INVERGARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 87, 4 September 1863, Page 2

INVERGARGILL HORSE AND CATTLE MARKET.

Mksses. Robertson & Co's Report:— This rao> th opened with a continuance of tha unpropitious weather that had characterised the two preceding months, ana traHe, which during that period had been gradually falling off, seemed at last to have entirely died away. At the beginning of last week there was but little hope of any change in trade, but daily wo have found a better feeling creeping over the market ; by the close something like a brisk demand was making itself felt everywhere, and for the first time for three months we heard of many enquiries for teams for the Lake, and loading which was taken ten days ago at L3O to L32 has been gradually going up in price until as high as L 45 has been asked, although we have no.fc heard of more than Ll2 being paid ye.t. This, as a matter of course, has acted very sensibly upon the horse market , and on Saturday lost, we should have found no difficulty in disposing of far more horses than we had to offer, but as it was, we cleared a team of fair average middling draught horses at from L 66 to L7O each, and there is certainly a far better demand for this description of stock than we have seen for some time. Stocks of a superior class have also been a gnod deal asked for, and a few would realise fair ratps. With all this, however, we ire but. little disposed to advise extensive shipments earlier than the end of September. A few well selected may pay, but in large numbers we feel convinced they would leave a serious loss. Our quotations of absolute sales are as under, but in annexing them we beg again to repent the same caution wo gave in our last, viz.. that the prices named can only be taken as applying to a sma:l number, as, tor the reasons previously stated, very few are sufficient to supply the present demand :— Superior heavy draught horses (none now in the market), ...£BO to £90 Good second class do do (iv good demand), ... ... ... 55 to 70 Liijht harness do, ... ... ... 25 to 35 Superior hacks, good weight carriers (very scarce, enquired for), 30 to 45 Inferior hncksanrl unbroken colls, (no demand, price nominal), ... 15 to 25 Working Bullocks. — The market, which was much overstocked, and that more particularly with second class cattle, has now been nearly cleared, and there is a fair demand for all descriptions, more especially superior bullocks, thoroughly broken. Of these latter we have sold at L6O per piir; and has-e also quitted the greater portion of B'>me Inrge mobs ot second class at from L4B to Loo' We would, however, strongly urge care iv selection, as no genuine demand can be depended upon for any but the best, and poor second class will for a long time be perfectly useless to contend against our roads. Cattle. — The demand wo have had throughout the whole winter, when everything else has been at the worst, has increased, and anothing really ffnod would realise highly remunerative priecs. We hope shortly to advise that the restrictions upon importation have been removed, and in the meantime quote store cattle Lls to LIS, and milch cows (with or without calves at. foot), from Llo" to L"22, and an increasing demand in both cases. F<it Cuttle. — There has not been a single anieal during the month, and the few that have been offered have realised from 70s to 70s per 100 lbs. Sheep. — U:> to this time but very few have been offering, although the arrival of a small lot may ho hourly looked for, and we have no doubt they will readily sell at from 3Ss to 48s for fat, according to weigUt. and store (which are also in great demand), from 24s to 295. Station Property — The enquiries continue very numerous, but during the month there has not been a single good property in the market.