MARKET REPORTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9647, 12 February 1892, Page 3

MARKET REPORTS .

Messrs H. Matson and Co. (associated with the National M. and A. Company of N.Z., Limited) report upon the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, Feb. 11, 1892, as follows, viz.:—The details of last Wednesday’s market have been given so faithfully in the reports of the Times and Press that it would be invidious to do more than generalise. The abundance of feed in the country has created a strong demand for all classes of sheep and young cattle. The entry for Wednesday comprised 11,446 sheep, 281 cattle, and 168 pigs, of which our entry consisted of 3181 sheep, 108 cattle, and 123 pigs. Fat Sheer.-— Very large entry to hand, comprising all sorts and conditions of “ jumbucks,” amongst which were several prime lines of freezers and some fine lines of fat cross-bred ewes. Competition was extraordinary; that is to say, it was wonderfully good; and all lines changed owners at enhanced values. Competition for freezers was excited, and very brisk. Prices realissd showed a decided advance on late quotations. It would be superfluous for us to comment at any greater length on the values of fat sheep, and we shall simply conclude by saying that exporters seem prepared to pay full values for sheep for shipment, as compared with the English quotations. Our principal sales were as follow:—14 Down cross-bred wethers and ewes at 14a; 130 half-bred wethers and maiden ewes at from 13a 9d to 15s, and 94 merino wethers at from 9s lOd to 10s 6d, 64 half-bred owes from 10a to Us, 21 half-bred ewes at 12s Id, 26 half-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 14s 7d, 77 cross-bred wethers at from 13a 7d to 14s 4d, 20 cross-bred ewes at 11s 6d, 23 half-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 13s 6d, 30 at 13s 2d, 44 at 12a 9d, 35 at 14a, 21 half-bred wethers at 16a sd, 21 at 15s sd; 30 half-bred maiden ewes at 15s 4d, 29 at 14s 84, 29 at 14a 4d, 18 half-bred ewes at 10a 7d, 18cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 12s 6d, 15 cross-bred wethers at 16s lid (this latter figure topping the market for the year), also 21 cross-bred ewes at 13a 6d, 19 two-tooth ewes at 13a and 20 crossbred ewes at 10s sd, 80 merino ewes at from 4a 6d to 7s, 40 maiden cross-bred ewes at 13s 3d; a grand line of cross-bred ewes as follows: —41 at 15s 4d, 41 at 14a 2d, 41 at 14a, 40 at 14s, 40 at 13s Id ; 22 half-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 12s 6d, and 94 wethers at 14s 6d, 180 Half-bred wethers at 14s 7d, 29 half-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 14s lOd, and 11 cross-bred wethers and ewes at 14s 4d, 30 merino ewes at 6s 7d, 14 cross-bred ewes at 13s, and 13 crossbred wethers at 15s Bd, a line of two-tooths at 11s 6d.

Fat Lambs. —Extraordinarily large entry yarded. All tho pens set aside for the lamb department were filled to overflowing, besides which all the paddocks available were filled to excess. We can state, without fear of contradiction, that last Wednesday’s market of fat lambs was the largest this year, and was, without doubt, one of the best exhibition of lambs for freezing purposes. Competition was very firm indeed, and full values were obtained for all descriptions. Export buyers were on the alert, and secured the majority of the entry, at an advance on late rates. It was our pleasure and privilege to top the market with a grand consignment sent to hand by an old student of the Lincoln School of Agriculture. We sold hia line of freezers as follows, viz. :—lO at 13s 4d, 10 at 12a lOd, 19 at 12a lOd, 10 at 12s lOd, 10 at 12s lOd, which are not bad valuea, considering all things. Our principal sales were as follow:—10 at 9s, 10 at 11s 6d, 4 at Us, 3 lambs ah 12s 6d, 10 lambs at 10a 9d, 2 lambs at 9a 6d. 14 lamba at 10a, 2S at 11s 6d, 27 at 10a 9d, 28 at 11s 6d, 27 at 11s 6d, 10 at 10s 9d, 5 lambs at 9s 9d, 40 lamba at 10s sd, 30 at 10a, 78 lambs at 11a 6d, a fine line of lamba (250) at 13a Id. 28 at 12s 7d, 27 at 11a lid, 184 lambs at 10s 9d, 162 at 10s 4d, 150 lambs at Us, 10 lambs at 13a 4d, 39 at 12a 10d, 13 lamba at Ila 9d. Store Sheep. —Average entry to hand, comprising some good serviceable sheep. Prices ruled for these well up to valuea obtainable for fat sheep. The same may be said about store lambs, which are realising marvellous prices, considering what can be got for them when fattened. Competition was, as is usual now, very firm, and values obtained wero high in sympathy. Store lamba sold at, for beat, from 8a to 9a 6d, medium do 7a 6d to 7a 9d; other sorts at nominal values. Largeframed cross-bred wethers aud maiden ewes in very forward condition sold at from 14s to 14s 6d, medium do 13s to 13s 6d; two-tooth wethers and maiden ewes realised from Us to 12s fid; for best medium do 10a fid to 10a 9d; large-framed cross-bred breeding ewes realised from 10s 9d to 12s 6d to 13s fid, according to quality and ages.

Cattle. —The entry was very small. Tho competition was only upon a par with the late past. Beef does not sell as well as it should do, and dairy stock are not appraised at their real worth. We hear of earthquakes, and become frightened, and there are some people so insensible to their surroundings, that to awaken them “ a clout upon the head is a necessary.” Shortly Canterbury cattle will be co much in demand as to make our farmers say why we have so devastated the breed of our cattle, when now our old type would have commanded so much more. Neglect is always punishable by results. Quotations are unnecessary. Sheepskins, Hides and Tallow.— The hot weather has had a very damaging effect upon butchers’ pelts where they have not been carefully husbanded. How a master butcher can allow his men to carelessly huddle together tho pelts taken from the sheep or lamba is beyond ua. A good man—aye, many a good man’s wages are sold to perdition through carelessness, and.

if the trade would only attend the auction sales and watch how the “ ever-knowing fell monger” spots toe uncared for, he would go home meditating a change in the future. The muggy atmosphere, of course, is a general cause of blame, but even the atmosphere can be circumvented by men who understand their trade. The general condition of sheep and lambskins urc-.j anted to the most energetic and powert l cogwheel in the trade of waste products was a deplorable sight. Without going too far into details, Stanley’s swarms of insect life found by him in America would have to play second fiddle to the myriads of winged insects to bo found ia the various saleyards in their initial stage last Thursday. All this could be obviated by care and a few shillings. Oar catalogue, including factory skins, was a fairly largo one. A most noticeable feature in tho lambskin sale was a consignment of some 500 sent to hand by the Messrs Fleming, of Port Levy, who have made arrangements to kill at home and Freeze in the Harbour Board’s premises, and smd their offal on to auction. In all we have disposed of fully 5000 sheepskins at fairly full rates, except in green carelessly gotup lines, which were only meted out their reward. In hides the absence of competition “ rules the road.” In tallow and fat the same old school keep their names well posted upon their separate streets. When shall we entice competition ? Echo answers, “When!” •

Pigs. —Tho entry was larger than of late, and values ruled better. “The unfortunate ten days of unforgiveable rain ” has made a summer day for pigs, and any waste caused will have to be diverted into bacon. Our sales were :—2 baconers at £llls each, and 6at £1 10s, 1 chopper at £1 I3s fid, 5 baconers at £1 ss, 5 at £1 13s, 5 at £1 10s, 5 at £1 10a, 4 at £1 8a 6d, 6 porkers at 17s fid, 6 at 16s 9d, 3 stores at 14s, 13 at 12s 9d, 8 at 9a 9d, 1 at £1 ss, 5 porkers at 15s, 4 stores at 12s 9d, 4 baconers at £1 9s, 3 at £1 6s, 4 at £1 6s, 7 porkers at £l, 3 at £1 2s, 3 at £l, 3 at 17e fid, 2 baconers at £1 6s, 2 at £1 4s* 5 porkers at 17s, 3 at 15s fid. Canterbury Horse Market. —At Tattersall’a on Saturday last we held our usual weekly horse sale. There was a large attendance, and our catalogue was a fairly representative one, including many good sorts. Competition was keen, and the majority of horses changed owners at improved values. The market ia now full of buyers, who are prepared to purchase at marginable values. We should suggest to owners of mobs of good young horses to try the market now, and we would advise them that all the buyers have returned from foreign countries now, and are one and all concentrated here locally. Such being the case, an opportunity presents itself which may nob occur again, to secure collective competition. Things in General. —The Amuri ewe fair is fixed for March 11, the next ram fair is fixed for March 18, the next wool sale is fixed for Feb. 19. The Governor of this dependency has had a favoured good bye; he has, in the general opinion of the Colonists, behaved himself fairly well, and consequently has had a good send-off. We are loyal up to the backbone, but we are not loyal enough to put up with any cast-off clothing that the head of our British Empire, under ill-advice, might send us. So long as they draft out gentlemen, men of honour, and party, so long will we be found with our flags in the air, and be prepared to sing an extended National Anthem; but no man need come to tread these shores unless he is fitted, as Lord Onslow deftly said at the luncheon given to him and Lady Onslow, to recognise the fact that his duty and high calling was to know no sect or class; that all being British subjects, he knew but one duty. It is a pleasing thing to listen to a man who has the manliness to speak out his mind, and having “no low or contemptible games to play,” and perform his duty to his people in a proper, uncringing manner, as a man who comes from the fountain head of our well-being as the representative of the “ Crown and dignity ” of high rule, based upon a platform of righteousness and law, and when the law is weak, wrong or oppressive, it can be altered. We say it is pleasant to hear from her Majesty’s representative a flow of sentiments which teach us all that hia Excellency’s sojourn in New Zealand has helped in a large order to imbue him with large measures of friendliness to those who perhaps are not so fortunate in this life’s gifts as he aud hia have been. In the maintenance of the Empire we are at one with him, and with all those who study the early history of ourselves and the predicted future, and foolish enough to believe that the quotation to be found in the best pamphlet of the age, the great B of I, is not so far off the mark. Here it is :—The British Empire speaks almost all the known languages of the world—the myriad tongues of India, tho Chinese of Hong Kong, the motley jargons of the Straits Settlements, the dialects of the blackfellowa in Australia, and the Cuiaming Red Indians in Canada are mingled with the Spanish of Gibraltar and the Dutch and German of the South African regions, and the bastard languages of Malta and Cyprus. If English ia to he the “ Volapuk ” of the coining world, we shall owe the adoption of our tongues less to ourselves than to those who are and who were our Colonists, Australia and America will make the language of England the language, as Macaulay puts it, of Milton and Burke, the common tongue of the civilised world.

The New Zealand Loan and Meecan. tile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the live stock market for tho week ending Thursday, Feb. 11, as follows: At Addington, on Feb. 10, stock penned was, viz.—Sheep, 11,446; cattle, 281; pigs, 168. The week under review, we regret to say, has proved a disastrous one from an agricultural point of view, apparently from almost one end of New Zealand to the other, the heavy,rains having wrought inestimable damage to the crops. The pastoralist, however, is a considerable gainer in the shape of abundance of grass and turnips, and store sheep to sell at high values, instead of to buy, as will be the case with most farmers for their stubbles. “ Its an ill wind,” &c. Store Sheep. Tho entry comprised about 3500 in small lines, cross-bred lambs forming the bulk. “A boom in store sheep ” about describes the present situation, farmers rolling up from all quarters to secure their requirements in this direction, and competing keenly for everything offered, making the duties of salesman an easy performance. We trust only that it will be as easy when offering them for the present purchaser. Yesterday’s entry was quitted readily at the following rates: — Cross-bred lambs 8s to 9a 6d, aged crossbred owes 9s to 9s 9d, sound-mouth do Us 7d, failing and broken-mouth merino ewes 4s 6d, a pen of inferior two-tooth cross-hreda 10s 3d, four-tooth cross-bred wethers (large-framed and forward), 14s to 14s Gd, and corresponding ewes 13s 6d, we sold a line of lamba at 8a 7d. Fat Lambs.— One of tho largest and best entries that have been yarded this season was offered yesterday. Buyers for export, the trade and graziers were keen competitors for everything, and very satisfactory sales were effected, best freezers bringing 11s to 13s fid, medium 10s to 10a 9d, and inferior sorts 8s 6d to 9a Gd. Wo sold, for Mr Stubbs, a line at 10s to Us, and at 8s 7d to 11s 6d. Fat Sheep. —A full supply penned. The effect of tho splendid prospects of feed is already noticeable in this class, in that very few which require finishing are sent in, and prime sheep take their place. Ewes, including many good lots, were in considerably above average supply, while prime cross-breds were plentiful, but merino wethers were scarcer than usual. Bidding at the start of the sale was keen for everything, but as it progressed and butchers filled up, ewes and merino wethers became easier. Values, however, for first-class quality held their own right through, and were well up to late rates, with, perhaps, a little more elastic tendency on account of tha good reports from London. Bast cress-bred wethers brought 14s fid to 16a lid, medium ditto 13a to 14', dkto crossbred ewes 12a to 14s lOd, inferior ditto 10s to 11s 6d. Our sales comprised the fol(lowing :-ir22 mixed crosa-breds at 14g-7d,,

19 cross-bred ewes at 15s, 19 cross-bred wethers at 16s* 23 half-bred ewes at 10s 7d, 29 at 11s 3d, 25 at 12s, 22 at 13s, 31 halfbred mixed at 14s 10d, 25 at 15a, 75 at 15a 3d, 44 cross-bred ewes at Us 9i, 62 at Us lOd, 248 cross-bred wethers at 14s fid, 33 cross-bred ewes at 13s 3d, 30 cross-bred ewes at 10s Bd, 30 at Us 4d. Fat Cattle.—A moderate supply of beef xvas brought in, without much of special quality. Tho trade apparently were working on comfortable stocks, so were not particularly keen to purchase, and last week’s rates about ruled the market. Store Cattle. —A small entry in this class met a ready sale, and sold considerably better by comparison than beef. Dairy Cattle. - Rather a poor lot offered; demand good. f Pigs. —A fairly full yard was offered, which included several lines of heavy baconers. Prices for these were easier than last week’s, while useful stores were as well competed for as ever. District Sales. Harvest and the rough weather combined made these hardly worth recording. At Ashburton, on Feb. 9, about 700 sheep was the entry, and barely half were sold. Privately during the week we placed a line of 2000 two-tooth half-breds and 1000 merino wethers at satisfactory prices to vendors. Messrs Miles and Co. (per Mr J. T. Ford) report on tho live stock markets for the week ending Thursday, Fob. 11, 1892, as follows: Canterbury Saleyards, Addington, Wednesday, Feb. 10: The stock penned for this day’s market comprised 281 head of cattle, 11,446 sheep and 168 pigs. Opening with Pat Cattle, of which there was more than an average number penned, many of them of good quality, causing for the best beef a slightly improved price. Of Store Cattle there was only a moderate entry, and but lijtlo business transacted. Store Sheep. —There was again a very large entry of this class of stock, almost every class being represented, but with an increasing demand tho business was more brisk than ever, and good prices were obtained, especially for all lines of young sheep. Cross-bred lambs sold at from 8a to 9s; cross-bred ewes at from 9s to 12s and 13s; two-tooth crosa-breds, mixed sexes, from 10s to 12s 4d; store merino weth-srs 6s each; merino ewes with failing mouths 4s 6d each; four-tooth cross-bred wethers in forward condition were sold up to 14s 6d each. At these prices almost every line was cleared.

Pat Lambs. —There was again a very large entry, with many lines suitable for export, and all such were eagerly competed for. Lambs of smaller size, medium and inferior were easier to buy, some pens not bringing more than store lamb prices. The best lines brought from Us 6d, 12s, 12s 6d to 13s 4d. These were bought mostly for export, while good lambs suitable for trade purposes, of good quality but much lighter weights, brought from 10s to 11s each. Fat Sheep. —Another very full market, comprising many pens of prime quality sheep. For all such biddings were spirited, the competition being between buyers for export and our local butchers. Former prices were fully maintained. For secondclass mutton, of which there was a large entry, prices were somewhat easier, and several lines were taken out by graziers. The following is a list of our sales : —302 cross-bred ewes from 13s 9d to 14s 9d, 122 cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes at 14s 6d, 71 cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes from 14s 9d to 15s, 49 cross-bred ewes from 10s 9d to 13s, and 71 fat lambs from 10s 9d to Us lid, 67 merino wethers at Us 3d and 11s 4d and 294 merino ewes at 4a 6d. Kirweb Monthly Market, Friday, Feb. s.—Owing to the very heavy rains which prevailed the day previous, there was only one line of sheep brought forward, and these were sold at 14s lOd each. Feed is very plentiful in this district, and sheep will be wanted when the harvest is gathered. Ashburton County Saleyards, Tuesday, Feb. 9.—Owing chiefly to the very heavy rains which had fallen from Feb. 5 up to the night of Feb. 8, there were but few entries of stock, and the attendance waa also very limited; 912 sheep ware penned and a few head of cattle. There are no doubt many willing buyers of sheep in the Ashburton County, but the weather then prevailing must be very disheartening to farmers. The atmosphere has, however, since cleared, and we hope that no very serious damage has yet been done, also that the weather from this forward may be favourable to the in gathering of the grain crops. Both grass and turnips are plentiful, and large lines of sheep will be wanted.

Messrs Todhunter and Jennings report on the live stock markets for the week ending Thursday, Feb. 11, as follows :

At the Addington yards on Wednesday, 11,446 sheep, 281 head of cattle, and 168 pigs were yarded for the day’s sale, of which our entry comprised 3499 sheep and lambs, 102 head of cattle, and 64 pigs. The weather was dull and wet during the forenoon, clearing up finer towards the close of the day. On all sides one heard had accounts of the state of the grain crops that are in stock, and at the time of writing it is pleasant to notice the great improvement that has taken place in the state of the weather, and we sincerely hope that the damage to the crops will turn out much less than is anticipated. We not only hope so, but feel sure that such will he the case. As regards the pastures, much good has, of course been'done to them, and the country ia simply overrun with feed, and, as waa to be expected, the demand for store sheep at yesterday’s market was keen in the extreme, and values were considerably harder. As will be seen, we yarded a large entry, and sold every one at prices mentioned below. During the past week we have also sold 2600 cross-bred ewes for shipment to the North Island, and they are this day being put on board ship at Lyttelton, and will, we hope, arrive without loss at their destination in due course. Our sales yesterday were as follow : 135 cross-bred aged ewes at 5s lOd; 64 two-tootha at 10a Bd, a line of two-tooths at Us lid, 94 two-tooths at 11s lOd, 250 cross-bred lambs at 9s 6d, 90 lambs at 9s, 91 do at 8s 3d, 63 sound-mouth ewes at 10s 9d, 107 cross-bred ewes at 9s Id, 153 cross-bred ewes at 8s lOd, 155 lambs at 8s 7d, 122 lambs at 8s 4d, 106 cross-bred ewes at 9s 4d, 77 two-tooths at 10s, 60 cross-bred ewes at 8s fid, G 3 cross-bred ewes at 9s, 111 lamba at Ba, 83 cross-bred ewes at 10s, 92 two-tooths at 12s 4d; and privately we sold 504 half-bred twotooths at 11a 3d. Fat Sheep. —The entry was a large one, and included some very prime lines of cross-bred sheep. The demand waa good throughout, valuea being as near as possible on a par with recent quotations. Primest cross-breds sold at from 15s to 16s fid, medium do 12s 6d to 13s 9d, cross-bred ewes, not maidens, from 10s 9d to 14s, according to age and quality ; merino wethers from 8s 6d to 13s 3d. Our sales were as follow:—384 merino wethers at 10s fid to lla, 49 two-tooth wethers 12s 5d to 13s 4d, 31 ewes at 10s 7d, 130 two-tooths at 13a fid, 54 cross-bred ewes at 12a 3d to 13s 3d, 21 do at 13s 3d, 40 do at 9a 9d, 104 cross-bred ewes at 12s, G 6 wethers and maiden ewes at 14s, 51 cross-bred wethers at from Us 9d to 12s 9d, 26 do at Us lOd, 53 do at Us 3d, 37 wethers and ewes at 13s 6d, ewes at 8s 6d, cross-bred wethers at 13a 9d, merino ewea at 6s 9d, 27 crossbreds at Us sd, 43 cross-bred wethers at 14s Bd, 32 at 14s 6d, and 33 at 14a Id. Fat Lambs. —Another large entry, best quality meeting a good inquiry at improved rates; other sorts unaltered. Ours was again a large entry, and wo topped the market with 13s fid for lambs. Our sales were : —135 very prime Jamba at 12s, 76 at Ua sd, 46 at Us, 55 at 9s 2d, 28s at 10s, 33 at 10s lOd, 11 at 9s 3d, 36 at Us 3d, 20 at 10s Id, 12 at 10s 9d to 12s 6d, 14 at 13s fid, 4 at Us lOd, 7 at 12s 3d, 10 at 10a fid, 12s at 9s 9d, 10 at 9s 3d. Fat Cattle. —A fairly large entry, with only u moderate demand, a dull sale resulting. Prime bu'locks sold at from £6 2.3 Gd to £7 15s, medium do £5 upwards, heifers and fat cows at from £4 to £6 2a fid. Our sales were as follow:— 4 heifers at £4 17s'6d*.2 at £s£s 6d, 2 at-£4 17s 6d 4

4 at £i 10s, 3 at .£4 15s, 3 steers at £5 17s 6d, 2 at .£6 2a 6d, 2 heifers at £3 2a 6d, 3 at =£s sa, 2 at -£4, 5 steers at £5 10a, 9 at £o 15s, and odd lots at even rates. Store and Dairy Cattle.— Medium entries and a fair inquiry, at fully late rates. We placed nine three-year-old steers at £5 Is per head, eight do heifers at £4 ss, four heifers at £3 12s 6d, and odd lots of stores at from 40s to 70s per head. Dairy cows sold fairly well; wo placed young springers at from £4 10s to £5 12s 6d per head. Pigs.— A fair entry, and a very good enquiry, at values showing much improvement on late rates. Baconers sold at from 26s to 365, porkers 18s to 24s 6d, and stores 7s 6d to 16s. Sheepskins, Pat, &c. —At the New Zealand Wool Stores we held our usual sale this day, submitting a good entry. There was. a small attendance, and the low rates recently ruling were even more emphasised, prime cross-bred pelts selling at from Is 3d to Is IQd, medium lOd to Is 2d, merino do 6d to Is, lambskins Is 2d to 2a 2d. Pat met a slightly better market, Ifid to Igd for best. Id to l£d medium. Grain and Produce.— During the past week we have sold several lines of grass seed and oats, but the rough weather has greatly interfered with business. Land and Property. —We have to report further sales of properties, and we have also several pending, which we are confident of bringing to a point very shortly. We have sold 920 acres of good sheep country at £6 12s 6d per acre, and a small property, house and quarter-acre section, for £l5O,

Messrs Pyne and Co. report for the week ending Thursday, Peb. 11The total number of stock yarded at Addington comprised 11,446 sheep, 281 cattle and 168 pigs. The number of store sheep on offer was not so large as last week, but buyers were plentiful, and all lota were cleared at prices fully equal to those that have lately ruled. Cross-bred lambs (of which the major part of the entry was composed) made 7s 6d to 9s 6d, full-mouth cross-bred ewes (in small lots) 8a 6d to 10s, crossbred two-tooths 10a to 12s, and a line of very forward four-tooth wethera 14s to 14s 6d, ewes from the same line 13s 6d. The supply of fat sheep was again large, and fully taxed all the available accommodation. Prices for prime freezers were maintained, but the bulk of the entry was made up of cross-bred ewes, the supply of which, although many of them were very good of their class, exceeded the demand, and consequently a drop of Is per head had to be accepted. Freezers sold from 14s to 16s 6d, ewes from 10s to 16s 5d for some very heavy sheep, merino wethers from 9 a to lie 6d, merino ewes (extraordinary) 11s 3d and 13s Id, In fat lambs the demand was quite equal to the large supply, and all lots suitable for export were eagerly snapped up. Indeed all sorts of lambs sold well. Freezers made up to 13s 6d, other sorts 9a and upwards. The supply of fat cattle, although not large, was quite sufficient for the limited demand, and we are unable to quote an advance in prices. Only a few odd lots of stor cattle were on offer, and these sold at late rates. Pigs were in larger supply than has lately been the case, and met a good inquiry. At the annual Horsley Down sheep sale, held by us on Friday last, the attendance, owing no doubt to the heavy rain, was smaller than usual, but those that did attend meant business. The following prices will show the desire that buyers have to supply their requirements from this wellknown fiock, and the demand that exists for sheep; 1020 four-tooth merino maiden ewes 8s lOd, 1000 sound mouth merino ewes (that have not bred a half-bred lamb) 7s lid, 2500 merino ewes (that have bred one half-bred lamb) 6s lOd, 1000 merino wethera 7s 7d, 1520 do 7s 6d, 607 crossbred ewes (full mouth) 12s. At the same sale we sold for a client 890 small twotooth merinos at 5s 7d. Privately during the week we have sold 3000 merino ewes, 1500 do, 3500 cross-bred lambs, 1000 do, and several smaller lines of freezing sheep and lambs. Skins, &c.—Since our last report we have sold a large number of skins at the factory. Prices for these, taking the present value of wool and pelts into consideration, are fairly satisfactory. The prices, however, that have been obtained for skins at the weekly auction during the last two or three weeks are much the reverse, and must he most disappointing to butchers. We quote factory sheep and lambskins at 2s 2d to 2s Bd. Skins at auction—cross-breds Is to 2e, merinos 6d to Is, lamoskins la 3d to 2s.

Mr F. C. Tabaet reports on the live stock market for the week ending Feb. 11 as follows:—The total number of stock yarded at the Addington Yards comprised 11,446 sheep and lambs, 281 head of cattle and 168 pigs. Fat Cattle.—There was a moderate entry of about 130 head brought forward for the week’s supply, for which there was a good demand and better competition than for some time past. Best steers made up to .£6los, and heifers and cows ranged from £4 to £7, according to weight and quality. A good clearance was effected. Store Cattle. A small entry of about 150 sheep, which met a fair demand, and a good clearance was effected, on a level with- last week’s values. Fat Lambs.—There was again a very large entry, which met with a good demand, as there were several buyers for export. Top lots made 12a to 13s 6d, medium 9s 6d to 11s 6d, and grazers 8s upwards. I sold 16 at 12s 3d to 13s 3d, 18 at 9s Bd, 41 at 10s lid to 11s sd, 32 at 9a to 9s 3d and 228 at 12s. Store Sheep.—There was a large entry, for which there was a good demand, especially for good lambs forward conditioned, largeframed wethers and breeding ewes. Crossbred lambs made 8s to 9a 6d, soundmouthed cross-bred ewes up to lls 7d, and merino ewes, failing mouths, 4s 6d. My sales were—loo four-tooth cross-bred wethers at 14s Id, and 200 at 14s 6d; also, 100 four-tooth ewes at 13s 6d. Fat Sheep. —There was again a full entry, and brisk demand for all lines fit for export, but fat ewes and meriuo wethers were dull of sale, and lower values had to be accepted to effect sales. Bast pens of freezing wethers made from 14s 6d to 16a lid, medium 12s 6d upwards; best maiden ewes, very prime, up to 16a sd; fat ewes, top prices, 12s to 14a; medium and light weights, 10s upwards ; meriuo wethers, medium weight, up to lls 3d; and merino ewes, exceptionally heavy weights and prime quality, 12s to 13a 6d. My sales were—l2o fat ewes, lls 8d to 13s 4d and 117 at lls Id, and a lino of fat cross-bred wethers at 15s 3d, Pigs.—A small entry which were cleared at last week’s values. Sheepskins, Eough Fat, Hides and Calfskins.—My sales for the week comprise 2509 sheekskins, 64 bags and packages of rough fat, and about 45 hides and calfskins. There was a smaller attendance than usual of fellmongers, and pelts generally were not in good condition. There was a decided want of competition, and the extent of the drop in values may be estimated during the past two weeks at fully 50 per cent. Butchers’ best crossbred pelta made only Is 3d to Is 6d, medium Is, and inferior 6d to Bd, butchers’ best merino 9d to Is, small 6d, lambskins Is 6d to 2s, small Is upwards, rough fat |d, Id, 1-jd, I Ji-d to l|-d for best parcels. Hides and calfskins are without alteration.

The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association op Canterbury (Limited) reports on the live stock market for the week ending Feb. 11:—The total number of stock yarded at the Addington yards comprised 11,44(1 sheep and lambs, 281 cattle and 168 pigs. Fab Cattle.—A small entry, which met with a ready sale at about former values. Best steers sold up to £7 10s, heifers up to JBS 10s and cows up to «£6 7s 6d. Fat Lambs.—A large entry, and every line fit for freezing met with keen competition, best pens fetching from lie to 13s 4d, medium from 8s 6d to 11s. Fat Sheep.—Another large entry and prime quality met with a ready sale at about former rates ; prime cross-bred wethers from 13s 6d to 16s lid, lighter weights from 13s upwards, best pens of cross-bred ewes 14s to 15s 6d, medium 10s upwards, merino wethers from 10s to 18s Id, medium 6s upwards. Store Sheep.— An average entry, which met with keen competition for all lines. Store Cattle.—A small entry, with the usual amount of competition, at former values. Messrs Wilson and- Sons reports—AH

we have learned before seems vain—-and trying to forget, we begin again. Oun new pork mart was opened on. Wednesday* well—-a good beginning; we know it u harvest time, and too early to expect a rush, but good honest prices and hard cash ten minutes after the sale. In the heart of this business city we’ll fix the eyeof the seller. From IBs 6d for small porkers, up to 40s for baconers, was the order of the day. We trust to the good sense of n discerning public for the success of this, venture. Wool, skins, hides, fat, on Tuesday, was well supplied ; and our prices not to be grinned at by a dog without teeth. Batchers’ skins from Is to 2s 4d, the average quality. Lambs, Is, 3d to 2j sd, lot of dry skins 4d to 4Jd per lb. The hides, as ' per weight, fd to Bd, calf 3£d, fat as per quality to Ifd. Saturday’s market—Poultry—A very, large supply. Appetites were keen, bo they all went at a rnsh. And the same happy day with only one sad thought. But those who wanted too much fonnd their crotchets stirred. Ordinary people went home happy with this ordinary market. Store pig;s had a stiring market, and good work was done, 7s, Bs, 9s, 10a. Small class next. He, 12s, 13s to 14s,- Porkers.— Several were in, and there was a biting;' competition. Horses—Not numerous, hut some good quality. The trade was slack, and not many sales. This is awaiting business; a splendid exercise for patience. The sundries more important than usual, and occupied some hours. Clearances were made of spring carts, drays, harness, bacon, cheese; the sound and the unsound, good, bad and indifferent brought us to the, amen corner. Grain market is now stepped by the wet. Damage will be written ahross many a face and many a pocket, so it’s, true there is no rose without a thorn. Pro-, dace is just alive; feeling its way in tho dark future. Potatoes 40s, onions 70s. Property stands like a flag half-mast a if : not dead its about as quiet. But all things work together for good; we hold on ba«lieving the sun will shine. Allow ns. Me Editor, to express our deep regret at, tho loss of our present Governor, and we hope the sun will shine on him.

The Faemeks’ Co-opbbativß! SAUTABO Company reports holding its usual sale at' its yards on Saturday last. We had 4' much better attendance than we have been! favoured with at late sales. J.n pigs w 4 had a large number entered of all classes, and all found ready sale. We quote small weanecs from 6s 3d, 7s, 7s 6d to 8s; 9s. 10s to 15s; small porkers, 16s, 16§ 19s to 225. Horses we sold at' £5.; Poultry.—A medium entry, only decks predominating; prices hardly up to late quotations. We quote for hens, 2s, 2a Bd, 2s 6d to 2s 9d; roosters, /young and skinny. Is 6d to 3s 3d per pair; for fair-con-ditioned geese 5.* to 5s 9d per pair; ducklings 2s to 3s 6d for average, best ducks 4s. In carts we sold several at £B, £6 10s, and £7. Produce.—We quote potatoes, Ss»' to 40s per ton; onions, loose £3, strung; .£3 15s to £i per ton; chick whei’t, 2a 6d : to 3s 6d j sundries selling fairly well.