COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2430, 19 February 1909, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

MATAWHERO STOCK SALES

There was a large attendance of buyers and a heavy yarding of slock at the Matawhero sales yesterday, the most of the entries being in the northern yards. Sheep were •chiefly represented, and the sales wore characterised by a buoyancy that has been absent for some weeks. The recent rains have induced fresh growth of feed, and farmers were evidently anxious to stock up to carrying capacity. The presence of a couple of buyers from Opotiki helped to enliven the bidding, and several lots wore purchased for the northern district. SHEEP.

About 18,000 sheep wore yarded, the major portion of the entries consisting of ewes. This class of sheep was ehieffv in demand, and. all the earlier lots found purchasers under the hammer at prices that wore a distinct advance on recent rates. The supply, however, somewhat exceeded the demand, and the bidding towards tile conclusion of the sale dragged somewhat, Other classes of sheep were disposed of at recent ruling rates. There were large entries of sheep from various parts of the Coast as far north as Te Araroa, and the annual draft of ewes from Ngatapa station elicited keen competition, a lot of 2083 well-grown five-year-old sheep selling for 13s 2d. The entry of fat sheep was small, and as butchers were chary of operating, competition was limited. The principal sales were: —Fats: 34 ewes at 9s, 32 ewes at 9s 9d, 30 ewes at 9s, 13 lambs at 10s 6d, 7 lambs 12s Od, 12 ewes 10s 6cl, and 71 wethers 11s. .Stores: 2053 5-year-old ewes 13s 2d, 733 two-tooth ewes (Ngatapa) 12s 7d, 206 6 and 8-tooth ewes (Ngatapa) lis (id, 509 2-tooth ewes 11s Id, • 3332tooth ewes 11s, 248 ewes lis 6<L 734 6 and 8-tooth ewes 10s 3d, 589 5 and 6-year-old ewes 6s 7d, 259 2-tootli ewes 7s 9d. 356 4,6, and 8-tooth ewes Os 3d, 226 woolly lambs Ss Id, 300 small wether lambs 5s lOd, 148 2-tooth ewes 10s 7d, 111 s.m. ewes ss, 47 4-tooth wethers 10s, 60 old ewes (poor) Is 9d, 185 big 2 to 4-yea (Arakihi) 12s, 519 2-tooth ewes 10s 6d, 274 4 and o-year-o!d ewes 8s Id, 387 small lamsb 3s Id, 405 4-year-old ewes 6s Bd, 203 2-tooth ewes 9s sd, 200 2-tooth ev es 9s, 146 2-tooth ewes 9s 6d, 173 2-tooth wethers 9s 7d, 192 2-tootli wethers Ss 9d, 293 4 and 5-year-old ewes Ss 9d, 285 s.m. ewes 7s. Ten Romnev rams sold at one guinea, 12 at half-a-guinea, 6 at half-a-guinea, and 8 English Leicester rams' at L) guineas. CATTLE.

Four hundred head of cattle were yarded, steers forming the bulk of the yarding. There was practically no really prime beef on sale, and the fats varuled were disposed ol at poor prices. There was little demand for store cattle, and though buyers were found for tho majority of tho lots, competition was not keen, and the prices obtained were not high. The entries included a large draft from Mr. deLautour, Te Araroa station. The sales were as follows:—Fats : 7 cows £4, 6 cows £3 10s, 3 cows £4 12s Od. Stores: 17 bullocks £4, 6 cows with calves, £2 Is, 12 young heifers and steers £1 13s, 12 young steers £2 11s, 14 young heifers £1 10s, 9 2-year-okl steers £2 7s 7d, 6 bullocks £3 12s 6d, 11 steers £3, 24 'lB-month-old steers £2 12s, 13 2-year-old steers £3 12s, 34 2-year-old steers and spayed heifers £2 17s 6d. PIGS. The entry of pigs only totalled 12, but they elicited good competition, and were sold as under: —3 porkers 245, 5 porkers 22s 6d, 4 weaners Bs. THE MEAT MARKET. [Press Association.] NAPIER, Feb. 18. The O. C. and D. Company cable: “There is no improvement in the frozen meat market. Prices are unchanged.” WELLINGTON WOOL SALES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. At the Wellington wool sales tomorrow, tho last of the. season, about 13,000 bales will be offered.