DRIVER, MACLEAN & CO'S LIVE STOCK, STATION & WOOL REPORT.

Southland Times, Issue 614, 4 January 1867, Page 2

DRIVER, MACLEAN & CO'S LIVE STOCK, STATION & WOOL REPORT.

Since the issue of our last we have been pleased to notice a steadily increasing demand for store stock of all descriptions; and notwithstanding the large numbers offering, prices have if anything ruled firmer during the past fortnight. We do not, however, expect any material alteration, except perhaps in mixed lambs, which may command slightly higher rates as the season advances. From our advices from the various parts of the Province, we are gratified to find that, owing to the very genial season experienced, the percentage of increase is most satisfactory. Thiß is more 'especially the case in the Southern districts. Our transactions during the month have been very numerous, at prices which we quote below. Fat stock. — The market has been sparely supplied with ordinary quality beef at from 50s to 65s per 100 lbs. A few very choice heavy weight bullocks brought £40 each, or a shade over 60s per 100 lbs. Fat sheep have not been offering in large numbers, and the quality generally has not been first-class. Prime mutton has slightly advanced, and is now worth 5£ per lb, delivered in town and in the wool ; shorn, 4£d to 4£d. We expect a more Überal supply of good quality, and consequently easier rates after shearing. Store Sheep.— We quote as follows for delivery after shearing: — Lambs, mixed sexes, 20s per pair ; maiden ewes, about 17s ; 2, 4, and 6 tooth do., about 16s, full mouthed do., lis to 12s; wethers, 2 toothed to full mouthed, lis to 12s. Store Cattle are much enquired for, and eligible lots are readily saleable at our former quotations viz., mixed ages and sexes, £8 10s to £9 10s ; bullocks, two to five years old, £10 10s to £12 12s ; do, 2 to 5 years old, imported, £9 10s. Dairy Cows. — Are in good demand, at from £16 to £20. Horses. — The demand for good, useful horses is still brisk, and we see no reason to alter our former quotations. A well selected shipment of aound heavy draught horses and stylish weightcarrying hackß, would find ready sale. Stations,— -We are in treaty for the sale of two very desirable properties, but have no transactions to report. There are numerous buyers in the market, but holders do not seem inclined to name terms till after shearing. Wool. — Shearing operations having been retarded a week or ten days by wet weather during the early part ot the month, wool has not come to hand so quickly as was expected; and consequently, no public sales have taken place, nor have any transactions of moment been entered into. We have about one thousand bales in Btore, and shall have eight or nine hundred to catalogue at our opening sale, on Friday next, 21st curt. ; when, from the desire manifested by buyers to examine each lot as it arrives at our warehouses, aB well as from the knowledge that large buyers on foreign account are only waiting the opportunity to secure the best clips in the Province, we feel certain that sales will be easily affected at most satisfactory rates. Sheepskins are bringing very high rates, 5s 9d to 6s being paid for full wooled skins. We sold at auction, on the 24th inst, a shipment from the West Coast at very extreme rates, equal to from 7d to 8d per lb. We will offer about 1500 station ■kins on Friday next. Hides. — Since our public sale on the 24th uit. we have no sales to report ; we realised then from 9b to 15s 3d for a parcel from tha West Coast. Tallow. — Marker flat, and prices a shade lower. Dbivbb, Maoiean and Co. live Stock Salesmen, Station Agents, and Wool Brokers, Dunedin N.Z.

We tate the following items of commercial news from the Canterbury Times, 22nd Dec. :— " The past week has been a very quiefc one in trade, and even the extra demand which generally arises for Christmas has had but little enlivening effect upon our markets. It is, perhaps, a healthy sign tbat our traders are laying in their stocks with great caution, but the absence of demand also indicates a great falling off in the consumption. Even the demand for dried fruits, such as figs, raisins, currants, &c., is exceedingly moderate, and by no means equal to our usual trade. Fast India pale ale, is very scarce, and the holders ofa parcel of Joule's palo found a ready sale. for it, at high prices. Fencing wire is not in such active enquiry as it was last month, but stocks are greatly reduced, and prices are firm ; Nos. 6. 7, and 8 are almost out of stock. There is but little change in prices. Stocks are full of almost every description of merchandise, and tbe Glenmark, which arrived on the 20th inst , after a long passage, will bring more than sufficient for our wants for some time to come. Tbe Mermaid is also due, and may be expected daily. Messrs Morton and "Robinson, of the Dunedin Club Hotel, called a meeting of their creditors during the week, when it was arranged to assign the estate to trustees.' With this exception credit has been sound. The money market is unchanged, and discounts are fairly easy. The exchanges are the same as last week. The demand for fat cattle is not- so good as it has been, owing to the large number of beasts now growing into beef in the paddocks. Really prime fat cattle are worth GOs, but the tendency is towards low prices. Good stores move off readily at. fair rates. Mixed mobs, from two ! years and upwards, would realise about £10 10s. There is a great demand for young stock, which command first-class prices. The demand for fatwethers is easier, in consequence of recent importations into Westland from Australia. Wo are in possession or our files of Victorian papers to the 27th uit. We clip the following commercial from the Argus, 24th Dec : — In the import markets to-day business for the week, owing to the near approach of the holidays, and the disinclination evinced in consequence to enter upon any engagement of importance, has closed with an aspect of great dulness, while any demand for trade purposes has been of an insignificant description. In breadstuffs we note flonr as being offered at slightly easier rates, best Adelaide town brands being quitted in small parcels at £12 Iss to £13. For country brands quotations rule at £12, but there is little business doing. We have no sales of wheat to report : prices, according to quality and description, rule steadily at 4s 6d to 5s 6A. Maize is quoted at 43 ld to 4s 2d. A shipment of bran was disposed of at ls lid. Cornsacks, in consequence of the dpcline in Adelaide, are not in so much favor. There are some inquiries for gunnies, but with the exception of the sale of a considerable parcel disposed of a long way below cash, no business has as yet resuited therefrom. Trade sales of No. 1 Plantation coffee are mentioned at 10£ d. A parcel of 1,500 cases of whiskey has changed hands on private terms. Soda crystals are firm. We hear of a shipment having been placed at £9. We' take tbe subjoined item of commercial from the Age : — We are informed that the Union Bank of Australia, tbe Bank of Australasia, the London Chartered Bank, and the Bank of New South Wales, have agreed to the following reduced rates of discount on commercial paper : — Bills with two months' currency, seven per cent, per annum j do three do, eight do ; do over three do, nine do. On deposits, interest will be allowed as under : — Fixed for thirty days, at rate of four per cent per annum ;do sixty do, do five do ; do ninety do, do six do. It is stated as probable, but not certain, tbat the Bank of Victoria will acquiesce in these rates. The National Bank has not been consulted, neither has the Commercial. Of the position of the other banks in relation to the change, nothing hs transpired.