HIGH PRICES AGAIN RULE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 78, 12 January 1949, Page 5

HIGH PRICES AGAIN RULE

Wool Sale at Timaru

DOMINION MILLS IN MARKET (P.A.) TIMARU, This Day. Prices fully firm on those ruling at the December sale in Christchurch where, generally speaking,, the same type of wool was offered, were realised at Timaru's first wool sale of the 1948-49 season, held in the Theatre Royal yesterday. A feature of the auction was the selling of six bales of Merino hogget fleece grown in the Lake Pukaki district by Mr J. Allan, of “Bendrose,” for per lb—a New Zealand record. A South Canterbury record was also established for a line of three bales of halfbred hogget wool from "Braemar,” in the Mackerme Country (Mi' B. N. Murray), which fetched 663,d.

The offering of 30,312 bales was sold by the five brokers in hours, before a full bench of buyers. The greater part of the offering came from South Canterbury, with high country stations supplying the Merino and other fine wools. There was a small offering from Mid-Canter-bury and North Otago runs. After a beneficial season the wool opened up in good order and colour, being well grown, none of the paddock wools showing much dust, in spite of the dry summer. On the whole, competition was keen, with Dominion mills seeking the high priced Merino fleece. A Mosgiel mill paid top price of the sale. The United Kingdom was in the market for crossbreds, but Continental buyers bid keenly for most lines. Although North American interests were not prominent, it is understood that they were firmly in the market. ' Buyers were quiet in their bidding, at tlie beginning, but the pace quickened by the time the second catalogue was receiving attention. Only two of the five catalogues were finished by lunch time. Bidding was again desultory on the resumption, but became spirited and fast when several large lines of crossbred wool were being offered. Timaru and Ashburton mills were in the market for the choicest clips. Corriedale and halfbred wool, as was expected, was eagerly sought, particularly good lots seldom realising less than 55d and sometimes reaching 65d. For the Corriedales there was quick bidding, Id and 2d rises being recorded. Some of the middle class fleece was erratic in price. Crossbreds were slightly back on recent rates, but oddments and crutchings fetched up to 32d.

The official report issued by the South Canterbury Woolbrokers’ Association in conjunction with the New Zealand Woolbuyers’ Association and .the New Zealand Wool Disposal Commission is as follows: The Timaru wool sale was held yesterday in the Theatre Royal before a full bench of buyers representing the wool consuming countries of the world. The offering consisted of 30,31 S bales which was all sold at auction.

The selection was a typical South Canterbury one consisting of Merino clips from the Mackenzie Country and down country crossbreds. The clip opened up in excellent condition, this being due to the mild winter experienced; in fact the clip was the best that has been offered in Timaru for some seasons.

The following is the official range of prices:

d d. Mei’ino 00-64— Extra super 70 to 841 Good to super 64 to 69 Good 54 to 63 Average 40 to 531 Southdown 58-60— Good to super 44 to 47 Good to average 3S to 43 Extra Pine Corriedale and Halfbred, 58-GO — Extra super 56 to 601 Good to super 53 to 551 Good 46 to 521 Average 40 to 45 Pine Corriedale and Halfbred 56-58— Extra super 55 to 60:1 Good to super 50 to 54 Good 45 to 49 i Average 40 to 441 Inferior 32 t o 39 Medium Halfbred, 50-56— Good to super 4S to 54 Good 44 to 47 Average 38 to 43 Strong Halfbred or Pine Three-quarterbred, 52— Good to super 40 to 431 Good 30' to 39 Average 24 to 29 Fine Crossbred 50— ' Good to super 31 to 34:1 Good 27 to 30 Average 24 to 26Medium Crossbred 46-50— Good to super 29 to 30’ Good 26 to 281 Average .. 23 to 25 Strong Crossbred, 40-46— Good to super 265 to 28 Average 24 to 26 Hogget Extra Pine Halfbred 58-60— Extra super Good to/super 60 to 661 55 to 59 Good .. 48 to 54 Average 42 to 47 Fine Halfbred, 5G-5S— Extra super 57 to 59 Good to super 54 to 561 Good 45 to 531 Average 39 to 44 Halfbred, 50-56— Extra super 53 to 54 Good to super 46 ;o 52 Good 39 to 45 Average 32 to 3S Medium Crossbred 46-50— Extra super 32 to 33.1 Good to super 29 to 31 Good 26 to 28 Average 22 to 251 Pieces Merino— Good to super 47 to 50 Average 42 to 46 Inferior 24 to 40 Halfbred— Good to super 46 to 581 Average 38 to 45 Inferior 30 to 37 Fine Crossbred or Threequarterbred— Good to super 34 to 36 Average 26 to 33

Inferior .. ?. IS to 25 Crossbred— Good to super 23 to 251 Average IS to 22 Inferior 14 to 171 Bellies Merino— Good to super 44 to 46 Average 3S to 43 Inferior 301 to 39 Iialfbred— Good to super 40 to 421 Average 33 to 39 i Inferior 26 to 32 Crossbred— Good to super 20 to 21% Average IS to 195| Inferior 16 to 171 trutchings Halfbred— Good to super 25 to 321 Average 21 to 24 Inferior IS to 201 Crossbred— Good to super 24 to 26 Average 20 to 23 Inferior 16 to 19 Locks Merino Halfbred. Crossbred .. to 261 to 2-4:2 to 141 Necks Merino— Good to super 53 to 571 Average 45 to 52 Halfbred— Good to super 38 to 49 Average 3*3 to 37 Crossbred— Good to super 32 to 37 Average 201 to 31