CHRISTCHURCH.
The following is Mr G-eorge D. Lockhart's monthly report: — In the stock market a lull is quite apparent, and although a steady demand exists in Otago, principally for lambs and young ewes, the transactions are of no great magnitude. Full-mouthed ewes and store wethers are the most difficult to effeefc sales of. Fat wethers likewise have fallen 2s per head, and I am inclined to think that sellers will not have to submit to any further reduction. Cattle- have also fallen in value, both fat and store. Sellers are unwilling to submit to the fall in market value of cattle, consequently few sales effecting. I quote first-class conditioned bullocks at 53s per lOOIbB ; fair conditioned, 48s ; inferior qualify not saleable. Importations to the West Coast from Australia is the primary cause of the falling off in value ; but I confidently look forward to no further fall — on the contrary^ improvement in prices may be anticipated. Fat cattle in the Melbourne market are fetching now £11 to £13 per head, and taking into consideration risk, expenses, and depreciation in valne of shipped meat compared with colonial fed, I really see no difficulty in the way of realising full value for all our fat stock. Fat Calves — No alteration to observe ; nearly always in good demand, and from 65s to 70s per. head. Store Cattle — Have fallen in a corresponding degree with fat stock. A fair number offering,"but no undue wish on the part of holders to force sales. Large-framed bullocks are worth £12 per head; mixed herds, £7, young calves given in j yearling heifers and steers, £4 10s to £5 ; weaned calves are fetching £4 per head, always in good demand. Milch Cows — In better favor than last month. First-class cows, guaranteed thoroughly quiet and in full profit, I quote at £24; second quality, £17 ; third and indifferent, £10 to £12. Fat Sheep — The market is well supplied, both for home consumption and the West Coast trade, which latter, at the present moment, is rather overdone. Considerable numbers of fat stock are offering, but not any large quantity changing hands. I consider it would be a wise policy for the runholder to submit to a reduction of 3s per head, say, for really fine-conditioned wethers, of average weights, I7s per head, and thereby exclude importations from foreign ports. The grazing capabilities of New Zealand are limited compared with the vast continent of Australia, and unless our consumption approaches to something like half our increase, .prices for fat mutton must eventually fall. Store Sheep — I have a large number to dispose of, at 12s per head, four, six, and eight tooth, really fine healthy well-conditioned stock; and when you take into consideration that the grow ing fleece will realise, in seven or eight months, 6s, to runholders who have grazing capabilities I cannot see a better investment, or where a larger amount of interest upon money invested can be looked for. Rams — Not many changing hands. I can offer, at a very moderate valuation, upwards of 500 rams, rising two-tooth, descended from the wellknown blood of Degraves and Learmonth's stud flocks, at £3 per head. Leicesters and Cotswolds are saleable at £7 to £12 for really first-class sheep. I look upon it that long-woolled sheep will keep up a value for some years to come, in consequence of the increased demand for English paddock sheep. Horses — A good supply has been introduced into the market, partly from the North Island, — I understand imported bj Captain Anderson, — which realised remunerative prices. Draught stock, particularly mares, are in constant demand at full value, say from £40 to £60, if. warranted staunch and quiet; gentlemen's carriage horses saleable at £70 per pair, guaranteed sound ; cavalry . horses, £35 to £45 ; ordinary hacks plentiful, at £10 to £15. Yound upstanding unbroken carriage liorses and weight-carriers invariably find purchasers. Many inquiries are daily buing made for station properties, several have changed hands during the last month at full value. I have now onhand several-very desirable sheep aud cattle properties to dispose of, which, under proper mana_^aßififlJL^llojildLJ^j!yAthe_jjiirchaser at least £30
ing a firmer hold. The visit of Governor Sir Gf-eorge Grey aroused public spirit ; and I learn that his Excellency was much pleased and gratified to witness the rapid advancement and prosperity of this young Drovince. Sheepskins — I have sold several parcels of skins at 7£d to 8d per lb, and have daily demand for any quantity of full-fleeced clear skins at these quotations. Hides — Scarce : well salted are worth 10s each. Tallow — Fair mutton is worth £36 to £39 per ton ; beef, £33 to £35 ; mixed, £30 per ton, in good request. Farm Produce — The new crop is now offering freely, the amount of gram to be gathered is more than usually large. I quote wheat at 4s ; oats, at 2s 9d to 3s 6d ; barley, 6s 6d ; flour, £12 to £14 per ton ; bran, Is 6d per bushel ; sharps, Is 6d ; hay, £4 10s ; peas, none in the market j potatoes at £5 per ton. Landed Properties — Are in better demand, and a few changing hands a fair value. I hold a large sale of landed properties this month, which I think will pretty well test the market.
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Southland Times, Issue 640, 6 March 1867, Page 2
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873CHRISTCHURCH. Southland Times, Issue 640, 6 March 1867, Page 2
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