Ashburton Markets.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2952, 20 April 1893, Page 2

Ashburton Markets.

MESSES MILES AND CO., LIMITED. Messrs Miles and Company, Limited, report on the weekly stock sale held afe the Tinwald yards on Tuesday, April 18, as follows:—Tuesday's market exhibited a further decline in numbers. The total entries were 8464 sheep, 39 rams, 9 head of cattle, and 62 pigs, of which our yarding was 1436 sheep and 28 pigs. The former figures show a reduction of neaiiy 4000 sheep on last week's market. Despite the disagreeable weather there was a moderate attendance of farmers and others. The appearance of the sheep was considerably affected by the recent rain, and the sale throughout was of a lifeless character, numerous lines being passed at auction, owners preferring to hold for a week or two in place of selling at a sacrifice. We have no hesitation in predicting that those unsold will meet with good enquiry and demand shortly. The entries in j the butchers' pens were limited to a couple of lines of merino wethers of second quality, which met with scant attention. Several lines of freezing sheep and lambs sold at moderate figures considering the quality. For breeding ewes the enquiry wai very slack. Good store lambs appeared s':^htly better in demand than lately, but th.*'few lines of indifferent quality changed bauds at low rates. Merino: wethers were hard to quit. The following prices were obtained at auction :—Crossbred freezers, two-tooth, 14s Id to 15s lOd; store crossbred ewes, 6s Id to 10a; fat lambs, 11s 6d to 12s 4d; stores, 10s 3d to 6a; merino ewes, 3s lOd to 6s; merino wethers, 4a Id to 4s 6d. Our sales were as follow: —35 half bred lambs, 9s Id; 500 merino wethers, 4a 6d ; 395 merino wethers, 4s 6d. Two pigs, 36s each; lpig, 12s; 25 weaners, 11s 6d to 6a 9d. The usual monthly sale at the Hinds saleyards was held on Thursday last, when over 1300 sheep were offered. The principal sales were 210 two-tooth wethers in good oondition, 14a 9d; 90 merino ewes, 6s 7d; 297 halfbred lambs, 8s 4d; 95 halfbred lambs, 8a 9d. In sympathy with other markets business was restricted. Our Mr E. W. Hanmer made his first appearance as an auctioneer at this sale, and will act in this capacity in the district in future in conjunction with Mr F. A. Archer.