DOUBLE WOOL SALE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27573, 15 December 1950, Page 6

DOUBLE WOOL SALE

High Prices Expected Next Week

The most notable difference between the first sale of fleece wool in Dunedin last season, and the double auction which will be held on Monday and Wednesday of next week, will not be the quality of the wool. It will be the value. In many respects there is a good deal of similarity between the catalogues 12 months ago and those now being circulated. But the world shortage of wool has brought about an unprecedented demand, and price records are sure to topple next week.

Yesterday afternoon the Daily Times inspected come of the wool which will be offered next week. In general, it is well grown, of good quality and calculated to appeal to buyers. The best wool offering comes from the tussock country. That from the plains bears the unmistakable signs of the dry autumn and spring. It is dusty, but not sufficiently to make any marked difference. Two comments about the degree of dust ifrere overheard in a wool store. Said one man: “This is hardly dust at all. I have known it to rattle on the floor.” And the other replied: “I have seen it when it was full of concrete.” In most instances, the early shorn wool is looking better than that which was clipped in the’ last month or two. Shortage of feed in the early spring meant that some sheep were on the turnip fields just when the wind was stirring the dust. The result has been

that some of the Central Otago wool, particularly, is not admirable in colour, although it is mostly well grown. Some of the crossbred wool is looking particularly attractive. It is well up to previous standards and well grown. The high country wool is outstanding, although some of the best station clips are not being offered at this sale There are, however, some signs of starvation in the wool from hoggets on certain up-country stations. The staple is short, the colour indifferent and the condition poor. There will be a full panel of buyers at the auction next week and the large catalogue is sure to be responsible for keen—and vocal —competition. In all, over 45,000 bales will be offered on the two days of the sale. The proceeds will run into millions.