COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 118, 25 May 1863, Page 2

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK MARKET. Deivee, Maclean & Co.’s Repoet, for week ending 2nd May, 1863. We have to report an active demand for stock of almost every class, particularly for stores (both sheep and cattle) of which the market is very bare. Holders are not inclined to sell, owing to to the fact that we are likely to be short supplied with fat stock during the ensuing year. Fat Cattle. —During the week 150 have been yarded, and were all disposed at about last quotations, 100 of which were Provincial bred. Our butchers are but moderately supplied, and any lots coming forward (of good quality) will meet ready sale. The cargo ex Lombard, from Gipps Land, was sold by auction on Monday at an average of £2l 10s per head (very good quality). We sold the lot ex Corio, from Wanganui, at £24 per head, and 50 cows, Provincial bred, as £l7 10s per head ; also 40 head from diggings, at 62s Gd per 100 lbs, delivered on the station. We quote present rates, say for best quality 65s per 100 lbs ; seconds at 50s to 555. Fat Sheep. —The market continues poorly supplied with good mutton. Any lots offering are eagerly sought after at advanced rates, and we cannot expect to see the supply equal to the demand during the winter months. We sold at the yards 400 wethers at an average of 37s 6d, ordinary quality ; also 1,500, delivered south side of the Waitaki, at 30s. Stoeb Sheep. —We hear of but few transact 1 tions in this description of stock, as only a very

limited number are offering; buyers, however, are numerous, and prepared to pay high prices. We have sold a flock of mixed sheep at 265. We quote young ewes at 30s to 325; large framed healthy wethers at 25s to 26s ; lambs, mixed sexes, at 20s.

Houses.— Our yards have been well supplied with a very superior class of horses, several consignments have come to hand during the week. The market has been bare of really first class stock for some time past, for which now there is a great demand, but importers, impressed with the idea that the above class must yet command a higher figure, show no disposition to sell, notwithstanding the eagerness displayed by purchasers, consequently wo have to report a diminution in sales. Prices still continue to have an upward tendency, and should owners give way a little, anticipate doing a good business during the ensuing week. We sold on Tuesday, the horses ox Cosmopolite, from Hobart Town, which were tolerabbly good, at an average of £45. Those ex Omeo, from Melbourne (a remarkably good shipment) were offered on Friday and Saturday, few of which were sold, entirely attributable to the fact above mentioned. Prices current: —Superior draught horses, £95 to £120; medium do, £65 to £BS ; inferior do, £25 to £35 ; first class saddle and harness horses, £55 to £75 ; medium do, £35 to £6O ; inferior do. £2O to £3O; good weight carrying cobs, very scarce, and -in great demand.