AUCTIONEERS' REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 18

AUCTIONEERS' REPORT.

Messrs Arthur M'Donald akd Co., auctioneers, report for the week ending October 31st as follows :— Wool.— Cablegrams to hand to-day from London report an advance of a halfpenny per lb. This news, combined with the present position of this staple, is exceedingly favourable for the transaction of an extensive business in the local market during the approaching season. Growers must not overlook the fact that English, American, and Continental buyers are enabled to give a correspondingly higher price in the colony than they can do in London. In the first place they have the opportunity of examining the wool in its natural and undumped state, which is no small item, especially in greasy wool, Secondly, the wool is shipped direct to their respective factories, thus avoiding all London charges and the expense of reshipping. Then, again, by selling locally growers do not run the risk of loss in weight or losb from sea damage, and being on the spot have the direct control of the disposal of their dtps; whereas by shipping to London they are more or less at the mercy of others. In former years the bulk of the wool sold locally went into the bands of speculators, who wera more or less fortunate in their Investment*. But the last few seasons have witnessed the presence of buyers in our market from all parts of the world, and as these are annually increasing we have now more than sufficient buying power to absorb the whole of the Australasian clip. The practice of selling in the colonies is becoming very popular in Melbourne and Sydney ; and we are informed by Messrs Goldsbrough, Mort, and 00. (Limited) that out of a catalogue of 3393 bales they submitted on the 3rd inst. only the small quantity of 48 bales were withdrawn. We are also informed that less difficulty is experienced in selling this year than any previous seasou.and also that the larger buyers now in Australia are en route for this market. Pending the opening of the local Bales, which has not yet been fixed, there 1b very little to report at -this end beyond the disposal of small lots which are consigned for immediate sale. Judging from the portions of tho new clip now- in store, this season's dip will be thoroughly equal to last year's. On Monday we placed the following odd lots under very animated competition : — JT, 1 bale dead wool, B|d ; WP oyer W, 2do mixed scoured, Is ; Idp 2nd scoured, 9d ; BB in circle, 1 do merino, 9£d j FP conjoined. 1 bag dead wool, 8W : JH conjoined, 1 do do, Bsd ; BE in circle, Ido bellies, 7d ; Ido pieces, 6Jd ; Ido bellies, 5Jd ; ROMARUA, Ido dingy fleece, 7|d ; AD, Ido mixed, 7d ; HJ, Ido dingy fleece, 6fd : Idp Jocks and pieces, 4jd i 0, 1 bale mixed pieces, 5M 5M in square, 1 hag fleeoe, 8d i Ido pieces, sd ; Ido locks, 3jd ; 880, 1 bale looks, 3d; ROMARUA, 1 bag dead wool, Bjd. Sheepskins.— At our sale this week we brought forward a catalogue of 2472 skins, comprising all descriptions. There was an unusually large gathering of buyers, and very spirited bidding, every lot realising fullest values. The following are the actual prices we obtained:— Butchers' crosibreds, best lines, 6s Id to 8s 4d ; some extra large lots, 7s ; medium do, 5s 3d to 5s 9d ; small do, 4s 8d to s* ; butchers' merinos, 4s 8d to ss ; pelts, lOd ; lambs, Is to Is 4d; full woolled country skins, 5s to 7s; ii> ferior to good, Is 6d to 4b 9d. Hides.— Since last report we have Bold 442 hides and 117 calfskin* at the following prices :— Extra prime heavies In faultless condition snd well trimmed, 3}d to 3fd uer 1b; prime heavies, 601b snd over, in .good condition and well trimmed, 3|ds

medium to good, 2|d to-3Jd; calfskins free of cuts are worth 4sd per lb. The result or our sale this week is the most satisfactory that has been held ia Dunedin for some time past. Tallow. — We cleared all forward at our sale oc Monday at prices fully equal to last week's— namely, 14s to 14s 6d for good lots of butchers' rough fat, and 12s to 13s 6d for medium do. During the week we have placed a Una of mixed tallow for shipment on account of Mr S. G. Smith at £20 per ton. There is an excellent demand for shipping lines, Kabbitskins. — At our usual weekly sale on Tuesday we sold all forward under excellent competition, and prices lately obtained by us were fully maintained. X o really prime skins are now offering. Q'he bulk of those coming forward consist of spring and summer collections, which find buyers well in keeping with the better sorts. The following is a copy of our catalogue :— OO, 3 bags, 16d ; 0, 1 do, 16d ; heart, 1 do, 15jd ; M over M, 3 do, 15|d ; MS, 1 ba'e, 13£ d ; JD, 3 bags, 12M; ROMAKUA, 1 do, 13id ; 1 do, 13id: WHY, 3 do. 14fd ; 88, 1 do,-14|d ; key. 1 do, 13d ; 88, 1 do, I2|d ; CUM, 1 do, 10? d; WHY, 1 do, 12d ; MAN, 1 do. lOfd; G, 1 do, lOd; MH,2 do, 12d; DH, 2 do, li'dj JH conjoined! 1 do, lOd; D, 1 do.lOd; JHS in diamond, 1 do, 8}i! ; M over two hearts, 2 ba'es, Bjd ; Jtf, 1 bag, 9d ; 1 do, 8d; BIL. Ido 7d; ROMAHUA, 1 do, 7d ; I do,B£d ; 1 do.ld ; BIL, 1 do, 4lil ; Dtl, 1 do, Hd ; MS. 1 do. 8d: 1 do, 7d : 1 da, 4d ; 2 do, 2d ; JD, . 1 do, 8d ; 1 do. sd ; M over M, 4 do, 12d ; W. 1 do, B}d ; JM, 3 do. 9£d; D, 1 do, 8d ; DW, 1 do, 8d ; RW in diamond, 3 do, »|d ; 1 do, 7d ; B.ldo.OJd. Wheat.— Duriag the week we have transacted a fair amount of business under this heading, and have inquiries for prime lines suitable for shipment. Buyers, however, are, for the most part, not inclined to give the prices now asked, and therefore operations Are somewhat restricted. We quote prime Tuscan, 4s to 4s 2d ; prime velvet. 3s lOd to 4s ; medium milling, 3s Gd to 3a Od ; inferior and chiok, 2a «d to 3s 3d. Oats.— O wing to the continued drought being experienced in Australia there is every prospect of J keen demand for feed grains from this colony, and already a keen desire is noticeable on the part of buyers to operate, and prices have advanced in con* sequence. Chaff.— An excellent demand continues, and for really prime heavy bright lots £3 10s is easily obtainable. luferior to medium sell at £3 to £3 2s Cd (bags extra). Freezing Sheep. — A good business has been transacted during the week at 2sd per lb (skins and fat extra), but cablegrams received to-day from London report tliat market depressed, which will.probably have* tho effect of rednoing values here. Note.— We are tho only firm of wool, akin, tallow, and hide salesmen in Dunedfn who do not charge a commission to the buyers, and consequently goods sold through us make much better prices. We ask woolgrowers and others to attend the various sales in order to judge for themselves the merits of selling under the different system of charges we have inaugurated. Our charge for Selling freezing sheep by private treaty is 2J- per cent.