COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 37, 12 February 1920, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE. HIGHER C<">STS FOR DRIED FRUITS. Auckland "Star" Office. Thursday. February 12. Bnsin-ss in the wholesale this week jbows quieter, this being the usual quiet neriod of the month. Fairly good arrivals sre being distributed, but stocks continue to be band to mouth. Price changes this week are few. all being upward. Complaints regarding sugar supplies are still jomtng in. but owing to -better allotments >hese complaints are considerably less in number than experienced last month. Cream of Tartar. — London cables advise advance, with further high prices probable in near future. Tartaric Acid.—The future will probably tnow fairly heavy advance In this line. Tea. —Colombo sales at auction are reported to be stopped, but business Is being freely done in private sales. Exchange has ! further added to costs by adverse rate. i Salt. —The market now appears fairly ■ettled. with regular supplies promised for future deliveries, both of Australian and | English. | Tobacco.— Conditions remain much tbe same, fresh stocks being swallowed up immediately on arrival, but shortage In all lines Is noticeable. Increased costs of leaf and wages will probably reflect by fairly I heavy Increase In prices In the near future. Mildura Fruits.— New season's figures are now available, and show new high levels for apricots and peaches, primary cost being three pence per pound above last season's quotations. Raisins. —'Frisco advices received this week point to prospect of higher values in the near future, the same authority men- | tions advances having occurred on prunes j and apricots. Tinned Fish.—.Primary markets are quot- j ing sardines at slight reductions, hut with the adverse rate of exchange American j offerings are at « disadvantage compared I with recent landings. Anticipation of ; higher values Is mentioned shortage of Call- | fornian pack being the reason. Salmon is \ meeting with good Inquiry, stocks of Sockeye now being available. Herrings of all j kinds, with exception of dried, are In good supply, with no change on recent rates. ! Canned. Fruit.—Market remains quiet. TVith fresh fruit available and high cost of new landings in tinned fruits the prospects are for rhnlted business until revised prices obtain. American business in this line will receive serious check by adverse exchange. New season's packings of Australian should shortly ne available and will show lower cost than recent American landings. Scans.—Small inquiry exists, with prospect of higher costs. 'Figs.—Good business is being put through, and though rate appears high, we see no inclination for decline in values ■Rice.—The market continues firm. Reports mention crops being lighter than anticipated in Asia and America, and mention that growers have retired from market, ho.dlng for higher prices. Hardware.— Tools and hardware generally continue to advance in costs, with no improvement In outlook for delivery. Manu«nn» h ? vU3r ""■'sold, and continue to book orders for deferred delivery «t price prevailing at time of shipment. " POTATOES r\ GOOD SUPPLY, ijocal growers continue to keep this market well supplied with potatoes. On account "' weather farmers are getting out _c potatoes as quickly as possible, fearing a second growth setting In. n Is anticipated that the crop in _ e r South will be a little later this year, and the recent rains were in time to do good, so that the yield Is expected to be a satisfactory one. Still, tbe tone of the market In the South Is reported a lltt,e firmer than It was at last report. No blight has appeared in the South this season. ONIONS. Only small quantities of onions are now coming to hand, but the quality is all that could be desired. Where the onions were planted early the tubers are a good size, but later lots suffered for want of rain. Prices are likely to rule fairly firm, as Southern growers are asking higher opening figures this season. As high as £S per ton Is quoted in the South at the present time. MAIZE COMMANDS lIIG'H TRICE. The scarcity of fowl wheat has now thrown a big demand on maize, added to which only small supplies are being sent up as growers still expect better rates to rule In the near future. • From 0/6 to 10/ ex store is now being asked for maize. The high price of sacks has, of course, added to the cost of the grain. FOWL WHEAT. Merchants now find it impossible to secure ai.y further supplies of fowl wheat from the South, and stocks held locally are almost exhausted. Nominally the price is 10/0 ex store U any Is available. OATS. As there have not been any arrivals of oats since last report, local stocks are beginning to work down again. It is not known at present when the next steamer will arrive here with oats. Tht, Southern market is reported firm, and the high cost of sacks is a factor in keeping up the price of all grain. CHAFF STOCKS LOW. W-hat old chaff is held by merchants now commands high figures, as stocks are very low, as it has not been possible to secure space for shipments from the .South. It is understood that the lwsainund will load chaff at Plcton at an early date, and already aales have been made here for delivery from ship's side. Farmers In Eangltlkel will not quote for chaff, and high prices are being paid for lots from Hastings on prompt delivery. It appears as if there will be no chaff for this market from the Waikato this season. As high as 20/ per dosen is now being paid for second-hand sacks for chaff, which, adds over £2 per ton to the cost to consumers. ETerytiing points to high prices for chaff during -the coming winter. One trouble in regard to supplies of chaff Is that so much heavy cargo is offering now from the South that shipping companies have not been able to allot space for chaff, which, being light, occupies a lot of room. -Higher prices are now being asked for the nerv season's chaff from Blenheim. HAY. The recent rains had the effect of practically ensuring good grass lor the autumn. and this has removed the fear of farmers that they would require to hold to their hay for winter feed. Still there Is not a large crop this season, owing to the dry spring. therefore what hay is offering commands food figures. Up to £9- per ton Is paid for truck loads of good hay. CRASS AN© CLOTER SEEDS. A strong demand has set in for grass and clover seeds. Only limited supplies are available. Ryt-'grass seed has again advanced in price, any lines offering bavins been snapped up at late rates. Cocksfoot is ruling high in price, and all clovers are In demand for shipment overseas, consequently the price must be maintained. WHOLESALE CURRENT TRICES. Farm and Dairy Produce.—Factory butter 1/6 per lb, less rebate for prompt payment; farmers' butter, 1/3 per lb; farmers' cheese, 91d per lb: factory cheese, lOd to 10Jd per lb; hams. 1/3 per lb net; bacon. 1/2 per lb net; fresh, eggs, 2/3 per dozen wholeFionr, £16 (lesß discount of 2} per cent 1 per ton, in 2001b 3ucks; sharps. £8 10/ (nominal); bran, £6 10/; oatmeal (2,Vs), £33 per ton. Grain.—Oats, 6/8 to 6/8 per bushel ex store; fowl wheat, 10/6, ex store; maize, 8/3 to 8/4. wholesale lines on wharf. Chaff.—Blenheim, £15 per ton. Potatoes.—Local, 15/ to 18/ per cwt, ex store. Onions.—Local. 16/ per cwt, ex store. MANURES. Practically all the Epbos phosphate has been distributed, but anotner welcome shipment 1b expected by the Heilbron about March 1. Already sales are being made ahead for delivery from ship's side. This will be Just in time for top dressing, and past experience has proved It is more beneficial when used for that purpose instead of in late August, as -was the case last season. ON 'CHANGE. Business In Investment lines continues, good prices all round being well maintained. The trouble at the present time appears for buyers and sellers to meet. Unless lines offered are snapped' at the figure quoted the price advances in proportion to the increase in the buying rate. Banx of New Zealand shares firmed since last report, paid tips having sold at £10 0/. and old issue at £13 15/. South British Insurance shares sold up to £9 10/ at the third call yesterday. Other insurance lines were wanted at late rates, 'Shipping lines have hart attention alnce last report, Hnddart-Farker Steam

selling at £2 12 T). ani Devonport Ferry at £1 9/. Buyers r>f 1 , , and O. deferred stork dropped their offers <o IT.IO yesterday at noon, and at the third call advanced another £.1, but holders still asked £630. Loan and Mercantile preference issue sold at £70. Colonial Sugar, FIJI issue,, are in d°uiaud at £20 14/, but no sellers qroted.

AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. Alfred Buckland and Sons. Ltd., report: ! On Monday at Papatoetoe we held a j clearing sale <in conjunction with the i Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Com- ■ pany, Ltd.), on account of the Dltworth ; Trust Board. There was a record attend- \ ance of buyers from all parts of the North j Island. Competition was keen, and high prices ruled. The Clydesdale mares made from 44gns to KSgns. which price was paid for the' filly Flora of Ury Tark. and was purchased by Mr. Hector Aitkenhead. Helensville. A five-year-old brown gelding realised 62gns. The nine mares and fillies averaged 90Vgus, chestnut gelding, gig and harness £-50. We conducted a sheep and ram fair at Cleve'don on Monday, when more than the advertised number came forward. Buyers were in attendance, and without the total entry of 2547 sheep and lambs changed owners at most satisfactory prices. Two-tooth ewes, £1 5/6 to £1 0/6 tor best: other two-tooth ewes, 10/ to £1 3/; fourtooth, six-tooth and full-mouth ewes, £1 5/6 to £1 9/: other full-mouth ewes, £1 1/ to £1 4/: aged ewes. 14/ to 16/6: cull ewes, 0/ to 12 '6; two-tooth and four-tooth wethers, £1 ,V to £1 10/3; woolly lambs, 12/6 to 17/; small woolly lambs. 8-' to 11/6; good shorn lambs. 12/6 to 14,': other shorn lambs. 7/6 to 11/; Romney rams, £2 2/ to £5 s,'i English and Border Leicester rams. 33gn* to £3 5/: Shropshire rams. £3 3. A large number of aged rams, 15/ to £2 3. On Monday we hold our monthly sale at Helensville. Buyers were in attendance, and practically everything changed hands at late quotations. Best dairy cows and heifer?, from £10 10/ to £13 10/. others £7 110/ to £0 s': bulls. £9 5/ -to £14 10/; fat steers, £15: fat cows, £9 To £13 10'; store cows £5 5' to £7: Zh to 31-year-old steers. £7 10/ to £9 2/6: best calves, £1 14/ to £2 10', smaller 15/ to £1 8/. We held our annual sheep fair at Helensvine on Tuesday, and rhe advertised number came forward. There was a large attendance of buyers, and we report a most successful sale. Four-tooth and sixtooth ewes. £1 6/ to £1 11/9: fresh fullmouthed ewes. £1 to £1 4/3: old ewes, 10/ to 18/; two-tooth ewes (small), £1 to £1 6/6; small two-tooth wethers, 19/ to £1 5/6; fourtooth and six-tooth wethers, £1 8/ to £1 H'6: lambs. 12/3 to 16/6: rams, lgn to 3gns. At the Haymarket on Friday last we had an average yarding of horses. Young medium and heavy draughts are in demand nt prices ranging from £28 to £50; aged draughts. £16 to £39: plough horses. £18 to '£32 in/; light harness sorts. £10 10/ to £19 10/: hacks and buggy horses, £14 to £21: gig ponies, £3 10/ to £15. FAT STOCK MARKETS. Messrs. Alfred Buckland and .Sons report: Yesterday at our weekly Westfleld fut stock market our supply of fat cattle totalled 305 head, comprising 231 steers, 125 cows and heifers, and 0 Dulls. There was a keen demand throughout, with values very firm at last week's (figures. Choice ox sold to £2 14/ per 1001b; prime ox, £2 10/ to £2 12/ per 1001b: ordinary and plain, £2 5/ to £2 9/ per 1001b; rough beef. £1 16/ to £2 2/ per 1001b; cow and heifer beef, £2 5/ to £2 12/ per 1001b. Steers ranged In price from £20 to £23 10/. for beavy steers from Mr .lames Muir, Waerenga. lighter cattle. £10 to £18 10/; light and unfinished steers, £12 to fU 10/; cows and heifers, £S 10/ to £16- aged and unfinished cows, £5 to £7 IJ/. The Mghest averages for steers were: Fourteeu from Mr. James Mulr. Waerenga. £22 11 : S from Mt. F. Kelland, Waipipi, £19 11/3: S from Mr. W. T. Cox, Waitakaruru, £10 11/3: 6 cows from the same vendor £12 6/3: 16 on account of a client, £17 18/1: IS from Mr. C. J. Storey, Woodstock Te Awamutu, £17 17A; 4 from Mr. R g' Flndlay. Miranda, £17; 33 ex road, £16 IS/6; 17 local. £16 14/; S from the

North, £16 12/6; 40 from Mr. A. Mulr. sen., Mangere. £16 S/. Our entry of sheep uumliered 2170, as compared with 1173 last week. There was a keen demand throughout, all classes meeting with a free eale at values which were fuUy equal to last week's advanced rates. Extra heavy prime wethera sold at from £2 1/ to £2 3/9, for sheep from Mr. Geo. Riddell; lieavj- prime wethers, £1 IS/ to £2: medium to heavy prime wethers, £1 IS/c to 10 17/6; lighter prime wethers. £1 11/6 to £1 15/; unfinished and light wethers. £1 7/6 to £1 11/: heavy prime young ewes, £1 14/ to £1 16/9; heavy ewes, £1 10/ to fl 13/; lighter fat ewes, £1 7/6 to £1 9/6; other ewes, 18/ to £1 5/.. The 391 lambs which were penned found ready buyers. Prime lambs were slightly firmer; extra heavy prime. £1 10/ to £1 15/: heavy prime, £1 e/6 to £1 8/6; lighter prime, £1 3/ to £1 5/C: light and -unfinished, 14/ to £1 1/Fat and young calves came forward In large numbers." and included a large proportion of rough and plain calyee, which were dull of sale. Good-quality vealers maintained last week's advanced prices. Runners made from £5 10' to £7 7/6; heavy vealers £3 li/ to « 15/ medium £3 to £3 14. Iteht £2 to penned short of requirements, competition Lin- extra keen, and last woe*"-. ad™ prices were easily sustained. Sβ choppers were yarded. Heavy bnconmfrom £T 1- « to £8 13/. light to medium £6 'g, 10 *^ i 13/; s?ore pigs, to £3 5/: «-eaners. ,1 2 ito fl. 14/6 (ISS aold).

Tbe New Zealand Loan and Mercantile per loulb; prime ditto sold at rroni £;- 11/ value Others £12 10/ to £18 3/! ol>,v ' and heifers sold at from £9 to £32 5/ for r^£t lfl |oVttSd e b/Vr^ n B iU Jo b rS; inn "Kjiukjiuakapa. Some of the averages were-—2 steers from Mr. J. B. Jordan, jun., Kaukapakapa, £23 10/; fl .teen. fwm Mr PaSatoetoc, £12 6/9. Calves came forward in scarcely aTera *f "^ beT ma ?£ ets to £2 18/; lighter fat cnlveß. £1 5/ to £1 19/- rrch-droppcd. 13/ to 10/. A Mnall vardlns of piss sold tinder keen "with prices -nrmer. Light hnconers to t-> 1"'- porkers to £4 8/: weanerx, a Rood entry best £1 15/ to £2 4/; others £1 4/ ?o £1 W/: sows in pig. £6 10/ to £T. Sheep were penned in larger numbers, and som uuder steady competition at last ««■**» Quotations. E-stra heavy prime wethers Sat from £2 0/3 to £2 5/: heavy prime wethers, £1 16/0 to £•-': medium prime TvetneTß. £1 13/ to £1 16/6: light prime ■nethers, £1 10' to £.1 12/9; small 2-tootli wethers. £1 8/ to £1 9/9- Xo extra heavy ewe* were penned. Heavy prime ewes. £1 12/ to £1 15/6: medium ditto. £1 7/» to £1 H/9; light ditto. £1 4/ to £1 ./«: inferte eww, 18/6 to £1 3/6: 10 2-tooth wethers sold on account Mr. Albert Henwood. Mancere, realised £2 23. Lambs were penned in average numbers, and sold under keen competition at advanced prices. Extra heavy prime lambs sold at from £1 10/ to £3. 17/: modinm prime lambs. £1 6' to £1 l>/t>: light ditto. £1 to £1 r.'O: small and unfinished. 13/ to 10/9: shorn ditto. 11/ to. 16/: 14 lambs sold on account Mr. A. P. Bell. Clevedon. averaged £1 16/. the first pen of 9 realising £1 IT/.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Acency Company. Ltd., report:—We held our first sheep fair of the season at Tuakau

sold at improved price* on last season* corresponding fair. Lamb* penned in large numbers sold unaer steady competition at an improvement on late sales; two and four-tooth wethers £1 C t 0 £1 '•>.«: best f.f.m. ewes £1 7/6 to £1 BH; smaller and less condition, same age £1 4/ to £1 7/3; Bound mouth older ewes. £1 1/ to £1 3/D; aged and inferior broken-mouth ewes. 8/6 upwards; two-tooth ewes, best £1 « to £1 8/6, smaller £1 2/ to £1 5/9; four and six-tooth ewes £1 S' to £1 ft/3; woolly lambs, best 12/6 to 176: smaller 9/G to 12/3; shorn lambs, best 10/ to 14/3; others B/9 to 0/9. Meat of the rams penned' changed bands under steady competition: Roinney rams, two-tooth 2Jgs to sge, aged ditto lg upwards; Lincoln rams, two-tooth, ig to .~>jgs. Some of tlie averages for sheep sold were:—s<>o live-year-old ewes from Messrs. Worsp Bros., Wairamarania. £1 ; 8/9: 140 f.f.m. ewes from Ngapuka Estate, Wairamarama, £1 8/9: 130 four and sLstooth ewes from Mr. G. F. Melnnes, Maramarua, £1 7/2: 270 four and six-tooth f.f.m. ewes from Messrs. Worsp Bros., Wairamarama, £1 5/10: 100 f.f.m circs from Mr. K. Kelsey, Wairamarama, £1 6/6; 42 two. four and «lx-tooth ewes from Mr. C. E. Kaby, Tuakau. £1 0/3.

and heifers, £12 to £18 15'; others"£B to £11 10/; empty cows and heifers £0 to £7 13/; heifers (suitable dairy purposes £G 10/ to £7 15, ; yearling to IS-nlonths empty hellers £3 5/ to £.-,: ditto eteers £H Vif to £5 17/6: calves, best £1 15' to £2 15, ■ others £1 1 to £1 13/; two to three-year steers £6 5/ to £9 5/. No grown steers were penned. Beef penned in average numbers told at fully Westfleld prices. DaJgety and Co.. Ltd., report:— At Tuakau on Monday we held our flrst sheep fair. There was keen competition for young sheep and lambs, but for older ewes the competition was not quite so keen We quote as follows. Good four-tootli wethers, 32/ to 31/ .two-'.ooth ewes. 25/ i :: fulUaioutli we*. 23/3 to 16/; lambs, 14/3 At Westfield on Wednesday we held our weekly sale. Beef.—Good quality was about the same as last week, but inferior was easier. Extra prime ox. £-' 16/, prime -£1 14/ to £2 12 , medium £2 8/ to £2 3/: prime cows. £•_• 10/ to £2 3/, ordinary £2 4' to 38/. Sheep.—Good yarding. Prices about the same. Extra prime wethers 38/ to 34/, prime 34/ to 31/, others 30/ to 35/; ewes, prime 30/ to 27/6. others 25/ to 20/. Calves.—Fair yarding. Runners £6 to £>; vealers. £4 to £2 10/: others, 307 to 15/.

Lambs. —A moderate yarding, and prices were considerably firmer thau last week. Best shorn, £: ; woolly. 35/; good (.woolly), 30/ to 23/; ordinary, 22/ to 15/. pjg 5 very tirm market. Prices consideraWy better. Choppers, £8 to £7; bacoDers. £i to £6: porker*, lo to £3 10 . WAIKATO STOCK SALES. The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company report on their weekly sale as follows:— Beef. —Notwithstanding the very uncertain outlook beef maintains a fairly high standard. At most saies the yardings have been heavy and everything has been quitted without difficulty. Mutton.—The demand for mutton has declined somewhat, not much being sought after beyond lncal requirements. ■Lambs. Lambs in considerable quantity are still offering. Fortunately most of the exporters are giving preference to this class in tilling space. Store Cattle. —Have shown a strong upward tendency, and all classes are drawing good competition. shows considerable life: at the opening fairs a much more buoyant feeling prevailed than was anticipated. Store lambs and lambs fit for rape were in keen demand. Wethers showed an advance on the previous week. Breeding Ewes.—Opened with a strong demand, and indications point to good business during rhe mouth. Pigs.—AH classes of fat pigs are eagerly prices now being realised in the Hamilton markets figure out well ahead of factory quotations.

/Bullocks: Heavy, prime £1T to £20: £1- 10. to £14; medium, fat £10 10/ to £12. Heifers: Tat £10 10' to £12. Bullocks: Four-year-old, £11 to £12 10/: 3-year-old, £0 1 to £lv. Cows: Fresh-conditioned, £S to £9; ' good £7 to £S. Steers: Two and a-balf- i year old, £7 to £S 10 ; 18 months, best £3 to £6; medium £3 10/ to £4 10 ; small, £2 .->/ to £3 5.'. Heifers: Two-year-old, in-calf. | .Shorthorn, fi to fS 10/; yearlings, best £5 i 10/ to £4 15/: medium. £2 10/ to £i 10/. Dairy cows: Best. £12 to £15 10/; ordinary, £8 to £10 10. Dairy heifers: Best, three-year-old, £9 to fll 10/. Wethers: J'rime. shorn 33/ to 36/; medium, 2S/6 to SI/. Ewes: Prime, shorn 29/ to 30/. •Shorn wethers: Four-tooth, 29/ to 32/: 2-tooth. 22 6 to 26/6. Pigs: Eaeoners. £« 10/ to £9; slips, £3 13/ to £4 10/; weaners, 10' to 15/. Horses: Heavy draught. £40 to £45; I medium draught. £30 to £.'W 10.: lLght draught. £24 to £30; harness, £15 to £iJ; hacks, £10 to £16. ■HIDES. SKINS AND TALLOTV. Alfred .Buekland and Sons, Ltd.. of the hides, skin's and tallow on Tuesday as follows:— Hides.—Cow (30 per cent tanner's) lid. (50 per cent exporters') 17d: ox, light IOJd to 103 and l~d to 18d, medium to heaving to 13d and led to 20id; kip. 15} d to 19d: stags. 10d to 12d: yearlings. 21d to 24d: horsebides. 16, to 128 each; calfskins, 32Jd to 39d for host llsht grades, 2Od to jea for cut and meaty -damaged and sllppr Cd to lod. ' Tallow.—ln snipping rasks. 70' to 7."i' per cwt; in barrels and tins. 58/ to 62/ per ••wt. Bones.—£B 5/ per ton. ■Horsehair.—l/ 4 to 1/6 per lb for tail; 1/ to 1/3 for mixed. Abraham an<3 Williams. Ltd.. report on their .sale of hides, skins and tallow uu Tuesday, as follows:— Hides.—Cow. best IOJd to lOjd, medium IOJd to IOJd. rough nid tn 10d datuaced 7d to "id, cut 0d to Wd; <ix. extra heavy 12} d to 13d, heavy 12d to 12Jd. medium llld to 12d. light lid to ll*d. cut OJd to" lod. '.damaged 64d to 7d: yearling lr.d to Hid '•ut 74d to Sid. damaged 7d to 7»d- calf good ;<od to 34d. medium 28d to ."XW, heavy I lod t(/ Igd. damaged fld to did. cut Hd to 1M: horse l>/9 to 10/. medium S' to 8 6 small 5/ to r>.'6. cut 6, to T\ Tallow.—Shipping casks. 75 to SO • i casks, best 65/ to 6S ', medium 60' to (M rough 50/ to 56/ per cwt; tins best 56/ to 00/. ordinary 50/ to 54/, dreggy and burn:. j Bones.—Good dry, £8 to £S -V per :on. The Serr Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd., report:— We submitted and gold average catalogues of hidese. skins and tallow ou Tueseday. Hides.—Brisk competition We quote Ox hides, IOJd to ISd: cow hide< lid to 17id; kips, Ud to 10d. Calfskins, best lines 28id to 3tid; cut and damaged. 12d to lsd I Stags, »d to lid. Damaged hides: 61d to ,!)ld. Horse hides: 10' to 20 : Tallow.—Best mixed, in shipment cask* 70/ to 80'; broken casks a ml packages best I to 65/, good 42/ to 50/, inferior 800 t v a."': rough fat. 2Jd per lb ! 5,; cowtalls, 1 doz : 'Horse hair. 1/ to 1/6. ■ LONDON WOOL SALE?. RISE IX BETTER GRADES. : (Received 0>45 a.m.) 1 ! LONDON, February 11. j At the wool sales 10.5?;; lialp< wer-- .-nfi logued. of which :HS7 were New Zfalaud A moderate selection n-ns oflVred, and there was a good attendance with fair competition. All good merinos were five per rent above the January closing the adviiuce . being entirely dne to American and ■ , Japanese operations, owing to the favoor- ] able exchange. Inferior sorts were gene- • ■ rally fire per cent, easier. while flue. ■ medium crosebrede were uurhanged. Low i | and shabby sorts were mostly neglected, ' and largely withdrawn owing "to the high Government reserves.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

HIKfTAIA STOCK SALES. The Farmers* Auctioneering Company held their fortnightly stock sale at Bikutaia on Tuesday. There was a good yarding and the prices realised in most instances were considerably in advance of late rates. There was a ;-.iod demand for springers, but there was <>uly a limited supply, which were sold, tie prices from £9 5/ to £12 10. Fat bullocks realised up to fl.'i. but in this instance also the supply was limited, and after the local burchers were supplied there was nothing left for the operate on. Store cattle, particularly ■heifers, sold well, but there was little or no demand for calves. medium quality, brought 26. fat lambs sold up to 34/. There was a sood yarding of pigs and the prices realised eclipsed all previous rates. Baconer?, which were by no means flrst quality sold up to £S in . or approximately 1/6 per lh.