COMMERCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 52, 3 October 1865, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

HOKITIKA LIVE STOCK MARKET REPORT,

For the Month of Sep., 1865.

J. Jones and Co. report. — Tho market has been furnished with the following supply. -Fat ca'tlo, 385 head; calves, 3; hheep, 485 ; and pigs about 20 The number in each description of stock being altogether insufficient to meet tho enormous and rapidly in • creasing demand j in fact, tho total supply has, if anything, been less than that introduced in August, while the increase of population has been some thousands. Fat Catti,h and Calves.— As usual tho slaughtermen have been tho principal import era, Messrs. T Harris & Co. having brought in ICB bead, and Messrs Qarforth, Moiison, and Co. 160 head, the balanco being 24 head, consigned to Messrs Wilson, Burnell, and Co., and 35 head belonging to Messrs. Matthews and Glendinning, hold by us through our yards nt piices ranging from Ll7 to L 29 per head, in pens of four and five head . With this lot we sold three c.ilve3 for Ll2, or at the rate of Ll4 each. The slaughtermen quote prices for their sale3— say, for live cattle, LI per 100 lbs. ; and by carcase, prime quality Is per lb, medium lOd. For ourselves, we cannot regard those figures to be nt all in accordance with tho present ruling value, whatever they may have been at tho commencement and during tho middle of the month, tho more especially as an interdict against the introduction of cattle inio "any part of Canleibury," (the West Coast of course included) appears in full length in tho •• Provincial Government G.vzatto" under date the 23id of this mon h of September, attired in all its panoply of terrors. Looking dimly at Canterbury's position, and tho certainty of her inability to supply a tithe of the demand that must inevitably and imperatively arise before the end of October, we feel quite justified in quoting— Prime catilo'ns worth from J-5 to L 0 per 100 lbs., and predicting a ri.so of fully 30s per 100 lbs above these rates within a month, nnd the retail value of, meat from 2s Cd to 3s per lb before Christmas!

Fat Siibbp— Tlio market is supplied so irregularly that it mostly happens that there is altogether a bare market, or on tho other hand a perfect glut. This, however, can scarcely bo avoided, nor can it bo improved until some pasture land be discovered, and brought into uso by some energetic persons. We have sold during tho month 485 sheep ; tho fust lot of 65 (two classes of sheep) n consignment of Mr J. Freeth's, from Nelaon, realised for tho primo sheep, 65a per head— and the medium. 30s ; ono very prime sheep, sold separately, brought L 4 10s. Cap 'ain Hepburn's (35) by the William Miskin. 51s all round. A consignment of 60 per tho Maid of tho Yarra, 6I«; 110 per Alhambra, 50=i; and other consignments of small sheep (all from Nelson) from 35s to 37s each. We quote primo sheep and heavy weights, 703 to 00s ; medium, 40s to 655, with ready sales.

Pius. —Only about 20 introduced, which sold readily at from Is lo Is 3d por 1b (live weigh 1 ) Thero aro many eager inquiries for this description of stock, and no doubt prices will bo fully maintained ; fn fact, a considerable rise must occur, unless tho prohibition be removed from the ports on tho West Coast. Houses — QooddrnucrhtprH arc worth fromL7o to LOO. Packers but littlo inquired after. ltcnlly good hacks vory Rcarcc, with a fair demind. J. Joni:B & Co., .Stock Salesmen, Hokitika.