COMMERCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1304, 17 February 1885, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

AUCTIONEERS’ REPORT.

TIMARU. Messrs Maclean and Stewart report for the past week ending Saturday as follows : Horses—The better' demand for good draught horses usually expected at this season has not yet been noticeable at their Saturday sales. Farmers and others seemingly have a sufficient number for their harvest work, and it is with difficulty that any decent offer can be got, even for the right class. At their yards to-day a small entry came to hand, only 25 head being booked for sale. They quitted a few medium draughts at from £l4 to £ls 10s, and a few hacks at from £8 to £l4. Sheep—A considerable number of breeding sheep - both merinos and crossbreds —are now being booked for sale, and they expect an active enquiry for these very shortly; at the same time it is scarcely to be expected that prices will be equal to what they were this time last year, although young ewes will maintain good values. Harvest Operations being now fairly under way, their entries of store sheep at their different sales are small, and for a few weeks business will bo limited. At Wasbdykc, on Tuesday, they placed merino ewes, with lambs, at 9s 9d ; crossbred ewes, at 10s sd. Fat sheep are plentiful, and 2d per ib may he quoted as their present value. Privately, they have placed several lines at tint quotation. Cattle—Well forward and full grown store cattle are enquired for. For young stock and old cons there is but little demand. They have placed privately, in one linednring the week, a splendid lot of steers and heifers, consisting of 155 head, at a satisfactory price. At Washdyke and Makildhi auction sales only some few odd lots were entered for sale. They sold at these places co vs and steers, from £i to £6. Fat cattle—They quote present values at from 17a 6d per lOOlbs.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

Sydney, Peb. 18. New Zealand wheat remains at 2a 9d. New Zealand oats have declined to 2s 4d, and maize to 3s 9d, Adelaide, Fib. 18. Adelaide wheat, 2s 3d to 3a 4d, market quiet; town flour, £8 ss; country brands, £7 4a, market dull.

ENGLISH MARKETS.

London, Feb. 12, The total quimtity of wool sold during the past series of sales was 220,000 bales ; 350,000 bales were held over for next month's auction. Merinos and scoured wools closed to Id lower than at termination of the November.sales. Feb. 13. Colonial breadstuffs—Adelaide wheat, ex store, 255» The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,850,000 quarters, an increase of 170,000 during the week, Australian leather, cut sides, is quoted at lid. New Zealand frozen mutton, prime quality, remains at 4|d to sd. The Australian mutton, ex John Elder, is in good condition, and is realising 4|d to 4|d, Feb. 14. All the wool sales have closed with price* ruling at about opening rates. The bulk of the Australian shipment was of inferior quality, 200,000 bales being received and 60 per cent, exported.