THE BUTTER BILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 24

THE BUTTER BILL.

PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, July 27. ! The Butter Bill was read a third time after Sir Francis Lowe's amendment to \ limit the moisture in milk-blended butter to 10 per cent, had been defeated by 133 votes to 22. Several other amendments were also negatived. Mr John Burns (President of the Local Government Board) promised that the Government would insert a clause of eight words providing that wrappers for milkblended butter should set out the percentage of moisture therein. I The principal provisions of the Butter Bill are: — 1. Regiftration of factories and consignments. 2. Inspection of factories. 3. Prohibition of adulterants In butter factories. 4. Limit of moisture in butter, margarine, and butter substitutes. 5. Provision as to the importation of butter, margarine, butter subsritutee, and imitation butters. 6. Regulations a? to curd in butter. 7. Marking of wrappers in which margarine is sold. 8. Regulation of sale of butter mixtures and imitation butters. 9. Penalties for offences. The text of the bill discloses no intention

> on the part of the State to interfere with ) mixing, which is an old-established practice, and just as unobjectionable as the blending of teas or whiskies, so long as it " is surrounded with safeguards, and as long 5 as butter is blended with butter. - - Clause 4 penalises the occupier of any ' butter factory in which adulterants are found and should such substance be discovered an offence under the act is committed. Milk-blended butter will not be ■ interfered with, and, in fact, the bill is I by no means unduly hard upon the makers of margarine, milk-blended butter, and imitation butter. But it imposes severe restrictions in the selling of these articles. ' The limit of moisture in butter is now ' definitely fixed at 16 per cent., with no exception in favour of Irish firkin butter. 1 Heretofore the Irish firkin butter has been allowed to contain 18 per cent, of moisture. * At the end of May the special committee ■ on the Butter Bill agreed to Sir E. ! Straohey's amendment that only milkblended butter should be recognised as a butter substitute, all imitation© of butter to be classed as margarine. The bill will come into operation on January 1, 1908. '■ DUNEDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PRODUCE REPORTS • Mr J. Fleminr, Princes street south, reports under date the 30th inst. :— I Wheat per bushel. * er i?£ 1 Best milling 4/9 Barley du.t ... 100 0 1 Medium do 4/6—4/7 Oatmeal, in SB's 320/0 Fowls" ... 4/3-4/« Oaten chaff 100/0-I W/0 [ Millineoats ... 3/0 Ryeerass hay «W-I{» » Feed oats... 2/9-2/11 Straw ... «/0-50/0 Malt barley 4/0-4/B Pearl barley .3<o/0 Teed barley 3/0-8/3 Onions 6/6 to 7/- cwt &bßrle& bßrle . y ::: IS ndhdu« sIS™ per ton. Side bacon ... Fid Hour, in 200'b ... 205/0 Smoked hams ... *j Flour. inGO'i ... 220/0 Cheese ... 6d-6Jd ; p«Uard 110/0 Good salt butter, 9i to Bran SO/0 ISd. according to I quality Oamaru potatoes. £i 10s »er ton. Imported potatoes, £1 5s per ton. Swede turnip* 111 1 table u«e, 25s to 27« 6d per ton. Gooi table carrot*. 1.2 ■ 12« fld 1o £3 per ton. Straw scarce. Good potatoes wanted. A «cod demand fer early seed potatoes. FARM AWD DAIRY PRO»I'CK. Mesßrs Irvine and Stevenson, Geor« street, report vaying for produce during the week ending the 30th fnit. as follows .— Bacon (roll), 8d per lb I Frenb butter, Pd to Ham, Bdperlb 11 Jd per lb . Freih <f*s. 1/sdc z I Salt butter : not buying Fresh butter, good ordinary (in lib | and' _ilb prints). 8d to 9d per lb. Pigs, 1301b to 1601b, 5* HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLEGRAM. WELLINGTON, July 29. The High Commissioner cabled from Louden on July 27: — Mutton: Firm; better demand. Canterbury, light, 4Jd; heavy, 4d; North Island, light, 4Jd; heavy, 3Jd; River Plate, aght, 32d; heavy, 3Jd. Lamb is very firm, with a gocd demand, for all descriptions. Supplies are increasing. Canterbury, sgd; others, s£d. Beef is a shade weaker. Hindquarters, 3^d; fores. 3d. Butter is rather quiet, and transactions are very limited. Large supplies -are coming forward. Choicest New Zealand, 995; Danish, Ills; Siberian, 935; Irish, 101s. The cheese market is dull, buyers holding back, expecting prices to go lower. New Zealand, 60s; Canadian white, 565; coloured, 57s Hemp is quiet, but rather steadier. Good fair grade-, on spot, £35 10s; fair grade, on spot, £30 10s; fair ourrent Manila, on spot, £36 10s; Judy-September shipments good fair Wellington, £34 10s; fair grade, £30. There is no alteration in cocksfoot seed since ■ last week. 1 Wheat is firm. There is no supply of New i Zealand on hand. I New Zealand oats are quiet; small business doing. Short sparrowbills, ex granary, on spot, per quarter 3841b, 265; Danish, ex granary, on spot, per quarter 3201b, 235. New Zealand beans, f.a^. (new crop), 30s 6d per 5041b. The market is steady, and fair business doing. , New Zealand peas (partridge), 40s per 5041b. The market is dull, and little business was done. OAMARU MARKETS (From Oub Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, July 28. Very little business has been done in wheat here during the week, transactions being limited, so far as I can leain, to a few small parcels at 4s 6d net at country stations. Millers are not at all keen to buy. ucx *re i

there any holders who incline to selling aff less than recent reserves. Feed oats are going into consumption at 3s 4d ex store, and seed lots at up io 3s 6d, with even higher prices for certain varieties. " Two parcels of medium barley brought 49 3d at a country station, lesß commission. Potatoes are variously quoted. On the basis of Dunedin values they are worth up to >£3 10s net at country stations, but some export business ~ia being done at J64 10s f.0.b., thought the market for these lots shows » weaker tendency. ' The concessions for free railage of turnips and straw are now being availed of, but there will likely ba an early increase in the> quantities. Acceptable showers of rain ha-va fallen along the coast during the week, and on I'hursday the fall appears to have- been general in the district/ but the quantity has nowhere been great, and will only be of tern* porary benefit. Cold weather would be accompanied by a considerable death rate among the stock, especially cattle, which are in vexjf poor condition. FROZEN MEAT MARKET. , NAPIER. July 25. The C. C. and D. Company cable ihe fol- ! lowing report as to the London meat market:) Tc-day's quotations—Canterbury mutton, 4Jd; Napier, Wellington, and North Island, 3Jd. Lamb: First quality, s§d; second, sid. Beef: Hinds, 4d; fores, 3d. CHRISTCHTJRCH GRAIN MARKET. OHRISTCHURCH, July 26. ' There is a quantity of both wheat and oats offering locally, but the prices asked—4s 6d for wheat and 3s for oats, at country stations —are above buyers' limits. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) report: — Tv'e held our weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores on Monday. There was a full attendance oi local buyers, and most of the lots catalogued met fair competition, mb prices on a pan: with la-te ruling rates. Values ruled as under: — Oats. —Nearly all consignments of good feed oats coming forward are readily quitted oa arrival. For seed lines there is good inquiry, and at present most of the business passing locally is in this class. Quotations: Best seed lines, 3s 4d to 3s 6d', good do, 3s 2d to 3s 3d; prime milling, 3s to 3s Id; good to best feed 1 * 2s lid to 3s; inferior to medium, 2s 9d ta 2s 10£<l per busbel (sacks- extra). Wheat.—The past week has baen a quiet one. Millers are not readily disposed to 1 accede to sellers' terms, and the latter are firm in their determination to hold for present quotations or better prices. Consequently there is little business to report except in fowl wheat, which is scarce and commands ready sale. Quotations: Seed lines, 4s 9d to 60; prime milling, 4s 7d to 4s 8d; medium, 4s 5Jd to 4s 6d; best whole fowl wheat, 4s 4<l to 4s sd; medium, 4s 2d to 4s 3d; broken and damaged do, 3s lOd to 4s Id per bushel (eacks extra-). Potatoes. —For prime seed lines (specially!, picked) there is good demand both locally and for forward delivery. Up-to-Daites have most attention, but all sorts of well selected seed are saleable. Prime table potatoes con? tinue to move off freely, but medium and inferior sorts have a slow sale, being out oil favour with all buyers. Quotations: Good bo choice seed late, £412s 6d to £5; prime tftblo potatoes, £4 7s 6d to £4 10s: fair to goo*, £9 15s to £1 ss; inferior t8 medium, £3 to £3 10s per ton (bags included). Chaff. —The market is fairly well supplied l, but, with a strong local demand, nearly all consignments are being quitted ex truck on arrival. The demand is almost entirely fox* prime quality. At our sale on Monday choice heavy oaten sheaf sold at £5 12s 6d to £5 16s $ good to prime do £5 5s to £5 10s; medium, £4 15s to £5 2s 6d; light and inferior, £3 10* to £4 ss. Straw chaff is also in fair demand. Best oaten sells at £2 15s to £3; wh.ea.ten a& £2 5s to £2 109 per ton (bags ertra). Turnips. —Only meagre supplies are no* coming in, and values are becoming re-estab-lished. Quotations: Best swedes, 24s to 25s per ton (loose, ex truck). Straw.—Quotations: Oaten, €6s to 60s; wheaten, 45s to 47a 6d per ton. Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.) report ta follows: —We held our usual weekly auction! sale of grain and produce at our stores oni Monday, when we submitted, a small and varied catalogue "to a. fair attendance- of buyers. Competition being devoid of anima-» tion, a considerable portion of the catalogue}

haA to be passed in for private sale. Values rule as under: — Oats. — The. market is quiet, shipping at this port being almost at a standstill. Seed lines, however, meet with fair inquiry from -*hecountry, also feed lines for local consumption. Stocks held in store are light. ' Quotation's: Seed lines, 3s 4d to 3e 6d; prime milling, 3s to 3s Id; good to best feed, 2s lid to 3s; inferior to medium, 2s 9d to 2s' lOJd per bushel (ex store, sacks extra). Wheat. — This market is quiet, millers rot being disposed to operate to any great extent at isAe quotations. Holders, however, are firmly holding to their reserves. In the absence of fowl wheat medium milling quality is being used, and for this description the market is firm at late rates-. Quotations: Prime milling. 4s 7d to 4s 8d; medium to good, 4s sJd~to-4s 6d; whole fowl wheat, 4s 4d to 48 sd ; broken and damaged do, 3s 9d to 4s 3d per bushel (ex store, sacks extra). Potatoes. — Arrivals^ are fully equal to extra requirements. The market is quiet. Prime table and seed sorte (British Queens) are saleable at late rates. Medium and inferior sorte are not inquired for. Quotations: Prime table descriptions, £4 5s to £4 10s ; good table descriptions, £3 15s to £4 ss; inferior to medium, £3 to £3 10b. Chaff. — The market is very firm. Prime bright oaten sheaf is inquired for, and for this description values have* advanced from 2s 6d to 5s per- ton during the last week. Medium end inferior sorts sure saleable, ait quotations, -which are : Prime oaten sheaf, £5 12s 6d to So 15s ; good, £5 5s to £5 10s; medium, £4 15s to £5 2s 6d; light and inferior, £4 and upwards; oaten straw chaff, £% 15s to £3; trbeaien straw chaff, £2 5s to £2 10s. Turnips. — Quotations : Beat swedes, 24s to 26s (loose,' ex track) per ton. Straw. — Supplies are scarce. Quotations: Oaten, 57s 6d to 60s; whe&ten, 45s to 47s per ton (pressed)!" HIDE SALES. MELBOURNE, July 25. At the hide sales there was keen competition for good-conditioned lots at firm rates. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report as follows: — We held our usual fortnigjntly sale at oar stores on Thursday, when we submitted a large catalogue. Tlie majority were from country clients, and included only a few that were above the average in quality; but with a. few exceptions they were in splendid condition. There was a full attendance of buyers, and bidding throughout the sale was spirited for all descriptions; but except for lightweights, which were fully Jd lighter, prices show no change as compared with last week. We quote: Prime stout ox, 6Jd to 7d per }h; heavy. s|d to 6Jd; medium, 4sd to 53d; light, 4Jd to sd; stout heavy oow.Sja to s}d; medium, 4£d to Sid; light, 4Jd to 4jd; stag, SJd; yearling. 4Jd to sd; inferior, 2Jd to 3d; calfskins, 2» 3d to 4s 6d each. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand report as follows: — We held our regular fortnightly sale on Thursday, when we submitted a large catalogue of average quality hides to a full attendance of buyers. Bidding was spirited up to buyers' values, but there was a flight decline as compared with last sale, owing no doubt to unfavourable reports from Australia. Considering the state of the market, we had a. very satisfactory Bale, and cleared our catalogue at quotations. Extra heavy ox in good condition, 6Jd to 7Jd; heavy, 6d to 6Jd; medium, 4jd to s§d; light, 41d to 4|d; inferior and staggy, 2Jd to 34d; good heavy caw, 6d to-6Jd; medium, 4|d to 4jd; light, 4id to 4Jd; yearling, 4Jd to s£d; calfskins, 4Jd to 7d; horse- hides, 5s to 9s 6d; tips. Is 7d per dogen. Messrs Stronach, Morris and Co. report as follows: — We held our fortnightly sale of hides at our stores on Thursday, when we submitted a catalogue totalling 471. There -was an average attendance of buyers, who competed well up to certain limits. Compared with our last sale, prices all round ■were a shade firmer, and were, on the whole, fully up to Australian equivalent. Our top price for ox hides was 7!d paid for two weighing 681b, and we also sold one 751b at 7d. In addition to these we sold 71 hides from 6d to B§d. In cow hides we sold heavymreights to sgd. In money value we secured £3 3& ©a for <» and £3. 9» 63 for oow. The following are actual prices paid at our salePrime stout heavy ox, 6Jd to 7gd; good heavy, 5Jd to 6d ; medium-weight. 5Jd to s§d ; Sight-weight, 4Jd to 4Jd; staggy and inferior, Id to 4a; prime heavy cow, 4Jd to s|d; medium-weight, 4Jd to 4Jd; light-weight, 4Jd to 4|d: inferior, 3d to 4d; yearling, 4Jd to 6Jd; calfskins, 3d to 6Jd; horse hides, 5b 6d to 9s each. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Ltd.) report as follows: — We held our regular fortnightly sale of hides by auction at the Otago Wool and Grain Store, Xiower Rattray street, on Friday, when we offered a full catalogue to a moderate attendance of buyers, who competed with a good deal of animation up to values recently obtaining with the exception of indifferently flayed and sloppy hides, these having much less attention. The A<ustralian markets have lately exhibited a weakening tendency, but so far this has not very materially affected operations •here. Quotations: For extra stout heavy ox, 6}d to 7Jd; good heavy do, 5Jd to 6!d; light to medium, 4±d to sgd ; inferior and stag, lgd to 4d ; best heavy cow, 4Jd to 5Jd ; light and medium weag-his, 4d to 4gd; inferior, 3Jd to 3gd; yearling, 2fd to 6£d per lb; calfskins, Is 6d to 5s 6a each. Messrs A. Moritzson and Co. report as follows: — We heW jut usual fortnightly sale on Friday to a full attendance of buyers. Owing to cables from Melbourne, where a drop has taken place, the market here has experienced a fall of from Jd to id per lb all round. We quote as follow:— Ox: Heavy stout, 7d to 7|d; heavy do, 6d to 6Jd; medium, 4£d to 53d; light, 4id to 4Jd. Cow Extra stout, 6Jd to 6Jd; heavy do, 6d to 6id; medium, 4jl to sd; light, 4Jd to 4Jd; stag, 2Jd to 3*d; yearling, 4Jd to 5Jd per lb; horse hides, 6s to 10s; calfskins, from 2s 6d to 4s 6d each. Messrs Waters, Ritchie, and Co. report having held their usual fortnightly sale of hides at their stores, Crawford street, on Friday, vthea they offered a large catalogue to the usual attendance of buyers. Competition was keen up to certain limits, and t prices ruled about equal to those of the last sales. They topped the Dunedin market with a magnificent ox hid©, which brought BJd per lb, or in money value £S 3s Bd. With the exception of a hide sold by us a few months ago this is the highest price secured in the Dunedin market for many years. Their catalogue wtus made up of 438 hides, yearlings, and calfskins, which cold at the following quotations : —Extra beavy sout ox, 7d to BJd; .heavy do, 6d to 6Jd; medium, 4Jd to s*d; light, 4gd to 4,d; inferior and damaged, 2Jd to 4d.; heavy oow, 5d to 5Jd; medium and light, 4*d to 4Jd; yearling, 4Jd to sd; calfskins, 6d to 6|d for best, and from 3d to Bid per lb for medium and inferior. Messrs Wright, Stephenson., and Co. (Ltd.) report as follows: — We held our usual fortnightly hide sale in our Maclaggan street store on Friday, when we offered a catalogue of 700, comprising 358 ox hides, 306 cow hides, 523 calfskins, and 14 yearlings, to a representative gathering of the trade. Prime heavy ox hides of good substance are selling exceptionally well, our top price to-day being 7|d per lb, which is the highest figure paid in tbia market tor a very long time. Thin and

sheety hides are not in request, while sloppy and badly flayed sorts are neglected, except at a reduction on late rales. It may be of interest to give a few of our individual sales': — One ox hide. 841b, 7|dj nine 781b ox 4ades, -7Jdr one 711fr o*- hide, 7d; one 69ib ox hide, 7d ; one 681b ox hide, 7d ; 11 751b ox bides, 6|d; eight 67tb ox hides, 61d ; 16 701b ox hides, 6jd; 33 711 bos. hides, 6Jd; seven 761b ox hides, 6£d. We also sold a very considerable number of lots at from 6d to BJd per lb. These were all really prime hides. Following are a few of our gross averages: — Ox: One 84lb, £2 12s 6d; nine 781b, £2 3s lid ; 11 751b, £2 0s 9d ; seven 761b, £1 19s 3d ; four 711b, £1 19s Id; one 691b, £1 17s lid; six 681b, £1 17s 4d. We quote : Extra stout prime heavy ox at from 6id to 71d ; heavy do, s|d- to "6Jd ; medium do, 4fd" to s£d ; light do, 4Jd to sd ; stout prime heavy cow, 4Jd to sid; medium do, 4Jd to sd; light do. 4jd to sd; yearling, 4sd to 4gd; stag and bull, 2Jd to 4Jd per lb; calfskins, Is to 4s 6d each; horse hides. 5s to 103. The Otago Farmers* Co-operative Association of New Zealand report: We held our usual fortnightly hiae sale on Thursday, 25th inst., when we submitted a large catalogue of hides, yearlings, and calfskins to a full attendance of buyers. The majority of the entry came from country clients. Most of the hides were in first-class condition, although only a few were above the average weight and quality. Compared with last sale light-weights were fully jd easier; medium and heavy-weight ox hides and calfskins showed little or no change. We quote: Prime stout ox, 6Jd to 7Jd per lb; heavy, 5Jd to 6id; medium, 4sd to s}d; light, 4|d to sd; stout heavy cow, s}d to sfd; medium. 4Jd to cjd; light, 4J4 to 4|d; stag. 3id; I yeailing, 4£d to, sd ; inferior, 2£d to 3d ; i calfskins, 2s 3d to 4s 6d each. Horse hides from 7s 6d to ids. SKIN AND HIDE SALE. Messrs Dalgety and Co. <Ltd.) report as follows: — j. % lUbbitskias:— We held our usual weekly auction sale of rabbitakins on Monday, 22nd July, the usual attendance- of buyers being present. Competition throughout the sale was animated, and the whole of our catalogue was cleared -»t quotations. Prime winter descriptions were in special request, and prices realised showed an advance of from id to Id per lb. Quotations: Prime winter does, 24d to 24fd; second winter does, 19d to 20£ d; prime winter bucks, 18Jd to 19 jd; second winter bucks, 16d to 17d; incoming winters, ! 15d to 15£ d; autumns, 13d to 14d; winier blacks, 20d to 24Jd ; second winter blacks, 17d to 19d; autumn blacks, 13d to 14Jd. Sheepskins. — We submitted a large catalogue at our sale held on the 23rd inst., competition teing fair frcm the usual attendance of buyers, and our catalogue was cleared at quotations. Quotations: Half bred, BJd to 9Jd ; prime oroesbred, 81d to Bid; crossbred. 7£d to BJd; merino, 7d to 7id; dead, 6d to 7d; lambskins, 8d to B|d. Hides. — We held our usual fortnightly sale of hides art our stcre3 en the 25th inst., when we submitted a medium-sized catalogue to the usual attendance of buyers. Competition throughout the sale was fair, although we had no hides of especial merit on offer. Prices realised at the sale were almost on a par with those ruling at the previous sale, although medium and light-weights were about Jd per Ib higher. Quotations : Prime stout heavy ox, 6Jd to 7id; heavy, s^d to 6§d; medium, 4£d to sd ; light, 4£d to 4|d ; stout heavy cow, 5Jd to sfd ; medium, 4Jd to 4 jd ; light, 4|d to 4|d; stag. 3d; yearling, 4Jd to 6d; calfskins (sound), 6d to 7d per lb. Tallow and Fat. — There is keen demand for all descriptions. Quotations: Best, 23s to 255; mixed, 20s to 235; inferior, 16s to 20a; best rough fat, 17s to 20s ; medium do, 14s to 16s; inferior, 12s to 14s. CLEARING SALE. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Ltd.), in conjunction with Dalgety and Company (Ltd.), report having held the fourth and final dispersal sale for the Clydevale Estates Company, when they disposed of the whole of the implements axi-cl sundries on -tlte station, toge-tli-ex- witli -fcli« balance of the cattle and horses — in all. about 300 lots. The weather was all that could be desired, and there was a very large attendance of the public, who competed spiritedly for everything, resulting in a complete clearance at very satisfactory prices. The previous sales also exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those interested. The 27,000 sheep sold averaged 28s per head; 1150 cattle, including calves, averaged £3 ss; 159 draught horses, including foals, yearlings, and brood mares, averaged £27; 99 hackney mares and geldings, together with foals, yearlings, etc., averaged £11 ss. Tho pxirchase of this large estate, together with stock and plant, as a going concern, is probably one of the largest transactions ever put through in Otago. CLEARING SALE AT CHATTON. Messrs Wright, "Stephenson. and Co. report having held a clearing sale of stock, horses, implements, etc., on Thursday lasC, on acooxint of Mr F. R. Wright, who has sold the leases of the Okapua Estate to Mr A. W. Rodger. The attendance, as was only to he expected, was a very large one. Almost every settler within th« Gore and surrounding districts gathered in force, buyers also being present from Invercargill to as far north as Ashburton. Bidding was spirited from the start, and remained so throughout the day, and tke auctioneers had no difficulty in effecting a speedy clearance of every lot offered. Appended are a few of the principal prices realised: — Sheep: 1569 4. 6, 8-tooth ewes, 24s Id, 263 2-tooth ewes, 23s 8d ; lambs, 19s 6d. Stud sheep: 2-tooth Border Leicester rams, 2Jgs ; 20 aged rams, lgn ; Romaey ewes, 4gs ; «w« hoggets, 4Jgs. Cattle: Fat heifers, £4; dairy cows, from £5 7a 6d to £7; 134 calves, £2 0s 6d. Horses: "Unbroken colts and fillies, at up to £16; working draughts, of which 14 were offered, after keen bidding brought up to £54. Mr Wright's muchadmired buggy horse Geisha sold for £25. The implements and sundries, of which there was a large number, brought full rates; feed oats 12s Id per bag, chaff 4s 3d per bag. The catering was in the able hands of _Mr J. A. Paterson, confectioner, Gore, assisted by a large staff, everybody being most pleased with the bill of fare provided. The sale was concluded by 4.30 p.m.. and was voted on all sides as the most successful sale of the year. CLEARING SALE AT KAIHIKU. ' Messrs Wright, Stepheuson, and Co. (Ltd.) report having held a very successful clearing sale at Mr A. Moffat's homestead on Tuesday, the 23rd inst. As it was well known throughout the district that the farm had been sold, and that in consequence everything would be for absolute sale, a large number of buyers came from miles around, intent on business, with the result that bidding was exceedingly animated, and prices realised were highly satisfactory. The arrangements made by Mr Moffat being most complete, the sale was got through very expeditiously. The following are a few of the prices realised : —Ewes, at 23e 9d ; wethers, at

20s 9d; hoggets, at 16s 7d; horses, to £35; cows, to £7. Implements, harness, and sundries sold at very full values. j - WAITAHTJXA STOCK SALE. ' The" Otago Farmers' Co-operfctive Association of New Zealand report holding their usual monthly stock sale at Waitahuna on Thursday, ISth. There was a good attendance of farmers and buyers from Lawrence, Waitahuna, Greenfield, Milton, and surrounding districts. Over 500 sheep and several lots of pigs were penned, besides 25 head of cattle and a number of horses. Good crossbred ewes brought tip to 22s 9d; others from 16s 6d to 19s 6d. Pigs (suckers) sold at from 13s to 14s. Milk cows brought up to £5 10s. Other stock sold well in proportion; and, taking the* sale all through, good prices were obtained for vendors. j SALE AT WAIKOTJAITI. ! The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association of $«ew Zealand (Limited) report having soM on Thursday last on account of Mr James M'Gill, sen., of Waikouaiti, his desirable farm and homestead, known as Blackhill. Mr David Balloch, of Waikouaiti, was the purchaser, at £23 10s per acre, and is to be congratulated on securing one of the best agricultural farms that has been offered in Otago for some time. The stock consisting of 900 sheep, 100 head of cattle and horses, implements, etc., were sold immediately after the property, and all brought most satisfactory prices — in fact, the sale was one of the best that has been held for a. considerable time. Wethers brought 19s, sound-mouth ewes 15s 3d, cows to £4 12s 6d, young steers and heifers from £2 11s to 913 13s, yearlings from £1 3s 6d to £1 11s. Horses,' implements, harness, etc., all brought full market prices. STOCK SALE. Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) Teport having held ' (in conjunction with L" W. Raymond and Co.), on Friday, the 19th inst., a sale of stock and effects of Mr Joseph Preston's Tokonui Estate, Waimahaka. The sale excited unusual interest in the district, it being widely known that all the stock wer« first class and the farm implementa up to date and well cared for. It was certainly one of the best sales they have held for some time. Mr Preston, however, left nothing to chance, and contributed considerably to the result by bringing out and showing his stock, etc., to the best advantage. The implements were well set out, the horses well groomed and attended tot, and the sheep and cattle properly drafted and penned. The sale was attended by some 250 to 300 farmers and others from the Taieri and North Canterbury districts. It would take too much space to fully detail the results of the sale, but the following will be sufficient indication : — Flock sheep: Seven hundred and seventy-four four and six-tooth crossbred fat wethers at 21s 3d, 750 four and six-tooth cresebred forward wethers at 18s lOd, 300 halfbred wethers at 15s Gd. Stud sheep: Fifty-seven two and four-tooth Border Leicester ewes at 31s 6d, 38 six and eight-tooth Border Leicester ewes at 27s 6d, 22 faiiing-mou eh Border Leicester ewes at 15s 2d, 30 Border Leicester ewe hoggets at 26s 6d, 23 stud Border Leicester rams at 2fgß, 35 sound-mouthed Romney ewes at 255, 11 Romney ewes (aged) jat 20s, 1 "Border Leicester ram at sgs, 1 do at 4gs, 1 Romney ram at 4Jgs. Cattle: Seventy-four steers and speyed heifers at £5 10s, 109 18-nionth-old steers and heifers at £3 10s, 45 Hereford breeding cows at £4, 12 polled Angus do at £3 2s 6d, 26 crossbred cows at £2 12s 6d, 52 calves at £2, 9 dairy cows at £5. 4 bulls at £3 2s 6d, 1 draught horse at £32, 1 do £30, 1 do at £28, 1 do at £32, 1 aged mare at £26, 1 do at £11. Implements: Tip*drey at £5, seed-aower at £8, roller at £13 10s, set disc harrows at £7 ss ; double-furrow plough at £9, sledge* at £2 ; 60 sacks of oats at 12s 3d eacih; 1 stack of oaten sheaves at £4 15s per ton ; 18 acres swede turnips at £3 2s 6d, i and 30 acres greentops at £2 per acre; harness, horse-covers, wire, sacks, and sundries at highly satisfactory prices. OTAGO FARMERS' HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) report: — On Saturday last we held our usual weekly sale of horses at our bazaar. We had an entry of 50 horses, comprising several really superior draught mares and geldings, a few good spring-carters, and six ox eight stylish light harness horses, as well as a few good useful hackneys. Consignments came from Clarksville, Balclutha, Kaitangata, Mosgiel, Pvusakanui, Totaratahi, Outiram, Berwick, and Wakajri. There was a first-class attendance of buyers, including farmers, town carriers, and one or two waggoners, and northern buyers for shipment. The whole of the country consignment was sold at very satisfactory prices. Aged horses, either mares or geldings, are somewhat hard to quit, but we have no hesitation in recommending farmers and others who have good, useful, young horses (either draughts, spring-carters, or vanners) to try ' this market. At the present time there is a food demand for the above classes, but chiefly or well-grown, young draught mares or geldings. The following are some of our last week's sales: — Two four-year-old draught n-aies. £52 and £50; two five-year-old geldings and one filly rising three years, £46 each ; on", draught gelding, aix-year-old, £44 10s; one draught gelding, five-year-old. £42 10s ; basides several young geldings at irom £38 to £42. We quote: For yo\\ng horses, ■working mares, and geldings, £40 to £50; ordinary plough mares and geldings, £34 to £43 ; lighter sorte, £20 to £30; good clifty geldings, sharp workers and staunch, suitable for van work, £35 to £42 ; harness horses, £18 to £25 ; hack- ( neys, £17 to £32 ; light hacks, £10 to £15. DUXEDIN" HORSE SALEYARDS. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report aa follows: — We had a moderate entry of horses for last Saturday's sale, but on the whole the quality was not so good as at the previous week's. There was a very good a<^ tendance of the public, a good number of whom were in quest of animals suitable for their respective classes of work, and, as was to be expected, a fair sale resulted. The demand, both privately and at auction, for young, useful draughts and spring-carters, is very keen, and anything offering of these descriptions finds a ready sale at prices fully in advance of late rates. During the week we have sold a considerable number of good draught mares and geldings at prices ranging up to £50. | We quote : Superior young draught geldings at from £45 to £50; extra good do (prizewinners), at from £50 to £55 ; superior young draught mares at from £50 to £60; medium draught mares and geldings, at from £30 to £40; aged do, at from £15 to £20; wellmatched carriage pairs, at from £70 to £100; strong spring-ran horses, at from £25 to £30; milk-cart and butchers' order-cart horses, at from £18 to £25; light hackSj at from £8 to £13; extra good hacks and harness horses, at from £18 to £25; -weedy and aged do, at from £5 to £7. LAND SALES. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) advises the sale of a very fine block of improved bush country near Gisborne, consisting of 5200 acres freehold, to the Government, on

account of the Assets Company (Limited), ! Edinburgh, at a satisfactory price. The same company advises that, in conjunction with Dalgety and Co., it has disposed of the whole of the Woodslee Downs s .property -to differenf^bnyere^j- It .'was sußdivriled into 17 lots, and although the sale plans were only received some 10 days ago, the -whole of the estate has already been disposed of. There is still a considerable demand for land, and northern buyers are now turning theTr attention, southwards. Tie company .had several more sales pending. " - PROPERTY SALES. Messrs G-eerin, Hairy, and Co. report having sold part sections 50 and 61, block XVIH, Musselburgh, together with six-roomed dwelling, for £645. Messrs Alex. Harris and Co., auctioneers, on Friday submitted the undermentioned~freehold properties *t auction, when there was a good attendance of buyers. The first lot offered was section 4, block XXVII, Grange street, Dunedin, containing 5 poles,' with, a four-roomed dwelling thereon. This' met with j some competition, and was finally secured by Mr Paris for £280. Lot 2, being paart of section 5. block XII, Princes street, Mussel- ■ burgh, by order of the Public Trustee in the estate of Messrs Leask and Stephens, failed to realise the value placed upon it, and was passed in. The same firm reports having sold the following city and suburban properties : — Caversham: GoodaH street, five-roomed houae and outbuildings, and 1 rood 8 poles, on | account of Mtb Dickson to Mr Thomas Rob- ! son for £125. South Dunedin: Bradshew street, allotment containing 10.6 poles, and five-roomed dwelling, «+c., on behalf of Mr Jervie Wilson to Mia E. Williams for £205. Anderson's Bay: Sections 7 and 8, area 69 poles, fronting Portobello road, £300, and section 18, fronting Peterson street, £140. Bayfield - Extension; Section 2o containing 29.6 poles, to Mr Fogariy for £33. Mr B. Bayley's f«xm at Warrington, comprising 17} acres freehold land send seven-roomed dwelling, etc., to Mr Evans. Dunedin : The right to the une'xpired term of lease of section containing 1 rood 15.6 poles and buildings thereon. Musselburgh: New street, parts of sections 13 and 14, block 11, with a modern six-roomed .-dwelling -thereon, on account of Messrs Watson and Molhson to Mrs C. B. Evans. North-East , Valley: Section i» Glenroy, with a modern 1 five-roomed -dwelling thereon, on account of Miss Aitken to Mrs Allan. Caversham: Fronting Valley road, section 40ft x 99ft, to Mr Mitchell for £50 on account of Mr John Sidey. Dunedin: Section 5, block XL VI, together with all buildings thereon, on account of Mr Lyders. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report having effected soles of the following properties during *the past few days : — On account of Mr George Stuart, Balfour, his wellknown property of 618 acres on the banks of the Maitaura River, within three miles of Balfour township. This is -one of the best properties on the Waimea Plains, and was bought by Mr J. S. Nichol, of Outram. The price paid, is understood to be the highest ever paid for a farm of that size- on the Waimea Plains. On account of Mr F. R. Wright, of Chatton, his well-known Okapua Estate, containing 2820 acres, which is generally recognised as about the pick of the old Knapdafe Station, the buyers being Messrs Rodger and Anderson, of Birchwood, Southland. On account of Mr W. R. Baird, Waimabaka, his Tois-Tois Estate, containing 944 acres exceptknally rich fattening land. The homestead and improvements on this property are very I fine and up-to-date. This is one of the picked farms of Southland, and the price at which it was sold is understood to be the highest yet paid in Southland a farm of that area. On account of Mr W. Harvey, of Outram, sections 4 and 5l5 l block JV, Black Swamp, containing 295 acres, adjoining the St. Patrick's Railway Station, to Mr P. Lyons, of- Balfour. On account of Mr K. Gorman, Balclutba, his . section of J-acre, at the corner of Clyde and" Gordon streets, Balclutha, together with shop, dwelling, etc., to Mr A. Cohen. On account of Messrs M'Gregor and Macdonald, their flaxmill and plant at Evan's Flat, to Messrs Ward Bros On account of Mr George Mathieson, of Benmore, has freehold property of 814 allies 3 roods 8 poles, close, to -Hie- Benmore Railway Station, to Meagre Charles and Robert Grant, of Glared rich, Outram. On account of Mr John Evans, Dipton, his freehold property in East Dipton township, containing 8 acres 1 rood 9 poles, io Mr William Musselwhite, of Dipton. On account of Mr J. M'Kenzie, of Kenndngton, his dadry farm of 280 acres, on the Roslyn Plains, within three miles of Kennington Railway Station, and being sections 20, 21, and 22 block VI, Inveicargill Hunared, to Mr Thomas Flint, of Inveroargill. Mr Flint has taken over Mr M'Kenzie' s fine herd of dairy cows, with milking machine, horses, and plant. The National Mortgage and Agency Company (Limited) have to advise the following sales of land made recently: — On account of Mr John Coster, Lochiel, farm at Lochie>l, containing 649 acres, being sections 58 to 61 and 76 to 79, block VII, New River Hundred, to Mr James Liggett, of Wairio. On account of Mr Harry Smith, of South Hillend, his farm in the Taringatura district, containing 286 acres, being section 2, block LIX, Oreti Hundred, to Messrs Crowe Bros., of South Hillend. On account of Mrs Andrews, of Oieti Plains, farm close to Winton, containing 303 acres of freehold and 324 acres of leasehold, to Messrs J. H. Kirk and Co., of Invercargill. On account of Mr Angus Wallace, of Wallacetown, farm on the New River containing 813 acres of freehold and 19 acres of leasehold, being sections 15, 18, 19, 20, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 70. block XVI, New River Hundred, the purchaser being Mr James Milne, of Invercargill. On account of Mr A. W. M'Lean, of Woodlands, farm at Woodlands, containing 171 acres, being section 8, block VI, and part section 52, block VIII. and closed road, Invercargill Hundred, to Mr William Calder, of Dipton. On account of Mr F. J. Cook, of Makarewa, farm at Makarewa, known as Innia Farm, to Mr James Williams. On account of Messrs George CaJder and Sons, Oreti Plains, we sold their farm in the Taringatura district, containing 200 acres, to Mr James Kean, of j South Hillend. On account of Messrs W. , E. Ward and F. Roby, of Drummond, farm { (part of Tennant's old Timboon Block), con- : taining 300 acres, to Mr Joseph Sharp, of Oreti Plains. On account of Messrs Cr-engle Bros., of Waianiwa, River Flat farm at | I Waianiwa, to Mr Andrew Walter Forest,, of • Waimate. On account of Mr Fred, Price, of Waikiwi, Makarewa Farm, containing 190 acres, being sections 3 and 4, block I, New I River Hunared, to Mr James Milne, of In- . vercargill. On account of Mr Duncan Taylor, of Baggie Burn, farm containing 300 acres situated close to Centre Bush Railway Station to Mr George Calder, jun., of South. Hillend. On account of Mr Richard C. Butson. of Mokotua, farm containing 247 acres, being seotions 36 and 36, block III; Qteranrika Hundred, to Mr Wm. M. Barker, late of Canterbury. On account of Mr T. P7 Jones, of Te Tna. we sold his leasehold farm, containing 306 acres, to Mr George Reyburn, of Te Tua. On account of a. client, leasehold section at Te Tua, containing 150 acres, t-o Means Scobie Bros., of Eastern Bush. On account of Ms Wm. Calder, of Dipton, farm containing 309 acres, to his brother, Mr

John Colder, -who owns the adjoining sectiofc Oji account of Mt Patrick Scully, of Woo& lands, farm at Woodlands, containing l&i. acres, to Mr John Curran, of Waimatukft On account of Mr Tom Giller, of Cent** ' Bush, farm containing 503 acres. sitnatevS close to Centre Bush Railway Station, tV Messrs Campbell Bros., of Allanton.