet. This compauy has slipped about half its present season's make of large cheese to London. No, 2 has shipped 75 per cent of this year's make to London, and has now orders on hand for the Australian colonies at r sld per lb f.o.b. It holds ten tons as against 25 tons last year. No. 3 in a similar position. In addition to these I know of three other factories which are similarly circumstanced, while another, I am told, has sold its whole stock. It may be said that the make of farmers' cheese is greater this year than it was last; but if so, it is not of a character which will affect the Australian markets. Little of it would clear the heavy duties. In this connection the following extracts from letters having reference to New Zealand cheese in the Brisbane and Adelaide markets will no doubt be of interest :

Beisbane, March 2.—" We have to advise sale of shipment of loaf at B|d. All shipment are being rapidly cleared at fair prices. We expect a slight advance in prices shortly." March 9. —"Our market is gradually getting better, and prices show a slight improvement." March 16.—" Our market is still hare, and the demand for cheese is very great." Cablegram from Brisbane: " Large cheese scarce."

Adelaide, March 5.—" Our market continues steady, and the cases advised by you sold at to 9|d. "We could do with larger shipments." March 12.—" We would suggest your increasing shipments.'' These letters were written before the slightest idea was abroad of how our stocks in New Zealand stand.

Messrs Nimmo and Blair have received the following from their London agents, under date .February 10:—" We also note there are 50 kegs on the lonic. At present we have to report a complete collapse in the butter market. Butter that we sold last week at 112 s we cannot now get 100 s for. The decline mostly affects the higher grades, but a depression is apparent also iu confectionery qualities. We last week sold some Taieri butter at 110 s. Unseasonably warm weather is affecting our market, as is also a big drop in Continental prices."

OHRISTCHWRCH CORN EXCHANGE

The Corn Exchange reports for ilie week ending Thursday evening, the 29ih inst. :

A large businesss has been transacted in- all kinds of grain, and it would have been still crreater had bottoms been available. The London market remains easy, and with the 'available supply from wheat growing sountries we fail to see any prospects in the immediate future. A few intercolonial orders have come to hand during the week, which have had the effect of enlivening business. Wheat —Prime tuscan is still in best demand at 2s 9d, and pearl is also very saleable at 2s 8d to 2s 9d; hunters, at 2s 7d to 2s 8d; chicken wheat (broken), 2s to 2s 3d, with good demand. Oats An improvement has been noticeable in this cereal, and up to Is 8d has been paid for the best lines of short feed ; duns and seed tartars are also wanted for shipment at a similar figure; inferior kinds, however, are not being dealt with to any great extent.

, Barley—Prime lots still command full rates of 4s 3d to 4s 4d, but second-quality is. not so saleable, most of the maltsters being to some extent independent for the time being. Beans have a ready sale at 2s 6d, but growers are asking an advance ; business consequently has been restricted.

Peas are dull, 2s 3d to 2s 4d for feeding sorts and 2s 8d to 2s 9d for prussian blues are the rates. Grass Seed—Hales are very slow ; orders are coming to hand very slowly, and prices show no improvement on 2s to 2s 3d for farmers' parcels, and 2s 9d tor machine-dressed.

Cocksfoot is quiet. A few sales have been completed 3d to 3Jd for bright seed; interior is not being dealt in. Atthe present great difficulty is experienced « getting freight for London.

Potatoes—Kidneys are selling freely at £2 to £2 2s 6d at country stations. Dairy Produce—Butter has only a moderate demand at 4|d to s|d Ohese, however, is quiet at to 3d. The above prices are those paid to farmers and delivered i'.o.b, Lyttelton, sacks included.

[For remainder of commercial news see fourth page].

There «as a fall snow at Cbrislcburch early on Wednesday morniog, followed by heavy hail and raiD. There are fourteen against Sfteen persons for tlio criminal sittings of the Supremo Court, which begin atChristchurcli ou Monday. Besides tho Jlnkaiu runnier fiise, tl)«ro are two cUrsjes of rape, two of forgery, one of attempted extortion, one of a breach of the Land Act, five of stealing, and two of assault. The Marlborough, Wellington and Nelson Volunteers went into camp at Blenheim on Thursday morning. Capt. Webb is in charge. Holloway's Ointment and Puis .—As winter advaeces and the weather become* mora and more inclement and trying the earliest evidences of ill-health muit be immediately checked and removed, or a (light illceii may result in a serious malady. Relaxed and lore throat, quinsey, influenz*, chronic oougb, bronohitio, and most other pulmonary affection* wiil be reliered by rubbing this cooling Ointment into tho ikin an nearly ai practicable to the Beat of milchief. Thii treatment, limple yet sffectiye, is admirably adapted for the removal of these diseases during infancy and youth. Old asthmatio invalids will derive marvellous rolief from the use of Holloway's remedies, whioh have wonderfully relieved many such sufferers, and re-established health after every other means had signally failed.