Sale of the Sherwood Estate.

The Sherwood Estate, near the Makikihi Railway Station, in the Waimate County, was submitted at auction on May 10, by Mr. R. Turnbull. The property is a magnificent one in every respect, consisting of low rolling downs, with well-watered valleys between. The soil could not be surpassed for grain-growing purposes, and the few wheat crops already grown on it have been exceptionally heavy. It comprises 6,500 acres, which were divided into farms in size from 54 to 327 acres.

The sale was held in Messrs. Miles, Archer and Co.'s new buildings, in Strathallan Street, in a room 80 ft. by 40 ft. This, during the middle of the day, was almost crammed with people, the greater portion of whom were intending buyers. Amongst them we noticed persons from all parts of South Canterbury, as well as from the north of the provincial district and from Otago. The bidding, all through, was more animated than any we have seen before, and the excitement over some of the best sections was most intense. Offers advanced rapidly, and a perfect mania seems to have taken possession of many buyers. Nor did the auctioneer fail to take advantage of the land-fever, the symptoms of which were so plainly visible on every face. On the contrary, he lost no opportunity of increasing its intensity, and the result was that exceptional, not to say more than satisfactory, prices were realised.

The following is the detailed account of the sales. Owing to the names of the different purchasers being withheld, we page 44 are unable to lay them before our readers. The total amount realised was something over £87,566 :—

Lot.	Description	a	r	p	£	s.	d.
1	Farm	242	1	12	7	0	0
2	Farm	196	2	8	7	0	0
3	Farm	237	2	30	8	15	0
4	Farm	241	3	27	12	0	0
5	Farm	178	3	30	12	15	0
6	Farm	258	2	20	14	10	0
7	Farm	278	0	10	14	10	0
8	Farm	104	1	13	14	5	0
9	Farm	170	2	15	14	5	0
10	Farm	162	1	1	13	10	0
11	Farm	145	3	19	12	5	0
12	Farm Hmstd.	327	2	7	16	0	0
12a	Farm	217	2	27	16	0	0
13	Farm	182	2	20	12	5	0
14	Farm	219	0	36	13	5	0
15	Farm	192	2	29	13	5	0
16	Farm	195	3	26	13	15	0
17	Farm	166	3	33	13	5	0
18	Farm	166	1	16	13	5	0
19	Farm	152	3	26	13	5	0
20	Farm	234	1	11	14	10	0
21	Farm	182	3	0	15	0	0
22	Farm	150	1	29	15	10	0
23	Farm	178	3	39	15	10	0
24	Farm	163	0	16	15	0	0
25	Farm	131	0	27	16	5	0
26	Farm	160	2	33	16	5	0
27	Farm	264	1	37	17	10	0
27A	Farm	17	0	34	17	5	0
28	Farm	117	0	19	12	10	0
29	Farm	198	0	30	13	10	0page 45
30	Farm	107	0	19	20	10	0
31	Farm	92	1	5	20	10	0
32	Farm	77	0	17	13	10	0
33	Farm	64	3	25	16	0	0
34	Farm	115	2	20	15	0	0
35	Farm	54	2	38	15	0	0
36	Farm	90	1	21	14	10	0
37	Farm	91	1	35	13	15	0

From the "Morning Herald," June 4th, 1878.

Special Telegram.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A property sale of great interest took place to-day, when Messrs. J. T. Ford & Co. offered the Otaio Station, in the Waimate district, consisting of 17,300 acres, and stock thereon consisting of about 24,000 sheep. The run was offered on behalf of Messrs. Teschemaker and Le Cren. The competition was very keen. The property was finally knocked down to Mr. Thomas Teschemaker for £191,000—an average of £11 per acre.

Special Telegram.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

At the sale of Tancred and Allan's run (2,000 acres at Ashburton), the land fetched enormous prices. Some of it was sold at £35 per acre, and a good deal from £15 to £20.

Particulars of Properties Sold in the Timaru District, 1878.

Sale of the Arowhenua Station Estate.

Messrs. H. Matson & Co., auctioneers, on May 16 sold by auction, in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, Messrs. Ford and Newton's Arowhenua Station Estate, situate in the vicinity of Temuka. It comprises about 7,500 acres of page 47 splendid agricultural and pastoral land, and is altogether one of the best properties in South Canterbury. The attendance at the sale was very good, the bidding exceedingly spirited, and the prices realised highly satisfactory The following are the particulars of the sale :—

Upper Block.

Area.			Price per Aere.
a.	r.	p.	£	s.	d.
170	3	18	13	0	0
393	0	0	13	5	0
190	2	33	11	5	0
443	0	0	11	0	0
318	2	0	13	0	0
249	2	0	12	0	0
378	0	0	10	15	0
149	0	35	9	0	0
426	3	5	8	10	0
320	0	0	11	0	0
424	0	0	9	10	0
115	9	0	17	0	0
305	0	0	13	5	0
360	0	0	13	0	0
20	0	0	10	0	0

Lower Block.

104	3	10	16	10	0
91	1	20	21	0	0
151	0	20	21	0	0
110	1	0	17	0	0
210	3	0	22	10	0
90	2	0	20	0	0
91	1	0	19	10	0
100	0	0	8	0	0
322	2	24	23	0	0

A Successful Settlement in New Zealand.

The following interesting item we take from the Wellington Monthly price current. The township of Feilding, in the provincial district of Wellington, is an example of successful settlement of a very satisfactory character. The timber trade of the place alone is estimated at equal to £1,000 per week.—Extract from "The Colonies and India," 31st December, 1878.

Live Stock and Produce Sales.

By some of the principal Agents for last week during October, 1878.

Mr. Henry Driver (on behalf of the N. Z. L. and M. A. Company, Limited) reports for week ending 30th October :—

For to-day's market the following fat stock came forward: 239 cattle, 1,535 sheep, 364 lambs and 17 calves.

Fat Cattle.—Those penned were almost all first-class quality, but in consequence of the large number forward, and the trade having been supplied privately, we have to report a fall of fully 2s. 6d. per 100 lbs.—say best pens bullocks realised from £14 to £18; cows, £7. 10s. to £11—or, say for prime beef 40s. to 42s. 6d. per 100 lbs., medium 35s. to 40s.—and as these prices did not come up to owners' expectations, about 100 head were withdrawn. We sold 40 head on account of Messrs. Keith, Little and Wallace, at the above rates.

Fat Sheep.—About one-half of those yarded were prime quality, the remainder only medium. The supply being small, last week's rates were fully maintained—viz.: 14s. to 14s. 6d. for shorn, 17s. to 21s. with the wool—or, say 3d. per lb. for the former, and 4d. for the latter. We sold on account of Messrs. Wilson and Thomson 400 head. Mr. Thomson's being a very fine lot of shorn cross-breds, brought 16s. 6d.

Fat Lambs.—The supply was large, and the demand brisk. The whole of those penned sold at from 6s. 6d. to 12s. 6d. 100 very prime, from the farm of Mr. Wm. Shand, Taieri, brought 12s. 6d.

Calves.—The few offered sold at from 15s. to 45s. each.

Store Stock.—We have no transactions to report.

Sheepskins.—At our weekly auction on Monday we catalogued 1,400 sheepskins, which were fairly competed for, notwithstanding the unsatisfactory state of the wool market, and the absence of several buyers. Best cross breds sold up to 5s. 8d., and merinos, 4s. 6d,

Hides.—There have been no sales this week. The demand is slack. Wet-salted are saleable at 3 ½d. per lb.

Tallow.—Market quiet. Value unaltered. Good lots rough fat, 22s.

Grain.—Wheat: Very little business doing. Market stagnant. Quotations nominal; 4s. to 4s. 2d, for best milling. Oats: Feed oats are 1d. dearer. No stocks or arrivals. Sales at 4s. 1d. for feed. Some holders require 4s. 6d. before supplying the market. Barley: A small sale of inferior malting at 6s. 3d. net cash is the only transaction to report. Feeding sorts, 4s. to 4s. 6d.

Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co. report for the week ending 30th October, 1878, as follows :—

Fat Cattle.—The large supply of 239 was yarded, which, being beyond the requirements of the trade, a reduction on last week's rates had to be submitted to, and a page 50 considerable number were turned out. We sold 117 head, on account of Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co., Gladbrook Station; Messrs. Geo. Wilson, Geo. Wallace, the N. Z. and A. L. Co. (Limited), and others. Bullocks brought from £13. 2s. 6d. to £17; cows, from £10 to £13. 17s. 6d.—equal to 40s. per 100 lbs. for prime quality. Privately, we have delivered 50 head to the trade at satisfactory prices.

Fat Sheep.—1,535 were penned, consisting of cross-breds, principally in wool; all were cleared off at about equal to last week's quotations. We sold 939 on account of Messrs. Wilson, Smith, Elder, M'Aulay, and others. Crossbred ewes and wethers brought, in wool, 15s. to 16s. 3d. each; do. wethers, from 16s. for medium to 24s. for prime heavy weights. We quote mutton, in the wool, 3 ½d. to 3 ¾d. per lb.; shorn do., 2 ¾d. to 2 ¾d. per lb. We have delivered privately to the trade 630 crossbreds.

Fat lambs.—364 penned, the greater portion of which were of good quality and fairly grown. We sold 193 at from 8s. 6d. to 10s. each.

Store Cattle.—We have no sales to report since last week. We beg to call attention to our sale at the Mosgiel Yards, on Tuesday, the 5th November, when we shall offer 200 well-grown bullocks and cows, and to our sale at Palmerston, on Thursday, the 7th inst., when we shall offer about 230 head of mixed cattle, consisting of dairy cows and quiet well-bred steers and heifers.

Store Sheep.—We have to report the sale of 4,000 full-mouthed merino wethers, for delivery after shearing, at a satisfactory figure.

Country Sales.—On Friday, the 1st November, we will hold a clearing sale at Messrs. Coskery and Reid's, Trotters Creek, near Hampden, when we shall offer for positive sale, on account of dissolution of partnership, the Trotters Creek Farm, draught and light harness horses, cattle, sheep, and farming implements, &c., &c.

Horses.—Heavy draught and strong upstanding light harness horses continue in good inquiry, but the supplies are very limited. We quote first-class draughts, at from £65 to £75; medium, £45 to £60; light, £30 to £40; first-class saddle and light harness horses, £25 to £35; medium, £12 to 20; light and inferior, £5 to £10.

Sheepskins.—We did not offer any this week, but shall hold our next sale as usual on Monday first.

Hides.—The market continues very depressed. We have sold 136 at equal to 3 ½d. per lb., which may be taken as present market value.

Tallow is in good demand, but none offering. We quote prime mutton at £28 to £30; medium, £24 to £27; rough fat, £22. 10s.

Grain.—Wheat. The inquiry for this product is almost nil. We quote really prime samples at 4s. 2d. per bushel; good, 4s.; ordinary, 3s. 9d.; fowls' feed, 3s. 3d. Oats are much sought after, but very few offering. We quote first-class samples of feed and milling at 4s. 2d.; ordinary, 4s. to 4s. 1d. Barley is in good request at up to 6s. 6d. for really prime samples, and 6s. for ordinary ditto.

Maclean Brothers report for week ending 30th October as follows:—

Fat Cattle.—The largest supply we have had for at least two months came forward for this day's market, 239 head being yarded, all good to prime quality. Notwithstanding the short supplies lately to hand, this number proved largely in excess of the requirements of the trade; and as sellers, in some cases, did not feel disposed to quit at prices offered; about 90 head were turned out unsold. Best bullocks brought from £14 to £16. 10s.; do. cows, £11 to £13—or equal to 40s. per 1000 lbs., quite 5s. per 100 lbs. under last week's rates.

Fat Calves.—Only 17 penned, 14 of which we sold at from 9s. to. 54s. each, according to size and quality.

Fat Sheep.—About 1500 came forward, and, although only a small number, competition was only moderately active, and prices a shade easier than last week. Best cross-breds brought from 18s. to 19s. 3d.; do. do. shorn, 16s. to 16s. 6d.

Fat Lambs.—364 were penned, and sold at from 8s. 6d. to 11s., at which figure we sold 100.

Store Cattle.—During the past week there has been a brisk demand for store cattle, and a considerable number has changed hands at satisfactory prices. On Friday, 25th inst., at Outram, we sold by auction 250 head on account of Messrs. Petrie, Wright, Draper, Waldie, and others.

Store Sheep.—Transactions during the week have been quite unimportant, as only exceptional lots are now in the market. At Balclutha, on the 24th instant, we sold 750 crossbred hoggets at 13s. 6d. each. We anticipate a good demand for young sheep after shearing.

Country Sales.—On Friday, November 8th, we shall offer at the pound yards, Outram, on account of Messrs. James Henderson and others, 150 head good store cattle.

Sheepskins.—We had but a small catalogue for our sale on Monday last, and, although there was moderate competition, prices were barely up to last week's level. We quote green cross-breds at 4s. 10d. to 5s. 4d.; do. merinos, 4s. to 4s. 3d. Dry skins: six bales sold at 6 ¼d. per lb.

Hides.—The demand continues very dull, and prices cannot be quoted at over 3 ½d. per lb. None offered at auction, and only some small lots sold privately.

Grain.—Wheat meets with but little inquiry, and sales of all descriptions are difficult to effect. Quotations are without material change. Oats are in excellent demand, and good feed may be quoted at 4s. 1d.; ordinary do., 3s. 11d. to 4s. Prime milling up to 4s. 3d. The arrivals during the past week have been quite inconsiderable. Barley is quite out of the market, and brewers seem prepared to give extreme page 53 prices for really good malting to meet immediate requirements.

R. W. Capstick reports having sold on Tuesday, the 29th October, at his yards, Milton, on account of Mr. W. A. Mosely, the following lots :—34 half-bred hoggets, at 12s.; 90 Leicester ewes, at 13s. 6d.; 5 do. at 24s. 9d.; 8 do. at 25s.; 8 do. at 25s.; 85 do. at 17s.; 51 do. at 16s. 1d.; 50 do. at 16s. 1d.; 42 do. at 16s. 3d.; 25 do. at 16s. 1d.; 1 Leicester ram, £2. 13s.; 10 do. at 25s. There was a very good attendance, but the bidding was not at all spirited, and the flock, looking very poor after standing in the water on the Inch Clutha, did not realise the prices expected.