ADDINGTON YARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 6

ADDINGTON YARDS.

THIS DAY. [Pkr thb "Stab's" Pigeon Express.] It was generally anticipated that during the latter half of April there would be a lnari'ed decline in the entries of stock, more particularly store sheep, at the Addington Yards, but this anticipation has not been realised this season, and the yarding to-day showed no shrinkage compared with the very heavy sales held during the last six weeks or more. The sheep section was again a very heavy one, the store section overflowing the yards set aside for their accommodation into those usually devoted to cattle. The entries of fat sheep and lambs were also heavy, both sections including a good proportion of very prime quality, whilst the other sections were also well filled, the supply being rather more than adequate for the demand. There was the usual full attendance.

Fat Cattle.—Fat cattle were represented by an entry totalling 254 head, against 341 the previous week and 370 on April 16. As usual, all descriptions were represented, but beef of a useful class formed a somewhat lafger percentage of the offering than usual. At the opening of the sale there were indications of slackness in the competition, but ere many pens had been submitted the previous week's level was attained, and the market continued unchanged till the close of the sale. <.-f making 21s to 29s per 1001b, according to quality. Steers realised £6 to £ll, extra to £ls 12s 6d, heifers £7 to £8 15s and cows £6 os to £lO 2s 6d. The sales included the following:—For T. H. Wilkinson (Cheviot), 2 steers at £S 10s, 1 heifer at £8 7s 6d; Mrs Stapleton (Doyleston), 3 cows at £7 17s 6d to £8 2s 6d; Colin Stewart (Riccarton), 3 6teers at £10; Major Blewitt (Waiau), 6 steers at £6 15s to £8 12s 6d; G. G. Holmes (Knocklyn), 7 steers at £9 15s to £l2; L. Wood (Lake Heron), 7 steers at £8 15s to £lO 10s; client, 20 steers at £l3 to £l4 ss; Victor Craw (Chorlton), 2 steers at £lO 15s; C. D. Fox (Scargill). 3 eteers at £6 to £7 15s; R. and J. Reid (Darfield), 1 cow at £7 ss; W. Pickering (Hororata), 3 steeic at £9; T. B. Howson (Sedgemere), 3 steers at £8 7s 6d to £9 7s Gd.

Vealers.—About the customary number of fat calves was penned and the demand showed no change, prices ranging from 8s to £2 15s, extra making to £4. Fat Sheep.'—There was again a very large yarding of fat sheep, there being apparently an increase over the previous week's offering. A good proportion consisted of prime wethers, but ewes again formed the bulk of tlie yarding. The sale opened well. Fat Lambs.—There was an entry of 6909 fat lambs as against 7948 last week. A large proportion of the yarding consisted of prime heavy-weight the balance being made up of good average weight freezers and a number of unfinished lots. There was keen competition for export, and prices for prime lambs were firmer, safes being made up to 6d per lb for medium weights, and up "to s£d for tegs. The range of prices was:—Tegs 19s to 235, ordinary freezers 16s to 18s 6d, and light and unfinished, some of which were taken by graziers, at 13s to 15s 6d. Store Sheep.—The yarding of store sheep was again a very heavy one. All classes, as usual, were represented, but the majority were of a medium and included a considerable number of oversea sheep. The entry, as at several recent sales, consisted largely of ewes with a fair proportion of lambs and a limited number of wethers. The sale opened at about the previous week's rates, there being a brisk demand for practically all lines offered. As at several recent sales, southern buyers were in fairly strong evidence.