STOCK SALES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 813, 30 January 1903, Page 2

STOCK SALES.

MESSRS WILLIAMS AND KETTLE’S REPORT.

The attendance of settlers at the Matawhero stock sales yesterday was particularly large, and good business was reported by Messrs Williams and Kettle and the Loan and Mercantile. Bidding in all lines of sheep was somewhat slack, but there was a strong demand for ail sorts of cattle, and most of the lines offered were quitted at satisfactory prices. Heavy rain fell in the morning, but the weather cleared up in the afternoon.

Messrs Williams and Kettle report as follows:—There was a very large yarding, consisting of about 10,000 sheep and 650 head of cattle. Bidding in all lines of sheep was very slack, and the principal entry, which consisted of good two-tooth wethers, failed to find buyers. The balauee of the entry consisted of old ewes, which were keenly competed for, and made from 4s to 7s ; iambs sold from 2s 6d to 5s ; culled two-tooths made 8s 6d. The result of the offering of such a splendid line of wethers was very disappointing, but there can be no doubt that with the flush of food coming on there must be a considerable demand for them during the next month or so. The fact of both freezing works being fully employed and unable to allot freezing space for the next three or four weeks proved a damper on tho purchase of store stock, but as soon as farmers can clear themselves of the present accumulation of freezers we expect to see the store market very active again. In cattle bidding was much brisker, and competition for all lines was very spirited. The entry was a particularly attractive one, comprising a grand lot of 2 and 21 yearold steers and some splendid lines of station cows and calves. Good ox beef made up to £9 2s 6d, and lighter sorts fetched £B. Fat cows sold from £5 to £6 10s, two-year old steers from £4 10s to £4 Iss, whilst two and a-half year old made up to £5 10s. Young stock were just as high as ever, yearlings fetching from £2 10s to £3. Our next sale will be held on Tuesday, February 17th.