WOOL APPRAISEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 8

WOOL APPRAISEMENT

SECOND DUNEDIN OFFERING

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

: DUNEDIN; January 24. The second appraisement under the Imperial wool purchase scheme has been completed in Dunedin. The number of bales offered was approximately the same as at the first Dunedin appraisement and there should be a substantial monetary return to growers. Consequent on the quality of the wool generally not being up to the standard of the previous offering the top price realised was on a lower basis. The top price at the second appraisement was 18§d a lb for a line of four bales, of, super half-bred ewe wool. Top prices at the December appraisement were 19|d for merino wool and 19£d'for .halfbred. Both the latter wools were of slightly better quality than the line which realised 18& d and this accounts for the difference in values.

. The official report of the Dunedin Stock Agents' and Woolbrokers' Association states that catalogues totalling 21.288 bales were submitted by the various brokers. The clips displayed were representative of the' province arid in addition to the usual crossbred clips from Tapanui and coastal districts the catalogues contained a number of station clips and other Central Otago wools. Both Eastern Southland and Northv Otago clips were also on offer.

The quality of the wool, with a few exceptions, was not up to the grade of the first appraisement and was below the standard of previous seasons. The effect of severe winter conditions on stock was very noticeable in the bulk of the clips opened up for appraisement, most grades of halfbreds and morinos being adversely affected. In the crossbreds there were some outstanding parcels from Tapanui. South Otagq, and central districts. Finer wools, however, showed shortness of staple and were , generally thin and wasty. The bulk of the wool was also light in condition. The prices realised were in accordance with the schedule fixed at the start of the season. These.prices varied, being determined on the grade count, yield, and get-up of the individual lots appraised. Where there was any variation in prices this would be accounted for by a decline in the general quality of the offering. The percentage of super'wools displayed in all the catalogues was below the average and no lots were equal to the best standard of the first appraisement.