QUALITY ONLY AVERAGE

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 3

QUALITY ONLY AVERAGE

FIRM MARKET FOR FREEZING EWES

FAT CATTLE VALUES UNALTERED

There were no big yardings at the weekly Lorneville stock market yesterday, and little above average quality in any section. The quality of the fat sheep offering was mediocre, freezing ewes dominating the entry, but, taking the comparative quality into consideration, there was very little change in value. Probably there was a firmer tone for freezing ewes. Medium quality cows accounted for about half of the beef entry, and values right through the sale were much the same as those ruling last week. Store sheep were perhaps a shade easier. Yesterday’s entry and that of last week were as follows:—

The yarding included 568 fat lambs, 30 vealers, 23 dairy cows and five bulls. Store Cattle Empty cows comprised the main part of the fair offering of store cattle, but there was nothing of outstanding quality in the yarding. The best of the empty cows brought from £3 5/- to £4 10/-, with others from £1 15/- to £2 15/- and culls down to £1 5/-. Empty heifers made from £3 1/- to £4 according to condition, and yearling heifers brought from £l7/- to £1 15/-. A line of three-year-old steers sold at £5 5/-, and 18-month-old steers and heifers realized £2 19/- to £3 10/-.

The National Mortgage and Agency Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., sold:—On account of J. Sainsbury, 2 cows at 25/-; L. Evans, 2 cows at £3 7/-; T. D. Blackmore (Riverton), 5 steers at £5 5/-, 2 empty heifers at £4; client, 12 cows at £3 7/-, 1 dairy cow at £1 10/-, 1 bull at £4 10/-, 1 at £6 12/6, 1 at £6 15/-, 1 at £2 17/6; R. Blackmore, 5 empty heifers at £4, 3 empty cows at £5 5/-, 3 cows and calves at £2 11/-, 4 steers at £2 19/-, 1 dairy cow at £4 5/-, 1 at £4; R. Macauley (Mossburn), 2 heifers at £3 1/-, 1 steer at £3 10/-, 2 cows at £3 7/6, 2 stags at £1 10/-; J. Reid (Mossbum), 1 steer at £7, 1 cow at £4 10/-; client, 3 yearlings at £2; R. Morton (Waimahaka), 6 cows at £3. The Southland Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association, Ltd., sold:—On account of B. Lake (Tussock), 1 cow at £2 12/6; T. Millar (Taramoa), 1 dairy cow at £6 15/-; A. McLeod (Taramoa), 1 bull at £B, 1 at £2 12/6; J. Munro (Mokotua), 1 dairy cow at £3 7/6, 2 at £2 10/-, 1 at £1 15/-, 5 at £1 17/6, 1 at £2 5/-, 1 at £2, 1 at £2 2/6, 2 at £3, 1 at £3 5/-, 1 at £3 2/6, 1 at £2 15/-, 1 at £3 15/-. J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of a client (Invercargill), 3 yearlings at £1 15/-, 1 cow at £2 10/-; A. Townley (Wrights Bush), 6 cows and calves at £4 10/-, 7 steers and 2 heifers at £3 5/-.

Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of F. Morrah (Toa), 5 calves at 27/-; Price Bros. (Waikiwi), 1 dairy heifer at £B. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of G. Gorton (Makarewa), 1 cow at £3 2/6, 1 at £1 12/-. Fat Cattle There was a smaller yarding of fat cattle than that of last week, and fully half of it consisted of medium quality cows. Values for the better quality cattle did pot alter from the levels of last week. Medium weight bullocks brought from £9 5/- to £lO 10/-, handyweights from £8 5/- to £8 15/-, and lighter from £7 to £7 15/-. Good quality heavyweight heifers made from £5 15/- to £6 10/- and lighter weights from £4 12/6 to £5 5/-. There was no quality out of the ordinary among the cows, and fair quality sorts brought from £6 to £6 10/-, medium from £5 5/- to £5 15/- and poorer quality from £4 to £4 10/-.

The Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., sold:—On account of A. McDowell (Taramoa), 1 cow at £5 12/6; client, 1 cow at £6, 1 at £5 10/-, 1 at £5 7/6, 1 at £6 15/-, 1 at £5 5/-, 1 heifer at £3 7/6; A. O. Saunders (Ringway), 1 bullock at £9 2/6, 1 at £7 15/-, 1 at £8 15/-, 1 at £8 7/6, 2 at £9 17/6, 1 at £8 12/6, 1 at £9 10/-; M. W. Anderson (Wrights Bush), 1 cow at £5 5/-; R. Lindsay (Isla Bank), 2 vealers at £1 15/-, 1 at £2 15/-, 3 at £2 12/6, 1 at £1 7/6, 1 at £2 10/-, 1 at £2 5/-, 2 at 17/6; D. C. Munro (Mokotua), 1 steer at £5, 1 at £5 10/-; A. C. Townley (Wrights Bush). 3 bullocks at £6 12/6; A. T. Guise (Aparima), 1 heifer at £4 17/6, 1 bullock at £5 12/6, lat £4 12/6, 1 at £8 15/-; W. J. Beck (Wairio), 1 heifer at £4 12/6, 1 bullock at £8 A/-, 1 at £6 5/-, 1 at £5 17/6, 1 at £7 12/6, 1 at £8 7/6, J. T. Beck (Wairio), 1 heifer at £5 7/6, lat £5, 1 at £4 17/6, 1 at £4 7/6, 1 at £5 17/6, 2 at £6 5/-, 1 at £5 12/6, 1 at £6 7/6, 1 at £4 17/6, 1 at £6, 1 at £5 15/-, 1 bullock at £6 15/-, 1 at £lO 10/-, 2 at £7 12/6, 1 at £5 2/6, 1 at £6 5/-, 1 at £9 5/-, 1 runner at £3 2/6; R. Russell (Waikiwi), 2 heifers at £3 17/6.

The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand. Ltd., sold:— On account of J. Gedney, 1 heifer at £5 5/-, 1 at £5, 1 at £4 12/6, 1 at £4 2/6; client, 2 heifers at £4 15/-, 1 at £4 12/6, 1 at £4 10/-; J. Taylor, 2 heifers at £6, 2 at £5 17/6; R. Morton, 1 cow at £4 7/6, 2’vealers at £2 15/-, 1 at £2 12/6; J. Reid, 2 vealers at £3, 3at £2 15/-, 2 at £2 12/6, 1 at £2, 3 at £1 17/6, 1 at £1 15/-; client, 2 cows at £5 5/-, 2 at £5, 1 at £4 10/-, 2 at £4 7/6, 2 at £4; J. Smith, 1 cow at £5 5/-, 2 at £5, 1 at £4 15/-, 1 at £3 12/6.

J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of J. Beck (Otautau-Aparima R.D.), 1 steer at £9 2/6, 1 at £9, 1 heifer at £4 7/6, 1 at £5, 1 cow at £3 10/-, 1 steer at £3 15/-, 1 heifer at £3 12/6; Mrs J. Flynn (Otautau-Aparima R.D.), 1 heifer at £3 15/-; A. W. Taylor (Invercargill), 1 heifer at £5 10/-, 1 at £5 5/-, 1 at £4 15/-; H. Chisholm (Gorge Road), 1 cow at £5 12/6, 1 at £5 17/6, 1 at £7 17/6, 2 at £5 7/6, 2 at £5 10/-, 1 at £6 17/6, 1 at £5 15/-; client (Invercargill), 1 heifer at £3 10/-, 2 cows at £5 10/-, 2 at £4 17/6. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold.—On account of C. McGirty (Makarewa), 1 heifer at £5 5/—, 1 cow at £4 10/-; G. Byers (Wallacetown), 1 cow at £4; A. W. Taylor (Invercargill), 2 heifers at £5 10/-, 1 at £4 17/6; Price Bros. (Waikiwi), 1 vealer at £1 12/6; R. Russell (Waikiwi), 1 cow at £6 10/-, 1 at £5 10/-.

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of G. Gorton (Makarewa), 1 cow at £4 15/-; client (Otautau) 1 cow at £6, 1 at £5 7/6. Store Sheep

The store sheep entry was only half that of the previous sale, and old ewes with a few pens of lambs comprised the bulk of the yarding. There was a noticeable easing in interest and prices appeared to be a shade lower for failing-mouthed ewes. Good, fullmouthed ewes were firm, selling at from 21/8 to 28/6. Failing-mouthed ewes in fair condition brought from 15/- to 17/6, and broken-mouth from 8/9 to 13/3. A line of good store lambs sold at 20/9, and cull sorts realized from 10/- to 15/3. A pen of

ewe lambs brought 26/3. The Southland Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association, Ltd., sold:—On account of A. H. Sheat (Morton Mains), 20 ewes at 9/-; Cockburn Bros. (Morton Mains), 80 lambs at 12/6, 13 wethers at 16/-; G. Robertson (Lorneville), 10 ewes at 7/-; J. Tomlinson (Ryal Bush), 87 ewes at 19/-, 27 ewes at 23/10; A. E. Goldsmith (Dacre), 58 ewes at 14/-, 95 lambs at 15/9, 49 at 6/3; W. McCulloch (Spar Bush), 10 ewes at, 11/-; 1 ram at £1 17/6, 2 at £1 15/-; N. C. McNeill (Makarewa), 30 ewes at 13/-; D. Thompson (Waianiwa), 13 ewes at 15/9, 5 at 38/6; client, 88 ewes at 21/-, 1 ram at 25/-, 1 at 17/6, 1 at 30/-; Mrs Kelly (Mokotua), 7 ewes at 10/-, 2 lambs at 15/9; C. Cassidy (Tisbury), 12 lambs at 17/9, 22 ewes at 13/-; D. Dawson (Otahuti), 4 rams at 4|gns, 1 at sgns; T. Millar (Taramoa), 58 ewes at 15/-; G. T. Donaldson (Wrights Bush), 23 ewes at 14/6; H. J. Pirie (Thornbury), 11 ewes at 28/6. The National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of C. Westergard, 21 ewes at 10/6; W. McIntosh, 2 lambs at 11/-; client, 63 m.s. lambs at 16/3, 69 ewe lambs at 26/-, 70 ewes at 12/3; J. Flannigan, 30 lambs at 15/9, 22 ewes at 10/9, D. Lavelle, 5 ewes at 6/9; client, 22 lambs at 21/-; 17 ewes at 6/9; client, 34 ewes at 12/6; R. A. Voice, 40 ewes at 21/9; A. Weir, 30 ewes at 13/3; J. R. McLean, 27 ewes at 7/6; client, 8 rams at 27/6, 1 at £2, 1 at 14/-, 2 at 11/-; P. O’Donnell, 9 ewes at 6/-; T. Fraser, 11 ewes at 11/-; D. Robertson, 1 ram at £2. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of E. M. Russell (Bay Road), 1 ram at Signs, 1 at 3gns, 1 at 21gns, 1 at 2?gns; client (Lorneville), 1 ram at 30/-, 1 at 2 at Iggns, 1 at 22/6; D. Macpherson (Waianiwa), 3 rains for £7 11/-, 2 for £5 1/-; J. F. Peake (Makarewa), 9 ewes at A. Fraser (Fortrose), 112 ewes at 15/-, 55 at 11/8, 58 at 28/6; D. Clark (Rakauhauka), 74 ewes at 20/6, P. MeNamara, 30 ewes at 8/9; client (Lomeville), 34 ewes at 11/8. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., sold:—-On account of J. Liddell (Linds Bridge), .1 four-tooth ewe at 20/-; P. Joyce (Waikiwi), 1 ewe at 7/6; J. Cameron (Toa), 34 ewes at 24/3, 7 at 13/-, 2 lambs at 17/6, 25 ewes at 12/-, 72 at 19/6; J. Kennedy (Waianiwa'), 17 ewes at 11/-; T. M. Rankin (Invercargill), 4 lambs at 15/8; client, 3 rams at 30/-. Henderson and Co., Ltd., sold: On account of H. Horton (Grove Bush), 50 ewes at 16/8; R. Gardner (Kennington), 7 ewes at 10/-; J. W. Robinson (Gorge Road), a pen of lambs at 20/9; W. King (Waianiwa), 48 ewes and 2 rams at 12/-; J. Moloney (Otatara), 1 ram at 10/6; R. J. Clark (Kennington), 1 ram at £2; G. Gray (Wallacetown), 1 ram at 2£gns. , The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of a client (Invercargill), 37 wether lambs at 20/9, 20 ewe lambs at 26/3; J. Leonard (Roslyn Bush), 2 ewe lambs at 19/9; client (Waikiwi), 1 E.L. ram at 3gns, 2 at 21gns. J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of a client (Invercargill), 59 ewes at 12/-; client (Otautau), 59 ewes at 11/7; A. Botherway (Invercargill), 60 ewes at 13/-.

Fat Sheep There was only a fair entry of fat sheep and the quality was not above average. Two-thirds of the yarding consisted of freezing ewes, and there were very few pens of good quality ewes and wethers. Taking the quality of the entry into consideration, freezing ewes sold quite as firmly as they did last week. In fact, if anything, the market was a little stronger; but there was no noticeable alteration in prices for good quality ewes or wethers. Prime heavy wethers brought up to 33/-, good quality from 27/6 to 28/6. medium from 26/- to 27/- and lighter down to 25/-. Prime young ewes made to 24/-, good quality ewes from 20/- to 21/6, medium from 18/- to 19/- and freezing ewes from 17/3 down. There was only a small entry of fat lambs and competition was keen at full export rates. Extra prime heavy lambs brought to 35/-, good quality freezing weights from 27/9 to 29/-, fair quality from 24/6 to 27/3, and light and unfinished down to 23/6. The Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., sold:—On account of D. Chittock (Kamahi), 24 lambs at 28/3, 62 at 23/-; Mrs Stewart (Toa), 1 lamb at 29/-; A. H. Sheat (Morton Mains), 36 lambs at 26/6, 16 ewes at 16/9, 13 at 17/3; A. S. McNaught (Rakauhauka), 5 wethers at 25/6, 7 at 29/6, 8 at 26/9; J. Tomlinson (Ryal Bush), 2 wethers at 25/9, 5 ewes at 23/9; Ewan and Wilson (Rakauhauka), 10 ewes at 18/-, 10 at 21/-, 18 at 17/9, 27 at 16/9, 7 at 20/6; G. P. Crengle (Spar Bush), 1 lamb at 26/-, 16 ewes at 17/-; R. E. Blakie (Ryal Bush), 1 lamb at 25/-; D. O’Keefe (Makarewa), 13 lambs at 26/6, 6 at 34/-, 6 at 24/-, 2 ewes at 18/3; R. Beggs (Wrights Bush), 2 wethers at 29/6, 2 at 26/6, 6 ewes at 22/6, 7 at 23/-; D. Thompson (Waianiwa), 4 lambs at 23/-; J. Mclllwrick (Browns), 6 ewes at 23/6, 1 at 21/6, 7 wethers at 29/3, 8 at 29/6; Mrs Kelly (Mokotua), 3 lambs at 23/9, 11 ewes at 16/9; client, 10 ewes at 17/9.

The National Mortgage and Agency Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., sold:—On account of J. Aickan (Otatara), 2 lambs at 27/6, 6 ewes at 17/3, 16 at 17/-; client, 1 lamb at 23/-, 15 at 28/-, 10 ewes at 17/6, 12 at 17/9; J. R. McLean (Makarewa), 15 lambs at 28/-, 13 ewes at 16/3; Mrs M. S. Collis (Waipango), 15 lambs at 28/3; T. W. Fraser (Branxholme), 4 lambs at 25/-, 24 ewes at 16/6; client, 28 lambs at 28/3, 15 at 25/-; W. Marshall (Waianiwa), 3 ewes at 23/9, 2 at 17/6; D. Clark (Glencoe R.D.), 16 ewes at 17/6; client, 14 ewes at 17/-, 12 at 16/6, 7 at 16/9; client, 37 ewes at 15/-, 38 at 15/6, 12 wethers at 26/6; C. Westergard, 38 ewes at 17/-; A. C. Bulling, 9 ewes at 17/-; client, 35 lambs at 29/6, 7 ewes at 16/6,12 at 15/6. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold: —On account of A. Squires (Kamahi), 16 ewes at 16/9, 12 at 16/6, 7 at 17/-; client (Lorneville), 51 ewes at 15/-, 14 at 16/6; E. and B. Edie (Thornbury), 13 wethers at 29/3, 13 at 28/-; client (Lochiel), 7 wethers at 29/3, 8 at 27/6, 25 at 27/9, 9 at 27/3, 1 ewe at 18/-; T. A. Fleming (Tussock Creek), 63 lambs at 24/6; J. T. Martin (Tussock Creek), 7 ewes at 21/6, 12 at 17/9, 4 at 20/-; client (Grove Bush), 2 lambs at 32/6, 1 at 29/6, 1 at 27/6, 1 wether at 29/-, 4 at 26/9, 3 at 29/6; T. O’Dnscoll (Mokotua), 26 lambs at 25/3. Henderson and Co., Ltd., sold: —On account of R. Gardner (Kennington), 6 ewes at 16/3, 2 lambs at 25/3; R. J. Clark (Kennington), 31 ewes at 14/6, 1 lamb at 20/-; J. Steele (West Plains), 9 ewes at 20/-, 1 wether at 28/-; Walter Blakie (Branxholme), 12 wethers at 29/-, 10 at 26/6, 10 at 26/-, 8 at 25/6. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of A. McConachie (Lochiel), 6 wethers at 25/6, 10 at 25/-, 5 at 28/6, 9 at 25/3; J. Kirkpatrick (Wairoto), 7 wethers at 30/-, 4 at 32/6, 9 at 27/-, 4 at 24/9; J. Leonard (Roslyn Bush), 21 lambs at 25/-. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of T. M. Rankin (Invercargill), 11 lambs at 28/3, 4 ewes at 20/6; P. Joyce (Makarewa), 3 lambs at 18/6, 3 at 24/6, 1 ewe at 17/-; J. Cox (Lorneville), 1 lamb at 27/6; J. Cameron (Toa), 1 lamb at 30/-, 6 ewes at 17/3. J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of W. Trotter (Woodlands), 16 lambs at 29/9; J. Cockbum (Spar Bush), 31 ewes at 21/3; Nichol Bros. (Invercargill-Glencoe R.D.), 4 lambs at 33/-; F. Cook (West Plains), 1 lamb at 35/-. Pigs

There was not a strong entry in the pig section. Decent heavyweight baconers brought from £3 10/- to £3 13/- with lighter sorts from £2 15/to £3. There were not many stores offered. They sold at from 26/6 to 29/-, with weaners from 4/6 to 10/6. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold:—On account of D. Macdonald (Edendale), 1 baconer at £3 13/-, 1 at £3 1/-; W. E. Hunt (Waitoru), 1 store pig at £1 9/-, 3 at £1 8/-, 3 at £1 7/6, 1 at £1 7/-, 3 at £1 6/6; W. G. Morris (Oteramika road), 1 baconer at £3 Henderson and Co., Ltd., sold:—-On account of R. Gardner (Kennington), 2 weaners at 11/-, 1 at 10/-.

McNAB STOCK SALE VALUES IMPROVED There was an improvement in values all round at the fortnightly McNab 'stock sale yesterday compared with the prices at Mataura on Monday. _ There was a good attendance and the inquiry was bright throughout. The offering consisted mainly of old breeding ewes and a few pens of lambs. There were very few. young ewes forward and the best price for 2-tooth sheep was 33/6. Sound-mouths brought up to 26/-. Full and failing mouths sold at from 14/7 to 20/2, and a pen of ewe lambs realized 27/10, poorer sorts selling down to 17/6. Prime wethers brought 27/-. Fat heifers were sold at £4 15/- and cows realized £4.

Sales were:— Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd.— 69 f. and f.m. ewes at 20/2, 8 fat wethers at 21/3, 14 f.m. ewes at 9/2, 24 f. and f.m. ewes at 16/4, 144 at 17/5. National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd.—74 s.m. ewes at 22/4, 69 ewe lambs at 27/10, 3 at 17/6, 47 s.m.ewes at 22/10, 7 fat ewes at 16/9, 12 fat wethers at 27/-, 17 s.m. ewes at 26/-, 73 wether lambs at 18/2, 2 fat cows at £4 Passed in: 72 s.m. ewes at 26/9. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd—l2l mixed sex lambs at 19/9. J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd.—Bl f.m. ewes at 9/-, 74 store wethers at 24/4, 142 2-th ewes at 33/6, 1 bull at £5 12/6, 1 store cow at £2 5/-, 11 at £2 9/-. Passed in: 10 fat 2-year-old steers at £7 12/6, 14 fat cows at £5 2/6, 10 18-month-old steers at £2 5/-, 1 store cow at £3 10/-.

Dalgety and Co., Ltd. —94 f.m. ewes at 8/11.

Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd.—4B mixed age ewes at 25/-, 83 f. and f.m. ewes at 16/-, 182 ewe lambs at 22/4, 18 fat ewes at 16/6, 140 f.m. ewes at 9/1, 155 4,6, and 8-th ewes at 21/-, 60 wether lambs at 16/-, 30 f.m. ewes at 14/7, 53 do at 5/-, 60 at 6/2.

MATAURA STOCK SALE

There was a small yarding forward at the special Mataura stock sale which was held in fine weather. The market was considerably easier than at recent sales, there being a drop of about 3/for most lines. Good pens of Romney two-tooth ewes realized from 35/- to 36/-, while full and failing-mouth ewes sold from 12/- to 15/8 for average sorts and up to 24/1 for better lines. Failingmouth ewes were in poor condition and sold down to 5/-. Prices were firmer in the lamb section in which wethers changed hands from 17/6 up to 21/7. One special line of 2,4, 6 and 8-tooth purebred Southdown ewes was offered and realized Ifgns. Sales were:—

National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd.—Forty-one wether lambs at 21/7, 7 do. at 17/6, 7 fat wethers at 25/-. 4 do. at 22/-; 51 failing-mouth ewes at 11/-, 3 cull 2-tooth ewes at 10/6, 1 2-tooth wether at 12/-, 36 f. and f.m. ewes at 12/-, 20 fat 2-tooth wethers at 27/-, 20 fat and forward lambs at 25/9, 43 f.m. ewes at 12/3, 22 f. and fan. ewes at 17/6, 10 purebred 2,4, 6 and 8-tooth Southdown ewes at l?gns, 24 2-tooth ewes at 36/-; 45 f.m. ewes at 13/4, 155 .wether lambs at 18/6. Passed in.—Fourteen forward wether lambs at 21/6.

Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd.—Eighteen f.m. ewes at 5/2, 76 do. at 14/-, 13 do. at 10/-, 54 wether lambs at 19/-, 50 f. and f.m. ewes at 14/-, 15 2-tooth ewes at 35/-, 22 f.m. ewes at 13/9, 155 wether lambs at 18/6. Passed in.—Two fat wethers, no bid. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd.—Three forward wether lambs at 20/-, 82 f. and f.m. ewes at 15/-, 36 f.m. ewes at 13/6, 20 do. at 13/6. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd.— Forty f. and f.m. ewes at 13/8, 12 f.m. ewes at 5/-, 111 do. at 14/-, 101 do. at 11/9, 100 s.m. ewes at 24/1. Dalgety and Co., Ltd.—Forty-seven fat wethers at 22/1, 26 do. at 17/11. d STOCK MARKETS FIRM IN BRITAIN NO FEAR OF BUDGET (Received April 20, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. Apart from base metals expectations of firmer commodity markets were fulfilled. The stock markets were firm, gilt-edgeds and industrials rising, which suggests that the Budget is awaited without trepidation. THE WHEAT MARKET CARGOES AND PARCELS FIRM (Received April 20, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. Wheat cargoes are steadier and prices in most cases have recovered from the week-end falls. Parcels are from 6d to 1/- dearer. Futures.—London: May, 47/9; July, 47/2. Liverpool: May, 9/42; July, 9/4j; October, 8/9?. Chicago: May, 133 g cents a bushel; July, 121-1; September, 1181. LONDON MARKETS The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated April 17, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London:— Tallow.—There was a poor demand at auction. Three hundred and eightyone casks were offered, 101 being sold. Present spot quotations are:—Mutton: Fine, 30/-; fair to good, 26/6 to 28/-; dark to drill, 25/- to 25/6. Beef: Sweet and/or mixed, 29/-; fair to good. 26/to 27/6; dark to dull, 24/- to 25/-. Mixed: Fair to good, 26/- to 27/6; dark to dull, 24/- to 25/-. Gut, etc.: 23/- to 25/-.

Hemp.—Manila Sisal: The market continues firm at the last rates quoted. The output from January 1 to April 12 was 450,000 bales. Stocks in United Kingdom at April 12 were 9179 bales. The stocks in Manila at April 12 were 162,000 bales, against 221,000 bales at the same time last year. New Zealand: Supplies were very restricted. Small business has been done in April-June shipments. Fair, £27; common, £25 15/-. Stocks in London on April 1 were 146 tons against 129 tons at the same time last year.

Apples.—The Rotorua is discharging fruit in good condition. The markets are easier following heavier arrivals. English Cox’s are still offering. Current prices are:—Cox’s Orange, 13/- to 16/-; Jonathans, 12/- to 14/-; Worcester Pearmain, 10/- to 12/-; Dunn’s Favourite, 9/- to 10/-; Lord Wolseley, Alfristson, 9/-.

Store cattle April 20 April 13 153 189 Fat cattle 165 162 Store sheep 2228 4455 Fat sheep 1123 1221