DUNEDIN.

Southland Times, Issue 1544, 1 March 1872, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

Messrs Driver, Stewart and Co. report for week ending 24th February, as follows : — Fat Cattle. — Only about 30 head were yarded, most of which were withdrawn, owners not being satisfied with prices offered. We have sold 30 head privately, at rates equal to about 20s per lOOlbs, which may be quoted as top rate for prime quality, ordinary at 16s to 17s. Fat Sheep. — 750 were penned, consisting of a few prime half-breds, which brought 10s 6d, cross-bred ewes of medium qualify, 7s, and merino wethers and ewea at 6s 3d to 7s 9d. 30 cross-bred lambs realised 7s 6d to 8s 6d. We have sold privately 600 cross-breds at 9a each, and 1000 merino wethers and ewes at If d to 2d per lb. We quote prime mutton at 2d per lb, middling at ljd. Store Cattle. — There is a fair demand for 2 year olds and upwards, with but few lota offering. Store Sheep. — A good demand continues for all classes, but holders are not inclined to accept present rates — a few lots only have changed hands. We have placed several lots of crossbreds at 5b to 5s 6d for lambs and 6s to 6s 6d for two-tooth. Merino wethers are saleable at 4a 6d to 4s 9d ; do, young ewes at 4s 3d to 4s 6d. Station Property is in good demand, and any well known properties would find immediate Bale at fair values. Wool. — But one auction sale was held during the week. The attendance of buyers was small, and the bidding devoid of spirit, and out of the limited quantity catalogued, say, 150 bales, only about 40 bales were disposed of. A few bales of fair quality slipe fetched 16id to 16£ d; and scoured, Is llf d. We shall hold a sale as usual on Wednesday next, when about 1200 bales will be submitted to competition. Our full advices via Suez, are not yet to hand, but by private telegram of date, ex January, we have most favorable reports of the position and aspects of the market. At that date stocks in the hands of merchants, staplers, and manufacturers were light, while the orders for goods were very extensive, and consequently there was a brisk private demand for the raw material. Sales had been effected at an advance on the average prices in November. The supply of Port Phillip wool for February would be light, and the total quantity of Australian for offer was not expected to exceed 65,000 bales. Sheepskins continue in good demand, but the exceptionally high prices of the previous week are not now obtainable. The Evening Star of the 24th ult. reports : — Quotations for flour are unaltered. Good town brands are worth £12 10s to £13 per ton, but the inquiry is only for present wants, the bakerß, in prospect of a fall in the price, not being inclined to stock. Inferior sorts are almost unsaleable. Oatmeal is quiet at £13 to £13 10a ; pearl barley, £17. There is a probability of this article becoming much higher, as there will be a scarcity of barley this season. Brau is unsettled in the price ; the town millers are not sending out much, which keeps the value at present rates. Good lots may be quoted at £4, without bags. Pollard is scarce, and is saleable at £4 10s. Potatoes are in better supply. Australian samples are offered at £8 10s to £9 ; provincial grown are worth £10. Of milling wheat there is none in the market. For small lots the millers have been giving 4s 6d to 4s Bd, but this is only to keep up trade requirements. Oats are very dull i milling kinds cannot be sold over 2s to 2s 2d. Feeding is at Is lOd to 2s. Barley is wanted for malting, and for good samples 4s 3d to 4s 6d would be given. Feeding lots are not enquired after — for some the value is about 2s per bushel. Straw, £2 10s ; hay, £3 15s ; chaff, £3 10s.