H.—l7.

The cocksfoot-seed market in London during the last season was in the producer's favour, and as high as 58s. per hundredweight for 17 lb. bright clean-dressed seed was realised, against 535. per hundredweight for previous crop. The new crop opened at 48s. per hundredweight nominally, but buyers are not keen to do business until the American crop prospects become known. In cereals good shipments of oats are going forward to the United Kingdom, and the same remarks apply to seed-peas, the growing of the latter from seed sent from England giving general satisfaction. Kauri-gum shipments are regular, nearly every outgoing steamer taking a good consignment. The prices realised in London auctions are well maintained, and there is a keen demand for good parcels. It is also gratifying to note that amongst the sundry articles on all ships' manifests such lines as tallow, hides, casings, tinned meats, kidneys, poultry, sheep and rabbit skins, pelts, pork, veal, leather, meat-extracts, hair, oleo, timber, &c, are to be found, which tends to show that the country has a British market for all its products, together with a growing foreign connection, as many lines shipped go forward to London only to be transhipped to the Continent of Europe or America. High Commissioner's Cable. The weekly cable dealing with the Home markets has been regularly received from the High Commissioner, and immediately published for the information of exporters and producers. Arrangements have been made whereby the information received in this manner has been enlarged with a view to extending its usefulness to those interested. I attach hereto a schedule showing the average prices realised for our principal exports for years 1904-6, on a monthly basis.

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