A “ TOOTH-DRAGGING ” WOOL SALE

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 6

A “ TOOTH-DRAGGING ” WOOL SALE

Halfbreds and Crossbreds Firm on Late Rates CHRISTCHURCH AUCTION Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 14. Wool values followed North Island trends at the fourth aaid final Christchurch auction this morning-. Good halfbreds and Corricdales were fully firm on rates ruling at the March sale, but Merinos were quite a penny easier all round, and other medium and rough fine wools were down by about the same amount. Crossbreds had a.n excellent sale with firm values. Bradford dominated the sale, with fair support from the Continent. The threat of the French embargo on wool buying in the Dominion did not enter into the sale, buying from this section being confined to fairly restrained bidding. Local mills were not particularly active, and this probably accounted for the easing for Merinos. The offering totalled 29,612 bales and was representative of the usual mixed selection at the fourth sale. A wide variety of wool was offered, and a big proportion was rough m appearance. High country clips formed a big proportion of the offering, and a number of crossbred lines were entered from the West Coast and Chathams. Wool held over from earlier sales improved the general quality.

Passings were heavy on the first catalogue, where they amounted to nearly 16 per cent, and represented mainly rough bellies, pieces and other oddments. At this stage the sale was described by an auctioneer as “toothdragging,” with buyers showing an almost complete indifference to many lots, while others failed to attract a bid. The selling improved as the sale progressed, and on the first two catalogues passings averaged about 12 per cent.

The best price of the morning was 14Jd paid for a binned lot. This class made 15£d at the April sale last year. Corriedale, of which only a limited selection was offered, realised to 122 d, this being paid for 16 bales in a Culverden clip. Corriedale tops made 121 d, Merino made to 12id and crossbred to lid.

The following is a range of prices:— Fine halfbred — d. d.

Ex-super to 143 Super to 131 Average ... 91 to 101 Inferior to y Medium halfbred— Super to 12 Average to 10J Inferior to 31 Merino — Super ... 101 to 12} Average to 10* Inferior ... 71 to Hi Corriedale— Super ... Ill to 123 Average ... 91 to lit Inferior to y Fine crossbred— Super ... 101 to 11 Average to 10 Inferior ... 71 to 81 Medium crossbred— Super to 11 Average ... 81 to 91 Inferior to a Bellies— Good to super ... 71 to 81 Rough to medium ... to (Si Pieces— Good to super to 103 Rough to medium ... ... 41 to 8 Cratchings— Good to super to Rough to medium ... to 51 Locks — Medium to good to 5 Rough to medium ... to 4