MARKETS.

Patea Mail, 18 March 1882, Page 3

MARKETS.

R. H. Nolan & Co.’s Monthly Report.

Our sale of allotments in Mr 0. Tait’i paddock on 22nd February was largely attended, and bidding spirited. Allotments fronting the High-street brought from £4l to £127 10s; allotment with house on it brought £250 ; while back sections ranged from £2O to £36. Clearing sale at Mr J. L. Perry’s on 25th ultimo was well attended, and as usually is the case at an unreserved sale, bidding was lively, everything bringing extreme figures. During the month we quitted Mr Milne’s bush farm of 479 acres at a satisfactory figure. At our usual monthly stock sale on Thursday last more stock put in an appearance than were advertised. The pens were well filled, and with one exception were disposed of, and at prices in favor of the vendors.

Cattle.—2s9 head were sold. We quote yearlings 85s to 40s, 12 to 18-months old £2 12s to £2 18s Gd, 2-year-olds £4, 24-year-olds £4 12s 6d, cows and calves £5, to £6 10s.

Sheep.—About 600 were yarded but did not find ready sale, owners preferring to hold to accepting prices offered. 20 rams, 5 Lincoln and 15 Leicester, bred by McLean & Co., of Auckland, were offered. Most of them were passed in, but quitted privately afterwards. Lincolns averaged £6 2s 6d, Leicesters £4. Horses. —A larger number than usual were quitted, but the hacks were mostly of a weedy description. We quote them from £3 to £6, light draught £l4 to £lB,

Business is so quiet to-day in Patea, after the holiday, that even an auction audience of half-a-dozen could not be got together.

A pic-nic party for children attending Patea school was held yesterday in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Coutts. Children mustered at the school, and marched through the town to the paddock. The teachers, Mr Williamson and Mr Flood, organised games for the youngsters, Miss Gowland also assisting to make the fun lively. Games of various kinds went on through the day; teazle, drop the handkerchief, and rounders seeming to be favorites. In the afternoon parents and friends began to assemble on the ground, all disposed to join in the fun, and “ make a day of it. A bell being rung for tea, the children were all grouped around ; and grace being sung, they plunged heartily into the kai-kai, which was plentiful and tempting, provided by somebody’s bounty. The youngsters being satisfied, the other children of larger growth sat down on nature’s carpet and “ tuckediu, assisted by the deft serving of young ladies. Games were then renewed, and kept up till dusk, when they began to file homeward through the pretty tree-covered meadow leading from Mr Harden’s house. All agreed they had kept St. Patrick’s day well. In the bankruptcy of Mrs Campbell, lessee of the Empire Hotel, Wanganui, the total liabilities are £5,292, and the assets £5,900. The hotel property was valued at £4OOO, stock and furniture at £ISOO, and book debts at £4OO. The liabilities include L 2460 to Wellington Trust and Loan Co.; Ll6Ol to A. Todd, merchant, Wanganui; £254 to J. Duigan, brewer; £SOO to Wanganui branch of National bank of N.Z.; and numerous smaller accounts. Four creditors are secured* by two mortgages on the hotel and a bill of sale on stock and furniture.

Hot days and warm nights are the rule at present. The heat at Christchurch is said to be very oppressive, and does not sink below 60 degrees at night. But for the fringe of light cloud which has been shielding of the sun, what would the heat be like ? The cooling breezes from the sea usually make the air of this coast deliciously crisp in autumn. The breeze has been from inland lately, and too warm for active work. Humanity is never satisfied.

Three children wandered from Bulls to the Eangitikei river yesterday, and the youngest fell in, and has not been found.