LONDON MARKET REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8172, 4 July 1906, Page 6

LONDON MARKET REPORT.

BEEF, MUITON AND LAMB. (From Our London Correspondent). I LONDON May 18. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Co., Ltd., report:— Warm and close weather has had a restrictive effect on the demand for all classes of meat except lambs, and retailers have bought sparingly; Prices have accordingly had a rather weaker tendency in spite of the faot that only moderate quantities are being pjtohecj on the market. Qnotatious for English and Scotch sides of beef do not show any further decline, but the best North American ohilled hinds are per lb cheaper at 5%d per lb. Other qualities sell down to 4%d perlfc. Fore'quarters of tbß same meat are making 3d to 3%d per lb. Larger supplies of South American chilled beef are again available, and prices have declined to 3%d to 3%d per lb for hind-quarters, and to 2%d to 2%d per lb for fores, English and Scotch mutton is a little cheaper, the latter showing a reaction of %& per lb down to per lb for the beat carcases, while English sheep make 6>£d per lb Supplies of South American Antwerp killed sheep have again been offered and sold at 5%d to s>£d per lb. Some similar sheep sent to Manchester realised 5%d to 6)£d per lb. New Zealand mutton.—The Aotea with 35,742 caroases, and Paparoa . with 19,949 carcases have arrived. The competition amongst sellers resulted in prices being brought to an unnecessarily low level, and apparently without aohieving any material increase in the output. Heavy North island sheep were at one time freely offered at 3%d per lb, and good medium weights could be bought at per lb. At the finish a better tone prevailed, and 3}£d is now the bottom price for any average North Island carcases, while good light weights make 3%d per lb. Canterbury sheep are not much in evidence, and range in value from 3%d to 4J£d per lb, tut the limited suppty does not appear to cause inconvenience to buyers. South American mutton.— Following New Zealand, prices have been rather weaker in London, the prevailing quotations being 3%d to 3%d per lb., but values have been maintained fairly steady in the provinces at fully %d per lb above these figures. Australian mutton.—The Nlnereh has arrived with 9,701 caroases. Little of this mutton has,been seen on the London market, and the quotation remains at lb. ' A recent arrival has discharged her cargo in extremely unsatisfao tory condition after a protracted voyage, and the necessity for forced sale is likely to have an adverse effeot on prices. New Zealand lambs.—-Stocks have been increased by 38,771 caroases, per Aotea, and] 36,078 carcases per Paparoa. The brisk state of the demand has resulted in some holders being obliged to draw supplies from vessels now discharging. This is very satisfactory evidence of the position of stooks, but prices have not yet proved amenable to this influence. Canterbury lambs can still be bought at 4%d per lb, the top value being 4%d, although the enquiry leaves a little to be desired. North Islands are still selling cheaply at to 4>£d per lb, an 3 the supply is farily plentiful. Frozen Beef.—There have been received 1,053 quarters from New Zealand, 242 quarters from Australia, and 28,308 quarters from. South America. New Zealand beef has been more plentiful and prices have receded .to''3££d per'lb for hinds and 2j£d to 2%d per lb for fores. On the other hand South Amerioan hinds are firmer at 2%d to 3d per lb, as the supply has been temporarily short, but fores, whibh are plentiful, are still selling at 2i£d to per lb. '■' MARKET QUOTATIONS. English mutton, wethers, May 11th, 1906, 5%d to Q%& per lb; May, 1905, 6d to 6Kd per lb; Scotch mutton, wethers, 7d to and 6d tu Dutch mutton, none and, sd; New Zealand, Canterbnry, 3%d to 4}£d and to 4%d; Xew Zealand, North Island, 3%d to 3%d and 3%d to 4d; Australian, to and 3d to 3%d; South Amerioan, Z%& to 3}£d and 3%d to 3%d; New Zealand lamb, 4d to 4%d and 5%d. to 5%d; Australian, New South Wales and Victoria, and 3%d to sd; Australian, Adelaide, and 3%d to sd; English beef, sides, to 5%d and sV£d to s%d;Sootoh, beßf sides, 5%d tos%d and 5%d to 6d; North Amerioan beef, hinds, 4%d to sJ£d and 5%& to6d; North American beef, fores, 3dto3%dand 3%d to 3%d; New Zealand beef, hindß, 3%d and 3%d ; New Zealand beef, fores, 2%d to 2%d and 2%A; South American beef, hinds, 2%d to 3d and 3}£d and 3%d; South American beef, fores, 2%d to 2J£d and to 2%d.