COMMERCIAL, ADDINGTON MARKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22831, 2 March 1944, Page 6

COMMERCIAL, ADDINGTON MARKET

LITTLE CHANGE IN PRICES (N.Z.P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 1. The yarding of fat stock at Addington to-day was the smallest for some years, probably owing to farmers being in doubt regarding the demand of the butchers under rationing conditions. There was little change in prices. The store sheep yarding showed an increase from 12,140 last week to 17,350 and was comprised of 11,214 ewes, 5980 lambs, and 156 wethers. The quality of the lambs was the best of the season and with widespread demand prices showed a rise of fully 1/- a head for best quality on the last sale, and other classes maintained recent values. The highest price was 29/6 for Romney ewe lambs, halfbreds making up to 25/9. Wether lambs made up to 23/3, best rape lambs 19/10 to 21/4, medium 16/6 to 18/6, and small 11/6 to 14/6.

At the sheep yarding the total was only 2500 against 4600 last week. Best quality sheep met with a keen demand by the trade, but for all other classes butchers were cautious and there was little animation in the sale. Freezing buyers operated freely, but at the strict export schedule. Taken all through there was not any quotable change in last week’s values.

There was a small entry of fat cattlo totalling 350, against 494 last week. This, no doubt, was caused by the uncertainty regarding meat rationing. The sale opened cautiously, but improved as it progressed, and there was a spread of fully 40/- a head on the earlier prices received for prime beef and those ruling later in the day. Cows sold with similar irregularity. The quality was generally indifferent, the proportion of prime cattle being about 100 head. Best beef averaged from 42/- to 46/- per 1001 b, and cow beef from 32/- to 38/-.

The entry of porkers was the smallest of the season, but values showed no change. The chopper yarding was a good one, but the demand was not as keen as usual and values were down by up to 20/- a head. The bacon entry was of medium size, and buyers operated freely at recent rates. The average price per lb was 8d to 81d. BURNSIDE SALE VALUES EASIER (N.Z.P.A.) DUNEDIN, Mar. 1. At the Burnside sale to-day, entries were small in numbers. The fat cattle offered were mostly average sorts. In view of meat rationing the market was somewhat unsteady, butchers apparently being unable to Judge their requirements. Heavy cattle were cheaper by 60/- a head and were evidently not wanted by the trade. Other sorts were easier by 25/- to 30/- a head. Cows and heifers were easier by 10/- to 20/- a head. Prime steers made £l4/3/6 to £l6/17/6, others £B/2/6 to £ll/17/6, prime heifers £9/17/6 to £l2/2/6, others £6/12/6 to £B/17/6, prime cows £9/2/6 to £l4, others £5/7/6 to £7/12/6.

In the fat sheep section the entry was made up mostly of nondescript ewes. Prices were easier by 2/- a head. Wethers made 19/- to 31/-, and ewes 11/- to 20/9.

There was an entry of about 1200 fat lambs. The demand from the trade W’as easier and the market was barely up to that of last week. Freezing weights sold at schedule rates. Best quality lambs made 28/- to 31/6 and others 24/6 to 25/9. Baconers were forward in average numbers. The sale was a firm one and late values were well maintained. Best baconers made up to £7/17/-, prime £6 to £6/15/- and medium £5 to £5/8/-. GERALDINE SALE STORE PRICES FIRM Good entries were received for the Geraldine sale, which took place yesterday. The fat sheep and lambs made late rates, and store sheep were as firm as at the other good sales held this week. Prices were:— Fat Sheep—Lambs 22/- to 27/10; ewes, best 17/- to 19/4, others 11/- to 16/4. Store Sheep—Rape lambs, best 20'to 22/2, medium 18/- to 19/10, others 14/- to 17/1; two-tooth ewes, medium 35/-, four and five-year three-quarter-bred ewes (ordinary) 22/-, ewe lambs, small to medium 21/10. WOOL WORTHS (N.Z.). (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Mar. 1. Woolworths (N.Z.) has declared a half-yearly dividend of 44 per cent, based on shareholdings as at March 31 on preference shares, payable April 15, subject to a deduction of 2/6 in the £ Social and National Security taxes.