COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2713, 19 January 1910, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

FROZEN MEAT. A

Writing from London under date December 3, Messrs. M eddel and Co. re port as follows: — Alutton. —iNew Zealand; Arnvials during the past two weeks amount to G/TSoG carcases. These arrivals' coming inio a market by no means bare have had the effect of further reducing values of all descriptions with the exception of 601 b carcases, which are still relatively scarce. Prime rsorth island carcases sell slowly at 33d and per lb., and secondary brands at and 33a per lb. Ewes do not show much change, and are being sold at 3|d per lb. Lnmb.—Arrivals, during the past two weeks amount to 51,776 carcases from New Zealand, 30,838 from Australia, and 9531 from the River Plate. There is no improvement to, report in the enquiry for frozen Jambs at Smithfield, the large supplies of Continental and Scotch sheep and lambs absorbing the bulk of what little demand exists at this time of the year. Holders are using every endeavor to clear stocks of old season’s Jsew Zealand lambs, and prices for same are again lower. A few new season's Australian lambs have arrived, the quality of which is very fair, and many buyers are using them in preference to the stale Xew Zealands. Southland and ■North Is’andi lambs under 3Glbs realise 3Jd to 3|d; 361bs to 421bs and 42lbs to 501 bs, 3-id to 3|d. A few new season’s Australian lambs which liave just arrived have been selling at 33d to -id at Smithfield in retail quantities. Bjef.—Frozen: The arrivals during the fortnight amount to 20,705 quarters from Australia, 8545 from Xew Zealand, and 41,337 quarters from River Plate. With stocks accumulating, and an exceedingly poor demand, values show a further drop for both fore and hind quarters. The latter in particular, are difficult to move, and some middling quantity of Xew Zealand beef is being offered at rates under those current for Australian and River Plate quarters. BUTTER.

The demand for both Australian aiid New Zealand butter has slackened down under climatic influence and also under the high prices which liave previously prevailed, and to-day values have receded another 2s, which makes a fall of a good 4,s per cwt. on the week. Notwithstanding the clearance of nearly all cold stored stocks, the market has steadily refused to exhibit the firmness of last- week. Arrivals this week consist of the Opliir, from Australia, with 23.750 boxes, and the Hawkes’ Bay with 150 From New Zealand the Ruapehu docked yesterday with about 31,500 boxes. Next week Australian arrivals will consist of the China, with about 37,250 boxes, and the Palma with 2925. The next arrival from New Zealand is the Tainui, due on the 15th December, just in time for the Christmas market, with about 40.800 boxes. Shipments this week are the Otranto, one of the new steamers of the Orient line, with 57,000 boxes, (1425 tons), which is the largest cargo of butter over sent from Australia. The lonic is sailing to-day from New Zealand, but the quantity of butter and cheese on board is not yet known. The Kia Ora duo on the. 14th January, left New Zealand on November ,28th, with 6,280 boxes of butter.

The demand for foreign butter is like that for colonial, easier, and the Danes have lowered their quotation by three kroner, but the quotation is still ninekroner .above last year at this date. Supplies of European butter for the coming winter are estimated to be less than last year, owing to the deficient and damaged liay crops this summer. Germany and other continental countries are expected to be buyers of Colonial on our markets before long. Jt- is interesting to note that for the first nine months of this year, Germany imported 30,500 tons of butter, being an increase- of 4,500 tons over the corresponding period of 1908. HOME MARKETS. Cnitbd Bukos Association— Corraiam LONDON, Jan. 17. Silver: 24-Jd. Shares: Waihi .Junction, buyers 355, sellers 37s <6d.