NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 6 March 1886, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

From tho N.Z.L. and M. Agency Company's (Limited) circular, dated Christ uhuruh, 2."> th February, we make tho following extract* : — Wool. — The wool Hides which closed in London on 13th instant were eminently disappointing, since prices hliow an allround reduction on December laluo of Jd to Id jier lb, excepting long-staple merino light ingrcise, coarse cross-bred and lambs', which maintain previou.s rates, and are firm. Tho second series of tho year opens on 23rd Match, and the quantity is limited to 275,000 bales. Auckland. — A few small station lots are still coming to hand ; but the clip, which is this year considered an exceptionally good one, is now exhausted, and the prices we give are hardly reliable. TALLOW AND FAT. Auckland.— The market continues detmwied with no signs of improvement. Bales are difficult to effect, even at present low prices. GRAIN. Dunedin. — Wheat : A moderate demand existed during the former pait of the month, but since then millers have been able to piocure full supplies, and are not now eager buyer*, preferring to wait for the new grain in anticipation of lower prices ruling; 3s Sd to3s9d is still paid for superior samples of Velvet, but in small lots. We quote for medium 3s 5d to 3s (id ; inferior and fowls' wheat, 2s 9d to 3s 4d, ex store, bags weighed in ; 2d. per bushel extra, f.o.b. Port Chalmers, Id at Dunedin. Christchurch.— Wheat : Businessin the new crop has now becomegeneral, although a great many growers are taking ad vantage of the low rates of storage now offering, in the hope of values ruling higher later in the season. Current quotations are :—: — Prime Tuscan, 3s 3d ; pearl and Hunter's, 3d Id to 3s 2d. Samples of old wheat are mostly confined to second quality for which prices are not so firm, and Co effect sales 2i lOd to 2a lid would have 10 be accepted. Chick wheat is still scarce at 2s 9d to 2s lid all f.o.b. Invkkcargill. — Oats : During the month business has been very restricted, farmers have been holding for large pi ices and buyers, in view of the near approach of harvest, refuse to operate unlnss at their own values. The market reached its height about a fortnight ago, when 2s 3d, f.0.b., was obtained for one or two shipping lines ; values have since receded, and we cannot now quote prime abort feed, farmers' parc«lr, at over 2s, f.o.b. The month's ship ments only represent some 4000 sacks, making the season's total 308,000 sacks. Auckland. — Wheat: Stocks are light here, and shipments from Southern ports have been heavier during the month than usual. The arrivals total about 6,500 sacks, principally to millers' orders. — Oats : There is a very firm feeling in this cereal, and holders are not anxious to quit. Reports place the yield in the South considerably below the average, and the general feeling is that values will rule considerably higher during the coming year than for some seasons past. The markets in the South have opened very firmly. Arrivals from Southern ports tot.il some 3,600 sacks for the past month. Maize: The quotation for this grain remains at 3s 2d per bushel, and, notwithstanding adverse reports from the Australian markets, we fully expect to see this figure sustained. The quantity shipped by steamer last week to Sydney was 800 bags, and buyers are still in the market at the above quotations. Oamaul. — Threshing is now general in this district. The samples of wheat we have seen are first-class in condition, but in many cases the grain is small. Oats are yery thin and light, both in sample and yield, but of good colour. We are enjoying perfect harvest weather. — Wheat : Old wheat has been belling more freely at better prices. Several parcels of new have changed hands at about 3s 4d to 3s fid delivered at the mills, but we know of 3s (id being refused for one lot, and values cannot bo considered at all settled yot. GRASS SEEDS. GlSßOßNE.— Ryegrass : Tho market during the month has been characterised by considerable animation, and we have sola large quantities, principally for export, at prices ranging from 5s 8d to Cs 9d. The market is now getting very bare, and what seed remains is firmly held. Some of the prime samples, rich in clover, cannot be purchased under 7s. FROZEN MEAT. The more s.itisfactot y tone of the Home market noted in our last issue has continued during the month under review. Telegraphed advices still quote New Zealand prime mutton at od to ~>\d. Dunedin.— Thos.b. Ifklcrslie, which was loading when we l.ust reported, has sineo departed with 13,750 carenses mutton and 2,023 lambs from the works at Burnside, also 9,301 sheep and lambs, prepared at other poits, in all 25,740 carcases. The New Zealand Refrigerating Company, between their two establishments, are now killing about 1,000 sheep per day, and have engaged tonnage for (53,000 carcases up to the end of June. Theiirst steamer to leave Port Chalmers will bethes.s. Aorangi, with about 4,000 caiciises, and will be followed by the ship Inveicaigill with between 10,000 and 11,000. Chri&tchurch.— The .«.s. Arawa left this port on the 23rd inst. with 1,894 carcases mutton and 0,121 carcases lamb. The loading ot the ship Wellington is almost completed ; her cargo consists of about 13,000 carcases lamb and 130 carcases mutton. At Belfast a shipment of 6.500 carcases is being prepared f >r the R.M.S. Tongariro to load next wet k. Operations at the Belfast Freezing Works will be suspended on the 2nd prox.'to place the new machinery and to complete the enlargement of the factory. Timauu. — Our local refrigerating company has just completed a cargo of some 8000 carcases for the Lady Jocelyn which it, to loud at Port Chalmer.s. The works will be fully occupied for some time, (ireparing cargoes for the Mataura and Lyttelton which will load here. O amaru.— The Tnrakina arrived here on the 20th inst. to load about 12,000 carcases, and the Dunedin is expected shortly. Wellington.— The following shipments from this port have been made during the month:— Per R.M.S. Kaikonra— GO9(scarcases mutton, 895 lambs, 58 quarters beef, and 184 pieces. Per Doric— 7,s6o carcases hnd 4.178 legs mutton, 2071 lambs, 76 quarters and 215 pieces beef. Napier.— The following shipments have been made since last report : — S.s. Doric — 9709 carcases, Ifi2B legs, 143 haunches frozen mutton, 582 carcases lamb, 8(5 quarters beef, 34 bags kidneys. S.s. Knikoura—4,227 carcases and 146 haunches, 558 legs mutton, 1964 carcases lambs, 44 bags kidneys. MISCELLANEOUS. Auckland.— Butter : There has been a considerable fall in ' the Sydney market, in consequence of heavy rains and increase of pasturage, and this has almost put an end to shipment thence ; but from late cablegrams we learn that this market is recovering. Prices in the local market remain almost unaltered, and the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company has a good supply in the chambers to work upon. The shipments to Sydney for the month total 510 kegs. — Cheese : This line remains very firm, and the shipments continue to Sydney by every fortnightly steamer, fully 200 cases going forward during tho month. — Potatoes : It is almost certain the crop will be considerably below the average, mid holders are very firm.