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Southland Times, Issue 3295, 11 January 1879, Page 2

Macrorie and Cuthbertsori report: — The Christmas and New Year festivities have had the effect of' curtailing speculative business 1 and limiting transactions to the usual purchases from storekeepers, who have apparently been actively employed. Horses — This market has been unusually sluggish, even to the enquiry for draught stock, which had been previously in good demand. We may fairly look for a reaction, as the season promises well for works of a varied nature, and vendors do not seem disposed to lessen these rates. , ... Cattle,—The complaints which did exist of scarcity of feed have completely ceased, and have been succeeded by such an. abundance of grass that buyers of. stores'are. now pager tof acquire lots when Jscarcely any are offering. We are expecting a few for auction at various centres shortly. T Sheep.-^The enquiries for stores after shearing has set in,- and as yet very ,-few lots have been booked. Our fiales comprise 1000 full-mouthed merino ewes bnthe^stiation at 4s per head. We are selling a choice lot "of lbng..woolled ewes at Mr GilMson's clearing sale on the 21st inst. 'K Properties. —lt is an undeniable fact that the stiffening of money operates unfavorably on properties changing hands; but when .vendors are enabled to give terms, a remedy will be found as against thedifficulty of outside financing^ and we may fairly opine that the low. prices for rural land which are demanded in this dis•trict, will prove attractive to'thbse who must • find places of settlements. We have to report the sale of the, larger portion of Mi Gilkison's ■■Waiauawa property^ a trifle under thej auction limit of Ll4 per acre,;and the rest is now under offer; and we may that: holdmgs. of 200 .acres and npwards are still the subject: of enquiry. Wool.-r-rThere seems, to be an indication of somewhat improving rates on those quoted in private transactions of the last few weeks.; For greasy, samples showed a considerable falling off on last year's operations, but this will be tested by competionon the 15thj when the first local sale by auction of the season will he held. IyercargUl, 10th January, 1879.