FORWARD SALES

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 9

FORWARD SALES

EAST COAST EWES. INCREASED TRUCKING COSTS. RAILWAY DEPARTMENT’S VIEWS. Sales of Gl-sborne breeding ewes for forward delivery to the Waikato have been slower than usual this season, and while at tins time last year several thousand ewes had been traded there have been only about five lines sold to date this year for forward delivery to this district. Quotations are not coming to hand so freely, as Gisborne station-owners do not know what figure to ask for their sheep, while at the same time Waikato purchasers are not over anxious to negotiate on account of uncertainly of conditions, especially In regard to charges In sending the sheep through to this district. A few years ago sheep could be driven to Taneatua and then trucked to the Waikato centres at approximately Is 6d to Is 8d per head. Now, with Increased costs, the price Is almost Is per head more. This added expense on to already high-priced sheep has had a steadying Influence on Waikato Inquiries. Meeting at Walroa. A number of farmers are also waiting to see what assistance the new East Coast railway will be. At a recent meeting at Walroa, when the | general manager of railways was present, a propsltion was put forward by Gisborne stock and station agents for a through freight to the Waikato. The railway officials were also asked to build trucking yards at Nuhaka, which would be the nearest yards to Walroa, to handle large numbers of both sheep and cattle. It was hinted that a through rate to Waikato centres of 3s 3d per head might be'levied. This would be a considerable reduction on the present tariff. Fast trains were also asked for, so that sheep would not be delayed unduly Tong on j the Journey.

The Railway Department has promised to go into these matters, and it Is expected that they will give favourable consideration to the proposals. Lines of Gisborne sheep that have been sold for forward delivery include a line of 400 two-tooth ewes at 345, a line of 1500 five-year-old ewes at 26s fid, a line of 1200 four-year-olds at 28s fid and a line of 1200 six-year-olds at 22s 6d.