Commercial.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1582, 5 June 1874, Page 242

Commercial.

HAWKE'S BAY STOCK AND STATION REPORT. DURING the past month the market has been quiet, and very few transactions have taken place. Jn store sheep, although even thm late in the season, there existed good demand, princically for the northern districts; but settlers generally having their flocks sorted for the winter, felt disinclined to sell, even at advanced prices offered. The exceptionally heavy rainfall during the early part of the month, though doing damage by flood to the grasses on low lands, is reported to have had in- her a bentfi -.ial effect on the terrace and hill country, where a large extent had been recently burnt off, and that partially surface-sown is already shooting into promising growth. Fat stock, both sheep and cattle, ars steadily rising in value, with a certainty of further advauce during the winter months. Store cattle are also advancing in price j beyond local causes, the increasing demand for this class of stock arises in a degree from the now ascertained fact that they have been for the last few years decreasing in the aggregate of the whole of New Zealand, from so many settlers fattening off their breeding-stock, and turning their attention to long-wools, but it is now becoming evident that a return to cattlebreeding in many cases will give a more profitable return than has been the case for some years heretofore. Quotations are— Cattle.—Fat, firm at 22/6 lOOfos; stores, mixed herd, £3 15/ to £4 10/: at these rates have placed two considerable lots. One- to two-year-old steers average £4 15/ to £5; thrce-yeir-old, £6 10/ to £7. Female, *"* 6/V£sl/l dairy cows, £7 10/ to £8 10/. Sheep.—Fat, merino, 10/6 to 11/o ; crossbred. 13/ to 15/; merino stores, sales have been 3,400 eight-tooth and under, 8/; crossbred ditto, noue offering ; ewes, only a few culls in the market, I have sold 1,500 eighttooth at 8/8 ; hoggets, none offering. Wool.—The last telegraphic news from home states prices ruling firm at the reduced rate. This leads to the hope that no further fall will take place for the series, as stocks , in manufacturers' hands are comparatively light.

Station Properties.—There are continued enquiries, for these properties in this province, but buyers from other provinces are chary in closing at the advanced prices now demanded, although even that advance offers superior laud in a better climate at a moderate rate compared to the prices now paid for freehold in the southern provinces. —The only transaction I have to report as having closed during the month is Mr John Harding's Mount Erin property, about 5,000 acres freehold, with 7.000 sheep, a few cattle and horses, to a local buyer, Mr Thomas Tanner, for £15,000. Horse Stock continues in improved demand ; medium drought, £35 to £45 ; heavy ditto, £55 to £7O : hacks, good, enquired for, none offering. M. R. MILLER, Stock and Station Agent, Auctioneer, &c, Napier, 30th May, 1874. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS.. WELLINGTON. 3rd June. Wool.— At Messrs Bethune and Hunter's wool sale, to-day, the highest price for greasy was 9£d. A number of bales were sold from 7d to 8d per lb. 4th June. Flour and Grain.—Owing to the large importation of flour from Canterbury and Oamaru, prices are tending downwards; Canterbury, £l3 10J ; Oamaru, £l3 IS/. Four hundred sacks of oats have been quitted at 4/7 ; dealers ask 5/ to 5/3.