COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2127, 28 February 1908, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

MATAWMERO STOCK SALES. The attendance at tho Alnlinvhoro yards yesterday was much larger than usual, and there was a good donl of activity amongst farmers and dealers. | SHEEP. The entry was the largest Unit has been on hand for some time, totalling about 17,000, the bulk ol which were stoles., The .timely rains of the past fortnight have had an appreciable effect on tho food supply, and this fact was .reflected in tho tone ol the market. There was a keen demand for all forward lilies at rates that showed a decided advance on values ruling recently. The prices were, of course, lower than those ruling last year, hut farmers are gradually getting accustomed to the new range ol values caused by the fall in the prices ol wool and pelts, and are, in c<msequence, lowering tlieir reserves. Even now really good quality does not go begging, and two lines of prime young ewes brought beyond I Is eioli. Competition was keen lor good sorts, which brought good prices, aml poorer sorts were also sold well. Ewes brought Is Gd ahead of last week’s rates and wethers rose Irom 3d to 6d, there • being no nibbles. Still, the prices were low, sis the entry was so large, farmers being overstocked, liav-ing to make room lor tlieir lambs. Some ol the wethers offered were very good and lair price:; were realised. It was noticed that there was a considerable divergence in prices, some fetching only Bs, while others brought 14s. 'There were more sheep thin buyers, hut very lew were passed by auction. The lull in prices lor mutton and wool also alloetcd the market and considering’ these circumstances, tlie sale was very satisfactory. People are overstocked now, but in a few months, the turnips will, come on and the demand for sheep will lie very keen. The present state of the market seems likely to continue for the next few weeks. The improvement was very distinct and good lines sold very freely. Ihe olfering totalled 17,000, of which the great bulk were stores, there being only a few pens of fats, which were quickly taken by the butchers at about 10s Gd. ... „ , Sales' were : Stores : «2I 4,0, and 8 tooth ewes 14s Id, 302 I is Jd, 100 2-tooth 10s Id, 79 (fair) 7s 9d, it wethers 9s Gd, 477 big-framed ewes (is, 300 good-mouthed ewes started at ss, and were disposed of at 9s, 288 2-tooth ewes Its Gd. 144 4,0, and 8 tooth, low in condition, 8s Id, 082 ewes 14s, 1020 ewes 6s 9<l. Lambs: 282 (dipped) at Ss sd, 18 at Is 3d. Rams: There was a la'r offering of rams and a fair demand. Sales were —25 2-tooth Lincolns 1 guineas, 25 Border Lcicesters 3J guineas, 6 Romneys 10s Gd, 10 2-tooth Shropshire® 1 inline i 22 iShronshires, four years old, bred by AH. J. C. X. Grigg, of the well-known Longbeach Estate, Ashburton, were put up, but only one was sold, and at 1 guinea. CATTLE. There was a yarding of 183 cattle, but the demand was poor, and only a few lots changed hands. Prices were: —Stores : 19 calves (mixed scxes)_los, 3 empty cows and 3 steers £2 cows mid heifers £2 17s, 4 calves 7s Oil, 0 heifers 18*. Cue bull was offered and passed in at £3. There were only four pens-of fats, and they sold from £4 to £5 10s. PIGS. There was-only a small entry of pigs, but all were sold, the prices being 2 at 10s, 3 at 13s. 2 at 30s, and 4 at 10s.

Alessrs Common, Shelton, and Co. report a.; follows in regard to the stock sale yesterday: Tlieir entry comprised 1500 sheep and 40 bead of cattle. Competition was not very animated at the early part of tho sale, but it improved considerably later on. YY'liat stool, was passed uglier the hammer was sold afterwards, the whole yarding being cleared. The following prices were realised: 700 wethers 11s 9d to Pis, 400 do. 11 s Bd, 430 two-tooth ewes 14s 3d, 1.6 four-year-old steers £s—los, 15 yearlings 30s, 2 steers 50s.

TIAIARU WOOL SALES

TIAIARU, Feb. 27

The final wool sale was held to-day with a small attendance of buyers, mostly local. Competition was slack, but tile bulk of a small catalogue was cleared. Good prices were obtained. Half bred brought 73d to 8 l-3d, second and three-quarter bred G4d to 7d, crossbred Old to 7-ld, eotted and dead 43d to ssd, bellies and pieces BJd to sd, locks 3d to 81d.

THE MEAT AIARKET. NAPIER, Feb. 27. The Colonial and Distributing Co., London, cable the following report of the frozen meat market: “Napier, Wellington, and North Island mutton 3id ; lamb, first quality 53d, second Ggd; beef, hindquarters 3RI, forequarters 23d.” THE BUTTER AJ ARKET. AUCKLAND, Feb. 27. The shortage of butter is becoming so pronounced that the price of all brands of the factory article is being increased to Is 3d per-lb wholesale, as from to-day. MELBOURNE HIDE AIAR KET. United Press Association—Copyright (Received Fell. 27, 11.38 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 27. Hides are in good competition, supplies are moderate, and prices are firm.