WEDNESDAY'S STOCK MARKET.
(BY OUR COMMERCIAL EDItOR).
Bu -iuess has been reaumod after the E*ster holidays under the most favourable auspices as regards the weather, the rain of last week having been succeeded by plenty of sunshine and a drying nor'-wester. There is now abundance of grass all over the country, and it only needs a few weeks of auoh weather as we have had during the last few days to pub soma body into it; otherwise there will be the danger ot scouring, especially to lambs, and thus leaving them in a weak state to face the winter. Lambs, too, were in much request at Addiogtou yesterday, and as there was only a comparatively small entry, and, in fact, of storesheep of any kiud,prices were decidedly firm. All classes oi lambs, from sickly weeds to good straight lines, were eagerly simpped up, though the former will be risky property should the weather for the next month or two not prove favourable. Good sound breeding ewes are sbill wanted, and what few were in were easily sold, while forward turnip sheep commanded their full value. Lambs made from 4s Id to 4s 6cl for small and 63 6d to 8s 2d for better quality, two-tooths 7s to 8s Id, mixed two and fourtooths 103 to lla 2d, souudmouohed crossbred ewes 63 6d to 7a 2d, aged do, 4s, merino ewes 2s 9d.
Fat lambs were represented by a small yarding, and there is little or nothing fresh to note in their sale, prices beiog about on a par with those obtained recently, quality and quantity considered. Among the sales made were the following:—Messrs G. H. Ellis, Tai Tapu, 8s 5d to 8a 9d ; W. Wright, Ellesmere, 7s 4d to 10s 3d, R. Allen, Little River, 8s 10d to 9s 9d ; D. Wills, Leeston, 8s 10d ; H. and A. Campion, Halawell, 8a to 8s Id; P. Manion, Yaldhurst, 9s 2d; C. Candy, Halswell, 7s 6d; T. Hornby, Harewood road, 7s 9d to 9s Id.
There was also a moderate supply of fab sheep, but a decided improvement in quality, heavy crossbred wethers showing a much larger proportion, while the merino wether is beginning to displace the aged crossbred ewe, the latter having formed the bulk of the yarding of fat sheep during the summer months. The prices may be considered as good all round, the short; supply assisting to keep the market firm. Some really good lines of heavy wethers were sent in, the market being topped at 15s 9d by those of Mr S. Stone, of Kaiapoi. Some of the principal sales were as follows :—Messrs S. Stone, Kaiapoi, crossbred wethers, 14a Id to 15a 91; H. Phillips, Leeston, halfbred ewes aud wethers, Us 9d to 12s 9d ; H. Harrison, Rakftia, aged crossbred ewe?, 6s 10d to 7s lid; R. Reid, Waiuui, crossbred wethers and ewes, 10s 9d ; W. Wright, JEileemere, halfbred ewes, 8s 9d to 9s 9 J ; F. 0. Murray, Lincoln, crossbred ewes, 9a lid to lls 31; D. Cameron, Springfield, crossbred ewes, lOii to 13s ; Lagmour Estate, crossbred wetheru, 14s to 15s; Messrs H. A Knight, Raceourae Hill, halfbred ewes, lls 3d, crossbred ewes, lls 6d to 12a; J. Seward, Ashburton, crossbred ewes, 9s 93. to 10e6d; H. Rotherey, Southbridge, crossbred wethers and maiden ewes, 12a 3d : J. McLean, R*kaii», crossbred wethers, lls 4d ; Sheffield client, crossbred wethers, 13a 5d ; Mr R. Wright, Harwarden, halfbred wethere, 12a Id; Balmoral Estate, merino wethers, 4s 10d to 7a; Messrs 1). Henderson, Methven, crossbred ewes, 9s 9J to 12s; R. Allen, Little River, crossbred wethers, 13s lid; I). Wills, Leefiton, crossbred wethers, lls 10d, and maiden ewes, 10s ; J. Cunningham, Brookside, crossbred ewes, 8a to 9a; P. Manion, Yaldhurefc, crossbred ewes, 6s to 7s 8d; C. Kelly, Southbridge, wethers and maiden ewes, 123 4d; W. Wilkinson, Chertsey, croesbred ewes, 8a 9il to lls 9d ; R. Belcher, Kaiapoi, crossbred ewes, 7e to 8s Id ; 0. Oakley, Rukiia, crossbred ewes, 8s 2d to 8a 10d; W. Anderson, Yaldhurat, crossbred wethers, lls 7d, maiden ewes, 9a 3d; H. and A. Campion, Halswell, crossbred ewes, 10s 9d to 13s 10d; J. Stalker, Woodend, crossbred ewes, 7a 6d to 9a. The entry of fat cattle was a deoidedly mixed one, and varied from prime steers to nferior cows aud heifers, which only brought store prices. The value of best quality hardened somewhat, while medium and inferior quality was much easier. Dairy cows were in somewhat! better demand, as feed is now more plentiful, but store cattle were practicably unsaleable, though some useful lines were yarded. Pigs were weli represented, and for all except the primesfc quality there was an easier tone, stores especially being difficult to dispose of. Baconere and porkers may be quoted at2£d to 2|d for medium and 3d to 3£d per lb for prime quality.
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