LONDON WOOL SALES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 58, 9 March 1911, Page 6

LONDON WOOL SALES.

PRICES FIRM AND STEADY

[from otjk correspondent.] LONDON, Jan. 27, 1,911. All things considered the sales are making very good progress, and if a sensible advance cannot be reported, still no weakness is apparent.. It is in no' sense surprising that interest remains undiminished, for all round the marked everybody is manifesting eagerness to know the latest developments, and the course of values is being carefully noted. The attendance is well maintained, and in view of what has recently transpired m consuming centres, it is really surprising the demand there is for the raw material. One cannot help but notice with satisfaction how wool is being absorbed, and .although there cannot possibly be any shortage ©t supplies in the hands of users, still both topmakers and.spinners are prepared to operate on a very, liberal scale. We must say that we are pleased with the free way the raw material is movirig, and it appears as if the carry forward will be in no sense large. : * THE HOME TRADE THE PRINCIPAL BUYER. As one sits in Coleman Street Wool Exchange he cannot but be impressed with the attitude of the Home trade, for without doubt buyers from Yorkshire are giving a long way the best support. Surprise has been frequently expressed at the free bids which are given by Bradford importing topmakers. It is well known they have bought on a liberal scale in Australia, and yet there is no si-^n whatever of their being filled up. The contracts they have running must be larger I than is generally supposed, otherwise they would never be forced into the market to buy at the best possible price, but there seems to be forthoomj ing that healthy support which is indicative, of the sound manufacturing conditions which obtain in the West Riding. No one seems sick of wool, but are buying freely. This we say is a good, sign, and long may it continue. There is every evidence of very large quantities of raw material coming to hand, but so long as yarns ond pieces are despatched to their final destination, so long will topmakers and spinners be encouraged to operate. The course of the sales this week has really not shown much that is

new> but the better bu^in-, spirit, which manifested itself on the second night of the series has continued intact. We think circumstances justify us in saying that as the sales progress the best features become more' 'pronounced. One is missing the competition of the French section considerably, and that is ( one of the weaknesses of the present series. Evidently French buyers have not the faith in prices that is seen on the part of the Home or even the German trades, consequently their operations are being confined to supplying a few special wants. America is not touching merinos, but buying a few fine half breds^ r mostly ' medium descriptions, arid for these some nice prices are being paid. Before dealing with crossbreds I should like to show how merinos are selling compared with the corresponding series a year ago, and the following particulars are well* worth considering:—

Crossbreds are in good supply, and under the competition of Bradford topmakers, are selling very well. Of course, when one contrasts prices with what obtained a year ago, there is a bis; difference. It should be borne in mind that 12 months ago America was in the market, and buying liberally, securing that series something like 12,000 bales. They are particularly keen upon purchasing good half breds and medium crossbreds, and that series they mid some very handsome prices, which proved to be high water mark for the whole of the year. It 1 turned out a bad thing for the buyer, but a good stroke for the grower, but seemingly they are not in a mind for repeating what they did a year ago. I certainly.think that fine halfbreds arei $d to Id down compared with las£ series, in fact, all descriptions of crossbreds are in that category. Sold by Messrs Thomas and Cook. January 18 :—Hillereden Grsy. 6 A A com. H. Hid; do., do lHd;'3B A do H.. 10* d: 35 do., do. lid: 14 800 H. lOd; 10 do., do, 9id; 3 do. lOd : 8 Ist nc«. 10d- 4 do, 3*d: 3 A ouaH^r-*>-<>d, 12kd; 6 A half-bred, lOJd; 4 do, 10d. . ' , Wither: a r «v 4P A h^lf-brpd 12d • 7 do,, do, lljd; 7Bdo H, lOd • 8 do..

do, lOd; 5 do, lOdj 5 A crsbd, B*d; 2 1 do, 9d; 3 Ist half bred pos, 8b&; 2 do., do, 8d; 5 do bellies, 7d. ! CONDITIONS SLIGHTLY BETTER IN BRADFORD. The trade has now had time to digest the verdict of Coleman Street, and everyone sees clearly that values in London are slightly higher than those ruling here. We Cannot say that things have assumed a, bounding attitude, but all the same the market is better, and there is some relief from the,recent spell of depression. The majority seem at present disposed to look with a little more conlidence on. the future, but there is not a return of activity such as we have been accustomed to during the past year. Users are still adopting a hand to mouth policy, believing that they have nothing to fear in regard to higher values. Many are strongly of the" opinion that the bottom has not yet been touched, but all the same the free way the raw material is selling in Coleman Street is without doubt affording encouragement to holders. Those importing wool are to-day raced with some disagreeable losses, but generally speaking this district- will not have heavy losses because of the forward business which has already been done. Imports are now coming to hand very freely, and there is no dearth of supplies. One of the outstanding features of the market continues to be the ready way spinners are taking up 'their old contracts, and they are finding that their yarns are also going out commendably. Some topmakers have seen fit to advance ■their quotations id to 4d, but whether or no they can actually make more money remains to be seen. We are certain that the rot has been stopped for the time being, and we shall now have to wait and see what developments take place. Some spinners have seen fit to cover for the next few months, thinking it policy to buy while.prices were low. At the same time there is no uneasiness manifest over prices rising. It is just possible if London continues firm to the finish that more buying will be done, but at present there is not much indication of renewed activity. Crossbreds are more steady, and a decent article can no longer be secured at 13d. are wanting 13£ d to 14d. and to, all;appearance there is a likelihood of. the hiarKet how assuming more lr,^n^. spinners continue to be well occupied, and-have plenty of particulars^ There is no chr-ige in the mohair department. TbV raw material/ has lapsed into qir-'-ness, and while prices are mostly if- inalj still they are on the whole «+.'!•-ly. Mohair .soinners are certainly in a very comfortable position.

SHAW. Jan Jan series series 1910 1911 Description ' d. d. Scoured AE 284 27* Scoured BE ... ... ... 30* 28* Scoured CE... ...... ... 29*/ -26 Scoured clothing E ... ... 31 29* Scoured 1st pieces 26 ' 26* NC. Grease 1st combing H ... 17 16* Grease 1st combing E ... 18 15* Grease 1st combing W ... 16* 16 Grease 2nd combing ... 16 14* Grease broken 14 13* Grease 1st pieces 12* 12 Grease 2nd pieces 12 11* Grease bellies ... ... ... 10* 10 Grease 1st lambs ... ... 22* 19* Grease. 2nd lambs ... ... 17 14* Grease 3rd lambs ... ... 9* 11 Greace A comeback H ... 16* 15 PORTLAND. Grease 1st combing ... ... 14* 12 Grease 1st coinbing ... ;... 13* 11* Grease 2nd combing H ... 13 11 Grease 2nd combing E ... 12 10* Grease 1st clothing 13* 10 Grease 2nd clothing ... ... 11* 9* Grease B fleece ... 12 11 Grease 1st pieces ... ... 11* 10* Grease A pieces ... ... 12* 10 Grease 1st lambs ... ... 14 11 Grease 2nd lambs ...... 12* 10 Grease 3rds lambs 11 9 MINDEROO. Grease combing ...... 10 8 Grease combing 9 7* Grease clothing .., 9 7* Grease 1st lambs ... ... 8* 8 Grease 2nd lambs 7£ 6* Grease backs ... 6* 5£ Grease necks ... 9* 8* Grease 1st pieces ...... 8* 7£ Grease 2nd pieces ... ... 7£ 5* Grease locks 3| 4