Commercial.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 173, 4 March 1902, Page 2

Commercial.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN’ AND PRO HUGE MARKET.

The reports on tho growing wheat crops in Europe have "been general!} satisfactory ot late, though the comparatively mild weather Of eaily January was not al ogether favouiable. Acconli- g to lioriibusc.h of January I7th, a gcod cove'ing of snow would be accepUble in England, where tho i*mp was *• winter p;oud” in maiiy counties, though generally it presented a fine apoearance, F.ench reports were of a similar character, colder weather being wan.ed to kill the weeds. In Germany the weather was fitoimy, hut nut detrimental to the crops. In Hungary the Weather was considered 10 j mild, and mow was desired. Spanish advices ‘elated that the growth of the wheat crop wus checked by very old weather. From Ku-sia it was reported that the-Beaeon was unusually mild, and that except in the north-eastern districts snow h-.d disappeared. In America, aecdrding to the Cincinnati Price Current of January Kith, the weather was somewhat unfavourable for the growing wheat, blit not much i jmy was then apparent. Buenos Ayres cable advices on January 16lh suited 'that tho Argentine crop reports were not so favourubl •, the crop having’sustuined injury from dry weather. It was noticeable that Argentine shippers were offering wheat for January-FGjn : ary shipment with guaranteed weights oi b3ih to 651 b per bush 1. During the week the Ioc&! wheat market has hardened, chiefly, it is said, in consequence of more enquiry on the part of millers and a demand from Auckland For mixed lines of new wheat 2s 10K 2s lid, and up to 3s, at country stations, h*ve been given. Old wheal is correspondingly firmer. A line has been sold at 3s id ex stne, fmd other sulen have been made updo 3s 2d f.o.b. There is, however, not a Urge quantity of wheat offering, as holders especially of old wheat, are not anxiotsto sell. The oats market is also very firm, there being a good demand for South Africa, Australia (for which short oats are requir'd), and for coastal shipment. The Monowai left for Me bourne last evening w'ith a largo cargo of oats, and was unable to take all that was available for shipment by her. A few lines of heavy mi ling Canadians have been sold up to 2s 3tl at country stations, and for 'shipment to South Africa 3s to 2s Id belong, and up to 2s 2d for short feed, in centals, has been paid. The lateness of the Southland crop has been the cause to some extent of the present tightness in the oats market, but it is understood that offers of B g ade at 2s 31 f.o.b. have been made for March shipment There is not quite so much demand for barley, but p ices remain about the same An enquiry has been received f/om Sydney for potatoes 'for April, May, and June shipment. A private letter from the same quarter stales that fhoTasmanian crop is a record one, averaging up to 10 tons per acre. Meanwhile there is veiy little local enquiry for earlyvariaties and no business is reported in connection with tho main crop The following are current prices paid to farmers, f.0.b., Lyttelton, and free o coaunirsiou, except where o berwue specified:— Wheat— Old Hunter's pearl, and Tuscan, 3s to 3* 2d, f.0.b.; dew 2s lOd to ha at couii.iy auuioua.

New •oits- j -long la lid to 2a, abort feed from 2a to 2s 2d, in email bags, milling Canadians, '2a 3d, at covnJttry stations •. Birley (new)—3s to 3s 3d, at country stations. Tlour (millers’ quotations)—Roller £3. Pollard—£4 SYper ton. Bran—£3lss. Potatoes—Beauty of Hebrob 355, kidneys £2 at country stations. Onions—£3, at country stations. Oatsheaf chaff—47« 6d to 50a atcountry stations. Hay—£2 10s to £2 15s delivered. Grass Seed -Ryegrass, prime heavy, town dressed, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; Tyeyraoe, Italian, town dra-sed, 4i 6d ; cocksfoot 3d, cowgrass 6d to C|d, extra choice 7d, white clover 6d to 81, delivered. Hairy Produce—Cheese, factory, to 4d. dairy 4d ; blitter, facory, local, 114, North Island lOd, dairy 8d to 9d„ salt (in boxes) Bd ; bacon, hamshd to : factory bacon'and hams higher, f.o b.— Press,