AUCKLAND WOOL SALE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26671, 4 March 1952, Page 8

AUCKLAND WOOL SALE

BUYING AT LOWER LIMITS

PRICES 71 PER CENT. DOWN ON JANUARY SALE (New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 3. Prices for most fleece wools at the third Auckland sale of the season to-day were about 7] per cent, below the average at the January sale. The prices for lambs’ wool compared favourably with recent quotations. The,condition of the offering was not quite as attractive as at the last sale at Auckland, but it was also evident that buyers were operating within lower limits. Japan was represented by two buyers who sat at the back of the buying benches and marked their catalogues but did not take an active part in the sale. About 12 agents were believed to be operating on Japan’s behalf. Bradford and Continental buyers dominated the market. It was reported that the United States was not as active as usual. France was in the market for bellies and pieces and other oddments. The demand was rarely spirited, and more lots than usual failed to reach vendors’ reserves. The top price of the day was 59jd. paid by an Auckland firm for five bales of extra fine Corriedale. Prices generally rose sharply when American interests joined in the bidding. Bradford firms were in the market for lambs’ wool and helped to mainain the price for this sort. Early prices ranged from 38d to 42Jd. A lot in the second catalogue was knocked down to a Bradford buyer for 47jd.

High prices were also realised for certain oddments. An Auckland firm paid 393 d for four bales of black wool in the second catalogue, and 42jd for seven bales in the third. Seven bales of pieces made 48d. This was paid by a French buyer toward the end of the third catalogue. Fifty bales of crossbred orutchings scoured by an Auckland firm was sold for 54d.

Official Report The woolbrokers’ official report says that there was an offering of 30,377 bales. About 98 per cent, was sold at auction. The offering consisted of ewe and wether wool, with a small percentage of hogget wools. There was the usual offering of oddments. The wool generally wafc showing the effects of seasonal conditions, and was mainly average to good topmaking style. A few lots in the catalogue failed to raise a bid because of the amount of brands in tho wool. There was a full bench of buyers, representative of all buying countries, bidding being keen within limits. Bradford and the Continent dominated the market.

As compared- with the close of the auctions in the south in February, prices were about 5 per cent, easier, with the exception of lambs’ wool, which was about par to 21 2 per cent, easier. Coarsest fleece showed little change.

Range of Prices The following Is the official range of prices:— Southdown, 58/60— d. d. Good .. 51 to 54} Average .. 41J to 48J Inferior .. 36 to 40 Fine Down Crossbred, 56/58 — Good .. 44 to 45 Average .. 41 to 42 Inferior Extra Fine Crossbred, 56— .. 36 to 37 Average to good .. 45 to 47 Average to inferior Fine Crossbred, 50/56— .. 36 to 43 Average to good .. .. 43 to 45 Average to inferior Fine Crossbred, 52— .. 33 to 39 Average to good .. .. 41 to 421 Average to Inferior .. 34} to 40 Fine to Medium Crossbred, 50— Average to good .. .. 38} to 40 Average to inferior Medium Crossbred, 48/50 — .. 35 to 37 Average to good .. 38 to 394 Average to inferior Medium Crossbred, 46/50— .. 35 to 37 Average to good .. 37 to 384 Average to inferior Crossbred, 46/48 — .. 34 to 36 Average to good .. 37} to 40 Average to inferior Coarse Crossbred. 44/46 — .. 34 to 36} Good to 47 Average to good 40 to 43 Average to inferior .. 37 to 391 Necks Crossbred, 48/50 — Average to good .. 37 to 40 Average to inferior .. 32 to 36} Pieces Crossbred, 48/50 — Average to good .. 31 to 33 Average to inferior Crossbred, 46/50— .. 27 to 30 Average to good .. 27 to 30 Average to inferior .. 25 to 2§1 Bellies Crossbred, 46/50— Average to good .. 26 to 29 Average to inferior .. 24 to 25} Locks Crossbred, 46/50— Average to good .. 19 to 22 Crutchings Average to good .. 28 to 30 Inferior .. 24 to 27 Lambs Fine Crossbred, 48/50— Good .. 41 to 43 Average .. .. 36 to 40 Inferior .. 31 to 35 Seedy ' .. M to 30