COMMERCIAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2547, 6 November 1888, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Iht Waikato Times Office, Monday. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report under date, Melbourne, Octobor 17th. Although the wheat market locally has not during the past month shown any marked change in quotations, still the course of prices in London has tended to strengthen holders in their ideas of value. Although the statistical returns would indicate that our existing surplus of wheat available for export was still large, there is now a growing conviction that the figures overstate the position. Heavy losses by rain and flood occurred, it will be remembered, just at harvest time, and hence in many instances the computations of the yield were not realised. Again, there is a large proportion of damaged wheat unfit for shipment, which tends to reduce the actual supply suitable for export. Under these conditions it is not surprising to find that some difficulty is found to supply engagements On the other hand, prices hare advanced to a point in our local market which leaves no margin on present purchases, and this has checked operations. A movement has also been made in flour, 2000 tons being in course of shipment to London. The season has been rather uncertain and though some rain has fallen, still copious showers are wanted to ensure the safety of the growing crops. Upon the whole, so far, the outlook is moderately satisfactory, but the next month or six weeks will be the time which will be most trying to our grain crops. Wheat: Market for prime Wimmera 4s Md to 4s 7d; off qualities sell up to 4s 3d, and soft wheat to 4s s£d and 4s 6d. Flour: Market somewhat relieved by shipments to London. We quote stone-made from £8 15s to £9 ss, according to brand, and roller from £9 5s to £10 10s, the latter for patent. Oats : A moderate business done during the month, but top prices not sustained. We Quote: New Zealand heavy 3s 4d, duty paid ; Victorian stout, 3s 3d ; Danish, 3s to 3a 3d ; and Cape, 2s Id. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency reports under date, Adelaide, October 13th :—Wheat: The market has again hardened during the past week, and values to-day are 4s ad to 4s lid per bushel. —Flour: Best patent roller, £10 to £10 ss; country superfine, £9 to £9 5s ton.—Cheese (duty 4d per lb): We have had strong enquiry for prime New Zealand large at up to 9d per lb duty paid. The same Agency report under date Rockhampton, October 15th.—Potatoes (proposed duty 15s per ton): Late heavy Btocks are now nearly all worked off, and we have made sales at auction at from £(> 9s to £7 for prime New Zealand and Geelong sorts. We do not anticipate any retrogression in prices during the ensuing fortnight.—Onions (proposedduty 15s per ton): Prime samples sell readily at £12 per ton. —Cheese (proposed duty 3d per lb): We have had an excellent enquiry aud our stocks are now considerably reduced. We have numerous enquiries for the Silverly brand at 10-1 per lb.—Bacon and Hams (proposed duty 3d per lb): Ihe demand still continues dull at late quotations, viz, best brands in cloth, bacon, la ; hams, Is Id. —Butter (proposed duty 3d per lb): In sympathy with the Southern markets has declined, and prime New Zealand in kegs is now worth Is 4d to Is 6d with a limited enquiry.