WOOL SALE AT WELLINGTON

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24984, 19 September 1946, Page 4

WOOL SALE AT WELLINGTON

First Auction For Seven Years

38D PAID FOR TOP SLIPES

(P,A.) WELLINGTON, September 18. High prices for slipes and clean scoured wools were generally the order of the day at the first free market wool offering of the New Zealand season when the auction system was resumed after seven years with a»sale in the Wellington Town Hall to-day. Crutchings sold in many instances at substantial advances on last season’s appraisal values, though some lines failed to reach the reserve minimum prices fixed by the Wool Disposal Commission.

Thirty-three pence was paid by the representative of an English firm for one top quality offering of slipes, and 32jd for another. Clean scoured wools went at prices up to 31|d to the same buyer. It was evident that continental buyers were seeking best quality wools. This was the first tune slipes had been offered under the hammer in New Zealand.

The catalogue of 10,134 bales consisted of 8734 bales of crutchings, and 3400 of stock wools, comprising greasy, scoured, and slipes. Though prices on the whole were gratifying, they are not accepted as giving any significant lead on this season’s values, the real trend of which will be determined when the main Clip is offered in November. much attention was paid to fleeces, buyers preferring to wait for the November sale. Bellies and pieces were neglected. Dead wool was not sought at all. Prices for scoured wools, on the other hand, were well above the reserve which had been fixed in some cases. Operating as direct purchasers at the sale were four French buyers, one Belgian, while a Swiss ,representative was present as agent for a number of Continental firms. French buyers, who had already taken 170,000 bales of New Zealand wool on allocation between January and June 30 last, said their limits were governed by the credits available to them, but the reluctance of New Zealand to take French exports had not assisted their financial arrangements. All the excitement characteristic of pre-war auctions was evident Official Report An official report issued by the Wellington Woolbrokers’ Association, in conjunction with the New Zealand Wool Buyers’ Association and the Wool Disposal Commission, states that after a lapse of sfeven years the opening wool auction for the 1046-47 season was held In Wellington to-day, when 10,026 bales were offered. Six catalogues comprised 5835 bales of new season’s greasy wool, of which the bulk was crutchings. In addition, 1405 bales of slipe and 1670 bales of scoured wools were offered on account* of the New Zealand Wool Disposal Commission and the New Zealand Sheepskin Control. Also submitted- were 1116 Dales of old stock greasy wools. The crutchings came mainly frqm the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts. There was a limited quantity also from the Blenheim and Nelson districts. On the whole, the crutchings were not as attractive as during past seasons, due to the wet weather experienced about crutching time. A full bench of buyers was present. Bidding opened keenly among a limited section for average to good style crutchings, poorer types not being so keenly sought after. Finer quality crutchings met little competition. -Towards the close of the sale a weakening tendency was noticeable for average style crutchings. America, Australia, Bradford, and local mills ’ purchased the bulk of the crutchings, while France was in evidence on fine hogget fleece wools. Following is the official range of prices:

CRUTCHINGS Halfbred— Good to super —— —— Average 9 to 10 Inferior and seedy —- Three-quarterbred-— Good to super .. .. — to 13J Fine Crossbred — Average 10 to 124 Inferior and seedy 74 to 91 Crossbred — _ Extra super .. . — to 2H ♦Good to super 16 to 19 Average ... 12 to 154 Inferior and seedy .. « to ill