COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1041, 4 January 1884, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday afternoon,

. Messrs Miles and Co. report upon the live Stock market for the week ending Thursday, 3rd January, as follows:—Addington —The first market for the new year brought forward a large entry of sheep of all descriptions, amongst the fet being two or three lines of magnificent wethers, which, as has been the rule for some time, were knocked down to an exporter’s bid for freezing purposes. . With th-se few exceptions consignmenis showed but little quality, the majority being ewes. The attendance at the early part of the day was rather small, and the opening sales were effected at a shade under prices obtained at last nterket As the sale proceeded, however, the attendance improved, as al;o values, finishwith an increase on recent' rates. We quote for the day—mutton at from 2]4d to 3d per lb, according to quality, with in one or two instances an advance on the latter. Fat cattle A |ood humbe* penned, the quality as a whole bdnfe extremely good, notably a consignment of steers and heifers from Kaituna estate,* which were brought forward in condition which reflects the greatest credit on the producer. We also sold a line of splendid heavy weight steers from the Messrs Hay Bros.’ Pigeon Bay estate. We quote beef at from 18s to ais per xoolbs.—Store Sheep : This season being so particularly moist and favorable to giowth of feed is causing a very active enquiry for store sheep, the demand being more part cularly for forward conditioned crossbreds, which just now are realisng figures which leave but little margin for purchasers. Crossbred hoggets are eagerly competed for, and values sire within a trifle of that of sheep twelvemonths older. In merinos no very huge lines have as. yet come to hand from theStatfoiis, tnt there is every reason to anticipate good rates for sellers this season.—Store Cattle ;: A very limited number came to hand, and those of a very mixed description, and hardly;, enable ns to make quotations; .we, however, do not notice any advance in prices, and recent rates miy *be taken as barely maintained. The numbers yarded were cattle,ifl pigs, of which-our entries were on account of Kaituna Estate, W. B. Clarkson, J, Robinson, T. Patterson, J. . Brett, J. Jenkins, Arayes, Ranger, and Others. Ashburton—At the Ashburton county saleyards on Monday last a fair entry of stock of aU descriptions was penned, comprising 3607 sheep. 130 cattle, 8 pigs. The sale was well attended, but proved rather dragging, and prices maybe quoted at a shade below Christchurch rates. Privately during the week we have sold 950 crossbred ewes at 15s 3d; 500 4-tpoth maiden merino ewes at ns; and also, forfreez’ngpurposes, fat wethers; S9O crossbred wethers at 16s and 16s 3d. \ r ! ■- '

The following is the Christchurch Com Exchange report for the week ending Friday evening, the 4th iust> Thete has been a complete stagnation in the grain market during the past week, holiday making engaging the greater part of the attention of dealers. Transhave been confined principally to computing erfers in - hand. The weather still continues so unsettled that the ultimate results of harvest are very problematical. The trops, however, up to the present promise by their apraupince. a bountiful supply of cereals, althongh fa; mere anticipate gathering fully three weeks later. The crop of cocksfoot on the Peninsula is exceptionally good; and given good weather thould he highly satisfactory to growers, the E* ibTe opening price being 4d per lb The latest quotations are Wheat: sound milling, 3s lod to 4 s 2d per bushel to.b.; second quality, 3s 3d to 3s 8d ; chickwheat, is lod to 2s per bushel. OaU: Prime milling, 2s id to 2S 2d per bushel f.0.b.; bright short feed, is ndto2s; inferior and discolored, is 8d to is lod per bushel. Barley.: First-class malting, 4s to 4s 3d per bushel; second quality, 3s 3d to 3s6d ; feed, is lod to 2s per bushel. Cheese and Butter: to 5d for the former, and 6j£d to yd for the latter, kegs extra.