ADDINGTON MARKET

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24445, 20 December 1944, Page 8

ADDINGTON MARKET

LARGE ENTRY OF FAT LAMBS STORE SHEEP WANTED The suspension of the market next week because of the holidays was responsible for substantial entries of fat stock at yesterday’s Addington market, which was held a day earlier than usual to enable butchers to get meat into their shops as-, soon as possible for the Christmas trade. Fat lambs provided a heavy entry of more than, 4000 head, and it was generally a very prime display. All but a few of the lighter sorts sold freely to butchers at well aboye export parity. Fat, sheep quality was good, and recent values were well maintained. Fat cattle over-supplied the demand. There was an unsatisfied demand for all classes of store sheep, and little change on recent rates. There will be no sale during holiday week, the next market being on Wednesday, January 3. STORE SHEEP The yarding in the store sheep section was 1520, comprising mostly two-tooth wethers and ewes and lambs. There was a large attendance of buyers, and competition was keen for all classes, which were cleared under the hammer at prices well up to those at recent sales. The supply was below the demand, and in consequence many farmers went away disappointed. One line of 130 two-tooth wethers sold in two pens at 25s and 25s Id: another of 334 made from 22s 6d to 24s 6d, and one of 158 at 21s. A pen of 49 two-tooth ewes made 21s. All of the ewes with lambs at foot were in the wool, and sold well. One line .of 240 ewes and 203 lambs were sold in three lots from 17s 6d to 225, all counted, and a pen of 45 ewes with 49 lambs also made 225. Others sold from 18s 9d to 20s. FAT LAMBS The entry of fat lambs totalled more than 4000, mostly comprised, of weights suitable for the Christmas tfade. There was keen demand from the outset, and although with the large yarding prices in the second half of the sale -showed a slight easing on,the opening figures, the market throughout was very satisfactory. In most cases prices exceeded the schedule limits, and in consequence buyers for export were not able to compete against the trade, but were in evidence when lambs suitable for their purposes were submitted. The highest price was secured by J. Scott (Ashley), who sold 10 at 39s 4d, and other good sales includedM. Baxter (Brookside). 36s 7d; R. Stewarf (Sefton), 37s 4d; J. T. Matson (Flaxton), 31s 7d to 35s Id; McAdam Bros. (Balcairn), 31s 7d to 34s 7d; R. Wilson (Kirwee), 32s Id to 35s Id; and A. P. Chambers (Burnham), 29s lOd to 33s 4d. Values \rere;— Heavy lambs, 36s 7d to 39s 4d; prime, 31s 7d to - 34s 7d; medium and light, 24s 4d to 2Ts 7d. FAX SHEEP The entry of fat sheep was larger than usual for a Christmas market, the total being about 4200, against- 5000 last week. In spite of the liberal buying by butchers at last week’s sale, there was again strong competition, especially for butcher-weight wethers dnd for prime young ewes, while the best of the older sheep also found a ready market. Export buyers operated, but at the prevailing prices, which were again above schedule, their purchases were limited. The quality generally was well up to recent standards, and there was an absence of unfinished and light sheep. Values were:—extra prime wethers, to 38s; prime wethers, 3Cs 4d to 34s 7d; prime medium-weight wethers, 26s 6d to 295; light wethers, 23s to 25s 7d; extra prime young ewes, to 31s; prime aged ewes, 22s to 26s 4d; prime mediumweight ewes 17s 7d to 21s 4d: light, 14s to 16s. FAT CATTLE The entry was again a large one, though not up to the size of those of recent sales. It comprised 497 head, compared with 536 last week and 566 a fortnight ago. Though there were a number of outstanding pen lots forward, the average quality was scarcely up ' to that ol the last month or more. Last weeks prices were not maintained. .This was due possibly to the heavy, fat iamb entry and the Christmas demand for lamb. On an average, values were easier by 15s to 2Qs a head, heavy-weight plain cattle by a'little more, but up to 20s a head covered most of the prime quality. Good heifers, however, showed little change. Cows not in the first class are now down to export rates, but there was little buying on this account, doubtless because of the operations of the works being taken up with lambs. The sale concluded, firmly at the lower scale of values. Best beef made from 42s to 44s per 1001b, a few special pens slightly more, good, Including heavy 37s 6d to 41s, medium to 3Vs. and secondar.’ to 34s per 1001b» Top prices included- the following; on account H. Edwards (Kalapoi), 12 steers at £2l 2s 6d to ‘£22 2s 6d, A. Banks (Coutts Island) 12. steers at £l7 17s 6d to £lB 2s 6d, Plaskett Bros. (Ferrside) seven steers at £lB 2s 6d to £2O 2s 6d, A. Sharp (Halswejl),.three heifers at £l4 12s- fid to ,£ 17 7 s 6d, three steers at £lB 42s fid to £l9 17s, 6d. J. Sim (Ashburton) eight steers at £l7 17s 6d to £l9 17s 6cf, P. S. Draper (Culverden) five heifers at £ls 12s 6d, Shipley Bros. (Harewood) 12 steers at £l7 7s 6d- to £22 2s 6d, two heifers at £l6 17s 6d, Ivor. Gray (Kaltuna) six steers £l9 12s ; 6d to £2O 12s 6d (average to £2O 2s 6d), F. Leonardo (Le Bons Bay) 11 steers £l7 12s 6d to £lB 2s 6d, N. A. Gardiner (Kaltuna) eight steers'£l7 17s 6d to £2l 2s 6d, J. F. Cracroft Wilson (Cashmere). 12 at £lB 17s 6d to £l9 17s 6d. r. Values were as under:— Extra prime steers, £l9 10s to £22 2s fid. Prime steers, £l7 10s to £lB 15s. : Plain heavy steers, ;.£ 15 15s to £l7 ss. Prime medium weight, £l6 to £l7 10s. Ordinary. £l3 10s to £ls. ' Extra prime heifers,, £l4 to £l7 7s 6d. Prime heifers, £ll 10s to £l3 15s. .Medium heifers, £lO to £ll ss. Extra prime cows, £l3 to £l4 17s 6d. Prime cows, £lO to £ll 10s. Medium, cows,; £B. Ss to £9. VEALERS The entry In the veal section Was smaller than that of recent weeks, but the number forward more than met requirements. Only a small amount of veal Is absorbed over the Christmas period. All classes showed an easing on late rates, but a complete clearance was made. Values were:— Large runners, £5 18s 6d to £9 6s; others, £4 8s 6d to £5 16s; best sucker. £4 11s to £6 3s 6d; medium, £3 8s 6d to £4 13s fid; large calves, 48s to 665; medium, 30s to 455; small and rough, 10s to 28s. STORE CATTLE The entry in the store cattle pens was small, but It included a few well-bred fairly forward conditioned pens, for which there was a good demand, particularly for better sorts. A pen of nine three-year-old Hereford steers made £l4 2s 6d, one of eight Shorthorn cross steers £l2 8s 6d, one of six mixed colours, £lO 11s, six of the same description £lO 18s fid, a pen of 11 even and good-conditioned Red Poll cross heifers made £8 2s 6d, and a pen of smaller sorts £7 16s. A station pen of nine Black Poll steers made £ll 4s, and five Hereford-Black Poll cross £9 18s 6d. DAIRY CATTLE There was a good-sized yarding In the dairy pens, comprising approximately 80 head. Backward springers, which have been selling well recently, were in oversupply, and the demand for these declined sharply. On the other hand good class cows and heifers close to work met with a brisk sale on similar rates to previously. Secondary sorts of cows and heifers, however, did not maintain recent rates. Generally the market was one in which the eyes were picked out and other classes were not Wanted.-Values were:— Extra good second and third calvers, £l6 to £18; good, £l3 to £ls 10s; medium, £lO 10s to £l2 10s; others. £5 to £8 10s: best heifers, £l4 to £l6; good to £l2 10s; others, £5 to £9. FAT PIGS The yarding In the fat pig section was about half that of last week, . and the porker sale was erratic, values Jjeing difficult to follow at times. Choppers were in medium supply only, and the sale was a good one. values appreciating by approximately' £1 per head. The bacon entry was also much smaller, and the sale was also sound, last week’s rates being fully maintained. Values were:— Light porkers, 54s 6d to 58s 6d; medium. £3 2s fid to £3 8s 6d; heavy. £3 10s 6d to £4 2s 6d. . „ Choppers. £5 Is to £lO 18s 6d. Light baconers, £4 9s 6d to £4 16s fid; medium, £4 17s 6d to £5 2s 6d; heavy. £5 4s fid to £5 9s 6d; extra heavy, £o 14s fid to £6 6s 6d. Average price per lb, 83d to 9d. STORE PIGS The store pig entry was the smallest for several weeks. The attendance of buyers was also small, and sales over the early stages were difficult to make at satisfactory prices. Over the second half of the auction, however, competition improved and there was a general clearance at prices slightly in advance of last week’s rates. Values were:—small weaners, 18s to 235; medium. 25s to 28s: best. 29s to 345; slips. 35s to 38s; small stores, 39s to 41s: medium, 42s to 455: large.

NEW ZEALAND “TUIS” ARRIVE IN ENGLAND —A party of New Zealand “Tuis "who have been in Egypt and Italy doing welfare work in New Zealand clubs, have arrived in England. They were welcomed by the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) at the New Zealand Government Offices, Strand. Mr Jordan pointing out places of interest from the roof ‘of New Zealand House. Left to right, front row: Miss C. Johnson (Timaru), Colonel F. Waite, D.5.0., Mrs Jordan, Lady Freyberg, and Miss Dulcie Boucher (Auckland). Right to left, back row: Miss June Cummins (Wellington), Second Subaltern Mrs Joyce Webb (Invercargill), Miss M. Webley (Christchurch), Miss Babette Buddie (Auckland), Miss Christine Farrer (Hamilton), Miss Pat Thomas (Ma: ?rton), Miss Jean Macßae (Stratford), Miss Riro Girdlestone (Wellington), Miss Paddy Burke (Gisborne), and Miss Jean Wilkm (Wellington).