COMMERCIAL.

West Coast Times, 15 June 1912, Page 1

COMMERCIAL.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MARKET.

There were again largo entries of stock in the sheep sections, and good yardings of in other departments. There was an average attendance. Pat cattle sold at about last week’s rates, store sheep, were in strong demand, and fat lambs were easier by about, Is per head. The fat sheep market opened very firm and afterwards eased off to last week’s prices which were maintained , to the close. There was not much demand for store or dairy cattle hut pigs sold well . STORE SHEEP. The entry of store sheep, as might naturally have. been expected at this season of tho year, showed a marked falling off, and the sale was concluded shortly after noon. Tho yarding was of the ordinary class, and contained nothing special. There was a fair attendance and a brisk sale, everything being cleared at prices which, showed an upward tendency, the firmness of tho market being especially noticeable in the case of good young owes and wethers. Lambs of all description also participated in the improved demand; indeed tho only class of sheep that did command more attention than at tho previous sale wore old and toothless sorts. Quotations were: A lino of four six and eight-tooth halfbreds made 15s lid, six and eight-tooth (good), to 16s 2d, two, six and eight tooth (of a good class) 16s 8d; four.and six-tooth (medium) 13s to 13s 9d, full mouth to 11, aged and toothless sorts to, 7s 7d. Lambs: Fairly forwards sorts lis to 12s 6d, others 10s 9d to 11s 9d; ewe lambs (small) 11s 3d. Wethers: Fairly forward 17s to 17s 7d, two-tooth (forward) 15s 6d to 16s 2d, low-condit icned small sorts (culls) 12s Bd, FAT SHEEP. Tho yarding of fat sheep was a very largo one, of mixed quality, but included some good linos of freezing wethers, and prime heavy owes, but tho bulk of the entry ooittdstod of medium and inferior ewes. Tho market opened under keen competition, and prices for both owes and wethers were very firm, the sale closing at equal to'last week’s rates. The range of prices was;— Prime wethers 18s to 21s, extra to 24s 6d, others 15s lid to 17s 9d; prime owes 14s 6d to 19s 7d, extra to 24s 3d, others 7s 6d to 14s, merino wethers, 12s 6d to 16s 7d, merino ewes Bs. FAT LAMBS.

The entry of fat lambs was a large one, totalling 9395, but while there was a fair proportion of prime sorts, there was a largo proportion of light and nnfinshed lambs. This indicates that the fattening season is now drawing to a close, and tho entries from now onwards will perceptibly ease off. Tho competition lacked the briskness that has characterised late sales, and prices wore easier by fully one shilling per head as compared with last week. Tegs made 1.6s to 19s 4d, a few extra to 21s, average weights 13s 6d to 15s 9d, and light and unfinished 11s to 13s.

EAT CATTLE. The entry of fat cattle, which totaled 242 head compared with 190 at the previous sale, included a few 1 lines of quite exceptionally tine and heavy cattle, but the bulk of the yarding was of medium quality, and there was tho usual proportion of. cows. Tire demand for all classes remained unchanged, the better description of animals being responsible for the higher figure's ruling. Beef realised 23s 6d to 29s per 1001b. tho highest price being obtained foxprime steer beef. Steers brought £7 10s to £ll, extra to £l4 ss; heifers £5 10s to £8 10s, extra to £ll 15s ; and cows £5 to £B, extra to £l,O 10s.

STORE CATTLE. The yarding was a small one, and consisted mainly of old cows. The demand was weak, there being few buyers. Yearlings made £l, l§s to £1 19s; two-year steers £4 17s; two-year heifers £4 to £4 3s 6d; and cows £1 15s to £4 7s 6d.

DAIRY COWS. The dairy cows were a good lot, but tho demand was weaker. Prices ranged fi'om £4 to £lO 15s. PIGS. The yarding of fat pigs was a relatively small one, and as a result there (id soiling fx;eely. Choppers covered a wide range of quality, and prices run from 55s to 105s, whilst heavy baconers realised 67s 6d to 755, and lighter sorts 53s to 655, these prices being equivalent to.sf J per lb. Heavy porkers made 43s to 48s, and smaller pigs 35s to 40s, equal to 5$- per lb. Stores were in good.supply, and the demand was brisk. Largo sorts realised 35s to 42s 6d, medium 25s to 32s 6d, and small sorts 14s to 22s 6d. Weaners, which were in goo (Request, brought 9s ud to 14s 6d. ,