COMMERCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2342, 12 April 1892, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

AUCTIONEERS' REPORTS. Messrs Gracie, Maclean, and Co. report for the past fortnight, as follows : Horses—There has been a good demand for any young draught horses for farm work, both at our weekly sales and also at the various clearing sales held by us, and we find no difficulty in effecting sales in all instances where the reserves are reasonable. There are very few good upstanding hacks or harness horses offering, for which there is a good demand, but for inferior and light there is little enquiry. We quote good sound young draughts at from £lB to £26, ordinaly sorts from £l2 upwards. Ram Fair—The South Canterbury annual ram fair was held at the Washdyke yards on the 31st ult. The number yarded was fully up to previous years, and the quality exceedingly good. There was a good demand for all offered, and much found purchasers at prices satisfactory to the owners. We sold at auction 253 rams. Pleasant Point—On the 4th inst., the entry was a large one with a correspondingly good demand, consequently almost every line changed hands, in many instances the prices exceeding owners' expectations. Our sales were as follow : —7 Leicester rams at 2i guineas, 3 do at 2f guineas, 5 do at li guineas, 433 halfbred ewes at 10s Bd, i 52 do at 10s 9d, 100 do at 10s lOd, 41(3 at lis, 105 crossbred lambs at 9s lid, 379 2-tooth ewes and wethers at 12s to 15s 9d, 107 merino ewes at 5s Id. We yarded and sold on account of several owners, 40 head of fat cattle at very satisfactory prices. Temuka Yards—On the sth inst. such a large quantity of stock came forward that the accommodation of the yards was inadequate for the number, which, however, met with a fairly good demand, a good portion changing hands. We sold 36 Border Leicester rams from 1 guinea to 2J guineas, 16 do at 3 guineas, 4 do at 5 guineas, 1 do at If guineas, 5 Lincoln rams at 2 guineas, 1300 halfbred lambs at 10s to 10s 4d, IGB halfbred ewes at lis 2d, 203 do at 12s lid, 100 do at 13s. 1 Clearing Sale—On Wednesday, Gth inst., we held a large clearing sale at Opuha, on account of Messrs Studholme and Wigley, when there was a very large attendance. The sale throughout was spirited, competition being particularly keen for the young draught horses, which realised up to £24 10s. Light horses, stock, implements, etc., were all cleared at satisfactory prices. Sheepskins, etc.—On Wednesday we . held our usual sale of sheepskins, when the prices ruling lately were fairly maintained ; the quantity to hand was small and the quality rather inferior. Hide 3 are not much in demand, but any that come to hand are easily disposed of at current rates. CHRLSTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE. The following is the Corn Exchange report (per F. Denham, Secretary), for the week ending April 9th : Wheat—Although there has been little change in the Home price since our last report, we reluctantly have to chronicle a decline in our local market »f two pence per bushel, the highest price, we have been offered this week being 3s lOd f.0.b., for a splendid lino of tuscan, but we have been flooded with discolored and sprouted lines at all sorts of prices. Oats—Feed sorts show a better feeling for outside demand. Beans The quality is not good this season, and prime lines are scarce. Ryegrass shows no improvement, but there is a small inquiry for cocksfoot of good bright color and weight. The following are prices paid to farmers, f.0.b., Lyttelton, packages extra : Wheat—Prime tuscan, 3s lOd; pearl, 3s 9d to 3s lOd ; hunters, 3s 5d to 3s Gd ; whole damaged, 3s to 3s 2d, Oats—-Prime milling, Is 8d ; bright feed, Is (3d to Is 7d. Barley—Malting, second quality, 3s to 3s 3d. Beans—2s lid to 3s. Peas—Prussian blues, 2s lOd to 3s. Ryegrass—Farmers lines, 2s to 2s 3d : machiue dressed, 3s 3d. Cocksfoot— j Discolored, 2d to 2-}d; bright, 3jd per lb. j Butter—7d to 9d pe lb. J Cheese—3Ad to 4d per lb, according to quality. Potatoes Kidney, 255: derwent, j 22s 0d ; at country stations, '■