LIVE STOCK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 December 1936, Page 8

LIVE STOCK

BLENHEIM MARKET GENERAL DECLINE IN PRICES As a result of various factors such as the proximity of the Christmas season, the arrival of drier weather conditions and the fact that there was no auction in Blenheim last week —all of which had the effect of bring-

ing stock on .to the . market — Wednesday afternoon's" sale at the Maxwell road yards was the biggest for some considerable time, reports the “Express.” The entry, which was just short of the 3000 mark, was almost a record for the Blenheim yards, and the scene was a busy one during the three hours which were occupied in disposing of the offering. As the result of such an outsize entry the market was satiated to some extent, and particularly towards the closing stages it was evident from the falling off of the inquiry, that butchers’ requirements had been filled.

Jhe .-l'at entry,which, .numbered 1278 sheep',' contained some very good quality slock, and although the bench of local buyers was supplemented by two outsiders, the supply was too heavy and prices decreased by about Is 6d on the previous Blenheim sale, and from 2s to 3s on the Seddon sale last week.

An unusually large number of fat wethers was included, the total being approximately 950. This section contained a pleasing variety of quality, and especially in the early part of the sale a sound inquiry was experienced. The best price was 23s 7d, which was paid for a pen containing 13 excellent heavyweights. These were closely followed by two lots of 14 and 15 almost similar quality sorts, which were quitted at 23s 4d, which four other lots were not far behind, being kuocked down at 23s Id. From 20s 7d up to 22s were quite frequent figures. At the previous sale a pen of exceptional quality sorts annexed top price of 26s 7d and the best figure was 23s 4d. The only pen of woolly wethers, numbering 18, changed hands at 25s lOd. Fat ewes showed a comparative shortage, although when it came to disposing of the lots the 333 entered were only as much as the market could absorb. Here again the general quality was lacking. A pen containing ten particularly attractive sorts offered on account of Messrs Parker and Gifford, of The Castles, commanded the best figure, being run up to 22s 7d before changing hands. The same vendor annexed the next best price with 14 rare quality sheep, which were knocked down at 22s 4d. Other good prices ranged from 18s 7d up to 20s Id. Two particularly “classy” pens of “woollies” fetched 24s lOd and 23s 4d. At the previous sale the top price for shorn ewes was 23s 4d.

A feature of the store department was the entry of wethers, which numbered 1100. An attractive line of 100 large-framed 4, 6 and 8-tooth halfbreds occasioned a good deal of interest, and were finally disposed of at 19s 4d, while another line containing 63 good-conditioned 4, 6 and 8tooth Romneys found a new owner at 19s Id. Another line numbering 110 attractive high country 4, 6 and 8tooth halfbreds was quitted at 19s. Two big lots containing 102 and 117 well-grown two-tooths could not attract a satisfactory figure, and were passed in at 16s 9d and 17s 6d. Several big lots of ewes and lambs were included in the section. A pen containing 40 large-framed halfbred woolly ewes and 36 well-grown lambs found a buyer at 18s 6d, and another line numbering 39 mostly s.m. Romney ewes and 28 forward lambs changed hands at 16s lid. The only lambs offered on their own were a line containing 102 very forward sorts which were quitted at 16s Id.