COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 7 August 1863, Page 2

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Drived, Maclean, & Co., report for week ending 18th J uly, 1863 : The demand for stock of almost every description continues active, without any material change in prices lately quoted by us. Transactions during the past week have been rather limited, and for the most part confined to small lots near town. Buyers of well-bred, healthy stock, are at all times more plentiful than sellers; from the fact that the quantity of stock in the province, is supposed to bo much less than our requirements, and that this market is to a great extent dependent upon importations for its supply. We therefore cannot expect reduction from present rates. Most of our runholders seem anxious to stock their country, and we find no difficulty in disposing of all the stock placed in our hands at fair rates. Fat Stock. —No fresh lots of cattle have come to hand. We yarded twenty-five head, held over from last week, which were disposed of at from £l7 10s to £2O, being only fair quality. The trade are not largely supplied, and cattle of good quality would meet ready sale at 65s per 1001 b, or a shade higher, we do not hear of any lots near to hand. Shipments from the North Island seem to have entirely ceased for the present; and the restrictions lately in existence.upon Qipps’ Land cattle has caused a stoppage in shipments for a few weeks from that place. For some weeks past the Market has been largely supplied with Fat Siieep, many of which were of inferior quality. We have now to notice a slight improvement in the demand, and we think really prime wethers will be very scarce within the next few weeks

Wo quote nominal prices 8d to B£d per pound. By the Claude Hamilton, from Napier, we are in receipt of five hundred, the only fresh lot during the week.

Store Stock.— The demand for sheep, (both ewes and wethers) is very great, with few or none offering. We quote ewes, 2,4, and 6 tooth, 32s 6d to 35s j wethers, 4 tooth to full mouth, at from 26s to 30s.

We sold 2000 wethers, ex Earl of Windsor, from Napier, and Lord Ashler/, from same place, at 26s to 28s.

Horses. —We have to report a marked improvement generally in the Horse Market this week, both as regards supply, price and demand. The following are the current prices:—First-class draught horses, £55 to £75 ; medium do, £4O to £45 ; inferior do, £2O to £3O; weight carrying hackneys, £45 to £56 ; medium do, £2O to £3O ; inferior do, £lO to £2O.