COMMERCIAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2106, 7 January 1886, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Waikato Timei OJfict, Wedn«Way\ NEW ZEALAND I'HODVCK VAItKErS. We tako the following from tho Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company s circular, dated Ohri-tchuiuh, Vac 3l«t :: f — Wool.— The hn.il neries for 1885 elo-cd jn London on 4th December, prices Knowing mi advance on previous mile rates of M p^r lb, except for tine cro»s-bicds and lambs-wool-i, for wliich the niarkct wjs unly firmer. T!ie opening sciit'n for 188(5 coinineneos on 19th Jo-muiy, when hea\y catalogues .if the new clip will be brought forward. Dunkdin. — Tlie opening s.ilu* ot" the ■oason were held here on thn 10th and 11th inst. (»rmver> havle to a gii».it pxtyM|t realised tlic heavy decline in tho Hpine market, and modern to leservo-, are consequence. Grensy-XJro*s-bred jn/T h'alfbred reached Sd. and Merinojd. <. s sales now in progress are passing off «ati«f* -corny. Chrihtciiuroh.— -Favourably weather for ■hearing operation* u cWdent in the laijro quantity of wd'nl daily reaching warehouse and ship's side. \V/o held our third series of the season <u»-*iTh in«tant, when we submitted a lapt& well-assorted catalogue, embracing: -nfc'nie * well-known clip", for which competition was keen, and pi ices secured satisfactory. • Faulty merino and light cross-breds displayed an advance of Ad per lb on opening rates, but coarse, Jhcavy wools And good merinos did not participate in this improvement. Auckland.—T he sales during tho month have Averaged about 350 bales per week. As compared with opening rates, prices have been fully sustained if not slightly exceeded. The attendance of buyers has .been *cry full throughout, and competition fairly keen. Very few lots have been withdrawn. We quote prices for longwool from s\d to 6d, and merino and half-bred sJdto»»H , TiMAiiu.— The opening sale of the season took place on Tuesday, Bth inst. Prices realised were fully hd to id per lb better than was expected. GRAIN*. Dunedin.— Wheat : During the greater part of the month there was no demand of any consequence for milling sorts, but within the last day or two any prime lots of white velvet would find purchasers at from 3s 2d to 3s 4&d. The market is bare of prime milling,' and any increased enquiry weuld certainly result in an advance in prices. Fowl wheat continues in good demand at from 2s 6d to 3s, according to quality. Chhistchorch.— Wheat : For prime milling winter wheats the market is slightly easier, and values range for prime pearl and velvet from 3s 3d to 3s 4d ; for Hunter's and Tuscan, 3s 2d f.o.b. Second quality lots consequent on the rise in the Home market are more enquired for than hitherto at 2s lOd to 3s, f.o.b. Chickwheat is very scarce at 2s 9d, f.o.b. Oath.— Several large lines have been placed during the last few days at 2s, f.o.b. - Imvebcabgill. — Wheat : Millers have sufficient for present requirements, and the ?uantity offering is quite inconsiderable, yhite velvet is worth from 3s to3.s 2d, delivered into store. Red straw, 2h lOd. Oath. — The rfpinand for nata which has continued uninterruptedly brisk since March last, fell suddenly away at the beginning of this month, a fact duo doubtless to the nbuudancc of green fodder in Victoria, to the arrival of the Victorian crop in the market, and to the heavy stocks held in Melbourne and Sydney. The month's exports from Bluff aggregate only some 7000 sacks, making the total for this Hcason about 288,000 sacks. Values have ruled at about Is S.UI to Is 9d, f.o.b. for parcel* of good hhort feed, figures which, for the moot part, farmer* have been disinclined to accept, preferring to take their chance of a rise after New Year. At the present moment there are no indications of any approaching improvement in the market, either hnre or in Australia. Auckland.— Maize : Shipments to Sydney have kept the market in bare supply, and the demand for local requirements now sustains the price at 3s Ud per bushel of 56 lbs. Latest advices from the Sydney market quote 3.s lid per bushel, leaving no margin for shipment at present price. Timaihj.— Wheat : Our sales have been for prime Velvet and Tuscan 3s sd, f.o.b. Fowl wheat, 2s 6d to 2s 7d, f.o.b. FRO/EN MEAT. From telegraphic advices we are pleased to observe that a firmer tone prevails in the London market for New Zealand frozen mutton, which augurs well for shipments arriving in the early spriug. Dunkdin. — The freezing works at Burnaide are still occupied with the preparation of the s.b. Elderslie's shipment mentioned in our last. Christchuuch.— The continued dry weather ia causing a scarcity of feed, and breeders are beginning to force their fat Btock ori the local market. Were it not for the steady demand for freezincr, prices would give way considerably. The shipments from Lyttleton for the past month have been 5,884 carcases mutton, and 7<> quarters beef per X. M.S. Rimutaka (sailed Bth instant), and 1,301) carcases mutton, per 6.8. Coptic (sailed 22nd instant). A cargo of about (J, OOO carcases mutton is ready at the Belfast VVork-s for the s.s. Ruapehu which begins loading on the sth January. Killing was commenced on the 24th instant at the Bnlfast Works, to supply a shipment of 0,000 to 7,000 carcases mutton for the s.s. Elderslie. Timaru.— Operations at our local works have been in full swing for some weeks past. The &hip Canterbury now alongside the wharf is loading, and expected to complete her shipment of 10,000 carcases, and pail from this port on or about the 7th January for London direct. Oamaru.— The shipments for the month consUt of 11,000 carcases mutton per Marlborough. i / Wellington.— The R.M.S. Rimntaka sailed from here on the 17th inst. Local shipments comprise 4,302 carcases mutton, 22 lambs, and 72 pieces beef. Napier.— During the month the following shipments have beeu made : — Per s.s. Rimutaka, 4,122 carcases mutton. Per s.s. Coptic, 11,409 carcases mutton, 523 legs, 225 haunches, 5G cases kidneys, 74 quai ters beef. MISCELLANEOUS. ChrisjTCHUßch. — Butter : Prime lots have advanced Id to Hd on last month's prices, and tho market is" very firm at quotations.—Cheese: New season's n.ake has good enquiry/and may be quoted at Cd to (id, according to shape, nize, and quality.—Potatoes:'Old aro entirely out of quotations. Auckland new have been sold at £12, but the local crop is now being placed on the market at £8 to £10. Auckland.— Butter : The drought now being experienced in Australia has shortened supplies, and has caused some heavy shipments thence. The Waihora hu>t week took forward 543 kegs, and we expect shipments to continue large whilst the Sydney market remains in its present condition. — Cheese : There has been a big advance in this line, and the demand is far ahead of supply. The Sydney market also in in want, so that prices must continue firm even if they do not advance.— Potatoes : Tho new crop is now coming to hnnd freely, and we quote £3 10s to £4 10s as present values.