COMMERCIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3335, 10 December 1883, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

S. 0. Times Office, Monday Evening. Messrs Maclean and Stewart report for the past week as follows, \iz. Horses—A decided improvement in the demand for good draught horses was noticeable in their yards on Saturday, and although there was no great change in prices offering, still their sale on Saturday was livelier than it has been for a good few Saturdays back, and there was a greater competition for the different lots. Their entries on Saturday consisted of about 30 fair and good draughts and about 20 light harness horses and hacks. A consignment of the latter of 15 head, from Hakatere Station, found purchasers at from £8 to £10; one pair of well-matched greys at £2B; another pair at £18; for good draughts, prices were from £26 to £32105; ordinary sorts from £lB to £24, Sheep—There is a brisk demand for all classes of store sheep, and good prices are obtainable,especially for young cross-breds; A full entry came to hand at the Washdyke Yards last Monday. Over 1100 store sheep and 500 fat sheep were penned, and with few exceptions, all the lots found ready purchasers. For store sheep, the prices given were 500 hoggets at 13s 3d; 207 wethers and ewes at 12s. Privately they have placed during the week a line of 2000 half-bred 2 and 4-tooth wethers at a satisfactory price. Fat sheep—At the Washdyke they sold on Monday last 150 fat hoggets at 13s Gd ; 140 cross-bred ewes and wethers at 16a; 130 hoggets at 13s 6d, and several small lots at similar prices. Cattle —Store cattle, if well grown andnot too young, And ready buyers at fair prices, and the demand seems to be more brisk every week. Nearly 200 head fat and store cattle were booked for sal®; at the Washdyke last Monday, but in a good many cases the owners were putting high values on their stock, and in consequence several lots were not placed. They sold 5 heifers at £2 12s Gd ; 15 yearlinss at 30s ;11 young steers, £2 3s ; 15 steers and heifers at £3 16s; and sundry other small lots at the above quotations. Fat cattle—Prices ruling are about equal to 25s per 1001 b for prime quality beef. The Winchester Fair last Thursday was better represented by stock than it has been for a month or two. A good many lots of store cattle were received, and these were readily sold. They quitted a line of 35 steers and heifers after the sale at a satisfactory price, and sundry lots by auction at from £5 10a to £6 17s 6 j for well forward steers. Privately on Saturday, they sold a small line of 22 good steers at good values. Property—They submitted on Satnrds v at auction on account of several owne' , number of freehold and leasehold ser ~-n riq in Timaru. but with one exception was no bidding, and the several ' passed in. lota were