MONEY IN BUNNIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 August 1925, Page 3

MONEY IN BUNNIES.

HIGH PRICES AND STEADY

AMERICANS LARGEST BUYERS

For the past fifteen or twenty years, I auctioneers of rabbit-skins<iu Dunedin — there are eigh t of tlieni —have been selling all the year through. Dunedin is practically the only auctioneering mar. ket in New Zealand; it is actually so, save for, perhaps, three- or four sales during the year in Wellington. The cause of the market settling in Dunedin was that at one time Otago and Southland were the only districts in which the rabbit was a malignant pest. Of late years 'hunnv lias spread to the whole Dominion, and skins now come to the Dunedin auctions from all parts from Auckland to Bluff. Very large supplies are being received from North Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country. Taihape is one of the chief contributing districts in the North Island. It may seem strange, IVut it is a fact, that some of the North Island skins compare favourably with those of Otago and Southland. Those North Island skins come from the high country where the temperature must lie at least as low as in the South. Offerings during the past year or two have apparently increased. The total quantity sold in the Dunedin market at auction’ for the month that ended to day was 296,4181 b, the value being roughly estimated as from £90,00(1 to £150,000. As this money has all been earned by trappers it will be seen that the industry absorbs a vast amount of labour. Prices for skins have been steadily high in the last two years. Largest buyers are Americans, who, during the present season have- taken' quite three fourths of the total offerings. Ameri cans seem to have transferred then rabbit-skin buying to a large extent from London. They now buy in the country of origin. This means that Uncle Sam can pay prices quite equivalent to those of the London market Trappers, therefore, get the full benefit of American competition. The only skins that Americans arc not greatly interested in are the best descriptions of winter doeskins. They doAiot seem to he able to compete with the Contin.ent in make-up.