HIGH PRICES FOR WOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 12

HIGH PRICES FOR WOOL.

FIRM TONE AT NAPIER SALE OPENING RATES MAINTAINED. FINER SORTS SLIGHTLY FIRMER. BRADFORD'S BUYING INCREASED. [BY telegraph.—own correspondent. ] NAPIER, Friday. An advance of up to 2d per lb. on the top prices of last March, with prices practically on a par with those ruling at the Wellington sale a few days ago—coarser wools being a shade easier and finer wools firmer—about sums up the market at the wool sale in Napier today. For that happy position farmers have chiefly to thank the Continental buyers, who had very elastic limits, with Bradford operators competing all the time just sufficiently to keep other operators up to their limits and at the same time getting just what wool they want at the moment. Bradford buyers operated more successfully than they did at Wellington and a larger proportion of the catalogue fell to their bids. Still, Bradford has not yet really entered into the market, and the feeling seems to be that after next Tuesday, when the London sales begin, Bradford will have a more definite basis and will then begin to* lift her customary weight of wool. Wanganui is the next New Zealand sale and no doubt will participate in the present advance. Then comes the Auckland sale and the opinion is held that it will determine tho standard for the season. Strong Continental Competition. Competition was very keen to-day and on finer wools and necks and pieces French buyers operated , with freedom, almost at times, it seemed, without any limit. New buyers who have not operated in Napier in the last few seasons were noticeably active on these lines and their competition no doubt helped to sustain the market. Belgium and Germany were noticeably in the market for wools that suited them, while any wools that came up to American requirements was quickly bought at prices satisfactory to the producer. There was activity also on the part of Australian firms desiring wool for immediate consumption. Generally prices were beyond the limits of local scourers. Only occasionally did a lot fall to their bid. The condition of this season's clip has something to do with the improved prices. It is one of tho best for some time, as it shows a good amount of condition, is better grown, very attractive and a good deal heavier. Hogget wool perhaps is inclined to bo a little tender, but wools from the coast and Wairoa noticeably are lighter. The catalogue totalled 15,205 bales and, with the exception of an odd lot, it was all sold under tho hammer. The Range ol Prices. The official range of prices is as follows :

Halfbred— d. d. Super r.v v.r.-.- 20 i to 24 i Average -.a r. . 10 to 20'Southdown ,i 195 to 22 j CoarBe Halfbred— Super .. t.-.i r.v 39 to -211 Average i..\ r. .1 r.v lGJ to 18 Inferior .. . r.v 14 to 15} Fine Crossbred— Super . r.-.T r.-.i 17 to 19! Aver a go r. .■ r..t r. .■ 15 to 1GJ Inferior •.. .1 u.: 13 to 14} Medium Crossbred— Super .. . isv If) to 17} Average 14 to 15} Inferior .. -.v 12i tO 13* Coarse Crossbred— Super .. t.-a r.ra 141 to 10J Average .. r. 13 to 14i Inferior .. 1..: 10 to 125 Low Crossbred— Super 1 . r.v r.-.- 13| to lis Average 1.. 1..: ..v 11§ to 13 Inferior t..i r...i 9i to 11 Hoggets— 60/56's r.-.i r.v sv 3 9 J to 22J 48/50's 1..1 r. .1 r. .■ 1G to 21 46/48's r.i 1..: 44/4(3's 40/44's r.v r.v r..i 155 to 192 .. 14i to 17f r. .• 14 to 36i 36/40'8 r.-.i 12 to 13 Larnba .. ..i r.v Hi to 161 Pieces and Necks — Good to super r.-. 10 to 19 Low to medium r. .■ 10 to 15 Seedy r.v 72 to 95 Bellies— r.-v 12 J to 14i Good to super Low to medium r. .• 9 to 12 Seedy . • .v r.v 81 to 91 Crutchings— v.- 10 to 125 Good to super Low to medium v t. .1 7 J to 9J Inferior to seedy r. •• 5 to 7 Locks crossbred ■. .• 7 to 81