AUCTIONEER'S REPORT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3259, 7 March 1885, Page 2

AUCTIONEER'S REPORT.

- Mr E. R. Guinness (under arrangement with the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited), reports for the week ended Friday, 6th March, as follows : — The opening sale at the Washdyke Company's yards was held to-day. There was a large attendance, and, taking into consideration that most of the farmers were busy with their harvost, the sale may be considered very satisfactory. The total yarded comprised : — Sheop, 5442 ; cattle, 205 ; pigs, 47. Cattle — The demand for beef is very limited. At Studholme Junction, on Monday last, ho sold, on account of Mr M. Studholme, 24 head prime bullocks at .£7 12s 6d per head, which is equal to 18s per 1001 b. At tho Company's yards, Washdyke, ho yarded 112 head, and sold by auction and privately after the sale the following lines : — 16 head fat heifera at £% 17s 6d, 60 2to 3-year-old steers and heifers .£3, dry store cowa at £3 2s 6d, yearlings 21a to 23s 6d, 2-year-old heifers from ,£1 15s to o£2 13s, calves from 10s to 17s 6d. gheep — xt Studholme Junction on Monday over 2000 of various classes were yarded. His entry consisted of 1200. The demand was very sluggish ; consequently withdrawals took place of many of the lota offered. At tho Company's yards, Washdyke, he submitted 3948. The fat sheep pens displayed only a moderate entry, consisting chiefly (with a few exceptions) of medium quality. He sold 50 prime quarter-backs at 14s ; 1500 merino ewes m fresh condition, but failing months, from 5s 3d to 5s 6d. Many o£ the lines withdrawn are under offor, and no doubt business will result. Privately ho has sold 450 4-tooth half-bred ewes at 14s, and aoveral largo transactions aro m course of negotiation. Pigs— Stores are m good demand and selling freely at high rates. Ho sold 11 at 26s and ll at 10s 6d. Skins — At the usual fortnightly sale hold on Wednesday last, only a light catalogue canio forward, tho usual attendance of buyers of the trado being present. Biddings were for most of the lots spirited, resulting m a clearance at a slight advance on last sales. Beat butchers cross-bred pelts, 2s to 2s 2d ; second Is to Is 9d ; best merinos, Is to la Cd ; fullwool skins np to 43 7d ; lamb skins, Is to Is 8d ; country pelts from 3d to_ 6d. Hides— Quotations remain steady, welltrimmed hides over 601bs, 4id ; 501 bto 601 b, 4d ; light and inferior from 3d to 3V per lb. At the above prices ho has sold about 90.