COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 28

COMMERCIAL.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company held an auction sale of stock at Martinborough last Wednesday week. Some 10,000 sheep were yarded, 150 head of cattle and numerous horses. The cattle sold very readily, but owners’ reserves \jrere too high on the sheep. However, most lines were quitted privately after the sale. Good horses found willing buyers at fair values. There was a large attendance, buyers from Canterbury and elsewhere being present. One southern representative took away 2600 ewes, Messrs Abraham and Williams held their sheep fair at Palmerston North on Friday. There was a large attendance of farmers. The following is the report:—Notwithstanding the rough weather on Friday, the bulk, of the sheep advertised came forward. A decided improvement was visible in the tone of the market, more particularly for lambs and young ewes. Every pen was sold, with the exception of a small pen of lambs, for which good value was offered. The following prices were realised 4-tonth Romney ewes, 12s Id to 12s 6d; Mr Willis' Romney ewes, 15s; others, 10s 2d ; 2-tooth ewes, 10s to 11s 6d ; 4-tooth ewes, 12s 7d; full mouth ewes, 8s to 9s 6d : 2-tooth wethers, 10s to lls; woolly lambs, 5s 6d to 7s i 8d; wether lambs, 7s 3d ; shorn lambs, _3s Id to 5s 3d; Romney rams, 1| to 2J guineas; Lincoln rams, 1 to 2 guineas.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN REPORT. Com Exchange report, per F. Denham, February 18, 1893 : The gentle zephyr on Monday did very little damage after all, though, in a few instances, it saved the farmers the expense of threshing, but, unfortunately, did not bag the grain. The threshing machines do not give a very good record, and we have seen a number of instances, from distridts wide apart, where the result of the threshing has not been half the quantity anticipated. We hope this is not general. Wheat.—Weoan only quote as last; the English reports do not show any hope of an advance, but freights having been taken up at lower rates the two facts taken together should make a balance and leave us where we were.

Barley.—We have been told we said too much last week, so, for variety, say nothing this.

Oats aro decidedly firmer, caused by the disastrous floods iu Queensland, and writing of that oolony draws our attention to the fact telegraphed that our Government had agreed to pay 25s per ton to Brisbane for the conveyance of produce, and as the usual freight by stoamer is 15s, this is a grand stroke of business on the part of the ngent. Nothing like making money out of the misfortunes of others—Jay Gould could not beat this and play fair. The following are prices to farmers, ‘f.o.b., packages extra

Wheat.—Prime milling, 2s 8d 5 feed, Is 9d to 2s 4d. Oats.—Milling, Is 9d ; Tartars, Is lOd. ♦ Peas.—3s Id. Beans.—Not reedy. Rye grass.—Heavy dressed, 3s 6 J ; farmers’, 2s to 2s 9d. Flour.—Roller, £9. Potatoes.—Kidneys, 50s at stations.