COMMERCIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 38, 14 February 1924, Page 12

COMMERCIAL

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE. MARKET STH/L ADVANCING. GROCERY TRADE ACTIVE. "Auckland Star" Office. Thursday, February 14, 1924. Wholesale grocery and provision houses throughout the Dominion report unusually active trade, with good conditions in prospect Conservative importations and the absence of speculation has imparted a healths tone to trade in this section. Consumer" demand in the country continues heavy, and reflects the wide circulation of returns from exported products. Heavy demands are now being made on sugar, as the jam and preserving season is now in full swing. So far the Sugar Company have not imposed any rest "- ict ' on ! on deliveries, and there is every hope o£ normal conditions prevailing, as It V understood that the reserve emit up during the slack period is sufficient to cater for present requirements. TOBACCO. a Saturday, ° deliveries will be made on Friday, the 15th, instead. LOBSTER. FRUIT, pried to the high d p a rices SSSS3S..S. S-Sfi-fti Sffadvance. . -p onrts The small production in tanaaa thi^L r ason T fp P ear) entirely magnate W supply the demand, which ****"*£ p £,£ surplus left consists almost entirely of high-grade fruit. RENNET. Revised quotations have recently been received for Danish rennet tablets. a reduction of 20/ per gross is advised. CLOVES. Cloves are firmer, owing to the fact that this season's crop is smaller. PAPER BAGS. Willis! i/q io r s »/ 12's 1/8, 14's 2/. Square ri(apes are also reduced in like proportion. MATCHES. v. J-, SDrlnc Oval Tin Vestas.—After beta!' off this market for about eight years >it- Anoklaad merchants, it is unaerstooa orders took the then able supply, and now it will take three to four months to land fresh supplies of tics nnrt to execute orders in hand. TEA. At last week's sale in Colombo the quan- ,..„ „„* „„ f o r auction was less than u"ual! and Amounted to 1.450,0001b. The market showed a much stronger tone, the linn prices of the previous -week being maintained, with a further advance of |O per lb. on clean common brokens, ana Id Jin good broken*. The general quality is also said to be- improving. LENTILS. Lentils have been rather short on spot, SM a ,.a S r n to CoU nlfnT e^st O£ iarcitv is relieved for the time being. A weaker tone is in evidence for later .'.eliveries. The direct steamer leave* Calcutta about Tlarch-Apnl next, and indent rates for this shipment - represent a reduction ot £2 2/0 per ton over previous purchases. Supplies of Egyptian bright red are cumins forward. Cost is about the same as last year, owing to iio change taking place in indent values. GREASEPROOF PAPER. Swedish greaseproof paper is in fairly "ood supply at present, and is being sold at prices advantageous to buyers. Quotations for indent are slightly easier, the reduction representing a fall of £2 15/ per ton on c.i.f. rateß. GINGER. Further advances are now adtosed for Cochin'singer for shipment by next MarchAnril boat. Unbleached haa advanced 12/ per cwt., and bleached 9/ per cwt. BLUESTONE. A temporary reduction of £ 1 per ton Js KdvißPil on JlacclesHelds in 1 cwt kejje, for prompt shipment. EGGS. The higher prices ruling for eggs hac the usual effect of lessening the consump tion consequently this week supplies proved quite equal to the requirements 01 the market. BUTTER MARKET. The market for butter is easier in Lpn don but still above the equivalent, ol th< fe« I fflaUa A f rk^^^ season in London is given in a repor "i. h. TurnbuU.and Co., which etates ?hat America drew Increased of butter from Denmark this time, anc thus correspondingly lessened the quan tity sent from that country to England Kekarding the recent reduction in Londor craded for the sbc months to January 6l totalled 635,000 cwts., as compared with 597.000 for ii similar period in 1923. Tht hntter awaiting shipment at the beginnlagof February- totaled 68,000 cwts.. as «mpared with 139.000 for a similar period last rear. The falling in the quantity e>l Miter exported is due to the increase in the manufacture of cheese,, which to the end of .Tannary was approximately 16,000 tons over that of last season. CHEESE. Messrs. A. H. Turnbull and Co. report with regard to cheese that the heavy >ew Zealand shipments are now beginning to arrive in London, and, as anticipated, the market has declined. During the next three weeks approximately ten thousand tons of cheese are due to arrive, whilst February sailings from New Zealand will car™ more than double.the quantity carTied* last February. In view of the above faFts a further decline is expected in the price of cheese, and a weak market for some time to come. BARLEY. The yield of barley in the South will be a lieht one this season, and it is thought supplies will have to be imported. Brewers are offering 4/3 to 4/6 per bushel on trucks for this grain. GRASS SEEDS. It is anticipated that a very large area will be put in grass in the Auckland district provided that fanners are able, to get the land ready. At the present time the result of the long spell of Tery hot weather has been to bake the ground so hard that ploughing is out of the question. Everything therefore depends upon weather conditions in the near future. What is required is steady rain to soften the ground, as short torrential showers are not of ~-ihuch value for that purpose, because most of the -water runs off the hard surface. The dry weather in the South hae reduced the output of cocksfoot seed, with the result that the price has advanced considerably. Reports from Airnroa nre tnat comparatively small quantities ot cocksfoot eeed have been saved this season. Advice from Canterbury is to the effect that in many caaes the yield ot cocksfoot seed this Beason i a over 50 ncr cent less than that of laet year. The seed , this year is, however, statea to be a Hplendid sample of cocksfoot, and an hiri, ac 1/ per lb. has been paid in the South Samples of ryegrass seeatrom Southland are stated to be better than tor the past three or four years. A Southern papei Htatee that in the old days -when land was cheap and dairying was not so extensive the Heldß were not so hard grazed aa they are -to-day, and the yields were larger p er acre, while the eeed was of much miperior quality. The yield of white clover «eed this scaeon in Canterbury la reported to fee much amaucx than usual.

MILLING WHEAT. The yield of wheat will be much below normal tLs season In New Zealand Even If this cereal is not allowed toJie Imported during the nest few months. It U certaUi eupp&es will have to be obtained fron? outside before the nest harvest. The vicld of wheat in the Dominion this seaion is estimated by the Government Statistician at about 4,200,000 bushels, while the actual yield last year reached 8,390,020 bushels. In the face of such a shortage It would seem as if tlie Government will have to Uft the embargo on the importations of wheat. FOWL WHEAT. So far no permits have been issued by the Government to merchants to import fowl wheat from Australia. Present high prices will therefore- probably be maintained for this gralu until the New Zealand new seasons" wheat is on the market in a month or six week's time. As however the weather for harvesting was very fine, there -houlcl be a less proportion of grain to be classed as fowl wheat. The Chamber of Commerce nt Hamilton recently passed a resolution protesting against the embargo on importing wheat in view of the fact that New Zealand was not growing sufficient for its own requirements. It was pointed out that there was a surplus of (■owl wheat in Australia and that the prohibition of import of the grain was to the prejudice of the poultrykeepers. It need hardly be stated that Wakato is not a wheat growing district. OATS. It is understood that practically none of last season's oats are now held in the South Island. The new crop of oats in the South is reported to be very light owing to the remarkably dry season, consequently farmer? are asking higher prices for their "rain to make up for the loss in quantity. Algerian oats are very high, and the price would probably rise still further, were _it not for fear of competition from Australia. According to the Government Statistician s estimates the total yield of oats for the Dominion is put down at about 4.290000, as compared with an actual yield of a,W&]S7 bushels a year ago. It is not possible now lo get quotations from the South for A or B grade Gartons. for prompt delivery. It is evident that the bulk of the oats this year will have to be drawn from Southland, and these will be at a high price, ns tlierei will not be much grain available from Canterbury this year. , MAIZE. Since last report considerable quantities of niiize reached this market, but holders are still very firm in their ideas of values, the price still ruling from 7/ to i/3 per bushel ex store. At the present time, however, the demand for maize for poultry feed is not large, as the weather is too hot for that grain to be used with profit to the ess producers. CHAFF. The market for chaff remains very firm in -ympathy with that for oats. It is understood 'there is practically no chaff availnlile this season in the Wairarapa district, and at present supnlies for Auckland are being drawn from Hawke's Bay. Latest report l ; from Rangitikei are that supplies of chaff there art- small, while at Blenheim there will be scarcely sufficient to meet local requirements. Under such <■ircnnis-.tar.ces it is quite possible that chaff can be landed here at a cheaper cost from Australia. As a matter of fact the first lot of compressed chaff te already on the way from Australia, i POTATOES. Supplies of locally grown potatoes are still ample for all the requirements of this market. Owing to the spell of dry weather the later planted potatoes are not yieldins so well Southern potatoes have advanced in price, and once the Auckland crop is exhausted, higher rates will have to be paid by consumers for this line. ONIONS. The position of the onion market is unchanged. At the present there Iβ no Indication of a likelihood of profitable export to the United States, which means that the crop will have to be consumed locally. Onions are now being offered from Canterbury for delivery here within the next couple of weeks. WHOLESALE CURRENT PRICES. Farm and Dairy Produce- —Supetrflne creamery butter, l/8i per lb for prompt cash: first grade (pats), 1/8; second grade, 1/7: farmers* separator. 1/3 to 1/4. Cheese. first grade, factory.. medium eize, IOJd to 1/ per lb. Hams, 1/2 per lb; bacon, 1/ to . 1/1 per lb. Lard. bulk, lid; pate, 1/. Flour, £17 ."/. less 2} per cent discount per ton in 2001b sacks; sharps, £8 10/; bran. £6 10/: oatmeal. 25's. £26. Grain.—Oats. A grade, 5/6 per hushel: B grade. ."/3 ex store; maize, 7/ bushel, ex sto>-e; fowl wheat, 6/0 per bushel. Chaff.—Best Southern, £12 per ton. Onions..—Local. f>/ per cwt, ex store. Potatoes.—£9 per ton for best quality. MANURES. The first. cargo of basic slag came to hand by the Hertford, and the whole lot was sold ahead for delivery from ship's side. The next shipment to reach this port is due about the end of March. The f.o.b. price for basic slag has advanced for later shipments. . ON 'CHANGE. Business lias been quiet on 'Change since last report, although one or two lines registered an advance in price. P. and 0. deferred stock are now wanted at £206, but the seller wants £310. Loan and Mercantile ordinary stock could now be placed at fS3, wheh Is. a good advance on the buying Ggure a fortnight ago. Colonial Sugar is another line that registered a further advance, as high as £32 10/ being offnred at the third call yesterday. Harbour Board i>l per cent debentures changed hands at £97 10/, but £94 is the best offer for the 51 per cent, and £S0 for tne 4 per cent issue. City 5J per cent are wanted at £04. and £100 is offered for Auckland Gas r>l per cent. Sales took place of Government 44 per cent War Loans 103S-30 at /P7. am! Soldiers* 5} per cent loan at £101 12/0. The 5 per cent loan are easier, a seller quoting £37 12'fi. Bank of New Zealand shares are -hotter this week, having, sold up to 52/0. while Bank of. Australaßia buyers advanced their offers to £13 1/6. South British Insurance are wanted at 44)/. and Standard Inararance sold np to 40/0. Waipa-Collieries are a little firmer this week.-beiiis wanted at 17/6. with no quoted sellers. Auckland <3as, contributing issue.'advflDced from.3/6 to .1/10 during the week.' Sales 'took Dlace of Taupirl Coal at 19/6. and N.Z. Breweries, Ltd., up 23/, at which figure more could be placed. Wilsons Cement are wanted at 31/1. but the seller holds out for another twopence Walhi shares had sales at 32/ and 32/3 ■while Grand Junctions changed hands at C/ 3, and Moanataiaris at 3/3.. - STRAITS SETTtSMENTS ' PRODUCE. By Mall. .; - Tapiocas.—Penang reports that In order to execute orders in hand, certain linns have purchased seed and pearl tapiocas at prices considerably above the equivalent of the ! figures quoted in the last advice. Values have been well maintained, and the expectation of a decline has meantime not materialised. Aβ regards the better grade tapiocas, there [ lias been more inquiry, especially for seed, 1 one parcel of fifty tons having been sold to j the United Kingdom. Peppers.:—This market remains steady. Seventy tons ;black and twenty-five tons white are reported sold during the week. Nutmegs and Mace.- —These markets are very firm. There are far more buyers than sellers-, and business is being consummated nt daily advancing prices. Pineapples. —This continues to be a firm market. Although not much business has been transacted during the week, recent indications of values from London are on a higher level than they have been for some time past. Rattans.—Generally speaking, rattans are firmer in consequence of improved demand from the Continent and America. . - Rice. —Rangoon : Supplies of paddy—have been arriving in Rangoon on a considerable scale for this time of the year, and owing To a steady shipping demand for early tonnage to Java we have to report a further advance In this market. Singapore: There .seems to be less inquiry from this market, but owing to recent heavy redaction ia quantity of old crop available for export, the market is firm on a small but steady demand from other markets. Shippers to China are buying Meedoung-Pecto at advanced rates. Saigon: Prices have remained very firm during the last forti night, owing to .lapan having bought in this , market about 10,000 tons and Java about I 10.000 tons for February-March shipments, 1 besides which further inquiries are on the ' ; 'S?J ke i om , botll of these countries for ••we if" sto< *s o£ Paddy old crop . are almost exhausted, and nroKnppts of new crop remain favourabht WP"** o£ new ilmproSXfe Th« U ;ii cM v «»»«tten. are

By Cable. Tapiocas.—There is a general holding off by wholesalers from ordering further enppliea, as it is thought that indent rates will weaken. This week a further advance of 5/ per ton is recorded in ail grades of both Penang and Singapore, and as the next direct boat is scheduled to eail next month, it does not look like this market declining to any great extent. Pepper.—This market is also advancing. Whole Black, Muntok and Sarawak White have hardened by Jd per lb. Nutmegs are very scarce on spot, with very few orders coming forward. Indent prices have advanced a "further Jd per lb. Pineapples.—The last shipment by the Nalgora arrived to a bare market, and it is now getting difficult to secure some brands on spot. Indent values have again advanced 3d per dozen in the majority of packings, and it seems almost certain that merchants will have to indent at the increased prices. LINSEED OIL. Indent quotations for Thistle raw and boiled have been revised, and are now at an advance over previous quotations. Shipment is being offered during February at an increase of 3d per gallon for both kinds. Shipment is also offered during March nnd April at Id per gallon increase on the original prices. CANNED PEAS. In December it was estimated that with the extra acreage of peas planted in Nelson, the quantity canned would be sufficient for all trade requirements. Merchants were advised last week, however, that the season had been such a disappointing one that it was almost a total failure and that orders would be delivered pro rata. Merchants •who had ordered 100 cases will now get five to ten cases in completion of their orders. Canadian and American prices are also higher. No. 2 cans bought on to-day's rate of exchange would cost wholesalers approximately 10/ per dozen to land, which is mnch too high from a retailer's pont of view. HARDWARE. Wholesalers report business as being not quite so brisk as recently, retailers also are complaining that trade is quieter than usual. The various sales being held at this time of the year is given as one reason, another is that quite a number of hardware lines were damaged by water before arriving here, and as consignees would not accept delivery, the goods were sent to the auction and sold for what they would fetch. Also, a large quantity of goods are being auctioned that were salved recently from large local fires, and this is upsetting local trade to some extent The s.s. Hertford is due to-day with the first consignment of Skelton spades, etc., at reduced prices. Spades are down 2/6 per is much too high from a retailer's point of etc., are reduced 10 per cent all round. AUCKLAND STOCK SAXES. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Limited, report:— We held sales during the past week at Westfleld, Warkworth, and Pukekohe. All classes of cattle sold at late quotations. We quote:—Best dairy cows and heifers, £9 tov£l4; others, £5 to £8 15/; inferior cows and heifers, £2 to £4 15/; bulls, £1 10/ to £5 10/; empty cows, fl to £1 17/6; weaner calves, best 15/ to £1 10/, others S/ to 14/; yearling to 18-months heifers, fl 5/ to £2 10/; yearling to 18-months steers, £1 10/ to £2 5/; two to 21-year steers, £2 10/ to £3 10/; three to 3i-year steers, £3 12/6 to £4 7/6: four to five-year steers, £4 10/ to £5 10/. We also held our opening sheep fairs at Kaihu, Mangawhare, Arapohue, Clevedon, T,uaka'u. Westfleld. and Warkworth. In most cases we report good sales, although prices realised were not up to expectations. We quote:—Two-tooth ewes, £1 6/ to £1 10/6; four and six-tooth ewes, £1 4/ to £1 9/6; f.fcm. ewes, £l to £1 5/3; f.m. ewes, 15/ to 19/; railing-mouth ewes, 8/ to 14/6; store wethers, £1 1/ to £1 7/; store lambs, best 12/ to 16/, others 6/ to 11/6: good quality Romney rams were in keen demand and sold at from 7Jgne to lOgns; other Romney rams, 4gns to 7gns; Southdown rams, Bgns to llgns; Shropshire rams, 3gns to 6{gns; English Leicester, 2gns to sgns; Border Leicester, 3gns to 4}gns; Lincoln rams, ljrn to 21gns: Suffolk rams. Bgns. At Papakura on Monday we held a spcclnl horse sale. Horses were yarded in average lumbers, selling at late quotations. Heavy draughts. £35 to £4S: medium draughts. £27 to £36; useful farm sorts, £18 to £28; liacks, £7 to £14; light harness sorts, £9 to £17; ponies, £3 10/ to. £S 10/; weeds, 10/ upwards.

Alfred Bnckland and Sons, Limited, report:—Dnring the week we held sheep and ram falre at Westfleld, Maungaturoto, Helensville and Clevedon. The advertised numbers came forward at each yard. The demand has eased and values are somewhat easier. There is a good inquiry for rams. Romneys and Downs being in lUost request. Best two, four and six-tooth ewes, £1 TV to £1 12/6: smaller sheep, £1 1/ to £16/; large-framed four-year-old ewes, £1 3/ to fl 5/; smaller sheep, 19/ to £1 2/; good five and six-year-old ewca, 18/ to «■ V! smaller sheep, 15/ to 17/; older ewes, 10/ to 14/; cnll ewes, 4/ to !>/: fat and forward wethers, £1 6/ to £1 8/i two-tooth wethers, £1 2/ to £1 4/; two-tooth Homney rams, £7 7/ to £9 0/: smaller twotooths." £4 4/ to £6 6/: aged, £1 1/ to £2 2/: Southdown rams. £0 9/ to £10 10/; Shropshires. £3 3/ to f5 5/; Leicester rams, £4 4/ to £7 7/. FAT STOCK MARKET. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. report:— At Westfield fat stock market on Wednesday beef was penned In average numbers, selling at late quotations. Jvxt.ra choice oxen sold to 25/ per 1001b : chpire and prime oxen, 20/ to 24/. per 1001b : plnin and unfinished oxen, 16/ to 19/ per 1001b; prime young cow and heifer beet. .:(>/ to 23/ per 1001b; other cow beef. Hi/ to 10/ per 1001b; rough beef. 12/ to 15/. Heavy prime steers sold at from £9 to £9 17/8: medium prime steers. £8 to £8 l< Zβ; light prime steers, £7 to £7 15/; small and unfinished steers, £5 10/ to £6 In/; heavy prime cowe and heifers. £5 10/ to £6 10/: medium prime cows and heifers. £4 12/fi to £5 7/6; light prime cowe and heifers. £." 10/ to £4 10/: forward fleshy cows, £2 10/ to £3 7/6; inferior and poor cows. £1 10/ to £2 5/. Calves were penned in large numbers, good quality selling rapidly at late quotations. Inferior and rough calves •were dull of sale. Runners sold at from £2 to £3 10/; heavy vealers, £2 16/ to £3 4/; medlnm vealers, £2 1/ to £2 15/: light venlere, £1 5/ to £2; smaller, 15/ to £1 4/; small and fresh-dropped, 3/ to 14/; rough calves, 12/ to £1 4/. Sheep were penned in average numbers, and sold at late quotations for prime sheep. Unfinished sheep were easier in values. Heavy prime wethers, £1 11/3 to £1 13/6; heavy prime wethers, £1 9/3 to £1 11/; light prime wethere, £1 7/ to £1 3/; small and unfinished wethers, £1 2/ to £1 6/9; heavy prime ewes, £1 7/ to £1 10/: medium prime ewes. £1 2/ to £1 6/9; light prime ewes, 18/ to £1 1/9; lnferlorly fatted ewes, 14/ to 17/9. Lambs sold at late quotations. Heavy prime lambs, £1 7/ to £1 10/; medium prime, £1 4/ to £1 6/9: light prime, £1 to £1 3/9; store lambs, best 13/ to 17/, other* 8/ to 12/. Pigs penned in average numbers, and sold at improved Tallies. Choppers, £2 to £3 15/; heavy and medium baconers, £3 11/ to £4 10/; light baconers and heavy porkers, £2 19/ to £3 10/; medium and light porkers, £2 1/ to £2 18/: large stores, £1 12/ to £1 18/: weaners, 10/ to £1 3/; slips, £1 4/ to £1 Alfred BnckUnd and Sons, Ltd., report: Yesterday at our woekly Wostflelel fat Ktock market onr beef pens contained 693 head, comprising 469 steers. ISS cows and heifers, and 29 bulls. There was a keen demand throughout, last week's values being easily sustained, and in many caseH exceeded. Extra choice ox sold to £15/ per 1001b; choice and prime ox, £ 1 3/ to £ 1 4/6; ordinary and plain ox. £ 1 to £ 1 2/6; prime young cow and heifer beef, £ 1 2/ to £10/; ordinary cow beef, 16/ to £1; rough beef, 8/ to 14/ ; heavy prime steers ranged in price from £9 10/ to £10 12/6; lighter prime steers, £8 5/ to £1) 7/6; light prime eteere, £6 15/ to £6 10/; extra heavy prime rout; cows and heifers, £ 7 5/ to £ 8 5/; heavy prime young cows and heifers. £ 5 10/ to £ 7 2/6 ; lighter, £ 4 0/ to £5 7/6; other cowe, £ 1 to £4; bulls and stags, £1 to £7 2/6. The sheep pens were moderately filled. nml included n big proportion of plain sheep. There was only a fair demand with valuer, much the same as last week. Heavy prime wethers. -£1 12/ to £1 13/6; lighter prime wethers, £1 0/ to £1 11/; light prime wethers, £1 7/ to £1 K/9; unfinished wethers. £1 2/ to £1 6/0; heavy prime young ewes, £1 5/ to SI 8/9; lighter prime ewes, £1 2/ to £1 4/6; other ewes, 17/ to £11/ (1476 sold). There was a heavy entry of lambs. Prime lambs sold readily, but unfinished and stores were lower in price. Heavy primp. & 1 5/6 to £ 1 S/6; lighter prime. £1 'J/ to £ 1 5/: light prime. 19/ to £1 l/«: unfinished. 14/ to 17/0; stores, 8/ Jo 13/ (761 sold). Fat and young calves were yarded in extra large numbers, values for all classes showing a slight decline. Heavy vealers brought £ 1 16/ to £3; medium

vealere, £1 c/ to £1 16/; light vealere £1 to £1 12/; small and fresh dropped, 3/ to 19/ (288 sold). Piss were yarded In large numbers, valueee showing an improvement on last week's quotations. Heavy baconere, £ 4 to £ 4 12/ ; light and medium baconers, £3 10/ to £3 17/ ; heavy porkers, £2 17/ to £ 3 6/; light medium porkers, £ 2 to £ 2 15/ ; choppers, £ 2 15/ to £ 3 15/; store pigs, 19/ to £16/; weaners, 8/ to 14/ (556 sold). ALDINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHUItCH, Wednesday. At the Addlngton stock market to-day the yarding of store sheep was something in the nature of an Addington record. Every available corner was occupied, and several consignments could not be accommodated. There were several lines of ewes fron? Poverty Bay, and other classes of sheep from various provinces of the South Island and the Chatharas. The sale did not finish until a late hour. Store Sheep.—There was a yarding ot over 30,000, of which 60 per cent were lambs. Central Otago and Marlborough ■were contributors. The market held up wonderfully under the heavy entry. In the earlier part the only class to show an casing tendency were medium nnd backward lambs, but as the sale progressed prices slipped, the difference on last week being about 3/ per head on »11 but best lambs. Toward the end of the market there was a revival, prices improving by 1/ per head. Ewes sold well up to last week's rates, and wethers were down by about 1/ per head. Considering the size of the yarding, the sale was a wonderfully good one, the passings being remarkably few. Two-toothed halfbred ewes made 35/11: good halfbred, 4 nnd s-year-old ewes, 30/9 to 31/6: good 2-tooth Romney cross ewes, 31/ to 33/6; ordinary 2-tooth three-quarterhred ewee. 31/ to 31/6; ordinary 2-tooth crossbred ewes, 28/6 to 31/4; inferior 2-tooth crossbred ewes, 26/ to 27/3; good 4, 6 and 8-tooth ewes, 30/3 to 33/ : inferior 4, 6 and 8-tooth ewes, 23/ to 28/6; good 4, 6 and 8-tooth wethers. 25/3 to 26/11; very forward rape lambs, 23/6 to 25/9; forward lambs, 21/9 to 23/; good halfbred wether lambs. 18/6 to 21/; medium crossbred lambs, 15/ to 18/9; small and inferior crossbred lambs. 13/ to 14/9 ; cull lambs, 8/7 to 12/6; good three-quarterbrcd ewe lambs, 22/3. Fat Lambs.—A total of 4600 were penned, a few less than last week. There was a sale at IOJd for under 42's, and 10d for over 42's, and 9Jd for seconds. Extra prime lambs made 34/ to 37/3; a few* show

pens, 39/ to 44/10; prime, 30/9 to 82/6; medium, 27/6 to 30/G; light, 23/ to 27/. Fat Sheep.—There -was an average entry of ten races. Values showed on an average little change from last week. The companies operated more freely. Wethers realised from 6Jd to 6Jd ; ewes, from 4id to sd; extra prime wethers, 37/ to 40/; prune, 31/ to 34/; medium, 27/G to 30/G; light, 24/ to 27/G ; extra prime ewes, 82/6: prime, 24/6 to 28/G ; medium, 21/G to 24/ ; light, 20/ to 21/3 ; old, 17/ to 19/0. Fat Cattle. —There was a smaller yardJnc and an improved demand at the start of the sale of from 25/ to 30/ per head for good beef. Late entries augmented the penning to 380 head and values sljpped back to last week's rates. A few pens o£ beef made to 36/ per 1001b: prime, 31/ to 34/; medium, 27/G to 30/6; light. 24/ to 27/; rough, in/ ; extra prime steers, £17; prime, £12 10/ to £15; medium, £9 15/ to £12 5/ ; light, £6 15/ to £8 17/6; extra prime heifers, £10: prime. £7 5/ to £9 ;>/: ordinary, £4 15/ to £7 ; light. £3 10/ to £4 10/ ; extra prime cows, £10 12/G: prime, £6 15/ to £8 5/ ; medium, £4 5/ to £0 10/. Vealers.—There was an average market. Runners brought to £5 17/6; vealers, £3 5/6 to £4 5/ ; good calves, 30/ to £3 ; small, 8/ to 20/. Store Cattle.—There was a nondescript entry, mostly inferior cows and no quotable lines. Dairy Cows.—Good cows sold . well, but other sorts were neglected. Good cows realised £0; gond heifers, £0 to £12 10/; inferior, £1 to £3 10/. Fat Pigs.—There was a medium entry and a good demand at the start, but values afterwards fell away. Choppers made £2 to £4 17/0; light baconers, £3 10/ to £3 15/ ; heavy, £4 to £4 10/ ; extra heavy, £5: average price per lb, 6d to GJd; light porkers, £2 7/ to £2 12/; heavy, £2 15/ to £3 4/ ;average price per lb, 8d to B}d. Store Pigs.—There was a good demand. Southland Yorkshire bows made from £3 2/6 to £4 ; weaners, 12/ to IS/ : extra. 20/ ; small stores, 17/ to 25/; medium, 2S/ to 35/; large stores, 30/.