Moumahaki State Farm.—The Minister Challenged.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 22

Moumahaki State Farm.—The Minister Challenged.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —At a meeting of the Farmers' Union at Morton last week the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture again made a statement to the thai-. I had been

requested to reduce expenditure at Moumahaki and had not dono so. I regret to have again to refer to this matter, but as his statement is not in accordance with the facts of the case I aan taking this opportunity of again publicly contradicting him. I frankly admit that in April, 1909, I got notice from the departmental head of my division, informing me that the vote for the running of the farm was not likely to exceed a certain sum, which amounted to about three-fifths of the ordinary cost of running the station. On more than one occasion I pointed out that it was impossible for me to continue the work on the farm as at that time constituted on the allocation mentioned. Notwithstanding this, up to the time I left, 31st December last, neither tho Minister nor anyone in authority in the department gave me the slightest outline, verbally or otherwise, of how I was to effect a saving of £IBOO in the cost of running the station. True, on one occasion I got instructions to carry out drastic curtailments in connection with the nursery and to abolish a particular portion which previously had been dis*cussed. Before I had time to commence the proposed curtailment the instructions were countermanded by wire, and later the wire was confirmed by a memo. Further than this I defy either the Minister or anyone in authority in the department to point to a single instance where they authorised or showed me how I was to bring about the proposed saving; furthermore, no one knows better than the hon. gentleman himself the limits of -my authority under his Ministerial guidance. I may further say that for sixteen years my sole aim and ambition was to try to raiso the status and usefulness of the farm, and it was hardly to be expected that I was to commence to pull it to pieces until I had some assurance as to how it was proposed that I was to carry out the hon. gentleman's wishes. Most people who have any knowledge of farming matters will bear me out when I say that' it takes something more than a bald statement or a flash of the pen to effect a saving of £IBOO in the cost of running a farm. One cannot help thinking that from the first the Minister desired me to carry out curtailment which he had not the courage of his own convictions to sanction. The further fact stands prominently out, that I had no sooner resigned than he placed a sum of £BOO on the Supplementary Estimates for continuing the work; when, "be it noted" £350 would have paid the wages of all the hands I had to disnonse with up to the 31st of March. Now he (the Minister) acknowledges that the expenditure up to that date exceeded previous -years. This I think proves conclusively that he was afraid to continue the retrenchment I had reluctantly to initiate. Personalis' lam pleased to learn that the Minister has seen fit to continue the work, and had it not been that on more .than one occasion he had! publicly said that I failed to carry out his instructions, I would have refrained from again referring to tho matter. When next' the hon. gentleman feels inclined to refer to Moumahaki he might be good enough to explain what retrenchment he authorised mo to carry out that was not done. Until he can do co to the satisfaction of the public he should keep in mind the fact that ho is doing myself a public injustice by saying that I did not carry out his instructions. Trusting, Mr Editor, you will favour me by inserting the above in your _ next issue, and thanking you in; anticipation.—l am, etc.. 7.. GILLANDERS. Hawera, May 31.. DUNEDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PRODUCE REPORTS.. Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports under date the 7th inst.:— Wheat per bnsliel. per ton Best milling 3/5-3/7 Oatmeal, in 25'« 2.W0 Medium do ... 3/4 Oaten chaff 70/0—75/0 Fowls' ... 3/2—3/4 Ryegrass hay 55/0—65/0 Milling oats ]/10-VIH Straw "...25/0 to 35/0 Feed oats... J/B—l/9 Pearl barley „ 340/9 Malt barley ... 3/0 cwt Feed barley 2/o—2/3 Onions, good 5/o—s/6 Cape barley ... 3/6 oer lb. Maiz 4/6 Rolled bacon 7}d—Bd per ton. Side bacon ... B}d Flour, in 200's ... 215,0 Smoked hams ... 9d Flour, in 50's ... Cheese ... 6d—6id Pollard 100/ Good salt butter, 9d to Bran 80/0 ICd. according to quality Potatoes, £o 10s to £6 per ton. Scarce. TABM AND DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs Irvine and Stevenson, George street, report paying for produce during the week ending the 7th inst., as. follows: Bacon (roll), 7Jd per lb I Fresh butter, 8d to Ham.'Sd per lb 9d per lb Fresh eggs. Is lOd doz | Salt butter : not buyics: Fresh butter, erood ordinary (in lib and Jib prints), lOd to lid per lb. Pigs, 1301 bto 1601 b, B|d. Honey, 3Jd. Fowls, 3s to 3s 6d (boiling). Also buying Tabbits. Potatoes, £5 lOj in Duredin THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLEGRAM. WELLINGTON, June 6. The High Commissioner, under date June 4, cables regarding the London markets: — Mutton.—The market is firm, with an upward tendency. Owing to high prices prevailing for. beef and pork, there is a. better d.emand for mutton. Canterbury isquoted at 31d; North Island, 3|d: River Plate, 3^d. Lamb.—The market is firm, with a good demand for all qualities. Large supplies are coming forward, and no stock accumulating. Canterbury, s£d; other than Canterbury, s£d; Australian, 41d. Beef.—The market is very firm and excited, an account of the small supply on hand. The advance has checked business. Prospects are that prices must be maintained for some time. New Zealand—■ hinds, 5-id.; fores, 4|d. North American chilled beef—hinds, fores, 63d. The butter market is firmer, with a. better demand. The stock of New Zealand butter on hand is small. Choicest New Zealand butter, 108 s; Australian, 102 s; Danish. 115 s; Siberian, 102 s. The cheese market is firmer. There is more demand for white, which is quoted at 575; coloured, 555. The hemp market is weak and inactive. Prices have slightly declined for all grades. The output from Manila for the week was 44,000 bales. The wheat market is dull and declining.

Storrie's Ridgcr '"s the only one with patent hillside and facilities tor packing drills where the land is dry.— Nirnniii and Blair

New Zealand long-berried wheat, ex granary, 4961 b, 32s 6d; New Zealand shortberried wheat, ex granary, 4961 b, 31s 6d. Oats. —The market is dull, with very little business doing. New Zealand oats, short Sparrowbills, ex granary, 3841 b, 17s 6d; New Zealand oats. Danish, ex granary, 3201 b, 16s 6d. > Peas.—The market is quiet and steady. Supplies are increasing, but buyers "are more reserved. New Zealand peas, partridge, 5041 b, 525. Beans.—Market quiet, with prices slightly weaker.- New Zealand beans, f.a.q., new crop, 5041 b, 595. The wool market'remains firm. For fine wcols it is a shade weaker; coarse wools, 36’e, low crossbreds, Is l^d; 40’s, do, Is 2Jd; 44’e, medium crossbreds, Is 4jd; 50’s, halfbreds, Is 3£d; 56’s, quarterbreds, Is Igd; 60’s, merinos, 2s 43d. River' Plate shipments received during May, 1910:

FROZEN MEAT MARKET. LONDON, June 5. Frozen Meat.—Sheep: Canterbury, none offering; North Island, 3|d; best brands, 33d. Lambs; Canterbury, light, • sfd; medilum, sjd; heavy, s|d; Southland, s§d; North Island, s|d. Beef: Hinds, s£d. ’Australian; Sheep, unchanged. Lambs: Best brands, sd; fair quality, 4|d; inferior quality, none offering. Beef: Hinds, sd. River Plate; Sheep, unchanged. Beef: Hinds, sgd. Lambs, 43d. OAMARU MARKETS. IFbom Oub Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, June 6. The wheat market dring the past week has been non-existent, and in the absence - of sales it is impossible to quote prices op to foretell the future with any prospect of success. There is nothing .new to chronicle with respect to the oat market, which continues very quiet. Potatoes are fully 5s per ton easier, with merchants not too eager to do business. Indeed, the fact that Tasmanian potatoes are reported to be Landing in Wellington and Auckland at £6 5s per ton makes business unsafe, unless it can be done at a. figure which will allow of successful competition. Table Up-to-dates are quoted at £5 10s to £5 15s for choice, on trucks at handy sidings. Derwents are in fair demand, and sales were made on Saturday at £6, on trucks. Up-to-date seed potatoes are In some request, and are worth from £4 to £5 per ton acording to quality. Last year many northern merchants complained of the small size of the Up-to- - date seed potatoes shipped from Oamaru, . and growers would do well in the interests of themselves and the district generally to see that their standard is much larger than has obtained in the past, especiallv as large seed potatoes command from 15s to £1 per ton in excess of small. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report as follows: W© held our usual weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores on Monday, when we submitted a representative catalogue to a full attendance of buyers. Although for some lines competition was not animated, w© cleared our catalogue at auction and privately at prices up to our valuations. Oats. —The oat market continues quiet. Shippers, being without new orders in hand, are not disposed to operate freely. Prim© milling, Is 10£d to Is llgd; good to best feed, Is 9d to Is lOd; inferior to medium. Is 7gd to Is Bid per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat. —Th© wheat market remains in the same state of stagnation as reported last week, and in the almost entire absence of business passing in milling wheat it is difficult to give - a reliable indication of values. Fowl wheat is plentiful, and the best is bringing up to 3s 3d, medium 2s 8d to 2s lOd, and broken, and damaged to 2s 7d per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes. —Consignments of prime quality have been bringing up to late quotations, - but anything not up to this class are not - in such demand. Up-to-Dates, prime, £5 10s to £6; medium to good, £4 15s to £5: inferior, £3 to £4 5s per bushel (sacks included). Chaff. —Chaff continues to come forward in fair quantities, and values run about the aims as late quotations. Prime oaten sheaf, £3 10s to £3 12s 6d; choice, to £3 15s; medium to good, £3 to £3 ss; inferior, £2 to £2 10s per ton (bags extra). Straw. —Oaten, to 355; wheaten, 20s •(pressed) ex truck. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report:—We held our weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores on Monday. We submitted a lengthy catalogue, for most of' which there was fair competition. Values ruled as under:— " Oats.—The demand for export is chiefly for prime Garten and sparrowbills. Although those are not offering freely in this market, it is impossible to effect sales quits on a level of late quotations, prices, in sympathy with other markets, showing a slight decline. Good B grade Gartens and sparrowbills are in fair demand, but lower grades have little inquiry. We, quote: Prime milling, Is lid to Is ll£d; good to best feed, Is 9£d to Is lOg-d; inferior to medium, Is 7d to Is Bgd per bushel (sacks extra). * Wheat. —The market is still lifeless, and the conditions reported last week are unchanged. Quotations for milling wheat are therefore difficult to state. Fowl wheat is fairly plentiful, and meets slow sale at: For best whole wheat, 3s Id to 3s 3d; medium to good, 2s 9d to 3s; broken and damaged, 2s to 2s 6d per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes. —The market is moderately supplied, and as the demand is good prices remain firm. Prim© seed lines for early sowing have also ready sale at up to £6 per ton. We quote: Up-to-Dates, good to - tori me, £5 15s to £5 17s 6d; choice, to £6; medium. £5 to £5 12s 6d; inferior and small, £3 10s to £4 15s per ton (sacks included). Chaff.—During the week supplies have been light, but as large stocks are held in store and by local merchants prices show - no improvement on late quotations. Only prime quality is asked for, while medium ;)jid straw chaff are very difficult to quit.

We quote: Good to prime, £3 10s to £3 12s 6d; choice, to £3 15s; medium, £3 to £3 7s 6d; inferior and straw chaff, £2 to £2 10s per ton (sacks extra). Straw. —We quote: Wheaton, 20s; oaten, 35s per ton (pressed). RABBITSKIN SALES. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association of New Zealand report:—We held our usual weekly sale on the 29th u.lt. Our catalogue was the largest we have had this season, and competition was very keen for all classes of skins. The bulk came from the high country of Central Otago, but were not got up as they should have been, the pelts not being properly fatted. Notwithstanding this, we realised, for a line of prime winter does per lb. We quote: Prime winter does to 46gd, prime winter bucks to 28j[d, second winter does to second bucks to 24d, autumns to 20gd, racks to 15d, summers to 13§d, black to 36d, fawn to ISjd, catskins 9d each. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Ltd.) held the usual weekly sale of rabbitskins on the 29th ult., when there was a large attendance of buyers, and competition was keen. Prices all round showed an improvement on last week’s rates, and there is every indication of a further rise in prime and selected skins as the winter advances. Quotations: Selected winter does to 46i.d, prime winter does to 46d, winter does 30d to 36d, prime winter bucks to 26d, early and oncoming winter's 20d to 25d, autumns to 19sd, early autumns to ITgd, racks to 14id, summers to 13|d, light racks to 13ad, incoming winter blacks to 30d. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operation Association report having held their weekly sale on the 6th instant, when a large catalogue was submitted to a full attendance of buyers. All lots elicited keen competition, and the market shows every indication of remaining firm. We quote: Prime winter does, 50d per lb, second does 45d, bucks from 23d to 28d. So far, very few really prime winters are to hand, but during the present month the quality of the skins should show a marked improvement. Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. (Ltd), report having held their rabbitskin sale on Monday, when they offered a very large catalogue. There was a large atttendance of buyers, and bidding was exceptionally keen. Prime winter does were in very strong "request, and they sold these at 50jd per lb. A large number brought from 44d to 49d per lb. Competition for lower grades was also very been, winter bucks realising from 25d to 27fd; early winters mixed. 20d to 25id; incomings, 21 jd to 21|d; medium, to good, 20d to 21d; outgoings, 14d to 15|d; racks. 14d to 14gd; winter blacks, 30d to 36jd; autumn blacks to 26d; fawns, 18d to 23d; summer blacks to 15d; shocks to 3?jd. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited), held their weekly rabbitskin sale on Monday, when there was a full attendance of buyers, and prices were on the whole fully up to last week’s rates. The quality of the winter skins is showing great improvement, and there was keen competition for the choice lots of prime winter does, which realised up to the splendid price of 483d 1 per pound for one line. They quote;— Prime winter does, 42d to 48d ; winter bucks, 201 to 27d; autumns, 17d to 19d; racks, 14d to 16d; summers, lOd to 14d; blacks, 20d to 36d. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) report as follows: —The demand at Monday’s saile showed no signs of flagging. If anything bidding was even keener than at last sale, the really prime lots of winter bucks and does being in particularly strong request. Our catalogue, a large one. comprising all classes of skins, was quitted under strong competition, the buyers present being especially keen -to bid on several splendid lots of early winter does and bucks, the few lots of-really prime winters catalogued realising record prices; We quote: Prime winter does to 50|d per lb; winter does, to 45gd; early winter does, to 40d; prime winter bucks, to 28 5.d; winter bucks, to 25yd; incoming winters. to 25d; autumns, to 22d; racks, to 14yd; runners and suckers, to 9d; winter blacks,' to 36£d; incoming blacks, to 28d; autumn blacks, to 22yd; winter fawns, to 20Jid; autumn fawns, to 15d. HIDE SALES. MELBOURNE. June 2. The hide sales to-dav were quieter, and all classes were from 3d to |d lower than they were last week. CLEARING SALES. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association of New Zealand report:—We held a clearing sale of cattle, sheep, horses, and implements on account of Mr John Hogg at his Narrowdale farm, near Milton, on May 26. There was a good attendance of farmers and buyers from north and south. Bidding for sheep, cattle, and the farming plant was very good, and capital prices were realised. The horses, however, were not so keenly sought after, and the result in this section was not satisfactory. Notwithstanding that a number of really good mares and geldings were offered, prices were low as compared with values recently ruling. The highest figure obtained was £45 for a nice quality five-year-old mare. Dairy cows brought from £4 to £7 15s, and steers and heifers £2 to £5 10s, according to age and size. The implements were in good order, and realised full values. The same firm also report:—We held a clearing sale on the 27th, on account of Mr G. Metaal, at his homestead at Momona. The expiry of his lease was the cause of the sale. There was a large muster of farmers from far and near. The cows were a superior lot. being all young and well-bred. The only drawback was that they were mostly spring cal vers. Prices realised were very satisfactory, running from £4 10s up to £B. Horses brought good values, as also did the implements. HORSES FOR AUSTRALIA. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows:—We shipped per s.s Moerakli or the 27th ult. a consignment of 47 high-class Clydesdale mares, fillies., and geldings, and five trotters, on account or the well-known Melbourne trader, Mr J. R. Henry. Mr Henry visited most of the principal sheds of Otago, and secured from some of the best-known breeders several highly-bred mares, including Glencoe Kate II (1370 N.Z.5.8.). foaled 1904, sire Pride’s Fancy (311), by Lion King (306), out of Pride (804), dam Glencoe Kate (1191), by Crown Prince (430), g-dam Glencoe Nell (1188), by- Pride of Scotland (imp.), g-g----dam Duchess IV, by Clyde (imp.), g-g-ff-dam Duchess I (imp.). Maggie, bay mare, foaled 1903, sire Lion King '3C6), by British

Lion (imp.), dam Mag, by Lord Lyon, by Lord Salisbury, out of Myrtle, g-clam Nell, by Clydebank, g-g-dam Kate, by Lord Salisbury. Bay mare Queen, four years old, sire Prince Alexander, g-sire St. Alexander (imp.), g-g-siro St. Lawrence, dam B-ide, by Lord Lyon, g-dam Darling, bv Clan Gordon, g-g-dam Jean, by Blair’s Champion. Grey filly, three years off, sire Lochinvar, g-sire Craigievar (imp.), dam Bloosom, by Sidney, g-dam by Sir Geo. Grey (imp.). Bay filly, three years off, sire Albyn’s Prince 11, g-sire Albyn’s Prince (imp.), dam Jean, by St. Alexander (imp.), ,g-dam by Sir Geo. Grey (imp). Bay filly, three years off, sire Clydesdale Lad:;e, g-sire Herd Laddie (imp.), dam Bell, by Pride’s Fancy, g-dam by Bancor (imp.). I low n filly, three years off, sire Clydesdale Laddie, g-sire Herd Laddie (imp.), dam by ■isse.H’s Fancy, g-dam by Glencsk. Mr ■ —"•v will K- ending forward by the s.s Moana .on Saturday a further large shipment of high-class Clydesdales, and vs he has still some extensive orders to fill, both for Victoria and Western Australia clients, he will in all probability be operating in this market for some time to come. HGH-PRICED HORSES. Breeders of Clydesdale horses, more particularly those in Otago, will be pleased to learn on the authority of The Scottish Farmer of 16th April that the progeny of Messrs Thomson and Co.’s imported Wairongoa, stud horse, Baron Winsome (12425 C. 5.8.) are making a name for themselves in Scotland. This paper reports that one of his progeny (a two-year-old' entire colt) has just been sold to one of the leading Clydesdale studmas-ters of Britain—namely, Mr Wm. Taylor, of Park Mains, Renfrewshire,—in itself a hallmark of the highest order. Several other of Baron Winsome’s stock have been winning prizes at the district shows of Scotland” The same paper reports, as. being of special interest to the present generation, the following particulars of the prices paid at the dispersion sale of the late Lawrence Drew’s Merryton stud, one of the -greatest events in the history of the Clydesdale breed:

WINTER HORSE FAIR. First Day, Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) report as follows:—Our nineteenth annual winter fair of Clydesdale horses was commenced at the Dunedin Horse Saleyards on the Ist. The entry was a splendid one quite the best both as regards numbers and quality that there has been since this -sale was inaugurated. The attendance was a record one, and included a large operator for the Australian markets. - This representative bought a considerable number of the best horses offered by us—heavy young geldings in particular. Farmers assisted the sale by their competition for, good useful young mares and geldings for making up their teams, but the town carriers and contractors were not in a buying mood yesterday, and very few of the many horses offered suitable for their requirements fell to their bids. Most of the leading breeders of and dealers in Clydesdale horses in Otago and Southland had entered for this sale, and they made a very fine display. Bidding at' the commencement was very slow, but as the day wore on matters improved, and good business was done. Values, however, excepting in the case of the very best mares and geldings, were rather disappointing, and when it came to offering aged horses it was difficult to elicit bids at all. The best mares and fillies forward came from the studs of Messrs H. Saunders (Waimate), R. Cupples, sen. (Invercargill), R. Guppies, jun. (Otautau), Thomson and Co. (Wairongoa), and William Waddell (Rough Craig Farm), and the best geldings from Mrs James Blackie (Ryal Bush). John Grant (Underwood), Wm. Waddell, and Thomas Ryder (Invercargill). Mr H. Saunders’s fashionably-bred and stylish black mare Graceful Jean, five years old, by the Mount Vernon stud horse Baron Graceful (imp.), by Baron’s Pride (9122, C. 5.8.), dam Princess, by Prince Alfred*: g dam Maggie, by Craigievar (imp.), and stinted to the vendor’s Major, Stewart, was much admired, and made top price of the day for mares at 150 gs, the purchaser being Mr A. Bradfield, of Owaka Valley. Two other equally high-class mares offered were Mr R. Cupplee’s, jun.. bay mare Grace Darling, six years old, by Shepherd Lad, by Herd Laddie (imp.), dam by Extinguisher, g dam by Gallant Lad, for which 90es was bid and declined, and Messrs Thomson and Co.’s (Wairongoa) bay mare Molly Rilev, five years old. by Duncraig, by Hatfield, dam Bell, by The Admiral, g dam Jess, by King of the Clans, passed in at 80gs. In the draught gelding sections Mrs James Blackie topped the market at £4B for a very powerful six-year-old bay gelding. This horse was bought for Victoria, and next to him came a massive grey gelding four years old and a brown gelding four years old, both from Mr W. Waddell, of Rough Craig Farm, these horses also being secured for Australia at £47 and £46 10s respectively. For Mr John Grant (Underwood) we sold a tip-top four-year-old gelding for export at £46. For other vendors we sold a large number of mares and geldings at prices ranging from £35 to £45 for the former and from £3O to £42 for the latter. The sale will be continued to-day, starting at 10 a.m., when we shall again offer a large catalogue of high-class stock. Second Day. Me&sirs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) report, under date June 2:—The continuation of our nineteenth annual sale of Clydesdale horses took place to-day, at the Dunedin Horse Saleyards, under even more favourable auspices than those of yesterday. It is very gratifying to be able to report that buyers were more plentiful than on the first day. Several buyers who were operating to-day had only reached town last night, and the result of the increased competition was that our sale proved in every way more successful than that of Wednesday. Notwithstanding the large number of horses offered yesterday, we had an equally good catalogue to submit on this occasion, and although none of the animals put forward to-day reached the high figure obtained by us for Mr Saunders’s Baron Graceful mare, etill wo put up some high-priced sale's, amongst them the following:— On account of Mr Robert Guppies, jun., Otautau, bay mare,

Grace Darling', rising seven years, sire Shepherd Lad, grand-sire Herd Laddie (imp.) ; dam by Extinguisher, grand-dam by Gallant Lad, by Lord Salisbury. This beautiful mare was bred by Mr Allison, of Drummond, and was stinted to Voting Kelvin, to which horse she is believed to be in foal. She met with much admiration, and was purchased by Mr George Johnstone. of Tahatika. at a high figure. On account of Messrs Thomson and Co., Wairongoa Stud Farm : Their handsome, wellbred bay mare Molly Riley, five years old, sire Dun-ova ig, grand-sire Hatfield; dam Bell, by The Admiral, grand-dam Jess, by - King o the Clans. This mare also was ; much admired, being said to be one of the finest-actioned Clydesdales seen in Dunedin for many years. She is stinted to the Messrs Thomson’s imported stud horse Baron Winsome (12475). The purchaser of this mare was Mr J. R. Henry, of Melbourne, and the price was a high one. On acount of Mr William WaddelC of Roughoraig Farm, his noted bay mare Jeanie (1899 N.Z.5.8., Vol. 5), six years old, sire Sandy Erskine (10900, imp.); dam Laura Foley II by Lord Salisbury (1205), granddam Laura Foley, by Young Banker (imp.). This mare is stinted to the Duke of Pum-nbset, and was purchased by Mr Archibald Aitchison, of Hampden, at a good figure. On account of Mr Robert Cupples, sen., Waikiwi: An exceptionally fine bay mare by Botany Bay out of 'a mare by Samson, sold to Mr Duncan Campbell, of Woodside, at a satisfactory price. There was a good demand for wellbred young Clydesdale mares, and this was especially noticeable where they had been stinted and were believed to be in foal to high-class sires. The Australian inquiry for animals of this class was strong, ond Droved more than equal to the supply. For powerful young heavy draught geldings, four and five years old, there was good demand also, and some exceedingly satisfactory sales were made at prices ranging frein £3B to £45. Ordinary farm horses met with less active competition, and sales of these, though a great number were effected, could only be made at prices distinctly in favour of purchasers. The winners of our annual prizes were :—. Mr R. Cupples, jun. (Otautau), for the highest aggregate price for six working draughts; second place in this class being secured by Mr A. W. Douglas (Waikouaiti). For the highest priced mare, Mr H. Saunders (Waimate) was an easy first, with his high-class mare Graceful Jean, which realised 125 guineas. For the highest-priced gelding, Mrs James Blakie (Ryal BushJ took premier honours, with a very superior six-year-old gelding. Owing to the large entry it was impossible to complete our sale before darkness fell, and- the sale will be continued at 10 o’clock on Friday morning. Third Dat. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows ; —We continued our annual winter horse sale on Friday, when he had again a very good entry as far as num- < bera were concerned, but, as was to be expected after the previous two days’ heavy 1 entry, the quality was rather indifferent. The attendance of the public was very good, but owing to the poor selection of horses on offer business was rather slow. Nevertheless, a few aged sorts changed hands at prices ranging up -to £35.' Friday’s sale concluded our nineteenth annual winter horse fair, which was the most successful fair that we have ever conducted. OTAGO FARMERS’ HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Assocation of New Zealand (Limited) reports: —• For the first day of our winter horse sale on Wednesday last there was a record entry of Clydesdale horses from all parts of Otago, Canterbury, and Southland,. Prior to commencing the auction a competition for prizes' yvas hold. In the two-year-old , class Mr W. J." J. Charters, of Ury Park, j Mosgiel, secured first- honour with a beau- , tifully-turned filly sired by Lauderm-a.rk, g 1 sine Marksman, dam by Clairranald by Pride of Scotland. This filly was a-prize-win ner at Dunedin show as a yearling and also as a tw'o-yea-r-oIJ. She was sold at auction afterwards to Mr D. Ross, j of Palmerston, at- a very handsome figure. In the class for mares, three years old and I over, Mr J. C. Bishop, of Balclutha-, ob- j tained first place with a Herd Laddie marc, g. sire Crown. Prince, Ist dam Agate 11. ] 2nd dam Agate. This stylish mare was I stinted to Mr D. Murray’s Clydesdale ; stallion Blair Athol. She was afterwards I sold at auction for 59 guineas. The ether j prize-takers in the , different classe came i from Oamaru and the Taieri, and for these and a number of other brood mares and fillies some very long prices were obtained. We had a large entry of working draughts, both mares and geldings, the bulk of which sold at prices _ ranging from £35 to £42. On Thursday, the second day of our auction, we offered 60 spring-carters, harness horses, hackneys, and ponies, besides 50 draught horses of all classes. Our top price for draughts” the second day was 55 guineas. The pick of the light horses brought high prices, but a very large number of the harness, horses were only fair sorts-, and the prices obtained dor these ranged only from £l2 to £lB.

WINTER SHOW FAT STOCK SALE. Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co (Ltd.) report having held the usual fat stock sale at the winter show yesterday, when there was a very large attendance of butchers and others interested owing to the holiday Bidding was extremely brisk, and pricc-s were much better than in former years They sold: For Mr John Tough (Milton), 1 very prime wether at £2 6s; Mr William. Moynihan (Middlemarch), 3 crossbred longwool hoggets at £1 14s ; Mr James Brown (Pino Bush), 3 crossbred hoggets at £1 9s. 3 do wethers at £1 4s. 5 do at £1 3s, 3 pure Romney hoggets at £1 4s, 3 crossbred long wool hoggets at £1 4s. 3 do at £1 Is 6cl; Mr George Clark (East Gore). 3 hoggets at £1 13s. 3 do at £1 3s; Me William Grey (Milton). 3 purebred hoggets at 19s. 3 crossbred hoggets at 18s; Mr R. H. Bisset (Opio), 12 hoggets from 18s to 16s 6d; Mr G. M. Stewart (Crookston), 6 halfbred wethers at £l. SALES OF FAT STOCK. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association of New Zealand report having sold the following fat stock entered for competition at the winter show: —In the class for fat bullock, any age, for Mr W. J. Charters, Ury Park Estate, his second and third prize bullocks for £lB IQs and £l7 10s respectively; for. the same vendor, in the class for bullocks under three years, his first, second, and third prize bullocks, for £l3 10s, £l2, and £l2 5s respectively. For the bullock under two years, first prize bullock £ll 6s, second prize £lO ss. In the class for cow, not over four years, first and second prize, £ll 15s and £lO, and in the same class, for Mr George Johnstone, Tahatika, the third prize cow fof £9 15s. For Air Charters again, the heifer under three years, £9 and £9 5s respectively for first and second prize, 'and for heifera under two years the first and second prizetakers realised £8 15s each ; for Air William Kirkland, from his Poplar Grove Estate, his first prize crossbred Down wethers, not exceeding 22 months, at 40s, and on account of the same vendor, his pen of prize crossbred longwocd wethers, not exceeding 22 months, at 40s each, and his pens of crossbred Down hoggets and crossbred longwool hoggets at 18s 6d and 19s. The New Zealand and Mercantile Agency Company, sold fat show stock’ on Friday, on account of Mr Adam Bell, Stirling. There was a large attendance of buyers, and bidding was brisk. The following were the prices realised I threcand' a-half year old bullock at £l6 ss, 1 three year-old bullock at £ll 10s, 1 two-year-old bullock at £9 10s. CTA GO FARMERS’ HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association of N.Z. reports:—Wo held our usualweekly horse sale at our bazaar on Saturday. This w?s our third horse sale in Dunedin for the week, and in consequence of the Pig sales held on Wednesday and Thursday the entry was scarcely as large as usual. We offered altogether some 30 odd horses, and succeeded in placing a ennsiderable- portion of the entry; in fact had we had them forward we could have sold another truck of young draught horses. The demand for heavy lorry horses, as well as useful draught sorts, continues good, and the market shows every prospect of remaining firm. A fair number of useful spring carters and active harness herseialso chruged hands on Saturday. DUNEDIN HORSE SALEYARD. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows: —As was to be expected after the exceedingly large entries of the previous three days’ winter horse fair, our entries for Saturday were on a rather small scale, and those that were forward wire mostly aged and worn-out sorts. There was only a fair attendance of the public, and unfortunately most of them seemed to be in the yards simply to put in time, and as a consequence business was very limited. The demand for good young heavy geldings and mares, especially if . in foal, command good prices, and all coming forward are easily disposed of at up to late rates. Wa quote: —Superior young draught geklinga at from £4O to £45; extra good dittff (prize-winners), at from £45 to £SO ; sups. -nt young draught mares at from £SO to £6O; from £3O to £4O; aged, at from £lO to £ls; medium draught mares and geldings, ab strong spring-van horses at from £25 to £3O; strong spring-carters at from £l3 tc» £25; milk cart and butchers' order-cart horses at from £ls to £25; light hacks at from £8 to £l3; extra good hacks and har-; ness horses at from £l3 to £25; weedy; and aged at from £5 to £7. PROPERTY SALE. Alessrs Geerin, Halley, and Co. report' having submitted at auction a piece* afc the corner .of Grove street and New street, Musselburgh, together with a modern five* roomed villa. There was a good at ten* dance of buyers, and brisk competition/ and the property was sold for £455.

Sheep. Lambs. At London ... . . 76.027 13.740 At Liverpool .. 271,915 62,545 At Hull . 6,307 6S2 At Newcastle .. 8,000 500 At Southampton.. . 8,999 2.657 'At Cardiff . 5,608 2,571 At Ireland 2,120 17 Totals .rf . 378,976 82,712

Highest price Total in ■in gns. gns. 12 stallions ... 900 3749 7 two-year-old colts 400 963 8 one-year-old colts 170 517 5 one-year-old fillies 110 418 5 two-year-old fillies 230 565 4 three-year-old fillies 2.10 610 .orood ir.ires ... 360 2301