WEEKLY STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. Wednesday, September 11.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 18

WEEKLY STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. Wednesday, September 11.

In fat sheep the supply at Burnside to-day was much about the same as last week in point of numberß, 3275 being yarded, of which about 520 were merinos. There was nothing exceptional as regards! weight or quality ; still, most of the sheep to hand were fair average wethers, a considerable proportion being good enough for export, had any been required for this purpose, with comparatively few aged ewes and less light weight sheei> than usual. For shipping there was but little demand ; Btill the sale, aa far as good wethers were concerned, certaiuly opened better than last week, and more satisfactory prices were obtained; but towards the close competition fell off. and values afc the finish were quite 6d per head lower than at the start, even for the best sheep. The few lots of light weights were even more 1 neglected than of late, owing to the absence of outBide buyers, probably arising from fche wet weather, and met with anything but a satisfactory sale. One or two of the lines in question were of the Down 1 cross, and although passable mutton enough, were yet Ifght in tbe skins (an important consideration with buyers at present), and thus failed to attract fche attention of "the trade." Briefly summarised, the market on the average was rather better for good sheep than last week, but the reverse for inferior. 'Ihe merinos on offer were not of a very grand class, and .sold at from 5b 6d to Bs. Prime crossbred 1 wethers brought 14s to 15s- a few pens 15a 9d to 16s ; medium weights and mixed sexes of fair quality 12s to 13s, light crossbreds 8s 6d to 10s 6d, baltbred Downs 6s 6d to 10s 6d, best ewes lls 6d to 13s— a pen or, two beyond the last mentioned figure, light to medium, 8s to 10s 6d.— Eeid, Maclean, and Co. yarded and sold 404 head as follows :— On account Mr A. Carrick (Waihola), 30 crossbred wethera afc 15s 6d,30 at 13b 9d ; on account Mr D. Munroe, 30 mixed halfbreds at lls, 30 at 10s6dto 11s, 35 'merino wethers, afc 7s 3d, and a pen of heavy weight crossbred ewes at 16s (top value for the day) ; on account Mr J. "A. Kirk (Dusky, Kelso), 14 Southdown wethers afc 13s 9d. 40 halfbred Downs at 10s 3d, 40 afc 8s 6d, 44 light' weight Downs at 7s 9d to 8s 6d, 60 afc 6s to 6s 6d.— Gborgk Todd (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited) Bold 481 aB follows :— On account Mr W. Davidson, 152 crossbred wetbers, 13a 9d to 14a 3d; on account Mr David Wallace (Clinton), 120 crossbred wethers at 12s 9d ; and on account Mr Eobert Wilson (Bomarua estate), 209 light merino wethers at 7s 6d to 7s 9d.— Donald Stkonach (on behalf of fcho New Zealand Loan and' Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) sold on account of Mr James Johnston (Pukerau), crossbred wtthers to 16s (top price), also crosibred ewes to 13s 9d.— Wright, Stsphbnson. and Co. sold 1337 as follows: -On account of Mr George Brown (The Crescent), 239 very prime crossbred wethers at from 15s 9d to 14s 9d; on account Jof Mr A. Querfcier (Kaiwera), 122 halfbred wethers from 15a to 13s 9d; on accounts of Mr T. G. Bobertson (Spylsw estate), 165 crossbred wefcherß at from 15s 4d to 128 9d ; on account of Mr Arthur Calder(LoveH'BFlat),s7 prime crossbred wethers afc los ; on account of Mr Thomas Lindsay (Palmerafcon), 250 prinJe halfbred wefchera at from 14s 9d to 13a 3d ; on account of Mr Watson Shennan (Conical Hills), 108 halfbred wethera afc from 14s 3d to 13s ; on account of Mr George Nichol, 66 halfbred wethers afc from 14s to 13s 96% and 166 merino wethera afc 7s 9d ; on account of Mr Bichard Kirk (Kelso), 64 crossbred ewes at from 12s 3d to 12s ; on account of Mr John Douglas (Mount Royal), 70 merino wethers afc from 6s 9d fco 6a 6d; and for Mr

Jas. Matheson (Hindon), 30 crossbred ewes at 13s.— Wright; 'Stephenson, jlnd Co. also report the sale privatelyjof lQOOorossbred wethers k at quotations. — John Grindley (on behalf of the Farmers' Agency Company, Limited), penned 846 and sold as follows: -For Mr Andrew M'Laren (Milton), 240 prime wethers afc 15s to 13s 6d ; for Messrs Simeon, Elsworth, and Co. (Gore), as agents, 50 three-quarter-bred wefcheraafc 15a to J4s, 50 halfbred wethers afc 14a to 13s; for Mr James Logan (Popotunoa estate), 73 crossbred ewes afc 11s 3d to 10s fid, 50 merino wethera at 8a ; for Mr S. Wright (Olufcha), 97 crossbred ewes and wethers to 14s ; for Mr John Douglas (Mount Eoyal), 70 merino wethers afc 7s ; for Mr Duncan .M'Donald (Lee Stream), 60 crossbred wethers 12s 6d, 123 merino wethers at 6s 6d to Bs. Privately at the works we sold 520 freezers at top price. — Donald Beid and Co. yarded and sold on account Mr Donald Mitchell (Ardmore, Wangaloa), 60 crossbred wethera at 14s 9d to 13s ; on account Mr W. Sinclair (Titri>, 100 halfbred wethers at 10s 6dfo 8s ; on account Mr Joseph Crane (Waihola), 50 halfbred wethers afc 11b to 9s 3d.

Fat Lambs.— To day waa the opening of the lamb reason here, one or two small consignments having been sent forward. They were, however, tcarcely old enough to create much competition, added to which the weather was not very suggestive of the season when fat lamb is supposed to be in request. For the commencement priceß were not what might have been expected, after making allowance for the drawbacks referred to, quotations ruling from 6* 3d to 8s 9d.— On account of Mr A. North (Portobello), Bbid, Maolhan, and Co. sold 12 at from 6a 3d to 7s 6d.— Wright, Stbphekson, And Co. sold 6 for Mr Wm. Geary, jun. (f ortobello), at 8a 9d each.

Fat Cattle. —l 44 head yarded. The small supply of to-day coming;, after a similar entry of laßt week found buyers with comparatively little beef on hand, and as a consequence the day'« transactions were marked by a decided change for the better, more especially as regards the better classes. In the different lots yarded were some really prime bullocks— in fact there were not many cattle on offer that could really be termed inferior. Bullocks of good weights and prime quality sold at an advance of from 10b to 15s per beast, and in special instances rather more; fair average lines 7s to 10s rise, while light and inferior consignments changed hands without showing much alteration in prices. Prime bullocks brought £8 10s to £10 10s ; medium bullocks and good oowb, £6 5s to £7 10s ; inferior, £3 10b to £5 5s per head.— EHro, Maclean, and Co. yarded and sold 38 head as follows.— Account Mr G. Clarke (Macraes), 3 steers at £1 30s, 2 at £4 2s 6d ; account Mr H. M* Donald (Whare Flat), 2 cows at £4 12s 6d, lat£3 7s 6d ; for a Taieri client, 8 bullocks from £6 10s to £8 5s ; for another owner, 6 bullocks from £6 5s to £7 10b ; for Mr W. Shand (Keith Hall;, li bullocks— g at £7 17» 6d, 2 afc £6 10s, 2at £5 15s, 2at£s 2s 6d, 3at £8 ss, 1 cow at £3 ; for Mr Campbell, 3 light weight cows passed.— Gbohge Todd (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited) sold : On account of Mesßrs William Kirkland, W. Irvine, and others, 14 head up to £7 10s for bullocks, and to £5 10s for cows.— Wright, Stephenson, awd Co. sold 42 head as followt :— On account of Mr James Guild (Trevenna), 6 , prime bullocks at from £9 12s 6dto£9; on account of Mr George sichol (Abbotsford station), 6'bullocks at from £8 10s to £7 7s 6d; on account of Mr William Shand (Keith Hall), 12 bullocks at from £8 10s to £6 10s j on account of Mr A. Kelman (Annfields farm), 7 cows at from £5 5a to £4 10s ; and for other vendors, 11 head at quotations.— John Grindley (on behalf of the Farmers' Agency Company, Limited) sold 41 head as follows :— For Mr James Guild (Trevenna, Temuka), 12 prime ■ bullocks at top price to-day— viz., 2 at £10 10s, 2 at £10, 2 afc £9 155, 2 at £9, 2at £8 10s, 2at £8 ; for Mr Peter Law (Sowburn), 12 prime heifers at up to £?; tor Mr William Kirkland (Elm Grove), .10 bullocks, £10 to £6 7s 6d; for others, 5 cows at £4 to £5 ss.— Donald Eeid and Co. yarded 42, aud sold on account of Mr John Shaw (Finnegand, Balclutha), 2 bullocks at £6 17s 6d (4 bullocks turned out unsold) ; on account of Mr , James Allan (Hopehill), 15 bullocks at £8 2a 6d to £Q ss; on account of Mr Peter Law (Nasebyj, 8 bullocks at £6 10s to £6, 2s 6d, 5 heifers at £5 12s 6d to £5 2s 6d ; on accoutit of Messrs C. Wix and William Campbell. 7 head at £5 10s to £2 165.

Pigs.— l 76 yarded, fairly divided into different .classes — made up of porkers, stores, and bacon pigs. Well-grazed lines of the latter sold freely enough at about late quotations, and the same may be said of porkers ; stores also moving off fairly well. Bacon pigs brought 58s to 65s for the heaviest, medium 40s to 535 ; porkers 253 to 355 ; stores 17s to 255 ; weaners 8s to 15s.— Beid, Maclean, and Co. sold 35 as follows :— On account the N. Z. and A. Land Company (Levels estate), 6 bacon pigs at 53s 6d, 5 at 49s 6d, 5 at 44s 6d, 6at 38s, 4 at 32s 6d; on account of Mr C. F. Dunnetfc (Kelso), 9 Yorkshire weaners at from 9s 6d to 19s 6d.— George Todd (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited) sold on account of Mr W. Kirkland, 16 suckers at 9s 6d.— Donald Sthonach (on behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency' Company, Limited) sold 6 at 13s 6d, and 2 at 19a.— Wright. Stsphenson, and Co. sold 86 as follows :— Bacon pfgs (extra heavy weights) afe from 60s to 655, ordinary 45s to 565 ; porkers 26s tv 375 ; Buckers 7s to 15s ; stores 18a to. 23s.— John Grind- ' ley (on b9half of- the Farmers' Agency Company, Limited), sold for Mr M. M'Lennan (Wyndham), 24 from 31s to 16s; for Messrs M'lntyre and Bdwardß, 10 from 49 to 24s 6d ; for Mr Q-. Atkinson, Bat 28b ; for Mr J. Connell, 2at 48s 6d ; and for Mr E. Winkfield, 4 from 45s to 23s.— Donald Beid and Co., yarded 24 suckers and young pigs, and sold on account of Mr John Shore (East Taieri), 5 at Ss ; on account of Mr William Shand (Keith Hall), 6 at 13s, 6at 12s, 6at 7s ; on account of Mr G. Murdoch (Mosgiel). I at 295. Store Sheep.— For these there is as yet but little enquiry, although low prices offer more temptation to buyers than they did a few weeks since, and where such are coupled with a desirable class of sheep there is more business being done, The fine open weather, however, lends some colour to the anticipation of an early spring, and should this continue until the end of the month, there is no doubt but that an extensive enquiry for all classes will set in. Store Cattle.— We notice from the North Canterbury reports that the season for store cattle has fairly commenced and that large transactions in the same are taking place there. This, however, is not yet the case here, most of the exchanges up to the present time consisting ot the purchase of Borne of the lighter classes of fat cattle, through the yards, to put on turnips and replace others that have been drafted out for the market.

Wool. — Last week we were enabled to record the opening of the Antwerp wool sales ; and, as showing' a firm tone for all the finer grades of wool, and under date September 4, the announcement of the closing of this series reached us in the following terms : — •• The Antwerp wool ealee have closed. For super.or and medium Biver Plate wool prices remain firm, but for inferior sorts and lamb's wool values were weak. One thousand bales of Australian wool sold at prices fully equal to those obtained at the London sales in July, 18,000 bales being offered and 12,400 sold." As will be seen in the remarks having reference to our skin auctions, the substantial result of the European Bales is making itself felt here in the keen competition shown for all fine woolled skins, prices for'whlch have shown a decided rise during, the last fortnight. Locally there is little or no wool offering beyond what comes forward on the skins, and buyers, tempted by the healthy tone of the home markets, are operating freely for such. In rabbit skins fairly large catalogues were submitted last Monday, made up of various classes, and although we cannot record any further rise on values as ruling for the last few weeks, the skins to hand are of a irfore uniform description, and consequently show less variation in prices. From the competition shown it was evident that every line had been carefully valued by intending purchasers, and the result cannot be considered other than satisfactory, although perhaps the extreme rates of last week were in some instances scarcely maintained. Thin pelled selected winter greya brought 15d to 16Jd ; good, 14d to 15d ; medium, lid to 13d ; black and fawn, 7£d to lOd ; summers, 5d- to 8d ; suckers and half-grown, 2|d to 4d per lb. Sheepskins.— We have again the pleasure of recording an eminently satisfactory sale of sheepskins at this week's auction, which, by the way, was held on Monday instead of Tuesday to avoid clashing with the half-holiday on the latter date. Every buyer was represented, and the improvement in values spoken of last week for halfbred and merino skins was fully confirmed on the present occasion ; in fact, the last two sales combined show an advance of quite 6d per skin on the classes above referred to. In coarser woolo the only advance noticeable is that due to the Increased growth of the fleece week by week. Largesized early shorn green hslfbreds brought 6s 3d, 5s 6d,to 5s 9dm good sized lots ; specially selected skins, 6e to 6s 3d ; best oroagbrede, 5s 3d to 5s 84 ; extra heavy, to 6s and 6s 3d ; medium of both classes, 4s 9d to ss ; inferior, 4s 4d to 4s 6d ; best merinos, 4s 6d, Ss, to 6s 8d ; average lots, 3s lOd to 4s 3d ; inferior, 3s 6d to 3s 9d ; dry crossbreds— first quality, 4s to 5s 3d, double fleeces, to 7s; medium, 3s 3d to3s9d; inferior, 2s 3d to 2s 9d ; merinos, 2s to 4s 9d

Hides.— Business in this line continues in the same inactive state as for many weeka past, and clearances

can only be effected afc late ruling low rates. Buyers; in fact, scarcely feel inclined to pay the same prices that they have done for light and medium class parcels, while good heavy lots, owing to their scarcity, are firm at late quotations, viz. :— Best dry salted and well flayed, 2|d to 3d perlb; medium, 2M to 2*d ; lighf, 2d ; damaged and inferior, l£d to ifdperib. Tallow continues to move off freely enough at rates lately recorded, the variations in Home quotations having as yet failed to make themselves felt here. London advices under date September 6 gives besfc mutton at 28s 6d ; beef, 27a ; and on the 7fch, medium mutton, 24a 3d; beef same price. Locally, beafc mutton is saleable at 20s to 2ls ; good mixed, 17s to 18s 6d ,- inferior, 15s to I6s ; prime unrendered fat, 13s 6d to 14s; medium, 12s to 12s 6d; inferior, 10s 6d to lla.

Wheat. — The past week has been more than usually quiet, as far as transactions in wheat are concerned, and that is perhaps saying a great deal ; in fact the same remark applies to all classes of grain. The few local millers who up to the last fortnight had been~ purchasing regularly (although in sm*ll lots and at reduced rates), have still further contracted their requirements, and at the present time, it is almost impossible to effect salee, unless on the basis of still lower values. Our Northern friends in relaxing their ideas with regard to prices are trying to find an outlet in Dunedin, and although very little of this can be placed, millers, when buying at all, are inclined to give this the preference when compared with Southern grown parcels. For export there ia nothing whatever doing, and it may truly be said thab business is virtually at a standstill. The Home market, bo far from affording any encouragement or in any way presenting an opening for the reduction of our surplus, has bt come weak and irregular during the last few days, and any tendency that might have been shown by owners to ship is again checked. Advices of September 4th report the London market as being firm for English and American wheats, but later news of the 7th inst. states that the English wheat market is lifeless, the Continental steady, and the American changing for the worse. Come what may, our stocks will have to be reduced in some way, and this can only be done to anything like an appreciable extent through the "medium of outside markets.

Prime milling wheat may be quoted here nominally at 3s 7§d to 3s 9d ; medium, 3b 5d to 3s 6d : inferior, 3s 3d ; fowl feed, 2s 6d to 3s. Oats. Any slight desire on the psrb of speculators aB shown last week for the purchase of oats has again subsided, and at the present time it is impossible to do business at anything like recent quotations. The local demand for bright milling parcels has practically ceased in sympathy with the falling off in the Australian demand for oatmeal, and it is now difficult to obtain anything over 2a 8d per bushel for the best parcels, sacks extra. Feed lots are only saleable for shipment, and in the absence of other than the most restricted orders — both aB regardß quantity and price — from the other side very few sales are being made. Fortunately, farmers have been wiser with regard to their oats than in wheat, and the heavy shipments of the former to Victoria and New South Wales in the early part of the season have lett us with comparatively small stocks on hand, a further reduction of which, however, we think would be advisable, should opportunity offer, during the next two months; even although this has to be done at slightly lower prices. We quote prime milling at 2s 8d to 2s B£d, sacks extra ; bright stout feed, 2s 5d to 2s 6d ; inferior to me-'ium, 2s 3d to 2s 4d, sacks extra (ex store.) Barley.— ln this cereal there is even less doing than in wheat and oats, the samples to hand being chiefly of second-rate class, and thus affords no temptation to buyers, who, under any ciroumstances, are very indifferent as to purchasing. Anything specially prime might be moved off at about 3s 6d per bushel, but other descriptions are unsaleable unless at prices very little better than what such lines are worth for milling. Nominal quotations for such are 3s to 3s 4d; good milling, 2s to 2s lOd, ex store, sacks extra. *

Grass Seed. — In this a steady business has been done during the week, orders arriving more freely, though not sufficiently so either in number or extent to cause any excitement in the market. There is, however, a good month before us yet in which to cleat out the stocks on hand, and by that time we are of opinion that there will be very little left. I ocal grown machine-dressed may be quoted at 4s 3d to 4s 9d ; undressed. 3s to 4s ; Poverty Bay, of which there is very little in the market, 5s to 6s 6d. Cocksfoot.— Advices from Canterbury report considerable quantities as being held by the growers of Banks Peninsula, and as this can be shipped direct from Akaroa to Dunedin at a comparatively low rate, there is no probability of our running short of the same this season. DuriDg the pant week several purchases have been made from there, which enable buyers here to quote at from 3|d to 4d per lb, and these are about fche current rates for good seed at present.

Potatoes.— The potato market remains still without any alteration. Supplies continue to arrive in sufficient quantities to satisfy the requirements of the produce dealers, who are our only buyers. and yet without affecting prices to any perceptible degree. We quote best Northern, 90s to 955 ; medium, 80s to 85s ; Southern (best), 70s to 75s per ton. Ohßff.— Supplies arriving are sufficient for local requirements, and th re has been no demand for shipping lately. Lines of heavy oaten well-cut chaff command full rates, but inferior or straw chaff is neglected. We quote— Beßt oaten, £3 15s to £4: ordinary, £3 to £3 10s.

Dairy produce still continues depressed, with no demand either locally or from outside markets, and the prospects of a speedy recovery in values does not look bright. Prime factory cheese, large 4f dto 5£d f small 6d to 6|d ; prime potted butter, 5d to 6d.

\The individual reports of wool, rabbitskin, or grain brokers can be inserted in the Daily Times and Otago Witness at special rates,']