COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 492, 12 June 1866, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

SouthlaisT> Times Office, Monday Evening. The following are the Custom Eeturns for — Mojtday, 11th June. Wine, 25 gala £5 0 0 Sugar, 4480 lbs 18 13 4 Brandy, 56 gals 33 12 0 Boots, 3 6 8 £60 12 0 Our Canter-bury files extend to the 4th June. We take the subjoined from the Press of thnt date : — The following is Mr. GK D. Lockhart's report of the Christchurch live stock and station market for the month of May : — The transactions during the past month have not displayed the same amount of anxiety on the part of the trade, Westland dealers, and runholders, to avail themselves of the lull in the cattle market evident during the previous month, the Jeason of which i 3 entirely attritutable to the fact of the markets on the West Coast being completely overdone, both with sheep and cattle ; but lam fully convinced that a mouth or six weeks will be quite sufficient to admit of the markets there displaying their usual activity. The dealers at the present moment are losing money, and such is the character of the Westland markets, thtt whenever stock arrives there it is bound to be sold, no matter at what sacrifice. I quote the best quality beef at 50s per lOOlbs, cash ; it' on terms, 53s ; but even at these quotations not so eagerly enquired after. I look upon it that the markets are now at their lowest, and it is a well-known fact that the consumption of animal food upon all goldfields is much greater in winter than iv summer. I yarded a considerable number of beasts last month, but the reserves were too high to be realised. Store cattle have changed hands at fair value. Sheep are still enquired after, and prices firm. Our sheep market has been relieved of something like 70.000 head, mixed ages and sexes, which have passed into the provinces of Otago and Southland. JFat Stock — In fair demand. The supply of both sheep and cattle is moderate. Nearly all the large herds have been pretty freely culled during the last four months, and holders of very fine conditioned sheep are inclined to hold back for a slight advance in prices, partly in consequence of the fact that fat sheep may be lauded in the Weetland markets in good tailing condition, and partlr in consequence of each passing month bringing the owners nearer next shearing, and thereby facilitating the means of procuring a B upply of money lor current expenses. I quote good quality beef at 50s to 533 per 1001 b; mutton 4d per lb ; calves, 60s to 755, according to condition. Store Cattle — In demand ; no change in prices from the previous month. Good average herds, mixed ages and aexeß, may be quoted at £9 to £11 per head ; calves under six months given in. I have no doubt but that two month hence this description of etock will be in very active demand. The paddock (English grass) feeding for this season is finished, and stores can only be fed in warm, sheltered runs, to advantage. Milch Cowb — Much enquired after ; are worth from £13 to £25 per head, and meet with a ready ealo, especially cowfi warranted quiet, and within^ 003 month of calviug. The market io badly Supplied with thia description of stock. Qiirt-tf-ln upod ooriojtion, alwava saleable to the tr&4a at %\v Tame, and alsp in request \a MWh &U claeesa of purchases, espscjaUy qfjite'bctfarsj They we worth ftwa #* 10* to g§, age* renfiins frwtn wtcn U» twel»o mwto { tug? ggfeflg m i&pwMty b»y§H«

Fat Sheep— Keep up fully iv value ; a slight advance in some instances ifl asked. I quote really good mutton at 4d per lb, with no,prospect of any fall. A lame number have gone and are going towar Is (ho West Coast, notwithstanding the lato discouraging reports from that quartor regarding the overstocked state of tho market. Store Sheep— More saleable, and considerable demand corning from the Southern provinces ; full-mouthed ewes, 10s : maiden ewes, 16s ; four to six-tooth, 15s to 15s 6d ; lambs, mixed sexes, 10s 6d ; wethers— two, four and six-tooth, 10s to 133. I can sell large numbers at these prices for cash, or equal to cash, but not many offering. Rams— The season is now advancing, tho market quite full. Leicester (pure bred) much enquired for— few in tho market. Southdowns low and neglected, although many are offerings and remarkably fine sheep are in tho market without finding purchasers. Horses (with the exception of well-known thoroughly staunch horses) are nearly unsaleable at anything like a remunerative figure. Common hacks are plentiful at from £12 to £17. Superior saddle horses always command fair prices, say from £30 to £40. Unbroken draught colta are worth £20 to £30, and find purchasers. Station Properties— A good many enquiries are being made, but not many sales effecting, and station properties are decidedly enhanced in jalue by extensions of the leases for a further period of ten years. I have several desiiable stations for sale, both in Otago, Nelson, and Canterbury. \Y"ool — The season may be said to bo ; closed. The prices realised by auction last Beason were so satisfactory that I'doubt not that the ensuing season will see tho larger portion of the year's clip disposed of in this way. Bheepskins — Always saleable at from 3d to 7d per lb. Tallow — Scarce, and the demand greater than the supply. Farm Produce — The market depressed, and little grain offering, I quote wheat at 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; good oats, a slight improvement, and are worth say 3s 6d to 3s 8d ; barley, 5s to 6s 3d, according to quality ; flour, £16 to £18 per ton ; bran, £6 10s per ton ; sharps, £8 10s per ton ; peas, 4s 6d to ss ; potatoes, £2, unsaleable ; hay, £4 to £5, delivered. Land property — Many valuable properties on hand, which can be bought upon -very easy terms.