COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2278, 25 August 1908, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

BUTTER, The winter-end price of butter has been excessively high this season, and though a largo number of cows "are coming to hand it is confidently expected that the high rates of last summer will hi again reached on the Auckland market. Last week the wholesale price of butter in Sydney was 120 s, and in Wellington 1545, and this peculiar position is the result of the advice given by the National Dairy Association to the factories in May last. The factories were - advised to 6hii) 20 per cent, of their then holding and output, and many factories accepted the advice, and sacrificed their butter. In, May there was sufficient butter to tin et heal demands through the winter with the subsequent make, but the elimination of one-fifth of the supply made all the difference. The object of the National Dairy Association In athisjng the shipment of 20 per cent, was no doubt intended to nainiain loral prices, .and it is questionable whether the association, which has received so much support and encouragement from the State,: is acting wisely in. exploiting the consumers of the colony. Blitter -is now a luxury which a few can afford, and yet butter is one of the staple products of Few Zealand. Many are inclined to question whether the retail price of is Cd per lb. is justified even now. The/ local market is easier, and as factory supplies come to hand spring prices can be anticipated to rule for some time.

It is interesting to note that the imports of butter into the United Kingdom from New Zealand during the last six months of the present year were: January 41,421 cwt, February 48,129 cwt, March 57,429cw5, April 14,949 cwt, Alay 3,423 cwt, June 690 cwt, or a total of 166,041 cwt. PRODUCE. The produce market ha 6 not changed during the week, and. Gisborne merchants quote the following prices wholesale:

Flour, sacks £ll 10s, hags £ll 17s 6d.

Potatoes, £6 15s to £7 10s. Chaff, best quality, £7 10s. Onions, 16s 6d cwt. Oats, 36 2d bushel, wheat os 2d bushel.

Eggs are easier, and are quoted at Is ; honey 4jd ; bacon 9d ; hams iOd ; chcse 6id to Sd.

CUSTOMS REVENUE,

The following revenue was received at the Custom-house last .re'ek: Customs duties £1477 Os Sd, light eves £l2 18s 4d, shipping fees £9 10s, Harbor Board revenue £IOO bs Id; total, £I6OO 3 S Id. CLEARING - SALES. Alessrs Aliller and Craig renor’- a very successful sale of Air. J. Flood’s furniture, etc., at Alatawliero voterday. Cows sold at £4 10s, £6 les, and £7, and horses .£S and £lB. Furniture and sundries sold at satisfactory prices. Alessrs F. S. Alalcohu and Co., auctioneers, acting under instructions from the Deputy-Official Assignee, held a sale of the bankrupt stock of T. Pmey, fruiterer and greengrocer, yesterday. All the lines were disposed of at satisfactory pries.

AUCKLAND BUTTER AIARKET.

[Press Association.]

. AUCKLAND, August 24. Ihe price of al] standard brands of blitter hi 6 been reduced to Is 2Jd per lb. wholesale, as from this morning.

THE LONDON AIARKETS,

[Press Association.]

AA’ELLINGTON, August 24. Ihe following is the High Commissioner s cable dated London, August

There is a good demand for prime quality mutton, light weight. AVitli this exception the trade for all das- . ses of mutton is very slow, and prices barely maintained. The supply of Canterbury brands is practically exhausted. Noth Island mutton is quoted at 31d. The lamb market is steady, the demand being chiefly for light weights. Canterbury lamb is quoted at s§d, other than Canterbury s^d. The beef market is firm owing to reduced supplies. Some New Zealand beef now on the market i s of inferior .quality, hut that from Ar- , gen cine is of very good quality. New Zealand hindquarters are qxioted at *§u, forequarters 4§d. The butter market is quiet, with lnoderato business doing. Danish butter is quoted at 120 s per cwt, Siberian 108 s, and Canadian 1165.. ihe cheese market is firm, with a good demand. The following are. current quotations: Canadian makes 61s, Now Zealand white 61s, colored 60s.

The hemp market is quiet, hut rather steadier.