WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 24

WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT.

1 Wednesday, July 19. * Fat Cattle.— Beef was again sCarce at the Burnside yards to-day, 117 head of cattle only being v penned, chiefly bullocks, and these, for the most part, were good to prime quality. ,We need scarcely refer to the high prices which have been

ruling for fat cattle for several weeks pa9t, as this is probably well known, and it is sufficient to mention that the enhanced values referred to were fully maintained at to-day's auction. Anything which could be considered beef sold at exceptionally high rates, though several lines which were not up to trade requirements as regards condition brought prices which compared unfavourably with the better classes. Prime bullocks sold at £10 to £11 ; extra prime to £11 153; medium, £8 5s to £8 15s ; light and partiallygrazed lots", £6 5s to £7 10s : best cows and heifers, £7 10s to £9 2s 6d; medium, £6 10s to £7 6s ; light, £4 153 to £6. Anything below these rates could not be termed beef.— The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) sold for Mr A. Campbell, 1 cow at £5 23 6d ; for Mr J. A. Townsend, 2 bullocks at £6 153, 2at £6 10s, 2at £6 17s 6d, 2at £6 7s 6d : for Messrs Early and Sons, 1 cow at £6 10s ; for Mr J. M'Ara, 1 cow at £5 15s ; for Mr J. Campbell (Pine Hill), 2 cows at £7; for Messrs Duke Brothers, 1 cow at £4 10s ; for Mr W. Miller, 2 cows at £4 5s ; and for various owners 7 head at quotations.—Mr Andrew Todd (on behalf of the New Zealand Land Association, Limited) sold privately during the week 45 head at quotations.—Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold 35 head as follows :— For Mr Thomas Pugh (Orange Grove), 13 bullocks at from £7 to £9, and 4 cowb at from £6 17s 6d to £7 ss ; and for Messrs James Bertles (Brighton). Jame3 Townley, W. R. Mabson. James Taylor, Mcc Brothers (Brighton), 48 head at quotations.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) yarded 54 head and sold : For Mr W. Turnbull (Clinton), 3 bullocks £8,155, 2heifera £8, 2 do £6 7s 6d ; for Mr F. Abbott (Kilburnie), 14 bullocks £11 10s to £U 153 ; for Mr A. Douglas (Bast Taieri), 18 heifers £4 7s 6d to £6 6s ; for Mr A. C. Thomson (Otakia), 5 bullocks £6 2s 6d to £7 12s 6d, 4 heifer £6 to £6' los;- for Messrs John Muir, G. Daplyn, O'Driscoll, G. Henry, and Marshall, 6 cows to £4 7s 6d ; and privately, for Mr A. Douglas (East Taieri), 15 bullocks at £B.— Donald Reid and Co. yarded 41 and sold : For Mr Thomas Kirk (East Taieri), 3 bullocks at £8 to £11 123 6d, 8 heifers at £8 to £5 7s 6d ; for Mr Richard Mitchell (Portobello), 5 heifers at £5 2s 6d ; for Mr W. Marshall (Mosgiel). 2 cows at £8 17s 6d ; for Mr Jame3 Robertson (North Taieri). 1 cow at £7 17s 6d ; for Messrs W. Edwardß, J. E. Dick, John Matheson, and others, 22 head at quotations.

Fat Sheep.— 2649 penned, of which 959 were merinos. The quality; of the sheep all through, both in crossbreds and merinos, was very irregular, more especially so in the latter, and although some of the crossbreds were decidedly light, there were others noticeably heavy. -Buyers 4 for export were represented at the sale, but they failed to operate to any extent, and as the supply was in excess of local requirements, a somewhat dragging sale was the result. In the various lots of prime ctossbreds the decline in values from last week was but Blight, but' in other descriptions the difference was plainly noticeable, representing quite Is per head drop. With merinos the market was over supplied, and the fact that a large proportion of the same were of an inferior and medium class prevented anything like satisfactory prices being obtained for such. Graziers purchased several lines, still for any but - the best" lots prices were low and disappointing. Prime crossbred wethers brought 16s 3d to 17s od, afew extra heavy to 18i 6d, [average weights 15s 6d to 16s, light 14s 6d to 15s ; heavy weight ewes 153 to 15s 9d, others 11s to 13s ; meiino~ wethers, 5s 3d to 13s.— The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) sold : For Mr D. Murray (Pukerau), 30 prime halfbred wethers at 17s 6d, 34 at 16s 6d, 23 ' crossbred ewea^at 15s 33 at 15s: 'for .Messrs J. and S. Wilson (Papakaio), 31 crossbred ewes at 14s 3d ; 35 at 14s, 32 at 13s, 19 at 12s 3d ; for Mr W. Smaill (Summernill estate), 35 crossbred wethers as 17s, 30 at 16s, 36 at 15s 9d, 19 at 14s 9d ; for a client, 80 mixed crossbreds at 14s 6d, 30 at 14s. 9d, 98 at 13s 9d, 40 at 13s ; for Mr John Bruce (Greytown), 37 mixed crossbreds at 17s, 22 at -16s 3d. — Andrew Todd (on behalf of the New Zealand Land Association, Limited) sold : For Mr James Ross (Kartigi), 1 pen crossbred wethers v at 18s 6d, 1 do at 163, 1 do at 15s 6d, 2 do at 15s 3d ; for Mr James Liddell (Taieri Beach), 20 crossbred wethers and maiden ewes at 16s 9d; 63 do at 15s 9d, and 17 at 14s 9d; for, Mr R. Fairbairn, sen. (Taieri Beach), 20 crossbred wethers and ewes at 16s;6d ; for Mr John Weir (Naseby), 221 merino wethers at quotations.— Wright, Stephenson, and Co. flpld' 897 as follows: For Mr ' John Law(Gimmerburn), 101 halfbred - wethers at from ' 13s 9d to 14s- 9d, and 40 merino wethers at from 6s to 6s 9d: for,' Mr Wm. Souter (Flag Swamp), 60 halfbred and' crossbred wethers at 14s 6d; for Messrs Hitchon Brothers (Adam's Flat), 30 halfbred wethers at 153 6d, and 104. merino wethers at from 11s to 13s'; for a southern client, 349 merino wethers at from 5s 2d to 6s 9d ; for Mr James Wright (Broomlands), 156 crossbred wethers at from 15s 9d to 17s 6d : for Mr James Burnett (Waikoikoi), 57 crossbred wethers at from 16s 3d to 17b 6d.— The Farmers' Agency Company (Limited) penned 489, and sold : For MrW. Pagan (Waiwera),'B4,crossb'ed wethers at 15s 6d to 17s 6d ; for Mr O; Shand (Te Houka), 75 halfbred wethers at 12s 9d to 13s, 53 merino wethers at 7s 6d to 83 ,6d; for Mr John -Law (Gimmerburn), 95 halfbred wethers at 14s 6d to 16.8 3d, 40 merino wethers at- 93 3d; for Mr A. Douglas (East Taieri), 142 crossbred wethers at 14s 9d to 16b.— Donald Reid and Co. yarded 315, and sold : For Mr Thomas Popham (Middlemarch), 60 crossbred hoggets at' l3s to 11s 9d ; for Mr James Irvine (Clinton), 44 crossbred wethers at 13s 3d, 18 crossbred ewes at 12s ,3d ; for Mr Jas. M'Gimpsey (Otiake), 70 crossbred hoggets at. 10a 6d to 9s 9d: for Mr Thomas Wilson (Kuri Bush), 38 crossbred wethers and ewes at 11s $&) for Mr Alex. Douglas (East Taieri), 30 crossbred wethers at 14s- 9d ; for Mrs William M'Diarmid(Roseneath), 20 crossbred ewes at 12s 6d, 35 Southdown wethers and ewes at Us to 10s 6d. Pig3.— To-day's entry was confined to 64 pigs— chiefly weane'rs and small stores. , The few bacon pigs wire in good demand, and brought late rates' ; and although for other classes the competition was not as brisk, there was no alteration in values; Suckers brought 7s to 13s, slips 155,t0 17b 6d, porkers 22s to 325, .baconers 355" to 675.— Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold 33 at quotations.—The Farmers' Agency Company(Limited) sold a draft of suckers and small porkers for Mr J. C. Renton (East Taieri) at 11s 6d to 17s 6d.-; Donald Reid and Co. yarded 24. and sold for a client, 10 at 553 to 425 ; for Mr Walter Blackie (Glasgow farm), 14 at 67s to 19s. Store Cattle.— The fact of most of the available fat cattle having been bought up during the past month has left openings for a considerable number of stores; and at the pie3ent time there is a good demand for three and four-year-old bullocks and heifers, if in forward condition. Lines of young cattle are also selling at comparatively nigh rates, although at a period six or eight weeks in advance of the time when the demand for stock of this class is supposed to* become general. There can be no doubt, nowever, but that the inducements for raising cattle are much more'encouraging &t present than they have been for some years past, and those in a position' to take advantage of the Sams are likely to find it a profitable undertaking. Privately during the week The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) have Fold 80 head at quotations. Store Sheep.— There has been rather more inquiry for store sheep during the past week— or more correctly speaking— the demand has not been as much confined to one oj\two special classes as hitherto. Crossbred wethers still haye the preference with buyers, but as sheep of this description are scarce, lines of well-grown hoggets are being freely purchased as a substitute. In crossbred ewes comparatively few exchanges have lately taken place, but these are now being asked for, the chief obstacle to business being tu<s fact that there are very few young or sound-mouthed sheep offering, and the season is not sufficiently far advanced to tempt buyers to operate in the older and more inferior clashes. Privately and at auction during the week, the Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) have sold 3500 crossbreds, including several large lines of good hoggets at an advance on late rates. Country Sales.— The Mutual Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited). report as follows;— On Thursday, July 13, at Omimi, we held a clearing sale, consisting chiefly of dairy cows, for- Mr George Mackie, who is giving up the lease of his farm in that locality. - The weather was perfect, and this, together with the merits of tho cattle, which were well known, brought together % good attendance, most of whom were buyers. " Prices throughout were very satisfactory, and especially bo for any of the cows which were near calving, the best selling at from £6 to W 12s 6d ; others at

proportionate rates. On Friday, the 14th, our fortnightly sale at Balclutha took place. Both sheep and cattle sold at prices fully up to late quotations— forward-conditioned wethers at from 14s to 14s lOd, others to 12s lOd ; bullocks, at £4 ss ; cows and heifers, to £4 15a. — Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows :— We held our montly sale at Palmerston last Tuesday, when there was a fair entry of stock, most of which changed hands at very satisfactory prices. Crossbred wethers (fat) brought from 15s to lGs ; crossbred hoggets (a very fine lot of three-quarter-bred Leicesters), 12s 6d ; and merino wethers, 9s. Of fat cattle there were none offered, but a number of well bred dairy cows were sold at prices ranging from £4 10s to £7, and a much larger business could have been done in this desctiption of stock had there been more entries' There was also some inquiry for draught horses fit for immediate work, but unfortunately of these there were none forward; the few hacks which were offered, however, failed to find purchasers.— Donald Reid and Co. report: We held our usual horse fair and stock sale at our Taieri saleyards, Greytown, on Tuesday, the 18th July. There was a moderate entry of Btock and a very large gathering of buyers, farmers, dealers, and others interested. Competition, although not very spirited, was fairly good, and prices realised were on the whole very satisfactory. Store sheep : About 450 were yarded, all ewes in lamb except one small line of hoggets. There was a moderate demand, and at auction and privately all except one small lot were disposed of. Crossbred ewes (in lamb) sold at 14s to 13s 6d ; crossbred hoggets (small), at 7s. Store cattle : Only 28 penned, consisting of cows and heifers coming to calving. All these met a brisk sale, and a much larger number would have found purchasers at full values. Heifers sold at £3 4s to £4 11s ;1 cows, £3 2s 6d to £6. Horses : The entry was not a large one, 19 being offered for sale. These consisted of 8 medium to good draughts, the rest hacks and light harness horses. For sound young draughts there is a good inquiry, and all such offered were disposed of at satisfactory prices. For hacks there was not much competition, and only a few sales were made. Good young draughts sold at £16 to £20 ; medium, £12 10s to £14; hacks, £7 15s to £10. We also sold for Mr John Smaill (Saddle Hill), a number of farm implements and dairy requisites, all of which were disposed of at fairly satisfactory prices. Wool.— Cables to hand during the past week confirm the improvement indicated in last week's report as to the progress of the London sales, and the fact of so large a proportion of the catalogued entry being sold further substantiates this. Two cablegrams— one of the 14th and another of the 16th— both speak of a good competition and firm prices, and the rates reported for one or two local clips probably gives us the best indication as to the state of the Home market. Of the total quantity catalogued up to the 16th, viz., 278,800 bales, 257,600 were sold, the Elderslie clip bringing 10id. Locally, there is, of course, very little doing, but 'such lots as are offered find ready buyers at satisfactory prices. Sheepskins.— At the weekly sales held on Tuesday, the various catalogues were of average dimensions, and with a' full attendance of buyers' and good competition, all lots changed handr at prices showing a proportionate advance (according -to the increased growth of wool) on rates lately current. Export buyers operated freely for all lots suitable for their purpose, the local demand being also satisfactory. Butchers, selected green crosabreds brought 4s lOd, Gs, to 53 3d ; extra heavy to 53 6d ; average lines, 433 d, 4s <sd, to 4s 8d ; light to medium, 3s 9d,to 4s ; merinos (green), 2s 3d to 3s 9d : dry skins proportionate rates, inferior pelts bringing from 9d to Is 3d ; early shorn, well saved crossbreds to 6s. . Hides.— These .continue to meet with a fair demand at unaltered rates, which may be quoted as under:— Prime heavy .ox, 2Jd to 3d per .lb,; average weights and, best cows, 2d to 2Jd; medium, lid ; inferior, lid to IJd. ' Tallow.- The market is barely supplied just now, and this has had the effect of keeping prices firm, but, except for parcels of tallow suitable for shipment, there has been no further advance in values during the last few weeks. The various lots offering, however, are very readily placed, and the general tone of the market -may be considered satisfactory. Prime rendered mutton is worth 21s to 223, -extra prime a shade over ; medium to good, 18s to 20s: inferior, 14s to 16s 6d ; fresh unrendered caul fat, 14s to 14s 6d ; medium to good, 12s 6d to 13s 6d ; inferior, lls to 13s. Kabbitskinß.— A difference of opinion having arisen between the brokers and buyers as to the locality in x which the weekly sales are to be held, most of the catalogues this week were held over, although one or two agents elected to sell under existing conditions'.' The question, however, will probably be settled in the course of a few days, and doubtless on a basis satisfactory to . all parties. The market appears to be firm at late quotations, the various lots sold this week changing hands at 'the following rates:— Best grey winter does, Is 4d to Is 4}d ; best bucks, Is 3d to Is 3Jd ; mixed bucks and does, Is 3Jd to Is 4d ; medium to good, Is2d to Is 3d ; autumn, lOd to Is 2d ; summer, 8d to 9d ; suckers, half-grown, and inferior, 3d to 7£d per lb. Grain.— Wheat : In the face of adverse reports on this market from Home and America, values here cannot be reported any better than last week ; indeed, if anything, prices are a shade easier, except for prime milling. Second quality is almost neglected, while there is a strong demand for fowl wheat at advanced rates, and any lots offering can-, be easily placed at quotations. Prime milling, velvet, and Tuscan, 2s lOJd to^s : medium to good, 2s 8d to 2s lOd ; inferior and fowl wheat 2s 5d to 2s 7Jd ; broken and thin, 2s to 2s 4d. Oats : The demand for these during the past week has been less active, but prices have not receded, indeed, in some instances, higher rates have been obtained, and any lots offering can be placed, although not freely; but as the quantity lnow coming forward does not assume large dimensions, prices are likely to remain firm. Quotations :— Prime milling, 23 Id to 2s 2d ;. bright, stout feed, 2s to 2s lid ; medium, Is lid to 2s : inferior, Is 8d to Is 9Jd ; extra good samples (clean and fit for seed), 2s 2d to 2s 4d (sacks extra, net). Barley : There is practically nothing doing, and quotations are nominal :— Prime malting, 4s ; medium to good, 3s 6d to 33 9d ; "milling, 3s to 2s 3d ; feed, 2s to 2s 6d (sacks extra, terms). Grass Seed is inquired for more freely, and prices have hardened, although business at present is limited. Beßt dressed perennial ryegrass*, extra good, 4s 6d ; fair, 4s to 4s 3d ; medium, 3s 6d to 3s 9d. Cocksfoot is also in better demand, and price 3 are firming. Best dressed, 4d to 4Jd; medium, 3d to 3Jd; light and inferior, 2d to 2}d (per lb, ex store, net). * Potatoes have advanced in price since last report, owing to short supplies, and best Derwents can now be quoted £5 to £5 2s 6d ; medium, £4 12s 6d to £4 17s 6d ; prime kidneyi, for seed, up to £5 (per ton, sacks in, net). Chaff.— A good demand exists for really prime, and prices have hardened, and up to 60s can be got for best, 45s to 52s 6d for medium, 30s to 45s for inferior. Dairy Produce.— Beyond a small demand for local wants there is nothing doing. Prime salt butter, dairy made, dull at 7d to 8d ; medium, 5d to 6Jd ; factory (nominal), lOd to lid ; factory cheese, medium and loaf, 4|d to sd ; dairy made, 2dto4dperlb. Flax.— No improvement can be noted in the Home markets, consequently prices here are in sympathy. Best, £16 to £17 ; medium to good, £14 to £15 10s : inferior and strawy, £10 10s to £12 10s (ex storo).

[IKe individual reporti of Wool, Rabbitthin, or Grain Brokers own be inserted in the Daily Time* »n& Qtago Witnestat Special Rate*.]