MARKETS.

Patea Mail, 20 February 1882, Page 4

MARKETS.

LONDON SEED TRADE.

Messrs John Shaw and Sons, London, report that the market during the month ending December 29th 1881 ; was as is usually (he case at that time of the year, extremely quiet, in spite of which, though values all round showed no signs of giving way, in fact the tendency was, in some cases, rather the reverse. A little more attention had been devoted to red clover, and it seems probable, that when the spring demand set in, prices will advance, stocks being very light Fine English especially so. White clover and Alsyke firm, with but little enquiry. Trefoil in rather better demand, and prices'slightly stiffen Italian rye grass dearer, fine samples being very scarce and held for extreme rates. Timothy is reported to be a very short crop, and stocks being extremely limited, fine bright samples particularly so, an advance on the high prices prevailing must speedily take place. Sowing rape seed was very quiet, in consequence of which, and in spite of small stocks, prices were low, Canary quiet, at late rates. Hemp seed was in rather better demand at full rates.

CANTERBURY STOCK MARKET. (From Canterbury Times.)

A large supply of all descriptions of fat and store stock was yarded on the 15th. There was a large attendance, and biddings were fairly animated throughout the sale. Sheep. —A good entry of prime and medium quality fat cross-breds came to hand, together with a fair proportion of merinos. Prime cross-breds sold at from lls to 12a 3d ; medium ditto from 8a 9d to 10s ; best merinoes, 7s and 7s 6d. We quote 2d per lb as an average for mutton. Stores : Two-tooth cross-breds realised 7s ; merino ewes (full and broken mouthed) are at 4s 7d and 5s each. Cattle. —Best fat steers sold to £Blos ; others from £5 10s to £7, according to quality. Wo quote 20s per lOOlbs as an average for beef. A good entry of store cattle was submitted, for which the demand was keen compared with late sales, 18-monlhs-old steers s®ld to £3 5s each ; 2-yeav-old ditto to £4 10s ; 3 years and upwards to £5.