MONEY IN RABBIT SKINS.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1444, 24 July 1933, Page 6

MONEY IN RABBIT SKINS.

“ The rise is simply sensational,” said a Chirstchurch skin dealer, referring to the increase in the price of rabbit skins. “If anyone had told me six weeks ago that prices would go up like that I should have told him he was a candidate for the asylum.” A little less than four years ago the value of first grade skins was about 120 d to 130 d. When the slump in prices occurred it fell to 24d, and was still as low as 48d just before the present rise began. While prices were low the poor grade skins were practically valueless, but when prices were high they were worth as much as 40d or 50d.- To-day they are bringing from 20d to 40d. The dealer explained that the increase in price was solely due to the fact that, with the change in the value of the gold dollar, American buyers had come into the market. There had been little or, no change ir. the English market, but the American dealers were buying heavily and with them price seemed to be a secondary consideration. The skins were used for fur coats, and high prices were paid for bucks, because their tougher skins could be more easily machined than those of the does, and because they took dye more satisfactorily.