ADDINGTON YARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9534, 5 May 1909, Page 3

ADDINGTON YARDS.

THIS DAY.

_Pb» the "Star's" Pigeon Express.]

Entries of all classes of stock at the Addington Yards to-day were quite up to the average of recent markets, those of fat sheep and lambs being in excess of tho previous week, while farmers, dealers, exporters and graziers were numerously represented. Judging fro m conversations with farmers from various parts of Canterbury who were present ,at the sale, it appears that tne feed prospects for winter jbave improved considerably during the' last couple of months, and although it is generally anticipated that the epidemic of blight which has caused considerable damage to turnip crops will seriously affect the output of tat sheep during the winter months, it is not expected, unless the weather conditions should be unusually severe, that stock will suiter from a shortage of feed. Regarding the position of the grain market, few holders appear to evince any anxiety as to the future, the majority expressing the opinion that prices will advance rather than recede.

Fat Cattle.— The yarding totalled 365. The quality throughout was fair, _ut the sale was a dragging one, sales .seing difficult to make. Best steer beef realised 18s 6d to 20s, medium 16s to 18s, and cow beef 14s to 15s per 1001b. Steers made £5 17s 6d to £9 2s 6d, heifers £5 to £6 17s 6d, and cows £4 10s to £6 10s. Among the sales were the following: — St Helen's Estate, 24 steers at £7 to £_; clients, 7 heifers at £4 to £5 12s 6d, 4 steers at £8 17s 6d ; W. Hole (Cheviot), 3 heifers at £4 10s to £5 17s 6d; Sunnyside Mental Hospital, 2 heifers at" £4 10s and £7, cow at £3 7s 6d; G. Rutherford (Dalethorpe), 4 steers at £5 7s 6d to £6 15s, 2 heifers at £5 2s 6d and £5 10s; J. Forest (Kaiapoi), 10 steers at £7 os ; J. Young (Kaiapoi), 14 steers at £5 to £6 7s 6U, 6 heifers at £o 5s to £6 12e 6d. Vealers.— ln fat calves there was an ordinary yarding, and prices ranged from 4s 6d to £2 6s, according to age and condition. '

Fat Lambs. — The yarding was a very large one, and was made up principally of large lines from Cheviot, "Waiau and other northern districts. Competition was not so keen as at the previous sale, and a decline of from sixpence to nineSence per head has to be chonicled. lutchers operated only to a moderate extent, the bulk of the yarding being secured by exporters at prices ranging from 10s 9d to 13s lOd, a few extra good lines of tegs realising to 14s lOd. The bulk of the yarding was taken at 12s 6d to 13s lOd. Store SHEEP.--The yarding of store sheep, as might have been expected at this iate period of the season, was very much smaller, than at several recent markets, and was considerably below the previous week. The entry included several lines of good to very forward wetherg, a few small lots of an inferior class, several small consignments of lambs, and. th e balance was made up of ewes of various classes. There was a moderate attendance, but those present showed less inclination to operate than at recent markets, and as a result a fairly large proportion of the ewes were passed, those sold being quitted at. prices a shade below those ruling a week earlier. Most of tho wethers on offer changed hands, very forward making lis 6d to 12s 7d, average lines 9s 6d to lis, and low condition and inferior lots 8s to 9s. Th© lambs were only of moderate quality, none really first-class being penned. Medium sorts realised 8s to 9s 6d. Pigs. — The entry was only a medium one, but quite sufficient for requirements, the demand for all descriptions being rather weaker than at the previous sale. Choppers made to £3 10s, and baconers 45s to 655, equal to 4_d per lb. Heavy porkers made 36s to 42s and smaller 28s td 355, equal to 51d per lb. No large stores were entered. Fair sized animals made 30s to 34s 6d, and smaller 22s to 28s. Weaners realised 9s to 14e.