THE WOOL SALES. London, March 15.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 15

THE WOOL SALES. London, March 15.

The wool sales opened with irregular prices. Merinos were firmer and the bulk of crossbreds lower. March 16. - Buxton and Ronald, Charles Balme'and Co., and Jacomb, Son, and Co. offered catalogues aggregating 10,823 bales, comprisiDgan excellent selection. There was a large attendance of Home and Continental buyers. Only a few American houses were represented. Prices for meiiEos were from par to 5 per CRct. above the closing rates of February, Faultiest scoured showed the greatest rise. Medium lovf crossbxeds fetched from

] par to 5 per cent, lower; finest crossbreds I were 5 per cent, higher. At the wool sales bidding was spirited, prices showing a slight hardening tendency. March 17. At the wool sales competition was spirited for all classes, and extremely firm. Merinos have an upward tendency. March 19. At the wool saleß pricss were well maintained. Yorkshire manufacturers have been the chief buyers. Up to date 5014 bales have beon catalogued, aad 4717 aold. Merinoa realised fully 7£ per c<mt. above the February rates. The Blderalie clip realised ! W. The National Mortgage and Agency Company's London office cable as follows, dated 15th insfc. — " Crossbred wool, finest grades, and , merino wool, all descriptions, show an advance of 5 per cent, on last sales' closing rates. Crossbred wools, all descriptions except the finest grades, weak at average rates of last sale." Messrs Dalgety and Company (Limited) have received the following cablegrams from their head office:— D*ted London, the 15fch inst.: | "The wool sale* opened with a large attendi ance of buyers, and a fair selection. The com- ! petition w*s fairly animated. As compared with the closing rates of last season prices for the bulk of medium and inferior merino wools are 5 pjir cent, higher, good and befit qualities i par to 2£ per cent, higher, and the bulk of fine ] crossbred par to 5 per cent, higher. Tne principal operators are the English and German buyers, while the Americana have done nothing." Dated London, 16th inst. : " The wool sales continue firm and active, with brisk competition. As compared with the closing rates of last series pric«« for the bulk of scoured merino wools are sto 8 per cenb. higher. For greasy ! merino fleece prices are irregular, but aremostly on an average 5 per cent, higher. For greasy merino, broken fleece, and pieces p-ices , are sto 8 per cent, higher. For the bulk of ■ fiae croasbred wools prices *re on a par with closing rates of last serieF, and for the bulk of coarse crossbred wools prices are oa an aver- | age 5 per cant, lower." |