COMMERCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 10, 17 November 1883, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

by telegraph.

Mb Bucklsnd’s Report for the week is as follows

At the Haymarket, on Tuesday, 100 sacks of make brought 3s per bushel. Hides from 2d to 2gd per lb, Sheepskins from 2s to 8s 9d. Lambskins, 8d to Is. Pelts, Bd each. At the Fair at Bemuera, on Wednesday, a less number than was expected were yarded, Between 400 and 500 were sold. Bidding was brisk throughout the sale. Prices for fresh quiet steers advanced considerably, but backward-conditioned stock were no better worth and young cattle oi leas worth than at the last fair at Bemuera. On Thursday, dairy cattle were numerous, and there was a better enquiry for good animals, but inferiors stock were at low values. Store cattle were in usual number, and steady demand, at prices equal to those obtained at the fair on Wednesday. Fat cattle were in full number, and at lower values than have lately been obtained. Prices ranged from 18s for meadling cows to 24s for choice light-weight steers, but the greater number were sold at 21s per lOOlbs. Fat sheep were yarded in less than average numbers, and maintained their value, selling from 2{d to 3d per lb. Shorn wethers ranged as high as 21s, and ewes 10s fid each, Lambs were plentiful, but in good request. The greater number brought from Ils to 10s each, and a few house-fed pigs were eagerly competed for at full rates.

M, R. Mlttr.a, in hie Hawke’s Bay Stock and Station Report for October, says i—ln commencing the eleventh year of this Circular, it is gratifying to report that as against other depression wo have had a most favorable winter for stock, and on the whole a good lambing. A considerable additional acreage of the Inland country having been sown down during the past season, our carrying and fattening power still continues steadily to increase. This is so far satisfactory, but the low prices ruling at home for the bulk of our staple, longwool, has been very depressing, and the scarceness and dearness of money all over the colonies has been embarrassing, and has caused a good many station properties to be put in the market at lower prices than have ruled for years past. One great redeeming feature is the realised hope In a great market at home for our frozen meat; and this district will be able to spare a large number of fat sheep for Auckland and Wellington, as well as a local outlet expected soon to be ready for a large amount of work, viz., Messrs Nelson Bros, and Co. (limited), Meat Freezing and Preserving Works at Tomoana. Cattle.—Fat, 15s to 10s per 1001 b; 3-year old steers, £4 10s to £5 ; 2-year-olds, £3 to £3 15s; yearlings, 35s to 50s. Cows, £3 to £4; good milkers, £7 to £9 10s. Sheep.—Cross-bred wedders, fat, Ils 0d to 12s 6d ; merino do, 4s 0d to 5s for 8-tooth, 7s to 7s 6d for 2 and 4-tooth ; do. ewes, 2 and 4-tooth, 9s 0d to 10s ; 0-tooth, 7s to 8s; 8-tooth, 6s ; aged, 4s to ss. Horses.—Medium draughts, £25 to £3O; heavy do, £4O to £5O; light harness, £l5 to £25; good hacks, £2O to £25; ordinary do, £lO to £l5 ; light do, £5 to £7.

Wool.—The extreme low prices at which Lincoln and coarse crossbred wool has been selling at home for 1 the past two years is very crippling to growers of that class. However, it is now reported that these con. tinued low rates have had their usual tendency, and are now a strong inducement to manufacturers to re-introduce these wools into fabrics, which will be pushed into consumption from the cheapness of the material produced, as was the case in 1878-79, when from the same causes large orders were taken; thence arose the high price to which this class of wool rose in 1880, almost at a bound from an average of 8d to 15d per lb. This high rate promptly checked the consumption. The prices ruling for Merino have remained more steady. Several growers intend this season to ship to Melbourne for sale there. Station Properties.—There has been very little business doing in sales of station properties during the past winter, although from causes already stated a great number of pastoral freeholds and leaseholds are now in the market, and at prices which are now gradually weakened kown to lower rates, especially for improved country lands, than eave been current for many years past. The opportunities thus presented to capitalists are lately leading to more enquiries, but we cannot expect any great revival in business till wool recovers.