MELBOURNE MARKETS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2429, 4 February 1888, Page 2

MELBOURNE MARKETS.

"Vj>ssns GoLiwn>'!t<-n;;i ft Co'n Monthly Rni'OHT, .T.muoy I:2th, ISSS:—Tho h:irvest is now in full operation m m"--*t of t' lt; wheat-growing districts, hut we regret to report that results are not so satisfactory as was anticipated. Taking a fair average of tlio yii-Ki alroady known, it may be fairly assumed that our exportable surplus of wheat will this season not be under 100.000 tons, whilst it is probable that it may eventually be in excess of tins quantity. The excessive fail of rain during t!io spring and summer, whilst pmvinsr highly favourable to the growth of grass, has had a damaging effect on our cereal crops in freaHv reducing tho returns, and the quality of the wheat so far as delivered is no!, equal to that of last season. \ery few shipping engagements have yet been entered on, the relative high price still ruling for wheat prevents shippers from operating High freights arc now ruling to the United Kingdom ; oos per ton for firstclass iron ships is demanded. With wheat quoted from London at 31s (id per quarter, there is not likely to be an active export trade during the month, as millers both in town and country, being in short supply, will absorb the greater portion of tho quantity mining forward for the next fewweeks. ' The c'eliverios of grain during the month have been usually limited, and very little wheat has been ottering in the market, the large proportion coining forward either being inrlis-jhargeof purchases already made up-country or on storage account. A fair demand has been experienced for Hour, and stocks of old are lighter than for many seasons past. Wheat: Business has been usually limited for the season, and very few sales have been effected. Prices keep very firm at from 3s -Id to 3s (id for new and old crops, but very little done owing to tho shortness of supplies. Oats are doll, new Calcutta realising from Is 9d for inferior and dirty up to 2s 2i) for good. Ordinary feed descriptions realise from 2s 8(1 to 2s 101. Birley: MiNtcrs are eager juu-cha-sers in the counirv at prices equivalent to 4s Oil in town, and very few parcels of this season's grain have found their way to this market. Maize realises 8s 7d, peas 3s 3d, and bran 7d to 8d per bushel. Wool : Since the issue of our last summary on the loth ultimo our sales have progressed with great spirit, some 32,!)02 Pales having been offered and :'!'.l.3r,S bales sold, thus niakincr » total of 205.247 odes catalogued and 170,3-10 bales catalogued and 170,3 W bales sold since the commencement of the season on nth October. Although the catalogues of late have comprised less attractive clips than was the case a month ago, values for all descriptions have been firmly maintained, all light-conditioned Merinos, Crossbreds, and bulky pieces especially being in good demand at'rates equal to the highest ruling last mouth. There is still a good quantity of wool remaining in the warehouses to „!fer, and the arrivals con'inuoon a fair -c .1 ■ : lur i- ; . -v ' it tlnSdv -"Hon is rapid'v drawing : " dos-, .11(1 ~e-the---round of aucti'.ns will, in all probability, dispose of the last nf tho laru'e pare-ls. Sabs however, will conheue to b ; held lorse.ora! weeks longer, but tie- catalogues will gradually h'cuino smaller in epi "ilitv, while the cha. '.acter of the offerings will likewise falloff Sheep-kins: We can agiin report large business during the mouth, and with tb.exception of the hoh.lay wo.-k, when an almost total suspensir.il took place, very satisfactory prices have ruled. All descriptions are now in d-mand, although tine fullwoolled green hides are still sery scarce. Current quotations are: Butchers' green pell-. Is to 2s each: do. given .-kins, up to r,s e.ieh ; lambskins. Is 3:1 to 2s each; butchers' drv pelt-. Is to Is 7d each; do. drv skins. 2s to l-3d each, fhy skin--, m bales, roe. : Sup-rio. merino-, 51 to o;, : d per lb; ..idinarv. 3.'. I to M no lb: superior cro-sl„,o-, -!', I '-, uyd pe, 11, ; m-ilbi ,rv. 3' 1 !>' -!'.-i per lb: I-lide.,-. l-'miuiries ares.;:', ~:;•■ for niini.l heavies, ;,:„! pi ices -eneraliy -how ~ har-l-nbir t"iid.-iiev C-w hides, )c0... :-.■' e ,;f-.',.uis al-o find ready buyers. On .■..!/-.,',-, -1 or.-:, nl aie /-(been ox, A-'n !e:,.v, 2'.- to 10- each; do. do., J7-fo 2a-each ; do. do. li.h'. w-ic;!/., nolo i.7s .- .en ; .riven <w, !,vu wei-d.t,-. 2 1 . 1 to 3d per lb. : A 1C;0ri.,r.,b..d. primi'leavi-s, no to-IU pe, lb.; s-io-viov. '.1.. 1 to i ; oer lb. ; avriage. ;;.| t..3'/! per "J; inferior. 2 1 P. 3-1 peril.. ; !.-ip. ..-,■-..,, :U id --died, 3! Ito -I I per He ; <:df..kius, fr.v from-oU ,te., 0,1 to li.j-,1 pe. :b • prime, ui> to CM per lb. ; X-.v Ze;il.oirl l,..:ivv weights, in good s doable Conditioo. -i; 1 'tot::l per lb.; average, 3;, ; dto t,,-!M peril).