STOCK SALES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 15, 19 January 1901, Page 3

STOCK SALES.

GOOD DEMAND FOR CATTLE. There was a large and representative attendance of town and country residents at the Matawhero stock sale yesterday, many settlers arriving from distant parts of the district, the fine weather no doubt having attracted them from their homes. There was a splendid entry of cattle and a fair muster of sheep, but buyers for the most part were more keen after the cattle than they were for sheep. Sales were held by Messrs Williams and Kettle and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, Messrs A. F. Kennedy and J. W. Bright acting as auctioneers, and both gentlemen were able to report good business. The proceedings opened at half-past eleven, and an adjournment was made shortly before one o’clock for lunch. In the matter of catering we notice a great improvement over previous sales, and the Licensing Bench have certainly no reason to cavil at the manner in which Host Aislabie, of the Royal Oak Hotel, looked after the wants of visitors and settlers from the back woods. An excellent lunch was provided, the edibles being varied and served up in splendid style under the supervision of Miss Robinson. The charge for the meal was a moderate one, and over eighty persons sat down to the well spread tables. The sale, of which details are given below, were brought to a close shortly after half-past three.

MESSRS WILLIAMS AND KETTLE’S

This firm report having held their fortnightly sale at the Matawhero yards yesterday, when there was a large attendance. There was a splendid entry of cattle, but only a fair muster of sheep, owing probably to it being a little bit early. The firm expect to see a largo turnover in sheep during February and March. Ewes and lambs fetched 12s 6d, and fat ewes, shorn, from 10s 6d to 11s. Light lambs were done at 7s fid, and fat lambs 9s fid. A fine lot of rams were offered on account of Mr A. McKenzie, but none were disposed of at the sjle, it being a little early in the season. There was an excellent entry of cattle, upwards of 200 being in the yards. Steers made up to £7 10s, and fat cows from £5 to £7 for an exceptionally fine beast. A nice lino of cows and calves made £5 14s. Eighteen months old steers and heifers sold from £2 15s to £3 13a, yearlings up to £2 10s fid, two-year-old heifers £3 15s. Generally speaking, tho prices for cattle wero exceptionally high for the district, although they did not come up to the prices ruling at Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast.

LOAN AND MERCANTILE COMPANY. The yarding of sheep, as might be expected, was small, but for suitable classes there was keen competition, good prices being realised. Store wethers were in good demand, and we sold four and six-tooth wethers in forward condition at 13s 2d, which is a phenomenal figure, and much above freezing price. More backward and smaller lots sold at 11s, fat ewes realised 10s fid, and fully grown woolly lambs 83 3d. The season is rather early for the sale of rams, but we placed a portion of Mr Perry’s consignment at £3 3s. All lines of cattle were in good demand. Forward bullocks realised up to £7 10s, fat cows £5, store cows £4 2s, heifers £3 to £3 12s fid, calves, mixed sexes, 375. Nearly all lines were cleared.

MESSRS WYLLIE AND MASON. Messrs Wyllie and Mason report having held their monthly stock sate, in conjunction with Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., at the Waerenga-a-hika yards on Thursday. There was a good attendance of buyers, The demand for cattle was brisk and strong. All lots wero disposed of under the hammer, the prices obtained being very satisfactory. There was also difficulty in disposing of grown sheep, but buyers were shy of lambs, it being rather early in the season for a sale of this description of stock. The firm quote:— Sheep : 2 and 4-tooth wethers, 11s ewes, 10s; butchers’ lambs, 8s t. o ~y lOd; shorn lambs, Gs 8d; woolly lam 1 JS) 75 lOcl; old culls, mixed sexes, 4s Id to Cs • od. ©ttle: Forward 3-year-old steers, £0; (at bull'°k o > £7 ss. cows, £3 15s to £5 1C j s ; yeariflgs, £1 183 to £2 10s. The demo'nd for noises was limited. The next stock, sale will V e held at Mr Hutchinson’s yards, Puhatikotil© on Tuesday, February 12. T’he present eltries are 2250 sheep.

STOCK SALES AT MfOT’TJ. The settlers of the Motu propose to arrange for a regular sheep and cattle fair for the Motu and Opotiki. It is likely that in cooperation with Opotiki settlers’.yards will bo ereoted, and sales arranged that will attract sellers and buyers from a wide area. Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. will hold a stock sale at Mr W. Hutchinson’s yards, Puhatikotiko, on Tuesday, February 12; at 11.30 a.m., the present entries including 4000 sheep.