Commercial.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 263, 17 May 1878, Page 13

Commercial.

Mr. Hexey Drives (on behalf of the N. Z. L. and M. A. Co.) reports for the week ending May 15th :—: — The following fat stock were yarded at the market to-day :—l6l: — 161 head cattle, 6 calves, 2,200 sheep. Pat Cattle. — Of the number forwarded only about 60 were of good quality, but all were sold, about 50 going to graziers. Best bullocks brought from £9 to £12 10s ;do cows, £G 10a to £9— or equal to. 27s per 1001 b for prime quality. At the yard we sold CO head. Fat Calves — The few forward were sold at recent rates, Fat Sheep. — Prices were not so firm as last week, but the wholo of the sheep penned found buyers at a shade under last quotations. Best cross-breds brought from 10s Gd to 13s 9d ; raeriuos, Gs 6d to 9s —or equal to 2id per lb. for former, and 2£d latter. At the yards wo sold 500, and have placed 100 privately. Store Cattle. — The only demand existing is for good-conditioned cows and bullocks for winter feeding. Mixed ages and sexes are dif • ficultto sell. Owing to the scarcity of feed holders will have to wait for Spring before realising. Store Sheep. — Transactions during the week hnvc been nominal, and few lots are changing hands. We have no alteration to note iv late qnotitions. Wool. — Further catalogues of the March wool sales are to hand, prices of which shew but little alteration, though more irrogularitv is observable, no doubt caused by tha large withdrawals which were then taking place. The opening of the May and June series on the 14th may be expected hourly, in this market there is a fair demand for any lots offering. Sheepskins.— At our weekly auction, on Monday last, we catalogued 1400 skius. There was good competition for all lots ; but with exception of butchers' greenskins, which maintained former rates, there was a decline in prices, which has been anticipated owing to the low rates skin wools have been realising. Tallow. — "We had a good supply of country rendered on Monday last* with brisk competition for every lot sold, principally "dark mixed quality, which sold at £20 to £27 10s per ton ; rough fat, 21s to 21s 6d. Grain. — Wheat is firmer in all New Zealand export markets ; fine hard wheats are saleable at 4s Gd ; secondary, 4s to 4s 3d ; fowls' ■wheat, 3s 3d to 3s Gd. Oats continue scarce, and though there is great inquiry there appears no desire to purchase, except for immediate wants. Fair feed is saleable, and wanted at 3s 4d; short j heavy 3s sd ; milling, 3s Gd. Barley is in good request at bettor prices j good malting is very saleable at 5s to os 6d , feeding and milling, none. Mr. Skexe reports for the week ending May 15 as follows :—: — plenty of good sound work, and fair pay in every direction. It is very satisfactory to Avritc that there is little or no legitimate grumbling as yet, such as was too common in previous winters. Of course we have always a good number of , people badly off who are quite uufit for rough colonial work. Couples are moving off rapidly. As for ploughmen they are getting scarcer every day. Masons, carpenters, &c, &c, are very well employed. Shepherds are more active than usual for this season. Hotel people arc always shifting and are always wanted. Female servants are getting very scarce again. Wages : — Couples, £Go to £85 ; shepherds and ploughmeu, £02, £55, and £60, and £65 ; girls, 10s, 20s, and 30s ; day labour, 8s and 9s ; station cooks, 20s and 235. Mr. A. Mercer reports for the week ending May 15 :— Retai prices only — Fresh butter in half and one pound prints, Is 3d to Is 4d per lb ; fresh butter in lumps, Is 2d ; powdered and salt butter, Is 2d per lb. Fresh butter is not near so plentiful as it was, and the market is barely supplied. Salt butter iv keg at lOd per lb. Cheese, best quality, 8d to lOd per lb. Side and rolled bacon, lOd. Colonial hams, Is ; English haras, Is 2d to Is 4d perlb, but no demand. Eggs still continue very scarce and retailing at 3s 6d per doz. Mr J. Vezey reports for the week ending May 15, 1875, retail : Roasting beef, 5d to 8d per ft ; boiling do., 3d to 5d per lb ; stewinodo, 4d to Gd per ft ; steak, Gdto Sd per lb ; mutton, 2id to sdper lb ; veal, 4d to 8d per tt> ; pork Gd to 8d per ft ; lamb 2~s Gd to 4s per quarter. Mr J. Fleming, reports (wholesale prices) for the week endm<* May 15, 1878, as follows: — - Oats (feed), 3s 3d per bushel Wheat— milling, 4s 6d ; chicks, 3s to 3s 4d. Barley, malting, 4s to 4s Gd; feed, 3s to 3s Gel. PollarJ, £5 10s per ton. Bran, £40s, ba<*s included. Flour, large bags. £11 ; small, £11 10s. Oatmeal, £18. Potatoes, 3s Gd per cwt. Hay, £7 10s per ton. Hay, £4 10s per ton. Chaff, £4 10s per ton. Straw, £2 per ton.