STOCK VALUES AT HUNTERVILLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 95, 15 January 1908, Page 2

STOCK VALUES AT HUNTERVILLE.

WILL PRICES RISE?,, At the Huntcrvillo sale to-day ' (telegraphed our specia.l Manawatu correspondent last night) there was an averago attendance, and the yarding was one of the heaviest since the stock sales were established. Bidding was far from brisk. Tho, average prices were Four-tooth wethers, 146. Id.; two-tooth wethers, 13s. 6d.; yearling steors, £2 lis.; 21 and 3-.vear steers, £4 10s.; 18-month steers, small, £2 10s.; yearling heifers, 305.; bulls, 275. This was the first sale at which Dalgety and Co. were represented. Tho firm recently decided to erect yards, but subsequently arranged to sell in conjunction with the other firms. It was announced at the salo to-day that tho yards will bo enlarged in order to accommodato stock. A farmer, interviewed as to the best stock entries in the North Island, stated that Feilding stood out alone. Next followed Huntcrville, and in the near' future probably Tailupo may bo good. Between Hal--5 combo and Marton on tho Main Trunk Line, and up as far as Taihape, the district contributed last year 60,000 fat sheep. It is estimated that this' year's output will cclipse that figure. Thero was n peculiar case of inconsistency at the sale. A pen of store wethers were sold at 145., while it is a recognised fact that fats can In; procured at 14s. 6d. to los. Tho explanation is that a ntinlber of farmers have contracts with firms to supply fixed quantities of sheep per month for stated periods; and also tho expectation of a rise in the price of fat sheep at an early dato. Tho reason given for tho high reserves to-day and the few sales was that recently farmers have been purchasing at high prices, and do not caro to sacrifice. Feed nolds out here exceptionally well: in fact, better than in other localities visited, . whore land is of more value.