COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2144, 20 March 1908, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

AIATAWtIIERO STOCK SALES

P U ICES AIAINTAINED

The usual weekly sale of stock was hold at M-.ita where yesterday. Lho heavy rain had a depressing oflect-on tho bidding, though there was a lair number of'buyers in attendance. Tlio yards were in a very sloppy condilion, auctioneers and -public having great difficulty in getting about. Tlio silo throughout was rather ciifltii, buyers showing a disposition to but freely for certain pons, and to neglect" others, with the result that several pens of sheep and a low lines ox cattle were withdrawn from sale. About 12,000 sheep were penned, tho greater number being stores, some of which were in rather poor condition, though they were sound nml well shaped. The tat sheep failed to hi mg excessive prices, tho quotations -lunging from 13s 8d to 14s 2d. A pen of 350 two-tooth store owes brought 12s lOd, but these were particularly fine samples, well forward in condition. A small pen of rams was offered, and brought from £2 to £2 2s A non of 180 two and four toothed wethers (stores) in -promising condition, most of them being big-boned, well-shaped sheep, elicited keen competition, and was knocked down at the satisfactory price of 13s. Iho following is the -rango of prices:Fit- sheen: 48 ewes at 14s 2d, 3< 7 ewes at 13s Bd, 350 two-toothed ewes 12s lOd 180 two and four toothed wethers 13s. Stores: 180 wethers 13s 174 two-toothed wethers, in fair condition, 10s 9d, 13S lull-mouthed ewes and wethers Ss lid, 200 -mixed, aged, sound-mouthed ewes Ss fed, poorer sorts 2s to is Gd. .Lambs 3s Id to 4s 2d.

CATTLE. • / There was a sinaill yarding of cattle, only about 350 being penned. Most were for store purposes, and bidding was slow, a number of hues being -altogether neglected. Two pens' of three cows failed to bring -a bid, and a nice-looking crossbred bull was knocked down -at £1 Gs. A pen of 36 -fat three-year-old steers in lino condition was started at £5 10s, and reached £0 10s before the fall of tho hammer. The quotations were: —1 at steers £4 5s to £6 10s, store £2 7s to £4 2s Gd, 4 cows and -a calf £8 the lot. Calves from 13s Gd to £1 IsA herd of SS -well-conditioned shorthorn steers wore passed in at £4 2s Gd. , , Only a few pigs were yarded. Weaners brought from 8s to 12s, and porkers up to £1 os. No horses wero offered for sa-lo by auction.

THE BUTTER AIARKET. ■ Press Association. WELLINGTON, Alarch 19. There is still a stringency in the butter market. Tlio Post states that largo shipments of local butter have been bought in London, and are on their way -back'to New Zealand. The local requirements will ho 40,000 boxes, and of this quantity only 25,000 are in store, and only 10,000 of this total are owned -by New Zealanders. PALMERSTON N., Alarch 19. The -head office of tho New Zealand Dairy Union indignantly deny the statement of the Masterton correspondent of the Dominion that tho Union had recalled .from. Homo 1700 boxes of butter to meet tho shortago in New Zealand, and further that the Union is not making enough blitter for local consumption, and that twenty creameries will close down in tho course of the next two weeks. Mr. Bendall, secretary of the Union, states there is absolutely no truth whatever in-the statement. The present output is still sufficient for requirements. The recent rains havo checked the decline in the milk supply. No creameries will be closed down so long as there is sufficient milk to keen them going, and it is anticipated that -present rains will have the effect of keeping the creameries going -for a i'.ongcr period than was anticipated a month ago.. Air. Bendall also says the statement by tho Dominion, that several creameries are sending milk to Wellington at 8d a gallon, does not apply to Union creameries.

THE AIEAT AIARKET. Press Association. NAPIER, Alarch 19. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company cable the following quotations:—Frozen meat: Canterbury mutton 4RI, Napier. AVellington and North Island 3|d; lamb, first quality Gd, second s{jd; beef, bindquarters 3-3 d, forequarters 2:|d. WOOL AND TALLOW. / Press Association. LONDON, March 18. _ At the wool sales there.was fair competition for all sorts, at opening At the tallow sales 1020 casks were offered, and 579 sold. Prices have advanced 6d. THE HIDE AIARKET. United Press Association —Copyright (Received Alarch 20, 12.59 a.m.) AIELBOURNE, March 19. In hides, heavy weights are firm, and light arc a farthing lower.