WOOL RECOVERY

Evening Star, Issue 21580, 28 November 1933, Page 5

WOOL RECOVERY

REMARKABLE DOMINION SALE ADVANCE OF 100 PER CENT. BRADFORD DOMINATES AUCTION [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 27. A better ora for the woolgrower was foreshadowed at the first sale of the 1933-34 season when expectations of a substantial increase in prices based on the trend of recent auctions in Australia and London were more than realised. Growers had the great satisfaction of seeing their clips disposed of at rates representing an advance of 100 per cent, and over on the average for the last sale in March, and a crowded gallery of spectators followed the progress of the sales with evident gratification. The values were the best which have ruled at an Auckland sale since the beginning of the 1929-30 season. From the viewpoint of its comparative significance to the x>rodncer the occasion was reminiscent of the memorable sale of December, 1924, when prices soared to an average of 23-Jd a lb. The offering totalled 23,768 bales. The official report states that there was a full bench of buyers representative of all the wool buying countries. Competition was animated and the prices realised were in excess of anticipations. 'The bulk of the lines went to Bradford, with the Continent a strong competitor and local mills securing all the super linos of fine half-breds. The top price realised was 25Jd for five hales of super half-bred hoggets from Waiheke Island. Practically the whole of the offering was sold under the hammer.

Better classes of cross-bred wools and also half-bred typos were estimated to have brought an average of from 12d to 13d n lb, which is 100 per cent, better than the prices paid for these descriptions at the sale last March, while tlie average over the whple sale was considered to be about lOd or lid a lb, which is 150 per cent, better than for tlie March sale. The price per bale for the wool sold would be in the vicinity of £l3. although the estimate is necessarily approximate. If this figure is confirmed when the brokers come to work out the actual details of the sale it will mean that the Auckland province has received over £300,000 for the wool disposed of to-day, compared with a return of £341,887 for the three sales last season.

The average price per bale at the sale last March, when values reached their lowest level, was £5 3s 2d, the aggregate return being £61,318. At tlie opening sale last December £5 12s 3d a bale was received, the income from the fixture being £132,118. On the latter occasion, however, the increased rate of exchange on London with its influence in the sellers’ favour was not in force.

The dominant feature in the good general demand from buyers was the strength of the Bradford operators who took ihe greater pioportion of the offering. Continental representatives were keen bidders, while Australia and Japan came into the market whenever the better class wools were forward. France, as usual, paid particular attention to piece descriptions, but even in this section Bradford buyers made their presence felt and frequently outbid their competitors. The Japanese mills wore apparently in search of sound, bright cross-bred sorts of 48-50 quality, and showed particular interest in .wellskirted lines. All sections, however, contributed to the buoyancy of the sale. Not a single lot was neglected, and even old hold over clips sold well. The levels were strongly maintained throughout and the percentage of passings was negligible. An additional distinction' attached to the sale by reason of the fact that the wool forward was of outstanding quality. Brokers and buyers wore in agreement that the clip was the best yet offered at Auckland. A larger percentage of fine sorts was included, and all kinds were well grown and attractively light in condition, indicating that the flocks had come through the winter well. Early shearing also played its part in that it was completed before the fleece had become too heavy in condition. and before seed contamination could occur.

Messrs O’Brien Bros.’ top-priced clip was referred to by one expert as the most beautiful wool he had seen anywhere in New Zealand, being, ho considered. of perfect half-bred quality. The range of prices was as follows, March, 1933, prices being shown for the purposes of comparison ;

November, March, 1933. 193d. Corriedale— d. d. d. d. Super. ... 18? to 231 — Medium ... 162 to 18i — Superfine half-bred— 06/ 58 ... 193 to 204 — Medium balf-bml— 56's super. ilS>. to 191 — Average ... 16 to 18 81 to 91 Inferior ... 14 to 16 5i to 6i Coarse half-bred— 50’s super. 162 to ]8 — Average. ... Ill to 161 61 to 7:1 Inferior ... 12 to Id] 3 to 5 Fine cross-bred — 4S/50 super. .15.1 to 163 — Average ... Id to 14 V 5.1 to 61 Inferior ... 101 to 12 J21 to 4 Medium cross-bred —■ •16/48 super. 121 to l.'il — Average ... KU- to I Si31 to I’Inferior ... 91 to 101 ll to 2i Coarse cross-bred---44/40 super. 8i to 9,? — Average, ... 6.1 to 7 1 2:1 to 31 Inferior ... 5 to 6 H to 2 Low eross-brod— 40/44 super, 71 to 9 — Average ... 51 to 71 2 to d Inferior ... 41 to 5,1 11 to 2 Hoggets— Extra super. half-bred 211 to 25 J- -— Half-bred ... 17 to 181 7 . to 91Fine 14J to 16 5 to 74Medium ... 11 to 14 4 to 5 Coarse ... 8 to 10 3 to 4 Lambs — Fine 46/4* 10? to 11 51 to 71 Sredv and inferior 5J to 71 1 to 4 Bellies and pieces— Cross-bred : Good to super. ... 6 to 8 21 to 31 Low to medium 4 to 51 11 to 21 Half-bred : Bellies and pieces ... 10 to 12 — Crutch mgs—• Medium to Good ... 51 to 61 2 to 2:1 Inferior to seedy ... 3? to 4-J 1 to 11 Locks — . .Cross-bred I3i to li