CANTERBURY WOOL

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 5

CANTERBURY WOOL

BEST SALE OF SEASON Crossbred Nearly Penny Higher [Per Press Association!. CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. Animated and steady buying, mainly from the Continent and local mills made the first Christchurch sale of the new season, held to-day, the best of the New Zealand series to date. The values for half-breds were well above expectations, and there was a rise of from a half-penny to just under one penny on the Wellington crossbred rates. Bidding was free throughout the day, and the tone of the sale was excellent. The original allocation for the sale was 28,000 bales, but withdrawals earlier, and a few more just beiore the sale oegan, reduced tne offering to a little under 24,000 bales The growers showed every willingness to meet the market, and passings were normal. Prices were, of course, much below the high values of the first sale of last year, when the Japanese, having refused to buy in Australia, were forced to get their supplies at any price, and, in competition among themselves, sent the values 'rocketing. The returns from to-day’s sale will, however, be most acceptable to growers. Prices were from par to higher than the prices at the first sale in the 19351936 season, when the farmers were elated at the rise following years of depressed values. A most pleasing feature of the sale was that, while there were no unduly high prices paid the average was excellent, and every type of wool met a good demand. Top price was 201 d, for four bales of half-bred ewe, sold on behalf or J. F. Scott, Mount Pleasant. RANGE OF PRICES. CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. The official report on the wool sale was as follows: — The selection was a good one, and I comprised mainly fine quality wools, with hoggets predominating. Most of the latter were light in condition, sound and well grown, and brighter in appearance than anticipated. Bidding was animated and well sustained throughout the sale. The main competition came from Continental buyers, being supported by Bradford and local mills.

A good clearance was effected at auction, about 95 per cent, being disposed of under the hammer. The range of prices was as follows:—

Merino —64/70, 60/64: Super 15d to 17 id.; average 13d to 143 d; inferior IOSd to 121 d. Corriedale: Extra super, to 191 d; super, 143 d to 18d; average, 13d to 15d; inferior, lid to 123 d. Fine half-bred —58, 56/58, 56: Extra super to 203 d; super 153 d to 17d; average, 133 d to 153 d; inferior, 12d to 13d.

Medium half-bred: 50-56, 50: Super 143 d to 153 d, average 123 d to 14d, inferior lOd to 12d. Extra fine Crossbred—4B/50: Super 12d to 133 d, average lid to 123 d, inferior 9d to 103 d.

Fine crossbred: Super 113 d to 13d, average.lo3d to llid, inferior 9d to lOd.

Medium Crossbred —44/46: Super lid to Hid, average 93d to 103 d, inferior 8d to 93d. Bellies and Pieces: Merino, good to super, lHd to 14d, low to medium 8d to lid. Bellies, half-bred: Good to super, 103 d to 12d; low to medium, 83d to lOd. Pieces: Halfbred, good to super, 12d to 153 d; low to medium, 7d to Hid. Bellies and pieces—Crossbred: Good to super, 9d Io lid; low to medium, 63d to Sid. Crutchings: Halfbred, medium to good, 8d to 103 d; inferior and seedy, 5d to 73d; crossbred, medium to good, 8d to lOd; inferior and seedy, 5d to 73d. Locks: Halfbred 53d to 63d; crossbred 4d to 6d. RISE AT SYDNEY SALES. ,® (Receivfei-’December 12, 9.45 p.m.) a SYDNEY, December 12. At to-day’s wool sales, 8.191 bales were offered and 7,540 bales were sold, also 1,284 bales privately. The keenest of competition came from the Continent. Yorkshire and Japan. The market was fully five per cent, above the closing rates of last week for all except faulty descriptions. Crossbreds also shared in the advance. Greasy Merino made 26d. The average price last week was £l6 2s 8d per bale, or 13.4 pence per lb.