COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2501, 14 May 1909, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

THE ARGENTINE BEEF TRADE. REPORT ON AMERICAN DESIGNS. Unitiod Press Association —copyright. (Received May 13, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 13. ’ Lord Robert Cecil committee, to consider combinations in the meat trade, reports that the combination of the Hammond, Armour, Swift, and Morris companies is not a serious danger at present, but appears to be endeavoring to acquire a- controlling interest in Argentina. There are also inquiries on the part of United States firms in Australia Land New Zealand. Estancieros in Argentina are opposing the United States invasion, fearing that the price of their cattle will be affected in the-absence of competitive buying, but the conveying on Argentine railways to Buenos Ayres is not unfavorable to tho combination, though this is unlikely to arise in the near future, if the combination; succeeded, it may exercise a determining influence oil beef prices at Smitlifield and largely affect prices in Britain, t'he evidence that United States firms control the Canadian live cattle trade is too vague to allow of a definite .opinion being expressed. LONDON MARKETS. United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 12. At the wool sales there was spirited competition, prices for all qualities being fully maintained. Toami clip brought 12R1, and Broncepeth 12;]d. Wheat cargoes are slow of :a'e, and the price is slightly easier. Australian wheat afloat is offering at 445. At the tallow sales 1860 casks were offered, and G 96 sold. Mutton, fine, brought 32s 6d, and medium 30s Gd ; beef, fine, brought 31s, and medium 29s 6d. . ' \ THE HIDES MARKET. United Press Association—Copyright. (Received Mav 14, 12.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 13. Hides are very firm. Kips and fights, show }d to advance. FROZEN MEAT. (Per Press Association.)

NAPIER, May 13. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company cable; “The frozen meat market is completely disorganised by heavy stocks and shipments afloat, the supply being considerably in excess of the demand. There is a further fall in values of North Island mutton and second quality lamb. Today’s quotations arc: Canterbury mutton 3jjd, Napier, Wellington, and North Island 2ifd ; lamb, first quality 4jjd, eccond quality 4£d; beef, hindquarters 3sd, forequarters 2j|d.” , MATAWHERO STOCK SALES. There was a moderate sized yarding and a small attendance of buyers-kit tlio weekly sale of stock held at Matawhero yesterday. The yards, through the heavy rain, were very dirty, and the large herds of cattle churned up the mud ankle- deep. In the bidding, recent prices were maintained, wethens saw 10s 4d and 9s Gd, while lambs improved in value. SHEEP. In all 1500 sheep were offered, tho greater quantity being stores. A nice pen of 19 Lit wethers brought 10s 4d, the top price for. many weeks, while a divided lot of 1060, two-td?jth wethers offered on account of Mr. Straetian, Waimata, sold: 100 at 10s 3d, iOO at 10s 2d, and 460 at 10s; 34 fat ewes brought 8s 6d, 1G forward owes Bs, J.nd 17 prime lambs, Bs. Store sheep vet good competition, and nearly all the lines on offer found buyers. The princpal pens of wethers sold v. ere: 19 two-tooths at 8s 4d, 19 at 10s 4d, 200 two-tootlis at 9s Gd, and 132 twotooths at 10s. Ewes sold: 83 at 5s 4d, 101 ewes in lamb at 6s 4d, 12 owes at 6s Bd, 124 at 7s Gd, 325 three, four, and five-year-old ewes at 7s (id. Hoggets sold from 5s to 6s, with poorer sorts at 3s and 4s 7d. CATTLE.

The cattle pens held about 200 head. Butchers’ supplies were plentiful, and in fair demand. Prices were maintained all round, especially for steer beef. The principal pens sold were: 2 fat bullocks at £6, 9 fat bullocks at £5. 1 forward steer £4 15s, 3 prime bullocks £6 10s, 4 beef heifers £4 18s, 4 cows £3 12s Od. There was also a fair demand for store cattle, and-neany all the pens changed hands; 11 young steers brought £2 15s, 7 full grown steers £3 17s, 15 nice "conditioned steers £3 17s 6d; 2 big steers £3 10s, 20 yearling steers £1 12s, 5 steers £2 19s, and 11 young steers £1 Bs, 3 cows with calves brought £2 os, 1 heifer, £1 15s, and 2 young steers IC*.

PIGS. Porkers sold: 4 at 255, 2 baconors at 30s, 3 at 365.