COMMERCIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 168, 17 July 1924, Page 12

COMMERCIAL

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE. Z in GROCERY TRADE QUIET. SCUAI! UK.nn'LD \ se "Auckland Star Ofti.v." -. j " Thursday. July IT. 1024. i »'j Wholesale ir-ieery houses report quieter I ,' r '■"millions during th.- past few days, but as next week will -cc PL-iuess for town ■ and country belt.:: cxe.-ucl (■■■ next ![J for. Oversea arrival* have been slower, pi '■hi the arrival of the Trevorlau. C'-rluthic should result in a stead., improvour nt in ji liIiAPEUV. ,' The winter season lias -o far i n ••>- ci ••eptioim.lv luilu, aud iv consequence llit-rc ,) has noi been the usual demand fur velour i „ and he.ivy serge costumes, .is liie knitted : ~, besides being very much lighter in weight. ,-, There is i„, m.n hiuerv suitable for then' j ~; inanura.ture here. s L , they have 1" he itu , ~ ported, to the detriment of local tuiinuuic- ; |, Hirers „f made-up heavy materials, who at | „, this time are finding trade iv lilelr line* p very slack. The 5.,|,. s ..m-p resulted in an all-round I increase in business, but iv some circles l mere has been soaie slight disappointment ! „■ as there has not been the turnover that I t l was expected. Others report, however. | „ that notwithstanding the lateness of their ; __ sales there has been a general sternly litt- lo provement in all departments, wlihli has If, iieen very satisfactory. I b PICKLES. I \\ Owing to the L-oMiuued scarcity of vcue- i tables suitable for pickling, llaywards a have had to advise an advance in prices, t Assorted, picalllli ami chow chow, tid per ] dozen: mixed, 1, ; military. Oil. unions and tl walnuts are unaltered for the time being. t. tea. ;■; A mail report under the heading of .lime, f, 7th, states that the -amount at auction |a during the mouth was not so great as j s usual, being 10,655,000 pounds less than for c> the same month of the previous year. Ship- . li meats to the Utiited Kingdom also .showed I a a falling off, being 1,700,000 less than the c. same month of the .previous year. Quality ' tl during the month was very even. A good | tl proportion of coloured brofeens with good e> hoil.v and strength. suitable for Soul 11 Africa. Australia and New Zealand, were available, and buyers foi' these markets j were very active operators. 11. Despite the large quantity which had t" >'' be dealt with, strong and advancing mat- ti kets were experienced. Buyers from the Persian Unlf were also very prominent and keen for broken Pekoes and broken orange I Pekoes with tip, for which very full rates ci were paid. t) Leaf grades were generally steady with- " viut meeting any great competition. Ameri- " can markets have been dull, and have not v shown auy marked interest for some time. •' Cable reports advise that 2,100.000 h pounds was offered last week with quality « showing a great improvement. Neuara « ■Elizas being, particularly fine, all oversea h buyers, except Australian, were interested. n and there was a strong demand, with all I '■ kinds dearer, especially finest grades. Clean h commons, good brokens. and finest broken c; orange Pekoes all advanced one farthing ? per pound. d SALMON*. P The latest reports from Canada in regard __ J to new season's salmon 'indicate au ex- j_ ceedingly active market on all grades, and with a strong possibility of an advance on .( sockeyes and medium reds. Spot supplies s for the present are ample to meet the __ limited requirements of this part of the „ season. Retailers in the main have made _, sure of supplies, and have been buying p freely of new season's pack for summer i trade. , MUTTON BIRDS. {■ As was previously advised, stocks of Tns- h maniau mutton birds were completely ex- t huusted some time ago, and it now transpires that stocks of New Zealand birds are sold np and. that further supplies of f either cooked or salted are Unobtainable, i The season has been a poor one, and owing r_ to the scarcity extremely high prices have a been realised, as much as 1/ per bird being ~ received at auction. t . DRIED FRUIT. * Owing to the difficulties experienced by the Australian Dried Fruits Association iv selling their fruits in London in 1, 2, and 3 crown qualities, as against Smyrna of about ", six grades, and realising that the British ! market has become of paramount import- J; ance to the Australian industry, has. i_his season, entirely altered its 'method of !! grading so as to meet as fully as possible ! the desires of the trade. In "place of the J grading in crowns which has obtained ~ hitherto, the system has been altered, so as , to approximate to that in vogue for Smyrna and Greek fruit. This will make . It possible for Australian fruit to he sold ; by sample upon its merits in the same way !, as supplies from the Levant have been for , many years. As far as New Zealand is concerned, importations have this year ' been in the usual two and three, crown J grades, but in view of the above alteration J seems quite likely that we will soon have t a different and more extensive number of ~ grades to purchase from. f Smyrna sultanas and both Amalia ami c Patras currants have been quoted at S slightly lower quotations than prices ~ named at the beginning of the season. The „ London market has firmed to some slight ~ extent, and as there seems to be no lustl- c ncation for the previous weakening iv „ values the market is expected to firm. p Figs.—Although glove or pulled Smyrna v packings were not reduced with 2Slb mats t It was anticipated they would ease later, .. but now that stocks of old season's figs in London are completely exhausted, the shortness of stocks will be reflected on ?, riua V >£ i new season's, which should have t the effect of firming the market ail round, t Prunes.—Quotations. for new season's, s have been named, and are 1/G per cwt n higher than previous opening Quotations. P Advices received from California are tn P the effect that old season's Santa Clara 1' nave been practically cleared up. There h Is a small ..supply held in outside hands, t but it is doubtful if any shipments will a come here owing to the lateness of the !l season. v Muscatels.—The market for Californian 8 muscatels is very firm, and there is a tendency to advance prices. Dates.—Prompt shipment quotations for old season's have been advanced 1/ per cwt. New season's prices for bulk are not ? yet named, but as cartons are dearer it is , anticipated that bulk quotations will bo „ higher also. Some low prices have been £ listed on this market owing to supplies % tielng obtainable from Sydney nt extremely ° low figures, but as this avenue of supply- „ JLSJ. exhausted local market values will t probably advance. J Apricots. — Decent advances on Cnli- ~ fornian packings of new season's apricots ~ amount to ±10 per ton. S CANADIAN CANNED FRUIT. r Advice has been received that some onl- V Bide packers of- canned fruit are unable to. quote apricots and pears, and the present position indicates a distinct advantage fo- v those holding stocks of Australian. IJUTE GOODS. Ji Cornsacks are now offered for November- d December delivery- at slightly different quotations; 2jlb weight at a reduction of one penny per dozen, and 21b 7oz at Vt reduction of 3d. , b, W 'tMi Pa t'in S '~ i , lif:b E re «"ctions are listed I) in this line also for forward shipment: s 4Sln duwu lid per pack and 42in Id. v CORNFLOUR. 6 A cable received last week-end ad vises ' an advance of £3 10/ per ton on both Canadian and American bulk cornflour. bhortage of yield and poor crops generally I is given as the cause, and, if this Is so n-a brands. 0 f ° r a Se " eral on other I SUGAR. All grades of refined and raw sugar have been reduced fl 10/ per ton since the b, : ginning of this week. Loaf svga? bears a ' greater reduction, as both packets and bulk I > are now being quoted £4 per tou over : Oolden syrup and treacle are unaHered I 1 tion or D w retai J PriceS a ?e U u,- I . ■SitSIlJ but thise 9 tim a tr oUUte<l t0 'wßSntlg. ! retnrns ramVin tons wh>m the final tons, nrrt this Lo '* turn l ? ras W50.0001 WOO.OOO. tons, . Sears estimate totals j

SHRIMPS. 1 American returns for a normal spriug 1 pack of shriii]]) runs 100.000 lo loO.OOil j mscs. The present ruu. however, is prae- ; licully a failure, as some of tlie leading ! • •.•inricrs predict that the total pack will not ' equal Hi per <-.-nt or previous packings. • Imleut values have already risen, and only : small consignments are expected owing to ~ I lie extremely high prices. I'IIKHItIKS. '• Quotations are now available for new ; season's . rystalised cherries at Itl per pounil advance over the last prices that were available on obi season's stock. For- . ward I kings are now twins made on new : season-, as delivery has been guaranteed in arrive here well in time fur Christmas j JAM. li is understood there will not be any j alteration in jam prices. as the late prices ' al which manufacturers have boon buying ! linplate has more than compensated for the | piesem reduction on sugar. | HABDWABE. I Wholesalcrx report much quieter enndi- I tions. hull us regards town ami country business. Cosiness oil heavy farmers' \ lines is very slow, and no improvement :n I mis respect is expected for the next few i i' His, in the main owing to the state jf . the roads hindering iransport. The Tie- I liiunlck. from New York, has been i lie : ciily arrival of interest during the last few ilajs. Apart from :i large shipment of case ..il. she carries small consignments of food choppers, machine oil. and American I aluminium ware. I'hose in the building : I mile are remarking that the demand for building hardware is nol so brisk at pn.-- [ proved demand'in the spring. ' j BUTTER. j Since last report there lias uot been any , appreciable alteration in the position of the market for bntier in London, but i." anything prices are a shade easier. In the | liirht of niarkel fluctuations at this period of the season in past years, the tendency ] from now on should be in the direction of better prices. Latest London valuations for New Zealand butter range from ISO/ to ]ss/ per cwt. which is approximately l/.-ij lo 1/3.J per Hi f.o.b. Auckland. As a very large proportion of the Auckland I trade is done at l/« per lb wholesale, and I 1/5 per lb for second entile, it is evident I that consumers at this end liave no reason t<i complain of the quotations now ruling on tills market, when allowance is made! for the cost of making the butter into pats for local requirements and distributing: the article lo retail establishments. As far as | supplies of butter on the local market are . concerned, it is now practically the end of | I he season in the Auckland district, but I already some of (he cows are coming in | early, and from the end of this month there should be an appreciable increase of the output, always provided that weather conditions remain favourable. CHEESE. The position of the market for cheese in London shows little alteration upon that reported it week ago. Prices rule from ',10/ to 0-1/ for coloured and white cheese. POTATOES. Since last report supplies of potatoes came to hand by the Wairuna from Atis- ! tralia. As the steamer was delayed there was some fear as to the condition in which the potatoes would arrive, but fortunately, ! notwithstanding the fact the "tubers had been ou the way across fori 18 days, the I bulk of the shipment proved to be in a j satisfactory condition. The landed cost . was lower than if the potatoes bad been | brought to Auckland from the South. The market for forward delivery of potatoes in the South is a little weaker, but it is I hardly likely that the prices still asked I can be maintained in view of the cheaper | supplies available from Australia. While it is known that the Southern crop of potatoes was smaller this season, against that must he put the fact that owing to heavy importations from Australia, -there has been a considerable falling off in the quantity brought to this market from the South Island. Therefore it is quite possible that farmers who are holding in the hopes of getting higher prices later in the winter may in tlie end have to accept still lower figures. The interim returns just published show an estimated yield of 104,382 tons of potatoes from 20,941 acres planted last season in. New Zealand, as compared with 113,826 tons actual output last year. In 1920 the output was 144,705 tons. SEED POTATOES. The finer weather resulted in the demand for seed potatoes showing a considerable increase. Ample supplies of Northern Star. Dp-to-Date and Gamekeeper seed are available to meet the requirements of growers. As planting will be later this season, the chances are that smaller quantities of the early variety of seed potatoes will be wanted. ONIONS. , The shortage of onions on the local j market was relieved by shipments from j Australia by the Wairuna since last report. These met with ready sale at good I prices. The outlook is, however, that high i prices will rule for onions in the future, as | latest report from Australia are to the j effect that it may be necessary for that j country to import supplies later on. This i means that Auckland will not then be able j to draw further quantities of onions from j Ihe Commonwealth. What may materially i affect the future of the market for onions I is a report that the New Zealand Government may place an embargo upon importation of onions from California, owing to the risk of introducing the dreaded' foot and moulh disease, which, of course, it is imperative that in a dairying- country like this every Reasonable precaution should be taken to prevent the possibility of such a catastrophe.occurring. Representations arcbeing made to the Government to have the embargo lifted so as to allow onions to bp imported from California, provided a certificate is furnished that the shipments-were grown in an area not affected by the foot and mouth disease. It is understood such certificates can be furnished for Californian shipments. The position is a serious one in that California is the only source from which onions can be got for the two or three months just before the new local crop will be ready for market. MAIZE. Latest information is to the effect that the Department of Agriculture has given the Australian authorities notice to enforce shipments of maize for New Zealand, in new sacks, which will, of course, add proportionately to the landed cost here. Supplies of old maize are now in short compass in Gisborne, and it is quite possible in view of tlie higher cost of landing maize from Australia, holders on the Coast will ask more money for their grain. Before long, however, Auckland will be supplied with the new season's maize, when it is sufficiently dry to make it safe to store. WHEAT. Reports from Canterbury are to the effect that the general impression is that a heavier sowing of wheat has taken place for next year. The threshing returns for the present season give an estimated outI put of 4,007,001 bushels. This is the low- | est j-ield for 20 years. In only three out of 47 years has the yield of wheat in New Zealand been smaller than the estimate for this year. Dunedin reports are to the effect that farmers are not offering their wheat to the millers at the price agreed upon earlier in the season, as they can now get higher money for the grain for seeding purposes, and even for fowl feed. A large shipment of milling wheat was brought across by the Wairuna. FOWL. WHEAT. Large quantities of Australian fowl wheat- have been landed at Tlmaru. as the Kaikorai had 33,000 sacks on board. The Wairuna only brought a small quantity of : fowl wheat this trip, and it went into direct consumption from ship's side. OATS. Farmers iv Canterbury are not offering their oats, ulthough Canadian grain. has been delivered in Chrischurch, and further shipments are understood to be on the water. It is stated that there are scarcely sufficient oats left in the South to meet requirements for seed purposes. SEED OATS. A week's Tine weather enabled farmers to start getting the land ready for oat sowing, and there has been a better inquiry for Algerian seed. CHAFF. As very little chaff is now offering in New Zealand, practically all supplies are drawn from Australia for this market. 1 Prices of chaff for forward delivery from : Melbourne have advanced since lust rel port, which indicates a firmer market here for this line later on. The Wairuna brought a shipment of chaff this week from Melbourne, but it is probable future snp- , plies will be from Tasmania, where prices . are at present under those ruling in Victoria. I WOOL. Statistics compiled by Dalgcty and Co. I show that the sales of wool in June totalled 42G0 bales. For the 12 months | the total was 501,260 bales, as compared 1 with 473.512 bales tlie previous year. The i export of wool for the 12 months ending I June. 1024, totalled 001,357 bales, as compared with 052.273 bales the previous 12 , months. j ON CHANGE. I Batiks and Insurance shares have had ; j-more attention on 'Change this week, and J some advances in price were registered.

3ank of New South Wales stock could now | ie placed at £40 12/0, and Union Banks,, ire now wanted at £l.j •"•/. an advance of I :/i) in each case. Bank of New Zealand ; iharcs. advanced from r.4/0 to .">.".. ::. and 11 *ould still be j.bleed at fifty. National |, Insuranco are in steady demand at 72/. i _ .vhile standards sold up to 41/. an advance , if one shilling. South British Insurance ire a shade easier this week, being offered :lt 40/0, with loners ottering 40/, as - against 40, ,", a week ago. National Mort- • gage shares could be got now at 77/0. j. Coal shares show no change this week, and timber lines are siiil in steady request ill; firmer quotations. Bycrol't, Ltd., shares , had more inquiry this week, and could lie ■ placed at 24,10. while for the right to the i new issue, buyers oiler :),1, Oeur Meat ] shares tinned to hovers at 42/0, and New Zealand Breweries. Ltd., sold at 28/«. Mm : ' ing shares arc still neglected. Sales o! Waihi slock took place HI 2!»/, and for (irand Junctions -•/:> is now otlVre.l. War Loans had little business ibis week, hut prices continued steady at firmer quota- t tions. The ,"> per cent loan, 1P27, were again sold at £'.•*. Buyers oifered £101 ■>/ i for Gisborne Sueepfaruicrs' debentures. WHOLESALE CI" It RENT PRICES, j .11' I. V 17, 1024. Ibtirv I'lodticc. - Supcrline quality creamery bmter, lib pais: Hooked i/tt per ill, prompt .-ash !,(.; per pound First grade la,-lory. Booked 1 Hi per pound, cash I/O per pound. Second grade: i>ooked \/.<i | per pound, cash l/.i per pound. I'ltrincrs • separaior. 1/2 per pound. Cheese rust made factory: Med.urn size, lid lo III.! P-r pound: loaf. 1/ 1011. Hams, lid to 1,1 per pound. Bacon sides, lid to 1/1 per pound. Laid: Bulk 11 to 1/ per pound, pats 1/ to 1/1 per pound. Flour.—fit .",/ per ion, bss 2j per cent discount for 2UOlh sacks. Sharps.—£S per ton. Bran. £7 per ton. Oatmeal, 25's: Local £32 per ton, Southern £33 per ton. Hniiii.—Cats: Canadian. .>/G per bushel, Algerian seed, 0/0 per bushel. Maize: East | Coast. 7/ per bushel. Local fowl wheat, i 7/ per bushel; Australian. 7/3 per bushel. Feed barley. 0/4 per bushel. Chuff.—Blenheim. £11 BY per ton; Australian: Sacks, £10 per ton; compressed. £0 5/ per ton. ,_ . Ouious.—Australian: 20/percwt. insco: Export temporarily prohibited. Potatoes.- Australian: i's 13/ per ton. Southern: Whites, i'O 5/ per ton; red, por ton. Seed Potatoes.—Up-to dates, £10 per ton: Northern Star. £S lU/ per ion; Gamekeeper, £S 10/ per ton. Hay.—Best meadow. £8 per ton. Blenheim lucerne. £11) per ton. Linseed.—Whole, 22/0 per cwt; crushed, 23/0 per 100 pounds. Manures.—Blood and bone, £11 10/ per ton; Super, (high gradol. £0 2/6 and £0 770* per ton: steamed bonedust. No. 1.. Sydney. , £11 lv/ per ton. AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. The New Zealand Loan aud Mercantile Agency Company. Limited, report:—We held sales during the past week at Westfield, l'apakura anil Warkworth. all classes of cattle selling at late quotations, with tbe exception of dairy cows and heifers, which have been easier in values. We quote:— Best dairy cows aud heifers, £10 to £13 10/: others, tO to £'.i IS : aged cows and inferior heifers £2 to £.-, j.-,/ : [ m lls. ft 10/ to £3 13/; empty cows. £1 to £1 17/6: yearling to 18-month heifers. 15/ to £2 10/ : 2 to 24-Year steers, £2 12/0 to £3 10/; 3 to 31-year steers. £3 12/G to £4 10/; 4 to 5-year steers. £4 12/0 to £•"> 17/0. At l'apakura on Monday we held a special horse sale, practically all horses yarded changed hands at satisfactory prices, and we report a good sale Heavy draughts. £33 to £.~>0; medium draughts, £22 to £34; lighter sorts. £12 to £21 ; hacks. £0 to £15 10/: ponies. £2 to £7 10/; weeds, 10/ upwards. At Ilunua on Thursday we held a successful clearing sale on account of Messrs. Burrett aud Sou: also on Tuesday in our Pukekohe Yards in conjunction with Messrs. A. Dockland and Suns, we sold Messrs. Gaskil Bros.' and others' dairy herds and report a good sale. Dairy cows selling to £14. Breeding ewes, £1 8/3: hoggets, £1 1/3: bulls. £1 to £2 10/. A quantity of farm implements and sundries at most satisfactory prices. During tbe week we held sales at Westfield. Tuakau. Turua, Pokeno, Helensville. I'uncimau, and two clearing sales. We have had average vardiugs. with values unchanged. The 3000 sheep at Tuakau found ready buyers, hoggets being in especially strong request, and there continues to be a good demand for dairy cows at clearing sales, best cows selling at from £lli to £1S 10/; extra, to £23; good cows, £10 to £13; more backward. £0 to £!> 10/; aged and inferior. £1 10/ upwards: best springing heifers. £0 to £12: good average heifers. £0 to £S 10/: small and backward. £2 to £•> 10/; four to four and a-hal f-year-old steers, £4 to £."i; three to four-year-old steers, £-3 5/ to £4; eighteen-month to two-year-old steers £2 10/ to £3: fat cows aud heifers, £3 10/ to £6 10/: rough killalilc cows, £2 to £3 D/; empty young cows, £1 15/ to £- 10/; store cows. £1 to £1 10/; store wethers £1 0/ to £1 14/: full mouth ewes, in land), £l'«/ to £1 0/C; good ewe hoggets £1 8/ to £1 11/; good wether hoggets, £1 0/ to £1 9/; mixed sexes, £1 3/ to £1 0/; small hoggets, 14/ to IS/. WAIKATO. i The Farmers* Co-operative Auctioneering ICo Ltd., Hamilton, report ns follows on stock sales held in the Waikato last week: The demand for prime steer and cow beet continues good. but unfinished is not wanted, a lot of rough and unfinished coming forward. There is a tendency for fat sheep to harden, especially prime wether mutton. There is no improvement in store cattle, small yardlngs coming forward due no doubt to the low prices ruling at all the sales. There is still a keen demand for all classes of store sheep, ewes iv lamb and hoggets being especially sought after, also wethers, but not many of the latter ate , offering. In dairy cattle sales continue 1 "ood for any tested herds, also for good springing heifers. Jersey and Jersey cross of both classes beiug most inquired for. The yardlngs of pigs have been smaller and prices are very firm for fats and porkers, and stores are very deaf, the yndings not being sufficient for the demand.W c quote: Bullocks, prime, heavy £12 to £13. medium £0 to £0 10/; cows, prime v.-> 10/ to £0 10/, medium £4 10/ to £4 13/, unfinished £3 to :£3 10/. stores 13/ to 25/: steers, ttorear. ! forward £4 BY to £5; 3*-year stores, £3 10/ Ito £3 13/ ; 2J-year, good £3 to £3 5/: 'others £2 5/ to £2 10/: IS-months, good fo to £2 5/, medium £1 10/ to £1 15/; wethers, prime heavy 38/ lo £2 2/. medium 34/ to 36/; ewes, prime heavy 2i, to 30/, • light "•">/ to 2(5/: storo wethers, 4-tooth 31/ to 33/, 2-tooth 20/ to 29/; ewes in lamb. 5-year 2S/ to 33/, sound-mouth 25/ to 2i/; lambs, fat 23/0 to 20/, forward 22/ to 24/ ; good store lambs. 18/ to 22/, medium 10/ to 17/, small 12/G to 14/0: pigs, prime b'iconers £3 15/ to £4 10/. medium baconers £3 10/ to £3 12/6; porkers £2 5/ to £2 15/, slips 30/ to £2. weaners 20/ to -i/b; horses, heavy draughts £30 to £00. medium £33 to £38. spring cart, sorts £18 to £22, harness horses__ £8 to £10. The Farmers' Co-op. Auctioneering Co., Ltd., report: — At Hamilton, on Tuesday, 15th, the yarding was an average one. but competition for all classes improved. The supply of fat sheep was larger than usual, but the demand was sufficiently strong to absorb •them at advanced rates. Best wethers made £2 2/ to £2 :',/: weight's, 37/1: heavy ewes, 33/0 to 40/0; very forward ewes, 23/6: small fat hoggets made from 25/G to 26/ S. A small lot of medium ewes hi lamb made 20/. Beef also was keenly competed for and advanced in value. Best heavy steers made from £11 to £14: light weights, £3 17/0. No extra heavy cows were penned. Best medium weights made to £5 14/; lighter weights, from £4 10/; forward cows, from £2 12/6 to £3 10/; stores, from £1 6/ to £2. Very few store cattle were penned. Jersey heifers (yearlings) sold to £2 12. Fat pigs were not numerous but good competition ruled, resulting in advanced values. Best baconers made from £4 to £4 11/; medium weights, £3 7/G to £3 15/: porkers, best, £2 10/ to £3; light. £2 2/6 to £2 111-': store pigs, 29/ to 3S/; weaners, 7/ to 23/. FAT STOCK MARKET. Dalgcty and Co.. Ltd.. report having held their weekly fat stock sale at WcstiiclJ yesterday a* follows: — Beef.—A heavy yarding. Prices were easier. We quote:—Extra choice ox, "17/ per 1001b; choice and prime. 24/ to 20/: other. 16/ to 23/. Prime youug cow and heifer beef sold from 23/ to '23/; other, 15/ to 22/. Sheep.—A good yarding, prices easier. We quote:—Extra heavy prime wethers, £1 10/ to £2 3/; medium, prime, 36/ to 3S/G; light, 32/ to 35/0; heavy prime ewes, 30/ to 34/; medium prime, 27/ to 29/; others, 22/ to 20/ G. Pigs.—A medium yarding sold at late I rates. Heavy and medium baconers, £3 13/ to £i 10/; light baconers and heavy porkers, ,£3 to £3 12/; medium and light porkers, I£2 5/ to £2 IS/. Calves.—A heavy yarding, prices lower. Bumlers, £2 5/ to £3: heavy venters, £2 8/ to £2 18/; medium renters, £1 13/ to £2 6/; light, £1 3/ to £1 12/; others. 12' to £1 3/. Lambs.—Sold at late rates. Best heavy ■prime, 2S/ to 30/; medium, 'jr./ to 2u"/0; light, 22/ to 24/; others, 18/ to 21/6.

The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency!Co. report:— At Westticld fat stock market on Wednesday, although beef was penned in small numbers, there was no improvement in values, and in many cases prices were inclined to be lower. Extra choice oxen to -!S/ per 1001b: choice and prime oxen from 23/ to 27, per 1001b: plain and unfinished oxen, from 18/ to 22/ per 1001b; tprime young cow and heifer beef from 21, to 24/ per loolb: other cow beef. 17/ to 20' per 1001b: rough beef, 10/ to 10/ peri ' I (Hill i; no extra heavy prime steers were j . penned. Heavy prime steers sold at from I I £11 to £12 120; medium prime steers. £'■ j !to £H> 17,0: light prime steers. £7 lo £S I 1 15 : smaller and unfinished steers. £4 10/ j 1 to £6 1-v ; heavy prime cows and heifers. £0 in/ to £7 7 6: medium prime cows and heifers, £."• to £ii 7/0: light prime cows and heifers. £•". lo £4 17,11: unfinished cows and heifers. £1 tn £2 17/6. Calves were penned in large numbers and values declined on last week's quotations: Runners. £3 13/ to i£t 17/6; heavy vealers, £:> to £3 10,/; mcIdiom vealers. £2 to £2 IS/; light vealers. U'l 8/ lo £1 17/: smaller. 18/ lo tl ."./; j small and fresh-dropped. 5/ to ]3/: rough (calves. 14/ to HI :'-'. Sheep were penned in i average numbers, selling at late quotations: Heavy prime wethers. £2 16 to £2 3.3; medium prime wethers, fl 10/ lo £2 1, : light prime wethers, £1 17/ to £1 I.B' li; j unfinished wethers, f 1 12/ lo £1 10/0; heavy prime ewes, £1 10/ to £1 14 (i; me- | ilium prime ewes. 26' lo 29 9: light prime ewes, -_■]/ to 25/"; poorer ewes. 5/ to 15/; heavy prime hoggets, 211/ lo 31/: medium I prime hoggets, 27/ lo 2S C; light I prime hoggets. 21/ to 26/0: unfinished hoggets, 12/ to 2.".'. Pigs were penned iv

small numhers, values improving on last week's quotations, especially for porkers. • 'hoppers. C, <>' to £4; heavy and medium liaeoners. £:: IS/ to £4 11, : light baconers and heavy porkers, £:; Vl' to £3 11!/: medium and light, porkers. £2 ](>/ lo £3 10/. Store pigs sold at improved rates: large stores, £1 t* ' to in IS,: slips, £1 of to £1 12/; weaners. 10/ to £1 4.,' j j Alfred Buckland and Sons. Ltd., report : Yesterday at our weekly Wcstfield fat ; stock market our supply of fat cattle totalled 741. comprising ."i37 steers. 202 | cows and heifers, and two hulls. There was I a falling off in the demand, and although | our quotations lire the same, values geneI rally were lower. Kxtra choice ox sold to El S/ per 100|h: choice and prime ox. £1 5/ | to £1 7, : ordinary and plain ox. £1 to £1 4- : prime young cow and heifer beef, IS/ to . £1 3/: ordinary cow beef. 14-' to 17'; rough heel', 7 to 13/ ; 2 show steers made £20 ,">/ and EMI: extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £14 lo *1B 12,6: heavy prime steers. £10 10/ to £13 10/: lighter prime! steers, £S 10/ to £10 5/: light prime steers. £i> 10 to £S of; unfinished and small, £3 !.">/ to £i! ,">/: extra heavy prime young cows and heifers. £7 1(1/ lo £9: heavy prime young cows and heifers. £5 10/ to £7 ." : lighter. £4 to £5 .)• : other rows. £1 to .E.i 13/, Sixteen nice quality steers from Mr. Wm. .osper, "Dingley Dell."' Cambridge, averaged £12 7/0. Calves were penned in large numhers, values for all classes showing a decline on last week's i prices, liunnors brought from £4 5/ to £5; heavy vealers. £l 19/ to £3 1/: medium vealers. £1 12/ to £2 14/: light vealers. £1 2,' io £1 10/ : small and fresh dropped. 1/ to IS/ (277 sold). A medium yarding of pigs met with a firni sale, at slightly in-

creased rates. Heavy baconers made up to 14 li, : light and medium. £.'t 11/ to £3 17/ ; heavy porkers, from £.'( '.'••' to £o 0/ ; light ,-iurl medium. £2 8/ to ti 10/ ; unfinished from £1 16/ to £2 4 : choppers;, for extra heavy, up lo £"i li, ; lighter. £'.'! 10/ to £4 IS)/. There was also a ready sale for stores. Large and good conditioned, up to £2 4/ : smaller. £1 7/ to £1 IS..': weant-rs. from IS/ to £1 «/ : small. 8/ upwards (364 soldi. We had a heavy yarding of good quality mutton. There was a steady demand throughout, but values wore easier for all classes of sheep. Extra heavy prime wethers, £- 3/ to £2 a/: heavy prime wethers. £2 lo £2 L'/O; medium to heavy prime wethers, £1 17/ to £1 10/0; light prime wethers. £1 14/ to £1 16/3 : unfinished wethers £1 11/ to £1 14/: extra heavy prime youug ewes, s.l ID/ to £1 17/; heavy prime ewes, i'l ]<»/ to £1 14/: lighter fat. ewes, i'l li/6 to £1 0/6: other ewes, 18/ to £1 5/ l*i.*».*?2 penned I. The 219 lambs which came forward sold readily at ruling prices. Kxtra heavy prime to £1 11/6: heavy prime. £1 S/ to £1 10.'; lighter, £1 4/6 to £1 7/9; unfinished, £1 to £1 if. ADDINGTON. CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. There was again a heavy entry of stock generally at Addington. Values compared with last week were easier for both fat entile and fat sheep, though in both cases the market concluded firmly. The national market takes place on August (>. Fat Cattle. —There was again a very large yarding, comprising 510 head, compared with 54.") last week. North Island consignments figured largely and were of prime quality. There were several splendid drafts from North Canterbury and the

Peninsnla. The market opened on a lower basis for big cattle by about 20/ per head. Prime beef made from 32/6 to 35/ ; medium, 29/ to 32/ ; lighter, 23/ to 28/; rough, down to 13/ ; extra prime steers, £17 to £1S 17/6; prime, £13 to £lfi: medium, £9 15/ to £12 10/; light, £5 10/ to £9 10/ ; extra prime heifers, £10 0/; prime, £7 5/ to £9 5/; ordinary. £4 10/ to £7: extra prime cows, £9 13/: prime, £(» 15/ to £S 15/ ; medium, £4 5/ to £G 10/. Vealers. —The entry was small, good calves being scarce. There was a pronounced rise in all classes on last week. Values were practically double what they were in the early part of June. Runners, £7; good vealers, £4 10/ to £5 10/; good cal-es, £2 15/ to £4 a/; small, 20/ to 35/. Store Cattle. —There was a small entry of store cattle, consisting mainly of cows. The bidding was not brisk, as potting hovers were not operating, t'ood cows, £2 10/ to £2 17/6; medium, £1 17/6 to £2 7/0; inferior, 20/ to £1 13/ ; good I heifers. £1 12/G to £1 10/ : medium and I inferior. £1 2/G to £1 10/; good bulls, I£3 to £4 17/6; medium, £2 to £2 10/. Dairy Cattle. —-The total entry was 77 head. The sale was lifeless, and many of ; the cattle failed to change hands. Good third and fourth calvers close to calving, lEG to £8 10/; extra good, £12; medium, I£4 to £5; best heifers, £3 to £8; others, £2 to £4 10/. Fat Pigs.—A small entry met with keen j demand, and there was a general improvement in prices. Choppers, £3 to £9 5/ ; light I baconers, £4 of to £5; heavy, £3 to £6; i extra heavy, £6 10/ (average price per lb, ISd to Sid) : light porkers, £2 10/ to £3; heavy, £3 5/ to £3 17/ (average price per lb, 9d to o*d).