INVERCARGILL HORSE, CATTLE, AND SHEEP MARKET.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 33, 18 May 1863, Page 2

INVERCARGILL HORSE, CATTLE, AND SHEEP MARKET.

Saturday, 16th May.

Messrs. Caeet & Gilles report : — During the post week there has been a very active demand for every description of draught horses. AH lots offered found a ready sale, nnd realised full rates, leaving a large margin of profit to the importer. The first lots offered, ex Juno and Prairie, from Tasmania, arrived a few months since, when the market was dull, and although they came under the hammer in far from the best condition, besides being of a class not sufficiently heavy to suit the requirements of the market, we readily disposed of them at from £30 to £R5.

The shipment, ex Star of Victoria, arrived on Wednesday, and were landed in first-rate condition, reflecting great credit upon the ship and her commander, The horses being of a better description than any submitted to sale for some time past, were anxiously sought after, buyers being numerous, and bidding with great spirit ; all sold at satisfactory prices. Mr. Clayton's lot averaged from £83 to £90 ; Mr. Kingswill's lot, £90 ; Mr. Button's, £70 ; Mr. William King's, from £42 tj £91 — some of the latter being too young for immediate work.

Saddle Hacks — per same slrip, sold at from £26 to £41.

The progress that Southland has made during the past two months, with the largely increase' l demand for carriage to the Lake Wakatip diggings, has directed the attention of teamsters to Invercargill, who find, from the shortness of the road, they can make their trips pay better than from Dunedin, consequentlv the demand for draught horses has considerablv increased, and we have no hesitation in stating that, during the winter, stock of a first-class character will find a ready market at remunerative prices. We quote as the current rates : — Superior drausrht horses, £9/> to £125 ; second class do do, £70 to £90 ; third class do do, £i5 to £65. Spring cart, £35 to £50.

Hacks — good weight carriers in request at any reasonoble figure ; none offering.

Fat Cattle — This Province being poorlv supplied, and the restriction still in force agaist importation from Gipp's Land, the numbers offering are limited and command almost any price holder g think proper t<> ask.

Working Bullocks — The prohibition of importing stock from Tasmania having been removed, buyers are anxiously looking forward to the arrival of the first shipment, which will readily sell ; for gcod teams from £55 to £70 per pair.

Dairy Cows, are much sought after, and if quiet and we'll broken, would find ready sale at from £15 to £25 according to breed, and condition they land in.

Store Cattle — ire very scarce and continue in demand at from £10 to £15.

Store Sheep — Our last sales of imported ewes and wedders from Victoria (8,00o) realized 25s cash, delivery taken twenty-four hours after landing.

Fat Sheep — Acclimatised wedders are worth from 9d to lOd per lb. — Victorian, according to weight and condition, but none in the market at present.