ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 7 April 1910, Page 3

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET.

[PRKBS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. There was a much- larger attendance of buyers, farmers, and others interested at the weekly stock sale at Aldington this afternoon, the_ fine weather probably having something to do with this state of affairs. fhe entry of all classes of stock was a large one, particularly so in the fat lamb section, though store sheep showed a slight decrease in numbers penned. Taking it all round sales were certainly brisker than at the previous week's market, the advance in fat lambs especially being pronounced. Both butchers and export buyers were operating freely, and most lots changed hands at very satisfactory prices. Store Sheep: There was a distinct falling off in numbers of store she^p yarded as compared with recent sales, "but a fairly full entry was penned. All classes of stores came forward, but ewes and wethers formed the bulk of the yarding. A slight decline in quality of this class of stock could be noticed, some pens of inferior stores being offered. The demand, however, was keen, especially for first quality sorts, and there were comparatively few lines passed. In nearly all cases ewes changed hands at prices about on a par Avith last week's rates, and wethers showed a slight advance. The range of prices was: Six to eight-tooth ewes 4s 6d to ICs. forward wethers 33s 3d to 15s sd, others 11s 3d to 13s; best rape lambs 11s to 12s 9d, others 6s 6d to 11s 6d.

Fat Sheep: There was again a large yarding of fat sheep, quite up to.the standard of the past sales. The demand was keen, export buyers doing most of the business. The range of prices was: Prime wethers 16s ,3d to 19s sd, extra to 20s 9d, others ,13s 4d to 16s; prime ewes 13s 6d to /17s 6d, others 10s 6d.to 13s.

Fat Lambs: The yarding of fat ; lambs was a record one, more than ! doubling that of last week. The bulk of those penned were good quality sorts, some being particularly prime, though some- again came under the heading of forward stores. The sale opened very briskly, with a general advance in prices, probably to be accounted for by the fact that export buyers were operating very freely, "quite eclipsing the efforts of the generality of buyers to secure stock. When the wants of the exporters were satisfied, however, a slight decline in prices took place, and the market .fell off somewhat, though even then prices remained on an average well up to, if not a little above, last week's rates. The range of prices was from 11s 6d to 18s lOd. There were 14,300 lambs penned. Fat Cattle: The entry of fat cattle totalled 261 head, principally dealers lines, farmers being almost unrepresented. The quality of the entries penned was above thiat of last week's entry. The demand at the opening of the. sale was very quiet, and a couple of races were passed in. An improvement then set in, and after opening- at rather low rates, the sales finished up with prices on a par with those obtained at the previous sale. The range of prices was from 18s to 22s per 1001b, according to quality. Steers fetched £6 7s 6d. to £10, and an extra quality one went to £13 15s; heifers £5 5s to £8 10s, and dry cows £5 to £7 10s. Vealers: Only a small entry of fat calves was penned, and sales were made at prices ranging from 4s 6d to £2 17s 6d.

Store Cattle: There was a small yarding, which included some useful stock, for which there was a free demand. Fifteen to 18 months fetched £2 to £2 Bs, 2-year-old steers £4 Is, 2-year-old heifers £3 10s to £4 Is, 3-year-old steers £5 7s 6d to £5 18s, 3-year heifex-s £4 5s to £5 Bs, and dry cows £1 os to £4.

Dairy Cows: A large number were penned, and elicited good competition, being cleared at prices ranging from £3 10s to £10s.

Pigs: A very large yarding of pigs were offered, and proved a little too much for the demand,*prices suffering in consequence. Choppers fetched to 70s, heavy baconers 47s 6d to 535, lighter sorts 38s to 455, equal to 3-|d to 3|d per lb; large porkers made 30s to 355, smaller 25s to 28s, equivalent to 4£d per lb. An ordinary yarding of stores met with a weak demand. The range of prices was: Medium22s to 265, smaller 15s to 18s, weaners os to Bs. .