MELBOURNE MARKETS. Messrs Goldsbrough and Co. report

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2222, 5 October 1886, Page 2

MELBOURNE MARKETS. Messrs Goldsbrough and Co. report

under date, Melbourne, September 20th :— Wool.— Transactions for the month have been limited to » sale of Darling scoured wools, which passed off on the 17th inst. with great .spirit. The catalogue comprised 899 bales, and the whole was sold at highly satisfactory prices, good average fleece ranging from 18| to 19^, and pieces at IGJ per lb. On Wednesday next we shall bring forward a catalogue of about 2500 bales, which, though consisting chiefly of last year's Darling wool, may be considered our opening salo, as it will include some parcels of new wools. Our latest telegraphic advices from London respecting the progression of the fourth series of colonial wool sales, which commenced on the 7th in.st. with an average advance of 12§ per cent on last sale's closing rates, report a brisk demand from all sections of the trade and hardening prices. Since the openingday an improvement to the extont of about 10 per cent has taken place, and values, as compared with the closing rates of last sales, have advanced l£d to 2d per lb. on greasy merinos, 3d per lb. on faulty, and 4d per lb. on good scoured Hd to 2d per lb. on fine, and Id to 2d per lb. on coarse crossbred. Up to the 14th inst. 85,500 bales had been sold, the total available for the series being 265,000 bales. Notwithstanding that the course of prices appears to bo tending upwards, we would recommend our friends who intend selling in the colony to hurry their wools forward, and thus take advantage of the present market, for, though the prospects for November are exceedingly good, it is impossible to forecast the turn things may take. Had the improvement reached its present height by slow and gradual rises, instead of leaps and bounds, we would have more confidence in its permanency ; bat as it is fluctuations are more than probable, and, although we hare no reason to anticipate any adverse change in value, we think the wisest course a grower can pursue is to realise early. Monthly Grain Report.— The deliveries of wheat and flour from the country have been on a more extensive scale during the last week, but, owing to the export demand for flour to supply the requirements of the other colonies, prices have kept firm, and stocks in town show a gradual weekly decrease. Considerable difficulty is experienced in securing large parcels of wheat at the current quotations now ruling in town. Sales in the country to supply local millers are reported at comparatively higher prices than are now obtainable here, the situation pointing to a further advance as probable towards the close of the month. Feed grains are in rather better favour, with the exception of peas and maize, which are still dull of sale, owing to large quantities offering in market. Supplies of oats from New Zealand are still on a moderate scale, but prices do not show any substantial improvement. We continue to hear from almost all the agricultural districts that the appearance of the crops is most favourable, giving promise of a large yield next season. Wheat has ruled during the week from 5s 3d to 5s od for inferior to good milling, with a great difficulty in securing large parcels at the latter figure. — Oats : Prices fairly maintained, with a moderate demand; quotations from 2s lOd to 3s up to 3a 4d for stout. — Barley, with the exception of good malting sample*, is dull of sale, ruling from 2«> 8d to 3s for feed and distilling up to 4s 3d for prime malting. — Peas, 3s 4d ; maize, 3s lOd to 4s Id, according to sample ; and bran, Is 2d per buhhel.