SUCCESSFUL OPENING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11686, 26 November 1923, Page 11

SUCCESSFUL OPENING

AUCKLAND WOOL SALES PRICES REALISED MUCH EXCEED ANTICIPATIONS.BIG BENCH OF BUYERS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 24. The first wool sale of the season was held to-day, and was attended by the largest bench of buyers ever seen at a local sale. They represented all sections of the trade from an consuming centres, including British, French, Belgian, American, German, Japanese, Australian and New Zealand mills. , ~ Reports from Christchurch and Wellington showed that practically the whole catalogue bad been cleared at an advance on last year, especially crossbreds, and as this grade comprises the bulk of the Auckland clip, it was anticipated that high prices would rule. . As a matter of fact the prices. obtained exceeded anticipations, resulting in an almost complete clearance, 98 per cent, of the 11,989 bales offered (compared with 11.516 last year) being quitted at prices in advance of southern rates. PRICES RUN UP. A feature of the sale was that in some lines, principally unshorn hoggets, first fleeces and lambs, after the room had apparently finished bidding two or three buyers would run prices up another 8d or 4d per lb, Continental buyers being specially conspicuous. The wool showed a decided improvement in quality and appearance generally The bulk of it was of light condition, and there was a larger proportion of finer wool than usual at Auckland. Owing no doubt to the mild winter in some districts there was .quite a percentage of tender wool on offer. As anticipated, the principal rise in price affected from medium to lower quality crossbred and bellies and pieces. Taken right through the sale was probably the most satisfactory ever held here. PRICES REALISED. The prices were as follow, those of last year's corresponding sale being in parenHa?fbred—Super 22nd to 24id (20d to 21id), average 19d to 20id (17d Fine Croesbred—Super 18d to ISid (13Jd to 174 d), average 16Id. to 17d (llld to 13d), inferior lid to 15id <9d to 10d) Medium Crossbred— Super 15d to l&Jd (lid to 13id), average 12d to l*id (Bid to »id), infenor lOd to Hid (6id to 7|d) Coarse Crossbred—Super lid to 12id (71d to Bid), average 10d to lid (6id to 7Jd), infenor 9d to 9M.(6d to 7d). Low Crossbred—Average 9d to lOd (6d Hragets—Super 16d to 17!d (12d to 14d), medium lid to 15id (9id to lid), inferior l»d to liid (7d to Bid). Lambs-Fine 15d to 18id <l2id to 133 d), medium 13d to liid <9d to 12d), seedy and inferior 7d to lOd (3jd to 6id). Crutchings—Medium to good 6W to 8d (id to sd), seedy and inferior 5d to 6sd (2ld to 3Jd). ' . Bellies and Pieces—Good to super 12d to 14£d (5d to 7d), low to medium 8d to I< L*&B, t 4d 4 *to’sjd (2d to 2id). RESULTS SURPRISING MORE BUYERS PRESENT. FURTHER PRICES. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, November 25. "Since last year several wool buying firms havo established representatives here, but although good prices were expected the results surprised some people,” said a representative of a woofbroking firm. Prices are advancing from ljd to 2d over last February’s sales for crossbreds, fine crossbreds, 46 s to 48's, were in strong competition, both American and Bradford advancing 2d over last February sales. Medium .crossbreds, 44’s and 46’s, advanced Jd to lid, whilst coarse, 40’s and 44’s, had a keen demand from Bradford and German operators, advancing by from lid to 2d. There was keen competition for hogget wool, prices paid being for a-bbve anything known- here for years and ranging up to Is 6d.