COMMERCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1149, 11 March 1884, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

AUCTIONEERS’ REPORTS. GERALDINE. Messrs J. Mundell and Co, report sales of stock, etc., for the week ending March 8 th, 1884 : At the Geraldine monthly sale of stock on Wednesday last, the attendance was not so good as at former sales. This was attributable to the day being fine and harvest operations in full swing in the district. Consequently stock will be slow in changing hands till the grain is successfully gathered, and the stubble available tor feeding purposes. The totals yarded for the day’s sale wore—--2084 sheep and 65 head ot cattle, Prices realised : Jtlalfbred lambs, 8s lid to 9s Id ; store merino ewes, withdrawn at 5s 7d and 6s 6d, In another month we anticipate a large business will be done in this class of sheep, when farmers will be ready to receive them. Steers (fat) we sold at LS 17s 6d, cows from L 5 10s to L 7, Storecattle were neglected, prices offered not being anything like on closing terms with owners’ reserves. At Winchester Fair, on Thursday, the attendance was small, owing, we suppose, to the cause we have stated

Above, viz., harvest operations. We sold 80 ewes (fat) at 13s Bd, 112 halfbred lambs at 8s Bd, 148 three-quarter-bred lambs at 8s 6d, 2 pigs (tat) at L2 Is and L2 12s 6d, We have to report clearing sales held by us on account of Mrs Fraser (Orari), Mr John Baker (Woodbury), and Mrs J. Y. Ward (Geraldine) of furniture, at which satisfactory prices were realised. timaru. Messrs Maclean and Stewart report for the past week ending Saturday as follows : Horses—There is no business doing in either draught or light horses at present. A few came forward at their yards to-day, but for these there was almost no demand. They have no alteration in prices to report. Owners are keeping back their horses, and they expect as soon as harvest is over a very considerable number will be offered for sale. Cattle At Studholme Junction monthly sale a good number of both fat and store cattle came to hand. For store cattle there was but little demand, and few lots changed hands. The fat cattle were almost all purchased by Oamnru buyers at from 17s 6d to 18s 6d per lOOlbs. At these quotations they sold a small line of 13 steers. At Winchester Fair, last Thursday, there was no business done of importance, and but little stock changed hands. Sheep—A fair entry of fat and store sheep came forward last Monday at Studholme Junction. For the former there were no buyers, but a fair portion of store sheep changed hands at current rates, At Winchester last Thursday there was no demand for fat sheep. They sold cull merino ewes at 4s 6d. lambs at 8s 9d, old crossbred ewes at 9s 9d. ENGLISH MARKETS. London, March 8. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,650,000 quarters, being 100,000 quarters less than last week. Adelaide wheat, ex store, remains at 445, and New Zealand ditto at 36s to 425. Adelaide flour, ex store, 30s. Australian tallow has declined 6d per cwt. ; beef is now quoted at 38s, and mutton at 42s 6d for average quality. At the wool sale* on Tuesday 12,300 bales were offered. There was a firm and active demand. Good qualities were about the same as at the close of last sales. On Wednesday 12,000 bales were offered; rather weaker. Withdrawals amount to 26,000 bates. The present series of wool sales close on March 15th, On Friday 13,000 bales were offered; steady, but the demand was not active. To-day 12,800 bales were offered. The market is unchanged.