COMMERCIAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2786, 22 May 1890, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Waikato Times Ot/ice, Wednesday, MARKET REPORTS. The Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report, as under :— Memjouune, May 19.— Tho demand for wheat throughout tho past woek has been brisk, and some fair parcels, both of prime and medium quality, have been taken up by millers. One or,two transactions have also been conducted for shipment, but the scarcity of tonnage of a suitable character makes this branch of tho trade dull. Our latest London advices indicate an improving market—a result duo in a great measure to a reported probable shortage in the American winter crop. The immediate future of prices depends this year a good deal on the European crop prospects, the probable moderate yields of America and India tending to relieve apprehensions of over-supply from these important producing centres. The weather still continues dry, both in this colony and South Australia, the rains hanging on the eastern coasta of the continent, whilst those to the smith and westward are suffering from drous-ht. In some districts farmers have completed their sowings, but in others the hard condition of tho land has prevented ploughing. Wheat: A brisk demand for prime samples throughout the week up to 3d S£d, To-day we obtained the latter price at auction, and quote inferior from 3s , upwards. Flour : Fair sair pies continue to be made of stonemade at £8 to £8 ss, whilst town millers book bakers' lots of roller at £9 ss. Oats: Stout qualities have been in demand, with sales at 2s 8d to 2s 10d, but thin samples dull. To-day ive placed stout at 2s 9Ad to 2a lOJd; Danish,at 2s 7d to 2s 7Ad; "thin, at 2s 5-Jd ; and Calouttas at 2s lid. Duneuin, May 15.—Grain : Wheat is in steady demand for both millers' and .shippers'; the market in consequence continues very firm. The quantity of real prime wheat offering is still limited, and, as millers' stocks are low, they have at length becun to realise that the supply is less likely to meet their requirements. During the woek nearly all tho best milling lots in store have been secured ; shippers also have operated to a considerable extent. At auction on Monday a line of 1,200 bags of Northern Tuscan vas sold at 3s od, and we understand that privately 3s Gd has been paid for a small lot. Best white velvet and red wheat have also slightly improved in price; ordinary quality, although easier placed, shows but little difference in value. Fowls' wheat continues in good request, but buyers are hardly disposed to give over late rates. We quote : Best Tuscan, 3s 3d to 3s (id ; medium to good, 3s Id to 3s Id; best red straw and velvet, 3a to 3s 2.jd; medium to good, 2s 8d to 2s lid ; inforior to medium, 12s 3d to 2s 7d (ex store, sacks weighed in, ternu-i).—Oats : Those still continue to come forward freely, and there being no outlet at prices to suit sellers, .stocks aro increasing to a considerable extent. This week sales could only bo eflected at prices below current quotations. There is no improvement in the demand from Australian ports, and speculators are not disposed to operate excopt at prices in sympathy with those cutrent at these ports. A considerable quantity of discoloured and out-of-condition parcels are coining to hand now which are very dillicult to plauo unless extremely low prices aro accepted. We quote: Best millinf, Is •Ijd to Is sd; best short feed, bright, Is 3Ad to Is 4d; medium to good, Is 3d to Is 3Ad ; inferior, Is to Is (ex store, sacks extra). —Potatoes: The market is still tnnre than fully supplied. The quantity arriving considerably exceeds the consumption, and sellers being eacer to quit prices have not improved since we last reported. Wo quote best Northern, .£2 12s 0d to £2 15s ; best Southern, £2 5s to £2 10s; inferior, 30s to 40s per ton. —Chaff : The demand is moderately active, all coming forward being easily placed, but we have no improvement to report in value. Wo quote best screened well cut heavy chaff, 47s Gd to 52s (id ; medium to good, 30* to -15s per tun (sacks extra).—Dairy produce: Prime salt butter displays a slightly better tone, and is now more easily placed, without, however, any alteration in price, which may bo quoted at 8d to 9d per lb ; inferior and mediums offering freely, but there are no buyers. There is no demand of any consequence for factory choose for local consumption; in consequence the bulk of the make is being shipped with the results fairly satisfactory.