FINER WOOLS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 91, 27 January 1934, Page 7

FINER WOOLS

■ •■$ IN DEMAND AT CHRISTCHURCH. GORKIEDALE REACHES 27|cf. (Per Pres? Association). CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 26. Tho steady advance in fine wool prices since the first Christchurch sale on December 12 invested the second auction to-day with unusual interest. On an average good halfbred and Corriedale' wool was higher by 2d to 3d per lb, and Merino by 2d. Fine crossbred. was also distinctly better, but coarse crossbred was little altered on die first sale. The Wanganui auction last week showed an easing pn the preceding Wellington sale of Id to 2d for coarse wools, and this easing was apparent to-day in this class, which, however, formed a very small proportion of tlpe total offering. For more than 85 per cent, of the catalogue there was an animated and consistent, demand from tjie outset, with a 97 per cent, clearance of the total catalogue. , Toji price to-day was paid lor Corriedale, this being the highest price realised in. New Zealand this season, it was paid for four bales of the wellknown Rydal Downs clip of Mr Edward Ensor. The catalogue was a better one than •at the first sale, but there was a larger proportion tlian usual of dusty and tender wool, due to the changeable season. However, the bigger proportion of tlie high country clips gave the character of the offering a better quality, some of the most stylish clips of the province being included. In the last three catalogues offered, comprising 7500 bales, which included a larger proportion of crossbred wool, bidding was less animated, and there was an easing tendency. At this stage, competition from Bradford buyers was more noticeable, although the Continental demand was sufficiently sustained to prevent any appreciable drop in values for the better wools. The passings were proportionately greatei than in the earlier part of the sale, but in the- aggregate they amounted to scarcely 3| per cent. The Official Report. The Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association reports that at yesterday’s sale there was a good selection of fine quality wools, most of which were light in condition, and also a fair propoition of tender and dusty lots due to the dry winter and consequent .shortage of feed. Wool suitable for the Continental market met with an excellent sale at well above December levels. Good support was provided by Japan and local mills who competed keenly for super lots. Bradford limits were evidently too low for the market ruling at the commencement of the sale, and tlieii purchases were mainly confined to tho lower grades, but as the sale progressed values receded and Bradfoid operated more freely. _ Growers generally piet the market well, the bulk of the offerings being cleared at auction. The following is the range of priced: d. d.

Merino, G4-70, 60-64 — to 22* Super soiAverage" ls to 20 Inferior 15* to 17* Corriedale — to 27* Extra super — Super 21 to 24 Average 19 to 202 Inferior ... 16 to 18 Fine Halfbred, 68, 66-58, 56 — to 262 Extra super — Super Average Inferior 22 19 16* to 24 to 21* to 18 Medium Halfbred, 50-56, 50 to 23 Extra super — Super Average 20 18 to 22 to 191 Inferior 15 to 17 Extra Fine Crossbred, 48-50 — to’ 17 Super 14* Average 12 to 141 Inferior 10 to 11* Fine Crossbred, 46-48— m to 14 Super Average 10 to 11* Inferior 8 to 9* Medium crossbred, 44-46— t'o 11 Super 92 Average 8* to 91 Inferior 6* to 8 Bellies and pieces— ' Merino: to 21* Good to super 17 Low to medium 14 to 16* Crossbred: Good to super 9 to 14 Low to medium ... «* to 8* Bellies— Halfbred: Good to super 16 to 17-| Low to medium ... '13 to 15* Pieces— Halfbred: Good to super 18 to 22* Low to medium 14. to 17* Crutcliings— Medium to good ... 7* to 14* Inferior and seedy . 5 to 7 Locks— Merino 91 to 11 Halfbred 8* to .1 OlCrossbred 0 io 62