COMMERCIAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7957, 6 February 1906, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

By^Telegraph— Association

WELLINGTON, February 5. The following cable has been re ceived by the Department of Industries and Commerce from the High Commissioner, dated London, 3rd inst:~-The mutton market is very unsettled, River Plate muttou being in large supply. Stocks of New Zealand mutton on hand are light. Tne average price, to-day, for Canterbury mutton is 4%d per lb; light weights, of whioh there, is a limited supply, 4d per lb. Heavy weights, for other and North Island mutton, 3%d per lb. The lamb market is quiet the stocks on hand being heavy. This season's New Zealand lamb is quoted at 5d (:iominal). The average price of Australian lamb is 4d per lb. The beef market is very dull; the average price, to-day, for hindquarters of New Zealand beef per lb, fores 2%d. The quotations for New Zealand beef are nominal. The butter market has collapsed, American renovated i and mixtures being in laige supply, and seriously affecting the market, whioh is weak. Holders are anxious | to sell, but the buyers are holding back, expecting pricesto go lower. The supplies will be moderate. The yrice of choice New Zealand butter to-day is 106s per cwt, Danish 114s. The cheese market is a uiet, -prices being slightly weaker. Transactionsin cheese are very limited, New Z aland being quoted at 60s per cwt. The hemp market is firm, only light shipments being expected from Manila. The prioe of New Zealand hemp, "good fair Wellington" grade, on spot, to-day, per ton, is £33 10a, January to Maroh shipments £33; Manila heap, "fair current" grade, £42 10s on spot. Buyers .have'been offering for cockpfoot seed more freely, and stocks on hand are light. The average price, to-day, for bright clean New Zealand cocksfoot .seed, weighing 171b per bushel, is 54s per cwt. The wool sales have closed with a firm market and .upward tendency, prices being fully equal to closing rates of last sale. The estimated values for fine orossbreds,, all grades, are Is Id to Is 3d per lb; medium orossbreds, all grades, lid to Is Id per lb; coarse orossbreds, all grades, 9)<jd to -Is o}£d per lb; superior merino, Is Id to Is 3y 2 d per lb; medium, lid to Is Id per lb; inferior, 8d to per lb.