THE WOOL MARKET.

Evening Star, Issue 22192, 21 November 1935, Page 10

THE WOOL MARKET.

There is nothing more sensitive in the economic world than th© wool market, so that it would be very unwise to enter into the realm of prophecy even for the near future. It can be said, however, that the indications are promising. The series of sales in Australia has revealed marked strength with a sustained demand, and yesterday’s message from Sydney reported strong general competition, with the market exceedingly firm at late levels. The position in the Commonwealth, which is so large a producer of merino wool, is different from New Zealand, where the cross-bred yields about 90 per cent, of the total clip; but it is specially interesting to Dominion growers because it' shows that manufacturers in Britain, on the Continent, and in Japan need the raw material. This is confirmed by the opening of tho London sales, the prices, compared with the October closing rates,’ showing an advance all round of 2d to Id per pound. The weight of the New Zealand clip will be thrown on the market presently, but it is believed that the statistical position of the stocks available, combined with signs of economic recovery in several of the Continental countries, will have favourable reactions on the market generally, and that the Dominion wool growers will receive better returns than they did last year. There is a considerable carry-over of wool, but it is not as great as was anticipated. The market is still'hampered by conditions in some of the Continental countries. Germany, which normally took, directly or indirectly, about a quarter of the New Zealand clip, is buying little because of the financial stringency there, and with the application of sanctions Italy will be out of the market. In France the political situation is tense, but evidently the manufacturing industries in the northern areas are brisk, judging by the fact that French operators were bidding at London in considerable strength. Russia is showing increased activity in the wool market. Potentially that country, because of climatic conditions, is a great consumer of the raw material. At the moment negotiations are proceeding in London to increase the flow of trade between Britain and Russia, and if these are successful the effect on the wool market will be decidedly beneficial. There are possibilities, also, of increased consumption in the United States. According to Lord Barnby, a member of an important Yorkshire wool firm, who is at present in the Dominion, America can now use all the wool she produces. The demand is rapidly expanding, so that very soon she will have to seek supplies from outside. Fashion plays an important part in the woo) industry. Just now, for men’s suitings and for women’s garments and knitting purposes, fine wool (merino) is in great demand. The consolation from New Zealand’s point of view is that the stocks of merino wool in Australia and other countries that produce the finer types are light, and this means, ol course, a strengthening in the demand for the best kinds of cross-bred, which is New Zealand’s mainstay in wool production. The sales in the Dominion begin next Tuesday at Auckland, where shearing has been much hampered by bad weather. If better prices arc recorded, as seems probable, it will be an inducement to growers to accept the terms offering rather than adopt the risky and expensive method of holding back their wool,*

The Otago High Schools Board has been giving consideration to the question of admitting senior pupils to the new High School next year. The intention was that in its first year the school should have only first and second-year pupils, but, as the parents of some senior pupils also expressed a desire to enrol them in the new school, the board has been making inquiries as to how many pupils now attending the Otago Boys’ High School, who will next year be in their third or later year, would desire to make the transfer. These inquiries have shown that a sufficient number of senior pupils would enrol to warrant the establishment of a fifth form, and the board has consequently decided to permit the enrolment of such pupils next year. There has been an impression in some quarters that the new school will not carry its pupils to as high a standard as other secondary schools. That impression is erroneous. The school wil! provide courses similar to those pro vided in the Otago Boys’ High School, and will prepare pupils for the following examinations and bursaries:—lntermediate (senior free place), school certificate, University . entrance, higher leaving certificate, University national and junior scholarships, accountancy, and various educational bursaries. In order to give those who are unable to attend the evening recitals an opportunity of hearing a programme on the Town Hall organ, the city organist (Dr V. E. Galway) has arranged a recital for Sunday next in the Town Hall at 3 o’clodk. A very attractive programme is being provided, including such items as ‘ Fantasie on 01 Sauctissima ’ (Lux), ‘ Andante,’ based on the Westminster chimes (Westbrook), Bach’s ‘ Prelude .. and Fugue in A Minor,’' 1 Suite Gothique ’ (Buellmaim), ‘ln Springtime’ . IHollins), ‘ Londonderry Air ’ (arranged by Coleman), overture to , ‘ William Tell (Rossini), a special request item. There will he no charge for admission. A general advance of 2s a head on all prime sheep was recorded at the start of the sale at Burnside yesterday afternoon, but the increase- was not maintained, prices over the last two races easing to Is below last week s rates. Prices: Extra prime heavy wethers, 42s to 45s 6d; prime heavies, woolled 39s to 41s, shorn 28s to 32s 3d: medium find light wooded 30s to 365, shorn 24s t 0.275; extra prime heavy ewes, wooled 34s to 43s 3d, shorn 25s 3d; prime heavy, 29s to 335, shorn 21s to 23s 6d; medium and light, 26s to 28s 6d, shorn 19s to 20s 6d. The postal authorities advise that the Raugitata, which reached Auckland from London on Wednesday, has 84 bags of English mail for Dunedin. The mail is due at the. local office tomorrow afternoon. A first class passenger, Mrs E. Bevington, of London, who was travelling with her husband to Sydney, disappeared from the Rangitata on November 3 when the vessel was three days out from Panama (states an Auckland message). Mrs Bevington had been married only a short time. Captain Holland said ho received a report early in the morning that Mis Bevington was missing, and a thorough search was made without result. The Rangitata then steamed hack over the water already covered with floodlights trained from either bow. This was continued for an hour, but no trace of the missing woman was seen. There was nothing to indicate how Mrs Bevington disappeared. A charge of assault that was preferred against a young married man in the Police Court last week was this morning adjourned for 12 months by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. In this case the defendant, who had been drinking, went to his Lome and slapped his wife in the face. Mr C. J. L. White informed the magistrate to-day that there had been a complete reconciliation, the police agreeing that there was no need for further action. In a further case brought about by domestic discord William Brown was proceeded against by his wife on a complaint for maintenance. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate made an. order for 35s a we ex, and fixed past maintenance at £8 15s. • . ;

The City Fire Brigade turned out ,at 9.22 this morning, when a four-roomed wooden dwelling at 17 Osmond street was found to be on lire. The kitchen was slightly damaged by the outbreak, which was caused by range polishing cloths, presumably smouldering, which had been placed in a cupboard. Telephone subscribers are advised that the information section of the Post and Telegraph Department in the four main cities will not be .available for the dissemination of election results next Wednesday night. This course is to be taken in order to leave the operator free to supply any normal , information required at a time when the exchange is already working with a full load. According to a report received by the Otago Acclimatisation Association, the Shag River is carrying a" fair amount of water. Bags up to 10 fish were taken at the week-end, including one of eight fish taken with the fly. They averaged 13oz and were in beautiful condition. Changeable, cold weather is the only factor against good fishing at present. The best fishing has been just at dusk, but with a few warm days good sport should be available. The second of the new fire machines ordered by the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board has now arrived in town, and was to be handed over to the brigade this afternoon. Except for one or two minor details, this machine is a replica of the one delivered a few weeks ago, and will be sent out to the South Dunedin station, from which it will answer all calls in that district, and also act as a “ backing ” machine for tho city. To give increased speed on the hi.ll, the second machine’s gent ratio lias been altered, and if the adjustment proves successful a similar alteration will be made to the one housed at the central station. The air mail despatched- from New Zealand on November 2 by the Aus-tralia-Singapore-England service arrived in London on November 18. Appreciation of the Railway Board’s decision to revert to the earlier practice of accepting full responsibility for the maintenance of boundary fences ad joining railway reserves has been expressed in a telegram sent to the Prime Minister by the provincial secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The telegram stated; “ Otago farmers delighted at the Railway Board’s decision to undertake complete upkeep of all railway fences and to make a start on fences destroyed_ by the recent fires in the Gatlins district. The union’s executive feels that the decision' will give satisfaction to all sections of the community in view of the fact that it is ,in the interests and for the safety of tho general public.”. The provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union told a ‘ Star ’ reporter this morning that the matter had occupied the attention of the farmers’ organisation for some time, and that success had only been achieved after several deputations had been made to the board.

To'see or not to see—the question is who to see. See Stunner and Watson, opticians, 2 Octagon. Dunedin.—fAdvt.] The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society this evening yrill dispose of £1,500 by sale and ‘" ~ “