COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2378, 19 December 1908, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

THE HOME TRADE

Messrs. W. Weddel and Co., London, writing under date November o, state: —

FROZEN MEAT

GENERAL MARKETS

Total supplies of meat at Smithfield have been in excess of current requirements, causing irregular and frequently low prices for frcsli-killed meat. Stocks of frozen meat are light, however, and prices - have been only slightly affected by the movements oi other classes, though, naturally, the demand has suffered. Sales of frozen meat hav been slow and difficult. The retail trade is not good, and, even at the low prices at which the heavy supplies of freshkilled mutton and lamb arc offered at Smithfield, difficulty is experienced in effecting clearances day by day.' There is at present nothing to choose between tlie London market and the provincial centres as -regards duhiess of trade. Frozen beef is fairly firm jn price, but the demand is not good as chilled beef '’is now cheaper. MUTTON.

New Zealand.—Arrivals during the past two weeks amount to 80,159 earcases: ' The position of the market is at present being somewhat adversely affected by the heavy daily pitchings of Continental mutton, and this in particular applies to . Canterbury sheep. Small carcases (under 481b5.) have been sold down to 4«d per lb, whilst the medium weights (48 to 64 lbs) are quoted at 3|d to 4d per lb without attracting buyers. Heavy carcases (64 to 72 lbs) realise 33 d per lb. North Island 1 sheep of good quality are comparatively firm, land for the moderate supplies available buyers are forthcoming at 3|d and 3| for light and medium weights, aiw.f 3£d per lb-for heavies. Second quality sheep are steady, at 3ld and Slid, according to weight. Ewes are very scarce, and firm at 3fd per lb.

LA AIBS. Arrivals during the past two weeks consist of only 22,571. carcases from Australia, 14,699 carcases from New Zealand, and 10,884 carcases Irom tho River Plate. Marketings of Scotch lambs and of Continental lambs are very heavy, and, as those freshly killed descriptions arc being sold at bei'ow the (prices for which tho limited stocks of New Zealand lambs are held, it is not 'surprising to find tho sale of frozen lamb very materially curtailed. Nevertheless values of Canterbury lambs are maintained at 53d, for under 361bs, old for 36 to 42 lbs. and 4£d' per lb for 42 to 50 lbs. Southland lambs under 421bs are quoted at sgd and sfd, and 42 to 501 b at 43d per lb. Prime Wellington lambs under 421bs realise 5-3- and 51; ordinary quality North Island lambs id per lb less.' The 42 to 50 lb lambs are a slow sale at 4jj-d Ppr lb. In view of the large quantities of Dutch lambs available, it is fortunate that the arrival of Australian lambs is delayed by a late season. The small parcels of Adelaide and Sydney lambs already here comprise a good proportion of lambs of nice quality, but the general state of the mai'ket prevents more tliaia 5d and 5Jd being realised for the best grades. Useful lambs are being sold at 43d to 4|d per lb; and “summer” lambs of ordinary quality caia bo bought at 4|d per lb. River Plato lambs are being marketed at 4)d to 43d per lb. BEEF.

Afotal of 8334 quarters arrived from Australia, 12,472 quarters from New Zealand, and 49,817 quarters from the River Plate. A steady but quiet trade is being done at Smithfield, aiad last Quotations have about been -maintained. Supplies aie .only moderate,., but chilled beef is again weaker,- "and buyers for the moment have’''turned their attcaition in this direction, consequently frozen beef meets with only a slow sale. -y The New Zealand Loan and Alercantile Agency Co., Ltd., yesterday received the following cablegram -from their Loiadon- office: —iShecpskiias have advaaaced id per lb for combing merino, short, ami shorn skins, aiad clothing descriptions; 3d per lb for coarse crossbred and crossbred lambs,