COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1195, 11 February 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK MARKET. Driver, Maclean and Co. report for the week ending February 6:—

Wc have no important change to notice in our market during the past fortnight. We are still obliged to report the cattle market in a very unsatisfactory state; although the excitement relative to pleuro-pneunionia has somewhat subsided, as we have 110 proof of its existence in any other herd except those mentioned in our last report. Humors continue to reach town that the disease has broken out in various parts of the Province, which must be attributed to interested motives or from ignorance of the disease. Our daily papers are full of correspondence upon the subject, in most cases written by persons whose only object seems to be in fostering what they believe to be popular excitement, without the slightest regard to the correctness of their statements. We would strongly urge upon holders of cattle to devote more attention to those preventive measures that have proved so successful elsewhere. That the disease is most injurious in its effects every one must admit; but early and proper attention will do much to stay its progress. The following shipments have arrived from colonial ports:— Cattle. Sheep. Panama, from Geeloug • — ... 400 Vanguard, ditto Melbourne ... — ... 4400 Golden Age, ditto ditto ... — ... 600 Commodore Perry, ditto ditto.., — ... 6500 Sunda, ditto ditto ... ... — ... 4800 Saldanah, ditto ditto... ... — ... 3700 Hero, ditto ditto ... ... — ... 2000 Souchay's, ditto ditto ... — ... 2300 Lord Ashley, ditto Napier ... — ... 600 Island City, ditto Western Port. 190 ... — Dudbrook, ditto Newcastle ... 134 ... 150 Xanthe. ditto ditto ... ... 165 ... 450 Adelaide Bell, ditto ditto ... 294 ... 500 Empress Eugenie, ditto Gipps' Land ... ... ... 80 ... — loan Cunelo, ditto Adelaide ... 30 ... 200 j Everton' ditto Twofold Bay ... 326 ... — The cattle by the last-named vessel have been condemned by the Government Inspectors as diseased, and, as yet, have not been allowed to land. Fat Stock.—Late arrivals of fat cattle, added to our already heavy stock, have for a time completely glutted our market; in fact, it is impossible to effect sales f\t prices equal to cost and charges. The present supply is sufficient for our requirements for several weeks to come. After the stock now to hand is worked off, we anticipate a scarceness in this description of stock, as we shall have few or no shipments from foreign ports. We have sold 100 head of imported cattle at from £13 to £20, or equal to about 45s per 100 lbs. The market is also fully supplied with fat sheep; and prices cannot improve until more moderation is used in shipping. We have sold 1500 very fair quality wethers (imported), at from 25s to 28s. Store Stock.—We have 110 transactions in cattle to report. We however, expect a good demand for strong, healthy cattle, as soon as shipments have ceased, the last of which will come to hand during the ensuing week. Provincial Bred Sheep continue in fair demand, particularly ewes, from 2to 6-tooth. We have sold 2000 at 30s. and 1000 mixed lambs at 17s 6d. Imported Sheep.—We have had large shipments from Australia of very inferior sheep, which are quite unsaleable in this market; fair quality sheep are, however, saleable say at 23s to 25s for wethers; and 26s to 28s for ewes. At these prices we have disposed of 12.000. Station Properties.—We have to notice a good demand for desirable properties. We have sold the Bellamy station, near Tuapeka, 35,000 acres, with 600 head of cattle, for £8000. Also, one-half interest in the llylde House station, on the Mataura River, 50,000 acres, with 5800 mixed sheep, at rate of 12,000 for the whole.

Horses.—As furnished by Messrs. Milner and Learmonth. The trade, in consequence of the New Year's festivities and the arrival of the English cricketers, has been considerably neglected, and it is next to an impossibility to give any description of the horse market, either as to demand, supply, &c., the market nominally being at a standstill. During the last few days a demand for the North Island sprung up, and a few medium draught horses were sold at tolerable fair rates, and at a figure that must at all times remunerate the shipper. As we have now finished with holiday festivities, we may naturally presume that business will again asume its former character, and the well-bred hack and light harness horses command the market. The prices current are:—First-class draught, £45 to £55; second ditto ditto, £28 to £40; inferior, £12 to £28; good hackneys, £25 to £35; light harness and packers, £12 to £20; inferior ditto, £8 to £13.