RABBIT WOOL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19448, 23 October 1928, Page 11

RABBIT WOOL.

ANGORAS AND CHINCHILLAS. (I&OK oua OWN COKKESPONDENT.) LONDON, September 7. , When the s.s. Turakina sailed from Liverpool for New Zealand on Saturday her cargo included 70 of tlie most perfect rabbits reared in Yorkshire. There were 50 Angoras, famed for their beautiful white wool, with 20 Chinchillas to keep them company. Mr A. Watson, of Thackley, Bradford (better known as the editor of "Fur and Feather"), in response to requests from New Zealand, has selected these rabbits from the best hutches in Bradford and district. They are being sent to New Zealand further to test the possibilities of Angora wool growing and fur production. They will be at sea for eight weeks, the cost of their voyage being about £2OO, while the rabbits are worth several hundred pounds. "This is the first big batch of Angoras sent from this country to New Zealand," said Mr Watson, in au interview,' "and I believe the Chinchillas are the first to be imported into New Zealand.- The New Zealand Government now realises the possibilities of Angora wool farming, so that the restrictions on the importation of rabbits, which have for many years, have been removed." Lady Watson, from whom some of the Angoras were obtained, thinks there is a great future for this rabbit's wool. "From the breeders' point of view," she said, "the Angora is a good proposition. There is a great demand for Angoras in other countries. They produce very fine wool, roughly, about 10 ounces in a year; and three clips a year are the geneial rule. The wool sells at between 34s and 35s a pound."