COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1927, Page 4

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

AOOINCTON STOCK SALES. CHRISTCHURCH, Oet. G. The yarding of fat cattle was much larger than at the previous sale, nearly COO head being penned. In spite of this large entry the sale tvas a good one, and, though there was an easing on the high prices rilling last week, values were still good, especially for prime quality cattle. The entry of fat sheep filled eleven races, one more than last week. Ewes and the lighter wethers sold as well as last week, hut heavy wethers were cheap by Is Gil to 2s a head. Spring lambs again sold well, though naturally, with the increase in numbers, prices were not up to the high level that has been ruling at recent sales. The demand for store sheep was not so keen as last week, and generally price for all classes were easier. There was a keen demand for store cattle, with a considerable improvement in prices. Good sorts of dairy cattle sold as well as last week, hut medium and inferior sorts were cheaper. Tealors fit for butchers’ purposes sold well, hut inferior calves, which were in over supply were hard to quit. Fat pigs sold at about late rates, hut a considerable easing was recorded in the price of store ides. Fat cattle—The heavy entry was responsible for a loss spirited demand over the early stages, values being easier by quite 20s a head. However, mid-way through a hardening developed and there were numerous pens that sold not far short of last week's rales. The improvement for the most part concerned prime cows and prime me-dium-weight steers. On an average ordinary classes of cattle were down on last rates by 20s a head. Some cattle of this class were passed at auction. Price a 1001 b. were: F>cst mediumweight beef 50,s to 52s Gd, prime steer beef 4Gs to 15s. heavy-weight 38s Gd to 425, ordinary cow beef 36s to 40s, and inferior 30s to 355. Values were: Extra prime heavy bullocks to £2l 17s Gd, prime heavy steers £l7 15s to £2O 10s-, prime medium-weight steers £ls 10s to £l7 15s. light, steers £0 to £ll, extra prime heifers (.'lB 2s Gd, prime heifers £l3 ios to £ls 10s. medium heifers £ll 5s t:i £l3 ss, light heifers £8 10s to £ll, extra nrime cows to £l7 17s (id, prime cows Cl 3 to £l4 15s. medium cows £lO 15s to £l2 10s. light cows £7 i2s Gd lo £lO ss. ' Store cattle—Stores met with a goal demand and prices showed a marked advance on late rates. Cows sold well and there was active competition for bulls for service or for potting. Values were:—Host cows Cl 5s to £O, medium cows Cl 10s to £2 ss. yearling heifers £2 to £2 15s, three-year-old heifers £5 10s, hulls for service £4 10s to £!) os. Halls for potting £5 to £ll ss.

Dairy cattle—Values were: Best second, third and fourth culvers £8 10s to £ll 10s, medium sorts £0 10* to £B, inferior sorts £4 10s to £O, aged springers £3 to £5 It’s, springing heifers C 3 10s to £7 10s. old cow in milk £1 10s to £4. Vealer.s—There was a large entry of venters, lint the quality was very mixed. Values were: 12 to IS-imuillr ’

sorts to £0 10s, good vealer.s £5 10s to £7 10s, medium vealer.s C'3 to £5. others 10s to £2 10s, small and inferh r clivers 3s Gd to 10s. Fat sheep—The sale at the start was inclined to lie dull, but later on there was an improvement, more particularly for the lighter sorts of sheep, values for these being assisted by competition from graziers. Ewes, which ' ore in short supply, and the lighter wethers fully maintained late rates, but heavier wethers were cheaper liv Is Gd to ?s a bead. Values were: Extra prime wethers to 55s 10.1, prime wethers 40s to 535. medium wethers 41s to 455, light wethers 3"s to IDs Gd, extra prime ewes 45s to 53s Id. prime ewes 38s to 435, medium owes 34s to 375, light ewes 26s to 335, extra prime shorn wethers 37s to 42s 4.1. The spring lambs numbered 118. about 25 more than last. week. The .extreme, prices ruling so far did not operate yesterday, but the sale nevertheless was a good one, most of the Inntbs exceeding a shilling a pound.

Store sheep—Values were: Crossbred ewe hoggets 34s to 35s Gd, small and inferior ewe hoggets 27s to 28s Gd, half-bred ewe hoggets 35s Id to 35s 3d, fine three-quarter-bred ewe hoggets 34s lOd. cross-bred wether hoggets 20s 4cl to 21s Id. half-bred wether hoggets 225, mixed-sex hoggets 27s Id, sound-mouthed eyes and lambs 22s lid, failing-mouth cross-bred ewes, 17s B<l lo ISs Gd, low-conditoned aged ewes and lambs 13s to 15s Gd. four, six and eiglittcotlied half-bred wethers 34s 3d to 35s 3d, four and six-tootlied half bred wethers 31s.

I’ig.s—The entry of haeouers was on the small side, but there was a fairly large entry of porkers. Prices were about the same as last week for both porkers and haeoners. Values were: Choppers £3 to £5. light-baeouers £3 7s to £3 12s, heavy haeoners, £3 15s Lo £4 7s, extra heavy haeoners to £4 15,s Gd, average price per lb. 51 <1 to Old. Eight porkers 4(.'s to 475, heavy porkers 50s to 60s, average price per lb. 7cl to Bd. The entry of store pigs uns very large and quality was very mixed, there being a large proportion of rough and inferior sorts, llanv lots failed to change hands, as prices ruling did not reach vendors’ expectations. Values were: Small wcaners 9s to 13s, good weaners 14s to 19s, small slips 12s to 15s gd, large slips 17s to 245, medium stores 25s to 31.5, large stores 32s Gd to 40s Gd, maiden sows in pig £3 5s lo £5 ss, empty sows 22s 0.1 to 30s.