OTAGO WOOL CLIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23688, 21 December 1938, Page 9

OTAGO WOOL CLIP

FIRST SALE OF SEASON VALUES NOT ENCOURAGING crossbreds; still in demand The first wool sale of the 1938-39 season in Otago in Burns Hall yesterday did nothing to encourage growers in the hope that values would be higher than at the opening sale of the previous season in December last year. The rates: ruling .at yesterday’s auction were firm on prices obtained at the Timaru sale last week, but they did not maintain the strength exhibited at the Christchurch sale on December 12. Fine wools, are apparently not wanted at the moment, and the demand for crossbreds continues. The state of the market may be gauged from the fact that the TO/Strathclyde brand topped the Christmas sale last year with 22|d, and this year achieved the same distinction with a peak price of 15^d. Good crossbreds can be assured of a ready sale for the rest of the season, but the position of growers of fine wools, never secure of late, is rendered even less certain by current rates, which are definitely below production costs.

mediate requirements could be purchased at the present time. That was one of the reasons for the definitely restricted limits under which most operators were buying. One prominent buyer, representing three or four countries stated that political upheavals and the variety of alarms and excursions that had been experienced lately did not go hand in hand with heavy wool buying and good prices. The financial situation in Japan apparently still precludes any possibility of extensive buying by her representatives. She took only small quantities yesterday, but the view was expressed in one quarter that, although the problem of finance and credits was admittedly a serious one for Japan, it was possible, if not probable, that the huge purchases made in both Australia and New Zealand two years ago were aimed at a building up of stpeks. If that were so it would mean that selling countries would have been no better off to-day as far as a Japanese demand was concerned, than if the war with China had never begun. Whatever the actual position may be, it is certain that the hopes which were entertained earlier in the season of a good healthy inquiry from the East have not materialised. Fine Wools Disappointing Easily the most discouraging feature of the sale was the reception which fine: wools had at the hands of all buyers. The price per lb of the finer descriptions is well below the cost odE production, and the outlook is far from bright for back country and hill station growers who rely almost entirely on wool for their income. Many of them have no surplus stock to fall back on at all,, and those who have generally get only a few shillings a head for them. The crossbred wool grower has his iambs and surplus stock to supplement an income from wool which at the present time at least is considerably better than that of the producer of fine wools. Even the super lines this year are not attracting the usual attention. OFFICIAL REPORT The official report of the Dunedin Woolbrokers’ Association’ is as follows: The first sale ol the 1938-39 wool season was held yesterday at Burns Hall, when catalogues totalling 24,297 bales were offered. There was a full bench of buyers in attendance, representing all consuming countries. The qualities of the wool on offer were generally not up to the standard of the usual first sale offerings at this centre. The dry conditions prevailing in the autumn, followed by a fairly severe winter, together with a marked shortage of feed, had an adverse effect on the clip of this province. The catalogues contained a fair percentage of hogget wool and a quantity of ewe wool. The former showed slight tenderness in a number of cases, and the latter was inclined to be short and thin in the fibre. North Otago wools, however, were better grown and freer from dust than usual. The Central Otago clips varied in condition, and were not up to last year’s standard. From the outset of the sale to the finish competition was keen, and more spread, but buyers were operating on rigid limits. The. Continent was the keenest operator, being well supported by Bradford. Germany and Japan were in the market only to a limited extent. The American purchases were of small compass. Local mills were operating on lots suitable for their trade, but not to the same extent as in previous years on-- account of carrying substantial stocks. A feature of the sale was the keen competition for crossbreds. Fine wools did not command the same attention. but readily sold at the limits available. It was noticeable that skirt- ; ings were in strong demand, especially from the Continent. The only exception was fine crutchings. which were inclined to be neglected. The market can be stated to be firm on Timaru Crossbred values were fair, considering the unsettled conditions, but fine wools were disappointing. In an urn- . ber of cases, growers were not inclined to meet the market, and this resulted , in approxiamtely 10 per cent, of the total offering being passed at auction. I Since the sale, a number of passed lots have been disposed of. The top orice realised on the sale was lota for four bales of extra super fine halfbred ewe and wethers. Other sales were made up to 15d. The following is the official range of orices:— Merino — Super, to 14Jd. Average. 10id to Hid. Inferior, 9|d to 10id. Fine half bred, 56/58’s — Extra super, 14d to 15Jd. Super, 12d to 13Jd Average. IOJd to Hid. Inferior, 9d to 101 d. Medium halfbred, 50/56's — Extra super, to 131 d. Super, Hid to 123 d. Average. IOJd to lid. Inferior, Bid to lOd. Fine crossbred, 48/50’s — Extra super, to 13Jd. Super. Hid to 12d. Average. 9id to 103 d Inferior. 8d to 9id, Medium crossbreds. 46/48’s Super, lid to I2d. Average, 9id to IOJd, Inferior, 8d to 9d. Crossbred. 44/46’s Super. 10id to Hid. Average. 9d to lOd. Inferior. 8d to Bid. Merino necks and pieces— Super, 9id to Hid. Low to medium, 7id to 9d. Halfbred necks and pieces— Super, lOd to lid. Good to super, 8d to 9ijd. Low to medium, 6d to 7Jd. Crossbred necks and pieces— Super, 9d to 10id. Average, 7|d to Bid. Inferior, 6d to 7d.

Crutchings, halfbred— Medium to good, to 73d. Inferior. 4d to sd. Crutchings. crossbred— Medium to good, 6id to Bid. Inferior, 4d to 6d. Locks, halfbred— Medium to good, 4sjd to 5Jd. Locks, crossbred— Medium to good, 33<1 to 4Jd, AGENTS’ REPORTS DALGETY AND CO„ Lit). Messrs Dalgety and Co., Lid., report:— MERINO Ribbonwuod/nW/U, 8 bales 113 d; Two Mile, 5 111; Birchgrove, 5 Hid; bin wool DC/D A & B, 7 Hid; Kibbonwooa/KW/O. 11 lid, 1? lid. HALFBRED TC/Stralhclyde, 4 bales ,15id, 5 15d, 4 13id. 4 13d, 4 12d; The Gums, 3 15d, 5 14j|d, 5 133 d, 4 laid, 6 13d, 5 12Jd; P over bar, 6 14jd, 4 13i<3; Montana, 5 133 d; NH in diamond ower Norman - vale, 6 123 d, 24 12d; bin wool DC/D 78, 15 123 d; Deepdell, 6 J2£d; DDE/ Burnfoot, 5 123 d; Glendalough, 11 12Jd, 13 113 d; 8A under bar, 6 12J d; JU conjoined. 6 12Jd; P ovei bur, 7 121 d; ED, 5 121 d; Montana, 5 52$d; Heart over Waiwera, 7 12|d; JW/Edenbank, 6 12Jd, 13 123 d. 5 12d; litakarora in crescent, 40 I2sd, 6 113 d, 6 113 d; bin wool DC/D 7E, 20 12jd; 7V, 4 l2Jd: Weta, 6 12d; P under bar, 15 12d; Ben Ledi, 5 12d; Long Gully, 4 12d; CC/C, 5 12d, 5 113 d; Two Mile. « 12d; The Point in oblong. 15 12d; bin wool DC/D BM, 5 12d; I, 8 12d; J, 14 £2d; R over bar, 4 12d; Glenfalloch, 1 HJd; Teviot Lodge, 4 113 d; 60, 4 113 d; Long Gully. 6 113 d; Dunard, 8 lljd; OJwo Mile, 4 113 d; bin wool DC/D F. 7 113 d; JJ. 8 113 d; Hectors. 8 Hid. FINE CROSSBRED TC/Strathclyde, 4 bales H»id, 4 12d; bin wool DC/D 71, 16 13Jd; JU conjoined. 7 12Jd; HJW, 4 rid; Mount Royal, 4 12d; Heart/Waiwera. 5 12d; bin wool DC/D 7J, 28 12d; 7L, 20 12d; Weta, 6 llfd, 4 lid, 5 i0«l; P over bar, 4 113 d; ED, 4 Hid. 4 lid; Lakeside in crescent, 5 Hid, 5 lid; bin wool DC/D N, 11 113 d; WH/Sh*rwood, 3 lljd; Glenfalloch, 5 Hid; TSimburn, 5 Hid; bin wool DC/D 88. 7 Hid; BC, 27 Hid; 80, 7 Hid; QQ, 16 Hid: 89, 11 Hid; 77 over bar, 8 Hid; JW/Edenbank, 28 Hid; HI under eyebrow, i 11-id; bin wool DC/D BE, 5 Hid; VI over bar, 4 Hd; Nithdale, 4 lid; 10, 10|d; Newlea, 4 Hd; Hinemoa, 5 103 d; R reversed M conjoined, 4 10Rd; Greenbank/SL, 4 103 d; JW/Edenbank, 10 103 d; bin wool DC/D BF, 38 UDJd; Glendhu, 5 Hd; Thora, 4 103 d; bin wool DC/D 3A, 7 103 d. CROSSBRED Bin wool DC/DQ, 11 bales 12d; S, 12 Hid; U, 14 Hid; R, 5 Hid; SS. 4 HJd; TT, 15 lOJd; WW, 10 10id; JB/Saddlebank. 11 H3d; BCD, 5 Hid; A, 14 Hd; Timburn, 9 Hd; S reversed 5, 4 Hd; R under eyebrow, 7 Hd; D-D reversed, 4 Hd; DDE/Burn(oot, 5 Hd; Deepdell, 4 fiDgd; 5 L.- 4 I0|d; FK, 5 10|d; YC over bar. 6 10|d; MD. 4 103 d; Glenfalloch. 4 10Jd; NO over bar, 5 lOid; JB/feaddlebank, 4 10id; Fassifern, 4 10id; DDE/Burnfoot. 5 10id; Z 3, 4 10id; Bin Wool DC/D BH. 4 10id; 81 15 TOid: SG. 4 lOid. MERINO PIECES AND NECKS Birchgrove, 8 bales Hid; 6 Hd. HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS Bin wool DC/D 31; 4 bales Hid; 3L 7 Hid; 3M, 7 10Jd; Hectors, 4 Hid; Lakeside in crescent, 4 lid; Bin wool DC/4 4E, 4 Hd; P Under bar, 7 10id; Dunard. 4 10id; 8A under bar. 6 IOJd. CROSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS Group 84, 6 bales Hd; !83, 12 lOid; 85, 9 10d; 86, 21 9d; Bin Wool DC/D 3Q and 3R, 10 Hd; 3S, 7 Kijd; 3W and 3X, 4 lOid; 4J and 4K, 7 lOd; 3Y, 7 93d; 3U, 15 9id; 48, 6 9|>d; Lakeside In crescent. 4 93d. WRIGHT. STEPHENSON AND CO., LTD. Messrs Wright. Stephenson, and Co.. Ltd., report:— MERINO ’ Olemata. 4 bales 13id. ]7 12id; Malvern Downs, 19 12id, 7 Hd; Glenlyon, 10 Hd; Challenge bin TTT. ,10 Hd; S over Waitangi, 8 Hd. HALFBRED SF, 4 bales 14id; RWS. 4 14d; Belmont, 5 13id; J A J over,’Bushey Park, 4 13Jd, 5 13d; SF, 4 13d; J over bar, 5 13d; J A J over Bushey Park, 6 13d; Challenge bin A, 5 13d; bar over JF, 5 123 d; Belmont, 4 123 q; Balgrove, 5 123 d; Challenge bin BK, 16 123 d; GW over ROX, 5 12id; Behnont, 5 I2Jd; DR, 5 12id; 12id; Malvern Downs, 4 12id; JAJ over Bushey Park, 4 12Jid; XA, 5 12id; Challenge bin F, 25 13 id; Challenge bin R, 20 12Jd; GW. over ROX, 6 12id; JC over Long Gully Farm, 6 12id; Belmont, 8 12id; DHSi over Vailima, 4 12id; C 4, 4 12id; Kgppoch, 5 12id; JAJ over Bushey Park. 5 12id, 8 12|d; challenge bin BJ, 4 12id; GW over ROX, 4 12d; Viewpoint. 5 12d; Belmont, 6 12d; Eyebrow over AA, 5 12d; Tiroiti, 5 12d, 9 12d; RWS, 4 12d; challenge bin BA, 4 12d; challenge bin B, 9 12d; challenge bin Ri. 14 12d: TFM over bar over L, 4 Jl3d; GW over ROX. 4 113 d; 23, 7 U3d; Strathavon, 7 llfd; Viewpoint, 4 113 d; Belmont, 6 113 d; U over inverted eyebrow over CH-Mains, 10 H3d; RL over Brookstead, 5 HJd; Kawaraiu Falls. 8 113 d; JAJ over Bushey Pairk, 5 HJd; FP over D in diamond, jl HJd; RWS, 4 113 d, 4 113 d; Balgrove, 7 113 d: Avonrath, 8 Hid; challenge bin D, 17 H3d. FINE CROSSBRED R W S, 4 bales 12&d; Challenge bin 80, 9 Hid; Challenge bin U, 8 Hid; Challenge bin V,j 6 H3d: Macfarlane Downs, T Hid; Challenge bin I, 5 Hid!; K reversed L conjoined, 6 Hid; Btooksdale, 4 Hid; Esselmont over RHCt, 5 Hid; U over inverted eyebrow ower CH Mains, 12 Hid; Tiroiti. 7 Hid; Challenge bin 4K, 7 Hid; Challenge bin 11, 26 Hid; J F under A bar. f Hid; J H T, 4 Hid; J W B, 14 Hid; T Z, 11 Hid; D R. 6 Hid; P D over bar over Isla, 7 Hid; Challenge bin 8 C, 6 Hid; Challenge bin 8 TT. 15 Hid; Challenge bin M, 8 Hid; C B on side, 6i Hd; J S in circle. 4 Hd; M X. 9 Hd; T. J, 5 Hd; J C over Long Gully Farm, 7 Hd; J H T. 5 Hd: D M over bar over L. 4 Hd; W R, 4 Hd: Keppoch, 20 H«I; Z I, 8 Hd; G O 6 Hd: J A J over B|ushey Park 7 Hd; R with dot over Berwick. 4 lid; Challenge bin 8 G 4 IJld; Challenge B 8 PP, 19 Hd; Challemre bin 8 GG, 6 Hd: Challenge Bin LL. !30 Hd: TB, 5 103 d: JJC. 4 lOid; UU. 4 103 d. HE conjoined 6 10fd: Ben Koi, , 5 10Jd: Star K, 5 103 d; Fort Hill. 5- 10Jd; LH, 4 103 d: Balgove. 4 103; Challenge Bin 8 P. 8 10fd; Challenge Hin 00, 25 103 d; Challenge Bin Mlji. 22 103 d. CROS SBRED DM over bar oijer L, 4 123 d; VE, 6 HAd; Brooksdale, 4 11 id; U over inverted eyebrow aver CH Mains, 5 Hid; Challenge bin J. 5 ll|d; JHT, 6 Hid: JJC. 8 lid; TZ. 7 Hd; Rosemerwyn, 5 lid; Avonrath, 6 Hd; 4A, 5 lid; Challenge bin 8 N. 7 Hd; Challenge bin 88, 17 lid: Challenge bin DDD, 14 10Td; Challenge Bin X 10-ld: DR. 7 103 d: KOI. lOid; TZ. 14 lOid: Rosemgswvn. 4 lOid: Challenge Bin 8 00. 9 10Jd; Challenge bin K. 4 lOid; Challenge bin CC. 18 lOid: Challenge l>in EE, 11 10Jd; Challenge bin XXX; ‘J lOid: Challenge bin 4L. 7 10Jd MERWO PIECES Otematata, 8 bales Hid; Challenge bin 2UUU. 5 IWI. HALFBHED PIECES Challenge bin 2RR, 5 bales Hid; Belmont, 6 Hid; J,AT over Bushey Park, 5 Hid; Challenge bin 2A, 17 Hid; Challenge bin 2CCC, 22 Hid; Fairlight, 5 Hd; JAJ over Bushey Park, 12 lid: Kawarau Challenge bin RB 9 103 d CROSSJBRED PIECES Challenge bin 2ZZ. 8 bales Hid; Keppoch, 4 103 d: Challenge bin 2Y, 10 lOid; JF undesr bar, 5 lOid: Willowburn, 4 lOid; Challenge bin 2X, 6 lOid; Challenge bin 2GGG. 22 10d; Chal-

lence bin 2HHH, 22 92d; H over bar over Bellamy, 4 9Jd; Challenge bin 2MMM, 19 9id; Challenge bin 2NNN, 4 9Jd; Keppoch, 5 9Jd; Wantwood 18 9id; JWB, 6 83d; TZ. 4 83d; Challenge bin 2FFF, 31 83d; TZ, 4 BJd; Rosemerwyn, 7 Bid; Challenge bin 2V. 42 Bid; Challenge bin ZZZ, 14 B*d. NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY CO.. LTD. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Ltd., report:— HALFBRED The Valley, 4 bales 123 d, 4 12d; RH, 4 113 d; Quoin Pt., 5 lljd; Merivale, 4 11-id; NZL bins. 6 113 d. 4 Hid, 5 Hid, 6 113 d. 7 Hid, FINE CROSSBRED 80, 4 bales Hid; SW, 6 103 d; HZ. 4 10|d; Prospect, 4 103 d; Hydeholme, 5 Hd. 9 103 d; Quoin Pt.. 5 103 d; Bellvue. 6 lid; RH, 10 103 d; NZL bins, 13 Hid, 10 103 d, 46 lOid, 16 10id. 48 10id; bar over HA over Clarmont. 6 10|d CROSSBRED NZL bins, 16 bales Hid. 4 10id, 13 10id, 11 10id: Cavehill, 7 Hd; Prospect, 6 10id; Hydehill, 6 10id; reversed RM conjoined, 12 10id; X, 9 103 d. HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS NZL bins. 7 bales Hd 14 93d; RH. 6 103 d CRpSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS Hydeholme, 7 bales Hd; NZL bins, 13 10id, 8 93d, 45 9R 10 Bid: M in circle. 6 9d; X. 11 Bid, STRONACH, MORRIS, AND CO., LTD. Stronach, Morris, and Co.. Ltd., report:— MERINO Linnburn, 6 bales Hid; IW. 5 Hid; SM over Gl. 11 Hd. HALFBRED CB in box, 8 bales 14Jd; HR over sheep shears, 18 14id, 6 13d, 8 123 d, 10 12d, 24 113 d; F, 6 lljd; FL, 4 12d; 99 in box, 6 13id; Matanigta, 6 12|d; Little Dusky, 8 12§d; Lambhill, 24 I4£d, 32 123 d; Linnburn, 8 13id, 23 13d, 9 12id. 4 Hid; 56. 4 13Jd; RT. 13 12d; Gl, 7 133 d, 4 123 d; diamond with tails. 7 12d, 6 113 d; Grieve, 6 13id, 10 12d; SM over Al, 3 14d; SM over 81. 21 12id; SM over Dl. 7 12Jd; SM over Kl. 14 123 d. FINE CROSSBRED Little Dusky, 4 bales 12id; Shamrock. 6 Hd; 86, 4 Hid; 56, 18 Hid. 4 Hd; 5 under half-circle, 2 Hd; H, 6 Hid. 4 12Jd; Hallfield, 4 Hd; Grieve, 9 Hid; DS. 5 Hid; Z 7, 5 Hid; SM over SI, 27 121 d; SM over Tl, 45 Hd; SM over Ul. 8 Hd; SM over 2AI. 17 lid. CROSSBRED 5 under half-circle, 13 bales 12£d; Hallfield, 7 Hid, 4 Hd, 6 10id; Z 7, 4 10id; SM over 211, 9 lOJd; SM over 2MI, 210 id. HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS Linnburn, 4 bales 12d, 7 lOJd; HR over Sheepshears, 4 Hid, 10 lOid; Lambhill, 9 Hid, 17 Hid; Grieve, 4 10d; SM over 3GI, 6 Hid; SM over 3HI, 9 lOid; SM over 301, 5 Hd; SM over 3RI, 9 Hd; Little Dusky. 2103 d. CROSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS 56, 4 bales 9id; 5 under half-circle. 293 d; SM over 3SI, 18 9Jd; SM over 3UI, 25 BJd; SM over 3ZI, 6 Bid; SM over 3VI, 2 9id; Hallfield, 2 9id. OTAGO FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association reports:— HALFBRED JHS, 7 bales 14d, 12 14d, 4 12id; TT over Foulden Hills. 4 123 d; J 5, 5 12id; CB in square, 8 12|d, 10 Hid, 13 113 d; eyebrow over A over Glenfoyle, 8 12d, 4 Hid; ADB, 7 Hid; OFCA over AI, 4 12id; OFCA over DI, 19 Hid; OFCA over Gl, 22 Hid. FINE CROSSBRED 02, 10 bales 12*d; LL, 4 Hd; Z, 6 Hd; K, 4 Hid. 6 Hd; HH, 5 Hid; CA. 8 12id, 9 lOJd; over JE, 4 Hd; J 3, 15 12|d; NI over OFCA, 5 Hid; VI over OFCA, 5 Hid; XI over OFCA. 18 123 d; UUI over OFCA, 49 103 d. CROSSBRED S P, 11 bales lOid, 21 lOid, 4 lOid; 3X, 7 lOid; T inverted T, 5 lOid; J 5, 12 lOid; ADB, 9 lOid; Skilbister. 4 10Jd; HHHHI over OFCA, 4 lOid; YYI over OFCA. 7 lOid. HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS AAAI over OFCA, 7 bales Hid; JHS, 7 Hid. CROSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS SP, 11 bales 9id; FFFI over OFCA, 6 Hid; GGGI over OFCA, 6 9Jd; LLLI over OFCA, 4 93d; MMMI over OFCA, 17 9d; QQQI over OFCA, 8 Hid; EEEEI over OFCA. 4 93d; AZAI over OFCA. 8 9d; AZCI over OFCA, 12 Bid. NATIONAL MORTGAGE AND AGENCY COMPANY. LTD. The National Mortgage and Agency Company report:— MERINO Birchdale, 5 bales Hid, 6 Hid; bin 2U. 8 Hd. HALFBRED Bin wool 6A, 4 bales 13d; bin wool SN, 5 13d; bin wool E, 4 123 d; bin wool 2X, 4 13d; bin wool 3A, 5 12id; bin wool 28, 4 12id; bin woo! 2C, 5 123 d; bin wool 4 12id; bin wool 2C, 5 12id; bin wool 2E, 10 12Jd; bin wool 68, 7 12d; JM. 4 123 d. 4 12d; Crossed Swords, 4 12id, 4 Hid, 8 Hid; LGW over R, 5 12d; Wohelo, 5 12id; Loganbrae, 5 12d; Aroha over SL over Moa Flat, 26 Hid; Mount Hope, 8 12d; US, 4 Hid; Teviot over LT, 4 Hid; Hillside, 7 Hid; bin wool 2F, 17 Hid; bin wool 2J, 21 Hid; Awatea, 6 12d, 6 Hid; Belfield, 7 12d: Mount Albert over a bar over 7. 7 12d; bin wool I. 15 Hid FINE CROSSBRED Bin 2Q, 15 bales 13d; bin S, 20 12d; bin 2N. 23 12Jd; bin 3A, 5 12id; Cranleigh, 7 103 d; 5 over Brookdale, 7 10.3 d; Camphill, 6 10.3 d; Riviera, 4 lOJd; PK, 4 Hid; Hillside. 4 10? d; M in a triangle, 5 10.3 d; Greenvale over KK, 10 Hd; Bendhu, 4 12id; bin 2T. 10 113 d; U under a bar. 30 113 d. 8 12d. CROSSBRED Bin 2T, 10 bales Hid: bin 2U, 22 Hid; bin 28, 26 HJd; bin 2E, 4 Hid; bin 3D, 18 Hd; bin 2X. 5 lOid; bin 6R, 9 103 d; bin 2C, 39 lOid; bin 21, 17 lOid: bin 2R, 16 12d; Hazeldale, 4 Hd; MS. 6 lljd; PK, 4 HJd; LO, 4 10Jd; Greenvale over KK, 13 103 d: Bendhu, 5 Hid; Glenburn, 4 Hid; U under a bar, 5 lid; 35 over Brookdale, 4 12d; Ben Callum. 13 Hid. 7 10Jd: bin 2Q. 4 Hid HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS Bin 3K, 4 bales 12d; Loganbrae. 14 Hid; Aroha over SL over Moa Flat, 7 lid; Crossed Swords, 4 Hd; Awatea. 5 Hd; Belfield, 7 lOid; bin 3M, 5 lO'.d: bin 3N 21 10,}d: bin 4L. 10 lOid CROSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS AT, 4 bales Hid, 8 9id; bin 3U, 11 Hd; bin 3V, 32 lOd; bin 4N. 12 91d: bin 3W, 21 83d; bin 48. 11 83d; bin 4A, 6 83d; Wisp Hill, 4 9d, 4 83d, 4 83d; Cranleigh. 5 9Jd: Tumai, 5 oid. 4 Btd: Greenvale over KK, 4 lid, 5 8.3 d; AG over Waitui, 9 9Jd: U under a bar. 4 OJd. 4 BJd; Ben Callum, 6 92. DONALD REID AND CO., LTD. Donald Reid and Co.. Ltd., report:— MERINO Little Valley, 5 bales 14d, 8 13R 32 131 d, 10 Hid; Earnscleugh, 12 12d, 4 113 d, 17 Hid, 5 lid; HD, 4 12d, 1 113 d, 8 Hid, 2 lid.

HALFBRED Bin DA, 4 bales 12Jd; bin F, 33 12d: bin QQQ 8 12*d; AC, 4 12d; CJI, 1 12id; WM, 6 12*d; Tearoa, 10 12id, 36 Hid; WHT, 4 113 d; Riverside, 7 HJd; RX, 3 H3d; AO, 2113 d; Mount Allan, 4 Hid, 5 113 d; Earnscleugh, 5 12id; bin TA, 1 113 d. FINE CROSSBRED Bin K, 6 bales Hid; bin J, 32 Hid; 2L over a bar, 10 Hd; JS over Braeside, 6 Hid; Waitui, 13 Hid, 8 Hd; K 3, 5 Hid, 8 Hd; JB conjoined over a bar, 5 Hd; Springdale, *4 103 d; JB over H in a circle, 4 Hd; 8T over Killilan, 7 103 d; WSG over a bar, 6 Hid; WM, 5 103 d; X over Fairview, 7 Hd; bin EA, 14 103 d; bin S. 36 10|d. CROSSBRED Springdale, 4 bales 113 d; 2L over a bar, 7 Hid; Tl over a bar, 9 Hid; N over Richmond, 4 Hid; GM over Rosedale, 9 Hid; IY, 4 103 d; Diamond I, 6 lOid; (Brand) 3, 9 lOid; WD conjoined, 6 lOid; J 9, 9 lOid; Centre Bush, 4 lOid; X, 4 Hd; WJS, 4 103 d; Mount Allan, 6 lOid; CJI, 8 lOid; 3A. 8 103 d. GU. 11 Hid; bin V. 12 IOJd. MERINO PIECES AND NECKS Little Valley, 7 bales Hid, 12 10; Galloway, 4 Hd; Earnscleugh. 4 Hid: HD. 2 Hid HALFBRED PIECES AND NECKS Group WI. 5 bales Hid; Mount Allan, 4 103 d; Riverside, 8 lOd; bin 88, 15 Hid; bin CC, 4 103 d; bin EE, 14 lOd; bin TT, 5 Hd; group Bl 7 lOd CROSSBRED PIECES AND NECKS Group Al, 6. bales 103 d; W, 6 lOd; Cavehiil, 4 83d; M 3 over a bar, 5 9Jd; Y2, 6 9id; KC, 4 9Jd; B, 4 lOd; GU, 4 Bid; bin JJ, 14 103 d; bin KK, 7 9id; bin 4, 21 9id; bin MM, 12 83d; bin XXZ, 11 Bid; bin 00, 23 BJd; bin UU 12 lOid; bin AAZ, 11 9d; bin LLZ. 13 9id; group Dl, 6 9|d; group El, 6 83d; group Xl, 5 82d; Glenroy over JM. 1 lOid. 1 Bid. THE CHRISTCHURCH SALE AVERAGE PRICE PER BALE £l3 7* 3d RETURN TO GROWERS £312,058 (Per United Press Association' CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 20. The first Christchurch wool sale of the season, held on December 12, resulted in a total return to growers of £312,058, a reduction of £60,769 on the total for the first sale of the previous season. The catalogue at this year’s sale was 236 bales larger, and 514 bales more were sold. The average price per bale this sale was £l3 7s 3d, or 10.087 d per lb, against £l6 16s 3d, or 12.502 d per lb last season.

A STEADY MARKET

FINE WOOLS UNPROFITABLE CLIP NOT IN BEST CONDITION SUPER DESCRIPTIONS DECLINE Two factors combined to create the market situation which existed for the first local sale. An unfavourable autumn, followed by winter conditions that were also severe, had an effect on the wool which is still apparent to-day in the majority of the clips. The result is that the offering on this occasion has not been up to usual Dunedin standards. For the most part hogget wools opened up well, but the ewe flocks did not shear as well, and the bulk of the wool was shorter in the staple and much of it was on the tender side. The condition of the clip undoubtedly had an effect on the prices ruling yesterday, but could not be blamed for the strict limits under which buyers were operating. The demand was good within such limits, and indicated that manufacturing countries need wool, particularly crossbreds, but the staple is not attractive except at buyers’ own prices. It is not difficult to assign a cause for this. Uncertainty on the Continent and in Japan and America has also had a definite effect on values and must continue to do so pending a clearing of the international horizon. Bradford was well in the market yesterday, a fact which may be regarded as encouraging, in view of the fact that earlier in the selling season in Australia Yorkshire buyers had followed a “ wait and see ” policy, while the Continent made the pace and kept things going until Bradford gained confidence in the level of values that had been established. Germany bought f airly well, but Japan operated sparingly. France, as usual, took a large proportion of the offering, and Belgium also participated freely. The American demand was fitful, but some fair lots were lifted. Local mills brooked no opposition in respect of wools that suited them. Valuations Generally Met On the whole, brokers’ valuations were fairly well met, although there was a good deal of disappointment among both growers and brokers at the level of fine wool prices. In this respect, however, the auction was a difficult one to gauge. One lot would exceed the valuation by a Jd or a >jd, and the next minute a similar lot would fall as much as a penny below the same valuation. Crossbreds were up to expectations for the most part, in spite of a lower lever for finer sorts of this kind, but fine wools, and particularly super descriptions did not sell as well as was anticipated. A wellknown high quality clip of medium to fine Wools averaged £ 15 per bale, compared with £l7 last December, and yesterday’s top price of 15jd was paid for a line of Mr James McArthur’s TC/Strathelyde brand, which at the corresponding sale last season topped the market at 22Jd. Meeting the Market It could not be said «,ha growers looked forward to a higher range of values yesterday than obtained at the December auction in 193 V, a fact which was demonstrated by the comparatively low percentage of passings. It had been hoped, however, that the opening rates of 1937 would be maintained desoit a decrease In the average quality of the offering. That growers' on the whole displayed an inclination to meet the market may be regarded as evidence of a realisation that withdrawal of wool last season was a very unprofitable business. The December sale in 1937 resulted in a oer bale average of £l7 Is 6d, or 12.77 d perlb. At the second sale this had dropped to £l4 7s Id or 10.39 d per lb, and a further decline occurred at the third sale, making the per bale average £l4 2s lid and the, per lb average 10.22 d. By the time the final sale of the year was held in April values had fallen to £l3 3s 7d per bale or 9.47 d per lb The decline of nearly £4 per bale over 1 the selling season last year will no doubt carry a good deal of weight this year with Prowers who are contemplating holding their clips for future sales. Influence of European Affairs An authoritative opinion expressed at the sale yesterday, and one which must have a bearing on the problem of whether to sell or not to sell, was that no material improvement in prices could be expected until conditions in Europe became more settled and people got back to steady work in the manufacturing industries. There could be little hme of a sustained demand for wool if things became any worse, and it was definitely stated that if the situation developeu into war it would be difficult even to give wool away for a time. The fact that wool is required in most textile countries was admitted freely by buyers yesterday, but it was further stated that little more than was needed for im-