TOP PRICES FOR WOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 281, 25 November 1915, Page 2

TOP PRICES FOR WOOL.

BECOKB SALE IN AUCKLAND. SOUTHERN RATES FULLY MAINTAINED. ICKOSSBREDS STRONG THROUGHOUT. Never since the annual wool sales were instituted in Auckland hag there been such spirited bidding, coupled with excellent prices, as occurred at the first sale of the season, whicn was held this morning in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. The catalogue comprised 9,1 IS bales, which is decidedly good in view of the protracted wet weather and its interference with shearing operations. Last year November sales attracted 12,290 bales, but in 1913 the total for November was 6,696. As evidencing the interest of the general public, it may be mentioned that the gaUery of the Concert Chamber—the place set apart for nonparticipants—was crowded. The reason is twofold. Interest in the golden fleece is especially keen at present, because of the high prices which have been ruling at other centres, and then the announcement had been made that a bale of wool donated to the Patriotic Fund would be sold at 11 o'clock. This realised a total of £246. Oversea buyers had come in large numbers to attend the sale. They arc keenness personified at any time, but to-day thoy appeared to be more eager than ever for purchases. The Auckland sale is the fourth held this season in New Zealand. In Christchurch 5.54S bales Were offered (compared with 7.566 last November), in Wellington 8.123 bales (compared with 11.342 bales), and in Napier 12,430 (compared with 17.558 bales). It will thus be seen that a general reduction has occurred. Apart from the. effect of climatic conditions, a large amount of wool has been consigned direct to London because of the high rates offering there. Although the early spring has caused a larger proportion of seedy wool to find its way in for the opening sale, the condition of the wool as a whole is satisfactory. It i 3 generally well grown, and mostly light in grease. The individual offerings at to-day's sale were as follows: — New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., 3,015 bales; Dalgety and Co., Ltd. in conjunction with the Auckland Fanners' Union, 2,447 bales; Alfred Btrckland and 2.047 bale 3; G. W. Binney and Sons, 1.490 bales. From the time of commencement (9 o'clock) there was hardly a lull in the bidding, and it was early noticeable that the coarser wools, which predominate in Auckland Province, were in keen demand. The healthy nature of the ealc is eloquently test;fied" to by the following list of prices officially issued by the Woolbrokers' Association: —

An accompanying official report is as follows-:— ''The Auckland Woolbrokers' Association held the fir»t sale of the season at the Town Hall to-day, when a catalogue comprising 031S bales was offered. as compared with 1i290 bales at the first sale last year. The unsettled weather, experienced recently has delayed shearing, and the resultant smaller cataloguo is due entirely to this factor. Taking the wool an a wbole. a distinct improvement is noticeable a 6 compared with the wool offered in previous years, a conspicuous feature being the absence of seedy wools. There was a record attendance of buyers, and an excellent competition for all lots. The prices obtained at the southern sales were fully maintained for the finer wools, whilst lower grade and coarse wools showed an increase of Id to Hd on the southern sale eructations." For purposes of comparison it is of interest to quote the rates which ruled at the three Southern sales earlier this season. They are as follows:—

-HAI/GETY AND CO.'S SALES. The principal sales effected by Dalgety and Co., Lid., were as follows:—A. and D. McKinnon. 5 baks fine crossbred, 18jd ; J. C. Allen, 7 bales crossbred, A, 17Jd; r> bales crossbred, B, 16Jd; Huntly Bros., C> hales crossbred, 17d; Puketiti, 3 bales Romney, 17d: T. Elliott, 9 bales fine crossbred, 16Jd; Ferguson and Acton Adams, 0 bales ewes and wethers. A, ICJd; Puketiti. 5 bales fine Romnev! 16fd; A. Jamieson. 4 bales fine crossbred ewes, 162 d; G. A. Wilson. 12 bales crossbred, 16Jd; G. H. Bradly, 10 bales crossbred, 16id; Garrand Bros., 8 bales fine crossbred, 16id; K. Le Gallais, 7 bales crossbred, 16Jd; G. Windram, 6 bales hoggets, 16} d; G. Ovens, 4 bales crossbred 16Jd.

Nov, 191-3. Nov.. 1314. d. d. d. d. Fine halfbred merino 17 to 2AJ 11 to 12J Pine crossbred ..... IT "to si 10 toll" Shropshire & Konraey 15 to 1SJ il to 12} Medium cross-bred .. 14 to 17 9* to I0» Oouirse crosvtmMl and Lincoln 13 to 13 SI to 10i Inferior lox stained and cotted 12 to 14 S to SJ First pieces 10 to VM 7} to 0 Second pieces and bellies 71 to Ot' it) to (II Crutchtngs 9 to 11>.' 7 to Si 'Locks-.; . *.-..•■-«. to "J 4 to 5

Cbch. Well. N.Tpler. d. d. d. d. d. d. Ialf-bred, super. 15 -20 17 -18} ISJ-1»J lalf-tn-ed, mcd. 13 -14} 14 -303 lo 18} irofisbred, super. 14 -10} 17 -19} .151-19} 'rossfcred, med. II -13} 14J-1G} 14"-1R} :ross-bretl, coarse — 13-15 13 -15} ?rossbred. Inf. 10}-lO3 9 -12} 8 -13} Crossbred, .pieces to 13} .9-I3j 10J-13} Ialf-bred. jdeces 73-144 9 -1,1 to 15 ■»eks 7-8} 01-7} « - 73