LIVE STOCK MARKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2222, 17 February 1886, Page 2

LIVE STOCK MARKET.

MessrsH.Matsou and Op.•report on the live stoct markets at Ohristonurch for the weak ending Thursday, Feb. ljj 1886, as follows:-^-' ■ " - ' • •' i "Yesterday's supply of stook at Addington comprises just a moderate entry of sheep and fat cattle (though in the former there was a slight increase from last week), in pigs a larger market, but in store cattle yery few were offered. With the exception of a fair demai.d for Btore pigs at what mußt still be considered low prices, the day's sale was Bimply life-

less, an utter absence of vitality' being noticeablo in the various branches of business. The fat cattle sale opened at 8 o'clock with an average entry olaßief, varying from medium to prime q™ity, about the usual proportion of which changed hands, though with a very sluggish trade., and at still further reduced values, quoted at from 17s tof about 18s per lOOlbs. In fat sheep tho dhys supply, as before. mentioned, was W.ightly in excess of that of last week, merino wethers constituting a considerable proportion of the samo. \ The attendance was about an average one, bufcr the demand being purely local, and of a very limited character, wo regret to have to record a further collapse in values. Tho , top price of the day for the best oross- i bred wethers was 8s 3d, good quality and >jf handy weights selling at frora 6s 6d to 8s; cross-bred ewes 5s to 7b 6d; Merino wethers at from 4s for light weights, up to 7s for prime line, which we placed on account of the Balmoral Estate. We give the day's Quotations for good mutton at barely 1U per lb, comparatively fow lots sellinsr at this figure; second quality crossbred ewes and merino wethers to about l|d. Bad as the trade in fat sheep undoubtedly was, it is a question whether the store sheep sale was not worse, inasmuch as for the sorts under offer, viz., aged cross-bred ewes, cull.lambs, and station merinos, it was difficult in many instances . to get a bid. As, however, they wcreiots forced into the market through scariw'of feed, there was no alternative, but toliell at some price, and as the would-be, buyers were uuablu to operate for the same reason which was pressing owners to. sell, prices ruled exceedingly low. Of tho fat lamb sale, it is sufficient to say that any alteration in values was of a downward tendency, sccond-classlots yesterday l selling at frora 3s to 4s u'd; good lines, 5s f ' to 6s; one especially good lot at 6s 9d. In store cattle there were a good number in offer, but business was very quiet, and hut few lots changed hands. Pigs'made a large entry, nearly 400 being penned; chiefly stores, sent forward to meet the, anticipated demand for stubbling. Few, if any went out unsold, but buyers wore, very cautious, and not to, he tempted ajj anything like last soason's rates. Good, strong, well-grown pigs sold at from 14s to 20s; " slips" at. from 8a to 12s; porkers l'4s. to 20a; waiiers, 3s, and upwards.