MARKET REPORTS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7780, 6 February 1891, Page 3

MARKET REPORTS.

LIVE STOCK, &c.

Messrs H. Matsonand Co., associated with the National M. add A. Company, of New. Zealand Limited, report on the livestock market for. the week ending Thursday, sth February, 1891, as f olThe continued dry weather has,had but little Impression upon the values oi sheep. The evident desire of parties to secure sheep to clear their paddocks after harvest, combined with the Southern requirements and the export outlook, creates an animation and spirit in the demand and secures values which, to, say the least; have a temporary cheerfulness. On. Wednesday lasc biddings a velocity which made the more staid and cautious J hold back in surprise at the fortitude of j those who will have sheep"at any price. The entry on Wednesday was limited in numbers, viz., 5799 sheep, 267 cattle, 356 pigs, of which our entry included Io2Q sheep, 145 cattle, 220 pigs, for eighty-one clients, and, as the sales have already been faithfully recorded, it is needless for us to go iuto details, and so will only quote that sheep met with a brisk demand. Some very high values were reached. . Our top prices realised up to 15s Id per head, whilst as high as 16s Id was also obtained for a lot of very prime freezing wethers. Holders of good mutton need not fear as to Fat Sheep—Only a comparatively small entry to hand. Bayers mastered In fall force. Competition was very keen, and an advance on late quotations was noticeable for ail descriptions of sheep. jFreezing crossbred wethers sold at from los to; 16s id'• freezing crossbred wethers and maiden from 12s 9d to lis 9d, fat crossbred ewes soldatfrom 10s6dtol4s3<L merino wethers made from 8s to 10s per head. Our principal r sales were as follows -—For Mr R. M. Morten, a splendid line of freezers at from lis lOd to 15s; on account Mr \ O'Neil, a fat crossbred ewes _ from 8. 3d to fc lid; on account Mr John Sharp two-toott wethers and maiden ewes at 13s; for Mr D. McMillan, crossbred ewes at!o ? 6d; on ac SntMrG. Rutherford, and ewes i_ )he wool at lis 6d; forMr &. Geddes, twa-tooth wethers, and maiden ewea at If- 34 to Us 3d; oa wwow* Mr

W.Walker, crossbred wethers at lis 4d, and crossbred ewes at lis 41; on account Mr W. Gill, crossbred ewes ac from lis Gd co 12s; for Mr Tubman, fat crossbred ewes at from lis to 13s Od; od account Messrs Anderson Bros., crossbred wethers and maiden ewes at from lis Id to Hs Sd; for Mr J. S. Boag, half bred ewes at from 9s lid to lis; on account Mr G. H. Symes, half bred ewes at from 10s 3d co lis 7d ; for Mr S. Harris, half bred wethers and maiden ewes at 13s. * Fat Lambs —Limited entry to .hand. Competition was good. Prices realised were on a par with bite, quotations. Oar principal sales were as follows: — On, account Mr D. McMillan, lambs at from 10s 3d; for Mr Geo. Rutherford, a splendid lot of lambs at 13s, this figure topping the market for the .day; on account Mr R. Geddes, lambs at 9s; for Mr Long, lambs at9s Id; on account Mr S. Guy, lambs at 9s 6d; for Mr Harding, lambs at 7* 7d: on account Mr J. Sharp, a line ot iambs at from Us 3J to lis ill ; for Mr J. O'Neil, lambs at Ss ; for Mr Spencer, a line of 150 lambs at from 7s 9d to 8s 01 ; on account Mr H. S. Harris, lambs at from 10s to lis 3d.

Store Sheep—Fair entry to hand ; competition was keen, and .prices obtained very firm. T wo-tootli' crossbreds, .mixed sexes; sold at from 9s to 10s: store lambs realised from 7s 3d to 8s Id; four-cooth halfbred wethers, in forward condition, made up to 10s (3d; irregular lines of naifbred ewes, mixed ages, sold at 4s 6d; sound month .halfbred ewes realised 6s lOd, cull ewes sold at from 2s to 3s 6d. Fat . Cattle — Fair entry, comprised chiefly of steers, for which the demand was not so keen as on the previous week, consequently a shade lower price had to be accepted. A few odd heifers sold ac prices equal to last week's market. We sojjl every beast we ottered as follows :— Account Mr Pateman, steers ac £6 Ids, heifers at x 4; account Mr Ferguson, cows at £4 5s ; account Mr Parnham, heifers at £5 10s; account Mr Winter, cow £5155; account W. Sparks, cows at £5; account Mr Adams, cows at £4 10s; account Mr Anderson, steers at £6 10s to £8 15s per head; account client, steers at £8 os to £0 7s 6d, also steers at £5 15s to £5 17s 61; account Mr Harris, cows at £5 7s 6d; account client, steers at £6 10s, also steers at £5 Is to £6 17s each.

Veal—Small entry. Best calves 15s to 20s each, others 8s to 123 each. Dairy Cattle—Large entry, including a number of really first-class cows, but owners' ideas of values were beyond what buyers were prepared to give, consequently but few cows were sold. £5 10s to £7 was about the price for besc cows. Score Cattle—Very small entry. About thirty pens of old cows and yearlings of the ciass commonly called scrubbers, which sold at prices varying between 10s and £2 10s per head. We have an enquiry for a good Hue of three-year old store bullocks, should any be offering during the next week or so.

Pigs—Large entry. Competition was good, every line we offered hading fresh owners. Our sales are as follows:—Light bacon pigs, 30 s to 335; porkers, 15s to 26s each; larga framed stores, 20s to 25a; smaller sorts, 12s to 17s; weaners, 2s 6d to 7s. each. We sold on account of the following clients: -Account Mr Rowe, 2 at £15s; account E-sterbrook, 2 at 31s ; account Mr Hepburn, 2at £13s 6d; account Mr Burrows, sow ac £1 4s; account Mr McCailum, 10 at 10s, 10 at 15s, 12 at 14s, 12 at 14s 6d, 12 aC 14s. 11 ac 13s, 11 ac 12s, 11 at 10s, 11 at 9s; account Mr Stephens, 4 at £113s; account Mr Sparks, 4 at £1 is, 7 at 16s 6d, 7 at 16s, 7 ac 16s, 7 ac 14s; account Mr Steven,. 4at 28s 61, 4at 265; account Mr Plumridge, 2 at 7s; account Mr Ounford, 4 at 21s, 8 at 20s: account Mr Fisher, 9 at 13s Gd; acoounC Mr Lamb, 2 at 245; account Mr Bruce, boar at £1 7s 61, 8 at lis; accouut Mr Lyness, 2 at lis 6d; accouut Mr Rice, 13 at 245.

Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Rough Fat and Tallow—On Thursday we held our usual weekly sale of cue above and sheepskins. Biddings were brisk, and good prices were obtained. Batchers' crossbreds 2s 4d, butchers' merinos to-2s 3d, lambskins to 2s 3d, country skins to 5s Id each. Factory Skins—Privately we. have sold several lines at full market races. Rough Fat—Brisk competition ; besc lives to l_d, other lots IJI per lb. Hides at lace rates.

Canterbury Horse Market—At Tattersail's on Saturday last we held our usual weekly horse sale. There was. ;a , fair attendance of the trade prejent. Competition was fairly good, aud prices realised were, to a certain extent, satisfactory. The races, however, had the effect of marring the sale a little, and caused a certain amount of irregularity, iv prices. generally.7 Good draught and farm horses realised'from £18 to £22 10s, hacks and light harness horses sold at from £10 10s to £18, each. Things -in General — The amusing anecdotes from -11 quarters received iaco bucolic circles are among tbe many signs of the times. To-day perambu lacing Che

streets of chis city ie has been our lot .to learn much of the discontent and contrariwise of the existence of humanity iv his part of the Island. Meeting a man at 11 a.m. with a downcast appearance, sloughed hat, and dejected demeauour we said, Well, Jones, how are you old fellow, dry weacher having its effect with you? Well, yes. You know the things been too partial. I have only threshed out twenty-five bushels and old Bumbulberghas just finished fifty-eight, and tbe rascal Is only cwo miles distant. Oh, never mind, he has had the good luck to be well in the moist stream of prosperity while yoa have been too muchly incased iv an incrustability of dry atmosphere. The general yield of coru. after aU, will more than astouisb cbe " frog element," and our quantity for export, which of course will be admittedly small as ia comparison to last year, yec will turn the cables of dlsagreables into agreeable*. Don't funk it old chap. Where do yoa lunch, or do you luucU at ail, or live on suction only.

Messrs Miles and Co. (per J. T. Ford) report.. on the live stock market for tha week ending Thursday, February sth,. as follows -.—Canterbury Saleyards, Adding? ton, Wednesday, February 4th. — The stock penned for the day's sale comprised 5799 sheep, 267 head of cattle, and 356 pigs. The entry of fat cattle was a small one, but included some first-class bullocks, for which there was good competition, with a slight advance ou late rates. Store Cattle—Ooly a few odd lots yarded, which found buyers ac low prices. Iv the dairy -pens.... there were some first-class cows, which sold up to £7 15s per head. Store Sheep—Medium entry, whioh excited keen competition. Four-tooth crossbreds, in forward condition, sold up to lis Si*, and breeding ewes up to 5s lOd. Fat Sheep—A moderate entry, with several Hues of prime freezers, which were briskly competed for. We sold a line of exceptionally heavy weights from Messrs D. Henderson and Sons' Belmont Estate at 16* 6d each, which topped the market for the day ; also, from the' same estate, crossbred wethers and maiden ewes from 13* lid up to 15s od; for waipara Downs Estate, mixed crossbreds from 13s to Us 3d; for Mr -. A. Knight, halfbred ewes from lis 34 to; 12s'84} for Mr C. Ensor, crossbred wether* and maiden ewes from 12s 6d to 13s 8d; for Mr J. J. Mills. crossbreds (mixed sexes), from 10s 7d to l2Y9d. ~ l ''.'.'* Pigs—A large entry; with a limited demand. Tiuwald Tuesday. 3rd February. There was about the usual number of sheep and cattle yarded for this sale. Sheep were iv demand, ahd most i lines were cleared at highly■«?aUsfaptory prices. Oar sales' were as follows :— 54 rat ewes at 9s 4d, 71' crdssbred ewes at ?s i 7d, 40 crossbred ewes at »Bssd, 161 uierinos at 5s 3d to 6s 2d, 60 lambs at 6s 2d, 374 2 and 4-tooth crossbreds at 9s 6d to 10s, 222 2-tooth crossbreds at 10s 6d, 950 2-cooth crossbreds at 9s 6d to 10s Id. Private Sales—During the weett we have sold privately, 3300 merino ewes and 1000 merino-wethsrs at current races. .-- , * Skins, Fat, Sec—We held our weekly sale at our Colombo street.store on Thursday, when there was a very small attendance of the trade; and we have to report a decided fall on full-woolled skins. Our sale*'for the week comprise 3714 sheepskins at the [following prices:—Butchers' pelts to Is lOd, ditto lambskins to 2* 3d; country skins to 4» sd, factory pelts to 2s 5d ditto lambskins to 2s' 4d. FatSlightly better demand, witlrprices a shade better than last week. Hides and calfskins at late rates.

Thb New Zx-xaiVD Lo_~r and MesCAXTII— AGENCT COUPANT. LIIOT-O, report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, sth February, 1891,/ .as follows:—At the Addington saleyards on the 4th lust, stock was yarded as follows.:—Sheep 5799, cattle 267, pigs 356. Fat Sneep—The entry In this class was below the average, both as regards numbers and quality, though a few pens of exceptional sheep were yarded. The demand for both freezers and trade quality was keen throughout, and a substantial advance on last week's rates resulted. We sold for Mr James Macfarlane a line of his Achray wethers,, whose quality commanded for them a ready sale, at lis to 12s lOd; for Mr John Holmes, a line of prime ewes from his View Mount Kstate, at lis to 12s 3d; tor Mr A. M. Cl^rk-a—oahalfbr-d »^'^*r6akSUbe» rm^' m

Estate, at 10s 7d to lis 2d; for the same owner, also from the Riverslea Estate, a line of crossbred ewes at 10* lid to 12s 9d. ; Score Sheep—A.n entry of aboat 2000 was; yarded, hlfof-which were quitted at full rates, there being enquiries for an almost unlimited number at a trifle under present, current rates. We sold for Mr Thomas P&shbv a line of small tussock crossbred two-tooths at Cs 7d and a line of similar lambS at 4s Id; for the same owner 287 crossbred ewes at 4s. Four-tooth crossbreds brought 10s 4d to lis 3d. fairly well-, grown two-tooths 9s 6d to 10s, and /rood crossbred lambs at 7s 10d. Fat Lambs— These are not coming in so freely as has beehthe case, and about 700 represented the supply, the majority of them being inferior quality. For freezers a keen enquiry continues, and full prices are maintained. Best sorts made 10s to 12s 6d, exceptional up to 15s. Fat Cattle.-f-TheJ.peus were well filled, ! with an entry of good quality and handy weights. Bayers were noc particularly eager and vendors had to be content with 16s 6d to 19s for prime steers, and 15s 61 to 16s 6d for second quality. Veal.—A ; limited supply of .medium quality only commanded good values. Score aud Dairy Cattle.—in this /department there is nothing of importance to record. A keen enquiry exists for three-year-old steers, but here we have an unusual instance of the supply being quite inadequate for the deI maud. Pigs.—Stores continue Jin firstrate demand, and anything passable may be converted into cash without trouble. ! Porkers.—Baconers are not receiving much attention. Good stores realise 12s to 18s. district Sales—At the Leeston Saleyards, on the 30th ult., small entries were the order of the day, on account of harvest operations being in full swing. Sheep were represented by abouc 600, which met a fair inquiry, and changed hands at the following rates: —Aged merino wethers, -s 2d and 2s 4d; store lambs, 8s Id; fat do, 10s 3d ; two-tooth crossbreds, 9s 9d to 10s b*d; fat do, lis 6d; dry merino ewes, 4s 2d. A fair yarding of pigs, principally stores, was keenly competed for, and brought extreme rates. Practically nothing was done with cattie. At the Tiuwald Saleyards, on the 3rd lust., some 3000 sheep were yarded, includiug seyeral lots of useful two-tooth crossbreds. Buyers from outside the district were again noticeable, and stimulated competition, with the result that a good clearance was effected at an advance on last week's price. Fat crossbred ewes brought 9s to 9s 7d; do merino ewes, 6s 2d; two and four-tooth crossbred ewes, 9s 6d to 10s; two-tooth mixed crossbreds, 10s to 10s lOd; crossbred lambs, 6s_2d. Privately we have placed 4000 young merinos at satisfactory prices, and 500 sheep for freeziug purposes.

Mjsssbs and Sons' report of business at Farmers' Saleyards lor lasc week:—Saturday was not a day of rush, but, while hardly up.to the average, was enough to keep us from grumbling. We know it is harvest time, aud that the honey must be gathered before it can be distributed. We shall wait patiently for our little bit; we wish all the growlers we meet with would do the same. Poultry —Old hens, none less than 2s, and some ! of the more bloominjg 2s Od; cockeys are still greatly admired when their bones are covered at 3s to 3s 6d, and odd pens 4s; ducks, too many half grown, from 2s 3d to 3s 61; geese, very low in price, fair birds only get 4s, others less; tur_eys, very scarce. We hope the Lyttelton freezing chambers will soon be a fact, then something new can be done in the poultry business. - Pigs—Some very; nice quality came in,' and good prices were got. Pork was well competed for; 3_d to 4U was realised. Stores, much wanted. Horses—A goodly number vi ere offered. Plenty of shouting for a very little tin. We report this market as very slow. Traps—We find it difficult to know what to do with the great number which come to. The attraction to get in is stronger than the attraction to get out of our yards. Fair prices are obtained for the numbers which do go cut, and this makes the large Income. Ploughs, mowers, harrows, etc., are very slow to move. Produce—ln onions market fairly beginning. We have sold at from £7 to £8 up to this ; less is being talked of. New potatoes keep with us at £4: No doubt they will be less in a few weeks. Crops are looking well iv most places, and we anticipate good quantity and the best of quality. We have-sold some small lots of old wheat; inferiors, lid, chick feed 2s 9d to 3s,' as per size, &c. Pigs-meal Is coming in agaiu. We turn a rot over at £5 to £3 10$ per ton. Inside; sale was in bacon, hams, cheese, furniture, about as usual. In property a number of enquiries to lease have come before ~us,7and a l few to purchase, but have not led to business. j Property selling is. a charming business for a good-tempered man.

Messrs Dicken and Co. report on the live stock-market ifor the week ending Thursday, February sth. as follows:— At Addington on Wednesday, 5799 sheep 209 head of cattle*- and 35t> pigs weie yarded, of which number our entry consisted of 1552 sheep, 56 jie-d of cattle, and 148 pigs. The attendance of those interested wa'«i'on the -small side, but all that were there seemed,to be on business, and as certain of. the salesmen abstaiued 'fro.haitiugthetrelbquenee 'with gratuitous remarks on things" irt general, a thousand times rep-ated, the sale was got through with reasbuable'dfspatoh. Fat Cattle— The-entry was rather on the small, side, the. quality in .most cases being above the average. The demand was only moderately active, and last week's prices were about maintained. Medium weight steers sold at from £5 15s to £7 2s 6d ; heifers and fat cows £4 to £5 ss. We sold a line of 12 steers privately at £6 18s 6d, and at auction a line of heifers at £4 15s. The price of beef per lOOlbsi ranged at from 16s to 19s, aceordiug Store Cattle—A small entry and a correspoucliug enquiry. A c sold a line of two-year-old steers ac £2 2s 6d per head, and odd lines at even rates. Dairy fairly large entry, some exceptionally good cows on the point of -calving being yarded; We placed such at from £5 ITsod to £7 par head, aud medium sorts at from £3 upwards. Fat Sheep-r-There .was a . fairly good entry of ' principally crossbred sheep of good quality. In some cases they were extra prime. The market opened firm, and continued soi till cowards the end of the sale; when it slackened off somewhat. On the whole, however, vendors have every reason' to be satisfied. Prime crossbreds sold from 12-j Od to 14s, and as high as 16s 6d, per head, medium weights 10s 6d to lis 6d, fat ewes at from 8s 3d to 12s 3d, aud merino wethers 03,61 to 9s 6d per head. We sold for Mr Geo. Marshall 00 very prime crossbreds at from 13s to lis 4d -for Messrs Todhunter and Dowding, 120.' crossbred wethers at from 12s 3d to 14s • for clients, 40 crossbred ewes at lis, 61 at from 9s to 9s 6d, 66 do at 10s 6d, 56 at 10s 24 at 9s 9d, aud 40 do at 6s 6d. Store Sheep—A fair number were offering, mostly youug sheep. The demand wa<* again good, and all lots changed bands at freely lace rates. We sold for various clients as follows :—Mr A. Chisnall. fourtooth ewes and wethers at 10s 61; for Mr __ Bennett, Greenpark, 58 ewes at 6i lOd, and 107 old ewes at 2s 4d; for a client, 401 "two-tooth ewes and wethers at 10s, 143 ewes at 4s Od, and 150 old ewes at 2s 83. Fat_<ambs--A moderate entry compared with late markets, aud aa all round advance iv values. The primest lambs sold at from IDs to 14s ;' medium, 7s 61 to 8s 6d. We placed oar entry as follows .-—For Mr F. Searle, 14at8s ld;T6r Mr A. Bennett. Greenpark, 30 at 8s 2d ; for Mr Jas. Hocking 7at 9s 61; for Mr J. Carles, 6at6s 9d ; fora client, 32 at 8s to 8s 6d, and 70 ac Bs. Pigs—A large entry, mostly stores. The demand was hardly so keen as at last week's sale, ahd lvalues were much easier. We sold strong stores at from-T6s to 22s each; small ditto? Ss to 12s 3d. ? Sheepskins, Hides, tat, and Tallow

At-the New Zealand Wool Stores this day we held our usual weekly sale of above„submittingLa largest—try of green and dry skins to the usual attendance of buyers. Competition was good, and last week's value* were greatly improved upon We'sold woolly skins at from 3s llil to 53 31 each. Batchers* crossbred pelts at fromfls 6d to.Jis 9d each, inferior do Is to Is 3d, merino pelts Is 3d to Is lid each, and lambskins at from Is 3d to 2s 7deach. Fat and Tallow-Fair competition. At to-day's auction we placed our encry at for best rough fat Igd to lgd per lb inferior Id tolled. Hides and calfskins remaia unaltered in values. .* Privately we have disposed of large Hues of skirts "from the freezing factories ac foil rates. ■»«■■,_..-.*«■ _ Kirwee Monthly Market—Oa Monday last at this district sale there were only small entries of sheep. We sold for clients two-tooth crossbreds at 8s lOd, and lines of fat ewes at 9s to 10s per head.

Messrs Ptkb and Co. report for the week ending Thursday, February sth :— The total number - of stock yarded consisted of 5799 »heep, 287 cattle, 356 pigs. There was a very fair attendance at Addington on Wednesday, and considerable business resulted. In fat cattle there was a plentiful the quality on the whole being rather above the average. At the commencement of the sale several lots were withdrawn, bat later In the day competition was more keen, and most lots «oW »c slightly reduced values on last

quotations. Best beef brought 17s 6d per lOOlbs; medium, 15s. In store cattle, dairy cows were the only entries worthy of attention, and for a line of springers jzood values were obtained. There was a keen demand for both fat andstore sheep, all lines selling freely. In fat sheep there was a rise of Is for prime quality, and Ud and 9d for iat ewes and merinos. All lines of stores sold at a slight advance, two-tooth mixed sexes bringing from 7s 6d to 10s 6d t fourtooths all wethers lis 3d, aged crossbred ewes trom 2s tods, store lambs 7s lOd. Fat lambs found buyers at late rates where the quality was good, but Inferior sorts command bat little attention, and would probably be sold at better prices in the store pens. There Is considerable activity in the store pig market, farmers baing anxious to obtain young stock for the stubbles. Privately daring the week we have placed over 2000 store sheep and several lines of fat sheep and lambs. Skins—Our sales for the week oomprlse 5328 country, bacchers, and factory skms. Competition to-day at our sales was fairly brisk. Best crossbred skins realised up to 2s 7d, medium 2s, lambs 2s to 2s 6d, dry meriuos 4s to 5s od, dry pelts 6d to ls6d.

Mr F. C. Tabart reports on the live stock market for the week ending sth February, as follows .-—The total number of stock yarded at the Addington Yards comprised 5799 sheep and lambs, 267 head of cattle, and 356 pigs. Fat Cattle— A full supply of 175 head was brought forward. Competition was not so keen as last week, and a slight decline in values had to be accepted to effect sales. Most of Che caCtle ou offer were light weights and fair quality. Best bullocks made £6 to.£6 17s Od; medium and inferior, £4 15s upwards; test cows and heifers £5 to £8; medium and inferior, £3 15s upwards. Store CattleThere wa9 again a very small entry and no improvement in the demand, consequently very little business resulted. Fac Sheep—A smaller entry than usual, which had the effect of forcing values up on all good quality sheep. Inferior did not command attention. Peas of best crossbred wethers made 14s to 16s 6d, medium 12s to 13s 9d, maiden ewes lis to lis, according to weight, heavy-weigbt fat ewes lis to 12s Od, medium weight 9s 6d "to 10s 9d, and inferior 6s 9d upwards. A good clearance was effected. Fat 1 Lambs—There was a falling off in numbers. Best pens made 10s to 12s, medium 8s to 9i 6d, inferior 5s 6d upwards. I Score Sheep—A moderate entry, for which there was a good demand. Good twotooth crossbreds made from 9s to 10s; forward four-tooths, 10s 61 to lis 3d; crossbred lambs, 4s Id to 7s lOd, according to size and condition ; crossbred ewes, 4s, .4s 6d, os, up to 6s lOd, according to age and condition. Pigs—A good entry ef useful sorts. Bacon pigs are commanding a little attention, curing having commenced at Islington and Belfast, aud there Is an active demand for stubbier*. All pigs sold well. Sheepskins, Rough Fat, Hides, and Calf Skins.—My sales for the week comprised 3807 sheepskins, 91 bags and packages of rough fat, and about 75 hides aud calfskins. There was but a small attendance of fellinongers. Competition was irregular, but all lots were cleared at the following prices :—Butchers' best crossbred pelts, Is 9d, 2s, 2s 3d to 2s 7d; medium. Is 3d upwards; butchers' best merino pelts. Is 9d, 2s to 2s 3d, small and medium Is Id upwards; lambskins, large, Is lOd, 2s, 2s 3d to 2s 61: small, Is 3d upwards. Full-woolled crossbreds, 7s 3d; dry country skins at full rates. Rough fat, for best parcels, lju, lgd, and l|d; bucchers', Id to ljjl; inferior, §1. Hides and calfskins are without alteration.

Messrs J. R. KiNa and Co. report for the week ending 3lsC January, 1891,0n the live stock; grain aud produce marKets-:— The usual sale of horses, dairy cattle, pigs, poultry, grain, produce, and general merchandise was conducted in our yards on Saturday last. The attendance of both buyers and sellers was unusually large for this time of year. The entries all round were fairly good. Pigs aud poultry were in large supply; horses and cattle were not so well represented as they usually are. Ou the whole we have no cause co complain of. supplies, but on the other hand have much cause for self-gratura-tions. The sale was au exceedingly good one. Bayers were more free than Chey have been for some wjeks past and che result vvas highly Satisfactory to clients. Punctually ac eleven o'clock we commenced our sale by introducing our customers to the. " gintlemau thac pays the Tint." The cordial friendship immediately towards him made iceasy work for'the auctioneer. For the more he knocked down the higher piggey weut up. As we anticipated the market for strong score pigs would improve was fully evidenced by the prices realised. The demand is not confined to store pigs alone, as every class sold to good advantage, and we are safe in saying that clients will not be disappointed who bring their spare stock to au early market. Poulcry was also well represented, and fetched prices equal to lace quotations, and lv some instances much more. Roosters, turkeys, and young hens sell to best advantage. Good geese and really prime ducks are also wanted. 111-conditioned birds of this class have lately predominated in Che market, hence values have somewhat fallen. Breeders have the power to rectify chis unsatisfactory state of thiugs Our advice is, separate the culls and study more the fibuess of tbe birds'for table purposes and au assured tfood market awaits you. Horses and dairy cattle were not iv good supply, nOr were they in demand. They call, for no further special reference. Qaocatioas.for poultry aud pigs as follows;—Uens ls9d, 2s, 253d r 2 s 61, 2s 9d, 8s per pair; roosters, 2s, 2s 3d, 2s 6d, 2s 9d, 3s, 3s 3d, 3s Od, 5* per par; fowls, Is 6d, Is 9d, 2s, 2s 3d, 2s 6d, 2s 91, 3s, 3s 3d per pair ; chicks, Is, 19 3d, Is sd, Is 91 per pair; ducks, 2- 91, 3s per pair; ducklings. 2s3d, 2s 61 per pair; geese, 3s 6d, 3s 9di 4s, 4s 3d, 4s 6d per pair; turkeys (gobblers), 20s per pair; pigeons, Is, Is 31, Is 61 per pair; pigs (weavers), 3s 9d, 4s, '4s 3d, 4s 6d, 4s 91, ss, ss, 3d, Os, 6s 6d, 7s, 7s 6d ; small stores, 10s 3d, 10s 9d, lis, lis 6d-, 12s 3d, 12s 9d, 13s, 13s 61; strong stores, 17s 6i, 18s 3d, 20s, 225. Grain and Produce—Prices have not undeigoue auy change since we lasc quoted. Tuscan, old samples, frOm 3s 7d to 3a Oi per bushel: pearl, 3> od to 8s 6d per bushel; Hunter's.3s 4d to 3s 5d per bushel; cbickwheat, whole, 3s per bushel; broken and inferior sorts, 2s 61 to 2s 9d. Veryfewnewsarap.esof wheat are yet in the market. We have seen some very good, but we fear the bulk will not be up Co the usual. Oats, prime Is 8d to Is 9d.per bushel, feed Is 7d to Is 8d per bushel, thin sorts 1» 6d to Is 7d per bushel. Potatoes, new, £3 to £1 per ton. Ouioas, £3 10s to £4 per tou. The demand for both these lines is fairly good, although only local.

Mr D. Thomas (late Matson, Cox and Co.) reports upon the live stock market, for the Ashburton district, for tbe week ending Feoraary 3rd, as follows:—On Tuesday, ac cbe Tinwald Yards, I held my usual-weekly sale of sheep, cattle and pigs. There was a total entry for the day of 2653 sheep, 17 cattle aud 39 pigs, of which I sold 639 sheep, 28 pigs and 14 cattle. There was a slight rise ia sheep, but cattle and pigs were very dull of sale.' The following were the prices realised:—For fat merino ewes 7s lid, medium do ss, crossbred ewes 10s 6d to 12 3 , iv stores, cwo-tooth mixed crossbreds 956d,10s co 10s 2d. In pigs—Stubblers; 9s3d to 13s. In cattle—Fac cows £3 10s, £4 10s, £4 14s, £5 10s; stores very poo* prices.