RECORD WOOL PRICES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11702, 14 December 1923, Page 6

RECORD WOOL PRICES

SECOND CHRISTCHURCH SALE. A NOTABLE CATALOGUE. Per Prebs Association. CHRISTCHURC3, December 13. The second wool sale of the season was held to-day. The catalogue comprised 23,715 bales. The wool was in excellent condition, being bright and well-grown and remarkably free from dust, the result of the exceptionally favourable season. In addition, the catalogue was outstanding in the class of wool offered, as the earlier season permitted quite a number of clips to come forward that, as a rule, are not catalogued until the January sale. As, therefore, the greater part represented station flocks of fine woolled 6heep, the general character of the catalogue was very much enhanced. It was a subject of comment amongst buyers that tho catalogue was the best for quality and variety yet offered in the Dominion. The sale was a notable one. The local mills set the pace for highgrade wools, and secured a heavy proportion of the super lots, but were pursued to the last bid by the American, and in some cases by Home, buyers. The number of Continental buyers has increased sinoe last sale, and there was buying to-day on behalf of the leading European States, it being understood that one lot of purchases is destined for Russia* As an indication of the vigour of the market, only two small lots of merino (a to.tal of twelve bales) were passed in. For the first catalogue of 5730 bales, the demand was remarkably solid for all classes, there being no easing in the competition for either best or lowest quality. THE TOP PRICES. The top prices up to the dinner adjournment this evening, when 13,000 bales had been sold, were: Merino 29id, balfbred 29d, and Corriedale 29d (records), three-quarterbred 24Jd (also A record), and crossbred 21d down to 25Jd. Merino prices made up to 23Jd, balfbred to 24jd, Corriedale 25fd, crossbred 14R1, balfbred bellies to 204 d, merino locks to 13ld, and crutchings l to 13d. Whilst all classes of wool appreciated substantially on those of the November sale, crossbreds showed the best proportionate rise. Halfbred and Corriedale improved by about 2d to 2id, and fine and medium crossbred by from 2d to 2Jd. Pieces and general fellmongering lots showed, in many cases, an improvement of 2d to 3d. The average was from ’2d to 2jd. Merino sold practically at the same rates as last year. It is proposed to conclude the sale this evening, and it ia probable that it will take until considerably after midnight. RANGE OF VALUES. The following is the range of values:

Merino— November. December, d. d. d. d. 34 to 26} 18 to 23} 23 to 28 24 to 26} 18} to 23} 25 to 29 21} to 24} 18 to 21 25 to 29 21} to 24} 17} to 21 18} to 24 15} to 17} 12 to 15} 16 to 19 13} to 15} 11} to 13 13 to 15 11} to 12} 10} to 11} 19 to 23} 19} to 24} 16 to 19 20 to 25} 16} to 19} — to 13} 6} to 8} 6 to 6} 16' to 20} 7 to 10} 10} to 13 8 to 10} Inferior ..... ......... Corriedclo — 19} to 22} Half-bred — 33 to 25} 1.9* to 22} Three-quarterbred— Super 17 to 20} Medium 14} to 16) Medium crossbred 34} to 16} Hi to 14 £} to 11 11} to 13 10 to 11} 8} to 9} 18 to 23} 17} to 21} 13- to 17 17 to 21 Coarse crossbred'— Merino pieces Hnlfbred pieces— Corriedale pieces— Locks-— 6i to &\ 5i to 7 Bellies —■ Halflinod Crossbred Crutchings— 9} to 18} 7 to 9} 10 to 121 Gdedium 7 to 9}