SOUTHLAND HORSE MARKET.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 12

SOUTHLAND HORSE MARKET.

CSftEOAI. TO "TH« I>RESS.")

INVERCARGILL, May 19. i A well-known' local borsedealer informed a. "News" representative to-day that the . Southland shipments to the Melbourne market aYe etill very smalls and that the total so far shipped this season is far below that of 1913. There is a good demand in the Commonwealth for tho class of horse bred in Southland for farm ■work, and provided they ■are young and sound tuey can be disposed of at prices'ranging from to £35. These figures can be obtained in the Southland market, so it -would not pay local dealers to do business in Melbourne, espec : ally when £10 must bo added for freight," entrance fee, eto. A class of horse which is eagerly enquired for in the Commonwealth is the big, strong, animal, suitable for heavy work. These "aro ecarce m Southland, and owners can easily obtain from £50 to £60 for them*, so it would not be pro- i -fitable to send them across the water where the margin above these values TonJd be rery.-emall. j

The horse market in Southland is experiencing a clodded slump at the present time, judging from the paucity of nnmbers which are being turned out as sold from many of the recent auction sales (says the "Southland Times"). Evidence of this was given at a sale adjacent to Invercargill the other day. About a dozen animals were in the yard, but, despite tempting words from a loquacious auctioneer as to the ability of each animal to do work far ahovo the value of the reserve placed upon it, not. a single horse was sold. Everywhere the pronounced dullness of tie market _is being, remarked upon by those directly connected with-dealings in horseflesh. On the other hand sheep are selling well. In fact, this is the only linO in live-stock which is attracting any attention at this period of the year.