COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8832, 7 May 1914, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET,

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, May 6. At Addington live stock market today there were large entries of fat cattle, sheep, and lambs, and a smaller yarding of store sheep. Altiiougii there was a heavy yarding of fat cattle, there was practically no change in prices. Medium and ligkt-weignt lambs were firmer, store sheep were easier all round, and fat ewes also showed a decline. Fat pigs did not sell quite as freely, but there was no alteration in prices.

Stieep.

Store. Sheep.—-During the current season the entries of store sheep have, been consistently large ever since the .New Year; indeed, this year, perhaps, more sheep have been passed through this section than in any previous season. Although there have been momentary fluctuations in values these have not been particularly marked, and, on the whole, values have been eminently satisfactory, ,at any rate, from a seller's point of view. Usually the entries decrease rapidly after tir. middle of April, but this season large ;yardings have ruled much longer than usual, and at to-day's sale there were fair offerings, although, of course, not comparable in point of size with those of a couple of months ago, when there ■were overflowing yardings. As was (the case a week earlier, wethers formed a good proportion of the yarding, the balance being made up of t: sprinkling of ewes and lambs. The ewes penned were principally of very medium quality, a considerable proportion being aged sorts, with some oversea lines. The quiet feeling which pervaded the market a week earlier was again noticeable in the transactions. The keen demand which existed for lambs three or four weeks ago has now ceased, and at present mostly the enquiry is for lines to hold over, the fattening season having now passed. In wethers no high prices were recorded, most of the sheep of this class on offer being- of a very medium class, many being in very, backward condition. Ewes certainly showed no improvement; indeed, the demand, if anything, was slightly weaker, more especially for aged sorts. Quotations are:—Two-tooth wethers (mostly light and inferior) 13s to 14s 3d, two and four-tooth wethers 13s 6d to 15s (extra to 16s), two, four, and six-tooth i wethers 14s 6d to 15s, four, six, and eight-tooth wethers to 16s, merino wethers.(very forward) 14s 6d; 'best lambs 12s 2d to 13s lid, medium lambs lls to 11s 9d, very medium lambs 10s to 10s 6d, small and cull lambs 7s 9d, ewe lambs 14s 6d to 16s 2d, wether lambs 14s; four, six, and eight-tootb ewes (medium) 13s lid to 15s 4d, sound-mouth ewes (extra good) 19s 9d, full and failing-mouth ewes 10s to lls. 'Fat Lambs.—The range of prices for fat lambs was:—Tegs 19s 3d to 20s 11, average weights 17s 9d to 19s. light and unfinished 14s 6d to 17s. Fat Sheep.—There was also another large yarding of fat sheep, 11 races j being fully occupied. The quality was not up to the usual average, ewes being much the largest proportion.;! Wethers maintained : their values, but ewes were easier. The range of prices was:—Prime wethers 21s to 245, medium wethers 16s to 20s 6d; prime ewes 17s to 21s 6d, extra prime ewes to 24s 3d, medium ewes 14s to 16s 6d, aged and light ewes 12s to 13s 9d.

Cattle.

Fat Pens.—The yarding in the fat cattle pens aggregated 537. Quotations are:—Steers £7 to £11 (extra to £15 10s), heifers £5 7s 6d to £9 17s 6d (extra to £11 15s), cows £5 to.£9 15s (extra to £13 ss). Store Pens.—The yarding of store cattle was of about the usual dimensions. Quotations are:—Yearlings £1 17s 6d, 15 to 18-months' sorts £3 2s 6d, two-3 rear heifers £3 ss, two-and-a-half-year steers £5 ss, three-year steers £6 to £6 Bs, three-year heifers £5 ss, dry cows £1 to £4 15s.

Dairy Cows.-—The yarding of dairy cows contained very, few of good quality, the majority being poor sorts. Prices ranged from £3 8s to £11 2s 6d, extra making to £11 15s.

Pigs.

Fat Pens.—There was a large entry of fat pigs. Quotations were:—Average choppers 70s to 97s 6d, average baconers 48s to 555, ' heavy baconers 57s 6d to 665, extra heavy baconers to 70s (price per lb 5d to s£d), heavy porkers 44s to 46s 6d, lighter porkers 38s to 42s (price per lb 6d to 6£d). Store Pens.—There was a good yarding of store pigs, all classes being represented. The demand was noi keen, and, as a result of reserves not being reached, the passings were fairly heavy. Weaners of all descriptions were cheaper. Quotations are:— Best stores 35s to 40s, medium stores 28s|to 345, small stores 22s to 275, weaners 8s 6d-to 14s, gows in pig to £4/; ' -::ki,