THE LIVE STOCK TRADE. London, September 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 12

THE LIVE STOCK TRADE. London, September 17.

I Mr Bergjl refuses to believe that the prices realised for the cattle is a true test of the market. About 300 were sold at abaut £17 per head. He expresses disgust at the low price, and complains bitterly of the quality of the fodder supplied. Half of if, he says, was rotten, and he is satisfied that cattle could ba carried successfully if good food were provided. Ho also complains that the New South Wales Government gave no facility for tb.6 shipment of the beasts, consequently many were injured. He threatens to abandon the Australian trade aud embark in the American. Another horse haß died ; the re3t are thriving at Thames Haven. The Warrigal's bullocks averaged about L2O. The best of them bi ought L2l 10s. September 18. Only 200 bullocks ex Southern Oross were sold at prices ranging from Lll 10a to LI 7 10s. The remainder were not offered, but will be put up at D^ptford to-morrow. The best of the slreep brought 3t3 t 3d per stone at Smithfield, and the poor and rough ones 2s 3d, 2» 4d, and 2s G 1 p&r stone. Some butchers consider the sales show that it is impossible for Australia to successfully compete in the live stock trade, while others say that the ir.iiiatora of the American trade experienced heavier losses. The Mark Lane Express states that the mortality amODg tha Southern Cross's cattle shows that it is an unnatural venture, and cannot pay anyhow. It adds that the infamous cruelty to the beasts by the protracteu voyage ought to be suppressed. S-ptcmber 19. Tne Boaid of A^iicultun* h-.s discovered six c-ifcei of. pleuro-pneunionii a r r.ci.g ths | Southern Cross's cattle. Sir W. B. Peicsval is preying the B;>ard of Agriculture to permit tho Buteshire's sheep to laud without restrictions. September 21. Mr Bergyl has cabled to hi;; agents in the colony to ship no more cattle. lie ostimates that the recent shipment by the I Southern Cress, celling at an average of Ll2

per head, will result in a loss of over L4OOO. Toe salesmen consider this estimate exaggerated, and baltevo that the bullocks I will average from Lll to Lls. I Another ciae of plturo-pneumonia has ! been discovered among the Southern Oross cattle. The inspector con4deid that two of the bullockß were in the early stage of the disease when shipped. Melbourne, September 20. The Age, commenting on the" result of tho Southern Cross shipment of Btock, Bays it proves the present modes both of shipping animals and supplying fodder are defective, and unless efforts are made to remedy the defects the trade cannot be continued. The shipment has proved a decided losb to con6ignors. Sydney, September 19. The NairusLire, for London, via Wellington, has Baited with 90 live cattle. Brisbane, Sapt ember 23. Berg>l, Brabbi, and Co. have concluded a contract with the Gladstone Meat Works to fretze 75 cattle daily for three years, The firm have also arranged to make two shipments of 500 live cattle each in October aud November.