COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 111, 1 May 1863, Page 2

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK MARKET. Driver, Maclean & Co’s Report, foe Week Ending 18th April, 1863. We have no change to make in our last quotations, although transactions during the week have been rather limited, owing to the unsettled state of the weather, and the absence of several of our largest buyers. Store stock, both sheep and cattle continue in good demand : and we do not anticipate any decline from present rates for gome time to come, as it is an acknowledged fact that the number of available cattle and sheep in the Province will be far less than our requirements during the ensuing year. The Diggings trade require all our Provincial fat stock ; and, at times, are obliged to come to this market for supplies. Eat Cattle. —-As this market is entirely dependent upon importations from the North Island and GHpps Land, our supply is very irregular and uncertain, leaving us either without cattle, or an over-stocked market. About 70 head have come to hand during the week (large proportion very inferior quality.) Very few have been sold at

the Yards, as the butchers have a few days’ supply on hand, and are not inclined to buy anything but really good fresh cattle. We will sell the lot es Free Trader, from Gipps Land, on Monday. We have sold, this week, 150 head Provincial cattle,'for the Diggings market, at from £ls 10s to £lB 10s, Wo quote town prices, for prime beef, 60s to 65s pep lOOlbs. Fat Sheep.— The market continues very bare of good mutton. Only 200 offered at the yards, which realised 30s to 33s (inferior quality). Store Sheep. —We have disposed of 2,500, of various classes at, say for ewes, 2, 4, 6 and 8 tooth 30s : wethers, 4to 8 tooth, 26s ; lambs, mixed sexes, 20s ; young ewes and large framed wethers are in active demand. Hobbes.'— The market during the week comparatively speaking, has been entirely bare of young and active cart horses, which are at this season so much sought after, consequently we have to report a falling off in the number of sales effected; great inquiry, and a disposition on the part of owners of this particular class of stock to hold for higher rates. At our sale on Saturday, there were exhibited about 30 very superior cart horses, and although tire attendance of buyers was extremely numerous the transactions were not of the usual number solely, on account of the belief generally that horses must necessarily bring a much higher figure. Weight carrying hackneys are much in demand, and a few coming to hand just now would meet a good market. Prices Current—First-class draught horses, £BS to £110; medium do, £55 to £75; inferior do, £2O to £3O; superior weight carrying hackneys, £SO to £7O ; second-class do, £3O to £45; inferior do, £ls to £25.