Commercial.

Otago Witness, Issue 1476, 28 February 1880, Page 14

Commercial.

CUSTOMS REVENUE. The following revenue was received at the Cmtom house, Dunedin, during the week ending January 11th :-

THJfi^WJEBK'S BUSINESS. Witness Offioh, Wednesday Kenning.

The latter half of the month seldom finds business brisk, which somewhat accounts for the week just closed being a quiet one in the import market. No alteration has taken place in prices, and goods remain in much the same position as last reported. Dried fruits maintain their advance, currants fetching sJdto 5Jd, elemes andvalencios7d, and sultanas 7Jd to 7|d. With the approach of Lent, inquiry is astir for fish. Ling commands 4|d to 5d per lb ; American salmon, 8s 9d ; oysters are scarce at 5s 9d to 6s, and lobsters at 10s 6d. A telegram was received in town during the week announcing a further rise in the iron market at Home, but as yet prices with us are not affected. Cornsacks are very firm at 8s 6d, the lowest price now accepted for parcels. Sugar is hardening, and stocks are running low again. In tea there is little general business passing. In the grain market there is little doing. Wheat is in very limited demand, buyers hanging back till the arrival of the new crop. Prices rule 4s 8d for best milling ; medium to good, 4s 3d to 4s 6d ; fowls' feed, 3s 3d to 3s 9d. Oats are improving in demand, and soil at Is 9d for prime milling, and Is 7d to Is 8d for good feed. A few ' transactions havo taken place in new barley at 4b 8d to 5s for very choice samples,

WHOLES 4LE PRICES. DRIED FRUITS.

Currants 6d ;Sultanaa7id | Elemes7d ; Musctis, la 8d ALE 3 M'Ewan's, lls | Tennent'sorYounger's, SORTER (duty paid). Blood's, lls 9d I Pig brand,.l2s ed Quiness's, 12s 6d | tba (duty paid). Common. Is Sd to Is lOd I Boxes, 20s to 803 Good med'm, 2ald to 2s4d | Oranee pekoa. 2s Superior kinds, 2s 7d to 3s | Gunpowder, 2s 6d to SUGAR ( duty paid). Fine whites, £49 to £50 Rations, £40 to £42 Grey crystals. £46 to £47 Victorian whites, £48 to Yellow do. £45 to £46 £49 Second yellow, £4S to £44 Crushed loaf — Am'n -54 RICE. Patnarice, £27 ; dressed rice, £29 per ton. brandy: Associated V'd, Bs6dto 24a I Do. in case 40s Henneesy's lls 6d per gal j Bisqult's 8s 6d and 24a WHISHT. Dunville's, 17s and 18a ttlenury, 63 6d Glanlivet, 9s Scotch and Irish, 5s to 7s Rob Roy, in case, 19a Longjohns.in case, 183 6d Old Highland, 10a Hazelburn whlflky.b'k, 6s M'Grogoi's Balmenach M'Gregors's Fin 9 Old Whisky, 6s 6d Highland whisky, 8s 6d nun. In bulk, 4s 6d to 5s 6d | Lome, bulk,'6s 6d, case 1 QBNBVA. JDKZ, per ca*o, 14* I Old Tom, per case, BurSwam'a Boord's, 18s | nott'u, 14s KEROSENK. Noonday, 2b Id I Nonpareil, 2a 2d Astral, 2s 2d I Calcium Light, 2s 2d THE MARKETS. QROCBMK3. Hensra Banks, Barron, audjOo. report under date the 25th Instant :— Fresh butter, lOd to Is 2d Bread, over the counter, per Ib. 6d ; do, delivered, 6jd. Salt, lOd per lb. Oatmeal, 251ba, 4a. Fresh eggs.Us lOd por doz. Dried»pple«,6dtoßdperlb Bacon, Is per ib. Jam, Ho tin, 8d to 9d Ham, Is to Is 2d. American salmon, 10a to Is Cheese, 8d to lOd. Potatoes, 20 lbs la ; Qa 6d Milk, 4d to 5d per quart per cwt. Honoy, 8d per lb. MEAT. Tho City Company reports, under date the 25th instant : — Roasting beef, sd" to 8d Mutton, 2d to 5d por lb Perk, Bd. Steaks, 6d to Bd. Veal, 4d to 7d. Boiling, 2Jd to Lamb, 2s 6d to 49. To hotels and boa'ding-houses the charge all round is 4d to sd. GRESN QHOOBRIBB. Wo Br.i Lamer and Landorf report, under Jate the 25tU iostant :— Apples- oatii'g, 6d to £d Ciioumhora, 4d tols6d. per pcuud t'f ars, 6>i t<i Bil per lb. Apples— baking. 4d Lemons, 2s 61 to 4* per doz Plum I',1 ', 4d 6d and 8d per lb Gooseberries, 4d to 6d p<>r 1 D Pinoppteß, 1b and 6d each Grapes, lg to Is Qd per lb. Oranges, 3 or Xa A

VBOBTABLB3. , Cabbages, Bd each Potatoes, 161b .to 1 201b Is , Do per dozen, 2s Cauliflowers, 4d tc ed eacn OarroW and turnips, Is 6d Oniom, 91bB to lSlta 1« per dozen Fowls, 5i to 7a per prt/^puoks. 8s to 10a per pair Goese.l2B to 18s per pair I Turkeys, 8i to 20s each Ksh' ta Wper doz Outers, is per do,, In the Crayflah, from 3a per doz shell. Bed cod, 6d to 9d each Meisrs Nlmmo and Blair report that cocksfoot and SmT weda are offering veiy plentifully, but hear of no transactions worthy of mention. The mwket for clovers is very quiet and nothing doing. WHOLESALH PROUUCK REPORTS. Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports, under date the 26th instant : — Wheat 4b 3d to 4a 6d per Chaff, £3 10 a per ton bushel ' Straw, £2 per ton Fowls' wheat, 8s 3d to 3s 7d Bran, &i per ton Oats, per bushel, 1b 61 Pollard, £6 per ton to Is 9d ' flour, large sacks; £11 Barley, 6s to 6s 6d per bshi. to £11 10s per ton Feed,Bsitß Bs6dporbshl. Oatmeal, £11 per ton Potatoes, «8 10s to £1 (old) Pearl Barley, £26 per ton according to quality. Onions, 7fl pei cwt Bound Potatoes, £3 pet New Cheese, 5d to 6d per id ton. Bacon, rolled, lOd per lb. Old Hay, £4 per ton Hams, Is per lb. New Oaten Hay, £S 5b Messrs A.nderson and Co., millera, report, under date Flour, £11 10»,'lll 15s, Peftr P ar l fl y^3 pe r ton and £12 per ton Fowl's wheat, 3s 6d to 4 Oatmeal, £12 per ton per bushel ■ Pollard, £6 per ton Oata, Is 8d to Is lOd per Bran, £4 5& per ton bushel. Barley duit, £3 16s per ton Sacks, 6d each. Mr G T. Clarke, land agent, reports the following Bales of property made by him during the past week : -Section 3, block VI, £75; section 9, block XXIX, £70-in St. Kilda. Allotment 1, part of sections 13 and 14, block VII, £60 ; allotment 2, £50 ; part section 19, block V, £60 ; section 18, £115— in St. Kilda. The National Mortgage and Agency Company have received the following telegram from Calcutta, which indicates an iriimense advance in jute goods :— "Our market is strong; lOJlb woolpacks quoted 21 annas; 44 by 26^ cornsacks, 34 rupees.' Messrs Caroills, Gibds, and Co. are in receipt of the following wool telegram from London, dated 21st Instant :-" Tone of the market very. firm. The following wools show rises upon the closing rates oflast series: Good fleece and scoured, ljd to 2d per lb higher; scoured, 2dto 2Jd per lb higher; orossbreds, 2$ per lb higher." COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. (Br Special Wire.) Mr G. W. Binney quotes :— Adelaide flour, £14 10s ; Canterbury, £12 to £12 10s; oatmeal, £14 10s; pearl barley, £23 to £24 : oats, Is 7d to Is 9d ; Fiji maize, 2s 6d • pollard, 6s to 5s lOd ; local cheese, 4d to 6d ; butter (salt), 4d to 6d ; Canterbury do, 8d ; potatoes, £3,105 ;, onions, £4 4s. Sales are dull in the above lines. The market for grass seed is glutted, and there BYdnbt, February 20th. Brandy, Hennessy'a case, 35s to 375 ; quarters, 11s 6dtol2s; kerosene (Diamond), la 2d; Devoe's, Is4d to Is 9d and Is 2d ; rice, Pfttna, £20 to £21 ; New Zealand wheat, 4s; New Zealand oats, 2s 6d; New South Wales maize, 2s 3d to 2s 6d ; tobacco (Raven s twist), Is sd ; sugar. Company's No. 1 pieces, ±40 ; candles (D.R. J.'s.), 7(1 to BJd. Adelaide, February 20th. Wheat Is firm at 4s 8d per bushel ; flour, £10 IBs to fill. Timaru, February 25th. _ Very little business has yet been done in the grain market. Merchants offer 3s 3d to 3s 6d for wheat, While farmers stand out for 4s, and if they cannot get that figure, will ship Homo direct on their own account. . Mr J. B. Bradshaw reports for tho week onding Saturday, the 21st :— Bank of New Zealand shares, at £19 ; Colonial Bank, S9s 6d and 40s; National Bank, 61s 6d; National Insurance, 20s 6d; New Zealand Insurance, 423', South British Insurance, 40s ; Union Insurance, 15b to 15s 6d: Colonial Insurance, 7s; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, 87s 6d; Colonial Investment and Ajrehcy, 20s; Scottish and New Zealand Investment 21b ; National Mortgage and Agency, 20s ; Otago and Southland Investment, 27s 6d ; Guthrie and Larnach s Timber and Woodware Factories, 60s; Cromwell Quartz-mining, 40s ; Mosgidl Woollen Factory, 60s. Money secured on freehold property, 8 to 10 per cent, per annum. THE LONDON WOOL SALES. Messrs Cargills, Gibbs, and Co. yesterday received the following telegram from Messrs Helmuth Schwartze and Co., London, dated 17th inst.:— "The sales opened with large attendance of both Home and foreign buyers. Competition is animated. Prices are on the average for greasy fully Id, and for fleece and scoured ljd to 2d per lb higher than at close of last aerieß."

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have received from their London office the following telegram, dated February 18th :— Wool —The sales opened with spirit on 17th inst. at an average advance of Id to ljd on previous sale prices. TTn to date 190,000 bales have arrived. The quantity admissible for the present series is 250,000. 22 000 bale 3 have been forwarded to the manufacturing districts direct. The opening catalogue contained 7000 bales. Competition by both Home and foreign buyers is active. Superior greasy has advanced Id to lid per lb on last sale prices ; combing, washed, and dcoured have advanced 2d; clothing washed also Id; crossbred washed has improved 2d; lambs, market unchanged. , ..... Leather.— The market is easier for basils.

IMPORTANT LAND SALE AT INVERCARGILL.

The sale of Strathmore Estate and North Otautau Township came off on Saturday last (says the Southland Times), in Sloan's Hall, Dee street. There was a large attendance of buyers, and the bidding ran briskly from beginning t6 end, giving the auctioneer, Mr G F. Martin, no occasion to complain of loss of time." The prices obtained per acre for the township lots taken in connection with the names of the purchasers, show that in the opinion of the best judges North Otautau is destined soon to become an important and thriviug settlement. For the farms comnetition did not run bo high, and not many were sold under the hammer, but we learn that several were nlaced at satisfactory prices by private treaty after the sale The following are the quotations :— Farms : Nos 8, 14, and 15, 471 acres, and including the homestead, £9 per acre, A T Anderson ; No. 1, 136 acres £7 17s 6d per acre, W Walker. Township sections :-Block 1-Section 1, £31 10s, R Tapper ; section 2, £24, section 3, £34, sections 4 and 5, £52, section 6, £19, Matheson ; sections 7 and 8, £16 each, Gains ; section 9, £14, section 10, £12, C R Martin ; section 11, £11, T Chambers ; sections 12, 13, and 14, £24 W Walker ; section 15, £10, Gains ; section 16, £11 Gimble ; sections 17 and 18, £26, W J Moffctt ; flections 19, 20, 21, and 22. J- acre each, £78, T Surman ; sections 23, 24, and 25, 4 acres each, £68, T Surman ; section 26, £-acre, £15, T Surman ; section 27, £25, T Surman. Block 2— Sections 1 und 2, £22, R Tapper; section 3, £11, T Chambers; sections 4 and 5, £22, W Callcott; flections 6, 7, 8, 0, and 10, £40, Matheson ; sections 11 and 12, £16, W Walker ; section 13, £7, A Rolfe ; Sections 14 and 15, £16, W Walker ; sections 16 and 17, £20, Gains ; section 18, 1J acre, £12, W Walker ; section 19 1$ acre, £17, Matheson ; sections 20 and 21, 1| acre each, £33, R Tapper ; sections 22, 23, and 24, 4-acre each, £24, R Tapper ; sections 25, 26, and 27, £18 R Tapper. Block V— Sections 1, 2, and 3. J-acro each £24, W J Moffett ; sections 4, 6, 0, 7, and 8, £27 10s Moffett ; sections 9to 15, £4 10s each, Matheson ; Beckons 16, 17, and 18, each, £15, D Lynch ; sections 19 and 20, 2 acres each, £44, Moffett. Block Vl— Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, £3 19s each, Moffett; sections 6, 7, and 8, £7 each, Moffett; sections 9 to 18, £5 each, Ekensteen ; sections 19, 20, and 2l 1-acre each, £21, D Lynch; sections 22,23, and 21, 11 acre each, £45, Willett. Block B—Section 1 and 2, J-acre each; £10 ; M'lntyre ; sections 1 and i, 1 acre each, £21 10s, M'lntyre ; section 5, 2 acres, £21, D Lynch ; section 6, 1} acre. £15, Walker ; section 7, 5-acre £7 10s, Moffett ; sections 8, 9 and 10, J-acre each, £22 10a, Walker; section 11, 1£ acre, £13, Walker; section 12, 1J acre, £14, M'lntyre. Suburban—Sections 1, 2, and 3, 18 acres, £10 5s per acre. Tapper ; sections 4 and 5, 11 acres, £8 6s per acre. It will D 8 understood that where the size is not given, tb« sections ate the usual quartqr-aores ; and where

several sections are quoted and one sum mentioned it is for the lot, unless otherwise stated.

Mr Donald Stronaoh (on behalf of the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) reports for the week ending 25th February as follows :—

Fat Cattle.— At Burnsido to-day 171 head were yarded, of which few were prime, tho greater part consisting of medium to good. The supply being full the demand was languid, and prices experienced a decline on those of last week. We sold 21 bu locks on account of Mr P. K. M'Caughan, of West Plains, at from £6 15s to £8 17s 6d per head. Quotations may be given at 20s to 21s per 1001b for medium, and 23s for prime. Privately we have placed 50 head. «Fat Sheep.— The very large supply of 3122 came forward. Competition was very slow, and about 1700 were turned out. The difficulty in effecting sales led to a slight reduction in values. We disposed of a draft, on account of Mr William Shand, at 7s 9d to 8s 6d per head. Prime mutton may be quoted at ljd perlb- „,,,,, Fat Lambs.— 49B were penned, and sold at barely last week's prices. On account of Mr William Shand and others we sold 130, at 4s 6d to 7s per head.

Store Sheep.— We have still buyers for a large number of young merinos, but fear that they will not be obtainable this season. Wool.— AVe have received the following telegram, dated February 18th, from our London office :— " The sales opened with spirit on the 17th inst., at an average advance of Id to ljd on previous sale prices. Up to date 190,000 bales have arrived. The quantity admissible for the present series is 250,000 bales. 22,000 bales have been forwarded to the manufacturing districts direct. The opening catalogue contained 7000 bales. Competition by both Home and foreign buyers is active. Superior greasy has advanced Id to ljd per lb on last sale prices ; combing washed and scoured have advanced 2d ; clothing washed, Id ; crossbred washed, 2d ; lambs, market unchanged." At our No. 4 sale, held on the 24th instant, we disposed of several small lots at good prices ; crossbred descriptions showed a decided advance, in sympathy with tho London quotations ; prices for merino were firmly sustained on the previously established improvement. Several parcels were withdrawn, for which we have since had inquiry privately, but as a rule growers prefer shipping to the Home market. Subjoined to our report will be found particulars of marks and prices. Sheepskins.— Our catalogue on Monday elicited very spirited competition, and a considerable advance was established. Lambskins brought up to 2s each ; pelts, from lOd to 2s Id each ; merino and crossbred skins, 4s each. Hides.— We quote, as before, 20s each for butchers full-sized green hides, and 3|d per lb for wet-salted. The demand continues strong. Tallow.— We report sale of a good sound parcel at 26s per cwt. Grain.— Little doing in wheat. Some small sales of old oats have transpired at Is 8d per bushel for good quality. Barley is quoted at 2s 6d to 3s 6d for milling, and 4s 3d for prime malting.

The following are the particulars of wool sold by Mr D. Stronach at the Otago Wool Stores on the 24th instant :— U over D, 1 bale greasy crossbred, 9d ; do, 4 bags do fleece, 9d ; L, 1 fadge do Leicester, 7d ; do, 1 ba<* do crossbred, B£d ; PG, k bale do do part merino, BJd ; do, Ido do pieces and locks, lid ; HR conjoined, half-circle under, 1 do do crossbred part merino, B|d ; do, Ido do pieces and locks, 4gd ; SH over Hedgehope, Ido do crossbred, 9jjd ; do, 4do do pieces, 5Jd ; do, 3 do do locks, 4jd : JR over Deloraine, 1 do do fleece part pieces and locks sd ; do, 2do do crossbred part merino, lOjjd ; do, 2 do do merino, llfd ; JI, 3do do crossbred, 6|d ; do, 2 bags do merino, Bgd ; S halfcircle over, 4 bales do crossbred, 9Jd ; do, 1 bag do pieces, Is; DG, 3 bales and 3 bags do crossbred part merino, 83d ; JJ, 1 bale do do, 8M ; JJ, 1 do and 2 bags do merino, 8d ; WM, £ bale and 2 bags do pieces, 4|d ; do, 1 bag do locks, 2Jd ; V m diamond, 5 bags do pieces, sgd ; do, £ bale and 2 bags do fleece, B|d; A in diamond, Birchgreve under, 5 bales do double fleece, B£d ; WB, 3 do do lst clothing merino, -8M; do, 1 do do merino part pieces, 7d ; do, 2 bagsMo sandy, 51d ; do, Ido do locks, 2d ; over H Merino Downs, 3 bales do merino, 113 d; do, Ido do pieces, 73d ; T, Bdo do crossbred, 73d ; do, 3do do merino, 9id ; do, Ido do sandy crossbred, sgd ; do, 2do do pieces 1 part locks, sd ; DKH, 13 do do crossbred, B.?d ; E Din square, 25 do do merino, BJd ; /-% over H over Merino Downs, 1 do washed do, 17d ; do, Ido do do, part pieces and bulk, Idodo do bellies, lOJd ; do, £do do stained pieces, 6Jd ; ATHY, 3do scoured, lst combing crossbred, 1 part three-quarter-bred, 1 do do 2nd do do, 2 do do, 3rd do do, 1 part lst, 1 do do lst do merino, Ido do 2nd clothing do, 17d : do, Ido do pieces and locks, lljd; 88, 2 do greasy merino, 8d ; do, 2do do pieces, part locks, sd ; FC over G, 2do do merino, B|d ; cross over MH, 3 do do do, lljd ; D i do do crossbred, 7Jd ; do do, 1 bag do do locks, id • AT H V, 3 do do first combing crossbred, lOd ; B 3do do crossbred, BJd ; do, 3 bags do pieces and locks, 33d ; A, 2 bales do crossbred, BJd ; do, 1 bag do pieces, 3gd ; V, 1 bag do crossbred, BJd.

Messrs Wright, Stbphbnson, and Co., report for the week ending 25th February as follows :—

Fat Cattle.— The supply to-day was ft moderate one, 171 head being yarded, and the competition was fairly animated. We sold 61 head on account of James Shand, Esq, James Allan, Esq, Messrs M'Leod Bros, and others. Bullocks brought from £7 10s to £10 : cows, from £6 5s to £B— prices equivalent to 25s per lOOlbs for prime beef, and 20s for medium quality. Privately we have sold 70 head for forward delivery. Fat Calves.— Only a few penned, which sold at from 16s to 255. Fat Sheep.— The market was a full one to-day, no less than 3253 being penned, and of this number only about one-half were sold, the balance having to be turned out for next week's market. Prices obtained to-day were unfortunately (for the vendors) little over store rates, and as the trade holds considerable stocks on hand, we fear values are not likely to show much improvement for a few weeks at all events. We sold, on account of Messrs Ross Brothers, 287 crossbreds, at from 8s to 9s 6d; on account of Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co, Gladbrook, 287 merino wethers, at 6s, and 200 crossbreds ewes at 7s 6d ; on account of James Allan, Esq, 70 crossbred ewes, at 8s ; on account of Mr Williamson, 25 crossbreds at 8s 6d ; on account of Mr W. A. Todd, 14 crossbreds at 9s, and 40 merinos at 5s 9d ; on account of Messrs Draper and Johnstone, 66 crossbred 3at 10s 6d ; on account of Mr W. Allison, 40 crossbreds at 9s ; on account of Mr A. Waters, 44 crossbreds at 8s 3d. We quote prime mutton at l|d per lb. Fat Lambs.— 3s3 penned. Of these we sold on account of James Allan, Esq., 90 at 6s ; and on account ofMrG. Wilson, 145 at 4s. Store Cattle.— We have buyers for well-grown cattle for paddock fattening. During the week, privately and at auction, we have sold 45 head. Store Sheep.— We have to report a good inquiry for all classes of store sheep. The quotations given in our last report are well maintained. Our sales for the past week are as follow:— Merinos— Full-mouthed wethers, 10,200; full-mouthed ewes, 5590. Crossbreds—Two, four, six, and eight-tooth ewes, 1000 ; two and four-tooth wethers, 750. Crossbred lambs, 1900. Country Sales.— On Friday last we held a sale at Trotter's Creek. The quantity of stock forward was not great ; all, however, changed hands at fair rates. Store crossbred wethers brought from Cs 9d to 7s 9d; fat do, 8s 6d; store merino ewes, fullmouthed, 3s 9d. At these prices we sold about 1100. Two and three year old steers brought £5 ss. On Tuesday, 24th instant, at Arden Bay, near Port Chalmers, we sold on account of Messrs Robert Curie and James Stewart the whole of their horses, dairy cattle, &c. Good cows brought up to £13 10s per head, other stock fair rateß. Horses.— For our sale on Saturday last only a moderate number came forward ; most of these, however, changed hands at late rates. On account of Saturday, 28th inst., being a race day, our usual weekly sale has been put off till Monday, Ist March, at the usual hour. We desire again to call attention to our sale at Mr Gco. Dodson's stud farm, Sawyers' Bay, on Tuesday, 2nd prox., when we shall offer for sale Mr Dodsons third draft of young stock by Cassevelaunus, &c. (see advertisement). We quote first-class draughts at from £40 to £45 ; medium, £25 to £35 ; good hacks and light-harness horses, £17 to £25 ; light and inferior, £3 to £8. „*.,- I Wool.— We held a sale on Monday last, at which we disposed of about 80 bales (odd lots) at prices showing an advance of quite a halfpenny on former rates. Sheepskins.— Our woekly sale took place on Monday last as usual. There was a good attendance of buyers, and animated competition for each lot offered, prices obtained showing an advanco on last quotations. Butchers' pelts brought from 14d to 2s ; lambskins, up to Is lOd ; station skins, up to 4s lid. We sold 1900. J a Hides.— We have to report a good demand, but few offering. Tallow.— We did not offer any this week. Grain.- Wheat is in moderate request, recent quotatations for prime samples being fully sustained. Oats : Demand limited; prices unaltered. Barley: Offering very freely; buyers, however, do not seem at all disposed to operate, During th.c week wo have sola

several parcels at from 4s to 4s 3d for good to prime quality malting barley.

Messrs Maclean and Co. report for week ending 25th February as follows, viz. :— &Fat Cattle.— A moderate supply of 171 head was j-arded to-day, principally fair to good quality, and were all placed at— for bullocks, from £7 7s Cd to £10 2s 6d ; cows, from £4 17s 6d to £8. Our sales consisted of 36 head, on account of Messrs Green Brothers, M'Leish, Charters, and Robertson, at above rates. We quote prime beef, 255; ordinary, 22s 6d per 1001b. Fat Sheep.— A large supply of 3253 was penned, which proved considerably in excess of the demand, 1000 having to be held oevr for next week's market, in consequence of which prices were slightly lower, prime mutton being about igd per lb, which price we quote. We sold on account of various vendors 447, at from 6s 9d to 11s.

Fat Lambs.— A moderate supply of 353 was forward, which were disposed of at from 4s 6d to Bs, according to quality. We sold 66 on account of W. J. M. Larnach, Esq., at quotations. Fat Calves.— None yarded ; but any good vealors coining forward would command fair prices. Pigs. — All descriptions are in good demand, and any coining into market are freely placed at— for porkers, from 5Jd to 6d per lb; stores according to size and condition.

Store Cattle.— On Friday last, 20th inst., we sold at our yards at Balclutha, 60 head on account of various vendors, at —for bullocks, £4 10s to £5 ; cows, £3 10s to £4 ; 18 to 24-month steers and heifers, 35s to 50s ; for well forward conditioned cattle there is a good demand.

Store Sheep.— During the week we have placed several lots at satisfactory prices. We quote two and four-tooth crossbred ewes and wethers, 5s 6d to 5s 9d ; six and eight-tooth, 6s 6d to 7s ; merino wethers, four and six-tooth, 5s ; full-mouthed, 4s to 4s 3d ; ewes, two and four-tooth, 7s to 7s 6d ; full-mouthed, 3s to 4s 3d, according to condition. Wool.— The market continues active for all fine descriptions, and for coarse wools there are indications of improvement, consequent upon latest advices from the Home market. The bulk of the season's clip is now forward, and only small lots are now offering. After our usual skin sale on Wednesday we sold several parcels as per catalogue undernoted : — J3, 1 bag greasy locks, 2gd ; do, 2 bales 1 bag do crossbred and merino, 9d ; FP, 2 do Ido do do, 8d ; 01, 3 do washed crossbred, 14Jd ; AP, Mt Gowrie, 1 do greasy half bred and merino, 8d ; do, Ido do Leicester and black, 7Jd ; do, 1 do do pieces and locks, s}d ; O over Romania, Ido do merino, 9d ; PG, 1 do do halfbred, 9d; S, 1 do do pieces, 4|d; do, 1 do do half bred, 9Jd; MM, 4 do washed merino, 15d ; do, 1 do greasy halfbred dingy, 9Jd ; do, Ido washed locks, 7d ; SxP, Ido do halfbred dingy, 10] d; do, 1 do do locks, pieces, and black, 8d ; HF conjoined, 4 do do halfbred and merino, 13j}d ; do, 1 bag do locks and pieces, 7Jd ; MR in square, 12 bales scoured halfbred and merino, 13Jd ; MM, 14 do washed halfbred, 13d. Sheepskins.— We cleared a usual catalogue at our weekly sale on Monday last, the prices obtained being equal to late quotations. Hides.— We have disposed of all the lots on hand at 3Jd per lb for wet-salted, Tallow.— No transactions to report. Grain.— Wheat : There has been some slight demand for wheat during the weok, but prices are without change. Oats continue in demand for good milling and feed qualities, but there are few lots offering ; prices unaltered. Barley : Prime samples are inquired for, but only ordinary descriptions, which are neglected, are at present offering.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co.'s report for week ending 25th February.

Fat Cattle.— l7l were yarded, medium quality and light weights. This number proved too large a supply ; prices receding a littlo ; a fow were turned out unsold. We sold on account of Messrs Smellie, Shaw, and Goodison, 35 head, at from £5 10s to £7 10s. We quote prime beef, 21s to 22s 6d per lOOlbs ; medium, 18s to 20s.

Fat Calves.— We sold oight at 26s oach. Fat Sheep.— 32s3 penned, consisting: of 975 merinos, the balance crossbreds, of good to prime quality. Bidding was very slack, prices showing a further reduction on last week's rates. Extra crossbreds brought 10s Od ; good do, 8s to 9s ; others, 6s 6d to 7s 9d ; merino wethers, 6s Cd to Cs 3d. We quote prime mutton, ljd per lb. We sold on account of Messrs W. Arthur, J. M'Culloch, and P. M'Laren, 350 at quotations, and delivered privately 425. Fat Lambs.— 3s3 penned, being only a moderate supply. Prices ruled firm at last week's quotations. We sold 90 on account of Mr John M'Culloch and others, at Cs to 7s Cd. Wool.— Our friends Messrs Cargills, Gibbs, and Co. are in receipt of the following telegram from London, dated 21st inst. : — "Tone of the market very firm. The following wools show rise upon the closing rates of last series : Good fleece and scoured, l^d to 2d per lb higher ; scoured and greasy crossbreds, 2d to 2Jd per lb higher." A few parcels offered by us on Monday brought full rates— scoured merino making Is 7d, crossbreds lGd, greasy crossbreds to lOd. Sheepskins.— We held our weekly sale on Monday. Our catalogue, although only small, elicited keen competition, prices showing a large advance— crossbreds fetching 4s lOd ; merinos, 4s sd ; pelts, 9d to Is 6d ; lambs, Is 7d ; skins in bales, Gjjd per lb. Hides. — We have no sales to report, but note active inquiry for sound hides, both locally and for export, Quotations unaltered. Tallow is in good request, and can readily be placed at, say, 24s 6d to 26s for first-rate tallow, 22s 6d medium, 15s rough fat. Country Sales.— On Friday, 20th inst., we held a clearing sale of dairy and other stock pn account of R. Goodison and others, at South Dunedin. There was a fair attendance. All offered sold at good prices. Cows brought from £7 17s Cd to £16 15s; young stock, £2 10s to £5 10s. We would direct attention to our sale to be held on Friday, sth March, at Mr Todd's farm, Anderson's Bay, when we will offer the whole of his stock, &c, for positive sale. Grain. — In the absence of stocks there is nothing doing in the wheat market, but prime samples are inquired for. Oats meet with but little inquiry. Barley has been actively dealt in during the week, several large lots having changed hands ; prices, however, are low. We quote prime nulling wheat, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; medium do, 4s to 4s 4d ; inferior and fowls' feed, 3s 2d to 3s lOd. Oats, Is 7d to Is 8d per bushel. Barley : Prime malting, 3s lOd to 4s 3d ; feed and milling, 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Potatoes, £3 5s to £4 per ton. MINING NOTES. Mr J.F. Watson reports for the week ending 25th February:— Business during the week has been quiet, Macetown.— The reports from the Various mines are of an assuring character, and several shares have changed hands in Arrowtown — a good indication of the future prospects of the mines. Tho Oromwcll are doing a good deal of dead work at present, and although the present stone is not so rich aa formerly, the mine looks well, and a better run of stone may shortly be struck. Reofton.— Tho Keep-it-Dark Company's amalgam for the week was 288oz from 204 tons of stone. Tho Energetic Company's crushing for last month was a decided improvement on the former. The Wealth of Nations had a payable crushing. The Just-in-Time expect to have a good crushing. The AVolcome Company had about £1000 in hand after the last crushing. Longwood.— The reports from there are of a very exciting character. Keep-it-Dark, 16s 6d ; Welcome, 38s ; Golden Treasure, 4s 6d ; Fiery Cross, ss ; Cromwell, 40a ; Tipperary, £25 ; Gladstone, 14s. THE LABOUR MARKET. February 24th. Mr Skknh reports a full 'and steady demand for people for harvesting in all departments. This work tests thoroughly the class of emigrants boing sent out to us, and on trial very fow can stand the work. There is plonty Of room <for well-trainod farm and station hands, and New Zealand cannot be overstocked with such for many a year. New arrivals complain greatly of the difficulty they had In getting trustworthy information from Homo agents. ThiS accounts for the number of discontented and disappointed ones. Hoping that this report may find its way to some intending emigrants from Home, I would oncourage only farm, dairy, and station people — such as shepherds, ploughmen, milkers, cattlemen, and such, to como at present ; also a very few farm couples. Those with families get too much of the "cold shoulder." We have enough of tradesmen, such as carpenters, masons, bricklayers, painters, &c., and their following, to do us a long time to coma. Hotel servants and females are always wanted. Wages— Couples, £65 to £75 and found; ; ploughmen and shepherds, £52, £55, £60, and £65 ; milkersboys, 10s to 15s; dairymaids, 15s and 20s; daylabour, at road, rajl, and bush, 6s, 7s, and 8s ; cooks, waiters, hoots, grooms, coachmen, &c., 20s to 40s ; girls,' los, 12s, and 16s; upper do, 20s, 255, and 30s; station cooks and bakers, 25s and SOs ; boys, 5s to 10s.

Thursday „ rridfty laturday „ itonday Jueaday „ Wednesday „ £ R d. 760 7 0 615 7 8 632 8 6 0 9 10 1 1863 19 10 1264 7 0 Total £6016 0 3