THE WOOL SALES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 109, 1 February 1921, Page 7

THE WOOL SALES

SECOND OF THE SEASON DEMAND FOR FINER QUALITY WOOL NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN MARKET A full bench of buyers attended yesterday's wool sale in the Town Hall, the second of the season. The first M'elliugtou sale since 1915 took place on December 20 last, and, judging! from the bidding, yesterday’s sale created even more interest among buyers, brokers and growers. The total catalogue -presented contained 16,922 bales, and individual companies had big quantities to sell. The sale commenced at 9 a.m., and from the start it was noticeable that lots were being passed in frequently, failing in some eases to elicit bids. There was a marked aversion to the coarser crossbred offerings. Time and time again coarse Jots failed to create any interest, and it was evident that the needs- of- the American and the English market were for wool of higher quality. The medium grades even of fairly high quality were not in demand, and faulty wools, pieces,, and bellies were not wanted. The idea among ths buyers was that the American marwet desired only the finer qualities, and this was borne out as the sale progressed.. Anything below 44 count was not popular, this being more noticeable than at the December sale. In the cases of the more .inferior wool, it was estimated that only about 25 per cent, of the bales catalogued brought forth any bidding, and then only at very low rates. It was in this connection that the North Island growers suffered, for the greater portion of the wool grown in the northern districts is of tlie coarse crossbred variety, the South Island stations bringing forth the finer wool. Lambs wool sold especially well, and tho American buyers, through their agents, showed a liking for this kind of wool. It was also noticeable that wellclassed wool realised satisfactory prices, in comparison with that not so well prepared. What few bids there were for merinos were very near the reserves. There were, however, some .interesting prices. Only one line of Corriedales sold at ltd., but some were passed in at 13jd. Superfine and skirted Corriedales were passed in to local men at 13d., and superfine skirted Romneys, for the American trade, brought lOjd.

The range of prices, published below, gives some indication of the differentiation in the various lines. There was no sale of merino in December, and yesterday's range of 13d. to 143 d. is fairly high. The great difference between the fine and the coarso crossbreds is seen when there appears to be a difference of over 6d. between the super and the coarse qualities. Yesterday there were no bids for crutchings, as against a range of 3-Jd. to 4d. at fSe last sale. - .Mr. Bannister, of Murray, llbberte and Co., was the auctioneer. RANGE OF PRICES. The range of prices is as follows: —

WOOL BROKERS’ REPORTS good prices Realised. LEVIN AND CO., LTD. Messrs. Levin and Co. report:—Our catalogue at the sale comprised 45-10 hales. The- offering was larger than was expected, but many .growers are desirous of taking advantage of the American demand whilst it is available, and are sending their clips forward earlier than would otherwise have been the case under the conditions prevailing this season. We had a catalogue of good wools, well representative of the best clips from the- Wairarapa, Ma.nawa.tu, Rangitikei am’| Marlborough districts, an-u our endeavour was to giro as much space as possible to the most saleable clips-. It was soon evident that America was in the market for the best lots and prepared to pay December- prices, and something better. This fl'emand, however, was strictly limited to light conditioned 46’s and over, and anything unskirted, mixed in grades, or dull in colour, was left alone. At the December sal© America was l not fastidious, and accepted parcels of bright _ 44-16’s, but to-efty these had to find their level among the Bradford prices. Several good standard clips, but with a tendcrcy towards a, coarse staple, missed the American demand for this reason. The top price for American lots was 113 d. A feature of the sale was the demand for hogget wool, which sold pence above the value of the corresponding fleece wool. Lambs wool also wan in keen demam’l. the local mills and France being the principal operators. Crossbred hoggets sold, up to Hid.. and lambs’ wool to 12'.d. Halfbreds from Marlborough were well competed' for on a par with December prices, but on the other hand merino wool was neglected. Bradford lifted the bulk of the medium and low crossbreds at a full halfpenny advance on December-rates. The range for these wools was from sd. t0.8d., but the bulk was selling round about Gid. to 7d. Southdown wool was down fully Id., on December, and bellies and pieces draggl'd at low prices. Some of the good lines of fleece wool showed of seed, and the lack of competition for such lots was most marked. On tho whole our sale was quite satisfactory and we sold GO per cent. (2750 bales) under the hammer. The following are some of the principal results: — ITalfbi-eds.—“Leefiold." 4 bales ltd., a hales 13d., 15 bales Hid.. 2fi bales 10ld., 4 bales hogget 13d.; "To Monna,” 0 bales 93d.; "Chancel." 19 bays 13d.; ‘Tai-m.-ile,” 12 bales 13d.: "E.S.” IS bales 123 d. Southdown.—"BranceppHi.’ bn»w» 121(1., 5 bales lid.: "HFIPB 3 boles 10id. Crossbreds, Fine.— "Te/Rnngitumau/ - 13 bales 9d.: “Kohiwai/SI.” G bales hoggets 8R1.; "Nan/Tahora.” 12 bales hoggets Will.. “ hales hoggets IOJd.; “EEW,” 5 hales hoggets, Bd.; “Turanganui." 11 bales hoggets IOJd.. 4 bales hoggets 10|cl; "Job/Pihautea,” 20 bales 9Jd., 9 bales hoggets, 93d.; "Awatoitoi,” 17 bales ffljd., 8 bales hoggets 91-d.; “Rem/Rnru.” 12 bales hoggets, 10}d.; "Anchor,” 19 bales llld., 7 bales hoggets lljd.; "CBY,” IS bales 9,1 d.. 7 bales hoggets WJd.; “lIF/PB.” 12 bales hoggels IOJd.: "Manawa.” 25 bales hoggets 9)d.: "Terry,” 14 bales 8-ld.; "Tai mate,” 14 bales Biid.: “Broadlands," 33 bales 10d., 44 bales Bd.. 2G bales hoggets lid.. 13 bales hoggets BJd.: "Rewaniii.” 17 hales 10ld— 4 bales hoggets 9d.. G bales hoggets 9d.: "B (diamond) B,” 12 bales hoggets HRI.; "WL.” 48 bales hoggets 10d.: “C-C.” 33 bales lid., 11 bales Hid., 24 bales Bjd.; "CM" 29 bales 9H-, 21 bales

hoggets llfd.; “B (diamond) B,” 33 bales Sd. Crossbreds, Medium. —“To Kopura,” 11 bales BJd.; “Kohiwai,” 16 bales 7-jd. ; “Tauranganui,” 15 bales 7{d., 11 bales hoggets, 7dd.; "Awatoitoi;” 33 bales 7{d., 17 hales hoggets Bd.; "Rem/Ruru,” 20 bales Gid., 14 bales hoggets 7|d. Crossbreds. Coarse.—"Awatoitoi,” 21 hales 6i}d.; “Rem/Ruru,” 15 bales 51d. ; "Anchor,” 23 bales 7(1., 22 bales 6Jd.; “Manawa,” 30 bales 6J-.; "To Whiti,” 12 bales 51d. Lambs.—"Rewanui," 11 bales 10|d.; "Mahaki," 8 bales lOjd.: "Anchor,” 14 hales 9Jd.; "FH over Huia,” G bales 10W. DALGETY AND CO. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report as under:—“Our quota of the total offer-, ing of 17,000 bales was 3100. Taking tho .sale all through, it could be reported as fairly successful, although in many instances bidding was erratic and slow. The coarse and inferior crossbreds and shabby three-quarter-breds were again neglected, and only saleable at low rates. An atmosphere of uncertainty has been much in evidence from the commencement of tho season, and with the heavy accumulation of wool in London and the threatened imposition of a heavy American tariff, combined with the inability to make even a guess at the price which tho Imperial Government will eventually be found willing to accept for its reserves accounted for the present unsatisfactory condition. Tho feature off today’s sale was the strong _ tone which ruled for super light condition Romneys and halfbreds, and also for bright lambs wool with any length. Such wools sold remarkably well from start to. finish of the sale. Prices when compared with December sale rales appreciated from „d to Id. per lb. Good medium crossbreds, which just missed American competition, were a little erratic, but. met with fair competition, and were sold at from 84d. to lOd. per lb. Once again we would impress upon growers o medium to cood crossbreds wools the nncessity of carefully grading their clips into lines somewhat approaching- 6 standard qualities, otherwise they arc Certain to be disappointed with auction results. The margin between the prices ■of adjoining qualities is at present so wide that buyers often neglect to value or bid in lets where it is difficult to arrive at a true estimate of the proportions of each quality contained therein, and this was most noticeable at this said. Sound hogget wools of good length were konnly inquired for, and the best Romney parcels were reauily saleable at from lid. to Hid., American buyers taking practically all such lots. Low and inferior crossbreds were slow of sale, values ranging from 4d. to s£d. Seedy parcels were hard to quit at anything over 3Jd. per lb. Continental and American buyefs were in strong competition for good lambs, and in our catalogue we sold nine bales of ' Eastry. a suner parcel of good length, light in condition, at the satisfactory price of I2}d. per lb. The "A Ewo Wool of same brand bringing per lb. M e offered a few medium parcels of merino, but competition was most disappointing, uid nearlv all of the lines were pass-d in Tn halfbreds very few super lines were offered, the majority of. the parcels being medium to good. Prices for these range from 12d. to 14d. for good, and 9d. to lid. for medium. Inferior parcels were not much sought after, and low prices had to be accepted for meh, 7d. to Bd. being about the range. Very few good parcels of pieces were brought forward, and the ordinary lots offered met with a dragging and dull sale, mid did not make as good rates as at December auctions. A few parcels of crutchings were offered, but elicited no competition. At auction and after, by private treaty. we sold about 59 per cent, of our catalogue. Some of our principal sales Being as under: — Merino— "Netherwood,” 11 bales. _ A ewes, 14d.; "Spraypoint.” A merino ewes, 13d.; A wethers, 12d. Halfbreds. — "Lakeview,” halfbred e , VP « Kild. to 12Jd.; "Lakeview,” A hog„ets ’ 12',d.- B hoggets, 10Jd.; “Hummocks,” A ewes, 121 d.: “Wyehills,” A ewes. 12Jd.; "Omaka Downs,” A ewes, l°'d "Crossbreds.—"Enstry," 'A ewes. 11d.;. “Lakeview,” A ewes. Hid.; “AV.B.X.. hoggets, lid-; “WH/ABW,” hoggets, 101,d.: “JITK.” ewes, lid.; “Fernlea.’ lid.: "EAZ,” hoggets, 11d„ ewes 1()ld.; “PGW.” hoggets. Ill; "Valhalla ” hoggets, lid., ewes Kild. Lambs— "Easily.” 12-Jd.: "Grope,” 9d.; "R.TA,” 9Jd.; “Stonestead,” 9Jd.

WRIGHT, STEPHENSON, AND CO. Messrs. Wright. Stephenson, and Co.. Ltd., report:—Competition was good throughout the sale for most lots, prices for super American wools being very linn, if anything in sellers’ favour. Bradford wools showed an increase of from Id. to Jd. on the last Wellington sale, bringing prices to the level of the last Wanganui sale. Super pieces were keenly sought after, but bellies and inferior pieces on the other hand were very difficult to sell, and showed a decline of fully Jd. to Id. Super lambs were in good demand for (the Continent, but ordinary and inferior lambs were exceedingly hard to dispose of. Some of our best sales were as follow: —".IK/Glenfield,” halfbred, lljd.; “GL/M,” halfbred. 10.'d.; “Puruatanga,” crossbred, fold.; “Huangnrua,” crossbred, Old.; “JR/O.” halfbred, lljd.; “Ahunui,” crossbred, 10-Jd. to lid.; "Otaraia,” crossbred, 9d. to 9Jd.; “Oaklands," crossbred, ICJdi WAIRARAI’A HARMERS’ CO-OPERA-TIVE ASSOCIATION. The Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd-, reports: Our catalogue comprised 1571 bales. Compared with ■ previous sale held on December 20, 1920, bidding was uneven. Super crossbred suitable for American demand was in some cases Id. to ;|d. per lb. higher. Good lines of fine crossbred, if suitable for American orders, were slightly firmer; medium crossbreds barely, equalled last sale rates, and all coarse and inferior lines were weaker. There was a good demand for lambs’ wool, and good lines were keen]}’ competed for, best lines ranging from lOd. to 12Jd. The sale for bellies and pieces was disappointing. The best lines were competed for, but medium and inferior lines were neglected. We topped the market with a line “JWS" fine crossbred at 12Jd. We sold, amongst others, the following lines: —“JWS” over “Tnturewa,” 8 bales crossbred hoggets, 12>d.; "Otope,” 29 bales crossbred, 19(1.: "Pukeatua, 2 bales crossbred, Hid.; "Pukeatua,’’ 47 hales crossbred, lid.; "Kumu Kumu," 12 bales crossbred hoggets. IOJd.; "Kumu Kumu.” 28 bales crossbred ewes, 101(1.; Tyneside,” 17 bales crossbred ewes, 9Jd.; “Kumu Kumu." 5 bales crossbred hoggets. 8J(1.; "AW,” 7 bales crossbred, IOJd.; “AW,” 9 bales crossbred, 7J(1.; "PHN” over "Eringn.” 6 hales crossbred, 93d.; "HC” over "Waikuku,” 4 bales crossbred, 73d.; "HC” over "Waikuku,” 4 bales crot*bred, 7 J ,d.; "I* Donald” over "JK,” 8 bales crossbred, ?3<L; "Potaerau” over “Morton” over “OL.” 7 bales crossbred, Gid.; "Carrington.” 7 bales Southdown, H’d.; "Lindale,” 3 bales lambs. 102(1.; "Chelsficld,” 6 bales lambs. 10(1.; “Otope.” 14 bales Lambs. 111(1.: "Pukeatua,” 19 bales lambs, lOd.; "J 8 W,” 3 bales lambs, 104 d. ABRAHAM AND WILLIAMS. Messrs. Abraham and "Williams report; We offered 1300 bales, comprising mostly back-country clips, and the demand for these was not quite up to last sales held in Wellington, but for good bright clean Itnmnov wools the demand was keen nt ■.• lightly higher values. Merino met with poor competition, and pieces and bellies of all descriptions were practically neglected at prices Id. to 2d. per lb. below last sales. We sold a very small proportion of our catalogue owing to growers placing too high a value on their wools. Some of our sales were as follow—“AJH.” 4 bales hoggets 73d.. 8 bales ewes 7d.: “HO.” 3 bales S-bred, SJd.; “Tordale/JCDS,” 4 bales lambs, 91d.;

“Oefe,” 19 bales owes, 71d.; "Lovcsion,” 12 bales crossbred, 7d.; “MS/Avoca,” 5 bales hoggets sjd.; 3 bales ewes, 53d. MURRAY, ROBERTS, AND CO. Messrs, Murray, Roberts, and Co. report: For the second wool sale of the season we submitted a catalogue of 2764 bales, including many liues of superior crossbred and Romney wool. Competition for all lines of super wool, including lambs and pieces, was keen and animated; and prices for such lots were distinctly better than at the December sale. For medium grade wools tho bidding was. erratic at times, but prices were, on the whole, rather better. Shabby, inferior, and seedy wools were, however, neglect eu. very low prices prevailing for these sorts. Some of the higher priced wools in our catalogue were: "G Super,” AE ll{d., AH 9k1.; pieces 6Jd., HPC Romney ewe 93d., lambs lOld.; "Ilea," CRomy E 9Jd., lambs Hid.; “Mills Mills,” Corriedale Al; “Cinder Hill,” AAV lljd.; AH Hid., AE 10W.; “Wakarua,” AWE 103 d., AH 101 d., BH 10pl., lambs lO^d.; "AVS/Waihinga,” AH lid., AE lOld.; “Parorangi,” AH lid.; "CXK,” AH Hid., AAV l(lld„ AE lOljd., lambs 11R1., pieces 6d.; "NJS,” AE lOjd., pieces 5Jd. The next sale will bo held on March 3. NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Iman and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., report that the buyers represented Home, American, and Continental houses, .also local mills, exporters, and scourers. There was poor competition for merino, and only the very best halfbreds were keenly competed for, shabby sorts being neglected. There was good competition for wools suitable for America, and those, of course, required to be well classed and bright in condition. Faulty Romneys and crossbreds in numbers of cases did not roach growers’ ideas of value, and many lots were passed in at from 3ld. to Bd. per lb. Skirtings met with no demand. and the only keenness shown was between local mills and Continental buyera for choice Jots. Lambs* wool of good quality met with a good sale, and many lots were secured by local mills and on French account. Inferior and seedy lambs’ wool was only wanted at very low prices.

Dec., 1920. Jan., 1921. d. d. dl d. 13 to 14} Southdown Ill to 13 Ml to 12 Halfbred— Super 12 to 13J 12 io 14 9 to 11-2 9 to 11} 81 7 to- 8 Crossbred — 10 toll 10 to 11? 8 to 10181 to 10 Medium 5} to 71 6 to 8 Costs9 3-J to □ 4 to 51 Infer. & seedy 3 to 4 3 to 4 Pieces & bellies 3 to 4 2 to 5} Half bred — Pieces A bellies 4 to 6} 4 to 61 ■ 1 to »> 1 to 2 31 to -1 * * Crutchings, seedy 2 to -i * ft Lambs — Best { — 10 to 12} 3tedium — 7 to 9 Inf. & seedy 2 to 4 i *Nb bids.