KEEN DEMAND FOR STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 6

KEEN DEMAND FOR STOCK

SHORTAGE OF STORE CATTLE. SOUTH TARANAKI CONDITIONS. Vendors of livestock in South Taranaki are receiving very satisfactory prices for all they have to offer, for supplies are scarcely keeping pace with demand. All classes of store cattle are the subject of keen -inquiry, but there seems to-be a. shortage all over the country, which is probably due in part to the growth if the bobby calf industry an<l in some measure to a decline in the breeds of cattle mostly required for store purposes. There is also a scarcity of all classes of fat cattle, existing conditions indicating that there is little likelihood of any easing of prices this side of Christmas. So far as sheep are concerned, the market is uncertain, value?,,.showing a good deal of fluctuation. Buyers evidently are rather anxious regarding the prospects for wool and the? ..stability of freezing prices, with the’- Yeshlt that very little business is passing in the way of forward -sales.. Ruling, values during the past week have-been-'as follows: — Fat Cattle.—Heavy fat- cows (7cwt.), £l5; lighter sorts, £l2 10s to £l4; heavy bullocks)?. £-16 10s; lighter, £l4 10s to £l5 10s; -average value of beef per 1001 b., being about 43s to 455. . Fat Sheep;—FaKwethers have : been ;in good supply and have sold reasonably well, while there has been a keen demand for ewe nitrttbn. Heavy fat wethers, 38s to 395; heavy fat ewes, 31s; lighter, 29s to 30s;.,fat hoggets, 29s to 30s 6d. Store Cattle.—Though eales have not been as numerous as could be wished, market and paddock prices have been maintained. Bullocks £9 10s to £lO 10s; cows, £6 to £6 ss; poorer sorts, £4 15s to £5; two-year-old Polled Angus heifers to £lO 10s; yearling Jersey heifers, £6 to £6 10s; and a few up to £7 10s and £8 for finest quality. Bulls. —There have been considerable dealings in bulls, which are making very satisfactory prices. Two-year-old grade Jersey bulls £lO to £l3; yearlings, £6 to £7 10s; two-year-old Polled Angus bulls, £2l; two-year-old Herefords, £2O to £25. The quantity of young Hereford bulls available is not sufficient to meet requirements. Dairy Cattle. —First quality heifers, £l2 10s to £l4 10s; poorer conditioned sorts, £9 to £lO 10s; cows, £lO 10s to £lO 10s, according to quality. Store Sheep. —First quality ewe hoggets (woolly), 34s to 355; good wether hoggets, 20s 6d to 27s 6d; medium mixed sex hoggets, 28s to 295; ewes and lambs, 37s Gd to 38s Gd. , Pigs. —Pigs continue to sell well, a keen -demand existing for all classes. Weaners 13s to 17s Gd; 'slips 20s to 265; stores 30s to 355.

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ SOCIAL. PROVIDING CHRISTMAS CHEER. The South Taranaki returned soldiers’ Christmas tree fund will benefit considerably as the result of an enjoyable and well-attended social held in the clubroom at Hawera on Thursday evening. Portion of the evening was devoted to a first-class musical programme, contributed by Mrs. W. Greig,-Miss Dunn, Messrs. E. H. Piper and Gilbert (songs), and Mr. C. J. MeFadyen (monologues), with Mrs. L. A. Taylor and Mr. W. Barleyman as accompanists. Prior to the social the same concert party, with the addition of Miss L. Bullock (recitations) and Mr. Hector Briggs (songs), delighted a large number of patients at the public hospital with an attractive musical programme. All the performers were .encored, and at the conclusion of the concert were thanked by the matron. Billiards,' ping-pong, cards and dancing occupied the remainder of the evening at the club, where some, very keen competition was witnessed. A mixed billiards tournament, foi’ which over 20 pail’s entered, evoked considerable interest, and resulted in a win for Mrs. M. J. Squire and Dr. Young, who contested the final game with Mrs. A. Spratt and Mr. W. Rudge. Those responsible for, the excellent supper arrangements were Mesdamcs H. Briggs (hostess)', T. C. Hobbs (convenor), H. J. Webber, W. Rudge, W. R. Jones, Lovell, and S. R. Veitch, whilst the conduct of the evening was in the hands of tjjlessrs. H. Briggs, L. Marter, E. H. Piper and H. J. Webber. Dance music was supplied by M r . W. Barleyman and Mrs. C. Walshe. During the evening Mr. Briggs expressed the committee’s appreciation to those present for their attendance and assistance for such a worthy cause—that of providing Christmas gifts for the children of South Taranaki returned men. PERSONAL. Police-Inspector D. C. Fraser, New Plymouth, is at present in South Taranaki on one of his periodical visits. Mr. W. Bennett, general manager for New Zealand of JD.algety and Co., Ltd.j who was a visitor -to Hawera on Thursi day, returned to Wellington yesterday. Mr. T.'R. Overton, who was recently appointed engineer to the South Taranaki Power Board, is at present in Hawera on business connected with the taking over of the Hawera County Electric Light Company’s undertaking. Mr. F. Chitteriden, Whangarei, has been appointed Supervisor of the postal branch of the Hawera post office and is expected to commence his duties shortly. Mr. Chittepden replaces Mr. T. M. Cotter, who was transferred to Timaru. Mr. C. G. Pickett, who has been for some time in the stock department of Messrs. Newton King, Ltd., Hawera, left yesterday for Christchurch to take up an appointment with the Tai Tapu Dairy Company. The Hawera Municipal Band members at the rehearsal on Thursday evening expressed their gratification at Mr. H. C. A. Fox’-s intention to return to Hawera shortly, The secretary .was instructed to cable Mr.'Fox expressing, this appreciation.