MARKET REPORTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8903, 20 September 1889, Page 3

MARKET REPORTS .

Messrs H. Matson and Co. (associated with the National M. A A. Company of N.Z., Limited), report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, Sept. 19, 1889, as follows: — At the Addington market on Wednesday the class of stock upon offer was of superior quality, and in more than one instance of an exceptionally high order. Competition was fairly brisk throughout the sale, and prices more even than of late. Mr James Guild’s bullocks from Trevenna estate attracted much attention, for it is a long time since a consignment of beef of such quality has been offered at auction, the whole entry, eighteen in number, after keen competition between Messrs Bull, Harris, Brinkman, Langdown, and others, were knocked down to Messrs Hopkins and Co., of Colombo street, at .£lO 5s per head. The totals penned for the day comprised 807 cattle, 7213 sheep, and 178 pigs, of which our entry comprised 470 cattle, 3130 sheep, and 00 pigs, for the following hundred and three clients:— On account Messrs F. Wright, J. Smith, J. Maddison, T. Dowling, H. F. Reece, R. Duncan, C. Stewart, D. Shaw, J. Baker, W. Henderson, J. Grant, J. Borgfeldt, J. Williams, James Gould, T. H. Green, P. Henley, John Ferguson, S. Sparkes, J. Sharp, J. Coe, T. Patterson, G. M. Clarke, J. R unwick, K. Sands, J. Wright, D. Moorhouse, A. Grant, T. Murphy, J. Smith, J. Davis, T. M'Callum, D. Hampton, P. Duggan, S, Burrows, R. Watson, J. Allen, J. Down, T. Guy, E. Townshend, J. Duke, J. Ryan, D. Patchett, E. Clothier, F. Moore, T. Dawson, A. Scott, T. H. Dickenson, E. Hodges, R. Forsyth, J. Bourke, J. Williams, T. Towuuhond, T. Greig, J. Lamb, E. Geddes, H. A. C. Ferguson, S. Jennings, J. Shepherd, T. Slattery, E. Mulcock, T. Gray, J. Batchelor, F. Gray, F. Fraser, W. Yeraon, D. Smith, H. Harris, R. J. Watson, J. Barker, A. Bell, J. M'Guinness, R. Barker, F. Moorhouse, E. Champion, C. T. Dudley, W. Dunlop, J. Parish, G. Dickenson, R. Thomson, S. Smart, W. Lowe, S. Sparkes, A. Sefton, G. Mason, J. Green, G. Fletcher, S. Johnstone, W. Banks, W. Walls, D. M'Carthy, *ll. Anderson, J. Carter, W. Beckworth, J. Keogh, G. F. Spooner, R. Thompson, B. Corrigan, A. Hulsion, HaySmith, F. Mocrhouse, J. Hicks, S. Sheard, and H. Scott.

Pat Sheep. —There was a large entry, and prices realised were fairly satisfactory; but one fact is clearly visible, that is that the supply of really prime fat sheep is falling off in an alarming manner. The Addington yards on Wednesday last were very conspicuous in this respect; for, bar one or two lines, there was hardly any prime fat sheep penned. Our principal sales were as follow: On account Mr P. Wright, 112 cross-bred maiden ewes and wethers at from 14s 7d to 15s 10d; on account Mr J. Smith, 170 cross-bred wethers at from 14s Sd to 14a 9d; on account Mr J, Maddison, 212 half-bred wethers at from 13s 7d to 14s 3d; on account a client, 174 maiden ewes and wethers at from 13s to 13s sd; on account Mr H. P. Eeece, 140 merino wethers at from 10s 4d to 11s 6d; on account Mr E. Duncan, 61 two-tooth Down wethers at from 12s 6d to 13s 9d; on account a client, 40 cross-bred wethers at from 14s to 14s 9d; on account Mr J. Williams merino wethers at 9s 6d; on account Mr D. Shaw, 124 maiden ewes and wethers at from 12s 5d to 14s Id; on account Mr W. Henderson, we topped the market with a beautiful pen of half-bred wethers at 245; on account Mr E. Duncan, 120 merino wethers at 10s; on account Mr J. Barker, GO Down wethers and maiden ewes at from 13a lOd to 14s lid; on account the late Mr Andrew Grant, a line of splendid cross-bred wethers at from 17s Id to 18s lOd, and majden ewes at 12a 6d to 12s 9d; on account Mr J. Borgfeldt, a very nice line cf cross-bred wethers at from 14s 9d to 16s 9d.

Store Sheep. —Large entry, with good competition. Our principal sales were as follow:—On account Mr J. G. Murray, 343 four-tooth cross-bred wethers at lls 4d, also 465 at 10a 9d; on account same owner, 366 two-tooth cross-bred maiden ewes at from 8s 8d to 9s; on account a client, 100 maiden ewes and wethers at lid 6d; on account Mr J. Williams, 100 maiden ewes and wethers at 8s 9d; on account Mr S. Smithson, 50 cross-bred ewes in lamb at Bs.

Fat Cattle. —Fairly large entry, comprising several lines of really prime beef, notably that line of 18 grand bullocks sent to hand by Mr James Guild of Temuka, which were offered in one lot, and realised £lO 5s per head, being secured by Messrs F. Hopkins and Co. of Colombo street. These were by far the primest cattle yarded. Prime beef may be quoted at 19a to 21s per TOOlbs, while inferior ranged between 15a and 17s 6d per lOOlbs. Our principal sales were as follow: Account Mr James Guild, 18 steers at £lO 5s per head; account Mr T. H. Green, 17 heifers at £5 2s per head; account Mr P. Henley, 5 steers at £6 2s 6d to £6 8a 6d, 8 steers at £5 2a 6d to £5 12a 6d, cows, £4 to £5 17s 6d; account Mr John Coe, 8 steers, very nice quality, up to £7 2s 6d per head; account Mr Patterson, cow £3 17s 6d; for Mr G. M. Clarke, cow £3 ; account Mr Nun wick, cows at £4 15a to £5 7s 6d; account Mr Sands, cow at £3; account Mr John Wright, cows at £4.

Veal. —Large entry. Best calves to 31s ; others, Bs, 10s, 12a to 25s each. Store Cattle. Full market, every pen being occupied. A larger attendance of the general public were present than has been the case for the past two months. Buyers, however, showed great caution in their bidding, being afraid.of overstocking their now bare paddocks. A good many came more to see what their cattle were worth than to purchase. The following are our principal sales : —6O bead of three-year-old steers at £3 17s 6d per head, 13 three-year-old steers in very forward condition at £4 17s 6d per head, 25 two-year-old steers at £2 2a per head, 24 two-yea' -old steersat £2 ss, 14 heifers rising two-year-old at £1 15s each, line of cows (half fat) at £3 to £3 12a 6d, yearlings 15a to 25s each, line of mixed cattle rising two years at £1 18a 6d per head, bulls £2 to £6 per head, lines of cows from £1 7s to £2 5s per head. Dairy Cattle. —Large entry ; very poor demand. Best coat to £7 15a per head, but the general average was about £2 10s per head. Pigs. —Pair entry. Prices realised were fully up to late quotations.

Little Eivek.—On Friday, Sept. 6, we held our usual monthly sale at the hotel yards, when we offered 549 head of cattle. By the time appointed for the sals to start a large number of people had arrived both from the plains and Peninsula. Biddings were'fairly good for any cattle in forward condition, bub quite the reverse for poor-

conditioned lots. The following are some of oar principal sales : —ls four-year old bullocks, in forward condition, at £5 Is ; 10 steers,riaingthreeyeara,a! ,£B l3s;34hoifers, three-year-olds, at £3 Os each; head two-year-old cattle, mixed sexes, at 43s per head; a line of heifers, in forward condition, at £3 14s; 7 prime fat heifers at £5 6s per head ; 6 two-year-old steers at £2 6s each ; 27 three-year-old steers at £4 2a per head ; 22 head of two-year-old steers at £'4 4s ; 16 steers, two years off, at £2 18s per head ; yearlings, 15s to 20a each; 27 steers, three-year-oids, at £4 7s 6d ; 17 steers, rising three years, at £3 12s 6d ; also a number of smaller lines at full rates.

Wool, .Sheepskins, Hides, Rough Fat and Tallow —On Thursday last at our Canterbury Wool and Grain Stores, Cashel and Hereford streets, we .held our usual weekly sale of the above, and buyers mustered in full force. Biddings were brisk resulting in a satisfactory clearance of the whole of our catalogue. Our entry for the week comprised 2179 sheepskins, 37 bags and packages rough fat, and tallow, 32 ox-hides and calfskins. Sheepskins.— Butchers’ cross-breds sold well at tor best, 6s 9d, 7s, 7a 3d, 7a 6d to 7s IGd each, second quality ss, 5s 6d, 5s 9d to 6s; beat merinos, ss, 5s 6d, 5s 9d, 6s, 6s 6d to 6s 8d each ; second quality, 4s, 4s 6d to 4s 9d each. Country skins at up to 6£d per lb. Rough Pat, best lines l|d per lb; second quality, l|d to l«d, rendered 2d per lb. Hides at last week's rates. At Little River on Thursday, we conducted a timber sale on account of the Terawera Sawmill Company. Four hundred lots were sold under two hours. Prices ruled r.-ither low and averaged from os 6d to 12s per hundred feet. Canterbury Horse Market. The horse market has not exhibited much spirit; in fact there is a listlessness pervading the market which is not “ canny.” There requires some more sticks on the fire to stir the slumbering embers, for without question the waving of the gentle wand of prosperity would at once cause a healthier tone in the horse market. The Midland Railway contracts and the expenditure in the construction of this much-protracted enterprise and lever to general trade, has fairly proved the truthful saying of hope deferred maketh the heart grow sick. A long and wistful period has elapsed since the hopes of Canterbury were raised to concert tune; but now that the English emissary has arrived, and has boldly stated his intention of going on with the work, a gentle spark is observable. This, combined with the fact that our farmeis have large quantities of grain on hand which they should not have—for a producer should only produce—he should realise at his market door; he should not strive to emulate the banker, or broker, or shipper, or merchant; he should take his fill and march onwards to produce more and more. The quantity of grain on hand and the present congested condition of the market is largely attributed to the over-grasping desire to make a haul, or, to put it plainly, our farmers this year were bent upon making a spoon or spoiling a horn, and, as a consequence, the horse market, in common sympathy with other interests, for the time being is unhappy. Counthy Salks.— On Friday last we held a sale of sheep at Aylesbury, on account of Mr John Brabazon and the proprietors of the Raynham estate. There was a fair attendance, and prices realised figures that, in our opinion, hardly leave a living margin to the purchasers. The following were sold :—BOO two-tooth firstcross wethers at 11s, 500 fat maiden ewes and wethers at 12s 9d, 400 three-quarter-bred hoggets at 8s 7d, 668 cross-bred wether hoggets at 8s lid, 1100 store crossbred maiden ewes and wethers at from 10s 6d to 10s lOd, 460 fat cross-bred maiden ewes and wethers at 13s 2d.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the live stock markets for weekly period ending Sept. 19. Totals yarded at Addington Saleyards on Sept. 18: Sheep 7213, cattle 807, pigs 178. Pat Sheep. —A full market, though not so crowded as it has been lately. Good quality was scarce, and sold comparatively at better rates than medium or inferior. Still competition was slack, and the market dull throughout, there being little enquiry either locally or for export. Ordinary mutton made 2d to 2i d, and prime 2 Jd per lb. We sold for Mr H. J. Harrison, cross-bred wethers 15s to 17s, and half-bred do 14s and 14s 6d; for Mr Walter Macfarlane, prime merino wethers 10s lOd; for various valued clients, heavy Down wethers 17s 9d, lighter do 15s 8d and 16a lid, and mixed cross-breds 10s 3d and 11s 6d. Current values were :—Prime heavy cross-bred wethers 16s, 18s lid; mixed sexes and heavy ewes 13s 6d, 15s 6d ; light weights and inferior 10s, 12s 6d; medium merino wethers 9s 6d, 12s; superior do do 14s, 15s 3d.

Fat Lambs. —A small entry met with good competition at from 8s 6d to 13a. Store Sheep. —A fairly numerous supply came forward, and owing to the recent showers, and consequent growth in the pastures, there was rather more animation displayed, though we cannot report any marked increase In prices. We sold medium half-bred hoggets at 8a 4d; crosa-bred wethers, in good condition, brought 10a 9d and lls 4d; poor cross-bred ewes, Bs. Cattle. —ln the fat pens the supply was equal to the demand, and included some specially good quality, which brought full values. Medium and inferior sorts showed little or no improvement. Prime quality beef may be quoted at 20s per 1001 ba and over; second rate, 15a to 16s Cd per lOOlbs. Bullocks realised £6 to £lO 5s ; cows and heifers, £4 10a to £6 10a. The store department was wall filled, many of the entries being useful young sorts, but the demand was not brisk, and a good proportion was withdrawn unsold. Pigs.—The entry was fairly numerous, but consisted chiefly of porkers and stores, for which the enquiry was not equal to the supply, consequently prices suffered to some extent though a good clearance was effected. We sold porkers for various clients at 18s, 21s, 25s and 30s each. District Sales. —At Leeston Kaleyards on Sept. 13, entries for sheep were small, but cattle and pigs were in moderate supply. Business was not brisk in any department. We sold for Mr T. Humphrey, mixed hoggets at 7s 9d ; ewes at 7s 7d, and Down two-tooths at 10s 7d. A small line of half-bred hoggets was cleared privately at 9s 6d; for Mr D. Wills we disposed of springers, up to £5 10s. At Ashburton County Saleyard on Sept. 17, about 3000 sheep were yarded, and fair entries of cattle and pigs. More animation was displayed than of late, and the bulk of the entries was cleared at fair ratas. We sold, on account Buccleugh estate, fat half-bred wethers at 14s 3d, do ewes at 14s Gd, fat merino wethers 10a to 10s Id; cross-bred hoggets made 8s 9d, 10a 6d, lls Id, and 12a, cross-bred ewes with lambs 12s and 13s per couple.

Messrs Milks and Co. (per Mr J. T. Ford) report on the live stock market for the week ending Sept. 19, as follows : —At the Canterbury Saleyards, Addington, "Wednesday, Sept. 18, the stock yarded comprised 807 cattle, 7213 sheep and 178 pigs. Fat Cattle. An average number were penned, and as there were some lines of really good quality, better prices ruled, and competition was fairly brisk, but towards the close of the sale inferior sorts were hard to quit. We quote beef at from IGs to 21a per 1001 b. Store Cattle. —A very large entry, for the most part two, three, and four-year-old steers and heifers. For the best sorts competition was fairly brisk, but middling and inferior stores were neglected. Dairy cattle are also selling at much lower prices except for very choice sorts. Store She bp.— A heavy entry as compared with former markets, with only a moderate demand, the pastures being as yet too bare to admit of any active competition in this class of stock. Good crossbred wethers, four-tooth sheep, brought up to 11s 4d, and two-tooth maiden ewes from 8s 8d to 9s each ; cross-bred hoggets brought 9s 3d down to 5.. 7J each j crossbred ewes in lamb were sold at Sa each. Fat Sheep.—The fat pens were again filled with but few lines of really prime

quality sheep of weights suitable for export. For all such, values ruled very nearly the same as at previous sales, and Ifd per lb may fie quoted as the price paid for the carcase. Turee-quarter fat crossbreds, mixed sexes, and fat ewes wore decidedly lower, and a clearance of these sorts was not effected. Fat merino wethers were in better demand than last week, and a lino of very superior quality and weights, which we sold on account of the executors of the late Mr John Cordy, were decidly the beat yarded for the season, and brought the highest average. Our sales were as follow: —On account of Mr J. \J. Amyes, fat lambs at 10s 6d each; on account of Mr T. Needham, tat lambs at 11s to 12a 6d each; for Mr C. R. Campbell, fat cross-breds, 15s 8d to 16s 6d; for Executors late Mr John Cordy, merino wethers, 15a 3d to 14s; for Lowclifte estate, fat cross-breds, each 14s 9i; oa account of a client, fat cross-brads, 12s to 14s; for Messrs D. Henderson and Sons, fat cross-breds, 13s 3d to 14s Id; for Cashmere estate, steers at £3 10s, heifers, £3 each; for Hon Ernest Gray, small size baconers, each 31s; for Mr W. Baxter, porkers, each 225, baconers at 37s 6d each.

Millton, Selwyn, Monday, Sept. 16. —We yarded 5500 store sheep, comprising cross-bred hoggets, cross-bred mixed sexes in forward condition, cross-bred ewes with lambs at foot and in lamb, and merino owes in lamb. There was a fair average attendance, but owing to the scarcity of feed the sale was almost a failure. There were no buyers to speak of, and we succeeded in placing 1040 sheep only as follows:—Cross-bred ewes in lamb at 8s 9d each, merino ewes in lamb at 7a lid each, cross-bred hoggets at from 8s lOd to 9s 9d each, and cross-bred mixed sexes from 8s to 9s each.

Ashburton County Saleyards, Sept. 17.—The entry of sheep was about 3500, which is below the average for this season of the year, and, notwithstanding there being a goodattendance, it was evident there were but few buyers among them. Sheep are wanted, bus the pastures have been bared through the winter, and are not yet ready to receive stock. We confidently expect a good demand and higher prices a month hence. Our sales were as follow: —Cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes, medium-sized sheep, 12s to 12s 3d; crossbred ewes in lamb at 9s 5d each ; crossbred hoggets at Bs, 8s 9d, lls Id, 11a 3d to 11s lOd each.

Skins, Fat, Ac. —We again had to hold over our skins, as owing to the other yards being fully stocked, and our position last in the day’s sale, it was too late to do justice to the consignments entrusted to us. Privately, during the week, we have sold 1116 factory skins, viz., merinos 6a tid, and cross-breds 6a 9d, 6s IGd, 6s lid, and 7s, Fat, best, l|d, medium I Jd, inferior lid. Hides—No alteration in values.

Messrs Dicken and Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, Sept. 19, as follows: At Addington, on Wednesday, the yards were fairly well filled with stock, and tho attendance of those interested was much above the average. The entries comprised —7213 sheep, So 7 head of cattle, and 178 pigs.

Fat Cattle. —A medium entry, the major portion of the entry consisting of very second rate quality; exception must be made of a grand line of bullocks from South Canterbury, which were near perfection. The demand was only middling, and values remain about at late quotations, viz., 17s to 20s per lOOibs. We sold for various clients as follows:—A line of very prime steers at from .£5 15s to £7 per head, and about 20 heifers at from £4 to £5 15a per head. Stoke Cattle. There was a large number yarded, ranging from calves ujj to three-year-old bullocks. There was, however, a great absence of buyers, and fourfifths of the entry waa passed unsold. We sold for clients a line of calves at 17s, a line of eighteen-months-old mixed cattle at 355, and store cows up to 60s. Dairy Caitle. —A good number yarded, mostly very second rate sorts, A poor demand and low values.

Pigs. —A moderate entry, chiefly porkers and stores, a fair enquiry, and about late rates ruling. We sold bacoaers up to 49s each, porkers ISa to and a great number of stores at from 11s 3d to 18s. Our entries for the day comprised £5lB sheep, 117 head of cattle, and 79 pigs, for Messrs W. Templeton, G. Ferguson, J. Hunt, E. Lae, H. JBearman, G. Bennett, L. Lehman, A. Garnett, J. Carr, J. Trott, A. Muir, A. Lee, W. Montgomery, E. Willcox, J. Barr, W. M. Thompson, J. M’Fadden, J. Kountree, T. M’Oailam, J. Green, J. O’Grady, W. Trotter, A. Jones, G. Bell, G. Keast, F. Spencer, W. Spencer, W. Burke, J, Davis, C. Lewis, G. Wenlock, J. Blakemore, A. F. Bennetts, A. W. Bennetts and others.

Store Sheep. —The number yarded was considerably* greater than for some time past, there being one large line of fourtooth cross-breds and a number of odd lots. The demand was better for all classes, every lot being cleared either at auction or privately. Cross-bred fourtooth wethers sold at from 8s 4d to 11s 4d, do ewes from 8s Bd, 9s, to lls 6d for a small lot. We sold, for Mr A. F. Bennetts, 100 merino wethers at 4s 7d, 350 do at 4s 4d, 44 cross-bred ewes at 9a ; for Mr J. Barr, 200 cross-bred hoggets at 9s 3d; for Mr W. M. Thompson, a nice line of 128 half-bred ewes in lambs at lls Id, and for a client, 9 ewes at 13s 6d.

Fat bHBKP. —There were not nearly so many yarded as has been the case for the last month, though there were quite enough for the requirements of the day. At the commencement of the sale there was perhaps a slight rise on la?t week's prices for first-rate quality, but taking the sale as a whole, values remained about on a par with last week, except for half fat cross-bred wethers, which certainly sold better, severallots being purchased for grazing purposes. First-rate heavy cross-bred wethers sold at from 16s, 17s to 18s lOd, and one pen of quite phenomenal sheep brought 245; medium quality and weight, from 13s to 15a, light-weights from lls 6d. For fat cross-bred ewes, of which there were few on offer, the demand was slightly better, prices ranging from lls to 15s. The number of merino wethers was large, and the quality iu many cases first-rate, values varying from 7s 6d to 14s; and for one pen of extraordinarily good sheep, 15s 3d. Our entry was a small one, and we sold as follows:—For Mr A. Lee, 186 cross-bred ewes and wethers from lls 9d to 12s 4d; for Mr Brook, 6 Down ewes at 16s; for a client, 49 merino wethers at 7a 6d; for Mr A. Osborne, 65 cross-bred ewes and wethers at 12s Id to 14s 3d; for Mr A. F. Bennetts, 20 crossbred ewes at lls Bd.

Private Salks op Stock. —Daring the week we have sold privately for various clients, 305 cross-bred ewes in lamb at 9s 6d; 1400 half-fat merino wethers at Gs Gd, and 3500 freezers at prices withheld. Land and Property, —By auction last Saturday we sold on account of whom it may concern a farm of 175 acres at Courtenay, in the occupation of Mr W. J. Orr, for the sum of £9 per acre. Subsequently we submitted ou account of Mr W. J. Orr 270 acres at Courtenay, which failed to find a purchaser at auction, but we placed it immediately afterwards at .£7 10s per acre, Mr George Hutchings being the purchaser. Yesterday, at the auction of the estate of Eosa Pepperell, deceased, we sold section containing twelve perches, fronting on Montreal street, with house and stable thereon, at the satisfactory price of £345, Mr J. M'Dowall being the purchaser. Clearing Sales, —Yesterday, on account of the executors in the estate of Eosa Pepperell, we held a most satisfactory sale. The day was fine, and there was a very large attendance, both from the country and town. We submitted a large and varied catalogue, for which competition was keen, and biddings animated from start to finish. The greatest good humour prevailed all day amongst the large crowd assembled. Every lot found a fresh owner, and not a single hiv. h occurred iu the day a proceedings. We sold as follows: —The property, consisting of 12 perches, fronting ou Montsea: street, togctner v.itL* cottage umi stable thereon, for the sum of £315. Twenty shares Colonial Insurance Company, 13 spring carts from £7 10s to £ls

10s, 9 butchers’ carts from £6 10a to £l3, 11 Whitechapel carts, Ac., from £lO to £32, 6 buggies and express waggons from £9 10s to £2O, 6 horses from £3 10s to £l2, and a large quantity of harness, sundries si.d furniture at full values. At the homestead of Mr A. T. Topping, Springston, cu Tuesday last, we had a very good clearing sale of horses, cattle, farm implements, &c., Ac. There was a good attendance, and all lots changed hands at satisfactory prices. Sheepskins, Hides, Fat, Tallow, Ac. —At the New Zealand Wool Stores this day we held our usual weekly sale of above, submitting a very heavy entry of skins, both green and dry. Tho attendance of fellmongers was about as usual, and although values cannot be said to be anything but very satisfactory, there was, at to-day’s auctions, hardly that keen competition that has been noticeable for tho past few weeks, while, however, we are able to quote 6s, 6s 3d, 6a 6d, 6a 9d, 7a, 7s 3d, and as high as 7a 7d for the best skins, and from 5s lOd to 7a 3d for merinos, there is every reason to cry content. Second quality skins sold at from 4s 3d to ss, and dry country skins at from 2s 3d to 5s lOd each. Fat and Tallow.—We offered a large entry, which sold as follows :—Best dry fat at lid and 1-id per lb; second quality, l|d and l£d per lb. Hides and calfskins sold at late values.

Messrs James Wilkin and Co. report on the local markets for the week ending Sept. 19, as follows: —At our New Zealand Wool Stores yesterday we held our usual weekly sale of sheepskins, hides and fat. A fair attendance of buyers put in an appearance, and our catalogue, which was not very large on account of the lateness of the hour at which wo sold, was cleared at satisfactory rates. Our sales consisted of 624 sheepskins, 53 hides, 21 bags and packages rough fat. The following is the result of our sale :—Butchers’ cross-breds, large and well-woollod, 6s 7d, 6s 10d,7s Id and 7s 4d; do do, medium, 5s 9d, 6s 3d and 6s 6d ; do do, email, 3s 7d, 4s sd, 4a lid and 5s sd; butchers’ merinos, 3s 9d to 6s sd; country cross-breds, 2s 6d to 7s od ; do merinos, 4s 8d to 5s 4d; fat, sound and well saved, 1-Jd and Ijjd per lb; do,inferior and shop trimmings, Ifd per lb. Hides at late rates. Wo also cleared six bales of locks at from 3:]d to 54d per lb.

Mr P. C. Tabart reports on the live stock market for the weekending Sept. 19, as follows :—The total number of stock yarded at the Addington Yards comprised 7213 sheep, 807 head of cattle, and 178 pigs. Pat Cattle.—There was a good entry of fat cattle, amongst them a consignment of especially well grazed, heavy bullocks, from South Canterbury, which topped the market at .£lO 5a per head for the line of IS. As a rule there was an improved demand for prime quality cattle, but inferior quality and old cows were as usual hard to quit !it low prices. Best bullocks, of ordinary quality, made from .£0 to .£7 12s 6d ; inferior, £S upwards. Best cows, and heifers from .£5 7s to £6 2s 6d; medium and inferior, .£3 15s upwards. Store Cattle.—There was a very full entry, comprising several pens of good three to four-year-old steers, and the usual assortment of medium and inferior cattle. There was a fair demand for good steers, but in many cases the demand did not reach owners’ expectations, and several lines were passed out unsold. Good steers, in fair condition, made .£4 17s, medium up to £4, and inferior £3 10s. Young cattle were not enquired for, and sales were made at a wide range of values. We look for an improved demand as the season advances. Pat Sheep.—There was again a large entry of fat sheep, amongst them several lines of good freezers. All over the quality was well up to the average. There was but a limited demand for freezers, consequently the sales dragged considerably, though in most cases where prime quality were offered fair values were obtained, but for medium and inferior quality a lower level of prices had to be accepted to effect sales. Best pens of freezing wethers made 16s 6d to 18s lOd; medium, 14s to 16s; inferior 13s upwards; fat cross-bred ewes, 13s to 14s 9d for best freezing quality, 12s to 13s 6d for heavy weights, and 9s upwards for medium and inferior merino wethers; exceptionally prime 14s to 15s 3d; good quality, 10a to 12s 6d; medium, 8s lid upwards. A few lines were withdrawn, offers not being up to owners' expectations, but on the whole a fair clearance was effected. Store Sheep.—A good representative entry for which there was fair competition. Four-tooth crossbred wethers, in fine condition made up to 11s 4d; small and inferior, 8s 6d upwards; cross-bred maiden ewes, 8s 8d to 11s 6d for very good quality; cross-bred hoggets made 8s 4d to 9s 3d; small and inferior, 5s 7d; and cross-bred ewes in lamb, 8s ; merino wethers, store condition, 4s to 4s 4d. Fat lambs.—A good entry for this season of the year, and all sold at from 10a 6d to 13a for the best pens. Pigs. —A medium entry, all of which sold at fair prices. Very few bacon pigs on offer. Sheepskins, Bough Pat, Hides and Calfskins.—My sales for the week comprise 4169 sheepskins, 75 bags and packages of rough fat, and about 70 hides and calfskins. There was an average attendance of fellmongers. Competition, though fair, was not so keen as last week. Butchers' best cross-breds made 6a 6d, 6a 9d, 7s and up to 8s for a few exceptionally heavy skins; medium, 5s to 6a 3d; small, 4s 6d upwards; butchers’ merinos, 5a 6d, 5s 9d, 6s Id to 6a 3d for best lines, 4s 6d upwards for medium and small. Dry skins received more attention, and for good-conditioned skins 7d per lb was given. Rough Fat.— Best parcels, l|d to l|d; medium, and l|d; inferior. Id. Hides and calfskins are without alteration.

Messrs Ptne and Co. report for the week ending Thursday, Sept. 19: —The total number of stock yarded comprised 7213 sheep, 807 head cattle, and 178 pigs. Fat Cattle. —A very mixed supply, and in consequence values were most irregular. For anything like prime beef there was keen competition for every line, especially for a line of 18 bullocks sent forward by Mr Guild, Temuka. Second quality and fat cows commanded little attention and were dull of sale. We sold a line of fat cows at from X 4 12a 6d to JE6. Store Cattle.—A very large entry, which would have been better held back for another three weeks, graziers as yet being hardly ready for their summer surply. We expect in a few weeks to see a strong demand for this class of stock. Fat Sheep. —An ample supply for all requirements. There being very few buyers for export operating, last week’s values in many instances were barely maintained, and in same cases a drop of 9d per head occurred ; however, any special line of merit attracted buyers and brought fair values. Among others we offered acapitalline of Hampshire Down cross wethers, sent forward by Mr G. B. Starky, from Brackenfield. These commanded the notice of operators, and were sold from 15s lid to 17s 6d. Store sheep. —A better supply than of late, and any good straight lines brought fair values. Lambs are now becoming once more a feature in our market, and any prime lambs realised compensating prices to growers. Pigs.—A good demand for any useful lines, of which there were several offering. We sold a line of 14 porkers at from 18s to 18s Gd. We held our weekly sale of skins, for which both the attendance and competition were hardly so good as of late. We sold best butchers’ cross-breds at from 5s to 7s, medium from 3s 6d to ss, merinos from 4b 4d to 7s 7-i for a few extra heavy skins ; dry country skins from 2s 6d to 6s. Butchers’ fat from Id to IJd per lb. Hides at current rates.

Messrs Wilson and Sons report of last week’s market at the Farmers’ Saleyards, Lichfield street:—The supplies were not so large as the week before in pigs and poultry. The timber tale, with a very large quantity of traps, furniture, and miscellaneous goods, however, gave us a very busy day, and kept the auctioneer Lard at work for five hours. The market prvo lor every. ciass of goods was well ru.'it'dned, and for some lots, both of liveand dead stock, tiieie was excellent competition. The poultry sale began at eleven punctual. In this department, through the supply

being less than usual, the prices were higher, and will no doubt encourage the market. The sales were —Turkeys, cooks Ms, hens 7s Gd; geese 6s 3d, ducks 3s 9.1, roosters 3s 6d, hens 2s 6d, average sales at per pair. Pig sales commenced at twelve, and all found a very good market. Young pigs do particularly well, evidently being a proper time to sell —milk and green feed now coming in. Prices ranged from Gs, 6s 6d, 7s, 7s 9d, Bs, 8s 3d, 8s 9d, 9a 6d, 9a 9d, 11a, 11s 6d, 12s 3d, 14s 6d, 14a 9d, 15a Gd, 21s Gd, and 245, cover the average sales. The dealers ■eckon it the best sale we have had this season. Porkers sell well at not leas than 41. Horses—We have an increasing supply of some bettor class animals. The sale did fairly well, it is difficult to describe the quality, consequently it is useless to describe the prices. Traps—We have sold several second-hand at the full value 5 new ones do not turn over quickly. The timber sale came next, and was well attended by the trade, and all lines cleared at full value. The uemand for scrap lead was very brisk. The general goods—hams, bacon, cheese, furniture, &o.—we made good progress in. Produce Sale—ln potatoes, we turn over some every week, though not in large quantities. Derwents have risen from £'d to .£3 sa, kidneys £2 to iJ2 10s; seed Derwents, 50s. In grain very little is doing. Wheat is dropping, and it seems to us that the bulk of what is left, if freight can be got for it, will have to go to England and'European markets. Eyegrase, cocksfoot and clover are selling slowly, prices being about the same—ryegrass 3a Gd to 3a 9d, cocksfoot 2*4 to 3d; clovers, cowgrass Bd, red clover 8&d, white clover Bd, Colonial-grown trefoil 2d; and all through the seeds aie good and prices moderate, but the sales are very limited. Property—The only business we have done is m letting small places.