WANGANUI RAM FAIR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3003, 14 February 1917, Page 10

WANGANUI RAM FAIR

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, February 13. At the .Wanganui Rnm Fair to-day there was a keen demand for all classes of rams, Lincolns and Romneys selling particularly well. The highest price realised for Lincoln studs was 122 guineas, this being paid for a Wybourne ram. This breeder's entry averaged ,i4fl. Ram 9 .bred l>v Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., made up to 50 guineas, and by Mr. W. Rayner up to 56-guineas. Romney studs made to 30 guineas and Romncy flocks from 5 guineas to 13i guineas. and Leicesters all sold well.

v WOOL PRICE RECORD Last Thursday week nine bales of greasy .wool from the Glen Innes district (N.S.W.), was appraised in Sydney at 2s. sd. per lb—a new record for greasy wool in that State. RANGITIKEI A; & P. SHOW Intending exhibitors at the Rangitikei A. and P. Shojv, on February 28, are reminded that the entries will close on Saturday next, February 17. The prizemoney is allotted on a liberal scale, and the trophies are numerous and valuable. A copy of the schedule will be posted to any address on application to Mr. A. M. Ryan, secretary, Box 81, Taihape. HARVEST OPERATIONS Harvest operations in the Ashburton County, as far as they directly refer to the ingatherng of the cereal crops, are fast approaching a point of completion. Indeed, with a ,few days' fine weather, farmers will he' enabled eitler to finish stacking or tTireshing the remainder of the grain that is now in the stook. The grain has been harvested Iff- the pink of condition, but in practcally every instance tile sample is small and pinched, almost identical in appearance to the Canadian vheat imported two years ago by the Government. Those in a postion to advance an authoritative opinion on such matters are unanimous on the point that the shortage of grain this season, as compared with last season, is much greater than most people are aware, and they state in support of their assertion that whereas the average tally of the sixtv odd threshing mills in the county last year was over 70,000 bushels each, this year it will barely exceed 10,000 bushels. In the face of this fact it will be seen that the quantity for export will be nil; indeed, it will not Buffice to nrovide ndbquately for home' consumption. Further reports of yields to hand continue to prove disappoiutiner, and below expectations. Periodic light showers of rain have fallen, but these'have done little or no lasting benefit to the ed soil. Turnips and rape crops are, certainly looking more fresli in appearance than .was the case two weeks ago, j but to ensure anything like decent crops it will be neoessary for the soil to receive a thorough drenching first. Grass pastures are burnt white, and stock feed was never more scarce during the corresponding period for a number of years past. In consequence, lambs aro not maturing as they should do, and graziers are, therefore, obliged to hold their surplus stock, hoping for a turn in the tide of fortune.—"Lyttelton .Times."

SOLWAY SHOW

The annual show of the Masterton A. and P. Association will'be held on the Solway Showgrounds on February 20 and 21. The entries received are eminently satisfactory, and an exceptionally good exhibit of stock is anticipated, as the principal sheepbreeders in the North Island are showing stock.' Besides exhibits of interest to the farmer there will bo much to engage the closo attention of visitors. There will bo numerous ring events and competitions, and many of the best jumpers in the "North Island will compete. Special trains north and south will land stock right on to the grounds, while excursion trains will convey passengers at convenient' intervals to and from ■ tho ground. Exhibitors can on their stock receiving; every care, as plenty of green fodder is supplied. The annual ram friir .will be'held 011 February 22 and 23. Splendid entries have been received for the ram* fair; They are as follows:—Stud Romneys, 61; flock Romncy ewes, 1070; flock Romney rams, 72; stud Lincolns, 47; flock Lincolns, 694; stud Southdowns, 10; flock Southdowns, 376; stud Shropshires, 10; total, 2340 —an increase of 53 over last year.

Tho Hon. W. Di Si MncDonald, Minister of Agriculture, was aslced by a Dunedin reporter if tlie Government intended to tajce any action in regard to the complaints dealing with the' destrucion ot noxious . weeds and rabbits. The Minister replied that ho had received a number of resolutions—some asking why action was not being taken against persons for not oarrying out the destruction of the and the rabbits, a!nd other asking why such prosecutions were being pone oil with—and .a report was being drawn up on the question. , LIVE STOCK SALES Messrs. Dalgety and Co., ltd., report:— We hajl a' good entry for the Danuevirko sheep fair, held at ILillor's Koad yards on February 11. The 'attendance was good, buyers being-represented from long distances. Prices, opened strong, and keen competition was maintained right throughout the sale, which was tho best ever held in this district. We quote as follows:—Two-tooth wethers, 335. 5d.; m.s. ■ two-tooths, small, 31s. 3d.; fat lambs, ■ shorn, 245. Yd.; woolly fat lambs, 265. 3d.; four-tooth fat and forward wethers, 355. lOd.; mixed-age ewes, 355.; s.ix and eighttooth owes,' 335.. 2d.; five-year, ewes, 295. 5d.; four-tooth ewes, 355. 7d.; cuil ■ ewes, 255.; fat ewes (lladdison and Wellwood, Otope): 50 at 38s. 6d., 130 at 385.; fat ewes, 355.; fat-ewes, 355. 6d. ,

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report on their sales for the past week as follow:—

At Pahiatua. on Tuesday we had only a 6mall entry of sheep and a fair one of oattle., Competition was fairly keen throughout the sale. Practically a total clearance was mado under tho hammer at the following rates iMSood b.f. rape lambs, 205.; small b.f. lambs, 15s. Id.; light fat cows, £9 to £10 155.; store cows, £6 to £7 155.; small m.s. weaners, £2.

At Waimiro on Wednesday we had' a large yarding of both/ sheep and cattlo. Sheep woro ratlier dull of sale, but cattlo •were in good demand, most of the latter being sold under tlie hammer at highly satisfactory prices. Wo quote: 4-tooth ■wethers, 345. fid.; 2-tooth do., Ms. to 31s. 3d.; 2-tooth ewes, 38s. 6d.; 4 and 5-year ewes. 245. to 255.; 3-year steers, £11 ss. to £16 55.; fat cows and heifers, £13 Is.; 18-months steers, £10 to £11 55.; cows and calves, £10 10s.; store cows, £7 10s. to £10; m.s. wcrners, £3 3s. to £5 65.; yearling heifers. £6; bulls, to, £8 ss.

At Pongaroa on Thursday we had a heavy ■ yarding of sheep and a fair one of cattle. Bidding was by no - means spirited, and a number of Jines were passed out unsold. Prices were as follow 2-tooth wethers, 28s. to 295. 6d.; 4 and 5year ewes, 21s. to 245. 6d.; mixed - age ewes, 235. Id.; f.m. ev.'es. 19s. to, 295. Ed.: good shorn -wether lambs, 20s. 9d.; cull m.s. lambs, 9s. to 10s. 7d.; 2-tooth Eomney rams. sgns.; aged do., lgn. to sgns.; aged Lincoln rama, 2}gns. to sgns.; 3-ycar steers, £13 to'£l6; 2J-year\do., £12; m.s. weaners, £5 104.

At Eketahuna on Friday we hnd a good yarding of sheep and a small one of cattle. Bidding was fairly keen throughout the sale though prices were somewhat easier compared -with the previous -week. Almost a total clearance in. the sheep was mado under tho hammer at the following prices :—2-tooth ewes. 355. 3d.; aged ewes. 16s. 3d. to 215.: small'm.s. 2-tooths. 225. Id.: 2-tooth wethers, 30s. Bd.; good b.f. rape lambs, 18s. Bd.; medium b.f. lambs. 14s. 9d. to 155.: w.f. shorn lambs, 17s. 9d., 16s. 9(1.. 15s. 3d., 145., and 13s. 6d.; empty cows. £7 Bs. 6d.

On Saturday ive held our annual ram fsir at Pahiotua. We had a very good entry of Poraneys and Lincoln?, no Southdowns coming forward; Buyers worn present, from leal and surrounding df and bid freely for rains showing size and quality, but neglected inferior rams and ones in low condition. A nice lino of 30 ?.-tooth Lincoln?, oilored on behalf if Messrs. Percy Urns., Masterton. .brought from 15igns. to WigD?.. averaging 16ci)p. Another good lot of 23 Lincoln?, offered on behalf of Mr. Charles Avery. P.ihiatni, made F?ns. to 13gns., averaging 10gn=. We alpo pold o". neeount. of Ifr. Ale*. M'Knv. Pahiatua. Pomncys from 5 s to 7gn=.; on •'ecount- of Forlmg and Suisted. AFhVir-'. Homnny" 10 to on account, of .T.'K. •Tewitt. Hannui, Pnmneys frr>i 3J to s'gns.: on ncyinnt of K. P. Wilton. Pahiatua, 2-tootb Lincoln? from 3 to sgns. BDRNSIDE MARKET. I3y Telegraph—Press Association. Dunodin. February 13. At Burnsido to-day 209 fat cattlo ivere yarded, the quality being very good. _At the commencement of the _ Bale, prices •went down about 205., but improved towards the finish. Sheep: 1800 ivere penned, but only a- few pens of extra, prime quality. At the opening prices advanced Is. 6d. to 25.. but about the middle of the sale values dropped to last wcolt'a level. Lambs: 450 were penned, the quality being fair, mtli. a few pens of

prime quality. Prices were on a par with last week's rates. Pius: Fats showed an improvement on last week's rates,, but prices for young pigs declined. COMMERCIAL ITEMS INVESTMENT SHARES. Yesterday's quotations for investment shares were as follow:— Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ s. d. National Bank 419 0 — Bank N.Z. (£3 6s. Bd.) ... 11 1 6 11 3 6 JUnion Bank 51 5 0 — 'Well. Trust, Loan, Ltd. 612 6 — Wellington Gas (£10) ... — 15 0 0 Wellington Gas (p'ref.) ... D 18 3 0 19 0 fi. British Insurance ... 5 5 0 — Standard Insurance 1 19 6 — Gear Heat (£1) 4 10,0 — Well. Meat Export (£5) 6 5 0 — Union Steam (ord.) 2 0 0 — Hncldart-Parker (ord.) ... 1 4 3 — Wgt-n. Woollen (ord.) ... — 6 2 6 Waina Coal 0 18 0 - Westport-Stockton (ord.) 0 6 8 — Lev land-O'Brien 1 3 6 — Golden Bay Cement N — 116 Wilson' Cement (pref.) ... 1 4 6 — JEx div. METAL MARKETS. By Teletrrapli-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. February 13, 6 p. 14.) London, February 12. Copper, £138 55., £134 ss. per ton. Tin, £200 7s. 6d. per ton. Lead, £30 10s. per ton. .Spelter, £56, £53 per ton. Bar silver, 38 l-16d. per .ounje standard. STANDARD INSURANCE CO. By Telegraph—Press Association: Dunedin, February 13. annual report of the Stondar<nnsiirancc Co. states that the net income for the year was £139,611 and the expenditure £11,775. The balance carrijd forward from last year was £9225, making £21,000 available for distribution. The Interim dividend last June absorbed £3750. leaving £17,250 Sie directors recommend a dividend of Is. 3d. per share for the halfyear, absorbing £6250, and addition of £2500 to tie reserve fund, carrying £85CO forward to next year.

SOUTHERN WHEAT MARKET. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christoliurch, February 13. There is a fairly large amountof wheat offering, and both millers and merchants are buying up to the Government prices for milling wheat. The "position is Lgradually fretting clearer, and as tlie regulations aro being better understood business is likely to be carried on with little,-difficulty. Minor points, concerning which merchants have been, in doubt, are being cleared up, and the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald lia/s shown a desire to meet the trade as far as possible, so as not to interfere with the legitimate business that may. be carried on within the limits that have been fixed. Merchants will thus be 1 enabled to purchase milling wheat from 'farmers at Government prices, and , sell on commission. There is a good inquiry for oats, but few are offering, as little threshing appears to have been done, and probably a good deal of grain grown in North Canterbury will be s required for feed and seed purposes. The sunnly of oats is not expected to be Dlentiful until the southern crops are available. There is a quiet business being done in barley with no change in prices. The crass seed market is fairly quiet, there being fewer offerings. For cocksfoot ninepence to tennence is being paid for 121b. to 131b. seed, but offerings so far have been limited.