INVERCARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 17 April 1863, Page 2

INVERCARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Messrs. Eobeetsojt & Co. Report for the month : — During the greater part of this month there has been a dullness in the market, win Mi, as will be seen from our weekly reports, has been in a great measure to be accounted for by tbe heavy mobs of inferior hacks thnt have been forced forward for sale, and the demand for this class of horsea being very limited, has caused a most unexampled fall of prices. One thing our friends must bear in mind, and that is a point to which we have more than once called their attention, namely, that afc all | times the demand for this class must npcessarily be very limited, and immediately the demand is satisfied the remainder become a perfect drug in th° ! market, hardly to be sold at any price, and of | course leaving to shippers a very serious loss, in many cases amounting to more than the original cost price, because freight and charges cannot in a great number of instances be obtained. These remarks, however, do not apply to superior hacks, light or heavy draught horses, which, although they have suffered during the first half of the period that has elapsed since the last mail, have since tbat period been steadily rising in prke, and nre becoming daily more and more scarce. Our yards, which during the whole of March were literally crowded with stock, have heen daily decreasingin the numbers ofFered, until now there are more buyers than sellers, and a very brisk demand. Tho class that will for some time to come command the readiest sale are superior saddle, light draught, pack, and heavy draught horsey and these are the only ones we would advise our friends to shin. While upon this subject, perhaps we may be excused in offering a suggestion to shippers, and one that we feel csrtain will prove of great benefit to those -who attend to' it. We would strongly advise all intending shippers to select as large vessels as possible for their stock, because tbe motion of the ship is less, there is a much better chance of good ventilation, and also a better opportunity to get at the horses. Another point which should be well looked to is tbat horses properly slung travel with less inconvenience to themselves and much less chance of damage than when confined in stalls- This latter point has been thoroughly exemplified by tlie wounds and sores that some of tbe late importations have had when landed, which has materially deteriorated from their value. We throw out these sugges f ions for our friends, and trust, they will act upon them. We quote for tbe last month very superior heavy draught horses LTO to LBS, good medium ditto L6O to L7O, light ditto LoOito LGO. superior saddle ditto L3O to L4O. inferior hacks Ll6 to L2O, and almost unsaleable afc any price. Sheep.— Store 255, fat wethers from SOs to 38s, according to weight. Cattj"/***}. — Store from LlO IDs to Ll2 per head : calves under six months given in. Fat Cattle. — Little or none offering, owing to our markets at present being closed to the neighboring colonies except Tasmania, which is now free. Prime beef from 60s to Gss per 100 lbs.