STOCK, STATION, AND WOOL REPORT.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 166, 25 December 1866, Page 2

STOCK, STATION, AND WOOL REPORT.

Since tho issuo of our kit wo have been pleased to notice a steadily increasing demand for store stock of all descriptions ; and notwithstanding the large number* offering, price* hare if anything ruled firmer during the piut fortnight. We do not, however, expect any material alteration, except perhaps in mixed lambs, which may command slightly higher rates a* the season advances. From our advices from the various parts of the Province, we are gratified to find that, owing to the very genial season experienced, the per centage of increase ii most satisfactoiy. This is more especially the ease in the Southern districts. Our transactions during the month have been very numerous, at prices which we quote below. Fat Stock.— The market has been sparely supplied with ordinary quality beef at from 50s to 65s per lOOlbs. A few very choice heavy-weight bullocks brought L40 each, or a shade over 60s per lOOlbs. Fat sheep hare not been offering in large numbers, and the quality generally has not been first-class. Prime mutton has •lightly advanced, and is now worth 5.W per lb, delivered in town and in the wool ; shorn, 4" Jd to 4<jd. We > expect a more liberal supply of good quality, and consequently easier rates after shearing. Store Sheep.— "We quote as follows for delivery after shearing :— Lambs, mixed sexes, 20s per pair; maiden ewes, about 17s ; 2, 4, and 6 tooth do., about 16s ; full mouthed, 11s to 12s. Store Cattle are much enquired for, and eligible lots are readily saleable at our former quotations— viz mixed ages and sexes, L8 10s to L9 10 ; bullocks, two to five years old, L10 10» to L12 12s ; do., 2 to 6 years old, imported, L9 10s. Dairy Cows. -Are in good demand, at from L16 to L20. Horses.- The demand for good, useful horses is ktill nnsk, and we »to no reason to alter our former quotations. A well selected shipment of sound heavy draught horses and stylish weighfc-carringy hacks, would find ready sale. I Stations.— We are in treaty for the sale of two very desirable properties, but have no transactions to report There are numerous buyers in the market, but holders do not seem inoliued to name terms till after shearing. Wool.— Shearing operations having been retarded a week or ten days by wet weather during the early part of the month, wool has not come to hand so quickly as was expected ; and consequently, no public sales have taken place, nor have any transactions of moment been entered iuto. We have about one thousand bales in store, and ahall haro eight or nine hundred to catalogue at our opening sale, on Friday next, 21st curt. ; when, from the desire manifested by buyers to examine each lot as it arrives at our warehouses, as well as from the knowledge that large buyers on foreign account are only waiting tho opportunity to secure the best clips in the Province, we feel certain that sales will be easily effected at most satisfactory rates. Sbupskiks *r» bringing very high rates, 5s 9d to 6s being pnid for full woofled skins. We sold at auction, on the 24th- inst. a shipment from the West Coast at very extreme rates, equal to from 7d to 8d per lb. We will offer about 1600 station skins on Friday next. Hides.— Since our public sale on the 24th ult., we have no sales to report ; we realised then from 9s to 15s 3d for a jmetmI item the West Coast. Ta&mswv— aUritetJWty andTnices a shade lower. .Driver, Maolban, and Co. - - Live-Stoolc Salesmen, Station Agents, and Wool Brokers, Dunedin, N.Z.