WOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4510, 3 September 1875, Page 2

WOOL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, — My accuracy was lately challenged in reference to Rio Plata wool, so I send the following extract from a statement published quite recently by Messrs. Renard, Brothers and Co,, wool brokers, Antwerp and Melbourne; — _ , , “Now if we consider that of these 249,009 bales, 150,931 (imported to Antwerp in 1874) were Rio Plata wools, weighing on an average 8 cwt., &c. I have stated Rio Plata bales as weighing SOOlbs., giving as my authority Mr. Latham, and now find the weight is stated at 8901b5., showing that X was twelve per cent, too low. , , . , "The fine long wools from Monte video, winch are improving every year and competing in the European market with Australasion combing wools, have already brought to Antwerp the French combers, and those from Bradford and Huddersfield. The latter lias found, moreover, that the transport by steamer and rail to those manufacturing places does not exceed the cost of railway carriage from London.” This extract does not show that Rio Plata wools are quite so worthless as suggested by my crlticiser. Whilst on the subject I may state these gentlemen have published a most instructive and interesting pamphlet on the Antwerp wool trade, well worthy the attention of wool shippers, for it shows that they would save some £2 10s. per halo by shipping direct to the continent. One man cannot make an auction unless ho is a ventriloquist, or lias a remarkable imagination. Tho principle involved, however, is plain, the more markets tho better; it the more people at an auction tho better bo an admitted fact. This lias been denied by T-ondon brokers of course, and recalls to mind the establishment of our first insurance office, wfion it was gravely urged that wo had better narrow the compass by doing all insurances with London through Now Zealand agents. I suspect tho quick perceptive powers of the Agency Company will soon lead them to open a branch in Antwerp. X can see if they do they will never regret it, and add largely to their Australasian and New Zealand export, and I suspect imxiort, by indent, too. _ ~ They should publish a work, too, on wool. It would sell well, for it is much wanted, aud facts from all parts of tho world may bo obtained, I suspect, from tho consular reports. Whilst on wool, I will state a very Uttlo on errors about tunnel aud railroad bridge. Weil, the last has been allowed three months more time, and the former I know not how much. I merely refer to this to show I was not wrong, and when the time Ims been allowed to meet unanticipated difficulties.—l am, .be,, Samuel Revans. Woodsldo, September 1.