MARKET REPORTS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7252, 11 January 1889, Page 6

MARKET REPORTS.

LIVE STOCK, &C.

Messrs Matson and Co. report on the Live Stock Markets, &c, for the week ending Thursday, January 10th, 1889, as follows:— • >•,._. Yesterday's market at Addington was again an exceptionally heavy one aa regards the supply of fat stock, pigs being the only exception. Both in beef and mutton the quantity to hand was altogether in excess of the day's requirements, the result being one of the dullest sales experienced this season. In all there must have been over 9000 fat sheep yarded—much the same number as last week—the largest proportion being ewes. But apart from this there were more than sufficient prime quality sheep to meet the various demands of the day. The protracted nature of the fat cattle and lamb sale again made it very late before the sheep were commenced with, and we might here remark that to absorb the large entry there was very little demand other than "local" available.

There were cc tainly some few outsiders present who are among our principal parchasers for export, but in consequence of the limited number of sheep that are at present going through the factory, there were evidently very few orders for immediate execution, and those buyers referred to contented themselves for the most part in watching the progress of a very dragging sale, and picking up a line here and there whenever the reduced prices became sufficiently tempting. At any rate these operations were not sufficient to make themselves much felt in the market, neither were there purchases made for the West Coast, as at the previous sale. The auction, therefore, opened with a weak and irregular tone, which soon merged into a further average drop of quite Oα per head below last week's reduced rates. This dullness was still further intensified as the sale progressed and buyers' wants became satisfied until towards the clone withdrawals were pretty general, and such clearances as were then made took place at a decline of nearly Is per head, and quite that for ewes and second rate sheep generally. We presume that the late dry weather, with the anticipated chance of its continuation and its effects on some of the lighter lands of the province, accounts in a great measure for the rush of sheep which has been coming to hand for the last week or two, and this unfortunately at a time when our export outlet is partially closed. The rain, however, which fell on Tuesday night and during a portion of the following day should relieve the anxiety of farmers for a little time as to anything approaching a drought, and this will probably check the heavy supplies of fat stock at present being forced on the markets.

Good lines of wethers suitable for freezing sold on Wednesday at an average of about 11s per head, or perhaps a shade over; very exceptional lots to 12s ; fair trade wethers of good quality bat rather lighter ia weight at 10s to 10s 6d; average ewes about Bs, secondary lots 6s 6d to 7s 6d. the heaviest up to 10s 6d. On account of Mr Wm. Goodwin we sold crossbred wethers at 10s 7d to 11s 3d, halfbreds at 10s; account Mr Wm. Boag, crossbred wethers at 10s 6d, ewes at 7s lid to 8s 6d; account Mr H. McLean, wethers at 10s 3d to 11s, ewes at 7s 3d to 7s 6d: account Mr G. D. Greenwood, crossbred 'wethers at 10s, merino ewes at 5s 3d, balance of this line being withdrawn; account Messrs Gould and Cameron, heavyweight crossbred ewes at 9s; account Mr B. Duncan, crossbred wethers at 9s 7d, ewes at 8s; account Mr R. Duncan, crossbred wethers at 10s 7d, ewes at 8s 9d; account the Levels Estate, crossbred ewes at 8s 6d to 8s 7d; account Mr F. Wright, crossbred wethers at 10s 3d; account Mr John Ballantyne, mixed four-tooth crossbreds at 8s 7d; account Mr W. Birdling, crossbred ewes at 8s toßs7d; account Mr T. Dawson, crossbred ewes at 8s 7d; account Messrs Ryan Bros., crossbred ewes at 6e 9d; account Mr J. Cunningham, mixed crossbreds at 10s 9d; account Messrs Moderate Bros., halfbred wethers at 9s 3d; account Mr Biseett, mixed croasbreds at 8s 6d; account Mr J. Coe, crossbred ewes at 10s 9d; account Mr W. Moody, crossbred ewes at 6s 6d to 6s 9d; account Mr Mason crossbred wethers at 10s; account Mr Johneton, crossbred ewes at 9s; account Mr P. Henley, mixed crossbreds at 8s; and for Mr W. J. Guy, crossbred ewes at Bs. We also withdrew several other lots on account of different owners. We quote best wether mutton at 2diperlb,other descriptions atlsdtolfd. Fat Lambs—A very large entry, consisting chiefly of good quality lots. The little demand that existed for freezing was for the most part confined to lambs, most of those good enough being taken for this purpose. For this reason lambs sold much better in proportion .than sheep, although we consider that prices were barely up to the previous week's quotations.

Our sales for the day were as under, lambs, account Mr Campbell at 63 7d to 7s; account Messrs Mallock and Lance at 6s 9d; account Mr Hight at 6s 9d ; account Mr Henley at 7s 9d to 8s 3d; account Mr Moody at 5s 3d; account Mr Gooney at 7s 8d to 8s 6d ; account Mr Johnston at 9s to 9s 6d; account Mr Thompson at 8s 3d to 9s: account Mr Tuft at 7s 6d; account Messrs Ryan, Bros. atss6d to 7s 3d; account Mr H. Tuft at 78; account Mr Hancock at 8s 6d to 9s3d ; account' Messrs Bailey Bros, at 7s 6d to 7s 10d; account Mr W. H. Whall at 6s lid to 7s; account Mr Guiney at Seed.

Store Sheep—This part of the day's business simply resulted in a fiasco, in fact it must have been after six o'clock before the last lot was submitted. It is almost needless to say'that by this time there was scarcely a buyer in the yard, and with bat two exceptions, every line was passed —or as it was put by the Company's various agents, held over until next week, when it is proposed to institute a change in the time of selling. To this we might add—" and not before it is time," for if the Addington Market is to become a ♦'medium for the distribution of store stock, the same should certainly be offered before the closing hours of the day, when nine out of every ten residents in the country attending the sales have returned home by the evening trains. The proposition now is to offer the store sheep at half-past ten o'clock in the morning, t.e., after the North and South trains nave arrived, so that the store sheep sale may be in progression, and finish at about the same time as the fat cattle or soon after. Owners may therefore take this hint, and get their sheep yarded early. We sold on Wednesday last a line of about 200 ewes and lambs, all counted, at 3s 9d per head, and held over about 1000 others for various owners.

Pigs—The entry was confined to about 100 head, chiefly porkers and light weight, bacon llbes. A keen competition was shown for every pen, and. prices ruled decidedly high throughout. Our lots we cleared as under:—account Messrs Gould and Cameron, 5 at 425, 5 at 41s 6d, 5 at 37s 6d, 10 at 36s 6d, 10 at 35s 6d, 5 at 335; account Mr Smith, 6 at 29s 6d, 6 at 30s, 5 at 26s 6d, 6at 225; and for various owners, 2at 30s, 2at 29s 6d,2 at 2Se, 4at 255, 2at 215,2at3356d, &c fat Cattle—Large entry of beef. Market opened dull, and continued so throughout; best lines realised 16s to 17s 6d per 1001b. Our principal sales are as follows:—A.ccount Mr Britten, cows at £3 10s each; account Mr James Hey wood, cows at £4 12s 6d; account Mr Dixon, 4 steers at £5 12b 6d, 1 at £5, 6at £5 each; account Mr H. B. Andrews. 4 head at £510s, 4 at £5, 2at £55m, 3at £5 7s 6d, 3at £5 se; account Mr Britten, heifers at £310s each; account Mr Hey wood, 2at£Bss,4at£4,sat£3 10s, lat £4; account Mr Mathews, cows at £5 Sβ, heifers at £3 10s; account Mr Callaghan, 15 heifers. 7 at £3 17s 6d, 8 at £3 17s « each, 15 heifers 3 at £3 15s. 4 at £4 7s 6d, Bat £3 14s 8d ; account Mr Green, cows from £310s to £3 15s each; account Mr Todd, 2at £5,2 at £310s, lat £312s 6d, lat£4 7s 6d; account Mr Buck, cows from £2 lOs to £3 7s 6deach; account Mr Harris, 7 cows from £317s 6d to £4 2s 6d; also a number of odd cattle at various prices. Veal—Abont 80 calves yarded; best sorts 15s to 20s, ordinary 8s to 14s, inferior at 5s to 7s each.

Store Cattle—Good entry; every lot sold at tairly satisfactory prices; three-year-old steers in forward condition up to £417s fid; three-year-old heifers up to £3 10s per head; bulla, 20s to £3 each ; yearling steers. 25s to 30s each. & large number of odd cows and heifers found buyers at full market rates.

Dairy Cattle—Large entry: demand not over brisk. lines changed owners at prices ranging between £3 and £5 15s per head.

The totals yarded for the day comprised (2,586 sheep, 375 head of cattle, and 101 pigs, of which our entry included 4501 sheep, 208 head of cattle, and 81 pigs, for ;he New Zealand and Aprfcnltnral Land Company, Levels Estate, Messrs W. J. 3uy, P. Henley, J. M. Johnston, F. Mason, W. Moody, W. Goodman, W. 3oag, H. McLean, G. C. Primmer. R. Year, Bailley Bros., G. D. Greenwood, P. Joncan, Goold and Cameron, Robt DunAn, Henderson and Mcßeath, F. Wright, tohn Ballantyne, W. Blrdling, T. Dawson,

Bros., W. Benson, J. Coe, A. Smith, H. Chamberlain, H. Bennetts, J. Campbell, Mallock and Lance, H. Hight, J. Cooney, W. H. Thompson, W. Ton. Ryan Bros., H.Tuft, T. Hancock, W. H. White, B. Gulney, W. Coop, E. Mulcock, J. Slattery, W. Jones, J. Simpson, W. Wifchey, 5. Burrows, J. Ritchings, R. Calder, H. Tisch, W. Bartlett, J. Hurse, A. Asbworth, J. Deans, J. Eamshaw, J. L. Fattrick, W. Brick, J. Smith, J. Murray, J. Green, F. H. Brittan, Jas. Heyward, M. Dixon, W. B. Andrews, A. Grant, P. Callaghan, P. Tod, H. Harris, B. Moorhoase, W. Wright, J. Wood, A. Calder, F. Baraett, R. Kiel, Mrs Gill, W. Walls, S. Grath, W. Triggs, J. Barry, F. Bartlet, L. Wilson, and G. Hantner.

Canterbury Horse Market—Our entry for lasc Saturday's sale was confined to 68 horses of various descriptions, including a few draughts, while in hacks, &c, there were more horses of a useful stamp than usuaL Taken on the whole there was an improved tone in the day's transactions, the bulk of the better class of stock changing owners during the course of the sale. Harness horses with a certain amount of style and pace sold at from £12 to £17, good hacks £12 to £15, and in one instance up to £25 for a 4-year-old filly by Berlin out of a Touchstone mare. In farm horses we made sales at from £12 to £21 10s, aged sorts £7 to £10. For Mr John Homer, we also disposed of his cabman's plant, consisting of cabs, horses, harness, &c, but prices in this case were scarcely up to expectations, or, in reality, to the actual values of some of the lots submitted. Apart from this line most of the lots sold fairly well, a clearance of about forty head being made. Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Fat and Tallow —At our Canterbury Wool Stores, on Thursday last, we held our usual weekly sale of the above. Our entry for the week comprised 2731 sheepskins, 64 bags and packages rough fat and tallow, 97 ox hides and calfskins. Buyers mustered in full force. Biddings were brisk, resulting in a satisfactory clearance of every line on our catalogue. Prices ruled as follows:— Butchers' pelts, 10d, Is, Is 4d, Is 6d, Is Bd, Is 10d to Is lid eac'a; lambskins, Is 4d, Is 6d, Is Bd, Is lOd, 2s, 2s Id to 2s 2d each. Country skins sold well at up to 6sd per lb. Factory skins —Several lines at most satisfactory prices. Rough fat—Prices about same as last week. Well saved lines, lgd to lfd per lb; good lota, lfcd per lb, while inferior lots sold as low as £d perlb. Hides at last week's rates.

Messrs Pnre and Co. report for the week ending January 10th: —The total number yarded was 12,536 sheep, 375 cattle, 101 pigs. The number of fat and store cattle was almost the same as last week. In fat cattle the quality was on the whole very fair, but beef may be quoted at a shade under last week's values, good light weight bullocks being in most demand. Store cattle moved off freely, and for this class of stock there appeared to be a fair demand. In fat sheep there was once more a generally over-crowded market, all store pens and receiving yards being brought into use. The number was quite double what was required, and consequently there was a further decline on last week's prices. Towards tha end of the sale line after line was passed out, owners naturally being unwilling to accept such great reductions in prices. The outlook for ewes and second-class mutton looks by no means cheery, and holders of such quality cannot expect late prices to' continue. Very few prime sheep, considering the entry, were bought for export.- In lambs there wasan equally large entry, by comparison, but prices, considering the numbers, were well maintained. The lace hour prevented most of the store sheep being offered, and the new rule of selling this class at 10.30 will, no doubt, give purchasers of store sheep a fair chance of supplying their requirements. We sold on behalf of various clients 17 wethers at 10s, 30 ewes at 8a 6d, 26 at 83 3d, 10 at6s9d, and 61 two-tooth wethers at Bs, 10 lambs at 8s sd, 10 at 8s 4d, 10 at 8s 3d, 11 at 7s. 9d, 10 at 7s 6d, 22 at 7s, the lateness of the hour preventing our offering any store sheep. At our skin sale to-day there was a good attendance. We sold butchers' pelts at 4d. lOd, Is. Is 2d, Is sd, Is 6d, Is Bd, Is lOd, up to 2s 2d; lambs, at Bd, lOd, Is 2d, Iβ sd, Is 7d, and up to 2s 4d. We sold best fat at 2d per lb, inferior down to Id, and hides at current rates. During the week we have sold several lines of factory skins at satisfactory prices. In conjunction with Messrs Miles and Co. we held a most successful sale of horses on behalf of the Waimate estate. Every lot was disposed ot The draught stock were a "most useful lot of form horses, and any buyers of this class of stock would do well on further occasions to attend this sale.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the live stock market for the weekly period ending 10th January, 1889. Totals yarded at Canterbury saleyards, Addington, 9th inst.—Sheep, 12586; cattle,-375; pigs, 101. Fat sheep—There was another enormous entry, and most of the store pens were filled with fat sheep. The demand throughout was chiefly local, very few purchases being made for export, and values suffered a further decline of from 6d to Is per head. We quote mutton from lsd to 2d per lb, and sold for Mr Edwin White, crossbred wethers at lls 3d; for Mr R. Curragh, nice quality light ewes at 8s; for Mr B, Oakley, crossbred ewes at 6s 4d to 6s 9d; for a client, ewes at 7s 7d; for another client, merino wethers at from 5s 4d to sssd; withdrawing several lots that did not reach owners' reserves. General transactions were sfcs under:— Prime heavy crossbred wethers, lie to 12s 9d; do do ewes and mixed sexes, 10a t<> 12s; inferior and lightweights, 7* 6d to 9s 6d: medium meiiuo wethers, ss6d to 7s. Fat lambs—Here also there was a very large entry, and though sales were easily effected, the demand was hardly so firm as it has been, and prices were rather lower. We topped the market for Mr R. Oakley with some exceptionally good lambs at 10s 9d. For Mr D. McPhedron we sold good quality at 8s 6d to 9d ; for Mr K. Curragh at. 7s 10d ; for Mr Dohrmann at 7s 3d; and for a client at 6s 0d to 8s 4d. Store Sheep—Only a moderate supply, and owing to the late hour at which the sale was commenced business was limited/ and quotations are quite nominal Pigs—The entry was a small one, and business was brisk, recent values being fully • upheld. Cattle-—ln fat cattle there was an average supply, but, it was apparently more than sufficient for the requirements of the trade. Business was very dull, and prices declined still further, prime beef bringing 17s per 1001b, and inferior from 14s upwards. For Mr Jones *ye sold steers at £5 7s, and heifers at £4 apiece, and for other owners fat cows up to £5 : prime heavy bullocks made £5 10s, and £6 10s ; cows and heilera, £3 15s to £5 10s. In the store pens there was only a light entry.

Mb F. C. Tabart reports on the live stock market for the week ending 10th January, as follows:—The total ent y of stock at the Addington yards comprised 12,586 sheep, 375 head of cattle, and 101 pigs. Fat Cattle—There was again a Urge entry and far in excess of trade requirements, consequently lower values had to be accepted to effect sales, notwithstanding this several locks made from £6 to £8 15s, medium and lines were pasted out unsold. Best bullieht weights £5 upwards. Cows and heifers from £3 to £5 5a according to weight and quality. Store Cattle—A very email entry, and sales were effected more readily than for,some time past. Pens of best steers made from £i to £4 12s, 2-year-olds 45s to 57s 6d, yearlings 20s to 255. A fair clearance was effected. Fat Sheep—Our entry was exceedingly large, and included several lines of prime, heavy, freezing wethers. The demand was limited, competition being restricted to best quality only, medium weights and fat ewes being greatly neglected. Best pens of wethers made from lls 6d to 12s 9d, medium 9s 6d upwards; fat ewes, heavy weights 9s to 10s 6d, medium Bs, inferior 5s 6d to 7s, merino wether* 6s to 6s 6d, according to weight and quality. The late hour at which the sale com-men<-ed was greatly felt towards the dose, the attendance having thinned off until there was scarcely a bidder left. Fat Lambs—There was a large entry, the whole of which was cleared at the following rates :—Best freezers 9s, 9s 6d, 10s, np to 10s 6d; trade lambs, 6s 6d upwards. Store sheep—There was a fair entry, but It was so late in the evening before the sale of fat sheep was closed that a large proportion were not even offered. To prevent a recurrence so disadvantageous to vendors, it is proposed that the sale of store sheep shall be conducted simultaneously with fat cattle, store sheep sales to commence at half-past ten-on arrival of the morning trains. Pigs—There was a small entry, and this sale also suffered to some extent, as it had to be gone on with during the sale of fat sheep, consequently several butchers could not attend. Sheepskins, Bough Fat, Hides and Calfskins.—My sales for the week comprised 2762 sheepskins, 97 bags and packages of rough fat, and about 103 hides and calfskins. There was a full attendance of fellmongers, and good competition throughout, all lines being cleared at the following values:—Butchers* best crossbred pelts made Is 3d, Id 3d, to Is9d; medium. Ud onwards: merino pelts, Iβ to

Is 4d; medium, 9d; lambs, best, 2s to 2s 6d; medium, Is 3d upwards; full-wftoled merinos, 5s 5s to 6s Tα; do crossbred, 5s to 6s. Bough fat, best quality, lfd to 2d; medium, lid ; inferior, Id upwards. Hides aad <»nifafrma at the usual prices.

MesRS BsNNcrrs Bros, report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, January 10th, as follows:— The yards were again crammed . with sheep, the total entries for the day being 12,588 sheep, 375 head of cattle, and 101 pigs. Fat cattle—There was a large entry, the bulk of which was of medium quality, and it met with a very dull sale, second rate stuff being difficult to quit, even at a considerable reduction on late rates. Prime bullocks sold at from £6 2s 6d to £6 10s; heifers and light weight steers, at from £4 2s 6d to £5 ss, being from 15s to 18s per 100 lbs. We sold steers for Mr W. Stewart, at £5 6s; for Mr W. Marshall, at £4 15s; for Mr C. Watson, at from £410s to £4 12s 6d; for Mr W. Benson, heifers at from £4 4s to £412s 6d, and other odd lots at current rates. Store cattle—A small entry, which, however, met with a rather better demand, specially for yearlings to two-yeai-olds. Well grown, forward conditioned cattle were not in much request. Dairy cows—Moderate entry, and demand not so keen as of late. Good cows in full profit sold at from £4 to £510s. Vealers—A rather small entry. Good calves sold fat from 10s to 15s; medium, 6s to Bs. Fat Sheep—The yards were crowded, the bole of the store pens and drafting yards being filled with fat stock. As the entry of fat cattle and lambs was large it was very late before the sheep sale was started. The supply infinitely exceeded the demand, and a drop of fully Is per head in good quality wethers took place. In fat evrea and inferior quality the drop was still more. Prime heavy crossbred wethers sold at from Us 6d to 12s 9d, lighter weights from 9s to 11s, crossbred ewes from 5s 6d to 10s 3d for very heavy weights. We quote mutton from l£d to 2d, according to quality. Our sales were as follows:— for Mr J. Lane, 73 half bred wethers from 9s 3d to 10s; for Mr Latter, 73 ewes at from 8s to 8s 3d; for Mr W. Benson, 35 ewes and wethers at lls sd; for Mr J. Lane, crossbred ewes at from 5s lid to 6s Id; for Mr Barr, 98 wethers at 9s 6d, 56 at 8s 6d, 35 at 9s 6d; for Mr J. Lane, 65 merino ewes at 4s lid; for Mr J. Kitson, 60 crossbred ewes at 7s 6d; for Mr J. Smith, 60 crossbred ewes at 7s 10d ; for Mr J. Fergus, 135 crossbred wethers at IDs. Fat Lambs—A large entry, which met with a good demand, there being several buyers for export present. Prime lambs sold readily at from 8s to 10s 3d; medium at from 6s to 7s 9d. We sold for Mr J. Mutton 8 lambs at 8s; for Mr J. Barr, 22 at 8s 9d; for Mr A. Bennett, 43 at 6s 6d to 6s 9d; for Mr W. F. Pannett, 10 at 9s; for Mr J. Wilson. 20 at 5s 10s; for Mr J. Lane, 29 at 7s 9d; for Mr G. M'Lean, 14 at7s9d; for Mr J. Parish, 6at 7s 3d. Privately during the week we placed 300 lambs for export at current rates. Store sheep—A good number yarded, but by the time the fat sheep were finished nearly every one bad left the yards, and it was quite useless to otter them. Privately during the day we placed on account of clients 163 two-100 the at 7a, and another line of 230 at 7s, Pigs—Only a small supply; late values were well maintained, baconers bringing from 32s to 425, porkers 21s to 30s, stores from 8s 6dto 16a. Our entries for the day comprised 2963 sheep, 115 head of cattle, on account Messrs J. Stewart, W. Marshall, C. Watson, W. Benson, J. Ritson, J. Fergus, W. Steere, . Lee, J. Lane, B. Latter, J. Barr, W. F. Pannett, J. Smith, J. Stevens, W. Grant, J. Carr, R. Robiuson, J. Ladbrooke, W. Mutton, J. n .rr, G. McLean, T. Parish, G. Atyeo, A. B set, G. Gillett, W. Griffiths, A. Lamb, ■>. Livingstone, J. Le Masurier. H. Harris, J. Murphy, J. Winter, A. F. Bennetts, and others. Private Sales —During the week we have placed privately several lines of young sheep at market rates. Sheepskins, Hides, Fat, Tallow, &c— At our yards, this day, we held our usual weekly sale of above, offering a large entry. There was the usual good attendance of fellmongere, and competition for ail lots was keen and spirited, more especially for woolly skins. We cleared our entry at the following figures :— Full-woolled crossbred skins at from 3a to 6s 3d each, the latter price for a nice line of erossbreds, on account of W. R. Moore. Merino skins sold at from 3s 3d to 4s 9d. The best pelts sold at from Is 3d to Is lid; second quality, 7d to lid. Lamb skins, best sorts, at from 2s to 2s 8d each; second quality. Is 3d to Is 9d. The fat market is still a little slow, the condition of must of the lots being not very good; the best quality sold at , from l£d to lgd per lb, second quality lid and lfd. We also placed a number or casks of tallow at 14s per cwt, and privately- we have placed skins and fat on factory account at full values.

Mbssbs Wilson and Sons report on the market at the Farmers' Saleyards Company on Saturday last, sth inst. In the quantities yarded there was a reaction after the Christmas rush; not so many farmers in, and not so mnch poultry or pigs. However, there was enough for the market, as buyers were not so numerous as for some weeks past, and while ordinary prices in most cases weie obtained, there was not much life about. We shall anticipate a slackness: as harvest comes on farmers will necessarily stick to work. The produce market is quiet, and very little turn-over is taking place. Potatoes will fit in nicely, the old will all be sold, not a sack wasted, and the new have just made their appearance. - However, the price is pretty high, and as far as we can see is likely to be so; and we should advice growers to look well to the management of their crops, and do their, beet; .to raise both quantity and quality, as there is just a possibility that the price will exceed anything for many years past. Oats are still very quiet. "The market for wheat is as good 'as ever it was. and fowls' wheat was. in great request. We trust that the nor'-westers will not spoil what would otherwise be as a whole an excellent grain crop. With paying prices this seasqu will redeem past failures and put us 011 our. legs again. In land we have an offer which we expect to-day will close a sale of 200 acres; buyers, however, are exceedingly cautious, and chey have a right to be sc, as so many have-been ruined with high prices. Our hams and bacon-are not so-brisk as they were, and the inside sale was generally slack. Price List—Fowls, hens from Is 3d to 2s, roosters 3s to 4s 6d, ducks 2s 0d to 3s 6d, geese 3s to 4s 6d, turkeys none in; pigs, suckers 7s 6d. 8s 6d, 9s, 9s 9d, 10s 6d, lls, 17s 6d, 18s, 245; sow and pigs, £4 18s; these are the average prices. H irses, several sold at owuera' reserves. Traps we keep belling, and having provided more room can take in any quautfty.

. J. R. Kino and Co. report for the week endi-ft January 5 v on the live stock and . produce market, as follows:—Oα Saturday last we conducted the u*ual sale of live stock, including horses, cows, pigs, lambs, goats, and poultry, in the yards, and in the produce department we held our regular sale of produce of every kind. The attendance of buyers and the general . public was hardly as large as we are accustomed to see. The succession of holidays and the broken character of the past fortnight, together with the int use neat prevailing at the time the sale was in progress no doubt was the cause of this. The entries all round were, however, fairly good, and the prices obtained were better than the surroundings of the day would lead us to suppose could possibly be wrun* from buyers. The pigs yarded numbered 111, and all sold exceedingly well. Suckers hardly brought late values. Small stores, strong stores, and porkers sold at prices indicating an upward tendency, while sows in pig brought Tery high values. The poultry penned numbered 60 pens, and all sold at prices - slightly oetter than the previous week. With the hot weather we are now getting we may look forward to an increase in the consumption of fowl food, and consequently fully anticipate better values to rale in the immediate future than we have been getting for some time past. The entries of horses, cows, and calves were hardly as good as usual. All yarded, however, sold welL Horses brought prices fully representing their values. Cows in full profit fetched prices far exceeding owners* reserves, and calve* sold better than they did the previous week. Grain and Produce—Chick wheat in request 3a 2d to 3s Bd, ruling rates. Oats are not so much sought after. Old potatoes, still sell at from 7s to 9s per sack. New potatoes are in request, and the supply is very limited, from lsd to lsd per lb is the market value. Cheese, 4d to 5d per lb. Butter is- slightly lower in price, and less is coming forward. Honey is selling in limited quantities at 4d per lb. Hams and bacon very saleable. During the week we have disposed of 4 tons at lid per lb. Traps—A better demand exists. Wβ still continue to find a ready market for them. We have also placed several drays at owners' reserves. Secondhand drays, suitable for harvesting purposes, are In demand. . Reapers and binders that have not seen too much service are in request also, and can be disposed of to good advantage just now. Pigs —suckers 83 to 12s 6d. a few inferior ones brought lower prices; store pigs 12s 6d to

17s, a few brought 21s; porkers 23s to 41/ small sows 42s to 55s and upwards according to size. Poultry—hens 2s 3d to 4s, roosters 3s 3d to 4s, ducklings 2s 3d to 3s, geese 5s to 6s, pigeons Is 3d to Is 6d. inferior birds in all classes sold at slightly lower prices.