Commercial.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 February 1880, Page 14

Commercial.

Me. Donald Stboxach Ton behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Limited), reports for the week ending 18th February as follows :—: — Fat Cattle were in moderate supply, 112 having been yarded, chiefly of medium quality, which found buyers at about last week's prices. We disposed of 23 head on account of Mr. William Shand and others, at from £5 12s 6d to £9 5s per head. We quote best beef, as last week, 22s to 24s per 1001 b, and medium 21s. Fat Sheep. — 1953 were penned. The supply, being a full one, was more than sufficient for butchers' requirements, and about 200 were turned out. Prices realised for cross-bred wethers were up to 11s, with an exceptional lot at 12s. We sold 212, on behalf of Messes J. Davidson and William Shand, at 9s and 11s respectively. We quote as before, l^d to 2d per lb for prime mutton. Fat Lambs. — In all 581 were offered, of which 100, not finding buyers, were passed. We report sales of 129, on account of Messrs. Henry Elston and William Shand, at 6s and 7s per head. Store Sheep. — There is no change to report in quotations, at which we have placed several lots, and have many inquiries for young merinos and cross-bred wethers. Wools. — There is a fair inquiry at about late rates, at which some considerable parcels have changed hands. We are now waiting with some anxiety the telegraphic accounts of the opening of the London sales this week. Our next periodical auction will be held on Tuesday, the 24th current. Sheepskins. — We cleared a large catalogue at our weekly sale on Monday, at which merinos and cross-breds realised up to 4s 9d, and pelts up to Is 6d ; lambskins up to Is 7d, and skins in bales 6£d per lb. Hides. — Market unchanged. Demand continues good. Tallow. — No transactions to report. Grain. — Demand continues dull for all descriptions, and sales difficult to effect. There is a little enquiry for oats, but no improvement in quotations. Of barley, large parcels are being offered of the ■ new crop, and prices have a downward tendency. THE LABOUR MARKET, FEB. *18, 1880. Mr. Skene reports : Wages : — Binders, by the day, ss, 6s, and 7s ; couples, £65 to £75 ; stackers, 40s to 45s ; ploughmen, £52, £60, and £65 ; milkers, boys, 10s to 15s ; milkers, men, 20$ to 255 ; cooks, waiters, boots, and barmen, 20s to 40s ; girls, 10s to 13s ; upper girls, 20s to 25 and 30s ; day labour, 63, 7s, and 8s ; station cooks, and bakers, 20s, 255, and 30?. PRODUCE MARKET— FEB. 4, 1880. Mr. J. Fleming reports for the week ending Feb. 18, 1880 : — Wholesale prices, oats, Is 8d to Is lOd per bushel ; milling wheat, 4s 3d to 4s 6d per bushel ; cMcks, 3s 3d to 3s 6d ; barley, malting, 5s 6d per bushel ; feed, 3s to 3s 6d ; pollard, £5 0s per ton ; bran, £4 03 per ton ; flour, £11 to £11 10s per ton ; oatmeal, £11 0s per ton ; pota- [ toes £3 to £4 per ton ; new hay, £3 5s per ton ; hay, £4 per ton ; chaff, £4 per ton ; straw, £2s 5s per ton ; onions, Us per cwt.