Late Commercial

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 355, 16 May 1928, Page 15

Late Commercial

BEEF SLIGHTLY EASIER WESTFIELD STOCK SALE Compared with last week, a heavy yarding of beef met a slightly easier market at Westfield to-day. The quality generally was below that brought forward last week, the greater part of the yarding comprising light to mediumweight cattle. No extra prime big-framed bullocks came forward, though there was a large percentage of light to mediumweight well-done steers. Near Auckland graziers were responsible for a big quota of small and inferior-finished young steers, which sold freely from about £7 10s to £9 ss. Cattle came forward from all parts, the offering, in fact, being the most representative one seen for several weeks, Rotorua, Te Kuiti, Te Puke, and Waikato graziers having lines forward. Several trucks of light to medium-weight cattle were also sent! n by Northern graziers from as high up as Whangarei.

While the general tone of the market could be described as easier, there was really no quotable change in beef prices, taken on the average throughout the sale. The big preponderance of light-weight cattle, and the absence of heavy-weight cattle, made the market appear lower than it really was. Top price for the day was secured for a line of choice prime mediumframed cattle on account of W. Vosper, Cambridge, which made to £ls 10s. Similar cattle on account of W. L Hunt, Te Kuiti, made to £ls ss. Well-finished but not heavy prime big-framed Herefords, on account of W. Johnstone, Taupiri, made to £l4. Twenty big-f ramed bullocks that could have done with considerably more finish to qualify as heavy prime, on account of the estate of the late D. Finlay son, made to £l3 17s 6d, averaging about £ 13. Compared with the premium rates for cows and heifers ruling last week, the market to-day was certainly easier, but not to any great extent. Though there were several lines of choice prime young cows forward, the quality, generally, was not up to last week’s. The demand for good sorts was firm an£, though the market at times did drop below last week’s parity, at no time did the decrease amount to much more than 10s a head.

Extra prime young cows from the Waikato topped the market at £lO 10s. One of the choicest lines of the day came forward on account of A. F. Reed, Waerenga. Comprising extra well done young cattle, the line made to £lO ss. Generally, medium-weight heifers and young cows made from £7 to £ 9 ss, light and small, £ 5 15s to £6 10s; unfinished and plain, from £4 10s. A better quality yarding of calves comprised lines from as far down as Matata. Prices improved on late rates. Choice prime runners on account of a Waikato vendor made to £6 3s. Extra heavy vealers made to £5 11s. The heavy yarding of cattle took until almost three o’clock to clear. A line of exceptionally heavy prime young cows and heifers sold toward the close, on account of Mr. G. Graham, Whangarei, made to £ll 17s 6d. Another short yarding of sheep came forward. A large percentage of heavy prime wethers were included in the offering, and indications are that prices will exceed 375. SOUTHERN EXCHANGES TO-DAY’S SALES Christchurch. —Australian Bank of Commerce, 34s 4d; Commercial Bank of Australia, 26s 9d; Dalgety and Co. feum. div.), £l4 12s; New Zealand Refrigerating (£1 paid), 17s lid. Dunedin.— Reported; Commercial Bank, £2B IQs; National Mortgage, 755. BYCROFT, LTD. Mr. E. Anderson was re-elected a director, and Mr. G. A. Gentles reappointed auditor, at a meeting of Bvcroft, Ltd., shareholders to-day. Mr. Charles Rhodes, chairman of directors, presided over a good attendance. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted, and a vote of confidence in the directors and staff was carried unanimously. It was decided to pay the usual 8 per cent, dividend.