WOOL SALE SERIES

Evening Star, Issue 26038, 28 February 1947, Page 8

WOOL SALE SERIES

THIRD GHRISTGHURGH AUCTION FINE TYPeTfULLY FIRM (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 27. Excellent prices again ruled for fine wools at the third main Christchurch wool sale of this season. All classes of fine wools were fully firm on the satisfactory rates of the second sale last month, and

the best of the fine half-breds were up to 1d firmer. Lower crossbreds were from par to a shade lower, and pieces were firmer.

The catalogue totalled 26,913 bales. Continental buyers again bought the largest share of the offering. They competed freely for all types. Bradford buyers were more active than they were at earlier sales, and United States competition was keen for the best of the fine wools.

The top price for the sale was 39Jd for three bales of merino ewe and 39d was paid for merino ewe hogget. The best half-bred price was 32d, and Corriedales made up to the same price. The wool was not up to the standard of the second sale, and, considering this, the sale yesterday was highly satisfactory. Passings among the fine wools were negligible, and even among the cross-breds they were small. The offering was typical of a third Christchurch sale. Much of the wool was from late-shorn high-country clips, with a liberal sprinkling of cross-breds from Banks Peninsula, the West Coast, and from small farms on the plains. An excellent showing of merinos was forward from Mnrlhoro"<rh. which —as represented by several large clips. The wool was tuuiuiy well gu*» u and tree from serious fault, but much of it was yolk-stained as the result of wet weather late in the growing season. Little extra-super • wool was included, most of this type being cleaned up at the second sale

Considering the quality of the offering, the prices were most satisfactory. Early in the day prices were on a par with those at the second sale for all classes except average cross-breds and three-quarter-breds, which were slightly lower. Just before lunch the sale livened up and bidding remained brisk and at times animated. For the rest of the day prices became firmer. Over the whole sale, the best of fine halfbveds were from par to Id firmer, with other half-breds fully firm on the prices at the last sale. All Merinos were fully firm, as were fine cross-breds and three-quarter-breds. Average, to low cross-breds were a shade easier. All pieces were fully firm to a shade dearer.

French buying again dominated the market with United States competition strong for the best wools. The local mills were again competing freely for super lines of .fine wool. Bradford competition was considerably more pronounced than at either of the earlier sales, particularly the December sale. Bradford was bidding for. a wide range of types and was particularly keen to obtain top-making sorts. The passings, which were almost all crossbreds, aggregated a little more than 4 per cent, of the catalogue. Like the two previous sales, this one was not noisy, but the pace was markedly quicker. - One catalogue was sold at the average of 500 bales an " hour, a rate that was seldom exceeded at prewar auctions.