MELBOURNE MARKETS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2258, 27 December 1886, Page 2

MELBOURNE MARKETS.

Miv^is (io\ d-ilkihou.h and (Jo. report under date, Melbourne, November 17th: — Wool. -The season is now at its height, ,md large catalogue-, fire oTeied daily by the wiiicu^ selling biokeis. In tho 37 -ale-, held to date- in winch numbeiMs itr-hided Hit 1 usual piopoition of fannci -' eataiogu-s -SO UOO halts have boon ottered and ."iit.OOO bales-old, as compared >x itli GIi.OOO l-.ilcs catalogmd and .V_\ooo bal.-s bold at the corresponding 'late last year. Tin-, 111Liua^o in the sales of 7000 bale-, although to a, ceitain small extent tho effect of a slight increase m tho -\m <if sumo of tho Riverine clips and tho eaily delivery of the Darling wools, is mainly due to the incorporation in tho local catalogues of clips which have hitherto been marked in London. During the past decade our market has developed with a rapidity that has far outstripped oar inn 4 sanguine anticipations, and we feel confident that at no very distant date the invariable practice will be to give the local mat kets ati ial before shipping. Y ear by year tho desire to sell in one or the other of the leading Australian maikets becomes more manifest, and it should not requue a repetition of lecent experiences to add to the popularity of the local sule rooms. In sympathy with an unfavourable leactn.n in trade in the chief centres of the woollen industry both at home and abroad—almost as sudden as it was unexpected—prices are IiMW easier, the decline in value .since the comuienccMnent of the season being at one time fi..m Id to l.d per lb on greasy, and fiom 2d to 3.1 per lb. on scoured wool. Foitunatelv, however, this check has not been of long duration, the leceipt of more favourable telegram- within the last week having given a fiesh impulse to the foreign demand, which has had the effect of finning prices, although, with few exceptions, no quotable advance has taken place. Although all sections of the trade are well ropiesented, our chief supporters up to the present aie the continent^ buyers, and several choice Western and "Riverine clip* ha\e been secured for the French and (J^rman n.-inufacturers. Within the last few days, however, a demand for the Tinted States has sprung up, and we shall piobibly see some good prices, yet paid for those bold, light-conditioned, shafty merinos which we bioadly designate "American wools."' The home buyers, who, apparently, confine their attention chiefly to suouieds and crossbreds, are ino&fc guaided in their purchase*, and aie not buying with the freedom that distinguished them a year ago. As compared with la>.t year's, rates, prices, on tho whole, show little change, the' Western District clips being from \<i to j!d per lower, while Ilivenuo and other wools are .il».nt \d to j.i 1-ivwi. Tho jjieeo-, <>f t\ll the above brands, have sold extremely well, their maiket \alue at the moment being iclativelv higher than fleece wool. Within the last few- days a strong demand has spuing up for lambs' wool. The prices paid, however, are iuegul-ar, those lots that aie entiiely fiee fiom fault bringing from lid to 14d,While medium kinds range from 7d to Sd ; and inferior 5J to (id. Ciossbreds of both hue and medium grades, aie in good request and arc selling at about id t'> Id above la-t year's rates. Scoured womls, although not near so firm as they were at the commencement of the season, command stiong competition, and all lofty de^-crip-me realising capital prices. The majority .if lots, offeied so far have been carefully got up, and being comparatively fiee from sued, they show a guut impnnenipnt on last year. With respect to the condition of the clip, we have little to add to the remaiks which appealed in our last month's cucular, beyond a passing reference to the tenderness in the fibre of portions of some of the south-eastern R-heime clips. These wools, however, are extiemely light in yolk, and hue h.uicd, qualities which to a gieate\tent compensate for the defect refen ed to. li\change on L-mdon may b« quoted at !- per cent, discount foi drafts at sixty day-.Night, and \ per cent, extra for thirty days adtiitionaf. Vieights to London per -.ailing ve-^sel are jd for greasy and for washed. The latcs'ji-ir steamer via Sue/. Canal are jd to jj'i for greasy and washed ie->pectnelv. Purees Cukken'l'.— Grea-sy—lnferior, od to 7d ; ordinary to'averagp, 8d to lOd; good to superior, 101 to Is. Fleece, washed — inferior, 01 to lid; oidiuary to average, lid to Is 3d ; average to good, Is 3d to Is 7d. Scorned—inferior, 9d to ls>; ordinary, Is L'd to Is od ; middling to good, Is 8d to Is !U.

MONTHLY UIUIN' REPORT. Since the date of our last monthly report the market foi bread-tuffs has been very dull, and sales effected of limited extent. Millei-, only puichase wheat for immediate lequneni'Mit^, and owing to there being no mquiiy for export, i>rice& ha\e fallen about Hd r>ei bushel. With the near approach of haive^t, the prospects of the crop are beginning to attract attention. Up to the present the weather has been very favourable for agriculture, and the indications of the yield must bu considered satisfactory. Should piesent expectations of a good return be lealised tlieie will be a considerable >vi plus of v\ heat available for export; and the pro>p'>cts of adv meed puces in Europe b'tc mii uk,re as-vied as the season pro-gie-se>. Whkvt.— During the month pi ices have leceded, the, in uket being well suppliedby gK)wer-, who ha\e been anxious, in \ievv ot the a|)proachin<? harvest, to clear out all old stocks. (Quotations, now rule from 5s to 5, Id for fair to good milling. Ovis. — A veiy limited demand has influenced prices, which have dropped about 131 per bushel, quotations now being 2s lOd to 3-, f< r fair to medium feed, u-p to 3s 2d for stout. B\iu,h,\ has a very dull maiket, and aales are difficult go effect at from 2> !)d to 3s for feed and distilling samples, 3-> Gd to 4s for fair to good malting. M-u/e, 3s lOd ; Pkys 3s (id ; and Bran, Is Id pei bu-heh