MARKET REPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6124, 10 March 1898, Page 4

MARKET REPORTS.

FKOZEN MEAT. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company report under date London, Jan. 28, that trade in New Zealand mutton has been in a very stagnant state, though arrivah and afloats are smaller than at the corresponding period of 1897, and there is not the heavy glut of Australians that swamped the market a year ago to contend with, while Plate mutton is only in moderate supply and is likely to be so for some few weeks, till the large vessels lately sent out have time to load and return; all circumstances that would seem to tend to higher values. The best Canterburys offered can be quoted at 3^d per Ib, though many sell for less ; heavy Canterburys have sold this week as low as 2Jd per Ib, a common price being 2gd per Ib. Southlands and Dunedins have sold at2Jdto 2|d per Ib for the best weights, heavier at 2id and in some cases at 2»d per Ib, North Island mutton at 2jd to 2fd per Ib. A parcel of sheep, prize-takers at Wellington, have been offered at Smithfield, and being thoroughly bright and fresh and of unusually good style they attracted much attention ; apparently Downs and crosses with a predominance of Down blood. The majority for make, shape, breed and quality were all that could be desired, several being typical of. what "freezers" should be be. The only exception that could be taken to a number were their too great weight and fatness ; they were too heavy and too wasteful to meet general requirements, and though doubtless full of lean meat, there would be more trimming necessary than a butcher could afford. Mutton of this class, not too fat and overdone, but of neat, handy weights, say 541 bto 581 b, in bright, fresh condition, could always command a ready sale at top quotations, and if coming regularly would create a market for itself. The few new season's New Zealand lambs marketed have sold up to 6d per Ib, the quality and condition of some being very good. New Zealand beef until now has held its own at 4d per Ib for hindquarters and 2sd per Ib for forequarters, as much selling as stocks warranted; but has been lowered by competition of fresh consignees to 3Jd per Ib for hinds and 2id per Ib for fores. BURNSIDE SALE. [Pkb Pbeßs Association.! DUNEDIN, March 9. Fat Cattle.— Only a moderate supply was yarded, but it. proved ample for requirements. The sale was dull and prices ruled slightly below last week's rates. Best bullocks sold at £7 10s to .£B, good .£5 10s to <£6 17s 6d, light .£3 10s to .£5 ss ; best cows £5 to .£6 10s, good ,£3 to .£4 10s, inferior £1 10s to £2 10b. Pat Sheep— One thousand, six hundred and eighty-nine were penned. The number of wethers forward not being large, competition for them and prime ewes was rather betterthan it waslast week, and prices were a shade firmer. Prime cross-bred wethers lls to 12s 6d, ordinary Ss 6d to 9s, light 7s to Bs, prime ewes Ss to 9s, ordinary 6s to 7s 6d, aged and inferior 3s Gdto ss. ' , j -i i' 4. Pat Lambs.— Eight hundred and seventyseven came forward. Prices were about the same as those of last weelc-Best lambs 9s 6d to 10s 6d,fair 8s to 9s, half andthreepa pio. s^-Only 40 were penned, despite the ahnoit unlimited demand for porkers and well-grown stores. iAto 30 5 , slips 138 to 16s, suckers 6s 6d to 10s.