COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3014, 20 December 1911, Page 40

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. SYDNEY, December 14. Wheat, 3s 7d to 3s 7£d. Flour: City, £6 15s; country, £7 17s 6d. Oats: Algerian feeding, 2s 6d to 2s 8d; ’ seeding, 2s 9d to 2e lOd; sparrowbills, 2s lid to 3e; giants, 2s 9d to 5s 3d. Barley: Cape, 2s lOd to 3s 6d; English malting, 4s 6d to ss. Maize, 3s lid to 4s. Bran, £5. Pollard,, £6. Potatoes, £6 to £B. Onions, £6 to £9 10s. Butter; Selected, 120 s; prime, 108 s to libs. Cheese, 6|d to 7d. Bacon, sid to 7gd. December 14. Wheat, 3s Bd. Flour, £8 10s. Oats, 2s 7d to 2s 9d. Maize, 3s sd. Bran and pollard, £5 10s. Chaff: Oaten, dumped, £4 to £4 ss; compressed, £4 10s to £4 15s, with fair demand. The deliveries are rather light. Potatoes: Old, £4; new, to £7 J.Os, Onions, £6 to £8 10s. ADELAIDE, December 14. Wheat, 3s 7id. Flour, £7 15s. Bran and pollard, 13d. Oats, 2s 7d. ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. At Addington to-day there were, fairly good entries of stock, and an average attendance. Fat cattle were easier. ' Prime fat lambs were firmer, and store sheep of the best class sold up to last week’s rates. Fat wethers were firm, but ewes ■were somewhat easier There was good demand for pigs and store cattle. The yarding of store sheep was rathek larger than last week, and there was prac-

tically no change in the prices of good. sheep, but those in low condition did not sell so freely. Two tooth ewes made 12s 6d to 15s; four-tooth ewes, 15s lOd to 16s 3d; four and six-tooth ewes, 14s; two and four-tooth ewes, 11a 3d; ewes and lambs. 7s 7d to 8s lOd (all counted) ; two-tooth wethers, lis 3d ; two and four-tooth wethers, 12s 6d to 15s j four and six-tooth wethers, 15s; and hoggets, lis to 13s lOd. The .yarding of fat lambs totalled 1476, which was the largest number offered this season, and the sale was interesting from, the fact that export buyers commenced operating. The lambs were of excellent quality, both as to size rfhd condition The exporters confined themselves chiefly to heavy-weight lambs, and they took between four and five hundred. The purchases were made with a view to catching the next steamer, and they operated the more freely on account of th© keener demand that is likely to exist at next week's sale, for the local Christmas trade. Prime lambs wore consequently firmer than last week, and made 15s to 18s 6d. and lighter 12s to 14s 6d, inferior sorts being easier, the range of prices for lambs purchased for export was 13s to 17s 3d. There was a fairly large yarding of fat sheep, which proved-to be sufficient for requirements. The. whole-of the sheep with the exception of one small lot were shorn ; and since the wool has been taken off they have considerably improved in condition, few poor sheep being offered. -Wethers maintained their values, but ewes eased off somewhat towards the close of the sale, when butchers had filled their requirements. One line of wethers was purchased for export. The range of prices was: Prime wethers, 17s 6d to 22s 6d; others, 14s to 17s; prime ewe®, 16s to 21s 7dj others, lis 6d to 15s 6d. The number of fat cattle offered was 255 head, and the bulk was of good quality, the North Island being again well represented. Steer beef was easier, but cow and heifer beef showed little or no change, the range of values being -25$ to 31s 6d. Steers made £7 15s to £ll 17s 6d; heifers, £5 17s 6d to £8 15s; and cowa, £5 to £9; extra, to £lO. Veal calves sold at 4s 6d to 45a, according to size and condition. Them was a good demand for the few store- cattle offered, a West Goast buyer operating. Yearlings made 475; 15 to 17 months, £3 6s to £3 8s; two-year steers, £4 ss; two-year heifers, £3 12a 8d to £3 15s 3d; steers, £5 6s; and dry cows, 30s and £4 ss. Dairy cows made £3 10s to £9 ss. A fairly large yarding of pigs met with a keen demand for all classes, choppers realising 50*"to 90s; baccners, 50s to 80s—equaVto f>fcl to 6d' per lb;* porkers, 30s to 47s 6d—-i-qual to sgd per lb: largo stores. 28s to 335; medium, 18s to 275; and weanen. 10s to 17s. OAMARU MARKETS. (FaOM QUB- OWK COEHESPONPENT.I OAMAKtL December !Z. The stock market is hirm for all classes of stock, sheep in the wool being good selling property, owing to the ' improved stato of the wool markets, but- there is very few sheep or cattle offering in the district, and a good demand goes unsatisfied. A few thousand sheep have changed hands. The major portion has been composed of shorn ewes.' The lambs, four, six, and eight-tooth ewe* guaranteed mouths, with lambs, have sold at from 10s 6d to lis 6d, all counted, while 12s 6d was given for one specially good line of 300 full and failing.mouth. Ewes in wool,, with lambs, have found buyers at up to lis 6d, all counted. Some small lots of paddock lambs hav e beeu sold for forward delivery at from lis to 12s, but there aro few sellers.

Fat sheep are a litble more plentiful under <ihe Irammer. Good heavy-weight wethers out of the wool Brought 20s 3d, whilo light sorts went at from 15s to 16s. Shorn fat ewes brought from 14s 4d to 16s.

Cattle of all descriptions are in request, the demand for young steers and heifers and forward-oOttditioned bullocks being particularly keen. quotations are: Three to five-year old bSllooks, £6 10s to £7 10s, two=-and-a-harf-ye<air steers, £5 to £5 .555, two-year-old steers and heifers, £3 15s to £4 ss, 18-months-old, £2 10s to £3 ss, yearlings, £1 15s to £2 ss. Fat cattle are still scarce,, and sell readily at last week's quotations.

Danry cattle are still in good request, and self well. Good cows at profit bring from £7 to £8 10s, while anything choice commands up to £lO and medium sorts find buyers at from £5 10s to £6 ss. Good heifers at profit are worth from £6 to

SOUTHLAND MARKETS. tFaou Oua pws Cobbespovbrxt.) . INVERCARGILL, December 16. <Jwin ff to the summer show and second ballot the attention of everyone has been taken off country business during the past week, and business passing in stock circles has been practically nil. go far as prices go there is no alteration to report from last week, exoept that there seems to be a fairly keen demand for sheep off the shears. Not only for a local inquiry, but nrma m Oamaru, Tlmaru, and Christchurch, and other northern centres are strongly inquiring for any number of good ewes and mixed sex hoggets that are available off the shears. This is a very good sign and indications point to satisfactory prices not only for store sheep, but for fat lambs at weaning time. A few bullocks have been sold to local butchers during the week at prices on a oar with those lately ruling namely, about 35s per lOOlbs. The agents are expecting a large entry for Wallacetown next Tuesday, and in view of the Christmas sales it is expected that the inquiry will be good from both town and country butchers, and that prices there-' fore will be maintained. Fat S'heep.—A few fat lambs have been sold to the buyers during the week at prices from 13s 6d to 15s, but the quantity likely to be got hold of in the country is not large, and owing to the great cold and rainy weather prevailing lately the quantity of fat lambs available must be small. The following prices may be quoted: Fait wethers, butchers' heavy weight sheep, up bo 265, for extra good ordinary 23s to 24s 6d, lighter 2Ls to 225. There is a good inquiry for fat lambs, which are selling at 13s:6d to 15s. Fat ewes are selling exceptionally well, but there are not many on the market. Heavy weights are bringing 21s to 21s 6d, lighter 19s to 20s. Fat Cattle.—Good ox beef is worth 34s to 355, and even up to 365. for primest heifer beef 325-to 335, cow 30s to 31s. Store Cattle.—There is still an exceptionally good inquiry for good young stuff. and three-year-olds are selling from £6 10s to £7 15s for first olasa w*£ tews4 sorts,

two-year-olds £4 10s to £5.105, yearlings £5 5s to £3 10s, calves 35s to 40s. Dairy Cows —At a public auction sale last week a herd of 15 dairy cows from four to saven-year-olds, which had been milking close on three-months, fetched, the exceptionally good price of close on £l2 per head. In fact, eight of the , lot averaged over £l4, the highest prices being one at £ls 15s, two at £ls ss, and the lowest averaged £lO. A really good demand exists for these young cows, and as above indicated, although the season ij going fast, anvthing good will still fetch from £lO to £l2. Store Sheep.—Shearing is just coming on, and transactions in store sheep are very limited indeed, but with the demand likely to come from the north, combined wir.h local inquiry and the splendid amount of feed available in the country, it is expected that prices will be fairly good. Younsr ewes with lambs (all counted) can be quoted in t'he' wool at 12s 6d to !3s. mixed ages 10s 6d to lis, sound mouthed ewes 9s 6-d to 10s 6d, older 7s (all counted), ewe hoggets, extra special sorts, 17s 6d to 18s; good, 16s 6d to 1.75; smaller sorts 15s to 15s 6d; mixed sexes, 14s 9d to 15s; wether hog-gets, 13s 6d to 14s 3d; smaller sorts of mixed sexes, 13s 6d to 14s; wether hoggets, 12s 6d to 13s 3d; four-tooth wethers to go off after shearing, 18s to 18s 6d, and even 19s; two-tooths, 16s 6d to 17s; fat wethers (out of the wool), 15s 6d to 16s 6d; store wethers (out of the wool), 13s to 13s 6d.

LIVE STOCK AND- PRODUCE MARKET. Wednesday, December 13, Fat ' Cattle—lso yarded. Price* all round were a shade easier than-' those ruling'last week. Quotations: Prime bullocks £l2 to £l3 10s; extra, to £l4 7s od; medium. £lO to £ll 10s; lignt and inferior, £8 to £9 10s; good heiters, £8 to £9 10s; extra ,to £ll 15s; medium, £6 to £7 10s. : The Otago Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) yarded 25 head, and sold: For Mr W. J. J. Charters (Ury Park, Mosgiel) 2 bullocks at £l2 ss, 2 do at £ll 7s 6d, 3 do at £lO 17s 6d, 2 do £lO 12s 6d, 1 do at £lO 10s. 2 do at £lO 7s6d. 2 do at £lO 2« 6d, 1 do at £9; Mr John Kirk (Mosgiel), 1 bullock at £ll 17s 6d, 2 do at £lO, 2 do at £y 2s 6d, 2 heifers at £5 2s 6d; Messrs Shale Bros. (Fairfield), 1 heifer at £6 12e 6d; Mr W. Lindsay (Allanton), 1 heifer at £5 17s 6d, 1 do at £4 15s. National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Ltd.; yarded and sold: For Mr John Carriole (Otautau), 2 bullocks at £l4 7s 6d (top price to-day), 3 do at £l3 lGs, 2 do at £l3 2s 6d, 9 do to £l2 12s 6d; Mr F. W. Botting (Edendale), 3 do at £lO. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) yarded 25, and sold: For Mr Jas. Borrie (Stirling), 5 bullocks at £13.15s to £lO 2s 6d, 2 heifers to £ll 15s; Mr John Kirk (Mosgiel), 4 bullocks at £9 15s to £9; Mr William Lindsay (Allanton), 2 bullocks at £9 2s 6d; Mr Walter Blackie (Glasgow Farm), 4 heifers at £7 7s 6d to £6 15s; a client, 7 bullocks and heifers at £8 to £5 10s; Mr T. Maxwell, 1 cow at £6 7s 6d. sold: For Mr W. J. Scott (Mataura), bullocks to £l4 ss; Mr J. B. Far«uson (Halswelll, 4 pens bullock, to £l3 -10 s; Messrs J. and A. Wilson (Otama), steers to £8 15s. Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) yarded and! sold: For Mr W. Lindsay (Allanton), 1 heifer at £8 12s 6d, 2 do afc £6 12s 6d; exors. late W. Kifk (Mosgiel), 3 heifers at £7 ,7s 6d ——New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Ltd.) varded 54, and sold: For - Mr J. Birtles, 12 bullocks to £l4; Mr J. Ferguson (Halswell), 16 bullocks to £l2- 15s; a client) 8 bullocks to £l2 10s; Mr Jas. Stevenson (Willow bank), 7 bullocks to £l2 ss; Mr D. Murray, 1 pen cows, at £8 12s 6d: Mr H. Palmer (Otokia), 7 heifers to £7 ss. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) yarded and sold: For Mrs W. Kirk (Mosgiel), 3 bullocks at. £9 17s Cd; Mr W.' H. Murcott (Hampden), 2 bullocks at £9, 2 bullocks at £8 17s 6d, 2 bullocks at £7 2s 6d; Mr W. Blackie (Mosgiel), 2 up to £9 12s 6d, 2 cows at up to £8; Mr W. Lindsay (Allanton/, 2 bullocks at £7 15s. Store Cattle. —The Otago Farmers' 00-operativo Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) yarded and sold: For Mr John Gamble (Wyllie's Crossing), Messrs G. and J. M'Leod (Woodside), Messrs Thomson Bros. (Myrtle Bank, Green Island), Mr L. Kirby (Green Island), and clients, bulls to £7 7s 6d, steers to £4 2s, cows and heifers to £3. National Mortgage and Agoncy Company of New Zealand (Ltd.) yarded: For Messrs E. Ottrev, E. Loveatt, and others, cows from 30s to £4 7s 6d, bulls £2 10s to £6 15s. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) yarded 53, and sold: For Messrs W. Robertson (Sawvers' Bay), John Foofce (Mihiwaka), W. Townley (HigholifF), D. Gunn (Samdymount), Thos. M'Millun (Wyllie's Crossing), W. Robinson (Mornington), and others, bullocks to £B, cows to £5 15s, heifers to £4 16s. Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.) sold: For Mr J. Kirk (Mosgiel), steers to £2 15s. • Stronach, Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) varded and sold: For Mr J. Moloney (Burkes), 1 bull at £3 17s 6d. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Ltd.) sold: For Mr H. Palmer (Otokia), Mr Jas. Nome (Milton), and others, bulls to £6 5s Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) yarded and sold: For Mr W. H. Murcott (Hampden), J steer at £3 ss, 1 steer at £2 18s, 2 steers £1 18s 6 heifers ac £2 13s 1 cow at £3 18s; Mr John M'Master, 1 cow at £4 19s.

Dairy Cows.— The Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association of New Zealand (.Ltd.) yarded and sold: For M. T Maxwell (Green Island), Messrs G. and J. M'Leod (Woodside); and clients, cows to £5 7s 6d. Donald Deid and Co. (Ltd ) yarded and sold: For Messrs Wm. Galbrait'h (Ravensbourne) and other clients, dairy cows to £7 10s.

Calves.—The Otago Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association of New Zealand (Ltd ) penned and sold: For Mr A. Kirkiand (Green Island), Mr John Kirk (Mosgiel) Mrs Layerty (Oaversham), Mr T. R. Thomson (Green Island), calves to 29s 6d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company sold: For Mr D. Murray (Clydevale), Mr H. Palmer (Otokia), and others, calves from £2 to £1 10s. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) yarded and sold :. For Mrs Laverty (Green Island), 1 calf at 13s x Mr J. Waldle, 9 calves at up to 20s 6d; Messrs J. and W. Lee 1 oalf at lis 6d: Mr J. Cadzow (Anderson's Bay), 2 calves at up to 12s 6d

Fat Sheep.—2s2l penned, principally shorn sheep. Pxices about Is firmer than those ruling last week. Quotations: Good wether, 22s 6d to 245; extra, to 28s 3d; best shorn to 235; medium to good, 17s 6d to 19s; liyixb ftNl inferior 15s to 17s; best ewes^

20s to 23s 3d; medium. 17s to 19s; best shorn ewes, from 18s to 20s; extra, to 23s 3d; medium to good, 15s to 17s ; light and inferior, 12s 6d to 14s. The Otago Farmers' Co-operaitive Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr J. W. Blair (Abbotsford Farm, Outram), 20 shorn ewes at 23s 3d (top price today), 11 do at 19s; Messrs W. and G. Pike (South Hillend), 39 shorn ewes at 20s 6d,21 do at 18s 6d; Mr James Macandrew (Portobello), 20 shorn wethers at 20 s 6d, pen shorn ewes at 18s; Mr Mark Finch (Milton), pen ewes at 18s. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Ltd.) yarded and sold: For Mr A. Fleming (Balfour), 25 wethers at 20s, 29 do at 17s 3d. 18 ewes at 17s; Mr G. W. Brooks (Evans Flat), 67 do at 18s 3d; Mr T. Cameron, 27 wethers at 21s 9d, 35 do at 20a 3d. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) penned 606, and sold: For Mr Geo. Patrick (Te Houka), 62 wethers at 23s to 20s 9d; Mr Robert Findlay (Clarksville), 30 wethers at 19s; Mr Peter Porter (Milton), 34 wethers and ewes at 20s to 16s; Messrs Shale Bros. (Maheno), 37 ewes at 22s 6d to 15s; .Mr Jas. Borrie (Stirling), 55 eweg (in wool) at 21s 3d to 19s; Messrs Guinness and LeCren (Waimate, as agents), E 0 wethers at 17s 6d to 16s 9d; Messrs- Shand Bros. (Centre Bush). 66 wethera and ewes at 20s to 16s 3d; Mr A. Sounness (Maheno), 21 wethers and ewes at 19s .6d to 15s 3d; Mr R .Paton (Pukeuri), 26 ewes at 22a to 17s; Mr John Heads (Milburn), 18 wethers at 19s 6d, 3 ewes at 16s 9d; Mr Andrew Tweed (Lovell's Flat), 3 ewes at 225; Mr Jas. Anderson (Lovell's Flat), 3 wethers and ewes at 22s to 18s 6d; Mr S. Hagan (Lovell's Flat). 5 wethers and ewea at 20s 9d to 17e 3d; Mr Jas. France (Milburn), 12 ewes at 21s; a client, 59 ewes at 20a 9d to 14s 6d; Messrs Williamson Bros. (Bentasken), 2 ewes at 14s 3d.——Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Messrs Anderson Bros. (Waiwera South). 39 shorn wethers at 21s 6d, 44 at 20s 9d, 29 at 19s 3d; Mr J. Doxat (The Caves), 41 shorn wethers at 19s 9d; Mr E. Ottirey (Heriot). ewes to 13s 9d; Messrs R. Sheddan and Sons two pens wethers to 20s 9d. Stronoch, ' Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) penned 330 and sold: For Mr Peter Sim (Carisbrook), 34 wethers at 255. 19 ewes at 23s W; Mr W. Swale (Limehills), 1 pen shorn ewes at 21s 3d, 34 shorn ewes and wethers at 18s, 1 pen shorn ewes at 21s; Mr R. Mitohertl (Portobello), 48 fehom wethers at 19s 3d, 28 do at 15s 6d. 15 do at 16s 6d. 30 ewea at 16s: Mr Jos. Preston (Brookstead), 47 ewes at 14s 3d. 18 do at 13fl 9d, 1 pen wethers at 21s *3d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Ltd.) penned 578. and sold: For Mr Eric Sinclair (Pukerau). 27 wethers at 28s 3d, 32 wethers at 26s 6d. 31 wethers at 245, 21 wethers at 23s 6d, 18 wethers at 225, 1 pen ewf* at 23s 6d; a southern client, 2 pens shorn' ewes to 18s; Messrs G. Nichol and Sons (Taurima), 60 shorn wethers to 20s 6d; Mr W. L Gray (Pukeuri), 1 pen shorn wethers at-19s 9d, 17 shorn ewes at 23a, 21 shorn ewes at 20s; Mrs M. Aitken (Otokia), 27 ewes to 20s 9d; Messrs Allan Bros. (Portobello), 24 shorn ewes at 18s; Mr B. Douglas (Pukeuri), 1 pen shorn ewes at 16s 9d. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) penned 580, and sold: For Messrs R. F. Knk (Kelso), 22 ewes at 23s 6d, 23 ewes at 225, 9 wethers at 23s 9d; Mr R 1 Kirk (Kelso), 32 wethers at 235, 33 wethers at 22s 6d, 25 wethers at 21s 9d, 22 wethers at 21s 6d; Messrs Geo. Nichol and Son (Taurima, Allanton), 38 wethers (shorn) at 22s 9d, 39 wethers (shorn) at 20s 9d, 23 wethera (shorn) at 18s 6d; Mr David Bryce (Lovell's Flat), 37 wethers (shorn) at 21a 9d, 27 "wethers (shorn) at 19s 9d: Messrs W and G. Pike (Edenvale), 36 ewes (shorn) at 20s 3d, 24 ewes if™™) at 17s 9d; Mr Wm. Swale (Limejrnll), IB ewes at 225, 40 ewes (shorn) at 18s; Mr W. G. Sewell (Oamaru), 33 ewes (shorn) at 19e, 20 ewes (shorn) at 18s 3d, 16 sheep at 19s 6d; Mr E. A Watson (Oamaru), 38 ewes (shorn) at 16s 6d, 22 ewes Ishorn) at 14s 9d. ■ . ~ Fat Lambs.—3ss penned. Quotations: Best lambs. 14s to 15s 9d; extra, to 17e; medium to good, 12s 9d to 13s 6d.-7-i.ne Otago Farmers* Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) penned 67, and sold: For Mr John Sutherland (River Farm, Allanton), 10 at 16s 6d; Mr W. Flett (Otokia), 6 at 16s; Mr Mark Finch (Milton), 12 at 15s; Mr J. W. Blair (Abbotsford Farm, Outram), 16 at 14s 9d, 17 at 13s 3d; Mr A. G. Lewis (Portobello), 6at 14s. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) penned 163, and sold: For Mr R. Paton (Pukeuri), '23 at 17s; Messrs Shale Bros. (Maheno), 13 at 17s; Messrs Williamson Bros. (Benbasken), 20 at 16s 9d; Mr John Heads (Milburn), 10 at 16s 6d; Mr William Quinn (Milburn), 6 at 15s 9d; Mr R. Hewitson (Lovell's Flat). 6 at 15s; Mrs Halpin (Lovell's Flat), 15 at 15s; Mr J. H. Paul (Milburn), 12 at 14s; Mr James. Anderson (Lovell's Flat), 17 at 14s 6d; Mr S. Hagen (Lovell's Flat), 12 at 14s 9d; m Andrew Tweed (Lovell's Flat), 10 at 16s 6d; Messrs J. and C. Campbell (Allanton). 12 at 16s 9d; Mr Wrn. Adam (Otokia), 7 at 16s. Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.) sold: For Ellensdale Estate, 40 at 15s 6d. Stronacb, Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr R. Mitchell (Portobello), 14 at 16s, 10 at 15s, 11 at quotations; Mr D. O'Connell (Seacliff), 1 pen at 15s. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr B. Douglas (Pukeuri), 8 at 17s; a client, 8 at 15s 6d; Mrs W. Aitken (Otokia). 25 to 14s 6d; Messrs Allan Bros. (Portobello), 6 at 14s 9d. rWright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr James Macandrew (Portobello), 20 lambs at up to 15s 6d.

Pigs.—The Ofcago Farmers' Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr J. W. Blair (Abbofcsford Farm, Outram), 1 pig at £3 3s 6d, 3 do at £2 19s, 2 do at £2 lis, 2 do at £2 6s, 1 do 'at<"£l 10s 6d; Mr George Bunting (Pino Hill) 1 pig at £3 6s; Mr Thomas Hewitt (Allanton), 2 pigs at £2 14s; Mr J. S. Blair (East Taieri). 1 pig at £2 13s; Mr John Blair (East Taieri), 2 pigs at £2 2s; Mr John O'Connell (Mornington), 2 pigs at £2, 2 do at £1 15s; Mr J. Reeves (Signal Hill). 2 pigs at £1 10s 6d; Mr P. M'Donald (Momona), 4 pigs at £1 10s 6d, 3 do at £1 15s. Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) yarded 35, and sold: For Mr Thomas Palmer (Taieri Mouth). 6 pigs at £1 Is to £1; Mr W. Thomas (Waverley), 6 at £1 5s to 15s 6d; Mr J. E. Jones (Brighton), 2 at £2 7s 6d; Messrs Higgins and Guthrie (Momona), 1 at £2 18s; Mr Michael Hackett (Momona). 6 at £1 15s; a client, 1 at £2 12s; Mrs Mary Grant (Highcliff) 1 at £2 ; Messrs Sonntag Bros. (Brockville), 6 at £2 to £1 18s 6d ; a client, 1 at £2 7« 6d; Mr E. Edmond (Leith Valley), 5 at £2 10s to £2 ss. Stronach, Morris, and Co. (Ltd.) yarded and sold: For Mr VV. Thomas (Waverley) and clients, store pigs to £1 16s.——Wriorht, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) penned and sold: For Mr Andrew Crawford (North Taieri), 4 pigs at

ut> to £1; Mr W. T. Higgins (Duke's Road), 7 pigs at 163 6d, 6 do at 15s, 4 do at 14s 6d; Messrs Sprott Bros. (Momona), 2 pigs at £2 17s, 1 do at £3 2s; Messrs J. and W. Lee (Allanton), 1 pig at £2 12s; Mr D. Hughes (Ravensbourne), 2 pigs at £2 3s. Grain. —The market has been very quiet during the last- few weeks, and will probably remain so until after the holidays, as-several of the mills intend closing down •early next week for the holidays, ana thero is very little inquiry from the northern merchants. Oats: Buyers are not keen to operate, as most of them hold stocks, and the tone of the market is quieter. Quotations: Prime milliner. 3s to 3s Id; good to best feed, 2s lOd to 3s; inferior and medium, 2s 9d to 2s lOd per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat: No business of any importance is passing. Good whole fowl wheat is readily sold at quotations. Quotations: Nominal. Prime milling velvet, 3s lOd to 3s lid; Tuscan, etc.. 3s 9d to 3s 9id; best whole fowl wheat, 3s 7d, to 3s 8ld; medium. 3s 4d to 3s' 6d; broken and l damaged, 2s lOd to 3s 3d per bushel (sacks in). Potatoes.—Prime lots of old ones are in good demand, and are selling up to 25s per ton (sacks in), but any lots of medium or small are being sold at Is to Is 6d per sack. Ohaff. —Prime oaten sheaf is in good demand, but medium is practically unsaleable. Quotations: Choice black oaten up to £4 10s; prime white oaten, £4 5s to £4 7s 6d; medium to good. £3 10s to £4 2s od; light, etc.. £3 to £3 10s per ton (bags, extra). Straw.—Oaten (very scarce), £2 to £2 Es per ton; wheaten, £1 10s to £1 15s oer ton. [The individual reports of stock agents, wool, rabbitskiu, or grain brokers can be u»B»rted in the Daily Times and Otags Witness at special rates.] DUNEDIN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT. Messrs A. Moritzson and Co., auctioneers', wool, stock, station, grain, produce, and com* mission agents,. Dubedin, report (wholesale) for the week as under. All quotations -are subject to market fluctuations. Farmers arc asked, when pending samples always to put a price on thsm, as buyers do not feel inclined to make offers: Barley.—Feed, 2s 6d to 3s. Malting, 4a to 4# 9d. Cape barley, 2a 9d to 3s. Wheat. —Prime milling, velvet, 3s 10di to 3s lid; Tuscan, 8s 9d to 3s lOdi, ex store, sacks extra; fowl wheat, 3© 8d to 3s 9d for best whole, ex store; inferior, 3s 3d to 3s Cd, ex store, sacks extra. Oats. —Milling, 2s lid to 3s; medium to good feed, 2s lOd to 2s lid; inferior, 2s 6d to 2s 9d, ex store, sacks extra. Ryecorn, 2s 9d to 'in, 3d (sacks extra). Maize, 3s 6d to 8s 9d (sacks extra). Prussian Blue peas, from 5s to 6s 6d. Partridge peas. 4s. Chaff. —Prime heavy, £4 7s 6d; choice black oat, £4 7s 6d to JE4 10s; medium to good, jg 3 10s to £3 15s. Ryegrass.—Farmers' dressed: New season's 2s Sd to 3a on trucks; machined seed, to 44 6d. Cocksfoot, 7d to' 8d per lb, according to quality; extra,heavy clean, 9d to 9Jd. Clean farmers' seed' can be landed from the Continent at 705.. Linseed, 15s 6d to 16s 6d. Che wing's Fescue. —New season's, mo* chined, 8d to 62<E, Walnuts—New season's, 7d to Bd. Eggs.—Fresh, Is Id to Is 2d; guaranteed, Is 2d to Is 3d per dozen. Rabbitskins.—At the sale on Monday small catalogues were submitipd Sto the usual attendance of buyers, prices ruling about on a par with last sale's. We quote: Best winter does, 20d to 21d; first winter does, 18d to 19d; outgoing winter does, 14d to 16d; springs, 8d to lOJd; best winter bucks, 16d to 17d; second winter bucks, 14d to 15Jd; springs and outgoings', 10d to"l2Jd; best blacks, 18d to 20d; second! : winter blacks, 16d to 17di- autumns and incoming, 14d to 15d; summers, 8d to'lOd; fawns, lOd to 14£d; horsehair, 8d to lOd? baxeskins, 4£ to 8d; cow-tips, la 6d to la 10|d per dozen; oatskins, 3d to Gd each. Sheepskins.—At the sale on Tuesday good catalogues were submitted to a full attendance of buyers, prices ruling firm at last sale's rates'. Best hfailfbrevte, 6d to 7d; good halfbreds, 5Jd to sfd;, best fine crossbred®, sfdl to 6Jd;; fallen halfbreds, 4Jd to 5Jd; good fine crossbreds, SJ& to 6fd; fallen fin© cross bred*, 4Jd to sd; short fine crossbreds, 3Jd to 4Jd p best crossbreds, sid to 6|d; good crossbreds', 4&d to sd; fallen crossbreds, 3J to 4Jd i short crossbreds, 3Jd to 4£d; best merino*, 6d to 6Jd; good merinos, 5d to sjjd; short and fallen, 3d to 4Jd; best hoggets, s§d to 6d; fallen hoggets, 4Jd to 6d; best'pelts, 3d to 3Jd; good pelts, 2d to 3fd; inferior pelts, Id to ljd; spring lambs, 4d to 4Jd. Tallow.—The following are the ruling prices:—Best rendered, in tins, 23s to 25sy medium rendered, in tins, 20s to 22s;' inferior rendered, in tins, 17s to 19s; best rendered, in casks, 26a to 27s 6d; medium rendered, ; in. casks, 23s to 24s 6d; inferior rendered, in casks, 20s to 225; best caul fat. 21s 6d; rough fat. 12s to 16s 6dv Hides.—Thero was a sale held on the lSthj 1 prices ruling firm at last sale's rates:—■ ! Picked stout ox, 60lb to 751 b, 8d to 9Jd; stout, 601 b to 751 b, 7|& to 8d; medium substance, 581 b to 651 b. 7Jd to 7Jd; 4Mb'to 501 b, 6jd to 7d; 30lb to 38lb, 6|d to 6ld; oows, 581 b to 651 b, 6|d to 7d; 401 b to 50lb, 6§d to 6Jd; 30lb to 38lb, 6gd to 6ld; bulla and. stags, sid to sj|d; scored and sloppy;, 6d to 6|d; cut and damaged, 5Jd to 6d ?, best yearlings, 6Jd to 6id; cut yearlings, 5d to s|d; best calfskins, 9d to 9|d; good calfskins, BJd to BJd; cut calfskins, 6|d to 7£d; slippy calfskins, 4Jd to 5Jd

Wool.—The following are the prices ruling:—Best balfbred, BJd to 9Jd; good, 7£d to 6Jd; inferior, 6d t« 7d; best crossbred, g 6id to BJdj inferior, 5d to 6Jd; best bellioa and pieces, 6d to 6dj second, 3jd to 4Jd; ( lock 3, Id to 3d; merino fleeces, 7d to 9£d;, crutchings. 3£d to 6Jd.

Old Potatoes. —Prims fresh smples, £2 to £3, >ex rail, Dunedin; medium, unsaleable, !Looa,l grown Peninsulas, ljd to 2d per lb. Salt butter, 9£d to lOd; separator, lid;' fresh butter (in pats), storekeepers, B£d to 9d. Cheese. —Factory, 7d; Akaroa, 6Jd to 6fd; loaf Jd more. Honey.—ln good demand. Section honey, new season's, Gs to 7b Der doz.; bulk, larga tins, 4d; small tins, *id to 4Jd. Beeswax, Is 4d to Is Ed; wanted. Hams, 9d. Bacon.—Boll, 8d to BJd, sides, 7d to B<3 (slow of sale)u

Poultry for Local Consumption.—Hens, 3s 6d to 4a 6d per pair; roosters, 4s to Bs 1 per pair; turkeys—hens, 5d to 6d; cocks, 8d to 9d; gees'©, Gs to 7k; ducks (old), 3s to 5a per pair; ducklings, 6s to 8s per pair. Fruit.—ln good demand. Fish Oil, for orchardists or soap manufacturers, from 2s to 2s 6d per gallon.

Onions.—'Melbourne; brown Spanish, £ls. Storing €Jrain. —We are prepured to store, r«c*ive, deliver, and insure for three months }ree storage at 3d per sack. Farm Produce and Fruit. —We receive all kinds of consignments, and render account Bales promptly.

CENTRAL PRODUCE MART. LTD. Report for week ended Saturday, the 16th December : —■ Business the past .week has beon exceptionally brisk, all fruit arriving freely. On Tuesday morning we had the largest quantity of strawberries seen in one sale room in Dunedin for some years, no less than 72 large.crates in all, which met a splendid demand. Cherries, tomatoes, and ajl good seasonable fruits have met a splendid Sale. We. had our first consignments of black currants from Mr Ash worth, Alexandra, on Wednesday, a nice sample, which realised the record price of s|d per lb. Gooseberries continue to meet a splendid demand,. and the same applies to rhubarb. The Rarotonga shipment of bananas arrived on- Monday and Thursday, of a total shipment- of 1500 cases, 976 being consigned to ■ our firm. The bananas arrived -in-very good - condition, though we regret the -pines were in an almost rotten condition. Green peas: have been very scarce, arid there is a prospect of exceptionally high prices ruling the coming week. Potatoes from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru, Seacliff, and the Peninsula have been arriving freely, and the market is fully supplied, and prices are lower in consequence. Eggs have been in great demand. We cleared some 93 cases and crates from Is to Is Id per dozen. Butter, also, arrived freely, and met a ready sale from Bf.d to 10id. Pigs have been short, and curers have found it difficult to secure supplies. Poultry came forward freely, especially hens, for which the demand 1 is limited, and lower prices had to be accepted to effect a clearance. Ducklings met a splendid demand at 3s 6d each, goslings realised 4s to 4s 6d, spring cockerels from Is 9d to 2s 9d, old oocks Is 3d to Is 6d, old ducks Is 9d to 2s 3d, old hens Is Id to Is Bd. We will' hold our usual Wednesday sale, and a Christmas sale of poultry on Friday at 2 p.m. We give below the actual prices secured for our consignors:—Strawberries < —Jam,' poor sd, good 6£d to 7£d; dessert, Bd, B±<J, 9d, lOd, 10£d per lb. Cherries— Cooking, 3|d, 4d, to s£d; dessert, 6£d, 9d,.lbd, Is per lb. Adelaide oranges, 10s to lis per case; navels, 15s to 16s per case. Lemons, 12s per case. Bananas, from 6s 6d to 12s per case. Cucumbers, 14s per case; Auckland 8s to 9s. Tomatoes, Is, Is Id, Is 2d, and Is 3d. Gooseberries, l|d, 2d, 2id per lb. Black currants, sfd. Green peas, to 3d per lb. New potatoes -—Seacliff, 8s to 9s; Aucklands,7s to 9s per cwt j Peninsula, l£d to 13d per lb. Rhubarb, 7g to 9s 6d per cwt. Apples (choice winesaps), 16s 6d per case. VegetablesLettuce, 6d to Is per case. Cabbage, 2s to 4s per sack. Old potatoes, 2s- to 3s per bag. Onions (scarce), 13s. to 14s per cwt. Oat-sheaf chaff, £4 to £4 ss, ex truck. Oats (prime), 3s per bushel. Black oats, • 3s Id to 3s l£d per bushel. Fowl wheat, 3s 3d to 3s 9d per bushel. Crushed oats, 3s 3d per bushel. Wheat straw, 355. Pig. meal, 9s 3d per bag. Pollard,. 9s 3d per bag. Rice meal 7s-6d per bag; Bran (scarce), 5s per bag.- Broken orange Pekoe tea'(slb/ 101 b, and 201 b chests), Is Id to Is 2d per lb. ■-. Eggs—Case, lid to Is; stamped and guaranteed. Is to Is Id per dozen. Butter • Separator, 9d to 10W per lb; .dairy pats, B|d to 9d per lb. Preserved ginger, 6£d per lb. Figs, 3d W per lb. Dates, 2s 9d-to 4s 3d per dozen per l£lb cartons. Walnuts, 8d . per lb. Brazil huts, Bd' per lb. Peanuts, 2£d to $d per lb. Honey. 3£d to 4d per lb. Cheese (for choice), -6id to 6£d per lb. Bacon, 7£d to 9d per lb. Prime bacon pigs and porkers, s£d to 6d per lb; heavy weights, 3d to 4£d per lb. Blood meal, 17s.- Chicken foods, in splendid demand at market rates. Comet egg preserver, 9d per tin. Meat: Mutton, choice cuts 4d; other cuts, 2£d to 3d. Rabbitskins.— Super, winter does, 20d to 21d; first winter does, 18d to 19d; outgoing winter does, 14£d to 16d; best winter bucks, 16d to 17d; second winter bucks, 14£d to lsid; outgoing: and springs, lid to".l2£d: spring does, 8d to 10£d; prime racks, 9d jto 9£d; light racks, 7d to 8d; runners and Buckers 2d to 4d; best blacks, 18d to 20d; Second blacks, 16d to 17d; autumns and incomings 13d to 14£d ; summers, 8d to lOd ; fawns. lOd to 14-£d. Horsehair, 16d to 19d. Catskins, 3d to od each. Sheepskina—Best jialfbreds, 6d to 7d; good halfbreds, 5d to 63d • fallen halfbreds, 5d to s£d; best crosssid- 'fallen crossbreds, 3£d to 4£d; best merinos, 6d to 6£d; ~ good merinos, 5d to sid- short and inferior,. 3£d to 4£d; best hoggets' s£d to 6d; fallen hoggets, 4d to sd; pelts, 2d to 3£d; inferior pelts, Id to Hd- -spring lambs, 4£d. Tallow.—Best rendered, in tins, 23s to 255; medium rendered', in tins. 20s to 22s 6d; inferior, rendered', in tins, 17s toT9s; best rendered, in <3asks, 26s to 27s OCT; medium rendered, in casks'- 23s to- 24s 6d; inferior rendered, in casks.' 20s to 225: best caul, fat, 21s 6d; S-ou(jh fat, 12s to 16s 6d. ' Hides.—Ox: Picked stout, 8d to 9dr stout. 7d to 7£d; heavy (not stout), 6d to 6£d; medium, 61d to 6|d;' light, .6d to 6*d Cow: Heavy. 6M to Bid; medium, 6|d to bid; light,. 62d to 6|d; scored and sloppy, 5d to s|d; out'and slippy, 4d to 4|d Picked calfskins B|d to 9d; good calfskins, 8d to Bid; cut calfskins, 6£d to 7£d; slippy, Id to 3£d. Best yearlings, s£d to bid.; damaged, 4d to Aid Wool.—Best halfbred, 8d to 9Jd; medium halfbred. 7d to 7|d; inferior halfbred 6d to b%d ; best .crossbred, 7d to B£d j medium crossbred, 6id to 61d: inferior crossbred, s£d .to 6d; merino 7d to 9d? best pieces, 5d to 6£d; second pieces, 4d to 4£d; locks 1M to 3d. As this will be our last report before Christmas we. respectfully wish our consignors and customers a very happy Christina « —Yours faithfully, . 1 REILLY, SCOTT, & GILL, Proprietors. ORIENT STEAMSHIP COMPANY. U±t LONDON, December 10.' The Orient Steamship Company shows profits amounting to £174,751. of 5 per cent, on deferred capital stock was declared, £30,000 placed to repair and renewal account, £50,000 to underwriting account, £50,000- to the general reserve, and the, balance carried forward. NATION4L BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. "WELLINGTON, December 13. The general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand has received a eableeram from London advising that the board Of directors has declared an interim dividend for the half year to 30th September last at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum. MONEY MARKET. The decided improvement in .the wool irarket is splendid new* for the Dominion, as it means a colorable addition to the ccvnh'y'p jijcomo. and Materially atiects the Supply of here. Our dairy.produce also is realising esx-.-dent prices. As re-

gards the volume of the season's output, is a little early to estimate what that wni be, as the weather has retarded operations to a, great extent. For the seaison, as. far as we have gone, our exports Siui 'ityinuimb ut & ( JT»iC puiueq Qiv may be made up to a. great extent, as the season progresses. Two banking authorities have roi-ently commented on the rapid growth in the scale of importation, and have issued a note of warning as to the result of this growth if continued. We have referred to this matter before in our columns, and have pointed cut that if this growth in imports continues, without a corresponding growth in the value of bur exports, the result will •be a. hardening of the money market. Money has been fairly plentiful for. some little time past, but a slightly firmer tendency■ is . noticeable now;, although there is still a sufficient supply available for all ordinary requirements, and iio real stringency is to be anticipated in the near future. —Trade Review.