COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2484, 24 April 1909, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

FROZEN MEAT TRADE. Writing under date London. March 12, Messrs. Weddel and Co.-report as follows on the frozen lamb market : Lamb.—Arrivals during the fortnight consist of 9617 carcases from Australia. 145,177 carcases from New Zealand, and 14.000 carcases from South America. These quantities again show an aggregate reduction as compared with the previous two weeks. Condi-* tions have- been entirely against the sale of lambs. Homo-killed mutton is--1 plentiful and cheap: and a period of unusually severe weather for this time of the year In’ 6 - been experienced all over the country. The delayed expansion of the trade lias resulted in an accumulation of stocks. The top price for Melbourne lambs to-day is 4d per lb. iiiseful qualities, under 36!bs being obtainable at- 3£d per lb: and 38 to 42 lbs at Jgd. Carcases over 421bs are difficult to sell at 31d. Prices of Adelaide and Sydney lambs range from 3jtd to 3£d per lb. At the close, the supply of small, inferior Australian lambs is less plentiful, and 3CI is now demanded for that class, as compared with the previous quotation of 3|d per lb. Sales of New Zealand lambs are diflicxilt owing to the low priced Scotch and English mutton. Canterbury lambs, under 361bs cannot be quoted at more than 5 Id. and 36 to 42lbs at 6 l-16d per lb. Besti North Island lambs are offered at- 4|d ami 43d per lb, the latter price being for Down lambs. Secondary New Zealand lambs are almost unsaleable, and in the absence of business it is difficult to give reliable quotations. South American lambs continue to attract buyel's at about 31 d and 3Jd for best weights, and 31 d for heavy carcases.

Messrs 'Williams and Kettle. Ltd. are in receipt of the following market report from their London agents under date of 12th March, 1809:—The second series of colonial wool sales for the current year commenced on the 9th inst. with an extremely large attendance of Home and Continental buyers, whilst American operators '.yore also fairly represented. Competition was very spirited and general. On the opening night four catalogues were brought forward, comprising about 12,301) bales of Australasian wools, and as generally expected, the unproved tone which has characterised the market during the past two or three weeks has resulted in a general rise in values all round. Merinos appreciated to tho extent of 5 per cent, the improvements being most noticeable on greasy combing sorts of the better descriptions, whilst on inferior lots the advance is not so pronounced. Scoured*, however, show but little change. In the case of crossbreds the. advance ranges from 5 per cent to 7-J per cent, and perhaps the rise is most marked on tho finer descriptions, whilst scoured and slipes generally are 5 .per cent higher. Tho result of tho opening is undoubtedly satisfactory, and a distinctly hopeful sign is that a general tone of confidence pervades the market. Seeing that large purchases have this year been made in the colonies, it is in the interests of the trade to maintain the present level or prices, and even to see some appreciation as tho year advances. The subsequent sales have fully confirmed the opening rates with a hardening tendency in values of fine crossbreds, the bettor sorts of medium and coarse descriptions; for which high priced wore paid by America last sales, arc not. ‘inpw: iob’v dearer, bet- still meet witu :r f