COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2427, 16 February 1909, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

THE HOME MARKETS. Writing on January 1, Messrs W. Weddel and Co. report on the frozen meat market as follows: GENERAL MARKET. During tho week immediately preceding Christmas trade at Smithfield was fairly active for fresh-killed beci, mutton, pork, and poultry, all of which were comparatively high m price. Chilled beef of good quality also sold fairly well, but frozen meat of all kinds was neglected. Despite the exceptionally severe weather of the early part of this week, tlieie lias he on only a vory small demand. 101 meat this week. . The customary slackness m tho demand for frozen meats immediately prior to and following Christmas has been experienced during the past fortnight. Mutton is weak m tlio case of Australian and Rivet 1 late descriptions; hut the short supply of New Zealand sheen creates an element of strength which is helping the demand for heavy lambs shghtly. The lamb trade is fair for the time of year, in spite of the very cold weather The demand for frozen beef lias been disappointing in view of (be weather and dearer chilled beef, but at the close there is some improvement. „ , ! „ . , The principal feature of importations during 1903 was tho falling-

off in supplies from Australia and New Zealand, and the substantial allround increase from the River Plate. MUTTON. New Zealand. —Arrivals in the past two weeks amount to 24,801 carcases. As a result of shorter supplies of both Canterbury and North Island sheep some improvement has taken place during the. latter part of the fortnight. Canterbury sheep under 481bs. and 48/64 lbs. aro now quoted at 3-Jd. per lb.; heavy carcases, 64/72 lbs., at 3-td. per lb. Best brands ot North Island sheep are firm and in good demand at 3pi. per lb., heavies selling at 3gd. per lb. Ordinary grades are a shade firmer at 3 9-16 d. to 3§d. -par lb. Ewes sell slowly a.t 3£d to Bid' per lb. LAMBS. Arrivals during the fortnight comprise 94,027 carcases from Australia, 2,285 carcases from New Zealand, and 37,027 carcases from the River Plate. Supplies of Canterbury lambs under 42 lbs. are exhausted, and quotations are nominal at .about ssd to 5-)d pei lb. 42/50 lbs. carcases are now a little more enquired for at Igd. per A small parcel of now season’s Gear lambs has arrived, and is realising from 5d to 6d per lb. at onuthficlcl. Present supplies of Australian lambs are rather in excess of current requirements, and nnotations -are meoular. The 42/50 lbs. grade is generally quoted at 4pl to 4Jd per lb. ; but progress with sales at these limits is difficult, as stale Canterbury lambs ut similar weight can be bought at lc.v money. River Plate lambs oi useful quality, but somewhat wide --ngo ,n weight, are obtainable at 4d. to -I'd per lb. BEEF. Frozen.-—Total arrivals during the fortnight amount to 7,223 quarters from Australia, 695 quarters from New Zealand, and 100.-370 quartets from the. River Plate. There has'* cob only a small demand for frozen beef during the fortnight, but at the c.osc there is a little more enquiry- J lices, however, liave had to be reduced m order to stimulate the demand.