OUT AND ABOUT

Otago Witness, Issue 3954, 24 December 1929, Page 15

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEEK IN OTAGO. the weather conditions during the early part of the week were of a mixed nature, with fog along the coastal lands of Otago, some improvement was apparent on Thursday, with good prospects of the ordinary farm work being undertaken with little delay. BURNSIDE MARKET. The double market prior to Christmas week at the metropolitan saleyards, Bumside, was moderately stocked, the attendance being fa inly large. Fortunately, some of the larger butchers had secured supplies outside, and values in consequence did not soar unduly, although noth beef and mutton were dear. The next Burnside sale will not be held until Friday, January 3, so there was generally a good demand for the best grades of fat stock.

The supply of fat cattle 228 (176 last sale) was all required, and the demand was keen. The quality was, for the most part, good, including a number of heavy bullocks and some prime cows and heifers, beef making to 52s per 1001 b. An entry of 1880 fat sheep (1249 last sale) comprised practically all shorn sheep, including a fairly large number of ewes, some extra good wethers, and the balance useful sorts. The demand opened firm to 9d lower than the previous week, to firm up finishing strongly on a level with last sale’s rates, wethers making to and around s:]d per lb. The yarding of fat lambs. 1680 (343 last sale, and 1603 last year), included a number of plain sorts, together with a fair number of pennings of very fair to prime quality. The demand opened keenly, and last sales rates were improved upon, but prices receded for all but prime quality, and values generally were firm to Is better than a week ago, lamb making to 9Ad per lb. Hie store cattle, with the exception of the cows, comprised a medium lot, the few steers penned being passed at auction. Ihe cows sold well at unchanged rates. The entry of fat pigs. 230, was a large one, and values declined 7s 6d to 10s a head, but the 65 stores moved off readily at unchanged rates. Baconers made to Bd, and porkers to 81d per lb. COUNTRY STOCK SALES. GORE. The fortnightly stock sale was held at Gore in dull showery weather before a large attendance of farmers and buyers. There was an entry of 647, ’ including a fair number of fats. There was a fair demand for fat wethers, shorn sorts realising from 28s to 30s, while woolly sorts made from 29s 9d to 345. Shorn fat ewes realised from 15s to 21s 6d. In the store pens a few lines were on offer, and two-tooth shorn wethers changed hands at up to 22s Bd, while mixed-sex hoggets made 245. The entry comprised 48 head, threequarters of which were fats. Some good quality bullocks were on offer and realised from £l3 12s 6d to £l7, while fat cows made from £8 10s to £l2 15s, and fat heifers from £8 10s to £l2. Only a small number of stores were forward, dairy cows in milk making up to £6, while heifers close to profit made £9 15s’ \ earhng steers changed hands at up to £4, and bulls from £6 17s 6d to £8 2s 6d.

SHORTHORNS ABROAD. Although conditions in the Home ountry for the export of stock have not been very favourable, since January 1 of the Shorthorn Society has issued Cl exportation certificates in respect of i The dominions have taken 1/0 head; Canada leads with 75, followed by Rhodesia with 41, South Africa with 19, Kenya Colony with 10. The South American Republics, taken as a group, account for 201, Aro-en-tina having imported 88, Eucador 21, Chili 11, Brazil 8 Uruguay 5, and Costa Rica 1, while 6/ head were consigned to South Amenca, without further note as to their ultimate destination. The United States of America took 72 head, and European countries 91, including Russia 84, Denmark o, Italy 2, and Trance and Germany one apiece. CLYDESDALES FOR NEW ZEALAND. ) Wi lV an l Ca’Tuthers, Netherton, Auchenheath, has shipped to New Zealand, to the order of Mr Ben Ferguson, Rangiora. Christchurch, a couple ot two-year-old Clydesdale fillies. They were shipped from Liverpool by the ss Cornwall on October 25. and both are expected to be in foal, one to Scotland’s Select, and the other to Scotland’s Marcellus. One is Etta, bred by Mr James Gray, late of Crawfordston, Kippen, and got by Botha out of Peggy of Crawfordston. by Plato, and the other, bred by Air E. G. Thomson. Callands, West Linton, was sired by Fyvie Enterprise out of Callands Audacity, by Footprint. In addition to these fillies. Air Carruthers is shipping the third prize £126 mare at the recent Lanark sales. Bred by Messrs William Young and Sons, Reilly, Houston, this promising three-year-old, now named Netherton Mabel, was sired by Lofty’ Pride out of Reilly’ Nell, by Ilrumcross Radiant, the Cawdor Cup champion of 1915. She was served in June to Dunure Fort. HERD TESTING IN OTAGO. The introduction of herd-testing into the dairying district of the Taieri Plains last year has proved to be one of the most important factors in the development of the industry in this part of Otago, and the fact that farmers have now realised the value of the system is demonstrated by the increased number of herds that come under the jurisdiction of the Taieri group of the Southland Herd-testing Association. For the month of November there were 33 herds, comprising 817 cows, under test, and the average per cow yield of milk was 10931 b, with a test of 3.6 and a butter-fat yield of 40.061 b per cow’. The highest herd in the Taieri group produced 52.731 b of fat per cow, there being 15 cows in the herd. The

lowest herd in. the group, comprising 21 cows, returned a mean butter-fat yield of 24 241 b of fat per cow. The best individual cow in the group produced 861 b of butter fat aud the lowest producer re* turned 121 b of fat for the month. It is interesting to compare these figures with the averages for the whole of the association. In the Southland Herd-testing Association for November there were 246 herds under test, comprising 7992 cows. The average milk production was 11291 b per cow. the fat production 41.101 b per cow, and the mean test 3.6. For the same month last year the number of herds under test was 245, comprising 7724 cows. The milk average for the month was 10591 b per cow. the fat average 37.241 b per cow, and the mean test Another Otago group affiliated to the Southland Association is located in the Stirling district. There were 27 herds in this group in November, the total number of cows under test being 908. ’l'lie average per cow production of milk was slightly better than in the case of the Taieri, being 1142, the mean test over all the herds being 3.7, and the per cow butterfat average 42.451 b. The best herd in the group produced an average of 50.141 b of butter-fat per cow in a herd of 28 cows, and the lowest herd, comprising 23 cows, averaged 331 b of butter-fat per cow tor the month. The best individual COW in the group returned her owner 1011 b of butterfat for the month, and the poorest producer yielded 151 b for the same period. The best individual producer in the Southland Association yielded 1221 b of fat for the month, this animal being found in a herd under test in the Edendale group. Mataura produced a 1041 b cow, and the No. 2 AVaimatuku group is credited with another animal which reached the very satisfactory figure of 1061 b.

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. The December issue of the Canterbury Agricultural Magazine is of considerable interest, and shows evidence of being in touch with modern ideas regarding agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and ° is, generally’, of a stimulating nature, and well worth perusal of all concerned in this pushful age. The magazine contains a good deal of informative matter, and an interesting review of the work in hand on the college farm, and generally will be welcomed by old and present students of an institution founded m 1880. THE DAIRY WORLD. The supply of milk at the various factories in Otago is satisfactory, some herds yielding more milk than at this time last year, and, generally speaking, the prospects in regard to the yield of butter-fat .re promising. The total export trade this year for Red Polls has been almost double that of any previous year, according to a statement made at a recent council meeting in England. This dual purpose breed is generally acclaimed to be “ second to none.” Penrith recorded (says a Home exchange) a great sale of Dairy Shorthorns. Bulls with dairy pedigree made llOgns, 105gns, and lOOgns; average for 98 dairy bulls £45 Us 4d. Average for 215 head of both sexes and varying ages £39 4s 6d. There is a strong demand for Government subsidy bulls in South Australia. During the last three months 51 subsidised bulls fit for service have been sold. Thev consisted of 32 Jerseys, 9 Australian Milktog Shorthorns, and Illawarra Milking Shorthorns, 6 Ayrshires, and 4 Friesians.

The dispersal of the Cirencester herd of Red Poll cattle, belonging to Alajor J Gordon Dugdale. resulted in the excellent average of £5O for a total of 69 head. The stock were sold to go all over England well as into Scotland, Ireland, and W ales. A sharp trade was experienced for all classes of the animals. The highest price realised for a female was lOOgns. Ihe bulls made up to 250gns, for Whiteway AA ar Lord, a two-year-old, whose dam. Framlingham Proud Lass, has averaged 1391 gal with her first six calves. The bull goes to the Argentine. There have been several requests in recent years that the London Dairy Show should be restricted to tuberculin-tested animals, or at least that such should not be required to mix with others that had not passed the test. It may be that the time is not yet ripe for this, but we have already milk record requirements and unless some fresh light is thrown on the tuberculin test it is almost inevitable that a test qualification will follow. In the London Dairy Show milking trials there were a few rather startling butter-fat percentages as well as some big milk yields. A Friesian averaged 102.651 b of milk over the two days’ trial, which is a record for the show. Ami it follows a record of 1031 b for the Royal Show, also set up by the breed. Another Friesian’s evening milk tested 6.78 per cent, of fat. and the morning milk of a Shorthorn no less than 7.14 per cent. OTAGO PENINSULA SHOW. The following additional awards were made at the annual show of the Peninsula Agricultural and Pastoral Society on December 14: — Sheep guessing—A. J. Lenz (Alosgiel) and John Alitchell (Burnside). The correct weight was 1831 b, both these gentlemen guessing 1821 b. Distance sheaf tossing—AV. J. Bennett 1, F. Watson 2. Best hurdle jumper—J. E. Brunton 1, AV. Hastie 2. H. S. Jones 3. Best hurdle jumper (lady rider) —H. S. Jones 1, W. Hastie 2, Mrs Miller 3. High jump—AV. Hastie 1, H. S. Jones 2. Mr George Walters’s cup for most points in all classes—A. Stewart. MUSTERERS’ AWARD. At the sitting of the Conciliation Council on December 3 to deal with the industrial dispute concerning musterers, packers, and drovers, no agreement was reached, mainly because a similar dispute concerning the Canterbury district was then under consideration by the Arbitration Court. The court’s award for the Canterbury district has now been made, and it has been agreed by the

parties to accept a similar award for Otago and Southland. The only alteration from the previous award is in respect of packers, the following new provision having been inserted:—“Packers engaged by the week shall receive an additional payment of 16s 2d for any Sunday on which they are required to work.” The new award will operate for two years from December 23. MARKETING OF WOOL. The preliminary proposals for the establishment of a board of control to regulate the marketing of wool were placed before the . Government by a committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. While admitting that cooperation was in the interests of the primary producers the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr G AA . Forbes) stated that there would have to be a certain amount of unanimity amongst those interested betore any legislation was placed on the Statute Book. He said he would be only too pleased to attend a conference of the various parties which is to be held early in tne New Year. JOTTINGS. AVoolgrowers in Central Otago are having a delayed run in shearing, and farmers are complaining of the long periods during which the hay is having to lie in the field. Ihe prevailing weather conditions in Otago although conducive to the generous growth of vegetation, are retardin" turnip sowing, while the lack of sunshine is adversely afiecting the fattening value of lamb feed. Mature sheep are doing very well, while there is ample cow feed, but younger stock are finding the feed watery, and scouring is noticeable, and lambs are inclined to grow instead of building up condition.

Ihe yardings of stock at the metropolitan market, Burnside, on the occa sion of the “ double ” market were not excessive, with the result that sheep sold readily at rather better rates than the previous week for best sorts. Some of the butchers had bought lambs in the country for the Christmas trade, and were only interested in the primest consignments on AA ednesday, the prices, in consequence, being at times irregular. It is of interest to learn that in Chicago this year there had been 10,000 more horse-drawn vehicles licensed in the first six months than there had been for the whole of 1928. In New York all the milk, coal, and laundry vans are horse-drawn. Good old horse.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at Westweston, Hassocks, East Sussex, in October. The usual precautions have been adopted prohibiting the movement of animals in an area of approximately 15 miles’ radius round the infected premises. At a public meeting at Manchester, presided over by the Lord Mayor, a resolution was carried approving the action of the City Council in inviting the R.A.S.E. to hold its 1930 show at Manchester. The last occasion the “ Royal ” visited Manchester was in 1916. A local guarantee fund of £lO,OOO is required, and towards this Lord Daresbury and Mr Roger Power have each promised £5OO. Nine European nations are represented at a conference of the International Wool I'ederation, which was opened at Bradford on November 28 in order to discuss the question of intensifying the use of wool all over the world. The proceedings were devoted to the making of arrangements for the conference, at which France will introduce the question of the intensified use of wool.

It has been repeatedly stated that the bonus on exported pork did not benefit the producers, but went into the pockets of the exporters (says the Taranaki Herald). Mr Arthur Morton, chairman of the Inglewood Bacon Company, some time ago stated that every penny of the bonus received by that company went to the producers, and now we learn that Messrs Thomas Borthwick and Sons are paying the bonus on pork exported through them to the producers. Several requests have been made to the A ictorian Minister of Trade and Customs for permission to export stud sheep. Under the regulations proclaimed recently the exportation of stud sheep from the Commonwealth is prohibited except with the consent of the Minister of Trade and Customs. One of the requests was granted, that of Mr J. M. Niall, to send two Border Leicester rams to the Sudan. Mr Niall has made a gift of these rams to the Gezira Research Farm, AA'ad Medani. The Australian Corriedale Sheepbreeders Association was formed about 13 years a S° f° r the purpose of registering only flocks of undoubtedly pure origin. To maintain trueness of type an annual inspection of young sheep is made bv experts, and any animal that docs not roach the standard fixed by the association is culled. Every sheep passed by the inspectors is tattooed in the ear with the letter C. Prospective purchasers are warned against buying sheep that do not bear this hallmark of purity.

Farmers in the Mount Somers district, Canterbury, are busy sowing rape and turnips, and shearing is fairly general. Lambing is almost completed iii the back country, and runholders are busy with their annual dockings, besides making ready for the wool clip. Fair lambing averages are reported in the back country, which in a measure will compensate for some of the heavy losses occasioned by the late winter heavy snowfalls. It is stated that one station’s losses in the snow reached over 4000 sheep. Mr 0. D. Dickie’s suggestion that all the existing producers’ boards should be merged in one is worth consideration by the farmers (says the Dominion). At present there are meat, dairy produce, fruit, honey, and kauri gum boards. The overhead expenses of the several organisations could be considerably reduced if they were amalgamated and the single board remaining could handle equally well the questions of shipments, insurance, advertising, market reports, and so on. In fact, the board should be in a better bargaining position, and its greater resources, even though derived from smaller levies would enable it to engage more expert

staffs and give still better service to the producers. It was announced at a meeting of the Edinburgh University Court recently that Mr Thomas Bassett Macaulay, president and manager of the Sun Life Asstirance Company of Canada, had placed at the disposal of the University, on behalf of the Animal Breeding Research Department, a sum of £30,000. Of this sum about £25,000 is earmarked for the scientific work of the department, at the head of which is Professor F. A. E. Crew, who has achieved world-wide fame in the sphere of animal genetics. One of the practical aspects of Mr Macaulay's generous benefaction is that a sum of £5OOO is to be devoted to the purchase of a farm, where the applied work can be conducted under conditions approximating to agricultural practice. The establishment of such a farm should enable tests of more immediate value to the farming community to be carried out.

Mr L. C. Tonkin, of Ettrick, draws attention to a practice in North-west American orchards that is particularly applicable to our Central Otago soils, and that is of building up soil fertility by spreading lucerne hay on the ground in the autumn and discing into the ground in the spring. Any hay that is damaged by rain and not so good for stock would be quite suitable, or the second and third cuttings would be used. The amount spread is one to five tons per acre. Thera is an added advantage in that the hay spread under apple or pear trees would save a lot of windfalls that under present conditions could be marketed. The benefits derived, besides the addition of a large amount of humus, are easier subsequent working of the soil, a decided increase in the nitrogenous content, and retention of irrigation water. The method will be found to have big advantages over cover-crop growing, in that it is less risky, less work, and results are quicker. Of course, heavy discs would be necessary to chop the hay well into the ground in the spring, but with tractors so common and lucerne usually available, small areas (where trees obviously want rejuvenating) could be tried as an experiment.

NEW AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL

AVAIRARAPA TO BENEFIT. MASTERTON, December 20. x The Minister of Education (Mr A. IL Atmore), accompanied by the director of education (Mr T. B. Strong), visited Penrose farm, near Masterton, to-day, and heard further representations by the VA’airarapa Secondary Education Board and by Mr William Perry, on behalf of the farm trustees, regarding the use of the area for the purposes <n an agricultural school for pupils from secondary and district high schools. Mr Atmore inspected the property, which consists of upwards of 700 acres, with large and useful buildings and other equipment, and said that an agricultural school would be established. The local representatives and Mr Atmore agreWd that an agricultural school at Penrose would be a valuable adjunct to the

Massey College. The pick of its pupils ■would go on to the national institution and become scientific instructors in agriculture. The property was provided originally by district donors as a training farm for soldier settlers, with the proviso that it should later be used for general agrieultura I education.

DUNEDIN WOOL SALES.

LARGE CATALOGUE OFFERED. PRICES SHOW BIG INCLINE. The first sale in Dunedin for this season took place in Burns Hal 1 on Friday when catalouges in the following order were submitted:— Bales. Dalgety and Co., Ltd 4828 National Mortgage and A. Co. 2839 Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd 5300 Stronach Morris and Co., Ltd. 1868 D. Reid and Co., Ltd 2155 Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association 1600 New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd. 1542 20,122 A total of 22,567 bales was submitted •t the corresponding sale last year. There was the usual full bench of buyers though it was noticeable that local speculators were practically absent. The wool opened up, considering the Reason, ia fair condition, but as a whole

it was not in as good order as last year due, doubtless, to snowfalls in the winter and a dry spring followed by very showery shearing weather. The market, as was expected, showed a serious drop in values, and until the sale came on few growers realised how great had been the fall. Terrific losses amongst woollen manufacturers and wool traders throughout the world, leading, apart from other circumstances in the financial world not connected with the wool trade, to financial stringency, has cramped operations and destroyed confidence. Coupled with these troubles the growth of demand for artificial textiles, the production of which is now estimated to be equal per annum to 3,000,000 bales of wool, has had a depressing effect on wool trade. Consequently, those interested are not surprised at a fall in values, but few expected it to be. so severe and many fear the pendulum is beginning to swing too far over towards the buyers’ side. Certainly at present prices and bearing in mind costs of everything pertaining to wool growing, including rates, rents, interest, and taxation, one feels that even now the average of prices paid is down to, if not below, costs of production. Efforts are being made to steady up the market by extending the season and limiting offerings, but this suggestion has not, according to cables, met with sympathetic response from Bradford. Bidding yesterday was fairly well spread, although as usual Bradford buyers took the bulk, but fair quantities were taken for Continent—particularly pieces and bellies—and probably a small quantity for America. A buyer for Russia was operating and hig bidding was particularly useful in fipc halfbreda.

On the whole prices yesterday can be quoted as fully up to the basis of the safe in Innaru on the 16th inst., with a tendency towards sellers’ favour, but it seemed to many that the quantity marketed was rather more than the buyers had orders for. London prices at the moment are no better than those here and the tendency there, from reports received, seems to Ire downwards. The following is the range of values with the December sale in

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., sold:— Merino. —Birchgrove, 22 bales 12d; Two Mile, 10 12d; FI, 13 15d; Queensberry Hills, 8 12d; R in circle, 8 12d: bin wool, H 5, 4 123 d; Glendhu, 3 13d; Cecil Peak, 21 13d: bin wool A 3 12d. Halfbred and Corriedale.—CC over C, 12 bales 133 d, 7 14|d; TT conj., 5 14d; —/ZX, 3 J2Jd: Garston, 4 121 d; Hinemqa, 5 13’d; Kite/Dunard, 10“ 14d; 13 13Jd. 7 13!: Deepdell, 7 143 d: The Gums. 4 131 d: Wilden, 19 16d; Elliotvale, 4 121 d; Thora, 7 121 d; NH in diamond' Normanvale, 7 153 d; 30 14’d 16 15d, 5 133 d; IS, 11 14d. 6 13}d. 8 15d, 5 143 d; Dalmain, 6 15<1; TC/Strathclyde. 3 15d, 3 153 d, 6 14|d, 5 133 d; S2/Roxburgh, 6 I2Jd; Onslow View, 6 143 d, 5 133 d, 5 13d; FP/D in diamond. 16 15Sd, 8 123 d; Glenfalloch, 5 12Jd, 5 13d; The Gums, 7 143 d, 7 15d, 5 14jd; Clover Hill, 5 13d; Heart/ Waiwera. 31 123 d; Z 3, 5 141 d; Hectors, 6 12Jd; 9 143 d; bin wool, A 5 9 13d; JH conj./Greenbank 6 12Jd; 6 123 d; JWz Edenbank, 5 123 d; Laudervale. 5 12? d: Hoof, 11 141 d; 7 141 d: Matakanui, 16 131 d; —/BA, 8 14}d; Victoria Hill, 6 12Jd; bin wool, H 5 153 d; bin wool, A A 5 13Jd; Weta, 7 131 d; Wilden, 13 153 d. Fine Crossbred.—27, 9 bales lOJd; 000, 6 lOld; TS, 4 lOJd; X. 5 10’d: Craigdale, 4 101 d; Garston, 4 10§d; Weta, 8 113 d, 7 103 d; Jubilee, 10 Hid, 9 103 d; Hinemoa, 4 103 d; XL, 6 lOJd; M 7 4 lljd; ID. 4 lid; O over eyebrow rev., 5 113 d; JR conj.. 5 14d, 8 12d, 5 lid: Elliotvale, 6 113 d; Clover Downs, 4 12dThora, 7 lOJd; Dalmain, 8 12d; JC 5 10|d; TC/Strathclyde, 5 13!.d, 7 113d’ 5 lUtJ 4 . n fi d ’ 4 H - d; Nithdale, 9 'lid; 82/Roxburgh, 9 113 d; 5, 12 lid- 57 4 8 2 ]oii~^ M --t lo j d: FP ' D diamond, 8 12 jd; Glenfalloch, 6 103 d; IK, 9 133 d a l?H’ V Ud \w Vl ’ 4 10 '3‘L Clover hili; rnv/V-i Seart/Waiwera, 19 lid, 4 10?.d; J\v/Edenbank, 14 103 d; —/OL. 10 lidHectors, 4 12d; Rathenvale, 4 lid; ED*. ' 103 d, 4 lOld; Kuriwao. 1.3 113 d, 4 lid, 8 in'ii'i 1 -ii? ,U d; LG/Maukoro Downs, 10 o 12d; bin wool, 85, 20 11.’.d- bin wool, 86, 14 103<l; bin wool, B 7 10 ’lo3dV" 1 " 0 ?!’ B - 17 lo ‘ d l bi « wool, CG 15 A , WO x-'’ , E6 ’ 4 10 ‘ d ! bin wool, hvi 10i ? : ln^ wle ?' 5 I H d ; Brookvale, k 4 t 5 n * d ; j cn/ Kuriheka. 7 Hid; —Diamond—, 6 HidLaudervale. 4 12d; Glendhu, 4 10? d Hoof- 7 O/Eyebrow rev.. 3 10.'d; Ma akamn, ' UJd 9 lid; EJN/O," 4 i" ooL H; ' d: bin wod - L - V V 1!;?] 111 1 " ooi ’ M - ]4 1O ’ d >- bin wool, A 1 k ld: 4 1 ! 1 Y ool ’ °- 13 103 d; bin wool, Q. 7 ]2d: bin wool R. 24 lOld10\l"°°'’ E E ’ 13 Hail; bin wool, GG. li

R hnm 11 Birchgrove, 8 bales lid; Iwo Mile. 6 12d; Cecil Pea!.’ and Birehgrove, 10 113 d; Cecil Peak, 13 llfd; Var. Group, 84. 5 93d Half bred and Crossbred Necks and slH<D’Tv5 l H<D’Tv n ta ’ i i4 C i S 9 * d: a 12(1, M ilden, 4 12. d, 6 lOd; TC/Strati - 4% 4 n id ;4 9d; FP/D in di “i. 4 93 1, Heart/Maiwera, G 103 d; JW/Edenbank. 8 9d; -/P. 4 93d; XX. 10 OldTwo Mile 6 12d; JH conjoine’d/Greenbank 6 Anise Hill/TD, 4 9?dMatakanui 9 10jd; Var. Group A, 12 ar ; 1 o a o- 1 G w Up 12 9!< L Var - Group A2, 10 9d; Aar. Group A 3, 4 10d; Var. Group A 4, 9 9d; Var. Group A 5 5 9dA ar. Group A 7. 8 9d; A’ar. Group 85. 6 9 4 d: bin wool SS, 4 113 d; bin wool TT. 4 10L1; bin wool UU, 18 91d: bin wool XX, 6 lOJd; bin wool YY, 11 9'd. Donald Reid and Co. sold:— Halfbred and Corriedale.—37 in triangle, 5 bales 14’>d; Sesame. 7 12.'.d; Triangle and stroke. 4 13|d: HB in circle, 7 123 d; X over Fairvue. 20 15d. 14 131 d 5 143 d; 22. 9 123 d; D bin, 3 13Jd; SSS bin. 6 133 d. Crossbred. —Y crossed, 11 bales lOd: XO, 5 lid; Lauriston, 4 lOJd; N. 7 lid; Limesprings. 5 lOld; Brassknoeker. 4 101 d; Z with stroke. 5 lid; Marrell, 5 ll}d; Glenavon, 7 lOJd; A over bar, 9 lljd; 37 in triangle, 8 lOld; Moyola, 5 lid; QQ in square, 8 ibid. 4 103 d; R reversed S, 7 113 d; Wine Cup, 5 lOld. 4 103 d; FP, 4 113 d; 2R, 5 lid: 77. 7 10L1: Lynwilg, 4 lOJd; Chartlea Park, 4 103 d, 5 10.’.d; Circle between strokes. 6 10’.d: AVJS, 4 Hid; AV3 6 lOJd: HB in circle, 10 lUd. 10 Hd; BT. 3 lOJd; Lilillan, 7 10jd; Blythbank, 5 lOJd; GC, 5 lid; X. 5 113 d; K bin, 7 Hd; J bin, 49 lOJd; MMM bin. 8 lid; S bin. 16 lid; T bin. 35 10jd: A 7 bin. 15 103 d; Y bin. 51 Hd; WM, 7 10’d; Strathavon, 4 lOld. Halfbred Necks and Pieces.—Mt Allan. 6 bales lOld: JAV over R. 6 91d; 22, 5 93d; JH, 4 9}d; BB bin, 6 103 d. Crossbred Pieces.—Bin MM, 14 bales BJd % AA’right, Stephenson, and Co. sold: — Halfbred and Corriedale.—S rev T, 4 bales 123 d: Alta A'ady, 4 12Jd; Chestermains, 8 123 d; Tiroiti, 4 123 d. 10 123 d; Balgove. 12 123 d: Cross, 10 123 d; Challenge QQQ, 14 123 d; Deepburn 3, 8 123 d; Onslow Downs, 7 12jd; Mayfield, 7 121 d; Mt Benger ME, 7 12Ad; Challenge B. 11 12id; HH, 5 12Jd: Belmont. 16 133 d: DD, 7 131 d; Perivale, 4 12Jd; Onslow Downs, 8 12Ad. Fine Crossbred. —Avonrath, 7 bales 133 d; JHT, 6 123 d; Horsehoof, 14 12Ad; PD over Isla, 5 12|d; J reversed. 4 123 d: over IS, 5 12jd; Clifton Downs, 6 12d: 61, 7 12d. Halfbred and Corriedale.—Treliske, 11 bales 153 d; Onslow Downs, 9 153 d; DR, 10 153 d: Challenge C. 25 142<1: Challenge R. 24 14? d; Perivale QQQ, 14 14fd; lona, 8 14J<1; Mount Benger over ME, i> 14Ad: Deepburn over 3, 4 14Ad, 6 14Ad; Belmont, 4 143 d, 6 14Ad;"SF, 17 “14jd. 7 143 d; Waiteatua, 6 143 d; Kotiti, 16 143 d; Perivale, 4 143 d, 4 14d: OR 5 14d; Ormaglade. 14 14d; lona, 5 14d; Mount Benger over ME, 17 14d. Crossbred.—Challenge E. 17 bales Hid; 88, 10 lid: JHT, 6 Hd; Reimore, 4 lid; JN over KH, 4 lid; Challenge F, 8 Hd; JWB, 4 lOJd: Challenge E2, 11 lOJd: DR, 4 103 d; Challenge J, 41 lOJd: Challenge O. 18 103 d: Challenge S, 47 103 d: Horsehoof, 4 103 d: Chestermains, 7 103 d; FM. 5 ICjq; 67, 6 103 d; JN over KH, 7 103 d; Alta A’ady, 34 103 d.

Crossbred Necks and Pieces.—Horse* hoof, 7 bales 93d; Challenge 11, 41 93d; Challenge JJ. 14 83d; triangle over RW, 4 BAd; Coombe Hay Estate, 4 83d; Alta Vady, 13 Bjd; Challenge FFF, 19 83d:’ IF over Goodwood, 4 Bjd; Horsehoof. 6 Bd. ’ Halfbred Necks and Pieces.—Onsloiy Downs, 5 bales 113 d; Phcenix, 5 lOAd; Challenge UU, 16 103 d; Challenge ZZ, 29 103<l; GDB over Arrow, 4 103 d; Challenge TT. 8 10d; Taieriside. 14 9Jd; Belmont. 5 92(1; Challenge 88, 293 d; Onslow Downs, G 93d; Roseneath, 5 9Ad; Kotiti, 6 94d. • z , HALFBRED AND CORRIEDALE. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Ass sociation sold:— Halfbred and Corriedale. —CR ip souare, 6 bales 16d. 20 15Ad, 5 153 d, G 144 d; CI over OFCA, 6 153<1; JI over OFCA. G 14jd; AAI over OFCA. 7 13id; Strathavon, 4 153 d; Moana. 4 14(1, 4 124 d; TH (conjoined), 5 15Jd; 3X, 4 123 d; VJ. 4 142(1, 4 144(1; KI over OFCA. 4 13d; 01 over OFCA. 10 123 d: AVP, 6 123 d. ’ Fine Crossbred.—AVP, 5 bales Hid; J 6, 4 123 d; TH (conjoined), 5 12d; LB. 4 114 d; Caldervan, 4 113 d: ZNI over OFCA, 7 123 d; DI over OFCA, 6 13d; FI over OFCA. 5 113 d; PI over OFCA, 17 12d. Crossbred. —MC over Ivybridge. 4 bales lOJd; Moana. 5 lljd; 88. 4 103 d: TH over C, 6 103 d; AB (conjoined), 7 103 d; K. 5 103 d; A2, 4 103 d; AVB over bar. 4 10fd; AVM. 5 12d. 4 lOJd; 3X. 4 lljd; CA. 5 lid; C2 over bar, 4 lljd; RAV, 4 lid; Redan, 6 lid; El over OFCA, 17 lOJd; MI over OFCA. 12 113 d; RI over OFCA, 22 113 d; EEI over OFCA, 14 lid. Halfbred Necks and Pieces.—Cß ip square, 4 bales 103 d. Crossbred Necks and Pieces.—AAAl over OFCA. 8 bales 9Jd: CCCI over OFCA, 12 8d; DDDI over OFCA, 9 83d; GGGI over OFCA, 9 9d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercan, tile Agency Co., Ltd., sold:— Halfbred and Corriedale. Eversley, 4 bales 142(1, 5 13jd; Fuchsia Creek, 5 143 d; Blackcap. 6 113 d; Diamond, 4 12|d; C over WT, 4 12|d; cross 1 over H. 6 Hid; Triangle, 5 124 d; RH, 12 12Jd; M 3. 5 13d, 11 H4d; Conepeaks, 14 123 d; KC, 6 114 d; NZL Bins, 6 134 d, 18 13d, 25 12d, 13 113 d. Fine Crossbred.—Brookside, 4 bales lid; Hydeholme, 9 Hd; Diamond, 4 lOJd; JH in Circle, 4 10£d, 3 133 d; Clifton Falls, 10 lOJd; A 5, 8 10|d, 80 113 d; GG, 4 104(1; Circle, 7 HopehiD, 7 H3d, 8 lOJd; Eversley, 4 114 d, 4 114 d; Bow and Arrow, 4 lOjd; Saddle Park, 5 IJdd; BT, 4 lljd; JF conj., 4 103 d, 4 lOld; Triangle over bar, 4 103 d; PM, 6 113 d; A under Eyebrow, 6 113 d; M.LS lOJd; KC. 6 104(1; Mata Mata. 5 lljd. 4 104 d; NZL over Bins, 20 Hd. 30 103 d, 24 103 d. Crossbred.—lll, 18 bales 9Jd; Diamond, 4 9Jd; JH in Circle, 4 9£d; Highfield, 8 103 d. SO, 4 103 d; GG, 4 92(1; Circle, 4 lOd; Hopehill, 8 103 d, 4 lOd; Bow and Arrow, 4 lOd: Saddle Park, 4 lOJd; JF conjoined, 5 9Jd; PM, 5 103 d; M 3, 6 103 d; KC, 6 104<l; AAI over O, 6 92d; Y2, 8 lOd; 77. 5 lid, 4 lOjd; Mata Mata, 4 10jd; NZL Bins, 19 lOjd, 33 92d. 28 lOd, 4 9’d. 16 lOd, 30 9Jd. Halfbred Pieces.—RH, 6 bales 10? d; M 3, 4 9d, 5 9d; Geordie Hill, 6 8d; NZL over Bins, 7 Hid. 13 lOd. Crossbred Pieces.—Hopehill, 4 8d; Eversley, 4 8d; Mata Mata, 5 B|d; NZL over Bins, 6 94d, 22 83d.

The National Mortgage and Agency Company sold: — Halfbreds. —Teviot over LT, 11 baf.es 15d, 3 144-d, 4 14d; IB in Diamond, 8 14d; Loganbrae. 3 14d; Carlowrie, 4 13Jd; Bin B, 3 13Jd; L in Circle over Routeburn, 3 13i|d; Hillsprings, 4 131 d; Moor, 4 133 d; RTK, 4 ISjd; SO, 4 133 d; Viewpoint, 4 133 d; Crosswords, 9 133 d; Viewfield, 4 13d; HC conjoined, 4 13d; YE, 7 13d; Loganbrae, 5 13d; DB. 6 13d; FS, 5 12jd; Bin F. 8 123 d; RTK, 9 122<1; Crosswords, 10 123 d; Pukekarara, 8 124 d. Fine Crossbreds.—lß in Diamond, 5 bales 133 d; Bin Y, 3 ISjd; Greenvale over KK, 5 123 d; Bin C, 3 ll|d; Bin M, 46 lljd; Greenvale over KK, 10 Hid; Bin H. 16 114 d. Crossbreds.—AVß over Cottesbrook, 7 bales lid; OA, 4 lid; JP conjoined, 4 102 d; YE. 4 102 d; Bin J, 13 10? d; S 7. 5 lOJd; BR, 16 103 d; AIL conjoined, 6 103 d; LO, 5 103 d; AVaihemo over RAI over Downs, 11 lOld; 24, 4,104 d; Strathryall, 4 103 d; CC, 5 104 d; Alatawai, 11 103 d; LO. 5 Hid. Half bred Pieces.—HC conjoined, 5 bales 113<1; Bin VV, 9 lljd; Bin XX, 23 9fd; Loganbrae, 6 92d; Hillsprings, 4 93d; Crosswords, 9 9d HC conjoined, 5 9d. Crossbred Pieces.—Bin AVAV, 10 bales lOld: Bin YY, 28 9jd; Bin MAIAI, 5 81 ' " n CCC, 21 83d; CC, 4 Bjd. ’i, Morris, and Co., Ltd., sold:— lUc.mc.—M in diamond over AIS, 10 bales at 1. 1, 15 15d, 5 14|d; IW, 8 123 d. Halfbred. —TT conj. Linnburn, 4 bales at 13d, 18 Hid. 14 14d, 9 123 d, 7 143 d; Lambhill, 12 153 d, 7 15d, 7 14d, 11 144 d, 12 153 d, 9 142 d; I AV, 10 14d: Maraeweka, 9 14d, 8 143 d; VX, 5 133 d; GT, 4 143 d; At in Diamond over AIS, 10 152 d. 11 153 d; HR over sheepshears, 24 152 d, 12 13Jd, 6 153 d. 1’ ine Crossbred. —TT conj., 7 bales at 13!d; Alanson, 4 12d; .IP conj. 4 lljd; Onslow A 7 iew. 6 12d; Westwood, 5 HAd; VX, 5 14d; Al in Diamond over AIS, 13 153 d. 8 113 d; AR conj., 5 113 d; C over Castle Hill, 9 133 d. Crossbred.—Heart. 4 bales at lOld; Al, 5 133 d; Linnburn, 7 HJd; Otley over Y in Circle, 5 103 d. Alerino Necks and Pieces.—Al in Diamond over MS, 7 bales at 113 d. Halfbred Necks and Pieces. —Linnburn, 4 bales at 113 d, 6 93d; Lambhill, 11 lljd, 10 103 d, 7 93d; Lake Hayes, 4 9d: Al in Diamond over AIS, 6 11 Id, 6 10'd; HR over Sheepshears, 5 IOJd. Crossbred Necks and Pieces.—A over half-circle, 5 bales at B}d; Lake Hayes, 9 9d; C over Castle Hill, 5 B}d; SAI Bin AVool, 15 83d, 3 93d. WOOL SALE FIXTURES. The following are the dates of wool sales yet to be held in the various selling centres with the allocations that have been decided upon by the Wool Committee: — January 6 —Christchurch; 24,000 bales. January 11 —Wellington; 27,000 bales. January 16—Napier; 25,000 bales. January 21—Auckland; 20.000 bales. January 24 —Wanganui; 20,000 bales.

January 30 —Invercargill; 22,000 bales: February 4 —Dunedin; 23,000 bales. February 7 —Timaru, 18.000 bales. February 11 —Christchurch; 24,000 bales February 19—Wellington; 27,000 bales. February 25 —Napier; 25.000 bales. March I—Wanganui; 20,000 bales. March 7 —Christchurch; no limit. March 12 —Dunedin; 23,000 bales. March 14 —Invercargill; no limit March 21—Wellington; 27,000 bales. March 24 —Napier; no limit. March 28 —Auckland; no limit. April 3—Dunedin; no limit. EXTENSION OF ROSTER. OPPOSITION IN BRITAIN. LONDON, December 17. The British Wool Federation will oppose any extension of the roster for the New Zealand wool sales. DUNEDIN MARKETS.

WHEAT, OATS, ETC. Friday Evening. The census of the stocks of wheat in the Dominion as at November 30 shows that there were 3,007,044 bushels of milling quality at that date, so that there will be a substantial carry over to next year. Millers have evidently had a fairly good idea of the position, and that has no doubt prompted them to restrict their buying opefations in the past few months to odd lots to keep up the stock that they had secured earlier in the season. With a fair-sized yield from the new harvest there should be no lack of supplies to meet millers' requirements for the coming year. The holiday season is now close at hand, and the usual quiet time in the wheat market is in evidence. Prices are unchanged at 5s 9d, sacks extra, on trucks, country sidings, for Tuscan, 6s for Hunters, and 6s 3d for Velvet. Fowl wheat can be quoted at round about 6s 3d per bushel, sacks extra, ex store. Millers’ prices for flour, etc., are as follow: — Flour: 2001 b, £l6 15s; 100’s, £l7 15s; 50’s, £18; 25’s, £lB 10s. Bran. £7 per ton. Pollard, £8 10s. Oatmeal: 25’s, £25 10s; 200’s, £24 10s. The census also reveals that at November 30 there were 908,619 bushels of oats available, so here again there appears to be ample supplies, with the returns from the new crops, to meet the Dominion’s requirements for the next year. As a matter of fact, the demand for oats, with the steadily growing increase in the use of the motor car and motor lorry, is falling away year by year So far as the present state of the oat market is concerned, it can be stated to be firm, but with not much business passing. The present quotations to farmers are 3s 2d, sacks extra, on trucks, for As, and 3s Id for B’s. These quotations are more or less nominal, as there are not a great many lines on offer in this district. The shipping prices are 3s 9d. f.0.b., s.i., for A’s. and 3s 8d for B’s. Prices for chaff remain unchanged at £6 10s per ton, ex store, and £6 ss, ex -^ le market continues quiet. With the increasing supplies of new potatoes, interest in old tubers is daily diminishing, about £3 per ton for sound quality is the ruling figure. Produce lines are quoted as follow.— Chaff: Best quality, £6 10s, ex store; £6 ss, ex truck. Potatoes, about £3 per ton. Eggs: Stamped, Is 2d; case, Is Id. Dairy butter: Milled bulk, to Is 3d; pats, Is Id to Is 2d. Bacon, Is 2d per lb; rolls, Is 3d. Hams, Is 2d per lb; boneless, Is 4d. Honey: Bulk. 5d per lb. Onions, to 25s per cwt. FRUIT REPORT. Business has been brisk in the fruit marts during the week. Only a small parcel of citrus fruit was on board the Manuka. A small shipment of Rarotongan bananas, transhipped at Wellington, realised high prices. A line of Fijian will be landed this morning. Oranges are in good supply-—they are cheaper this Christmas than for many years past. Lemons are in short supply, and prices are high. Gooseberries have not been so plentiful during the week. Red and black currants have a fair demand. Strawberries have been in heavy supply. Many of the lines were in poor condition, the result of wet weather and low prices had to be accepted for this fruit. Choice quality brings good prices Most of the supplies are coming from the Roxburgh district. Fair supplies of cherries are reaching the marts. Choice fruit is not equal to the demand, but poor-conditioned is in over-supply. Large quantities of tomatoes arrived from Christchurch early in the week, and there was an easing in prices. Prices however, have firmed a little in the last day or two. Cabbages are in over supply. Supplies of cauliflowers are increasing. New potatoes are in good supply. Prices rule low for this time of the year. Peas have a keen demand. Fair supplies are coming in from all districts. Lettuce continue in over supply. There is only a fair demand for cucumbers. Other vegetables have a normal inquiry. The wholesale prices are as follow: — Apples: Canadian Delicious and Jonathans, 20s to 22s 6d. Bananas: Ripe. 30s to 35s per case. Oranges: Choice Australian Valencias, 21s to 23s 6d per case: American Valencias, 35s to 40s. Lemons: New Zealand-grown, 30s per case; American. 75s to 80s per case. Gooseberries, 2d to 3d per lb. Californian grapes, 23s to 26s 6d per keg. Cherries: Choice, Is 3d to Is 6d; others, 6d to 9d. Strawberries: Choice, lOd to Is 2d per pottle; others, 6d to 9d. Christchurch tomatoes (hothouse), to Is Id per lb; locals, to Is 2d. Red currants, 4d to 6d per lb; black, 4d to sd.

New potatoes. 2d to 24d per lb; North Island, IJd. Green peas, 3d to sd. Cucumbers, 5s to 7s per dozen. Cauliflower: Choice, 8s to 12s per sack. Cabbage: Choice, 2s 6d to 3s per sack of 24: others. Is. Spinach, Is 6d per dozen bunches. Spring onions, 3d to 6d per bundle. White turnips, 6d to 9d per dozen bunches. Radishes. 8d per dozen bunches. , Lettuce, Is per dozen for best; others, unsaleable. Rhubarb: Loose, 21d to 3Jd per lb. New carrots, Is 3d to Is 6d per dozen bunches.

range of prices. Merino 64/70, 60 '64— Dec., 1928. Dec., 1929. Super .. ,. d. d. ■ 191 to 25} d. 13 to d. 15} Average ., 18 to 19 11 to 12} Inferior Fine halfbred. 16 to 171 58, 56/58, 56— 9 to 10} Extra super 16 Super .. ., . 211 to 25 13 to 15 Average — Inferior • 19 to 21 17 to 181 11} 10} to to 12} 11} Medium halfbred, 50/56. 50— buper .. .. Average 20 to 22} 13} to 15} 17 to 191 11} to 12} interior ,. 16 to 17 Coarser half bred, 48/50— 10} to 11} buper .. ,. 19} to 22 H} to 14 Average ., Inferior 17 to 19 16 to 17 10} 9 to to 11 9? Fine crossbred. 46/48— Super .. .. Average 18} to 20 11 to 12 17 to 28 10 to 10? Inferior 15 to 161 8} to 9} Medium crossbred. 44/46— Super .. .. 16} to 18 10} to 11 Average ,. 15 to 16 9 to ]0 Inferior 13 to 14} 8} to »

Bellies and pieces, merino— Good to super 17 to 19 11 to 12} Low to med. 14 to 1G 8 to 10} Ilalfbred— Good to super 19 to 21J 10’ to 12} Low to med. 15 to 18 7J to 10 Crossbred—■ Good to super 17 to 21 81 to 40.1 Low to med. 14 to 161 6 to 8 Crutchings—• Med. to good 11 to 13.1 7 to 9 Inf and seedy 7 to 101 4 to 6} Locks 7 to 11 3 to 6