MARKET REPORTS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7258, 18 January 1889, Page 6

MARKET REPORTS.

LIVE STOCK, &c.

ME33RS Matson and Co. report on the Live Stock Markets, &c, for the week ending Thursday, January 17th, 18S9, as follows:— " '

Yesterday was the fourth or fifth of a series of what maybe termed exceptional sheep markets at Addington. The supply of mutton on Wednesday being again pretty well up to the very heavy entry of the preceding week. In comparison with the closing rates on that occasion, the sale opened with a slightly improved tone, and as there were one or two West Coast buyers present, who operated extensively, this was maintained until about half the sale was got through. For export there was little or no demand, and as the trade had bought heavily for several weeks past, they, were quite unable to cope with the large supply, so that by the time half the sheep evere sold the local buyers bad to a great extent met their requirements, and were indifferent as to further negotiations. In face of the immense number of sheep which continue to come forward; no inducement seemed to present itself for anything like extensive withdrawals, so that it became a question, during the latter part of the sale, of forcing sheep upon buyers, who are not only unwilling, but also unable to absorb them for present use. It is .true that the. outsipe purchasers referred to continued to" operate a little until the end—but even this failed to prevent a collapse in prices, which, during the latter stages of the auction, suffered to the extent of about Is per head below those of last week, and even then a good few lots were, withdrawn. In second rate sheep the decline was perhaps most marked, heavy weight crossbred ewes of mixed ages changing hands at about 7s to Bs, lighter classes 6s per head; crossbred maiden ewes sold at from 8s to 9s, and in some instances at 7s Cd; prime wethers suitable for freezing at about 9s Cd to 10s 6d, equal to a. drop of from 2s to 2s 6d per head since the last sale in the old year. As regards quotations we consider that there was very little of the primest muttonj3old at anything over l§d per lb.-the average rate being about ljd, aged ewes say ljd per lb. On account of Mr P. J. Henley we sold crossbred wethers at 9s 7d, maiden ewes at 8s 9d;.account Mr F. Tavender, twotooth crossbred ewes at 7s 10d; account Mr W. Grant, crossbred ewes at 7s 6d; account Mr G. Swarm, crossbred maiden ewes at 8s 9d to 9s; account Mr John Overton, crossbred ewes at 7s to 8s 6d; account Mr J. Garland, mixed crossbreds Bs, ewes at 63 3d; account Mr Dudson, merino wethers at 4s 3d; account Mr Gough, crossbred wethers at 109 ; account 'Mr Duncan, light weight two-tooths at 7s 10s, ewes at 7e; account Messrs Gould and Cameron, half bred maiden ewes at 7s lid to 8s 3d, aged full-mouthed ewes at 8s 9d to 9s 2d; account Mr D. Rattray, prime merino wethers at 7s 4d to 7s 10d; account Mr D. Cameron, Clunes, crossbred maiden ewes at 7s to Bs, ewes of mixed ages at 6s lid to 8s 3d; account Mr J. Coe, crossbred ewes at 83 Id to 8s 3d; account Mr Cunningham, crossbred ewes at 8s; account' Mr J. Eaglesotne, heavy weight ewes at 8s 4d to 9s 6d; account Mr G. D. Greenwood, merino wethers at 7s 6d, crossbred ewes at Bs, less one pen of lighter sheep at 7s Id; account Mr P. Henley, mixed crossbreds at 7s 10d; account. Mr J. F. Nicholas, prime, half bred ewes at 83 to 8s 9d; account Mr G. C. Primmer, crossbred ewei at 7s to 8s; account Mr G. Sansom, light weight mixed crossbreds at 6s 9d, merino wethers at 4s lid, cull ewes at 4s lid; account Messrs Bailey Bros., crossbred ewes at 6310 d. Fat Lambs—A very heavy supply. Quality varied as usual, but generally good. Some few pens of the best lots were purchased for freezing at prices, which, although rather more in favor of buyers, yet failed to show any material drop, i.e., on those particular lines. Outside of these there were too many for; the trade,and values were decidedly easier. Our different consiguraents we cleared as under :—Account Mr Croft, at 5s 3d and 6s 4d; account Mr Clark, at 6s; account Mrs Shannon, at 9s; account Mr Read, at 9s; account Mr Lareombe, at 8s; account Mr . Cooney, at 7s sd; account; Mr Garland, at 6s 8d ; account Mr Dawson, at 5s 6d; account Mr Davis, at 8s 6d; account Mr Bell, at 6s 7d; account Mr J. Jones, at 6s 3d; account Mr Hosking, at 6s ; account Mr Over ton, at 7s 9d; account Mr W. M. Thompson, at 7s 7&; account Mr Gudsell, at 6s 7s; account Mr White, at ss. Store Sheep—According to notification the sale of store sheep commenced yesterday at half-past ten o'clock. The entry was not a particularly hea»y one, nor was there anything very encouraging in the way of prices. Still there was a fair attendance, and most if not all the lots were sold, the new departure apparently meeting with the approval of all parties concerned. One of the results was the fact that the sale had finished considerably earlier than under the old system with the same entry, another advantage being that purchasers were enabled to get their sheep away from the yards immediately after the sale if being so desired, and thus, in the majority of cases, get them home on the same day. On account of Mr H. Chamberlain, we sold 616 mixed four-tooth crossbreds at 8s 3d; account Mr Bennett. 78 mixed two-tooth crossbreds at 7s 2d, 145 crossbred ewes at 5s Id. We also noticed the following transactions:—Crossbred all counted, at 4s lid, aged ewes at3s9d, merino ewes at 4s 9d, crossbred ewes at 4s, mixed two-tooths at 6s 10d, merino ewes at 4s, wethers at 3s 9d. Pigs— There were only 60 yarded, all of which sold, with a very brisk demand. Our sales were a% under:—9 at 16s, sat 31s, 7 at 18s, 7 at 17s, 3 at 30s, 2 at 255, 2 at 30*. &c.

Fat Cattle—About an average entry. Several,pens of prime steers, which sold well, at from 16s to 18a psr 1001b; but the general entry were not up to butchers' requirements, consequently realised little more than stores, being purchased in several cases by graziers. Ouf principal sales are as follows: — Account Mr P. Henley, 6 bullocks at £7 per head, 7 at £6 7s 6d each ; account Mr John Lambie, 4steers at £8 10s each ; account Mc W. Watts, a line of heifers at. from £5 2s (3d to £5 as each; account Mr Hoft. heifers at £3 17s (3deach; account Mr Green, 12 heifers at £4 10s each; account Mr Blake, 5 steers at £615s each ; account Mr 3 steers from £5 12s 6d to £8 15.s each-; account Mr Danby, cows from £3 to £4 each; account Mr Mathews, cows £312s 6d; account Mr Jas. Heywood, 6 heifers from £4 17s 6d to £8 2s 6deach, 6 head from £3 15s to £4 7s6d each; account Mr Townsend, cow £3 5s ; also a number of odd cows at various prices. . ' ' Veal—About 20 calves yarded; best sorts 15s to 203 each; second quality 8s to 10s each. i,,-

Store Cattle—Small entry; several pens of three-year-old steers, which sold from £3 15s, £4, £4 5s to £4 10a per head ; yearlings, 153 to 25s each; bulla, 15s to £2 10s each, according to condition, &c.; heifers, three years old, in forward condition, from £3 to £!i 7e 6d each.

Dairy Cattle—Large entry ; not much demand, except for cows above the general average, which found purchasers at from £5 to £6 10.3 each; ordinary and inferior sorts difficult of sale.

The totals yarded for the day comprised 10,80!) sheep, 316 head of cattle, and 66 pigs, of which our entry included 4321 sheep, 181 head of cattle, and 36 pigs, for Messrs P. J. Henley, F. Tavender, W. Grant, G. Swarm, J. Overton, Garland, J. Dowling,' Jas. Gough, P. Duncan, J. Gudsell, Gould and Cameron, D. Cameron, J. Coe, P. Cunningham, J. Eaglesome, G. Dawson, G. D. Greenwood, P. Henley,sen., J. F. Nicholas, W. Chamberlain, W. Bennetts,. G. C. Primmer, P. D. Boag, Bailey Bros.. W. K. Somerville, T. McCallum, W. Fitch, F. Redman, J. Duke, J. Bobbie, J. Slattery, Heisenbuttle, W. Freeman, T. Hancock, J. Croft. P. Clark, C. Ewart, Mrs Stevenson, J. Read, T. Cooney, H. Larcombe, H. Garland, W. Tuft, W. Davis, A. Bell, J. Jones, W. Hocking, W. M. Thompson, Lane; J. White, T. H. GreenjS. Pearson, J. Dixon, Palk and Sons, J. Thorn, J. Cass, J. Slattery, J. Lambie, A. Grant, H. Hoft, J. Green, J. Blake, J. Greaves, W. Dunlop, A. S. Bull, Tl Griffiths, Wagstaff Bros., J. Heywood,J. Withock, T. Townshend. G. Dryden. P. Gallaghan, J. Tilley, Jas. Ferjrusson, H. Marsden, J. Gallagher, W. Smalley, W. Rountree, J. Griffiths, J. Leatham, J. Barker, A. Vaugban, J. Hunt, S. Murphy, J. -Ed«ar, P. MeOabe, F. Stott, P. C. Turner, F. Gilroy, S. Gibson, J. P-mith, Jno. Robinson, Mrs Astley, and others.... ■

Canterbury Horse Market—For onr last Saturday's sale 82 horses Were catalogued, including 10 head, of unbroken draught stock. For the latter there was a good demand "and each lot sold readily at enhanced values,- £15, £17, and upto £22 being ruling rates. The fact of harvest being close upon us, and with a large tract of land under crop, has brought about a better demand for farm horses during the Jast fortnight, but generally speaking the class of stock coming to hand has been of ar' 1 secondary character. Inferior light horses are even-mote- difficult to move off than of late, while on the other hand good sorts, and such as are

well broken, meet with a better enquiry andean be placed, at fair figures without much difficulty. Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Bough Fat and Tallow—On Thursday last, at our Canterbury Wool and Grain Stores, Cashel street, we held our usual weekly* sale of the above. Our entry for the week comprised 2549 sheepskins, 54 oxhides and calfskins, 58 bags and packages rough fat and tallow. Buyers mustered in full force. We succeeded in placing every line on our catalogue at most satisfactory prices. Butchers* pelts. Is, Is 4d, Is 6d, Is Bd, Is 10d, 2 , 2s Id, 2s 2d, 2s 4d, to 2s 5d each; lambskins. Is sd, Is 6d, Is Bd, 2s, 2s Id, 2s 2d, to 2s 5d each; country skins, in bales, 6d per lb. Factory Skins—Privately we have sold a large number of crossbreds, merinos, and lambskins at most satisfactory prices. Bough fat, best lots, l£d to 2dperlb; second quality, lid to l|d per lb; inferior, Id per lb; hides at last week's prices.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Aoency Company, Limited, reports on the live stock market for the weekly period ending 17th January, 18S9. Totals yarded at Canterbury saleyards, Addington, 16th inst—Sheep, 10,803; cattle, 316; pigs, 56. Fat sheep—There was another excessive entry, many of the store pens being utilised for fat sheep. The demand was chiefly local, buyers for export operating sparingly, and had it not been for the presence of one or two wellknown West Coast buyers a large proportion of the entry would have been withdrawn as the supply was far in excess of th£ demand. As it was, where sales were effected, vendors had to submit to a further drop of 13 on good quality, and -more for second-rate and inferior sheep. We quote mutton, to 1M per lb, with a downward tendency, beveral withdrawals took place, though not to such an • extent as last week, it appearing to be the general opinion that the drop had better be faced. We sold for Messrs D. and A. Macfarlane, off their Waikari Estate, choice half bred down wethers 11s 3d, and crossbred do 10s 9d and 11s 6d, the latter being top price for the day; for Mr James Macfarlane, mixed crossbreds, 7a 6d; for Mr W. Macfarlane, light merino wethers, 4s 9d; and for various other clients, crossbred wethers; 9s 6d arid 9s 10d, and ewes. 73 and Bs. General transactions ruled as follows :—Prime heavy crossbred wethers, 10s to lls 6d; mixed sexes and heavy ewes, 9s to lls; light weights and inferior, 6s to 8s; merino wethers, 4s 6d to 7s lid. Fat Lambs—Here also there was a very large entry, and though there were several buyers for export, they delayed buying until the market had progressed for some time, consequently during the early part a severe drop was experienced, and although prices" recovered somewhat towards the close, yet we have to record a decline on the day's transactions of fully Is per head. We had a number of lambs on our catalogue, some very prime quality* We sold for. Mr Oakley 70 prime at 9s 2d; for Mr S. Worner, 65 at 8s 3d, 70 at 6s; for Mr D. Dohrman, 45 at 6s 6d to 7s 9d; for Mr D. McPhedron, 170 at 6a 6d to 7s 6d; and for various other clients, 169 at 4s 5d and 6s, according to quality. Store Sheep ! —There was only a moderate entry, coinprising various sorts, and the demand was not very brisk, though most of the lots offered were disposed of. The latest order of the Directors of the Saleyards Company making 10.30 a.m. the hour for commencing in this department was highly appreciated by all concerned, and is certainly conducive to the comfort and convenience both of vendors and buyers. Mixed four-tooth crossbreds made 8s 3d, crossbred ewes and lambs 4s lid each, all counted, mixed two-tooth crossbreds 7s 2d, dry crossbred ewes 4s, 5s Id, and 6s 10d. We sold forward merino wethers for Mr W. Macfarlane at 3s 9d. Cattle—An average supply of fat cattle came to hand, and met a very dull enquiry. Biddings were extremely sluggish, and sales difficult to effect, values were even lower than those of last week, and prjme beef brought only 17s per 1001b, while inferior sold at from 14s upwards. Prime heavy bullocks realised £8 to £7; cowe and "heifers/ £3 10a to £5 os. In store cattle there was only a moderate entry, and the enquiry was none too brisk, though where sales were effected prices were a little better than recent quotations. Pigs—The supply was small, and there was no material change in values, but the demand was brisk throughout. District Sales—At Leeston Yards, 11th inst., there were only moderate entries of stock. Two-tooth crossbreds made 8s sd, fat crossbred ewes 93 sd, two-tooth crossbred wethers 7s 3d, fat crossbred wethers lls 9d. We sold for Mr William Gabbie. two and four-tooth crossbred wethers at 10s. Pigs were somewhat easier. Cattle were quiet Springers made £4 to £5 2s 6d. At Tinwald Yards, 15th inst., only light entries of stock yarded, including about 1500 sheep. Fat merino ewes 6s and 63 lid, fat mixed crossbreds 8s 6d and 9s 3d, mixed two-tooth crossbreds Bs, merino ewes and lambs 3s Cd, all counted, and crossbred ewes and lambs as each. Cattle were very dull. Fat cows and heifers £3 ss, £417s 6d and £5.

Messrs Wilson and Sons report for Satnrday, 12th January, at Farmers' Saleyards—The sales began at eleven o'clock with a good supply both of poultry and pigs, a few horses, and dead stock in large variety. The attendance was *very Rood both of buyers and lookers-on. Mr Wilson began on the poultry, and soon found the market free. Fresh buyers being there helped to improve the price on most things. Young roosters are still'in great ; demand, and anything like killing-birds found strong competition, and reached a higher figure than we remember for a long time— in 9d per couple. In this.'lino we have a number of young ones of all sizes. However, they all sell at high prices as per their size. Hens did much better, being able to get from Is 9d to 2s 6d for them, according to age and size; Ducks did fairly well, any good vnung birds in flesh selling readily at 3s 61 to 3s 9d, but old and poor or small young things from Is 6d upwards. Geese did not do well, old poor geese, like old ducks, are not wanted; good young ones, 4s; inferior, 3s to 3s 6d; turkeys, from 7s 0d for hens, to 14s for cocks (nob many in). Pigs, sold by Mr Bennett at twelve o'clock, sold at about late prices, and if any change was noticeable it was in favor of the seller. Suckers, Bs, 9s, 10s, 10s 6d, 12s; stores, 14s 6d, 19s, 28s; sows, 403. These represent the sale generally. Horsee did well, covering their values. Posts and railsBlack birch went at 30s per 100; quantity of firewood did not sell, but this class of business is new to us and is not yet well known. Traps have been slow. . Only one has passed us this week. Reaper and binder, second-hand (Dearing), sold at £10 10s; a second hand grass mower, £3 10s; a one.horse-power, in good condition, £510s. Produce v slow, especially oats; there seems to be no market for them. Chickwheat is doing well, 3s to 3s od, according to quality. Barley—We hold a small line of good feed, but no market. Potatoes— The old not quite done, but we don't expect to lose a Back. New are just beginning to come in, and fetch £14 per ton, or l£d per lb; demand is above the supplies. Rye grass — Have a small lot on hand, but buyers want it for nothing or next to it. Inside sale was well atten ded, and a fair amount of business done. Hams and bacon did not sell so well, nor cheese. Furniture —A fair turn over was made. Land—We sold 200 acres of sheep country for 45s 6d per acre. A number of enquiries are to hand—we live on expectations. Houses are all occupied, but two, and they are a little outside the market. Money-lending—We have done a little of this at 7 per cent, on land security, and farmers, on crops, stock, &c, at 10 per cent.

Messrs Bennetts Bros, report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, January 17fch, as follows:— The total entries at Addingtoh yesterday were 10,800 sheep, 316 bead of cattle, and 66 pigs. There was a large attendance. The day was fine, though, it looked very like rain early in the moraine, and if the bidding for fat sheep had only been a little more spirited it would have been a very pleasant one. The demand for beef was slightly, better than last wee'e, especially for handy weights. Nice heifers and light weight steers of good quality sold much more freely than heavy bullocks. We sold a very nice line of steers at £8 11s, and we noticed the sale of others at £7. Punctually at 10.30, according to advertisement, the sale of store sheep began. There is no question but that this arrangement •will be greatly to the advantage of both buyer and seller, as hitherto in a large market it has been so late before the store sale began that buyers had either left or were too weary to bid: and the removal of sheep from the yards on the day of sale was sometimes almost an impossibility. The entry of store sheep was not very large, but the enquiry was fair, and most lines changed hands at about 6d per head decline on prices ruling about a fortnight ago. Wβ hive enquiries for a' few lines of young croesbrede, and could easily place them privately at market rates. .The fat cheep sale was a peculiar one, usually ewes and second-class mutton suffer far more in a falling market thaaprime quality sheep. Yesterday, however, it was the reverse, fat ewes [ being more ealeable than last week, and

prime wethers suffering a farther decline of Is a head, and in some cases even more, the market for this class being very uneven throughout. There were two large buyers from the West Coast present, one of them relieving the market of about 1000, and the other of about 600 sheep. Had it not been for their operations a greater, number, would have been i turned out unsold. Prime fat wethers sold at from 9s 6d to 11s 6d for one or two lots of extra heavy weights; mixed maiden ewes and wethers and lighter weights from 8s to 9s 6d; fat ewes at from 5s 6d to 11s 3d, the latter price being obtained by ourselves for an exceptionally heavy line. The late high prices drew crowds of fat lambs into the market, every pig pen as well as the lamb pens being full of them. A great number : were of very indifferent quality, and for these it was difficult to effect a sale at all. For prime lines suitable for export there was a drop of quite Is a head, in light and inferior quality the decline was still greater. Lambs sold at from 7s 0d to 9a for prime heavy weights suitable for export, 6s to 7s Cd for good butchers' lines, and from 4s 0d to 5s 9dfor inferior lines. We had a large entry, and disposed of them at prices equal to quotations. We sold as follows:— Fat Cattle—On account Mr G. Ferguson, heifers at from £4 2s 6d to £4 7s id; on account Mr Walker, heifers to £4 7s 6d; on account Mr Stevens, 11 steers at £6 11s; on account Mr Bryant, steers at £8 5s and heifers from £4 5s to £5 ss. Fat Sheep— On account Mr McLachlan, IS crossbreds at 10s, a smaller pen at 9s 7d; on account Mr W. Walker, 70 mixed crossbreds at 9s; on account Mr W. Kitson, 70 crossbred ewes at 7s to 7s 6d; on account Mr J. Oiiver, 83 crossbred ewes at 6s lid; on account Mr W. Jones, 19 crossbred ewes at 11s 3d, 19 do at 9s 3d; on account Mr A. Stevens, 70 mixed crossbreds at 8s 7d; on account Mr T. Deacon, 39 mixed crossbreds at 8s 3d; on account Mr E. Prebble, 38 crossbred ewes at 6s ttd; on account Mr W. B. Clarkson, 86 crossbred ewes at 5s 10d; on account clients, 41 mixed crossbreds at Bs, 27 do at 8s 9d. Fat Lambs—On account Mr J. Parish, 6 lambs at 7s; on account Mr H. Stace, 11 lambs at 8s; on account Mr J. Black, 20 lambs at 5s 10d ; on account Mr J. Gillan, 30 lambs at 5s 9d to 6s; on account Mr E. Stead, 18 lambs at 6e 9d to 7s 6d: on account Mr C. Campbell, 69 lambs at 6s Id to 6s 2d; on account Mr P.Maclean, 14 lambs at 5s 9d to 6s Id; on account Mr R. H. Jackson, 15 lambs at 6a; on account Mr G. Early, 8 lambs at 7s; on account Mr R. Crysell, 14 at 5s 7d. Store Sheep—On account of Mr C. Campbell, 553 ewes and lambs, all counted, at 4s lid; on account Mr W. B. Clarkson. a line of ewes at 3s 9d; on account Mr Black, merino ewes, at 4s 9d ; on account Mr S. Early, 78 crossbred aged ewes at 4s; on account Mr Bennetts, 211 two-tooths at 6s 10d. Pigs—On account Mr E. Jackson, 3at 365; on account Mr C. Brice, 3 do at 19s; on account Mr Dixon, 2 at 345; on account Mr Pepperill, 9 at 14s 6d; on account Mr Adams, 3 at 295; on account Mr R. Geddis, 11 at 20s 6d; on account Mr Dixon, 1 at 20s. Private Sales—During the week we have placed on account of clients 1000 four and six-tooth halfbred wethers; a grand line in forward condition at 10s ljd, and 389 mixed two and four-tooths at 8s 9d.

Land Sales—Last Saturday, by auction, we disposed of a farm of 42 acres near Lincoln at £11 10s per acre. Privately, through our Akaroa agent, Mr Latter, we sold 330 acres belonging to Mr J. T. Baker, of French Farm, to Mr Packer, at the satisfactory price of £8 per acre. Wβ have transactions pending, and have inquiries for small farms within easy distance of Christchurch.

Sheepskins, Hidee, Fat, Tallow, Sec.— We held our usual weekly sale of the above at our stores this day, and submitted a heavy entry. There was a very good attendance of fellmongers. and biddings were brisk and competition keen, good values beiiig obtained. We sold as follows:—Full woolled crossbred skins at from 4s to 6ssd; merino do, 3a tp 4slod; best pelts from 2e to as high as 2s 7d each, the latter price for' a line , of pelts on account of Mr C. Dixou); medium to inferior sold at from Is 2d to Iβ 6d each. Lambskins sold well at from 2s to 2s 9d each for best,' and'from Is 3d to Is 9d medium. Our entry of fat was large, and the demand showed a slight improvement on recent sates.' We sold as follows :— Rough fat, l|d and 2d per lb; medium, l£d per lb. Hides and calfskins sold at late quotations.

Messrs .Tames 'Wmciu , and Co. report thafc.they heldvtbe'ir usual weekly sale of sheepskins, hides, and fat at their New Zealand "Wool Stores yesterday. There was a fair attendance of the trade, and biddings came pretty freely throughout the sale, resulting in all lots being quitted. Our catalogue consisted of 417 sheepskins. 25bags and packages rough fat, and 45 hides. The .following is a summary:— Butchers'pelts, early shorn, 2s 2d and 2s od; do later shorn, Is 6d to 2s X butchers' lambskins, Is Bd, Is lid, 2s, 2* 2d, and 2e 3d; country crpsebrede, up t053- 7d ; do merino, up to 5s 2d. Fat—Sound and weU saved, up to ljd; do do, inferior, shop trimmings, l&d to lgd: tallow in tins, np to 2£d; hides, 60lbs and over, 3|d ; 51 to 591b, 2Jd; 501bs and under, 2Jd; cut and damaged hides and calfskins, l&d ; calfskins,sound,3&dperlb. , .. .

Messrs Ptne a.kd Co. report for the week ending Tharsdav, January 17th :—< The totalnumherof stockyarded amounted to 10,803 aheep, 316 cattle, and 60. pigs. In fat cattle the supply was once more excessive. The quality was also hardly as good as usual, and in the face of these two facts ox beef barely maintained its last week's value, whilst cow and heifer beef suffered a further decline. In store cattle there was a small entry, and the demand appeared slack. In tab sheep there was another very large entry, with a further decline in prices. As long as the supply continues at the same rate as during the last month there appears very little hope for a rise lαvalues, and a great probability of a still further drop. A West Coast buyer eased the market considerably of that would otherwise have been passed out. The sale of store sheep hesran under the new regulations at 10.30, and in spite of all comers being present the sale must be considered, on the whole, unsatisfactory. In fat lambs there was once more a very large entry, but the quality was anything but good, and fully a quarter of the number should never have been brought to the yards. We sold on account of clients 49 crossbred wethers at 10s 3d, fll ewes at 7s 6d, 39 ewes at 4s 6d, 49 at 4s, 70 crossbred wethers at 10s, 6 lambs at 5s 6d, 13 at 4s 6d, 26 at 4s. Privately during the week we have placed 57Q maiden first cross ewes, a arand line, at satisfactory prices; also, a good line of freezing lambi. We have placed several lines of factory skins at full rates. At wool sales on Friday last we sold crossbred at 8?d to 9d, halfbred at 9£d. merino 8d to Bfd, merino pieces 7sd, bellies at 6d to 6£d, locks and pieces to sandy merino 743, double fleace 7£d. At on? horse sale on the, same date we had a g/>od entry, and disposed of several very useful horses, and. have inquiries for good dog-' cart and carriage horses. .

J. B. Ktse and Co. report for the week ending January 12th on the livestock and produce market, as^foHo we:—The sale of horses, cows, calvesfpigs, and poultry was j conducted on Saturday last in the yards. 1 and in our rooms we held the usual sale of furniture and general merchandise.. The attendance of buyers was fairly large and bris , *: competition was maintained by them, throughout the whole of the sale. The entries were not so Rood as usmal. The pigs yarded numbered 80, the bulk of them being small stores. All sold at satisfactory figures, indicating a slight improvement on last •vjeek. , The poultry penned was about the same as last market day, duck 3 preponderating; geese in fair supply ; rooster;) only in very limited number, hens enough for the demand. The prices realised were in the majority of cases, fairly good. Cows and calves in limited supply. All entries, however, sold welL Cows in full profit are inquired after and are readily saleable, and invariably fetch good figures. Horses—A very poor entry. All sold at prices representing their full value., Horses suitable for the reaper and binder are just now in demand. . Hacks and light draught horses arc also in demand, and j command full ' values. Furniture and General Merchandise—Sales have of late been very, dull, but with the reaction now, going oh a better state of things is likely j to succeed. Many old faces who some months ago were sellers are now buyers. These return colonists, who'wcre induced to speak in disparagement of this country in np measured language, are now pos- < sessed of a changed mind, and speaK In .the most hopeful way of the immediate return of business activity and the future prospects in store! or tie. Grain and Prod uce . —Little of any kind offering, and business: generally dull. All the leading lines are , difficult to place, and a reduction in .values has resulted. This'may be temporary, bat I buyers do not anticipate higher values .ruling; in fact, refuse to operate, in the full belief that with the new crop coming forward lower prices will rale, in the present disturbed state of the market it is difficult to quote accurately. The quotations of the day for wheat are 3e Qα to, Sfe 9d ; oats, milling 2s 9d to 2s 10d, feed 23 8d to 2s 9d; barley 3s 6d., hea.D,a *n4 pe*

3* to 3s 6d, ryegrass 2s 6d to £11 to £12, oatmeal £18, bran and il oß * £5, oateheaf chaff £4, oat straw $H!& wheat straw is difficult topW,Sr«t l N no fixed value. . Cheese, for 4hd rprime old cheese Is worth 4Misre}° hams and bacon -7Jd. New pof&fc~2r a » now coming In; no certainty exists for these. We : are from ljd to lid per "fc stock—Pigs, sackera, 8s .to 12s. «i~ Ye 14s to 19s, bacouere 35a to 455. to3Bs6d. A very keen detnandsSg?! every character of pig jnst now-fi££?* and store pigs are especially soujjntiS ß sow pigs fn pig and with young erffi eagerly bought up; Ruckers and are in request. Poultry—Pallets&Tk? B 2s to 3s, roosters 2s 6d to aswV*" 2s 9d to & 6d, geese 3s Od to 4.-edTi*tt Is od. «™ewj^»

Messrs C. Ne-wton and Sojt mdM « the lire stock market for the week\Sndt;° Thursday, 17th inst,a* follow e: I-Tfc& numbers of stock yarded at the AddiiS Salevards on Wednesday last wmST* 1 10,806 sheep, 310 cattle and tid ptesfV: Catr.le-There was an ordinary eatn eluding a fair proportion of all sorta! iut one or two lines of prime four-yeaZnS bullocks, but the demand was weaki»}2 prices, if anything, lower than last ifi* Best bullocks made from £6 to £8 17« T& medium £5 to £3 10s, and cows and UotE!: weights £3 to £4 10s per head, IS? Cattle—A small entry, with bat fa» straight lines of good cattle, and *». little business transacted. A good tS quiry exists for young cattle in fresh JS* dition. Fat Sheep—The yards were asoS filled, and fat sheep had to find rooming store pens, but the entry consisted fortta greater part of old ewes and merC wethers and light-weight crossbreds: Uμ value of which receded at least 9d m» head all rouud, and the fact of this cum of sheep being rushed in affects thenrbM of prime wethers, which had also to enfi» a decline of Cd per head on last week's quotations, especially as exporters bMii give their preference to lambs for aunjiif fng their engagements. Fat Lamba~A heavy entry, including a few lines o( fW. class freezers, which" met with a UrdJ competition from freezers, resulting In sales at from 8s 3d to 9s 3d each, but fa ferior lambs were hard to quit, and prictn ruled at from 4s 6d to 6* each, \tott Sheep—Only a moderate entry. Yourie crossored ewes and lambs made 4s lid «fl counted, two-tooth crossbreds 7e. juri mefino wethers 3s Od to 4s each. - Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Fat, &C-AI our stores in Hereford street we held m usual weekly sale of the above, submit! ting a heavy catalogue to a good attend. ance of the trade. Biddings were spirited throughout, and we cleared all lots tt highly satisfactory prices. Butcher? crossbreds in the wool made from 4s ed to 8s 3d for a few exceptionally heavy wooied skins, on account or Mr R. J. Rosewarae* do merinos, from 4s 4d to 7s each. Pelts! from Is to 2s 51 each. Lambskin*; un tn 2s Sd each. Fat and hides at laterals, <

Mb F. C. Tabart imports 'on the Hys stock market for the week ehdfrg Ugh January, as , follows:—The of stock yarded at the AddlnetonYards comprised 10,806 sheep, 316 head of cattS. and 66 pigs. Fat cattle—A full yarding 0? fairly even quality. The numbers brensht forward were in excess of the dotrmoi consequently the range of values are without any improvement on last week's quotations. Best bullocks made from & as to £7, medium weights and qaaUty M 17s 6d upwards ; co ws and heifers from £3 15a to £6 2» Od, according to weight and quality. A fair clearance was effected. Store cattle— A araull entry, which meb a fair demand. Good fair three-yetrold Rteere made up to £4 5j ; two-year-olds. 55s to £3; and yearlings from 20s to 80s, according to quality and condition. Fat Sheep—There was again a very lanra yarding, and altogether in excess of the requirements of the trade. The operations of West Coast bnyers relieved tha market of 1500 (or thereabouts), noturtft. standing which there was a general decline of Is, and on some lines fully Iβ Bdpep head. Best crossbred wethers made 10s 6d to 11s 6d; medium weights and qoalitr 8a 6d upwards; fat crossbred ewes, 8a 41 to 9s 6d for heavy weights and gooi quality, 63 6d and upwards for other?; merino wethers, ss, 6s, 0s 6d, to 7e fid, fee latter price for exceptionally good qna&ti. Several lines were withdrawn, owners not being prepared to accept the reduced yalues. Fat Lambs—A very besvy entry, and a large proportion of them very good quality. The demand for freezers was limited, . consequently a reduction In values had to be accepted to effect sales. Beat lambs made from 8s BA to9s2d, medium 6s upwards, and for inferior quality as low as 4s had to be accepted. Every line was cleared at tha above prices. Score Sheep—A fair entry, and the new arrangement of selling at half-past ten was found to work Batlafeetorily both in the interests of vendors aacl purchasers, and when It becomes better known will, no doubt , ., be still more sucasefal. Ewes and lambs made from 83 Id to 4s lid per head (all counted), twO-tooto crossbreds from Cs 3d to 7s 2d, merino wethers 3s 9d, and ewes at 4s. Pigsia consequence of the email entry nut& very full values. j, > Sheepskins, Bough Fat, Hides and Calfskins—My . sales for the week comprised 2529 sheepskins, 87 hags and packages of rough fat, and about 90 hides and calfskins. There was the usual attendance of fell mongers, and good pelts were in keen demand,,best lines crosabreds 23 4d, 2s'7s to 2s 9d; medium. Is 3d upwards; merinos, Is 4a' to 13 9di inferior, 10d to Is; lambskins, 2s" Bd, 2s fid, 2s Od. Rough fat—Besb quality, to 2Jd; medium, l|d to lgd; inferior, Id. Hide and calfskins at the usual rates. : ■ -:i