WOOL SURPRISE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 7 April 1934, Page 4

WOOL SURPRISE

KEEN CHRISTCHURCH PRICES. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. The fourth and final wool sale of the Christchurch season was held this afternoon. Owing to the free disposal at the preceding sales, there was a very small catalogue of 4262 hales. The selection was a poor one, comprising mostly back-country, West Coast, ana bold-over wools, which were mainly shabby and heavy in condition. Competition was unexpectedly keen, especially from the Continent, which lifted most of the fine quality fleece and pieces. Bradford buyers were comparatively quiet, confining their attention to lower grade topmaking wools. The clearance was approximately 95 per cent. Fleece wools of 48 count and over were better than at the March sale by a farthing to a penny per lb. Fine pieces showed a slightly better appreciation, most of them averaging from a halfpenny to a full penny more. This estimate makes allowance for the difference in quality at the two sales. Crossbred showed little if any difference, but was up to rates ruling recently a.t other centres.

The offering was of an unattractive character, representing a “clean-up” of the season’s wool. Pieces formed the major portion and crossbred lots were also numerous. A few clips of good average Corriedale and halfbred were forward, but most of the wool was heavier in condition and carried more dust than wool offered, at the earlier sales.

There was practically a full bench of buyers, all European buying points being represented, in addition to local mills and fellmongers, the latter of whom competed actively. The sale was a pleasant surprise for vendors. The market for all classes of fine pieces and fleece was better than at the sale on March 2. French and Bradford competition was keen throughout, the former for fine pieces and Bradford for all classes of fleece. There was very little wool offered suitable for the German trade, but some of the highpriced lots were secured for Germany. The comparative absence of high-class fleece wools restricted competition from local mills, but fellmongers secured a much heavier proportion of pieces than usual.

Considering the quality of the catalogue, the sale was an excellent one. The top price of the sale was 20Jd for three bales of halfbred. Fifteen hales of halfbred made 20d, and seven bales of halfbred sold at 194 d. The best Corriedale figure was 20d for five bales. The next Corriedale price was 19jd for 15 bales. The best Merino price was 19Jd for 17 bales, ewe. Fine pieces made up to 17|d and five bales of halfbred necks also sold at 17Jd. Following is the range of prices:—

Merino. 64/70, 60/64— d. d. Super 13 to 194 Average 15J to 17a Inferior 12 to 15 Corned ale — Super 18J to 20 Average 16a to 18 Inferior ... 134 to 154 Fine half bred, 58, 56/58, 56Super loj? to 204 Average 164 to 184 Inferior 14 to 16 Medium halfbred, 50/56, 50— Super 16§ to 174 Average 144 to 164 Inferior ... 124 to 14 Extra Fine Crossbred, 48/50 — Average 10 to 124 Inferior 3 to 94 Fine Crossbred, 46/48 — Super to 94 Average 74 to Fj Inferior 5| to 7 Medium Crossbred, 44/46 — Average 64 io 74 Inferior 44 to 6 Bellies— Halfbred, good ... 13 to 13^ Halfbred, low to medium 104 to 124 Pieces— Halfbred, good 154 to 17J

Halfbrod. low to medium Bellies and pieces— 11 to 15 Crossbred, good 8 to 94 Crossbred, low to medium 41 to 71 Crutchinprs— Ha If bred, med. to good 71 to 101 Halfbred, inf. and seedy to 7 Crossbred, med. to good 5£ to 8i ( Voss bred, inf. and seedy 3 to 5 Looks— Merino 7J, to 8! Ha.lfhred 6i to 84 Crossbred 4 to 6