Commercial.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 340, 21 March 1874, Page 2

Commercial.

Messrs. Deiver, Stewart, and Co. report as follows for the week ending March 18th : — Fat Cattle. — Only about 20 head of inferior quality were yarded. We had 50 head due at the yards to-day — and, having got out of the paddocks last night, could not be got together in time for sale to-day ; and they will therefore be offered to-morrow at 2 o'clock. We have no alteration to make in our late quotations — say 20s. jjer lOOlbs. for prime quality, and from 16s. to 17s. 6d. for ordinary. Fat Shkep. — About 1500 of various sorts were penned, of which about 1200 were sold, half-breds realising from 12s. to 12s. 6d. each ; merinos, 9s. to 9s. 6d. each. We sold at the yards about 250, and have placed 500 pi'ivately at our quotations. Prime half-brods are worth 2£d.; merinos, 2d. to 2|d. Fat Lambs. — 70 were penned, and sold from 6s. d. for shorn to 9s. 9d. for lambs in the wool. We sold 40 at the yards, and \ have placed a small lot privately. Store Cattle. — There is a fair enquiry for quiet grown bullocks and cows, at £3 10s. to ' £4 10s. for the former, and £2 10s. to £3 10s. for the latter. We have sold 150 at above rates. Store Sheep. — We still have numerous enquiries for almost every description of sheep, particularly young merino ewes and j half-breds, and have sold during the week 8000 at our quotations — say, merino ewes, 6s. 6cl. to 78.; do., full-mouthed, 55.; do. lambs, 6s. to 6s. 6d.; cross-breds. from 9s. to 10s.; do. lambs, 7s. 6d. to Bs. Horses. — We have during the week sold on account of Henry Hill, Esq., of Wantwood Station, his imported Clydesdale horse Young Prince of Wales to Robert Hamilton, Esq., of Southland, for the sum # of £900 ; and have also placed several first-class hackneys and carriage pairs. We beg to intimate that we shall hold an important sale of thoroughbred hacks aud buggy and carriage pairs, at the Commercial Yards, on Friday, the 27th inst Wool. — By the Otago at the Bluff to-day, we have telegraphic advices to the 7th iust. as follows : — The opening competition at the wool sales is well maintained. Faulty descriptions are lower. At auction to-day we offered about 500 bales, but owing to the departure of the mail preventing buyers from fully examining the various lots catalogued, all were withdrawn with the exception of the Ben Ohou clip of 350 bales, which was sold at 10£ d. per lb. for fleece wool and half-bred wethers respectively, for locks and pieces. Sheepskins. — There was a full attendance of buyers, but bidding was languid, and the prices obtained showed little, if any, improvement on those current at last sale. Full-wool merino skins sold at 4s. 4d. to ss. 6d.; crossbreds, at Ss. 2d. to 6s. 3d.; medium-skins, at 2s. 2d. to 3s. 9d.; this season's skins, at'9d. to Is. 7d.; lambs' skins, at Is: 6d. to Is. 9d. Hides and Tallow. — None offered. * ; Gbain. — There is no alteration to note in the market. Wheat is enquired for, both for shipment and local consumption, and is saleable at 4s. 9d. to ss. Oats. — Good old oats are very scarce, aud command extreme prices ; but few are offering. Sales have been made at up to 4s. 4d. New oats are wanted by speculative buyers, but the prices asked prevent business being done. G-ood samples, we should say, would find buyers at about 3s. 9d. for .forward delivery in town.

SKENE'S LABOR EXCHANGE. Dttnbdin, 19th March, 1874 r There are no great changes to mention in this week's labor market. If any thing, the supply is greater than usual, But by strictly exporting the really useful hands, there is not one too many. New arrivals are throng*

ing our streets, and the number will not be much reduced till after the race meeting. If ew arrivals will not bother their heads much with our sports ; getting settled down will occupy their time and attention for a little bit. Railway and other contractors complain a good deal of the physique of the male portion of many of the late arrivals. As it is a question of pounds, shillings, and pence with,contractors, &c., they are fully entitled to be the best judges. However, they will all get aborbed, settled down, and pleased ere long. Quotations scarcely vary from last week. Good farm hands easily get £52 to £55 per annum and found ; if married and wife to help, £60 to £70 ; servant girls get from £30 to £40, and £45 ; if good cooks or barmaids, they get £52 readily ; nurse girls get about Bs. per week ; barmen and waiters, 205., 255., and 30s. per week ; grooms, 20s. and upwards ; labourers, about Is. per hour ; if working m water, Is. 6d.; tailors and shoemakers are busy.

Me. Archibald Mont, Manse street, reports the followsng as tho latest quotations : Flour — £12 per ton. Oatmeal — £22 per ton. Pearl Barley — £28 per ton. Bran — £4 10s per ton. Pollard — £5 per ton. Chaff — £4i per ton. Hay— £4 per ton. - * Potatoes — £6 per ton. Carrots — £3 per ton. Turnips — None. Whejit — 4s 3d to 4s 6d per bushel. Barley— 4s 6d to 7s per bushel. Oats — 3s 9cl to 4s per bushel. Butter— ls to Is 2d per lb. Cheese — 6d to 7d per lb. Bacons and hams — 9d per lb.