COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 55, 16 May 1874, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

Mess*s Dbivee, STEWABrand Co. report as follows, for the vveeh ending May 6th :—: — Fat Cattle. — The supply forward for to-day's market was again largely in excess of requirements — 202 head having been yarded, o. which, however, a considerable proportion were of very ordinary quality, hence prices suffered a decline of about 2* fid per 100 lbs. About 150 head were sold to the trade, and the remainder withdrawn Our sales comprise 79 head, at from L 5 10s to L 7 15s for bullocks and L 3 17s 6d to L 6 17s 6d for cows. We have placed privately, for forward delivery, 50 head sit 22s per lOOlbs. Fat Sheep — A. nrxL-rute, supply of 1200 was penned, but owing to pretty full stocks being held by butchers, t'^e demand \wis very limited, and only 700 were snlj, the balance being turnt'il out. Prices runged fro>n X-, 3d to 7s 6d for merinos und 10s to 1 3s lor 00-s-brrds We ha^e, however, no alterations to note in our quotations of I i- r week, which are, lor piime cross-bred mutton, "J'd : do merino, 2\ I per lb. Store Cattle.— The enquiry for well-bred quiet grown c.ittlo f'oi paddock feeding continues good. Noiv, however, ihafc winter iappioaclimg mixed herds are not in such request. Our quotation-. ;i.e — Good steers-, L 3 10s to L 5 ; cows, L 2 10s to L 3 15s; mixed hetUi L 2 to L 3 ss. Store Sheep.— There is still a brisk deman 1 for young merino owes und wethers, and 4 and 6-tooth h.df-breds of winch coinpui'.itircly few are offering, the majority of those in ihe market being iiged merinos or young half bieds. We liavo sold during the week 2150 various descriptions at qnotalions, which are as follows : — Merino e.\es 2, 4, und 6-tooth, 7a (31 to 9s ; do, wethers, Gd Gd to 7s ; 4 and ij tuolh, ( Js to 10s ; do 2 tooth, 8s Gd Lo 9s, Wool. — Lou don advices to hand per Albion are not ol a vei\> encouraging nataie, showing, as I hey do, a considerable dec-line in prices They are as follows :— " 2Bth April — The London Colouiil wool silos opened this evening, when upwards of 7500 bales were offered— Fort Phillip wools preponderating. The attendance of both home und foreign buyers was largo, the latter being especially numerous. Tin* usual eagerness, however, observable on the opening day was üb.-ei t and prices compared with last series showed a decline. Arrivals t,. date 290,000 bules. 30th April — The second day's sale showed mure animation on the part of bu\ ers. Washed wool is Id per lb. lower; half-breds, 2d. Cape wools unchanged. May 2nd — The wool sales are

marked by considerable languor, and 2000 bales hnve been withdrawn Only four series of sales will be held this year instead of five. The next series will commence on August 18th." A few small lots have changed hands, but saving this there has been no business done in the loc:d market during the past week. Sheepskins. — Our sale to-day was fairly atteded, and competition was spirited ; but owing to the depressing influence of the news above mentioned, prices were considerably easier than las. week. Hides. — None offered. Tallow. — We catalogue about 60 casks, all of which, however, were withdrawn. Late returns from the home market precludes exporters operating at the prices recently ruling, and soap-boilers are well stocked for the present. Grain. — Wheat continues without change. G-o«>d samples are freely saleable at 4s 9d to 4s lOd for Southern growth — up to 5s for Oam aru grain. Oats are in good request, aud all things considered, the quantity offered is very limited. Good feeding quality has been saleable during the week at up to 4s 3d ; milling, 4s 6d. The following commercial items and latest quotations hare been telegraphed by our Auckland agent : — Auckland, May 14. Total customs duties -Tuesday, £339 7s ; National Bank, 67s 6d, 60s 6d ; Standard Insurance, sellers, '7s ; South British Insurance buyers, 50s ; National Insurance, sellers, 30s 6d ; Bright Smile, buyers £5; Imperial Crown (new), sellers, 30s ; Alburnia (new), buyers 47« fid ; sellers New Pacific, Is, Is 3.1 ; Nonpaviel, buyers, 6s ; Red Queen, 2*6(1; Caledcnian, £10 10s ; City of London, 22s i)d ; Central Italy, .'filers, 4s ; Thames Gold Mining Company, buyers, 3s fid ; Cure,