COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1913, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

"Auckland Star" Office, Thursday, August 7. Business continues on the quiet 6ide since last report, buyers limiting their attention to present requlremeuts in the way -of sorting np lines, and these iv very short quantities. Forward orders are at a standstill, principally on account of the present slackness of trade and also the high prices rultag in most linos. The amount of "cutting" amongst retailers Just now has a very disturbing effect on business generally. The country orders are keeping up exceptionally well for this season of the year. Sicily almonds are In short supply, with very firm advance on future shipment. Peanuts have advanced since last report. Lentils.—The market is bare, and price high. Shipment expected at end of this month. Dried Fruits.—Last London report. Currants.—The damage done by the high winds prevalent at the beginning of May was not serious, and fine weather has since been experienced. The market is easier, and prices have declined about 6d per efft The London stocks liave declined considerably, and now total 2,548 tons, against 4,813 tons last year. Sultanas. —The weather continues to be favourable to the growing crop, am] prices are lower in consequence. The London stocks are 2.104 tons, against 830 tons last year. Dates.—The British-India S.S. Company are dispatching a boat from Bussorah at the end of September, or early in October, to the main Australian ports. The eteamer is due in Australia early iin November. Muscatels. —The N.D.L. steamer Alrich will call at Malaga on September 25th, and pick up muscatels aud Jordan almonds as usnaL Pig Iron. —There has been considerable speculative business done during the month, which has now, however, been somewhat checked owing to financial unrest- Quotations show a reduction of If to 3/ in most brands during the four weeks. Manufactured Iron and Steel.—There is a lack of fresh business in finished material, but many works still have old orders to work off, which keep them well employed. Staffordshire bar-iron makers are Inclined to steady their prices for actual specifications. .Steel makers still maintain their prices for plates, but have had to reduce the prices for bars and angles; Continental prices have been still further reduced.

Copper has been eteadily failing, and the price of strong shows a reduction of £3 per ton.

IX!fltl is strong, and continues to advance. Tin has suffered a considerable drop during the month of June.

Tin Plates.—ln sympathy with raw material the price of tin plates continues to decline, and there is little fresh business doing.

Zinc is weak at the reduced price. Linseed oil shows a sligtit reduction on last quotation.

Teas.—Colombo, Jnly 12th, 1913. Buyers advise a distinct advance at last sale, but though a firmer tone was expected they did not anticipate such a big advance so early, and think there will be an easier tone at next sale, but after that prices- will snow a substantial advance. lTa-anings market, exceedingly strong.

The position of the money market In Australia is always of interest in New Zealand.

"It. G. Dun and Co.'s Gazette," of July 28tli, sums up the position in New South Wales as follows:—"Money has kept tight, the stringency of the position being plainly noticeable in the averages of the NewSouth Wales banks for the June quarter. The total deposits, as compared with this times last year, will show a drop of about £2,100,000, and necessarily the advances have shown contraction, being £2,600,000 less than at the end of June, 1912. The total deposits amount to £50,000,000, and advances approximately £44,800,000. On the other hand, the cash held by the bants during the Juue quarter has increased by £400,000. The rednction in advances has naturally tended to restrict private enterprise, but it is sound banking all the same. On the Sydney Stock Exchange business In investment stocks has ruled f-jrly active, but values for all but the leading securities have been rather irregular. The watering of capital indulged In by many of our large companies has had an effect upon valnes of smaller securities.

Owing to the large quantity of moisture in the parcels of kauri gum sent in latterly, buyers agreed from the Ist of August to only pay for the gum according to the weight registered after it has dried. One reason for this is no doubt that at the moment the market for kauri gum is quiet, so there is little competition, and buyers are able to be independent now that orders in hand have been filled. Any business done just now would have to be the result of concessions made to quit parcels. This does not apply to pale selected, of which the supply is very small at the moment. Chips and dust still soil readily, if not mixed with earth. Black rlddlings are beins sent in freely, and to tbfs class of gum the new regulation regarding not paying for water particularly applies. Buyers of Mack gum appear inclined to hold off until prices ease a little. Kescraped bush gum is in rather short supply at the present time.

Business, generally speaking, has been quiet on the Exchange during the past week, although values have in most stocks remained steady at Late rates. Waihi shares have beld prices well, being sold at •16/6 and 40/9, and more could be placed at the former figure. Waihi Grand Junction shares arc a shade easier, having sold at 22/, after which the best offer was threepence under that liirure. Shareholders in the New Waitaia Company this week re<:ei\ed a dividend of threepence per share, which it is hoped will prove the forerunner Of others. Watchman shares are In steady request at 2/7, but holders iviil not seji under 3/. VValotahi shares have steady buyers at if, anfl other Ttames lines show ! little ohnnffp this wen*, with the exesntio'n Uiat ifounuta , sJbax»> «»>• »* Zt<X. Siwres

in the Golden Cross mine, Waitekauri, are now wanted at 2jd, and Golden Belts at sjd. Talisman Consolidated shares are very steady in price, having been sold and still wanted at 40/6.

Investment shares are steady in price, but transactions have not been frequent. Bank of New Zealand shares dropped in price, sales being reported this week at ten guineas. For National Banks, howj ever, IU2/G is still offered, and New Zealand 1 Insurance sold at IUT/, while 75/ti was oUered lor South British. Inquiry was made for New Zealand and River Plates at oU/a. A little business was done iv coal shares this week, Westports selling at 28/, and Northerns at 10/. Auckland Uas are a little easier, as far as the buying rate is concerned, but the lower price has not been accepted. Union Steam shares changed hands at 43/, and buyers still offer 42/ H. 'lakapuna Tram shares have been asked lor at 7/, but no seller quoted. Wilsons Cement were wanted «t 2S/0 and 2S/ for the respective issues, while New Zealands were id reauest at 17/. •

liuiter and ICggs.—The supply of eggs is steadily increasing, with the result that the retail price is now 1/2 per dozen. Best factory butter still commands 1/5 per lb retail, but, with the promise of an early spring, a drop in price should take place shortly, unless cold wet weather again sets In.

Fbtatoes.—This market is fairly well supplied, some 2862 sacks arriving by the Wimmera from the South, but of that shipment there was a good proportion seed varieties. In the absence of any business with Australia, the potato market in tfte South is reported easier. Locally the quotation is £5 ex wharf and £.T 5/ ex store. Consumption is increasing with the lower prices ruling, so that good business is being done locally. There seems now very little prospect of an Australian demand Betting In. The increased freight rates are uot considered likely to affect that business, but advices point to there being ample potatoes in Australia for its own requirements this winter, therefore it is not a question of price, bnt that supplies arc not needed from New Zealand. Some holders in the South, however, refuse to accept the lower rates now ofTerinc

Seed potatoes are in very strong demautl. and it is certain that the area under thl.s crop is to be a large one this winter. The forward, and the present spring weather points to them being ready fox the market sooner than usual this year. Rlight resisting varieties are most in demand.

Fowl wheat is in good demand, and stocks are not heavy jnst now. There has been a little export to Australia, but not sufficient to Improve the market. Locally the demand for fowl wheat should increase from now on. The quotation is 4/5 ex store.

Oats.—The market is weak for oats, and, unless cheaper freights are available, there will be no chance of export setting in. It is reported that the quantity of oats sent by rail in the South this season is not so large as usual at this time of the year, but a lot may still be in stack. The local quotation is now 3/1 ex store.

Seerl oats are selling freely at 3/8 for donble machine dressed Algerians. Planting, on the whole, is earlier in the Auckland district this year, and the weather at present is very favourable for an early harvest.

Milling wheat is still dnll of sale, bnt holders are very firm. In anticipation of export-

Grass and clover seeds nre meeting with a little early inquiry. Clovers am somewhat easier in price, but rye grass and cocksfoot are unchanged. Indications point to extensive sowing this spring. Maize.—The market is somewhat weaker for this grain, as the quality of the new maize at present is somewhat inferior Any good, hard, dry lines still command a fair fiirnre. The area down this year in mabie was and It is considered probable that in the near future the market may recover a little.

Chaff.—Very little local chaff is now offering, but supplies from the South contlnne ample. The market Is a shade easier, in sympathy with oats.

Onions.—Victorian and 'Frisco onions keep tais market well supplied, and the price remains steady at 10/6.

Manures are meeting with heavy demand. There is quite n run on mixed manures for oat and potnto planting. The hasic slac by tlio Delphic is beinc distributed lrom the v.barf. and merchants In face of the steady demand that exists, find it almost impossible to get any in store to fin orders between the steamers. Superphosphates still meet with ready sale.

CURRENT PRICES. Farm and Dairy Prodnce. — Factory Iratter, 1/3 per lb; farmers' cheese, 5d to 6d per 11>; factory do., 7d per It): hams, lid per lb; bacon, 10»d per lb, wholesale; eggs, 1/6 to 1/3. Floor, £11 (less discounts); wheat meal, £11 per ton (less discounts): sharps, £6 5/; bran, £4 15/ per ton; oatmeal, £15 10/ per ton for 25's, wholesale. Grain.—Oats, 3/1, es store: Algerian seed oats, : '8;. milling wheat, 4/, f.0.b.: fowl wheat, 4/6, ex store; new maize, 3/6 upwards, wholesale lines, on the wharf. Chaff.—Southern, £0 10/, ex store; Victorian, £G, ex wharf. Onions, 10/6 to 11/ cirt. Potatoes.—Table, £5 5/ es store, seed from 9/0 to 11/ per cwt, Gamekeeper 7/0. Timber.—Ordinary building fmber, undressed, up to 2ift long, 3ia to lin or more in thickness, and from 3in to 12in w'.de first class 2S/, medium 22/6, second class 14/ per 100 ft; rough heart, 22/6 per 130 ft seperficial; surface planing, 1/ per 100 ft eztra; planed both sides, 1/G per 100 ft extra- three or four sides, 2/ do. Flooring boarda: P aned, tongued and grooTed, 30/8, 25/, 16/6. Lining boards: Planed, tongued, grooved, beaded, or V-Jointed, 30/, 24/6, 16/. RvsUng, 15/, boards -UJn to 12in, 16/; second class totara, scantling, 12/; clean heart of. totara for joinery, scantling, 23/- Touch heart of totara, scantling, 16/: rough hear: of totara, scantling, 6x2 and under, 16/; rough heart matai, scantling 13/r----ordinary building rimu, boards. 16/6- heart rimu scantling, 17/6- heart rimn (framins and bridge quality), scantling, IT/, clean °4/second class rimu boards, 12/. '

HIDES, SKINS, ETC. Messrs. G. W. Binney and Son s report that there is no change in their market report for this week. The New Zealand T-oon and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report:— Wheat.—Sales firm at -1/5, ex store, "ood quality. Oats.—ln good demand at 2/11, ex store, i Bran and pollard remain steady at late raiat.

Chaff.—Supplies of local are limited; demand good; worfu £5 5/ to £5 10/ on rail, Auckland. Ample stucks of Australian chaff now available.

Butter.- Supplies are short; demand good Choice, lljd; tirst grade, ll*d; second grade,

i^ingus.—Very short supply, 4jd and 5d per lb.

Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report having held their weekly sale of hides, skins, taJlow. etc., on Tuesday, August 5, 1913, when a large catalogue of all lines was offered and cleared at satisfactory prices. Hides.—Market lirmer for all good-condi-tioned and well-flayed hides. Butchers' stout' 9d, stout Sid to B}d, medium Sd to BSd, light 7Sd to Sd; cow, well-Uayed and conditioned i;d, -wet-conditioned 7d to 7Jd; dirty, scored, or sloppy hides at lower rau**; damaged and cut, iMd to Oid; stags 4Jd to 6d; kip, tiid to 7id; calf, best lines fljd, good 7Jd to 3d; cut, damaged, and meaty, lid to 7d.

Sheepskius.—Market firm at late rates. Dry, woolly skins, large 6/ to 7/0, medium 3/0 to <$/, small 2/0 to 3/; dry pelts, 9d to 1/6, according to length of wool; torn pelts, weevil eateu and weather-stained, at lower rates; salted skins, best butchers' to 7/6, good Hues 5/<i to 0/; seconds, 4/6 to 5/6; lambs' pelts, 3/ to 4/.

Tallow.—Market Urm. Best in shipment casks, 28/6: in 4cwt casks, 25/9 to 27/6; seconds, 22/ to 24/6; Lliis. 18/ to 26/, according to quality. Hough fat, lid to 2d. Cowta'lle, 1/S per dozen.

Horsehair.—Tail, l/(! to 1/10; mixed, 1/3 to 1/5; mane, 9d to 1/Rones.—Good, dry, £5 per ton.

Wool.—Best crutchuiAS, in bales. 7d to 7id; heavy or short. CM to 6Jd; daggy, 6d to 6}d; in bags, about id per lb less than bale prices; rough crossbred, 7d to SJd; lambs, 7*d to BJd.

STORE AND DAIRY STOCK, ETC. Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sobs report : — At Wcstfield. on Thursday, July 31, dairy cows and ueillers sold readily at from £5 5/ to £11 ltv, according to quality; empty cows i-3 10/ to £4 10/, calves £1 10/ to £2 11/, yearling heiliers £3 to £4 10/, yearling sleers £2 13/ to £3 5/. The advertised ewes in lamb brought from 19/tf to £1 1/0-

On Friday, August 1, at Otana, Waiuku, | we held a special sale of Mr. Kay Holmes' dairy cows. There was a large, attendance of buyers, and prices ruled high. Hest cows brought from £14 to £1(5, others £8 to £12, aged aud poor £4 10/ to £s. The whole dairy averaged £9 3/. Wagon £31, sows (empty) £2 10/ to £4 5/, small porkers £1 10/, weaners 14/. The Vv'aiuku Sards were moderately filled with stock on Saturday, August 2. Dairy cattle, with the exception of t-Uolce cows, were rather dull ol Kale. Stores of all classes sold freely. Dairy cows £4 10/ to £9 17/6, empty cows £3 10/ to £4 9/, fat cows £4 10/ to £7 10/; small, fat steers, £b 15/; yearlings to 18-month steers £3 to £4 3/, calves £2 to £2 7/, smaller £1 10/ to £1 18/, slips £1 V to £1 4/. The «Ue of Mrs. O'Cullagnun's dairy cows at lllllsiiorough, on Saturday, August 2, was well attended, and satisfactory prices were obtiimcd. Ac Mannrewa on Monday. Anjust 4. we held a special sale of Mr. George Coxhead's dairy herd. The cows wore a choice lot, and in nice condition. Competition wae brisk and record prices were realised. The pick of the cows brought from £ir> to £I.>, others £11 to £14 10/; smaller cows carrying second call mid to calve September, £S to £10 5/; bull. £10. The whole herd of 53 head averaged £10 19/.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports:— Westneld iards: On Thursday last dairy and store catue were yarded in usual numbers, and sold at late rates. Best cows and heifers close to profit sold at from £7 10/ to £10, oLhers £5 to £6 12/tt. aged and inferior cows £2 10/ to £4 17/ li. Albert Yards: On Friday horses came forward in average numbers, and competition was keen. Heavy draught horses sold at from £1X to £33 10/, medium draught horses £15 to £S, light harness hotses £5 10/ to £12 15/, hacks £5 to £12.

At VapiiJcura Yards on Friday and Saturday we held a special dairy sale, when 630 cows and heifers were yarded. There was v good attendance of buyers from Waikalo, the north, and surrounding districts. Competition was good, and almost everything was the liaramec. Mr A. K. Bodle's dairy cows sold at from £5 to £10 5/. Mr W. J. Hyde's cows sold at from £7 to £14 5/, averaging £9 11/. Mr A. Hanson's cows sold at from £4 10/ to £10. Best dairy cows and heifers close to profit sold at from £7 to £13 15/, others to calve in September and October £5 to £S IS/, cows more backward* H to £6 10/, aged and inferior sorts £3 to £4 10/.

At Pukekohc on Monday wo held a clearins sale of Mr J. J. Hart's dairy cows. There was a small attendance, but a satisfactory s:ile was held. The dairy cows sold at from £5 to £11, pigs to £4 10/, milk cans 18/ to 23/.

At Clevedon on Monday we held our usual monthly sale. There was a full yarding of stock, and prices were on a par with late quotations. Best dairy cows and heifers sold at from £9 to £9 15/. others £4 10/ to £0 113/, empty heifers £3 10/ to £4 5/, heifers suitable for dairy purposes, £3 3/ to i 3 16/ calves 20/ to 3S/, pigs £4 10/ to IS 5/. At Papakura Yards on Tuesday we held our monthly sale. • There was a full yarding of stock of all descriptions with the exception of grown steers, ©airy cows were again well represented, and sold at fully Friday's and Saturday's rates. Yearling to two-year-old steers made £3 2/ to £4 17/6, yearlings £2 8/ to £3 5/, empty cows £3 15/ to £5 10/, empty heifers £4 5/ to £5 o/, heifers suitable for dairy purposes £3 15/ to £4 17/G, calves 30/ to £2 15/, calves li low condition 21/ to 35/. beef steers (small but well fatted) to £10, cows £o 5/ to £7 17/fi' bulls £3 to £5 10/. ' '

JOHNSONVILLE FAT STOCK.

(By Telegraph.— Own Correspondent.)

JOHNSONVILIJi;, Wed-nesday. Mesers. Abraham and Williams, ktd., report on their Johnsonville sale as follows:— A good eu-try of prime bullocks and extra prime sheep came forward. Bnllocks sold readily at advanced pric-es. whilst the c!emand for sheep was not great, butchers ' being unwilling to pay the greatly advanced rates ruling. Only one small pen of ewes j came fnnvarn , . Pri-me heavy bullocks real-: ised £12 15/ tn -CI." 5/; primp bullocks £11 10/ to £12 2/(1. lijrlit £1V 15/ to £11; extra; prime heavy wethers. 32/: prime heavy' ■wethers, 28/2 to 30/': prime wethers, 26/ \ I to 27/; medium rr.ves, 12/; lambs, 12/ to 13/.

WESTFIELD FAT STOCK iIAKKET. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency reports:— At Westfleld Yards ou Wednesday fat cattle were yarded hi large numbers, and of excellent quality. Bidding was scarcely as brisk as tie previous week, and prices receded 1/ per 1001b. Best oxen sold to 32/ per 1001b, others 27/ to 31/, cows and heifers 23/ to 27/, steers from £12 10/ to £15 for heavy-weights, others £9 15/ to £12 5/, cows aud heifers £5 5/ to £ll>. Veal calves were permed in good numbers, and again sold at high rates. Heavy veu lei's sold to £4 15/, medium-weights £3 5/ to £4 -/, lighter sorts £2 to £2 10/, smaller and fresh-dropped 3/ to 35/. Sheep were yartied in average numbers, and sold at last week's rates. Best wefhers sold at from 28/ to 32/, others 22/ to 27/9; ewes, heavy-weights 20/ to 20/, others 16/6 to 24/6. A draft of 160 fat wethers from Mr. V. Maning, of lionmokai, averaged £1 10/9. Hoggets came forward in usual supply. Best quality sold at from 17/3 to £1 3/. -others 13/6 to. 18/9. l J igs were yarded in large numbers, and cold at late rates. Large baconers madp £4 10/ to £5 11/, baconers £3 10/ to £4 5/, large porkers £2 15/ to £3 7/, porkers £2 to £2 14/, slips £1 5/ to SO/, weavers 15/ to 21/. Messrs. Dalgety and Co. report having held their usual weekly fat Block eale at Westfleld on Wednesday, August 6, as irader:— ' ...

Beef. —An average yarding. Prices were hardly equal to last week. Choice pens of extra prime ox made up to 32/ per 1001b, ordinary prime ox 28/ to 30/; cow and heifer beef made equal to 20/ to 27/ per 10011). , • Veal.—A moderate yarding. Prices were on a par with late rates. Heavy runners made £4 11/ to £5 7/6; choice heavy suckers, £2 15/ to £3 8/; others, 3/ to 35/. Mutton.—An average yarding. Prices were a shade lower than last week. Heavy prime wethers made up to 34/. ordinary prime 25/ to 27/6, unfinished 20/ to 24/; estra heavy ewes up to 28/3, others 22/----to 25/; hoggets, heavy prime made up to 30/ C, others 15/ to' 22/9. Pork —An average yarding. Choppers made up to £5 11/; bacoaers, £3 11/ to £4 2/; heavy porkers, £2 8/ to £3 5/; light do., 2S/ to 38/; weavers, 12/ to 14/.

■Messre Alfred Buckland and Sons report: At our weekly Westfleld fat 6tock market, ou Wednesday, August 6, our entry of beef comprised 322 head, and all of nice quality. The demand was irregular, and prices likewise. In some instances last week's figures ruled, but generally values were easier. Choice ox sold to £1 13/, prime £1 7/6 to £1 10/, cowe and heifers £1 4/ to £1 »/; steers ranged in price from £8 to £1S 10/, cows and heifers £5 to £12 10/, 12 extra choice quality steers, rrom Mr. Richard Reynolds, Cambridge, averaged £11 6/0. A fair supply of fat and young calves met with a brisk sale at slightly firmer rates. Uunrcre made from £4 15/ to £5 19/, heavy suckers £3 3/ to £4 5/, medium suckers £2 5/ to £2 16/, light £1 5/ to £1 18/. small and fresh dropped 3/ to £1 2/ (t» sold). The sheep pens were filled with mutton of choice quality, the bulk being heavy prime wethers, with several pens of extra heavy ewes. There was a strong demand and keen competition, with a fnrther advance lv values. 'Extra heavy prime wethers £1 12/ to £1 14/6, prime heavy £1 S/S to £1 11/, medinm. to heavy J£l .V to £1 8/, light and unfinished 19/ to £1 4/, extra heavy prime ewes £1 9/6 to £1 ; 11/9. good £1 4/ to £1 8/. best hoggets £1 V to £1 6/, good IS/6 to £L, unfinished 11/ to 15/ (1.898 sohl). Pigs penned in large nnmbers, and showed a further decline in values. Choppers £4 10/ to £0 4/, heavy baconers £3 18/ to £4 7/, lighter £2 16/ to £3 10/, large porkers £2 10/ to £3 5/, smaller £1 18/ to £2 7/, light £1 5/ to £1 14/, slips to £1 1A weancre 12/ to 10/ (25S sold). ADDINGTON. CHRISTCHTJECH, Wednesday. At Addington live stock market there were large entries of fat stock. "There were average entries in other departments, and a good attendance, l> , at cattle sold well up to the previous week's rates. Good store ewes and hoggets were dearer, and oGier descriptions were firm at late tales. New season's lambs sold well, and fat sheep sold at advanced rates. Pigs showed an Improvement The prices for store sheep were: Sis and eight-tooth (good, to 26/3; medium IS/3, two and four-tooth (medium) 23/6; fnll and failing-mouth, 18/2 to 18/6; aged and cull sorts, 12/ to 13/, and merino ewes 8/0 to 14/3; hoggets, good sorts, 15/9 to 17/8, fair 14/ to 14/6, email and inferior 11/9 to 13/, and ewe hoggets 16/8; wethers, two-tooth (small) 15/3, four and six-tooth medium 39/ G. There were 30 new season's lambs penned. They made 18/ to 25/ for the larger sorts, and 11/6 to 17/ for smaller. There were only ton pans of hoggets entered, and the best -of these sold well, the range of price? being 15/11 to 20/. There was a large enlry of. fat sheep, totalling over C.OOO. There was good competition throughout, and prices not only advanced bnt were firm throughout. A new Australasian record was established, £14 10/ being recorded as against £8 last year for Mr F. B-ull's w-ethers. The range of prices was; Special lines of wethers £2 10/ to £1-1.10/1, extra prime wethers to SS/, prime 22/6 to 29/9, others 18/9 to 22/; merino wethers 14/3 to 22/, extra prime ewes 42/, prime 20/ to 27/6, others 14/ to 19/6.

Fat Cattle: Steers realised £8 to £12, ertra to £26 10/, heifers £8 12/6 to £9 5/, extra to £14 10/. and' cows £6 10/ to £10 15/ Of the store cattle, 15 to 18-months' sorts brought £.-» 14/6 to £3 9/, two-year steers £5. two-year heifers £4 IS/6, three-year steers £6 6/ to £7 5/, three-year heifers £5 to £5 15A D^«>Pat Ptgs: Choppers made £3 10/ to £6 li/o, heavy baconers 70/ to 77/, and lighter 55/ to G5/, these prices 'being equivalent to 6d per lb. -Heavy porkers brouglit 45/ to 50/, and lighter 37/ to- 44/, equal to 6jd to Gid per It; store pigs, best sorts 35/ to 40/, medium 28/ to 34/, and small pigs 18/ to 27/ Weaners realised 14/6 for rough sorts to 21/ for good pigs. There was a keen demand for sows In pig, and prices ranged from £5 5/ to £5 19/. z DRAUGHT HORSE SALE. SYDNEY, August 6The draught horse sales were continued to-day. The demand for draught mares was good. On account of Mr James Grant, Uawera. seven mares brought 34gs to Gr.lgs. On behalf of Mr George Cormack. of New Zealand, two brought :±9gs and 44rs. On behalf of Messrs Mitchell and O'Brien, of Oamaru. two brought 57gs and 65gs. On behalf of Mr V. McTvaughton. Patea. three brought 3Sgs to Clgs; on behalf of Mr l>. McCarabridge, of Ashbnrton, two, 4Sgs aud 7'ilgs; and on nenatf of Messrs 'i'recxnan Bros., of Wolmate, one, S6gs.

BIG PRICES. FOR SHEEP. AN AUSTRALIAN RECORD. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHHISTCHURCH, Wednesday. At the Addington Saleyards' yesterday a , new Australasian record for fat sheep was put up in the sale of Mr. P. Bull's Shropshire, Romney, and Shropshire cross wethers. Mr. Bull has twice before held the record, with £3 17/6 two years ago, and last year his sheep reached £8. At the sale yesterday this record was further improved upon, and now etands at £14 10/. A Pen of three two-shear Komney-Shropshlre cross wethers, which have won two first prizes at the Dunedin Winter Show, were flrst knocked down to Messrs. UUoa Bros, at £3 10/; three other sheep of the same age and breeding brought £6, the buyer being Mr. P. H. Steel. The sensation of the sale came when three two-shear Shropshire wetliers, which beat the cross-breds at the Maivern show, were sold under keen competition to Messrs. Dixou Bros, at £15 10/ per head, and established a new Australasian record. Three more of the same age and breed went to Mr. H. Bull at £7 5/, and three to Mr. F. Fairey, of. Nelson, at £4 15/. All the sheep were magnificent specimens, and the sale caused considerable excitement.'