HIDE MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 86, 13 April 1931, Page 4

HIDE MARKET.

IMPROVED POSITION. REACHING SOUNDER BASIS. Messrs. W. Weddel and Company's report on the hide market for March 5, 1931, states:— Developments over the week under review nave been of a very interesting character, and we now seem to have the market on a definitely sounder basis than we have experienced for a very long time. The North American domestic position has further reacting again in .the Plate, and establishing better prices there. The rate of exchange in the Argentine has been steadily improving, and is likely to continue better in the future. As regards the position of the North American market itself, this appears to be decidedly more satisfactory, and packers now have very few hides on stock, and with the better demand should be able to get more money. Very little has been possible with colonial and miscellaneous sorts. Shippers have put up their prices by 'id to Wd per lb. In most cases slight advances have been registered, but for the most part buyers will go on only at late rates. We feel, however, that with the shortage existing on so many origins, buyers will have to pay more money in order to get certain classes of hides. On the leather side reports are not verygood. Offal is still a heavy load on the market, and although offered at ridiculously low prices, is hardly saleable. ADVANCE IN AUSTRALIA.

Mr. 8.. J. Anderson, president of the Federated Master Tanners and Leather Manufacturers' Association of Australia, referring last week to the hides and leather market, said that a substantial advance had taken place in hide values throughout Australia during the last two or three months. In January the highest prices realised at the Sydney weekly auction sales for abattoir hides —which could be accepted as a fair basis—were 301b average 4%d per lb, 50lb average 4%d per lb. and 601b average 5%d per lb. Since then consistent advances had taken place, more especially during the past three weeks, and at the sales on" March 27 the same classes realised 6%d, 7d and B%d per lb, which meant an approximate advance of of, 10/, and 15/ per hide for the respective averages. Mr. Anderson said that the reason for this improved demand for hides was principally a shortage of supplies on the one hand and a stronger export inquiry on the other. He said that while fluctuations in the market were bound to occur, indications pointed to still higher levels being reached. WELLINGTON SALE PRICES. Sheepskins and hides were in gpod demand at the fortnightly saie held on Friday by the com Dined Wellington brokers. There was a good inquiry for all grades of sheepskins, values being Vtd easier than the quotations on March 27. Salted skins sold on a par. Some very good lines of abattoir hides were offered, bidding for these being exceptionally keen. Tanners were the.chief operators, and took the bulk of the offering. Heavy ox appreciated by %d per lb, other grades selling on a par with previous quoted rates. Kip and yearling ■ were sought after at prices Vzd better than late rates. Calf sold well, prices for these being fully Id higher. For a line of sixpounders Wid was paid. Tallow showed no quotable change. The official range of prices is as follows:— Dry Sheepskins.—Half bred, 3%d to 6%d; fine crossbred, 5Md to 6Y*d; medium crossbred, 3d to 5%d; coarse crossbred, 4*4 d to 4%d; half wools. 4d to 4 J ,4d; quarter wools, 2%d to 3%d; pelts, 2 i M to 2%d. "' Salted Skins.—Pelts, 1/2 to 1/3; quarter wools, 1/4 to 1/7; half wools, lid to 2/4; three-quarter Wools, 1/5 to 3/; full wools, to 3/2; lambs', 3d to 2/.

Hides.—Ox, 331b to 441b, 4%d to 5%d; '451b to 521b, 4%d to 5%; 551b to 591b, 4%d to 6d; 601b to C9lb, 5%d to 7%d; 701b and over, 8d to 9d. Cow, 331b to 391b, 4%d to 5%d; 401b to 481b, 2d to 5%d; 491b and over, 4%d to 5%d. Kip, 251b to 321b, 4d to 6d; 171b to 241b, 5d to 7%d. Yearling, 111b to 161b, 6»4d to B%d. Calf, 91b to 101b, to 8d; 6lb to 81b, to 9%d; lib to 51b, 3d to B%d.

Tallow.—ln casks, 11/ to 13/; in tins, etc., 7/ to 12/. Sundries. —Cow tails, B%d.