Late Commercial—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 587, 13 February 1929, Page 11

Late Commercial —

SHARP DECLINE IN BEEF

WESTFIELD SALE WESTFIELD, 2.30 p.m. A further decline in the market for beef took place in the Westfield yards to-day. Values were 2s to 4s a hundred below last week's rates. Best ox, in isolated instances, made to 395, but one line, in particular, of specially prime young steers offered at the close, young steers offered at the close than that figure. The yarding of steers comprised approximately 270 head, compared with 350 last week, and was drawn from most parts of the province. The quality, generally, was good, light to medium weight steers making up the greater part of the offering. Heavy prime big-framed steers were well in the minority, and there was more than the usual percentage of young cattle. Bidding lacked spirit, and several lines were passed in. The smaller butchers were not operating with their usual strength, and, with one of the big buyers apparently fairly well stocked up at the moment, the sale was practically regulated by the operations of one big buyer who took a large portion of the offering. Top price of the day was secured for a line of solid prime big-framed show steers on account H. E. Reed, Waerenga. The tops went to T. Baster. Ponsonby, for £ls 10s. One of the best lines of solid prime cattle seen in the yards for several weeks came off the rail on account Campbell Williams, Putaruru, right at the close of the sale to meet with a very spiritless demand and to be passed in at £l4 j.7s 6d. Although not as big in the frame as some of Reed’s bullocks 1 , they were exceptionally well done, and would have brought up to £l7 in the yards three weeks ago. There were not many quotable lines in the yards. A line of 12 choice quality handyweight steers <: n account C. Geard, senr., Cape Colville, made up to £ 14 2s 6d. from as low a.s £9 17s 6d. Twenty extra choice young liandyweight steers on account F. C. Bull, ex Waingaro, made from £lO 12s 6d to £l3 ss. The cow and heifer offering numbered approximately 330 head, and in this section also there was a substantial decline in values. Auctioneers quote best young cow and heifer beef as selling up to 34s a hundred, but very little changed hands at that figure. 2s below that price being nearer the mark on a general average. One of the best lines of the day in the section came from J. J. Lord, Marohemo. 20 well-finished solid prime young cows and heifers on account of this vendor making up to £9 10s. The tops would have made over £ll a few weeks ago. Heavy prime steers generally made to £ls 10s; medium, £l2 10s to £l3 17s 6d; light, £lO 5s to £ll 17s 6d: small and unfinished, from £7 10s. Heavy prime young cows and heifers made to £lO 2s 6d; medium. £6 5s to £7 15s; small and unfinished, from £ 5. The market for cows and heifers strengthened considerably toward the close, prices showing an advance in some instances of over £1 a head compared with the opening rates. A line of exceptionally well-finished young cows and heifers sold at the close of the sale, made to £ll 15s. The smaller butchers were bidding with greater freedom. An average yarding of calves met with steady competition at late rates, farmers remaining in the market for lines fit for store purposes No heavy runners were yarded. Runners made to £5 9s; heavy veaters, £4 10s to £5 6s; medium, £3 16s to £4 8s; lighter, £ 3 to £3 14s; light, £2 to £2 18s; small and fresh dropped. 8s to £1 18s; rough and plain, £1 to. £2 6s. A start was not made with an average yarding of sheep until after 2.30 p.m.

SOUTHERN EXCHANGES TO-DAY’S SALES Press Association Wellington.—Reported sale: Wellington Gas, ord., 31s. Wellington.— Reported sales: 5i per cent, bonds (1936), £lOl 10s; Wellington Gas (ord.), 31s, ex div.: Gear Meat, 43s 9d; British Tobacco, 48s 9d; Sharland and Co. (ord.), 19s 6d. Christchurch. —On ’Change: Warning County, 53, 1931, £IOO (three parcels); N.Z. Breweries, Bonds, £1 6s 6d; Com. Bank of Aust., 29s 2d; Goldsbrough, Mort, 53s 4d. 53s 6d (four parcels); New Zealand Breweries, 57s lid; Timaru Brewery (new), ss; paid, 8s sd, 8s 4d (two parcels): Beath and Co., rights, 7s (two parcels). 6s 9d. Reported: Abraham and Williams, pref., 88s 6d. Dunedin— Sale reported: Westport Coal, £1 11s 6d.