DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK, STATION, AND WOOL REPORT.

Southland Times, Issue 683, 14 June 1867, Page 2

DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK, STATION, AND WOOL REPORT.

We take the following from Messrs Driver, Maclean and Co.'s report, 4th June, 1867 : — In reviewing our transactions since the issue of our last report, we are unable to quote any material change in the stock market. There continues to be a fair demand for store sheep, although transactions are being less numerous, as with the advanced season fewer lots are offering. Mixed lambs and store wethers are most sought after and saleable at quotation. In fat sheep large sales have been made for delivery during the next three or four months. Fat cattle are evidently becoming more scarce ; and towards the end of winter we look for a considerable improvement in the price of both beef and mutton. Our sales have been as follows : — - Store Stock. — Maiden ewes, 17s to 17s 6d ; 2, 4 and 6-tooth ewes, 15s 6d to 16s ; 8-tooth ewes, 12s to 13s } wethers, at 12s ; mixed lambs, at 21s to 225. Store Cattle. — Mixed herds, at £8 to £9 10s;; bullocks, 2 to 5 years, at £8 to £10. Fat Stock. — Prime wethers, delivered in town, 4d per lb j do cattle j do do, 45s per lOOIbs j ordinary do, do do, 40s to 42s Id per lOOIbs. i We catalogued during the season some 4500 j bales, all of which, with the exception of one or j two small clips, we disposed of either by auction ! orprivately. Our saleswere well attended through- I out by .buyers both on home and foreign account, I and the prices obtained have, we believe, given general satisfaction to growers." Advices from Europe by last mail tend to confirm this feeling, and induce further confidence in our local market. The clips of the Province were, in general, heavier in the grease, but sounder in staple, and more carefully got up than those of previous years} but the increase, which, as shown by the accompanying statement, is "only 1543 bales, fa 1 -? far short of on? expectations. The large quantity scoured doubtless lessens the ostensible increase, and in some measure accounts for the smallness of it during the past season. The "Lyttelton Times,,-- (Canterbury) 4th .Tune, has the subjoined :•— "Business during the past month has been marked by extreme depression. The various smaller failures which have lately taken place in our limited community culminated on the 23rd May, in the suspension of Messrs J. T. Peacock and Co., by far the largest general merchants in Canterbury, having had interests in nearly all branches of trade in this Province. The announcement of this failure led at first to a considerable feeling of distrust, although later particulars have tended in a great measure to allay the gloomy forebodings so freely indulged in. It is, however, not to be denied that matters at present are at an extremely low ebb, and great caution must be exercised by those that expect to pull through present difficulties. .We have little doubt, and have often expressed our conviction that a system of over-trading has existed ih our very limited mercantile community. There appears to have been an eagerness to do business without any forethought for the future; this system introduced by the importer has been taken up by the tradesman, who in his turn finds in the event of a reverse, a safe refuge in tbe 'present bankruptcy laws. It is to be hoped that we have now seen the last of these commercial disasters, and that future business may be conducted on a steadier and sounder basis. In the import market the regular trade has been much inter-fez-d with by sales at auction in insolvent estates. Prices realised have been on the whole better than was anticipated, the attendance being generally good, and dealers are supposed to have laid in stocks for some time to come." The "West Coast Times" of May 27th re» ports:— Business during the past weeek has met with a temporary check, owing to the unsettled state of the weather, Arrivals have been few, and for fcegq mo.re

which for immediate delivery have realised an advance on recent quotations, Flour fully bears our last quotations with an upward tendency. The same remark applies to bran, chaff, and other cereals which now come to a good market. Brandies^ geneva, and wines fully sustain our! last report, and for the former there is still a good enquiry on low stocks. Ale and porter in glass, have.met with very little inquiry, preference being given to the article supplied by local brewers. Provisions have met with ready sale, and for firstclass shipments. "very.- good prices have been^ realised, she*jring a decided upward tendency in the absence o£|proHipt arrivals..- An improvement j on present prices may be anticipated.^. The amount paid at H.M. Customs during the week ending 28th inst., amounts tc £3154 14s, against' the preceding week of £2184 155.