CHRISTCHURCH PRODUCE AND WOOL MARKET.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH PRODUCE AND WOOL MARKET.

Mr G-corge D. Lockhart reports : — The transactions during the past month, although not upon a large scale, have displayed much anxiety on the part of Westland purchasers at once to secure a good supply of fat cattle. The glut of cattle iv the We -tland Market is gradually disappearing, and before many months I anticipate tha demand for beef will be still more urgent, and prices ruling quite as high, if not higher, than they were last January and February. I hare sold fair conditioned bullocks at the .Railway Station "Stock Yards this month at £15 iss. I cannot make any alteration from last quotations, namely, 50s to 53s per 100 lbs, with an upward tendency, combined with a scarcity of prime-conditioned bullocks. Stores in fair demand. Sheep more inquired after, and sales elt'ectad at 18s and 19s. The market is Hvm, and a liltie advance may be naturally looked for as we approach nearer shearing. 1 have sold and deli vered in the Otago Proviuce 36u0 lambs at 24s per pah: ; and fillmouthed ewes, all sound, at 12s per head for cash. There is now a little lull in the Otago market ; both Southland and Otago hare largely drawn upon Canterbury this saason for sheep. Fat stock — In large demaud. The supply of bullocks is"not equal to the requirements, and whene one and two herds hi Ashburton and Timaru districts are cuiied of the fat stock, we shall have to look forward to importations. The demand for Westland is on the increase, and I anticipate that the hoiders of prime condition fat wethers will be looking forward to full prices being maintained. I quote good beef at 50s to 55s per lOOibs ; mutton, 4d per 1b ; fat calves, 60s to 70s per head. Store cattle — In fair demand. I quote fairconditioned herds at £9 to £11, c-ilves under bix months giyen in. English grass paddocks are now quite bare, and I cannot look forward to any improvement in this description of stock until' the spring. Milch cows — Frequently enquired for, prices ruling high. I have sold this month springing heifers at £14, and good milch cows at £17 to £19 103. Calves — Always saleable, if in "good condition,' ' for town consumption ; calves eight to twelve months of a^e vrry saleable, at £5 to £6 per head, an.i much enquired >tfter. Fat iihi.-;'i> — More enquired for, and holders less willing to Bell. Uoo.l muuou is 4d per ib, with with a prospect of ni.iii.taining full prices, if not a" slight advance : a large quantity is in the market. Store sheep— The demand for the South Provinces has fallen oft' for the time being ; 1. quore full-mouthed ewes at 10s to 12s ; maiden ewet,

16s j full and six-troth. 17* ; hw.hs, mixec sexes, 10s to lls j wethers, two, four, and sixtooth. 11s to 13s Rains — The market is well supplied. Longwoolled English ah< ep. especially Leicester, muci enquired for ; South-owns low and m»!»i«?ctecl. Horses still remain very dull of s»Ue, excepi really thorough staunch dray horses, which arc ■worth from £10 to £50 j common hacks very low indeed, with a sir all supply of sound hors'-s ii the market ; a shipment of upstanding youns horses, fit for light harness, and* weight carrying hacks, woul.l meet with a good market. I sole S'.-asoued carriage horses last week at £55 to £65 TJnb; oken draff lots are worth from £20 to £3l c c' , with fr quent inquiries. W 00 l, — Stiii saleable, at fair value, notwithstanding the discouraging accounts from home The la?t wool ship, tho 1 'ona Anita, sails this da; for Eiiglanci, with a full ergo. The sea-on sal : are closed, and nearly the whole of the season': clip to hand. I anticipate a brisk sale at the nex 1 cojiiing season. Several- largo hous sin Melourne are turning thei;- attention to New Zealand Wool. dheep Skins — In demand, at 5d to 7d per Ib. Tfdlow — Much inquired for, from £35 to £4C per ton. Farm Produce. — During the last fortnight ths market has decidedly improved. " I quote wh: af at 4s Gd to Cs, and os 61 -•• -ay be obtained foi seed wheat ; tjojr 1 . oats ure in demand, at 4s Gd tc 4s 91: barley" Os to 6< Sd, avjcordi' g to quality ; llour — no a:t\--d-ior.— £i 6to £"1S pur ton ; bran, b 5 £>s per ton ; sharps, £7 It's per ton : peas, 4s 6.1 to 5s ; potatoes, £- to £2 5?. not much onquiiva fur ■ hay, £i to £5, according to quality.