STOCK AND STATIONS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 252, 17 December 1878, Page 2

STOCK AND STATIONS.

There has not been any material change in the weather since onr last report. With the eiception of a few showers which fell last Sunday, and which had the effect of cooling the atmosphere, we are still suffering from the long continued drought. In. some few instances the harvest has commenced, the dry weather having prematurely forced the grain forward into ripeness, which we fear will be followed " "by a greater breadth having to be cut if we ' have not rain to retard ripening and ■ ensure a better growth. From Temuka, • southward, the crops generally look better, : and in some instances the autumn sown > crops are all that could be desired. The •'■ difference between the early and late • sown crops is so marked that it would be • desirable our farmers should consider the • subject before next seed time, especially ••• on all light dry soils. At Aldington, on Wednesday last, about : 4000 sheep and lambs, 250 head of cattle and a few pige were yarded for the week's < supply. Fat Sheep.—lnconsequence of the small number brought forward there was an advance in the price of all good quality •sheep of from Is to Is 6d per head. Fat Lambs again in over supply, and •none but the top quality commanded the ■ attention of the trade, ranging from 9s to -3s 6d according to quality. Fat Cattle are in a fair supply for the trade requirements without any strong de--mand. Some very superior quality and handy weights for the season passed out unsold. Best cattle sold made from 32s 6d to 35s ; inferior, 255, 27s 6d, to 30s. • Store Stock are still without any improvement, nor do we expect and change untill after we have had some good soaking rains. Messrs R. wilkin and Co., report:— "Wool—Over 400 bales have come to hand during the week. Our second sale will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 7 next. Sheepskins—Our catalogue on Thursday consisted of 2533 skins, all of which were sold. There was only a limited attendance of buyers, and prices wese not at all even. :Oosßbreds, 2s 6s 3d each. Merinoes, 2s 6dto 6s-ldeach';< pelts, 2d to Is 10d each; lambskin's,*-la to Is 5d each- Tallow— Owing , %6 thWextremly hot weather •of the past catalogue of butchers' rough fat was small. There was, however, a large attendance of buyers, and prices were £rm. Best clean, well saved, 2£d to 2|d per lb; second quality, If dto 2£d per lb ; Inferior arid headed, id to l|d per lb ; cask tallow, 28s 6d per cwt. Hides—" This market at present is very dull, and buyers are slow at operating. Our sales are as follows: —Salted, 3£d per lb: damaged, 2d to 2£d per lb ; calfskins, 4d per lb. '