COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3189, 7 April 1911, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MATAWHERO STOCK SALES

COMPETITION A LITTLE LESS

KEEN

The attendance at- the usual weekly stock sale at the Matawhero saleyards yesterday was a great deal smaller than has been the case at recent sales, and competition was therefore a little less keen. The few days’ rain preceding the sale did not have any appreciable effect on the prices, as there is said to have been plenty of feed for stock previous to the break in the weather. Owing no doubt- to the somewhat inferior yarding of sheep there was not much competition for the lines submitted. Fat cattle were, however, as is usually the case, in comparatively greater demand. The prices offered for store cattle, of which there was a. fair yarding, did not, however, in many cases, reach the reserve, and a number ox lines had consequently to be passed in. The total yarding comprised about 1.1,900 sheep and 1000 cattle of various grades. Following are some of the prices obtained: FAT CATTLE. The only element of competition evinced throughout- the sales was noticed when cattle of this class were under the hammer. The range of prices for all lines was as follows: Heifers, £3 17s 6d to £5 2s; prime cows, £5 to £5 los; steers, £3 11s to £6 10s; and bullocks, £5 2s 6d to £6 10s. The following were the more important sales :—3 cows, £4 15s; 2 bullocks, £6 os; 3 prime bullocks, £6 10s; 6 heifers, £3 los; 7 cows, £4. STORE CATTLE. In this class there was a- little competition. although some very useful lines were offered. Four cows and four calves sold at £4 7s and 29 cows with 30 calves realised £4 17s, both lots -c----ing bought by Mr T. Halbert. Sixteen prime bullocks started at £5, and were passed in at £5 12s 6d. Forty-one cows of mixed breeding- passed in at £3 19s, and 93 steers reached £3 16s and were passed in. A further line comprising 29 heifers was passed at £3 10s. Twenty-one bullocks were knocked down to Mr John Clark at £5 9s 6d, while a further line of six prime steers were bought by the same gentleman at £4. A line of 14 steers and heifers were bought by Mr T. Halbert at £2 17s 6d, and a number of herd cows, offered on account of Mr Davis, of Ormond, were sold to the same buyer at £2 2s. Six dairy cows, also from Mr Davis’ Ormond property, reached £4, but were not sold, the reserve named being £4 10s. Six steers sold at- £3 18s 6d to Mr T. Halbert, while 11 bullocks found a buyer at £3 16s in M>r R. Witters. SHEEP. The -effect of the recent rains and the somewhat meagre attendance were the prime factors in the state of the sheep market. The few good lines offered realised fairly satisfactory prices, but a number of pens found no buyer. Good ewes maintained an average price of about 6s 8d and lambs ranged from 2s 3d to 8s -sd, while the better stamp of 4-tooth wethers brought 12s 6d. The yarding was ‘comparatively small and bidding, taken generally, dispirited. Following are some of the prices obtained:—l73 4 and 5-year-old ewes, 0s 4d; 127 2-tooths (mixed), 8s; 32 fat ewes, 8s 7d; 375 4-tooth wethers, 12s 6d; 182 2-tooth ewes, 7s 8d; 148 fullmouth ewes, 7s 3d ; 171 2-tooth wethers, 8s lid ; 528 4-tooth wethers, 12s; 27 2tootli ewes, 9s; 61 o-yoar-old ewes, 6s 3d; 153 ewes, 7s; 83 lambs. 6s; 22 lambs, 2s 3d; 131 ewes, 5s 6d; 49 wethers, 11s 3d; 51 lambs, B.s sd; 110 4 and 6-tooth ewes, 10s 6d; 17 empty swes, 7s 3d; 743 ewes with 19 rams, 6s 104; 116 wethers, 11s 44; 371 ewes. 6s 6d; and 251 ewes and 4 rams, 9s 9d.