INVERCARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 60, 5 June 1863, Page 2

INVERCARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Mfssbs. Robertson & Co. report for the month of May : — Tlie prognostication that we submitted to our friends in our last monthly report, h ave been to the fullest extent, realised by the turn this market has taken during the month of May, and we will now take the liberty of making a short retrospect of events, ani afterwards give an opinion of that which may, with confidenco ho looked forward to, for the present month of June. The month of May opened with very high rates of cartage to the Lake Diggings, ranging from LOO to L 65 per ton, actually paid, and a crroat demand for teams afc (hat rate, with from L 5 to LIO more asking ; and from the state of the roads, with every probability that if the demand for goods should continue, and no favorable change in the weather took place, tkat even higher rates would be not only asked but paid; however, a few days fine drying weather, g*ave the blow to heavy rates ; then came tho news that buyers at the Lake could get carriage as cheap, if not cheaper, from Dunedin, although the distance is nearly double, and at once the carters had to submit to another reduction ; but that which tended more than any otber thing to making "the demands of these gentlemen more reasonable, was the fact that it was found that the demand afc the Lake for goods was gradually falling off, and, in fact , thafc thestock was heavier than was likely to be moved off for some weeks. Cartage then commenced falling, and before the end of May a material reduction had tobe submitted to. That these facts should have a most decided effect upon the horse market was to be expected, but we are happy to report that, although the reduction has thrown a good many teams, both of horses and bullocks into the market, prices have suffered but very slightly, and anything really staunch aud good continues to commend annexed quotations. For the future, we can only repeat our advices, that great care should be used in selecting shipments ; that all horses should, as far as possible be such as can be readily warranted staunch and sound, thafc few unbroken c«lt3 should be sont, and that inferior hacks should be avoided altogether. In shipping we cannot again too strongly urge upon our friends, the advisability of selecting as large a ve--eel as they can, ancl carefully to sco lo the shipment and care of the horses on the voyage, as the

deterioration by carelessness is often very great. In concluding this portion of our report, we can only say that we have no doubt good heavy draught, and superior light ditto, will commend remunerative prices for some time to come. We quote rates for current month ns follows: — Superior heavy draught horses, LSO to L 9 5; do licbt do do, L 65 to L7O ; second class do do, L4O to LSO; superior hacks, L 35 to L6O ; second class do do, L 25 to L 35 ; inferior do (very unsaleable), LlB to L 25. Sheep— Good fat wedders worth from 32s to 38s, according to weight. Store. — None offering. Acclimatised ewes worth 355. Cattle. — A good mixed mob worth from Ll2to Ll3 10s per head. Fat— Very few, and light weights offering — lst class beef we quote at 60s to 65s per lOOibs. Staiions. — Little or none offering; several inquiries for really good stations ; anything really good, would fetch remunerative rates.