STOCK AND WOOL REPORT.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 44, 22 December 1864, Page 2

STOCK AND WOOL REPORT.

Driver, Maclean & Co. report : — Although considerable excitomont has been caused in our fat stock market by the proclamation of oponing tho ports, we have little change to note in stoie stock during the past month. Tho majority of our squattors are still busy shearing, and have little time now to complete transactions for stores, though inquii ies are more healthy and life-liko than at any time hitherto during tho season. Buyeis, however, look forward to more roduced prices than oiu selleis are willing to concede. A numbor of purchasers of station properties are in the market, though few have changed hnnds during tho month, fiom tho expectation that a still further number will bo placed for Hale in January, affording a greater opportunity for selection. Our market for fat cattlo has been well supplied during tho last week. Tho first effect of the proclamation of open ports hay been to cause our sqxiatters and others interested to pour into the market a much greater number than usual of fat or nearly fat stock ; thus, by anticipating a problematic fall in prico, actually accomplishing that result. The plentiful supply to our limited market has caused butcheis to be unwilling to buy more than for immediate wants ; and from present advices, even from our own grazing, we must look forward to a decline in prices. Wore it only possible to regulate the supply by tho domand, a more uniform and satisfactory result would be arrived at. We do not anticipate lai go importations from Australia. Tho present pi ice of fat cattle thoro, the long voyage, and tho certainty that many of those shipped fat will bo landed t>toiey, and thoso as Australian stores nearly unsaleable- fiom dread of disease, will prevent any ovor-speculation by our friends them. The consignments during tho mouth to this port are— per Hero, 500 fat sheep ; perw out, 257 ; Heio, 54 cattlo and 12 calves ; and per Dity of Hobart, 250 wethers and 01 rams. Fat Oaitle. Wo have sold 250 head, includiug Messrs. Hodgkinson's, Ti ewock's, Studholm Dins, Loarmonth's. and others — at from Lll 10s to L27 per hoad, according to quality. We quote primo quality, 55s ; inferior, 45s per 100 lbs. Fat (Jalvek aie in domand ; wo quote L3 10s to L6, according to size atirl quality. Store Cattle, in clean districts arc more inquired for ; holdors are more confident, and not inclined to sell at a sacrifice. We have sold 200 head mixed, pi incipally ovei two yearn old, Mr Filleul's herd, at L9 per head ; 327 head mixed, over two years old, at L9 for enwd and L10 for bullocks ; and 100 head, choice of held, for L12 per head; and a lather inferior lot of mixed ages and sexes, 350 head, at L6 15s. Fat Shtcep.— The market has been fully supplied, tho larger pioportion of which were of an infciioi quality Prime mutton is seldom in excess of demand, and i* at all times certain of meeting an active demand at fair lates, while inferior i& difficult to sell except at store rates. We have hold 2500, consisting of lots fiom Mes,sis Turnhull, Mooney, Meyer, and ex Derwent aud City of Hobart, from Melbourne, at piices ranging fiom 18s to 30s — averaging from 5.^d per lb, equal to GM in the wool. Storr Shefp. — For tho masons already stated, few tiansactions in store sheep during tho mouth have been completed ; wo, howevei, anticipate a fair demand for good bleeding ewes and lambs, for which we have numerous inquiries. We quote 2, 4, and G-tooth ewes, dehveiy after bheaiing, 25s to 2Gs; 2-tooth wetheis, 15s; G-tooth to full-mouth, 17s to 19s. Lambs, pei pair, 4 to 5 months old, 24s to 26s ; 7 to 9 months, 27s to 30s. Station Properties — We are still able to report an active demand for first-class station properties. Tho only ti ansactions during the month have boon the following :— Mataura Plains station, to G-coi go Thomson, Ksrj , 50,000 acies and stock, L10,O00; ami the Mampori Lako station, to F. Went worth, Esq., with 5000 feheep, for L9.800. Wool.— Only a very small portion of this season's clip is yet to hand. As fai as we have had an opportunity of judging, we can report favorably of its growth and condition ; and from the desire genoi ally evinced by growei s to get up their wool in bettei order, Otago wools will compete more favorably than hitherto. Dunedin, 10th Decembei, 1864.