HAWKE'S BAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3024, 1 December 1891, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY.

Mil M. R. Millkh, of Napier, gives, in his annual stock and station report, some information wl:ich will interest our readers. Particularly in that portion devoted to sheep. It would nppear as if Waikato graziers must look elsewhere for their annual supplies of store sheep. Mr Miller says : "The review of our pastoral interests for the year ending 30th June is eminently satisfactory, as far as frozen mutton, live Htock, and wool are in evidence, and these are our mainstays. We have sent a larger number and at a better price than has been ruling for some years past. Looking backward over the past ferty years an increase in the value of stock has hitherto led quickly to an increased demand for station properties, but the present uncertainty of land laws and taxation, makes capitalists timorous. When these two all-important matters are more settled, whether for the weal or woe of our present settlers, the value of properties will be more certainly arrived at. Sheep: During the past season there has been the largest detnaud—over a quarter of a million—from other provincial districts, for store sheep that we have ever yet been favoured with ; which caused an average rise of Is per head. Cross-bred ewes and wethers averaged 9s 3d, half-bred ditto, 8s 3d, Merino culls and 8-tooth ewes and wethers 4s 3d. All our old sheep have been cleared off. (We believe we have seen some of them.—Ed.) Fat sheep were equally in demand, 319,000 having been frozen and shipped to 30th,Juue. We have never been left with a smaller surplus of sheep over, in any precceding year than that of 1890-Dl, only -12,091. Prices for the coming feason have largely advanced already, considerable sales have been made for delivery after shearing. For cross-bred wethers, 10s od, lie 11s 0d up to 12s, Ewes of the same class, full month, have been booked at !Js and Its b'd, and young ewes at 12s to 13s with an upward tendency. Merino 8-tooth ewes 6s 6d, young ewes wethers Is less. We have every promise of a largo mcreise by the lambing now on, and there will be ample demand to absorb them.