ADDINGTON YARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10680, 29 January 1913, Page 5

ADDINGTON YARDS.

THIS DAY. [Per tiie "Star's" Picjcox Exfeess.] The cessation of work at the freezing factories naturally liad an important effect on tho Addington weekly sale today, the entries of fat sheep and lambs being much smaller than usual at this season of the year. On January 22 it will be remembered, breeders, on the advice of tho selling firms, abstained from sending forward their stock, as fears were entertained that if any excessive consignments were sent to the factories the men would at once cease/ the entry was comparatively small, being only about sufficient for butchers' requirements. For some days it has appeared inevitable that an amicable agreement would not be arrived at in time to provent a stoppage of the works, as both parties appear to be determined., ..and now the worst fears have been realised. The rain which fell on Monday night virtually saved 'the situation as far as farmers are concerned, as it will ensure an abundance of grass and largely increase the rape and turnip crops, enabling farmers toi carry their stock for a considerable time without difficulty. Had it not been for the rain, there were fears of a shortage of succulent feed suitable for lambs, but now all apprehension on tli.it score has vanished. There was an average attendance, and all classes of stock, except fat sheep and lambs, were represented by ordinary entries. Fat Cattle.—■ The entries of fat cattle totalled 198, against 227 on January 22 and 148 a week" earlier. Generally speaking, the quality compared unfavourably with recent sales, and the greater number of tho entries were sent forward by dealers. The demand was again weak, although a shade better than at the previous sale, except for cows, which formed a large part 'of tho entry, but there was no quotable change in the prico of beef, which ranged from 22s to 30s per cwt, according to quality. Cow beef formed the bulk of tho yarding. Steers realised £7 10s to £l2 los, heifers £6 15s to £9 1.55, and cows £6 7s 6d to £9 os. Tho sales included the following lines: —For Ensor and M'Cracken (Pendle Downs), 5 steers at £8 los to £l2, 1 heifer at £7 los ; Client, 1 cow at £7 10s; T. R. Barnott CGreenpark), 1 cow at .£7 12a j fid; 1?. A. Chaffev (Waiau), 2 cows at £7 12a 6d and £9 7s 6d ; F. Pohl (Wood- i grove), 1 cow at £8 10s; J. M'Girr (Methven), 2 steers at £9 ss, 3 heifers at £5 17s 6d to £6 17s 6d. Yeai.fjrs.—There was the customary varding of fat calves, all classes being included in the entry, and prices were unchanged, ranging from 8s to £3 9s, according to size and quality. Fat Lamms.—The yarding of fat lambs totalled only 105(3, a considerable proportion being little better than forward stores, as farmers are evidently holding back their best freezing lambs. Prices ruled about the same as last I week, one large line being bought for further finishing. Towards the end of the sale, when some better pens were oflered. prices improved somewhat. Best lambs made 16s 6d' to ■ 18s, and lighter 13s 6d to IGs. Fat Sitee?.—Thero were only about 3000 fat sheep penned, and they were of average quality. .The market opened at about lust week's rates, and the butchers being the only buyers, bidding was somewhat slack. Store Sheep.—The entry . of store sheep was n large one, quite the largest seen at Addington during the current season, ami no doubt marked the opening of the season proper. All classes were represented, and oversea sheep represented a considerable proportion of the day's offering, the Chatham Islands being strongly in evidence. There was a much greater proportion of wethers than fori some weeks past, in fact, they represented a considerable share of the total. The balance consisted of ewes of mixed" ages and store lambs, the latter ranging from medium to very forward. A large proportion of "the wethers were not of the best class, and the supply somewhat exceeded the demand, with the" result that for this description prices were easier and in favour of buyers. Very forward lines experienced a slight drop only. , Forward lines of lambs sold well up to the previous week's prices, in fact, the top price obtained was Is above the best on January 22, but this was mainly accounted for by the better quality of the line. Lambs of poorer classes met with a fair demand, though probably a shade below the value ruling a week earlier. In ewes nothing of special quality was offered. Although the demand has not- yet become general, there was fair inquiry, and the sales made were at satisfactory prices considering the quality of the offering. Very few lines of any description were passed. Pigs.—Fat pigs were yarded in small numbers, the entries being much below those of the previous week, and the consequence was that competition was koeuoraiid prices better. "Choppers realised 60s to 90s. heavy baconers oGs to Ms, and lighter sorts 48s to 555, these prices being equivalent to 4&d to 5d per lb. The best porkers brought- 89s to 445. and lighter sorts 33s to 375, or equal to s|d to s§d per lb. Tile yardir.o- of stores was also a small one, and nil doscrintions met with good competition. Tho best sorts made 28s to 345, and smaller sorts 22s to 275. Weaners, for which there was a good demand", made 12s to 17s, the latter price being obtained for extra good pigs.