COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. Christchurch, February 5th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1474, 14 February 1880, Page 13

COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. Christchurch, February 5th.

The grain market during the week has presented a more busy aspect than usual. The fixing of tbe rate of freight by the shipping companies at 60s has had something to do with this. Wheat in small lots for immediate deliveries is quoted at to. There still exists a considerable hesitancy amongst buyers, as many of the «oweri are firm in their determination of shipping rather than accept the price which some of the buyers weak of. Few parcels of oats have yet come to hand ; prices are unchanged. There was a large supply of feeef at the market this week, andpnees opened briskly at 20s to 22a, but afterwards fell Inexplicably to 18b. Mutton, good, 2dper lb; medium, ljd.

Mr Donald Stbonaoh (on behalf of the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) reports for the week ending 11th February as fol lowb:t- • Fat Cattle.— At the Burnslde Yards to-day 217 head were yarded, chiefly of medium quality. The supply being a, full one, last week's qaotatlons were barely maintained- Wedimaedof 28 head of prime bullocks onaccountofMrP.K.M'Oaughan.ofWestPlains.atar. average of £9 15s per head, and of 17 head on account of Messrs William Sband and OhrMle at £5 12s 6d to £7 10s. We [quote best beef at 22s to 24s per 1001b ; medium, 21s. Fat Cilves.— The supply was insignificant, Fat Sheßp were in good snpply, 2074 being penned, which were disposed ol at from 7s 9d up to 11s 6d, the latter price being realised for some superior crossbred wethers. We sold 253 head on account of Messrs David Corsan and John G Grey at 8s 6d to 9n. Last week's quotations of ljd to 2d per lb for prime mutton were scarcely supported. Fat Lambs.— s73 were offered, and met a moderate demand at from 4s 9d to 7d, according to size and quality. Notwithstanding the full supply, last week's prices were well maintained. Store Sheep.— There is no change to report in quotations, at which we have placed 3500 during the Wool.— At our No. 8 sale held on Tuesday, the 10th instant, we sold 765 bales and 49 bags at up to 10id for greasy crossbred, and lid for greasy merino; washed crossbred fetched 14 Jd. Several considerable parcels not realising owner*' ideas of value, were withdrawn for shipment to the Home market, For those cleared former quotations were barely sustained. We refer to particulars of sales below. Sheepskins.— We have not held a sale since our last reoort. Hides.— Market firm at unaltered quotations-

Tallow.— No transactions to record. Grain.— Whaat : We have placed a few parcels of fowls' wheat at 3s 3d to 3s 7£d, but hear of no transactions of importance. For oats there is some inquiry tor shipment at la 7d to Is 8d per bushel. Barley: We have placed a parcel ol new malting barley, prime quality, at 5s per bushel.

The following are the particulars of wool sold by Mr D. Stronach. at the Otago Wool Stores, on the 10th instant :— WB, 3 bags greasy fleece, 6Jd ; S, 1 bale do merino, B|d ; V in diamond, Jdo do locks, Jd ; GW, Ido do merino, 9Jd ; do, 1 bag do pieces, sd ; AS over Tapanui, 1 bale do crossbred, 1 bag do merino, lOJd ; do 1 nag do pieces, 4d ; bar in circle, 1 bale do crossbred, 75d j do, J do do piece 9 , 4fi ; ATHY, 3 do do lat combing crossbred; d 0,2 do Ist ceuabing merino, 1 part crossbred 1 do do Ist clothing, merino, 9 Jd; X, 1 bag do pieces and looks, 2Jd; do, 3 bales do crossbred, 8d ; "WP, 1 bag do locks, 2|d ; do, 2 bales do crossbred, B|d; dot over 2, 4 d) do do B|dj do, 6 do do do, 10£ d; do, 1 do do pieces, 6Jd ; COO, 4do do merino, lid ; d>, 1 fadge do pieties, 6|l; do, 1 bag do dead woo', l|d: D over square, 3do do fleece, 7jd : CH, 2do do do, 7Jd ; Dalvey, 1 bale do merino, lOJd ; WR, Ido aid 1 bag do croasbred, B§d ; do, 1 do do peces, 4Jd; AT, 2 bales do enssbred, do, 2 bigs do merino, 9d; do, 1 do do pieces, 7Jd; b« over M, 3 bales do merino, Bfd ; do, 1 bag do pieces, 3Jd ; fO, 3 bales do crossbred, 9jd ; 20, 5 do do do, 9Jd; KO, Ido do pieces, part scoured, 5Jd ; do, Ido do cotted and black fleece, 6f d ; cross in circle, W under, 8 do do crossbred, 1 part merino, 7§d; do, 1 do do merino, 8d ; DO, 20 do do crossbred, 9Jd ; do, Ido 1 bag dodoand black, 7Jd ; do, 2 bales 2 bags do locks, 2ji; Am diamond over Birchgrove, 8 bales do merino l>t combing, 2 do do do 2nd do, 18 do do do Ist clothing, 6dodo do 2nd do, lOJd; do, 5 do, pwsed ; MO, 6do n o hallbred, 8d ; do, 14 do Ist combing do, 10 do 2ad do do, 8d ; do, Ido do merino, B§d ; do, 1 do do pieces, 4Jd; 8H over Hedgehope, do merino, 9jd; Mount Soho over Horsethoe, 7 do do do Ist combing, 2 do do do 2nd do, 63 do do do let clothing, 22 do do do 2nd do, 9Jd ; do, 4do do crossbred lßt combing. 6do do do 2nd do, 7fd; Hakateramea Downs, 203 do, passed; Kyeburn, 64 do do merino Al, 18 do do A 2, 87 do do 81, 16 do do 82, 9|d; do, 22 do do merino pieces Ist, 49 do do do do 2nd, Oji ; do, 31 do do sandy halfbred, 7d ; do, 15 do do dingy, 8d ; do, 5 do do cotted, 8d ; do, 12 do do sandy merino, 7d ; do, 6 do do dingy, 8i ; do, 4 do do double fleece, 1 part dingy, 7Jd ; do, 2 do do merino lams, 8d ; do, Ido do Leicester, 6Jd ; do, 22 do do looks, 8 jd ; ED in iquare, *6 do, passed ; WM, 26 do do orostbred, 1 part blaok, 14 do do do boggott, Bid ; do, 18 do do Leicester, Bjd; do, 2do do

merino Ist, 4do do do 2nd, lid ; do. Ido do matted, 6d ; do, Bdo do crossbred pieces, 4£d : do, 6 do do merino piecoa, 4|d ; do, 2do do locks, ?|d ; T, 6do do c-ofsb.-ed.Bd; do, 3 do do merino. BJd; do 3 bags do idccea and locks, 2d ; Dd Me 0.. 1 bale do merino, 84 ; do, 2do do crossbred, 7|d ; do, 9. bags do pieces, 3Jd ; A B*rr, 2 bales do croasbred, 7*d ; do, 2 bags do meriuo, 6Jd ; Din red, 2 bales do crossrrcd, 7fd; do, 3 do do merino, Bgd; do, 1 bat? do locks. Id ; Sin diamond, 1 bale, passed ; QQ, 3do do crossbred, B£d ; do. 6do do menno, lOd ; do, 2 do do pieces, 6d ; X in circle, 17 do do merino, 9Jd : do, 1 do do crossbred, part double fleece. 7d ; do, 2do do pieces, 6|d ; Earnacleugh, 295 do, parsed ; J in square, 1 do scoured crossbred merino, 7d; T and J I', 1 do trreasy lambs, lOjd ;V in diamond. 5 do do piece-), 2gd ; do, 1 bug shankingß, 3Jd ; AIHY, 4 bales, passed ; do, Ido scoured Ist crossbred pieces, 9|d ; do, Ido do locks, BJd ; LG, Ido do pieces, Sid B. i do, passed ; Jf , i do washed merino. 14£ d ; XD, 1 fadge do pieces, part greasy flsece, On J a. L> over D, 1 bale greasy crossbred, BJd ; J MR, Ido do merino, 7id ; balf-circle over A A, 1 do do do, lOja; d" Ido do fleece, part pieces, 7Jd ; do, 1 bag do locks, 34d • M, 5 do doflaeco, 7fd; V 0,1 bale do Leicester, part crossbred, 7gi ; do, 2do do crossbred 1 part menno 83-d ; o\,2dodododo, 7fd;do, lbaffdolockfl.lia; R,2 do do merino, lOJd ; do, ,} dodo pieces, 64d ; X over MH, 3 bales, passed ; do, 1 do do crossbred, Bfa; do 1 do do fleece, part peces, Bjd; do, 2 bags do locks, 3f d : FO over G, 2 bales, passed ; do, 1 do do crossbred, 7d ; TP, Ido do do, 8d ; do, Jdo do merino, 9d ; do, 1 fadga do pieces, 6gd ; D, 1 Dale do crossbred, B£d ; WF, 1 do do Leiceeter, 6d ; do, 8 b»gs do pieces. 4Jd ; 0 McL, 2 bales do crossbred, 81 ; do, 2 do do merino, 1 part crossbred, 7§d; do, 1 f*dgo do pieces, 4d; do, 1 bßg do locks, 2d; SH, 2 bales and 1 bag do merino, BJd ; do, 8 bags do pieces and locks, 3§d.

Messrs Wright, Stbmibnson, and Co., report for tho week ending llth February as follows :—

Fat Cattle.— 2l7 head were yarded to-day, a number greatly ia excess of the trade's requirements, consequently a decline of 2d 6d per lb on last; week's rates had to be submitted to. We sold 77 head on account of Messrs James Shand, Mcc Brothers, G Wallace, and ThosEvane. Bullocks brought from £7 5s t) £11; cows from £6 10j to £8 7s 6d— prices equivalent to 24s per 1001b. We turned out 20 head unsold. Privately we have placed 70 head at quotations. Fat Calves.— None yarded. Fat Sheep.— A full supply came to hand, 2074 being penned Prices ruled about equal to last week's rates. We made the following sales :— On account of Messrs Rors Bros 300 crossbred ewes at from 8 j to 93 3d ; on account of Mr James Davidson, 151 crossbred wethers at 103 9d, 190 crossbred ewes at 7s 9d ; on account of Hod. H. X Taiaroi, 74 croßsfcred ewes at 7s ; on account of Mr James Allan, Esq, 160 crossbred ewes at 10a 3d ; on account of Mr P Ryan, 64 crossbreds at from 8i 6d to 12s 6d ; on account of Mr E Cameron, 111 crossbreds at from 93 6d to 93 9d ; on account of Mr John Draper. 84 crossbreda at 10a, 77 crossbred ewes at 8s 9d. We quote prime mutton at ljd to 2d per lb. We turned out for next week'a market 400 unsold-

Fat Lambs.— s7B penned and sold. We sold, on account of Messrs Ross Brothers, 63, at from 5s to 5s 6d ; on account of James Shand, Kt>q, 44, at 6s ; on account of James Allan, Esq, 70, at 7s ; on account of Mr W Nichol, 75, at 6s. Store Cattle. —We have inquiries for well-grown cattle for paddock fattening. Store Sheep. —We have to report a brisk demand for both merinos ai d crossbreds, all ages and both sexes. During the week we have made the following sales (at the quotations given by us last week) :— 9000 full-mouthed merino ewes, 500 four and six-tooth merino 6wes, 4000 full-mouthed merino merino wethers, 1400 four, six, and eight-tooth crossbred ew«s, 1000 two-tooth crossbred ewes and wethers, 1000 crossbred lambs, 2000 full-mouthed crossbred ewes and wethere. Country Sales.— We beg to call attention to our sala at Kartigi Hotel, Trotter's Creek, on Friday, 20th instant, when we shall offer a large quantity of fat and store cattle and sheep, also horse?. Horses.— There exists a fair demand for good useful draught and light-harness horses. At our > ale on Saturday last a good many changed hands at quotations. We quote first-class draughts at from £40 to £45; medium, £25 to £35; if°od hacks and lightharnflsa horses, £17 to £25 ; light and inferior, £3 to £8. Wool.— We shall hold our fourth sale for the season at our stores to-morrow (Thursday), at 3 o'clock. Sheepskins —Our weekly sale was held on Monday last, at which the prices obtained were quite equal to late quotations. We cleared our catalogue at— for station skins up te 4s Id ; for butchers' green pelts, up to 8d ; and up to Is 6d for lambskins Hides and Tallow.— We did not offer any this week.

Grain.— Wheat is in moderate Inquiry. Wo quote as follows :— Prime mil ing. up to 4s 8d ; ordinary, 4s 2d to 4s 6d ; fowls' feed, 3i 3d to 33 9d. Oats : Dull of sale. We quote prime milling at Is 9d ; good feed, Is Bd. Birley : Little offering ; quotations nominal.

Maomjah and Co. report for the week ending llth February as follows, viz. :—

Fat Cattle— A fair supply of 217 head was yarded to-day, the bidding being slightly better than it has been for the last week or two The lot were sold at prices ranging up to £10 17s 6d for bullocks, and £8 7s 6d for cowr. Our sale 3 consisted of 40 head, on account of Messrs Btuce, White, and others, at quotations. We quote prime beef 253 per 1001b ; medium and inferior, 20s to 22a 6ii. Fat Sheep.— A full supply came forward, 2074 being penned, principally pr.me crossbreds. The demand for this description of stock was aho Blinhtly better, prices ranging from 89 to 12i 3d. We quote prime qu»lity, 2d ; medium, l|d. Fat Lamb 3. —673 were penned, fair quality, and were all taken by the trade at prices ranging from 6s to 7s, according to size and quality. Store Cattle.— For the week we have no transactions, but beg to call attention to our sale at Balclutha, on Friday, the 20th inst., when we ihall offer 50 head good-conditioned storer.

Store Sheep. — The demand for young merino ewes is still in excess ef supply. Croasbrods, mixed ages and sexes, are also inquired for. We have several sales pending, but have none to report for the week. We quote two and four-tooth merino ewes at 7s ; fullmouthed do, 33 Cd to 4a ; merino wethers, four, six, and eight-tooth, 4s 6d ; crossbred ewes and wethers, four, six, and eight-tooth, 6s 6i to 7s.

Wool.— At our usual skin sile on Monday last we snld 78 bales and 10 bags, principally small lots. Prices were a shade lower, as may be seen per annexed price list, vi 2 :— D over R, 2 bags greasy locks, 2{|d ; JP conjoined, Ido do do, 4Jd ; T over T, Ido do pieces and fleece, 6d ; JH conjoined, 2 do do locks, 4Jd ; do, Ido washed locks, 6&d ; H over Bellamy, 1 bale greaiy merino ram?, 8J1 ; do, Ido do halfbred do, 6gd ; JP conjoined, Ido do locks and pieces, 4£d ; do, 5 do do crossbred, 7}d ; do, 1 do do merino, 9§d ; 59, 1 do do Romney, 7Ji; C(— under). Ido do crossbred, BJd ; WT ever W, 2do do do, 9|d ; RR over Berwick, Ido do locks and pieces, 2& 1 ; do, Ido washed pieces, 4|d ; do, Ido do crossbred dingy, 6J4 ; do, 2dodo do and merino, lid ; Do, 2do greasy do and merino, B|d ; do, 3do do crossbred, B}d ; D over R, 8 dodo do, 7id ; do, Ido do merino, 7£d ; J Hconjoined, 1 do do halfbred, Ugd; do, 2 do do do and mer no, lO^d ; T over T, Ido do crossbred, 9d ; S over half-circle, 1 big do looks, 3d ; do.- 1 baio do crossbred, 8d ; FO, 1 bag do pieces, Jd ; Winecup, 1 bale do mixed, 2d ; Wl> over horseshoe, 1 do do locks, gi ; MM, 5 do do halfbred. 9d ; do, Ido washed pieces, 6|d ; do, sdo do locks, 6|d. Sheepskins. — At our weekly fa 1 © on Monday we submitted a fair catalogue, for which there was active competition. Prices unalt?red. Hides —Privately during the week we have placed 85 good-conditioned wet-salted at 3d per lb, and 47 green hides at 183 each. Grain.— Wheat : We have Bold several large lots during the week »t priceß similar to late quotations— viz., 4s 6}d to 43 8i ; medium, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; fowls' f. Ed, 3i 3d. Oats : We have advice of over 1000 bigs good milling oats, and as little is offering of this description, we anticipate a ready sale. The quotations recently given are unaltered. Barloy, since date of our laßt rerort, has been coming in more free'y, but in the absence of sales quotations are nominal.

Messrs Donald Reid an© Co. report for week ending llth February as follows :— Fat Cattle.— 2l7 were pennod, consisting of medium quality, with a few pens of prime. There was bub poor competition. Best bullocks brought 110 to £10 ; best cows to £8 15s. We sold on account of Mr JR. Goodison, J. and K. B. Cargill, and others, 42 head at quotations, and delivered 33 head privately. We quote prime quality, 22 1; medium, 18s to 20s p;r 1001b.

Fat Sheep.— 2o74 were penned, good to prime quality. Prices receded, and sales were dull throughout. Best crossbred wethers brought 11s 6d ; good do, 8a 6d to 10s ; inferior, 6j to 7s, We quote prime mutton at ljd per lb. Fat Lambs.— s73 penned, nearly all good quality, and sold at from 6s to 63 8d for best; inU toisOi

others. We snld on account of Wallaco and Liddle, and others, 1?5 at quotations. Store Cattle.— We have inqu'ry for quiet well crown cattle for whiter feeding ; any such offering can be readily placed. Store Sh-ep.— We have inquiry for young ewes of all sorts, which could be placed at full rates. Wool.— We shall hold our next sale on Fridiy, 13th insfc., when we will submit a full catalogue. Sheepskinn. — We held our usual sale on Monday, and offered a full catalogue. Prices ruled about same as last week — viz., 39 9d to 4s 8d merino? ; 3s 6d to 3s lid crosßbreds ; pelts. 9d to la 2d ; lwnbskins, 8d to la 7d.

Hides are in moderate request at prices fully equal to last quotations. Tallow.— No sales to report. We quote best mutton, 25s to 29s ; mixed, 20s to 225; rough fftt, 153 per cwt. Country Sales.— We held a clearing sale of stock, implements, &o , at Mrs Jtffcoat's farm. Saddle Hill. There was a good attendance, and tho whole were sold at eatisf ictorv prices, dairy cows making up to £9 17s 6d; unbroken colts and fillies from £12 10s to £17 103. Grain.— The wheat market is quiet, with very little offering. Primo samples »ro wanted for local consumption, and would command top rates. Oats have met with fair sale, but prices remain very low. Stocks on hwd light. Barley.— None offering. Grass Seed.— The new crop is now coming forward. The quality is all that can bo desired. Prices, which are likely to rule low, have not yet been established. Potatoes.— There is a hotter demand for potatoes, the market having now been cleared. We quote beit irMinur wheat, 4v4d to4s9d; inferior and fowls' feed, 2s 9d to 3* 7d ; oats (mll'lug), Is 8d ; ordinary feed, Is 7d to Is 7£d ; barley, nominal. Potatoes, £3 to £4 per ton. THE LABOUR MARKET. Mr Skbnk reports : — Under date the llth, a steady improvement in the demand, caused principally by tho harvest work. It is difficult now to get men up to all departments—stacking, tilting, &c. Certainly thore arc plenty of men, but the majority arriving are unsuitable for farm work, which Is and ever will be the loading occupation in New Zealand. We are overstocked with tradesmen, shopmen, and clerks : many cf thete have just cause of complaint, but they should not blame New Zealand. The Government agents at Home are the parties to blame; they are either incapable of choosine the classes needed, or they wilfully nrsload. It would certainly be a saving and a boon to got 40 suitable people monthly, instead of 400 unsuitable. Female servants and hotel people are always needed. Boys, girls, and men for dairy use are safe at any tim* for employment. Wages: Day lab>ur, 6s, 7s, and 8i; couples. £§5 to £70 and £75 ; ploughmen, £52 to £55 and £60; binders, lOd ptf hour; stackers, 35s and 4'Js; cooks, waiters, boots, barmen, &c , 20s to 36j ; barmaids, housekeepers, governesse", 20s to 40s; milkers, 10s, 12s, to 15s and 255; boys ar.d girls, 69 to 10b; country smiths and carpenters, 30s to 40s and found ; station cooks, 25s and 30a ; ahopmsn and clerks, from 30s to 50s per week.