FORTUNE IN SKINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24732, 8 October 1941, Page 4

FORTUNE IN SKINS

VALUE OF THE RABBIT dominion fur industry REMARKABLE VERSATILITY One of the most remarkable seasons in the history of Otago is approaching its close. Up to the conclusion of the large sale which was held yesterday, approximately 15,000.000 rabbit skins had been sold for the season. and experienced and amateur ?abbiters alike have received remarkable prices and gratifying rewards for their efforts. Extremely high prices have been paid for high-country, full-winter skins, and types suitable for the hatters’ industry have been eagerly competed for bv the local agents who represent furriers in London. New York and Canada. In spite of the war. British hat manufacturers appear to be carrying on the industry with undiminished vigour. and_ this season larsT' s quantities of medium and lowgrade skins suitable for batters' requirements have been bought for British firms. One of the main reasons for .the extremely, high prices that have been obtained for clean winter skins has been the competition that has come from Canada. In the past. Canada purchased its requirements from New York dealers, but this year it operated through the primary market. The overseas business in the season iust closing has been practically unprecedented and has returned approximately £1.250.000 (New Zealand monev) uu to the present. The industry has made a valuable contribution to the war effort, particularly as a substantial proportion of the skins has gone to the dollar countries. America and Canada. Growth of Dominion Industry Particularly since the introduction of import restrictions and the outbreak of war. the New Zealand furrier industry has been making rapid progress, and to-day uses approximately 600,000 rabbit skins .a yearasweH as thousands of other skins suitable for fur. Chiefly .owing foresight of a Dunedin pioneer, the largest furdressing and dveing factory in New Zealand is at present situated in this r-ity and can now cope with practically all the dveing and dressing of skins for the New Zealand trade. In fact, experts have stated that the work of the local manufacturers, compares favourably with that done in England. America, and on the Continent. The New Zealander who is well acquainted with the rabbit and its, at present, valuable skin would have considerable difficulty in recognising the fur of the little animal after it has passed through the hands of the manufacturer. ’ Dressed and dyed in a variety of ways, the fur of the rabbit is almost identical with many highpriced imported furs. Clipped skins, expertly dressed and dyed, become beaver coney, mole coney, and musquash coney. The long-haired, fur, is equally attractive when the vdrious processes have been completed, and such examples as brown kolinsky, brown with brown stripes, and grey with grey stripes, are most attractive and not at all like the warm coating of the rabbit. Impersonating Rarer Furs The restrictions on the imports of furs into the Dominion have brought many little animals into popularity again for the sake of their coats. Even the wallaby has come into favour, and between 5000 and 6000 skins were used last year. They are dyed to resemble skunk and sable and are used for capes, collars, and cuffs. Mqst of the wallabies come from-the district and jUngittfa «lifepd,:rMd -their skins have returned to sportsmen between 3s and 5s a-pisce. Ferrets prove extremely popular with furriers, and during the past 12 months approximately. 25,000 skins have been used by Dominion manufacturers. The. doe skins are mostly used in their natural colour, as their fur is finer and more attractively marked. Others are dyed to represent the expensive furs, mink and stonemarten. Like the ferret, the weasel has been a most disliked animal, and yet even this small animal now finds favour with furriers. About 1000 skins are used annually, and they are dyed to bear a close resemblance to summer ermine, which is fawn in colour.

Opossum skins are not nearly so popular in New Zealand as they ar« in the United States, Where there is a great demand for the natural blue variety for use as cuffs and collars on sealine coats. In New Zealand, the natural brown skins are dyed dark brown and made into the fashionable jogger coats. Incidentally, the last opossum sals of the season will take place in Dunedin on Friday, when approximately 80,000 skins will be offered On present indications, trappers can expect a firm market.