The markets of Dawson are reaping the golden harvest these days. Market men are all too busy to engage in price cutting. That will come later, if at all. At present there is an abundance of everything, and as the buyers are not disposed to dicker, the traders are not looking for weak spots in the market nor looking for articles on which they can make a run.
Meats are in great abundance, and the wholesale price of 25 cents continues to rule just as though the figure had been established by ordinance. What is more, the meat men think that figure, or one very near it, will be likely to prevail all winter, basing their forecast on the extensive preparations which are being made by
hunters to go after the succulent caribou and the juicy moose. These beasts have been unmolested all summer, and are reported to be in great abundance at the head of the Klondike. There will be more of them killed this year than ever before and as a consequence will have a tendency to prevent any advance of prices on meat.
Mutton at 35c shows no tendency towards stiffening.
Pork at 50 cents is stiff, and shows an inclination to go up. Each succeeding winter pork leaves the ranks of the necessaries and becomes a luxury. This winter bids fair to be no exception to the general rule.
Rabbits are plentiful at 75 cents.
Grouse have weakened a trifle under large receipts, and are accumulating at $1.
Lebarge fish are practically out of the market. The supply of local fish
is remarkable, and at reasonable prices as given last week.
Oats are showing a teadency to stiffen, while hay remains the same. During the past week there has been shown an inclination to lay in what oats could be corralled, and owing to the lateness of the season it is improbable there can be brought in enough to prevent a sharp advance when navigation shall close for good.
In groceries, as in meats, the only distinctive feature is the enormous
sales being made at established prices. The creek trails are black with teams hauling big loads, the new government roads having very materially reduced the cost of goods to the consumer, making him a trifle indifferent to a slight shaving of prices which rival dealers may be tempted to offer.
Eggs are quoted at $18 and potatoes have stiffened to 14c, retailing
6 pounds for $1.
