SUMMARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 342, 19 June 1858, Page 4

SUMMARY.

(From the Home News.)

to anticipate a rise. Judging from the decrease in our exports of woollen goods, and the complaints from the north that production had not been remunerative, a tendency to decline seemed more probable, but the lightness of stock in first and second hands tended to impart confidence, and at the first night's sale the attendance of home buyers was very large, and, although biddings could not be quoted, very spirited prices were well maintained at about the'November-December rates, with a slight adJgfnce on the better classes of Sydney and Port Philip, both of which created much competition. \ The uneasy feeling still prevalent with respect to France created much caution, and as the sales progressed wool sold irregulaily, although prices can scarcely be quoted any lower. Port Philip wool continued to harden at each night's sale, the sen city of wools of a plump deep good combing character causing competition to be excessive. Scoured, handwashed, and moaty wools weie very difficult of sale, the former (except in first-rate condition) not being pro rata with fleece wools by fully 10 per cent. Greasy wools were quitted with great loss to speculators, those purchased in July at Is. Id. to Is. 3d. selling heavily at Bid. to 9£d. ; no doubt the prices in the sales mentioned exceeded their comparative value with washed fleeces, and present quotations are now in accordance with their relative value. It is hoped that the clearance made at these sales of old stocks, leaving our market quite clear for new imports, will be of advantage to our May sales — a general dislike existing on the part of dealers to buy more than they can quit ere the new wool is offered, so that should the state of tiade warrant their opeiations, their competition next time will tend much to support prices — a circumstance of considerable importance, taking into account the very large quantity anticipated for the May sales, and which are expected to reach about 70,000 bales.

For foreign nccount the quantity taken is only worth a passing remark, and the little competition received was principally for combing wools. It is hoped that the political honzon will shortly resume its wonted aspect, as should the buyers for the continent not muster strong at our summer sales, present rates will not, we {ear, be maintained.

Prices of New Zealand Wool. — Superior flocks in best condition, Is 9d to Is lUd; Average dc, Is7dtols9d; Ordinary and ill-conditioned, Is2dtols6d: Scoured clothing, Is 7d to 2s 4d; Scoured Lambs, Is lOd to 2s Id ; Fair and handwashed skins, Is 3d to Is 6d; Inferior Is to ls'2d; Lambs good Is 7d to Is lid; Inferior to average Is 3d to Is 6d ; Broken locks, &c, lOd. to Is 2d ; in grease 9d to Is o§d.