MARKET REPORTS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7253, 8 March 1889, Page 6

MARKET REPORTS.

LIVE STOCK, &c. Mkssrs Matson and Co. report on the live stock markets for the week ending Thursday, March *fch, 18S9, as follows :— Yesterday's sheep sale at Addington was a heavy one in point of numbers, but with some few exceptions the quality was even more indifferent than has been the case for several weeks past, medium class ewes being penned in large numbers, lhe few good wethers were in rather better demand than of late, and met with a fairly ready clearance at slightly enhanced values, several of the best lines being taken by outsiders to hold over for early export engagements. This in some measure relieved the market, and kept the large quantity of secoud rate mutton from suffering to any material extent in price until the close, when it gave way a little. O.i account of Mr Job Osborne we sold one of the best lines of crossbreds m the yards, the wethers of which brought 11s and 11s 3d, and the ewes 10s 7d ; also mixed two-tooths halfbreds for Mr W. Lyttelton at 7s 7d and 8s 4d; crossbred ewes for Mr A. Taylor at 6s 6d and 7s ; crossbred ewes for Mr Hay don at 7s 3d : ewes for Mr M. Ryan at 6s; account Mr P. Manion. crossbred ewes at 6s 9d and 7s Iα; account Mr G. Lill, mixed croasbreds at bs and 9s 9d ; account Mr E. Clarkson, crossbred ewes ac 8s; and for Mr Anderson, crossbred ewes at 8s 3d. We quote the best wether mutton at lfd per lb firm, other classes per lb upwards. Store Sheep—This department of the market was well supplied, crossbred ewes, merinos of both sexes, and crossbred lambs being alike represented. In the different classes, however, the sheep were with few exceptions of inferior description, and consequently sold at prices which at firat sight appear low ; still, there is no doubt but that young breeding ewea, whether crossbreds or merinos, would now find a fairly ready sale at satisfactory prices, i.e., when calculated iv comparison with the. current rates for mutton. Oα account of different owners we placed the following lot*:—118 aged crossbred ewes at 3s 3d, 377 cull merino wethers at 2s, 206 crossbred ewes at 4s, 128 crossbred ewes at 3s 7d, and a small Hue of lamt>s at 4s. Fat Lambs—Wednesday's entry was an exceptionally heavy one, and included a large pr portion of really good lambs. We regret, however, that we cannot record a sale as satisfactory as the quality deserved, as prices all round were fully Oα to Is per head below the average of the past month. The reason is obvious, viz., that there were very few immediate engagements for ship ping to fulfil, and lambs, however good, cannot, unfortunately, be held over for any length of time, so that the local demand yesterday was altogether unable to cope with the large supply. Asa consequence, several lines of prime lambs, which a month since would have been eagerly bought up for export at from 8s to 9a per head, were either sold at from 7< to 7s 6d or passed out of the market, the latter in various instances being the course adopted. Our entry we cleared as under: —Account Mr A. Taylor, 22 at 7s 9d; account Mr Toss will, 20 at 5s 3d ; accoutit Mr J. McJo'iuston, 17 at 8s; account Mr P. Osborue, 10 at 7s 6d; account Mr W. Long, 120 at 7s 6d; account Mr Kvan, 19 at 6s 3d and 7s; account Mr E. Vaughan, 81 at 7s; account Mr J. Johnston, 81 at 7s and 7s 6d ; account Mr W. Lyttelton, 61 at 7s to 7s 9d; account Mr J. G. Bell, 135 at 8s; account Mr 8 , . H. Brittan, 81 at 5s to 5s 6d ; account Mr I'hos. Tubman, 40 at 6s Id to 6s 3d ; and for Mr Stanley, 14 at ds 6d, Pigs—The largest market of the season, close upon 500 being yarded, of which number 180 represented a special consigu* ment sent to our order by Mr A. Young, of Manaia. Some few years since the name of North Island pigs was synonymous with coarse-haired, long-snouted, half-wild brutes, or as they were frequently etyled "Captain Cooks. This state of th ings has been gradually changing through the importation of a better class of stock from this and the other South Island provinces, until at last onr Northern friends are in a position to return us a class of pigs equally as good as the average of those which we put into the market ourselves. This was quite the case with the line specially referred to as forming a portion of this week's entry, as borne out by the fact that they were freely competed for by the farmers of our district, and sold readily at rates fully up to the average of Canterbury bred pigs. The draft of 177 were placed by ourselves as under:—s at 375, 20 at 335, 14 at 30s, 14 at 30s, 7 at 295, 7 at 28s, 14 at 275, 14 at 265, 21 at 255, 32 at 225, 22 at 235, 2 at 335; other lots for different owners, 9 at 3s 6d, 10 at 6s, 6 at 17s, 4 at 325. 8 at 28s od, 8 at 28s. 8 at 225, 8 at 2ls, 8 at 21s, 9 at 21s 2 at 30s, 4 at 255, 3 at 245, 13 at 9s, 7 at 365, 6 at 335, &c. Fat Cattle—Fairly large entry, bulk of which was made up of steers of useful weight and nice quality, for which the demand was good at late rates. Bullocks sold at up to £6 12s 6d, cows to £6, heifers to £5 10s each, being at from 15s to 16s 6d per 1001b, according to quality. Our principal sales were as follows:—23 steers—2 at £610s, 2 at £6 7s Gd, 2 at £6 7s 6d, 2 at £6 2s 6d, 2 at £6, 2 at £5155, 7 at £5 7s 6d; account Mr Kennedy, steers at from £5 to £5 17s 6d each ; account Mr Green, 5 steers at £6 10s each ; acco mt Mr Malley, 3 cows at from £3 to £3 15s each ; account Mr Green, 11 heifers at from £4 5s to £4 10s each; account Mr Wilson, heifers from £3 17s 6d to £4 23 6d each ; account Mr Kedman, cows at up to £6; account Mr Hamper, cow, £4 16s; account Mr Haydon, heifers from £3 17s 6d to £5 per head; account Mr Harris, cows at from £4 5s to £110s each ; account Mr Monks, 9 heifers at £3 10s per head. Store Cattle—Small entry, chiefly odd lots, which sold well at late rates. Dairy Cattle—Several pens of first class cows were yarded for sale, which sold well at from £6, £7, to £7 10s each, and generally there is a better feeling in the dairy trade; more enquiries for good cows during the week than has been the case for months. Veal—About 15 calves yarded; decided improvement in values ; best realised 15s to 23s each, others at proportionate rates. The totals yarded for the day comprised 10,207 sheep, 307 head of cattle, and 469 pigs, of which our entry included 2645 sheep, 145 head of cattle, and 288 pigs for Messrs A. Taylor, W. Lyttelton, J. Haydon, J. Osborne, W. Ryan, P. Manion, G. Lill, E. Clarkson, Henderson and Mcßeath, I. Gilmour, P. Grant, J. N. Tosswill, Jackson Bros., J. Winter, R. Tubman, P. Nicholls, D. Moorehouse, S. Bingham, T. Earnshaw, J. 'wens, .7. Carrow, J. McJohnston, P. Osborne, W. Long, E. Vaughan, J. Johnston, F. Simpson, F. H. Brittan. Thos. Tubman, P. Stanley, F. Carter, H. Jennings, F. Redmond, J. Gallagher, J. Costello, A. Young, J. Ponninghaus, J. Bloor. J. Dixon, P. Henley, H. Kennedy," M. Mallev, J. Green, A. Grant, D. Humphries, W. Wright, R. Thomas, M. Lawlor, J. Horsley, W. Charles worth, R. Prebble, J. Heisenbuttle, T. H. Reeves, Jno. Wright, W. Wright, H. Harris, Jas. Ddweon, W. Walker, J. O'Neil, G. Fergusson, the Christchurch Drainage Board, and others. Canterbury Horse Market—Although last Saturday's entry was by no means a large one, yet there was a fair amount of business done before the close of the day. Of our total entry, rather more than twothirds changed hands. Useful farm horses up to £15 10s, hack and light harness horses to £12 and £14, medium sorts £5 to j≥lo. For draught stock there is a better demand noticeable than of late, and this we expect to see improve from this time forward for the next two months. During the week we have also made sundry private sales of the betrer class of light horses for shipment to Australia ac from £15 to £26; and have also other negotiations pending in the same direction. Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Rough Fat and Tallow—On Thursday, at our Canterbury Grain Stores, we held our usual weekly sale of the above. The entry for the week comprised 1262 sheepskins, 47 bag* and packages rough fat and tallow-, 52 oxhides and calfskins. Buyers mustered in full force and satisfactory prices were obtained, butchers' pelts selliug as high as 2s 10d, lambskins up to 2* Bd. Factory Skins—privately we have sold several Ipt3 at most satisfactory prices; country skins at up to 6£d per lb. Rough Fat—Bulk of our entry went at l|d and l£d per lb. Hides at late rates. Land and Property—We have only to add that continuous enquiry is made for eligible property of all descriptions, and of late we have been inundated with applications for small farms to rent at fair values. April-May should register many sales of real property. Clearing Sales—We held a most successful sale of horses, carriages, harness, &c, &c, for Mr W. Jackson, at his stables, on Thursday. Prices and bidding. , * distinctly showed a brisk demand. Also, for Mr Percy Kind Ward we held a clearing salvage sale, when we disposed of 356 lota of varied goods at fair values from 11.30 to 3.30 p.m. Things in General—The torpidity of the past twelve months is now being shaken off with lightning speed, and the autumn of 1889 will herald forth an activity which has been an absent commodity for a very long period. Our magnificent and abundant harvest, all garnered without a grain

being damaged, and the fact that the producer—to a greater extent than since tne Lien Act was first evolved—has shaken the dust of debt and encumbrance from his feet, and will shortly jingle the sovereigns of his year's energy in the face of past adversity? The sheep sales of the year are to be opened by the great Am uri distribution, when, on the 15th March, 1889, over 53,000 will be found in the catalogues, provided by the wool kings of North Canterbury, Marlborough, and Nelson. The breeders of lambs to freeze should have a good time, and it goes without saying that every lamb will be required. The new energy about to be thrown into the scale of export of frozen meat from New Zealand should make the dullest and most morbid revive.

Messrs Milks and Co. (per J. T. Ford) report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, March 7th, 1889, as follows:—At the Canterbury Saleyards, yesterday (Wednesday, March 6th), the totals yarded comprised 10,207 sheep, 307 cattle, 469 pigs. Fat Sheep—An average entry, the quality not being by any means first-class, old crossbred ewes and iufenor merino wethers most predominating. The sale opened well up to last week's prices, but there was a dullness all through, and towards the close a slight drop in values. This was especially noticeable in all classes of aecond quality and inferior, the best quality selling well up to last week's quotations. Our sales were —For Mr R. M'Nae, 42 crosebreile at from 7e 9d to 8s; for Mr James Mills, 37 crossbred ewes at 7s. Fat Lambs—A very large entry came forward, a large proportion of them nor being good stores, ana should have been offered iv the store yards. There were, however, two or three lines of nice quality lambs yarded. The demand was entirely local, and the sale anything but a brisk one. There was a decline in values of all sorta, which we do not expect to see recovered as there is no demand for freezing now. Store Sheep—Very large entry ol store sheep, chiefly composed of crossbred and merino ewes, aud merino wethers. The sale was a satisfactory one, almost every lot changing hands. There was a very large attendance, and graziers and buyere for boiling purposes bought freely. There is a good demand for young crossbred and half bred ewes for breeding purposes, and we expect to see this class of sheep ready of sale. Business in the above line of sheep would be helped considerably by two or three days good rain, as farmers do not care about burdening themselves with sheep while their pastures are in their present dry state. We sold for Mr W. Ftrange 890 merino ewes at 2s, and for Mr George Burgess 82 crossbred ewes at 4s 2d. Fat Cattle—The supply was not a large one, but was sufficient for the day's requirements, and although there was no improvement in values the sale passed off a little more briskly than of late. Store Cattle—Very fewyarded, mostly odd lots, no large lines of steers or heifers being entered. There was no change in values, but the sale was a dull one. We sold for Cashmere Estate 15-months-old steers 355, do heifers 30s, springers £2 10s to £2 15s. Pigs—A larger entry than of late. A good demmd existed for weaners and stores suitable for stubbles, and these sort brought good money. We sold for Mr F. Paahby 10 store pigs 245, 16 do 235, and 12 do 20s 6d. bLlrwee Saleyards, Friday, March Ist— We held our monthly sale at Klrwee on the above date, ana yarded and sold 1090 sheep, 12 pigs, and a fair entry of timber, sundries, &c. There was a good attendance of farmers from the surrounding district, and che sh-ep, which were chiefly composed of merino ewes, twotooth crossbreds, and crossbred ewes, all sold well up to Actdington Yards prices, and in some cases realising more money than they would have done at Addington on Wednesday. Our principal sales were as follows:—673 merino ewes at 3s sd, 42 do 2s 6d, 290 two-tooth mixed at 7s 3d, 85 crossbred ewes up to s 6d. : Store pigs realised from 20s to 29s according to size; and a clearing sale of timber and sundries was effected. Ashburton Saleyards, Tuesday, March sth, 1889—Very much larger supplies of fat and store sheep were yarded than has been the case for some time, fully 5000 sheep being offered. The demand for store sheep was very good, and prices were maintained all through the sale. We sold for Mr Sawle, 09 merino wethers 5s 3d; for Messrs Lawson Bros., 520 merino ewes 4s 6d ;for Alford Estate, 66 merino wethers os Id; for Mr J. Stevens, 78 old crossbred ewes os 6d; for Mr A. Ayres, 30 merino ewes 3s 10d, 60 crossbred. The New Zealand Loan and Mb£ cantilk agkncy company, limited, reports on the live stock markets for the weekly period ending 7th March, 1889: —Totals yarded at Metropolitan *aleyards, Addiugton, 6th instant, sheep, 10,207; cattle, 307; pigs, 469. Fat Sheep — There was a large entry, consisting chiefly of crossbred ewes of indifferent quality, and merino wethers; there being a small proportion of prime crossbred wethers. Freezing requirements being inconsiderable, the demand was principally from the local trade, and purchasers for holding purposes. Buyers for boiling down operated sparingly, and purchases for this object were confined to the owners of the different small establishments in this neigbourhooi. The market was very weak at the opening, and values for second rate lots declined fully Is., it subsequently recovered, and closed at rates slightly in excess of last week's, this being more marked for prime quality. For Messrs Lochhead Bros, we sold a consignment of grand three-quarter-bred Lincoln two-tooth wethers at 12s Id, lls 9d. and 11s 3d; and for other clients, fat crossbred ewes at 5s to 7s. Mutton realised l£d to fully lsd per lb. Prime crossbred wethers made 10s to 12s 3d, mixed sexes aud heavy ewes 8s to 10s 6d, light weights and inferior 5s to 7s 6d, medium merino wethers 4s 6d to 5s lOd, fat merino ewes ss. Fat lambs were in plentiful supply, which, added to the cessation of a demand for export, caused a dcci led drop in values to the extent of fully Is. Vve sold for Mr J. II lings worth a few exceptionally heavy prime lambs at lls, by far tLe top price of the day; and inferior sorts for another client at ss; good lambs brought 6s to Bs, inferior from 4s 9d. Store Sheep—A full entry, which was mainly composed of crossbred ewes of inferior description and aged merino ewes. The attendance was much larger than we have seen for some time, and may be taken as an indication of the conclusion of harvest operations, and there was good competition throughout. Aged crossbred ewes made 3s 3d and 4s Id, sound mouthed do 6s 6d and 6s lid, mixed ages 5s 6d, fairly good crossbred lambs Sβ 10d, aged merino ewes Iβ 6d to 2s, merino wethers full mouth 2s, small cnmbred lambs 4s. We sold cull merino ewes for a client at Is 9d, and mixed woolly merinos 7a 10d. Pigs—A full entry, comprising all varieties. Competition good, and all lots cleared at prices fully up to late rates. Large pigs 26s to 375, medium stores 14s to 21s. Cattle—A moderate supply of fat cattle ; demand much the same as of late, the tone of the market being quiet. Beef brought 14s to 16s per 1001b. bullocks £5 to £6 10a, cows and heifers £3 10s to £5. In the store pens the entry was less than an average one, and transactions were confined to a few odd lots that form no criterion of values. Dairy cattle sold fairly well at up to £6 10s for best sorts, others from £3 upwards. Private Sales—We sold 750 crossbred merinos off Winchmore Estate at a satisfactory price through our Rakaia agent, and have other transactions pending. District Sales —At Ashburton County Saleyards on sth inst. there were about 4000 sheep and small entries of cattle and pigs. Attendance better than of late, and fairly good demand. Fat crossbred ewes, 4s 3a, 5s 8d and 6s 3d; fat merino wetheis, 5s Id and 5s 3d ; fat merino ewes, 4s lid; fat crossbred lambs, 7s 6d and 7s lid; store do, 4s Bd, 5s 8d and 6s; soundmouthed mci mo ewes. 34 7d. Business in the outside districts during the next few weeks promises to display considerable activity. In addition to the ordinary fixtures, there is the Culverden annual fair and the disposal of the well-known Acton and Clifton flocks (all duly advertised), which follow each other in rapid succession, so that buyers will have good opportunities of selecting their ewes for breeding purposes. Mbssrs Bennetts Bros, report on the lire stock market for the week ending Thursday, March 7th, as follows:—The Addington Yards were well filled with stock on Wednesday, the numbers being 10,207 sheep, 807 "head of cattle, and 469 pigs. The attendance was a great Improvement on recent market days. Oar entries for the day comprised 4435 sheep (nearly one-half of the total entry), 102 head of cattle, and 113 pigs for Messrs G. Meyerhoff, W. Robinson, JC. Tobeckjj. Harris, W. Bevins, John Moore, W. W. Clarkson, J. Bevins, T. Barnett, J. Smith, T. Charrington, John Smith, Wα. Gardiner. Burke Bros., Chas. Lewis, S. Gibbe, Wm. Burke, W. Stevens, A. Lee* W. Kavanagh. W. Brice, John Ferguson, J. Tucker, W. Vavaaeur, E. Yarr, W. Chapman, J. McDowell, J. Alyward, T. Whiting, J. Murphy, J. Vallance, A. Pearson, T. Tubman, "W. Roberta, A. F. Bennetts, A. W. Bennetts, and others. Fat Cattle—Something about an average entry yarded, the quality on the whole

being good, though in a few cases a little too heavy for the present season. A little better enquiry was noticeable, though values cannot be said to have improved any—lss to 16s 6d per 1001b. For various clients we placed eeverai lines of excellent quality, both steers and heifers. For Mr John Ferguson we placed 5 heifers i at £5 per head ; for Mr W. Brice, do at £4 15s ; for Mr W. Burke, do at £4 17s 6d, and steers at £4 15s: for Mr W. Stevens, 5 heifers at up to £3 los, 3 at £4 2s 6ci, and 2 at £5 2s (3d to £610s; for Mr A. W. Bennetts we sold 15 steers at £6 2s 6d. Store Cattle —There was but a small entry of steers, just a few odd lines being on offer, and but few graziers were present. We sold two-year-old steers at £2 10s, eighteen-months-old heifers at 30s, store cows at up to £2 13s 6d per head. In the dairy market the entry was not very large. We placed for various clients very good young cows at from £5 2s 6d to £6 10s, medium sorts £3 to £4 ss. fc'at lambs —There was again a very large entry, far in excess of the day's requirements. The demand for freeziug was exceedingly slight; there was a further decline in values of 3d per head. We do not anticipate any return of the active demand for fat lambs that existed some short time ago. Prime, fat, well-woolled lambs sold at from 7s 6d to Hs 6d; good butchers' sorts from 6s to 7s 3d, and Inferior from ss. Our principal sales were— On account a client, 99 lambs at 6s, and on account the same client, 63 at from 6s 3d to 7s Dd ; account Mr Stewart, 19 ac 5s 10d; on account Mr Robinson, 13 at 6s Id, and 19 at os 10d; on account Mr Tapley. 14 at fts Id, and 19 at 5s 9d; on account Mr Gibb, 28 at ss, and 28 at 6a 3d; on account air J. S-nitb, jun.; on account Messrs Wilcox and Keely, 20 at 7s Id ; on account Mr Tankard, 107 at 0s 7d to 6s 8d ; on account Mrs Korater. 14 J at from 7s Id to Bs6d; and on account variqu - clieuts,3s at 5s 7d, 27 a 17e, &c. Fat sheep—The entry was a large one, but there were not many lines of really good wethers, in a few cases, however, the quality was exceptionally prime. Fat ewes and merino wethers preponderated the demand for the latter beiug exceedingly dull; heavy weight ewes sold fairly at abouc late rates. Until the close of the sale prices were fairly well maintained, but at the end the demand ceased almost entirely. We quote mutton at from lid to lfd. Very heavy first-class quality crossbred wethers sold at from 10s 6d to 12s 3d for one exceptionally heavy lot sent forward by Mr Bowman, of Aniberley. Medium weights and maiden ewes from 8s 6d to 10s ; light weights from 7s 5d ; fat ewes from 5s 9d to 9s 10d, and up to 19s ; both latter prices being obtained by ourselves; on account of Mrs Forster, of the Halswell, merino wethers from 4,4 6d to 5s 9d, with scarcely any demand. Our principal sales were on account a client 272 mixed ewes and wethers at from 7s 9d to 9s 2d; on account Mr Garten 56 crossbred wethers at 9a; on account Messrs Burke Brothers, 137 crossbred ewes at 7s; on account Mr W. T. Randle, 38 crossbred ewes at 7s 4d; on account Mr Geo. Smith, 38 crossbred ewes at 7s 8d and 7.s 9d : on account Messrs Burke Bros., of the Halswell, some splendid halfbred wethers at lls ; on account Mrs Foster, 17 crossbred ewes at 9s 10d, l4s, at 19s, and 7s Id: crossbred ewes at 8s 9d to 8s 6d; on account a client, 40 crossbreds at 6s 3d; on account Mr Burke, a very nice line of mixed ewes and wethers at from 9s to 9s 6d ; on account a. client, 30 crossbred ewes at 7s sd, and on account another client, 56 crosabreds ac 7s Id to 73 4d. Store Sheep—The entry was a large one, all classes being fairh represented. We yarded a great number, alfof which, with the exception of one small lot were good crossbrede. We are pleased to Hay that we disposed of nearly every hoof, and at fairly satisfactory prices. The demand for good young sheep continues firm, but we ! cannot quote any rise, and there will not be any until there has been a good rain. Wβ sold, on account a client, 91 crossbred lambs at 5s 10d, and 203 crossbred fourtooth ewes at 7s 6d; on account Mr Ueo. Smith, 70 crossbred ewes at 5s sd; on account-Mr Tubman, 100 crossbred ewes at 6s 6d; on account Mr Gibb, 85 ewes at 6s sd; on account Mr Vallance, 110 crossbred ewes and wethere at 8s 3d; on account Mr Pearson 100 crossbred ewes at 6s 6d, and 203 do at 6s 3d ; and on account of various other clients, 164 crossbred ewes at 6a lid, 110. do at 5s Bd, 72 old meriro ewes at 2s, W do at 2s 7d, 38 do at 2s lid, &c, &c. Pus—The entry was a very large one, there being a considerable consignment from the North Island. The demand until just the close of the Rale was very keen, and most lots were cleared at extreme rates. The North Island lot sold at from 22s to 375. Our principal aalee were—Oα account of Mr Meyerhof t, porkers at 23s ; on account Mr Roberts, porkers at 30s; on account Mr Tobeck, do at 31s; on account Mr Harris, do at 38s; on account Mr J. Moore, do at 31s; on account Mr Bevana, 30 stores from 8s 6d to 13a; and on account a client, 74 stores from 13s 6d to 20a. Sheepskins, Hides, Fat and lallow— At the New Zealand Wool Stores this day we held our usual weekly sale of above, submitting a large entry. There was a good attendance of fellraongers, and competition was fairly keen, at an advance on laet week's prices. We sold butchers crossbreds at from 2s 3d to 3s 2d each, the laiter price for a grand line of skins from Mr Richard Brown ; second quality crossbreds sold at from Is 6d to 2s. Mermo skins were hardly so well competed for, values ranging at from Is 3d to 2s In each. Lambskins sold well, at from Is 8d to 3a each. Fat and Tallow—The enquiry was fairly active up to a certain point. We cleared a entry as follows:—Best rough fat lfd and lid per lb, second quality lid. Hides and calfskins sold at current rates. At the conclusion of our sales we «old a few bales of crossbred and lambswool at 7Jd per lb, and during the Week we have placed a largo line of ditto at full market rates. Messrs C. Newton and Son report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, the 7th instant, as follows :— The total numbers of stock yarded at Addington yesterday were 10,207 sheep, 307 cattle, and 469 pigs. In the fat sheep market there was an average entry in point of numbers, but good lines of jeally prime wethers are conspicuous for their absence, owners beina inclined to hold for better prices in anticipation of an improved demand when the lamb trade Is exhausted. Taken throughout, and considering the quality of the mutton, the sale was about the same as last week's, and the following prices were obtained :— Crossbred wethers, 8s dd, Q», 9s 6d, 10s, 10s Gd, and lls each ; do ewe*, 7s, Bs, to 9s 6d : and merino wethers from 4s 6d to 5s 6d each. Of fat lambs there was an un usually large entry, and several really prime lines were yarded. Owing to the absence of exporters and the limited local demand there was a drop of from 6d to Is all ronnd. Best lambs made from 7a to Bs, and a line of exceptionally fine lairths topped the market at lls each, inferior sold at from 6s to ft* 6d. Fat cattle—A large entry, with fair demand, eqnal to last week's quotations. Best steers sold at from £5 10s to £6 12s 6d; lighter weights and neiferft, £3 los to £5 fe. Store sheep—The store sheep pens were filled to excess, consisting chiefly of old crossbred e-ves and merinos. Soundmouthed crossbred ewes sold up to 7a ; crossbred lambs to 5s 11 i, merino ewes to &2d. Sheepskins, Hides, Fat, &c—There was a large attendance of fellmongers at oar stores on Thursday, anu spirited competition, resulting in a clearance of all lot-, at an advance on last week's prices. Butchers' crossbred pelts made Is lid to2s, 2s 3d, 2s sd, 2s 6d, 2s 7d, 2s 8d; merinos, Is 2d to Is 8d; lambskins, 2s sd, 2s 6d, 2* 8d to 2s 9d. Fat—Well-saved, l£d; shop cuttings, l£d and l|d. Hides at late rates. Privately daring the week, we placed a line of 2000 2-tooth merino wethers at satisfactory prices. Mr F. C. Tabaut reports on the live stock market for the week ending 7th March, as follows: — The total number of stock yarded at the Addington Yards comprised 10,207 sheep, 307 head of cattle, and 469 pigs. Fat cattle—A fair entry in numbers, of about the usual quality. Though the trade was well represented there was bat little disposition to speculate, and the market was without animation. Values are without alteration, beet bollocks making from £5 15s to £6 10s ; medium, SA los; cows and heifers, £2 5s to £5 ss, according to weight and quality. Store cattle—There was again a small and unimportant entry; values are without alteration. Fab sheep—There wan a good entry in nu-nbere,and the quality as a rule an Improvement on last week's yarding, there being several lines of really good sheep on offer. There was a good speculatWe demand for forward-conditioned sheep to hold over, and this bed tbo eftect of hardening values towards the close of the day's sale, and though the opening sales showed a decline of from 6d to Is per head, as the sales progressed this drop was recovered, and a slight increase In price on good sheep was established. Best crossbred wethers made from lls to 12a 3d, t ie latter price being given for a pen of Mr Bowman's sheep from Amberley (being the top price of the day for wethers); 8s 6d upwards was elven for medium quality. Fat crossbred ewes made from 8s 6d to 9e 6d top prices, and 6a 6d upwards for medium and infe-

I rlor; merino wethera> (» M. ued s> h 3d to 53 Od for best fines; i H Id tnf&o? and 5s for merino ewes. Pat Lambs There was again a very tall eutry, an< i M the demand for freezing Iβ almost cloned sales could only be effected at a reduction on last week* quotations. Beat Dene of lumba made 7s to 8s; a few excepUoaalbr heavy lambs made up to lls: inodlum made from 5a Gd upwards, and inferior 4a Od; a fair clearance was effected Store sheep were brought forward in larger numbers than for some time past and met with a fair demand, notwithstanding the continued dry weather. Crossbred ewes made from 5s od, Us Od to 7a 6d. according to ages and condition • merino ewes. Is 9d to sis lid. Pigs— \ f u u and being suitable sorts for farmers' dup! poses met with a keen demand, every lin* belug cleared at full values. Sheepskins, Kou«h Fat, Hides and Calfskins—My sales for the week ««n. prised 2861 sheepskins, 75 bags and pack* ages of rough fat, and about od hides and" calfskins. I'here was a medium attend ancs of fellmongers; competition wai fairly keen, aad all lots were cleared at the following values: — Butchers' beet crossbrede made from 2s 3d, 2s 6J 2a 9d to 2s lid; medium, Is 6d, Is9d upwards Butchers' best merinos, Is 6M, Is tfd toSSa* medium and inferior, Is upwards. Lamb! skins, 2s 6d, 2s 9d, 3s to 3s 2d ; small and inferior, Is 3d ; medium, Is yd to 2s adCountry skins-But few in, consisting of pelts, which sold well. Rough Fat—Beat country parcels made IJd to lgd ; butchers. 13d for best conditiou, und Id for inferior Hides are without alteration. * Messrs Wilson and Sons report of the Farmers' Saleyards Company's market on Saturday last, March the 2nd:—The supplies all round were very good. Poultry and Figs—A better supply than for some weeks past, and the attendance of the public was larger than for soma weeks. Every line was cleared, and mostly at fair prices. The pigs were brisker than usual, and confirms what we said some few weeks back, that they would hold out now through the season— the stubble feed and after to be converted into pork—and we believe breeders will be well paid for some time yet. The poultry market is not good for some classes, duck* and geese particularly do not sell well while young fowls, both roosters and pallets of size, are in great demand. Mr Wilson commenced to sell poultry at 11 and sales are as follows-:—Thin, poor little hen turkeys, 3s Od to 4s 3d; ordinary hens do, 4s 9d ; no cocks in ; geese vary from 3s Id to 3s 6d; ducks, 2s 6d up to 3s 3d; young roosters, 3s 3d to 3s Bα small, Is 3d upwards ; good hens, Iβ 9d to 2s 3d, old and poor difficult to place. Mr U. Bennetts began the horse sale first, having changed the order, he started to sell horses at half-past c even and then went on to his at twelve. The horse* all sold fairly well. There is a demand for such as can work. Pigs were very lively. The following is the list:—Some small suckers 6s 3d and the better class 7s 9d, 8t 3d, lls, 12s 6d, 14s, los 6d, ltts 9d, 18a, 22s 6d represent the bulk of the sales. Those in the trade considered it the best sale for some time. Traps and ltnple* have been sold privately and there is an increasing demand for good second-hand spring carts at reasonable prices; also spring vans are enquired for. We had a better inside business, and lot of bacon, hams, apples, pears, furniture, and general goods were turned over. Two pianos were sold at satisfactory prices, also one harinouum. Produce sales are moving, prices remain about the same, and in potatoes and onions the prospects are good. Grain, too, is steady, and will, as far as we can judge, remain at about present prices. Wheat, 3s 3d to 3s 6d; oats, 2s to 2s 2d; barley, 3s 3d to 3s 6d; chick wheat, 2s to 2s tid; but it is difficult to quote, varying so much Iα quality. Cheese and honey In in demand. New cheese, 4&d ; honey, 3d to 3Jd; beeswax, 6d to 7d per lb. We have had some outaide sales which did well, being quite up to expectations of the sellers. Property—We sold a house and land at St. Albans last Saturday, slightly over owner's reserve, and find enquiries still very brisk for most classes of property. Messrs James Wilkin and Co. report as under: —At our New Zealand Wool Stores yesterday we held our usual weekly sale of sheepskins, hides, and fat. Wβ offered our catalogue to a fair attendance of buyers, and cleared all lots at satisfactory prices. Our catalogue consisted of 615 sheepskins, 41 hides, and 28 bags and packages rough fat. The following are our quotations: — Butchers' crossbreds, early shorn, 2a Bd, 2s 9d and 2s lid; butchers' pelts, large, 2s Id, 2s 6d and 2s 6d; do medium, up to la lid; butcher* , lambskins, large, 2s lid to 3s 5d ; do small, 2s, 2s 6d and 2s 8d; country crossbreds, up to 4s 9d; do merinos, 4s 7d; fat, sound and well saved, l|d and l&d per lb: do Inferior and heated, lfcd and l£d ; hides, 601b and over 3§d per lb, 511b to 591b 2Jd, 501* and under 2£d; cut and damaged bides and calfskins, l£d per lb; calfskins, sound, 3Jd; bull hides, 12s 0d each. J. R. King and Co. report for week ending 2nd March, on the live stock and produce market as follows:—On Saturday last W3 conducted oar usual sale of homes, cows, pigs, poultry, &c. The entries all round were much better than the previous week. Buyers mustered in stronger force than they have done for weeks past, and as a result some spirited competition for a good many lines prevailed. The pig* yarded numbered 110, and comprised among them weaners, stubblers, porkers, and sows in pig. They proved & very suitable lot for the market, as all sold at prices fully equal to late quotations. The supply of poultry was also much largei than we have had for some time. Late values were again reached; in some In* stances hull price* were, obtained. Horses—A fair entry; most of them, however, were unsuitable for the requirements of buyers.and resulted in their being passed in ; those sold brought full values. Grain and Produce—There is not the activity that usually prevails this time of the year. This arises no doubt from the fact that farmers are holding aloof from selling in consequence of the lower values ruling. Merchants are also disinclined to pur* chase largely. A principal factor to this course of action arises no doubt from the turn affairs have taken at the recent general election in New South Wales, where members returned to Parliament are fairly evenly divided on the vexed question of freetrade and protection. If the former get into power and no change of tariff takes place, then an improvement in the prices of wheat and oats may result. If the latter get into power, and a protection policy is adopted, then we must expect lower rates to govern this market. All other lines of grain and produce will be more or less affected by the same cause. Present values may be quoted as follows: —Wheat from 3s to 3s 3d, oats from 2s to 2s 3d ; barley, good sample»;are worth 8e to 3s 61. feed 2s to 3s. Grass seed, ryegrass, farmers' lots 2s 4d to2s9d, macbinedre&sed 3s to 3s 6d ; cocksfoot 2£d to 2sa. Potatoes from 4s to 5s per cwt for local requirements, inferior samples sell for lees. Onions 3s 6d to 5s per cwt for small lots, shipping parcels are not yet in the market. Butter 6d to7d, cheese4d tosdfor good samples. Pigs-Stores 13s 3d to 21s, porkera 23* to 28* 6d, sow pigs 42a 6d to 47» 6d, small pigs commanded less attention than usual. A ready sale exists for plge suitable for stubble feeding ; porkers are also in good demand; sows continue w> sell freely. Poultry-Hens 2s to 2s 6d, roosters 2s 3d ro ss, mixed fowls Iβ 9d to 3a 9d, pullets 2s to 2s 6d, chickens Iβ ttvw 9d ducks 2s to 3s M, hen turkeys 5a to Oβ, geese 4s to 4s 6d, pigeons Is to 2s 9d. Messes Ptnb and Co. report for the week ending March 7th;-The total number of stock yarded consisted of 10 207 sheep. 307 cattle, 469 pige. Fat cattle—The entry in this class, thougn not a bU one, was quite sufficient for trade requirements, and although we cannot quote an advance in prices, still there appeared a fair demand, and good beer may be quoted at from 15s to Kte 6d per l< 01b. Store cattle—There appeared to be very little demand for any lines yarded, and consequently but little business was transacted. Fat aheep-The priucipal part of the entry in this ciass consisted of fW ewes, and some very inferior quality were yar led. A few good lines of wethers were offered, and all sold at slight reduction on last weeks values, < e*c e P tln ff. ''Jl very prfmest quality. Good wethers fetched from 9s «d to 12s 2d; ewes, 7s to 10*; merinos from 3* 6d to 6a. store Sheep—There was a large entn, P rl Js,i" pally consisting of breeding ewes, J'*™ l ? any young sheep being offer© L * ac i,ambs—There was also a large entry in this class, and owner* were obliged to accept prices considerably below former values, several lines being passed 10* Good lambs fetched from 7s up to 9s Bd. At our skin sale to-day there was a rair attendance of huyers, and prices were slightly in advance of lost week, Oβ* , *!?? hardly as high as three weeks ago. Wβ sold butchers' pelts at from lid to 2s Bd, lambskins at from Is 10d to 3a, Privately during the week we have placed several lines of factory skins, and also 9000 merittO sheep, a line of 400 half-bred ewee. and* line of store iambs, all at prices satiate* tory to owners.