CHRISTMAS STOCK SALE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 6

CHRISTMAS STOCK SALE

Westfield Quotations

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, December 20.

The Christmas stock sale was held at ■Westfield to-day, when higher prices ruled in tlie majority of Ibe sections compared with last year, and values improved on recent sales. A shortage of beef resulted in quotations being increased by 1/-, to 40/- a 10011)., on a par with values ruling at the beginning of the month. Beef was marketed at 32/- a year ago and top prices for steers and cows were £l3/2/6 and £lO/15/- respectively, compared with £l5 and £l3/7/6 to-day. Extra choice ox realised 40/- a 1001 b., choice and prime, 34/- to 39/-; unfinished, 28/- to 36/-; prime cow and heifer beef, 32/- to 38/-; unfinished, 25/- to 31/-. Extra heavy steers ranged from £l4/10/- to £l5; heavy, £1.4 to £.14/17/6; medium, £l2 10/- to £l3/15/-; light, £lO to £l2/15/-; unfinished, £6 to £ll/5/-; extra heavy cows and heifers, £lO to £l3/7/6; heavy, £8 to £lO/15/-; medium, £7 to £B/15/-; light, £5 to £7/5/-; unfinished, £2/10/to £5/5/-.

Sheep and lambs wore in strong seasonal demand, and prices were fully firm to firmer on late quotations. Large offerings were cleared, the quality being excellent. Extra heavy wethers sold at 30/to 31/3, compared with a top price of 29/6 last year. Heavy made 28/- to 29/9; medium, 25/- to 27/9; light, 23/- to 26/-; unfinished, 20/- to 23/-; extra heavy ewes, 20/- to 23/- (on a par with prices last year) ; heavy, 18/- to 19/9; medium, 15/9 to 17/9 ; light, 1-1/- to 16/6; unfinished, 4/- to 12/6; prime lambs, 20/- to 30/- (compared with 30/9 last year) ; small and unfinished, 14/- to 19/9.

Tlie small yarding of calves included little prime quality and the good demand for this stock showed a definite recovery on the last two declining markets. Individual values improved by 5/- to 10/- a head. Runners brought £2 to £6/14/-. (compared with £9/10/- last vear) ; heavy vealers, £4/18/- to £7 (compared with £5/3/- last year; medium, £4 to £4 18/-; light, £3 to £3/17/-; smaller, £2 to £3; small and unfinished, £1 to £l/18/-; rough, 15/- to 27/-; bobby, 7/- to 16/-. _ln consequence of tlie short entry of pigs values for best heavy baconcrs improved by about 3/- a head on late rates, and porkers advanced about 2/- each. Stores were also in keen demand. Choppers brought £2 to £5/15/-; heavy b aeoners, £3/13/- to £4/7/- (compared with £3/15/- last year) ; medium, £3/8/- to £3/12/-; light, £3/2/- to'£3/6/-; heavy porkers, £2/13/- to £3/1/- (compared with £2/17/- last year) ; medium, £2/7/to £2/13/-; light, £2/1/- to £2/8/-: small and unfinished, £l/11/- to £2; stores, £1 5/- to £l/18/-; slips, 16/- to 25/-; Wenners, 12/- to 21/-. Baconers averaged 6d. a lb., and porkers 6Jd,