FARM AND STATION SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.) NORTH OTAGO PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET. TIMARU RAM FAIR

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 16

FARM AND STATION

SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

NORTH OTAGO PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET.

TIMARU RAM FAIR

(Continued from page 9.)

JWYERCARGILL, March 27. The -weather during the past week has been good for harvesting operations, and, with the i exception of a little wheat nearly all the crop |is in stack. Oats have been offering freely at princes ranging from Is 3Jd to Is 4£d (on I trucks at country stations). Of those coming forward, either bought or for storage, about two-thuds are B grade and one-third C and poorer qualities. Very few sales have been made. During the week a small qua.itity went to Auckland at Is 7Ad (net, f.0.b., sacks in), and some prime Gartons at Is 8d (f.0.b., sacks in). A few small lots have been shipped to Sydney, totalling 1403 sacks, of which 500 were this season's B grade-, and fetched Is 7£d (f.0.b., less a brokerage). The balance were last year's, and sold at Is 3d (f.0.b.. sacks in). The Hawea, which goes north to-day, ta-kas 8000 sacks for Aivckland, tha first of this season's crop shipped to that port. These were sold some time ago for forward delivery at Is 7d (f.0.b., sacks in). On to-day's values merchants paying la 3\d to Is i\d are losing money on these. Most of the oats sod to Auckland were guaranteed of bright colour, and merchants Save to handle a good many sacks of those coming forward before they can fill a decent order of that description. There was a further inquiry during the week for 3000 tons by the Dorset, which is about to load at the Bluff for South Africa and west ports of England, but as merchants wanted Is 8d business did not eventuate. The demand from the North Island for ryegrass has slackened considerably, and our merchauts are not now so keen to buy, but good, heavy seed commands from 2s 3d to 2s 4d. There is only a very small quantity of wheat offering so fai\ and anything that is prime milling is readi'v taken at 3s on trucks at wayside stations. Fowl wheat has been limning from 2s 3d to 2s 6d on trucks. There is a fair demand from the north for pirime barley, but the G-arston and Lakes crop has not yet been offering. Prime quality could at present be readily sold at 3s to 3s" 3d (sacks extra). A large quantity of chaff, both new and old( is now offering, but there is very little local demand except at prices equal to £2 in Invercaagill. The northern biisiness in this line has not opened yei,

Fat lambs are much sought after at prices from 12s 9d to 13s 6d, the latter price for extra prime only, weighing 39ib to 411b. There is a strcrg demand for breeding ewes, but very few are being placed in the auctioneers' hands for sale. Prices for young ewes range from 16s to 18s. but the opinion is general that before two months have passed young ewes will see 20s. Two-toothed ewes and wethers have changed hands at 16s and 16s 6d, and there is a good inquiry for then- at these prices. There are a few northern buyers here at present in search of breeding ewes who are willing to give 17s, which, with railage added, means 17s 6d to 17s 9d in Canterbury. Fat cattle are slow cf sale, but both butchers and sellers are confident that the market will improve very shortly. There are very few store cattle offermg, and any available are quickly picked up tc put on turnips rather than buy sheep at present prices.

O AMARU,. March 27. Wheat has bee a offering freely during the week, and prices are rather weak. Sales of prime milling have taken place at up to 3s net; at sidings, though the majority -of the sales have yielded about 2s net at sidings. No fowl wheat is offering r.fc all, and it will in all piobability be scarce during this yea,r. Oa.ts have eased appreciably and Is 5d net i<? the outside figure for prime Gartons ; while for bright Danish Is 3d is the top quotation. Barley is qtnet and quotations are nominal, rnnltsters being disinclined to look at North* Otago samples just now. Potatoes have declined, and on the 'babis of Dimedin quotations 35s is about the value here.

The stock market ia brightening up. In the saleyards to-day the best price obtained was £55 10s for a three-year-old gelding. GoccJ geldings are worth from about £45 to £55. The well-known draught stallio.i Cedric the Saxon was knocked down ta Mr Peter Martin, of Awamoa, at £320, and Sandy Erskine to'Mr John Anderson, of Otepopo, for £155. The horses were sold to settle the partnership of Messrs Hall and Gardiner, the well-known irapakaio breeders. The sJieep market is fairly active, feed being plentiful and farmers' stubbles clear. Two-looth breeding ewes are worth 16s 665 to 17s 6d; four and six-tcotli, 16* 9d to 18s; full-mouthed (sound), 15s 9d to 16s 3d ; old a.nd broken-mouthed, 9s 6d to 10s 9cl : store lambs, 10s 6d to 12-5; fat lambs, 13s 6cl to 14s 6d; fat wethers, 17s 6d t« 18s 6d; fafc ewe, 15s 6d to 16s ; heavy weights, 17s to 18s ; store wethers in forward' condition, 15s 6d to 16s 3d ; backward, 13s 6d to 14s 9d. Cattle ere also somewhat improved 111 value. Fat bullocks are worth 22s to 23s per 1001b; cow beef, 18s to 20s; good three-year-old 'bullocks realised £5 15s to £6 12s 6d; two to two md a-half-year-old, £4 10s to £5 12s 6d; 18-months to two-year-olds, £3 5s to .£4 ss; yearlings, £2 5s to £2 17s 6cl ; calves, 22s to 355 ; best dairy cows, £7 10s to £9 ss; medium sorts, £0 ](? to £S ss; store cows, £3 5s to £4.

TIMARU, March 22. At the annual rain fair to-day about 650 were yarded, 380 being English 'Leicester*, 135 Border Leicesters, 80 Shropshire, and 52 Coriiedales. The notable points were thpt Border Leicesters sold better than English, and that Shropshires were neglected. The top prices fetched vas 8-Jgs for one-shear Border Leicester lams. Two guineas was the usual j.tart for English Leicester^, pnd, except R. Kelland's Jot, few reached 4ss. Mo=t oi the Border Lucesteia *old at 3z= to Ics. A few Shrop-

shires changed hands at lg to 14gs; Corrie dales, lg to lfgs. ' SALE OF CLYDESDALES. OAMAHU, March 26. The New Zealand Loan r.nd Mcrcantil< Agency Company to-day sold Messrs Hall anc Gardiner's Sandy Erskine to Mr John An<Jer son (Moheno) for 155gs, and Cedric the Saxor to Mr Peter Martin (Awanioa) for 320gs. Botl are N celebrated Clydesdale stock. The forme] h«s won several championships at the Norti Olago and Otago shows. RAM AND EWE EAIR. ASHBURTON, March 25. At the annual ram and ewe fair to-day ther« •was an entry of 9000 sheep, mostly halfbred ewes and merinos, and 540 rams. For halfbred sheep there was a good demand, urj to 20s Id being obtained for one line. ■MerinS' ewes also sold well. ' Rams were in fine condition. The following are the prices : — Breeding ewes : Crossbred ewes (six and eight-tooth), 11s Bd, 12s lid, 14s, 14s 7d, 15s, 15s 9d, 16s, 16s 2d, 16s 53/ 17s; fqu&tooth do, 17s 6d/ halfbreds, sound mouths, 14s 3d to 16s sd; four-tooth do, 20s Id/ 20s, and 17s>8d; two-tooth do, 16s lid; merino ewes, good mouths, chiefly from Rangitata "Plains and the hills, 4s, 6s, Ss, 8s 7d to 10s. Ranis, English Leicesters, from lg to 3gs; culls,, from £g to |g; Shropshire?, from lg to 4|gs ; culls, Jg ; Border Leicesters, 3igs ; Southdowns, |g. CLEARING SALE. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report having held a clearing sale on Friday, the 25th inst., on account of Mrs Monagan, Kaitangata, when they offared for unreserved -sale her herd of dairy cows, young cattle, farm implements, and sundries. The weather being fine, a large gathering of neighbours was present, most of ■whom came to do business, and the result was a satisfactory sale. The dairy cows were a really' good lot, and well-known as first-class milkers, and, under spirited competition, they all sold at most satisfactory prices. The horses were a poor lot, all being -aged and worn out animals, consequently they did not attract much attention, and prices for them were rather "' disappointing to the vendor. Implements, household furnittvre, r.nd sundries sold. at full rates. The following are the prices realised : — Dairy cows, £5 10s to £9; dry cows, £1 5a to £1 15s; heifers, £5 17s 6d to £7 17s 6d; calves, ■to £1 6s ; horses at up to £15 ; pie 3, £2 11s to £3 18s. SALE AT THE LEVELS ESTATE. TIMARTJ, March 23. A clearing sale at the Levels Estate was commenced to-day at the Cave Homestead. Twenty-seven thousand nine hundred sheep were disposed oi at an average of about 16s. Crossbreds and halfbreds (ewes-) realised 16s 2d to 20s- Id; wethers, 17s 2d to 183 6d; lambs, 9s 7d to 12s sd. Except one line of 1200 wethers which are going to Ashburton, all the sheep remain in South Canterbury. The sale will be continued to-morrow at the Levels iiomestsad. CLEARING SALE OF DAIRY STOCK. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Limited) report: — We held a clearing sale of dairy cows and heifers on account of Mr J. Walker iHighclifi) on Thursday, the 24tk inst. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a good 'attendance of settlers in tha district and buyers from a distance, all of whom competed well for the cows, which were a splendid lot, and a credit to the vendor. Cow 3, in full milk, £5 U7s Gd to £11 ss ; heifers, in calf. M 10s to -£5 2s 6d. Hoises: Three-year-old filly, £27 10s. Sundries at very satisfactory prices. Also, on : account of Mr Taylor, the whole of his household furnrUire, which" was in splendid order, and realised splendid prices. STOCK SALE AT CLINTON. The National Mortgage and Agency Company (Limited) report having held their annual ewe and lamb fair at Clinton on Thursday last, , the 24th inst. There was a very large yarding, every available pen and race being filled. There was also a very large attendance of the public, buyers being present from north and south, who competed spiritedly for every lot, resulting in a clearance being effected at very satisfactory prices. Oui sales comprised the following: — For ' Messrs J. and J. C. Begg <Wyndham), 396 ewes at 14s, 231 wethers at 14s 7d, 58 cull ewes 1 at 9s; 163 cull Jambs at 6s 2d, 59 do wethers at 12s 4d; Mr J. U. Wallace (Clinton) 69 ewes at 17& sd; Mr D. ! Williamson, 110 ewes at 14s 3d ; Mr J. B. ' Thomson, 38 ewes at 18s, 87 lambs at 12s, 95 ' ewes at lls sd ; Mr H. E. Steel, 72 ewes at 17s 6d, 141 lambs at 13s Id; Mr A. C. Begg (" Cairn"), 878 ewes at 15s, 134 do at lls, 864 lambs at 10s, 318 do at 8s ; Mr T. livine (Waixuna) 70 lambs at 12s; Mr J. Johnston (Anise Kill) ' 526 lambs at lls 63, 30 do at 8s Id ; Mr TR Chalmers, 132 wsthers at 16s 6d, 76 ewes at l^'s 8d • Mr W. M'Kenzie (Taumata), 115 lambs at l's' Mr D. Murray, 320 ewjs at 14s 7d r 425 do at 15s lid; Mr J. Tait (Taumata), 99 ewps at 17s. 9d, 27 do at 9s 2d; Mr Jas. Bam (Waipahi) fat sheen at 22s 11 lambs at 13s 3d, 110 ewes 'at IGs; Mr A. M'Gavv (Riverview), 85 cuil ewes at 13s Id, Mr C Divers 97 ewes io 14s Id, 113 lamb, -t 10s 2d ; and m con■iiuicho!' with the New Zer.'a.id Loan and aieroaitile Asencj Company, on account oi

*- Mr H. Tolmie (Waipahi), 453 ewes at 13s lid, 272 do at 12s 3d, 63 do at 9s 4d. EVANSDALE MONTHLY SALE. j Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. report hold1 ing their monthly sale of stock at the Evans- ° dale yards on Tuesday, 22nd inst., when 255 _ head of cattle were yarded, and all found •' purchasers at very satisfactory prices, the dej* mand being specially good for cows close to k profit and young cattle. Cows made up to £8 x 5s and £3; steers, to £5 15s; heifers, to £4 7s 11 6d; yearlings, to £2 7s Gd ; calves, to £1 10s; bulls, to £4 7s 6d. We sola for Messrs G. Duncan, W. F. Buckland, J. Hodgson, Thos. Lean, D. O'Connell, jun. r W. Leckie, D. F,erguson, C. Harris, W. Gardiner, J. H. Bochfort, c D. Miller. G. Oflen, A. S. Orbell, J. "Williams, 1 W. Mitchell, Thos. Brown, G. E. CharLton, and 1 R. Marshall. j » . DUNEDIN HORSE SALEYARDS. 5 Messrs Wright, Siephenson, ard Co. report as follows: — About „20~horses, nwstfy weedy ' and aged hacks and harness horses, came for- ' ward for our sale on Saturday last, ?t which ' there was a good attendance of buyers. The 1 only- horses in the yard that were fair quality of their class were two light spring-cart horses, both sight years ol<i, which fetched, after good ' competition, £29 and £27 ids respectively. 1 Numerous buyers for 'good, light horses were 1 i present, and It is evident that a good number of usef til- young horses could be placed here to advantage. On - Tuesday next, the 29th inst., we shall sell two shipments of Clydesdale mares and geldings, colts ard fillies from Vie- ; toria (see advertisement) These comprise the . best lot of useful young farm horses that has been offered here for over 12 months. Owing . to the Easteor holidays there will be no sale in the yards on Saturday next, the 2nd April. : We quote: Superior young draught geldings, £50 to £58; extra good, prize horses, £60 to £65 ; medium draught mares and geldings, £35 to £48; aged do, £22 to £33; upstanding carriage hors-es, £30 to £35 ; well-matched carriage pairs, £30 to £100; strong spring-van horse 3, £30 to £40; milk-cart and butchers' order-cart horses, £22 to £30; tram horses, £14 to £25; light hacks, £10 to £15; extra good hacks, £18 to £30; weedy and aged hacks and harness horses, £3 to £7.v PROPERTY SALES. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative" Association of New Zealand (Limited) have to report haying sold on behalf of Mr T. Hewitt, of Momon'a, his dweZling-hoiiss and five acre 3of land at Momona, the purchaser being Mrs A. Johnson, of Puerua. The price was satisfactory. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association 1 of New Zealand (Limited) report having held, an auction sale at their wool warehouse on Saturday last, the 26th March, on account of Mr W. Dick, of Sandymount, when they disposed of his farm of 96J acres splendid grazing and agricultural land, with good stone dwellinghouse of seven rooms, also good stone cottage and other good improvements. There was a good attendance and spirited competition. Mr James (acting as agent) became the purchaser. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) report having sold at Clinton on the 24th March a parcel of land situated in the Town of Clinton, being sections 13 £>nd 14, blcck VIII, together with the buildings thereon, consisting of five-rcomed dwelling, shop, and outlwuses to Mr James Wallace Johnston at £226. THE LABOUR MARKET. John Skene and Son report under date March 29 as follows: — The demand is increasing daily for good all-round agricultural'workers. These are fairly plentiful just now, and good j willing workers are soon placed. There has be-en, and is, quite a boom for llaxmill hands and cutters, good wages offering. Other lines we are busy with are milkers, labourers, married couples, station and farm workers. We quote wages as follows: — Ploughmen, 22s 6cl, 255 ; flaxmill hands, 6s, 7s per day, others 9d hourly'; cutters. ss, 6s ton; milkers, 15s to 22s 6d; labourers, 6s to 8s; couples, £70 to £80; , hotel grooms and porters, l^s 6d, 20s ; station cooks and bakers. 30s ; station blacksmiths, j 30s; waggoners, '27s 6d'to 30s. __