CHRISTCHURCH STOCK AND STATION REPORT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 336, 22 November 1862, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH STOCK AND STATION REPORT.

[ From the "Lyttelton Times." J Messrs. Mixes & Go. report the market bare of fat stock. The demand for Otago still continues brisk, but the supply of really fat cattle we do not consider greater than will be required for the consumption of this province. The decision of the Otago Government to allow the importation of cattle from'Gipps' Land, as soon as it became known, had a slight tendency to check purchases here, but when we consider how long a time cattle, from off shipboard take to get into anything like marketable condition, we think it will be found that even should large importations take place they will not materially reduce the value of fat stock for some months to come. During the last month we have had three shipments of store cattle from Wellington, and we are informed that more are yet to come ; these we are inclined to believe will eventually find their way to the Otago province, unless the present price should advance and temptowners to sell in this market. There is a good enquiry for fat wethers for immediate use, several small Socks have changed hands at from 30s. to 81s. per head, but the majority of sheep-farmers are disinclined to sell woolled sheep, owing to the close proximity of shearing. Well bred ewes, two, four, and six tooth, are in good demand; and would meet with ready sale in large quantities at from 295. to 31s. per head, deliverable after shearing. There is still a brisk enquiry for sheep, to be placed out on terms as an investment ; this tends to keep up the value of breeding ewes. We hear that considerable numbers of Australian sheep have been placed out on terms in the Otago province, the runholders taking delivery alongside ship. The losses sustained by those who took delivery of sheep from off shipboard here, in the early part of the present year, has given a decided preference for acclimatised ewes, even although their ages may not be so desirable as that of the generality of imported sheep. Ewes for delivery after shearing -may be quoted from 28s. to 325., accerding to quality, and time and place of delivery. Wethers, 235. to 255. per head. Wo would urge upon sheep-farmers the desirability of affording us timely intimation of all lots they may wish to bring into the market after shearing; as otherwise buyers will be making arrangements to obtain their supplies from the neighbouring colonies. Mixed herds of cattle, a fair proportion of stores, are saleable at from £9 to £10 per nead. Perhaps, the clearest way of stating value would be to say 40s. per lOOlbs. weight. The extension of squatter's leases in Victoria has, doubtless, been the means of determining capitalists to remain there, several of whom we knew to be on the look out for investments in New Zealand; but we have still a few enquiries from Jthe Sydney side for station properties in this province. The one or two large purchases of land lately made, and the rumoured further number of monied men in j Victoria who were only waiting an opportunity of in- j vesting here, gave for a time a feeling of insecurity in station. property; this, however, has rapidly subsided, and the value of good sheep-runs is fully maintained. There are several large tracts of country in the Mackenzie district in the market, which with care as to the best time for lambing, would probably prove remunerative investments. Sheep runs in the Nelson province adjoining Canterbury, are readily saleable at satisfactory prices. We hear there is an almost unanimous desire on the part of runholders in that district to have a scab law estab- - lished somewhat similar to that in force here. . If this be carried into, effect it will undoubtedly enhance the value of both stock and station property, and we believe compensate for all the time, trouble, and expense of cleaning. One hundred pounds for 1000 acres may be taken as about the value of average good sheep runs -, improvements at a "valuation ; but there are many stations that would readily find purchasers at higher rates. The customary return for sheep on terms is 40 per cent increase and 2s. 6d. per head in lieu of wool for all sheep over twelve. months old; female increase are calculated to give increase. the second year.