The demand for stock has continued to improve since our last. From stlleis having made up their minds to nccrpt lesser rates, transactions have been considerable, in store sheep especially The now routo to the West (. oast has now been fully tried, wedders having been ('riven over in Rood condition, and realising high pi ices. It is only to be regretted that the opening of this route lms been no Ion? delayed, as wo can hardly oxpect to f'rive over the pass after the end of March, and eompa lativol.y few sheep can lie introduced before that time. 1 his will prevent ovoi -speculation, but fiom the cer tainty of a future market, stores must maintain f.iir pices. Fat cattle are still in active demand for Iloki tika, though at reduced rates. The pi ico offered does not induce holders to forward to Dunedin tnsuket. We Irmn with pleasure that a Pastoral mid Agricultural / has been fonned for Timaru distiict, which will tend materially to improve stock and to the wclfiuo of the district geueially. It is to bo hoped that some measure may be introduced with safety, to allow sheep for show to bo introduced under necessary resti ictions. Cattmis.-- Fat are saleable here at 37a Gel ; in Cant'.r liury, 47s 6d to oOfa. Sound stores in good condition are in demand. "Wo sold a draft nearly fat, over two years, fiom Messrs Holmes and Campbell's at L10 per head. I!y auction, wo have sold cows from L7 10s toLOIGs; yearling steers, I.G 15o ; do hoifers, L5 5s ; in all 63 head. We quote fair mixed herds at L7 to L7 10s per head. Fat Wfbdeiii. — A considerable number offering ; we ran sell here at 3Jd to 'A$d per ll> on the station ; in Can terbury, 3^d to 4(1. The late downward tendency in stores) makes it difficult to olose sales ; that tendency is now wrested, nnd we look for a healthy demand. Wo enn sell mixed ages in good condition at 12s to 13s each. Ewkh. — Aged are'freely offered, but few young sheep <jffeiing. Wo have sold 30J0, equal ages, at 16s ; 1500, 9, 4, and 6 tooth, at 18» ; -and n mixed lot of 2200, all sorts, at 12s. 