WOOL FREIGHTS. 1899-1900.

Otago Witness, Issue 2403, 22 March 1900, Page 7

WOOL FREIGHTS. 1899-1900.

' Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co., wool brokers, have prepared the following report lor the season 1899-1900:— . We have to record a very considerable increase in the quantity of wool offered in the New Zealand market during the season just closed as 00-npared with last year. " In the North Island the quantity offered shows the large increase of 15,952 bales, as compared with the previous year, and in the South Island there was an increase of 13,008 bales. Never before has so much wool been offered, the increase being no doubt caused fby the very tempting prices ruling during December and January, growers deeming it advisable to take advantage of them. The withdrawals during the first part of the seaeon were very light, but in the latter part, after the decline in the London January eeries, they were much heavier, especially in •Wellington, where it was quite evident that $ke growers were not prepared for the de-

cline. The withdrawals for the season I amounted to 40,398 bales, or o3 per cent, of • the total offered. During 1 the season several large clips were bought privately, and we think that fully 4500 baleo wera purchased f.o.b. at the various ports. The quantity offered and sold for the past two years is as f ollows : —

Condition.- -The Canterbury wools were 7^ to 10 per cent, lighter in condition than last y«ar. The Otago and Southland wools were lighter in grease, but did not ha^e such a good appearancs as usual. The North Island clip was in better condition than usual. Market. — The season opened in Christchurch on November 23, when prices showed tlio following advances compared with the closing rates of la»t season: — Meiino of all descriptions, 50 to 55 per cent. ; super halfbreds. 45 per cent. ; medium halfbreds, 35 per cent.; coarse crossbred, 10 to 15 per cent. ; medium cro-sbred, 25 per cent. These price? wci-e vvell maintained until the Ohriftehureh sole on Janua"y 18. when values declined fully 10 per cent, in sympathy with London. The pales held during Februoiy showed a further decline. Attendance. — The season opeiie:! with the usual attendance of Hiycrs, but; was considerably increased in January by the arrival of several Cuiiiinoijial buyers, v, ho operated very freely. Towards the end of January 11" ere was a large atienda-ire of bu^cs, re piesenting Yorkshire, Scclland, Germany, France, American, lorol raills, fellmongers, and speculator-:. Prices : — Super merino combing reached .. .. 161 Good meiino combing reached . . . . 1-Pd Medium merino combing reached . . . . 12\d All merino clothing ipached almost combing prices. Super half bred reached 1-id Good lialfbred reached 12:1 Medium halfbixd reached 1(H:1 Sx.per crossbred reached lid Goorl crossbred reached SJcl Medium ciossbied reached 7Ad Cood long wools reached 8d Medium longwools reached 7Jd Pices? of descriptions realised extreme prices. Buying. — The following is ottr estimate of the destination ot the season's purchases, which is approximate : — Bales. ' For Yorkshire .. .. 48,000 For Continent 7,000 For America SOO For local mills 16,000 For speculators and fclhaior.gei's .. .. 20,235 ~ 91,7-35 The bulk of the crowbred wool was jmr- i chased for Yorkshire, and the balance was j taken by speculators. Nearly all the merino I was taken up by the Continent and local j mills. The best halfbreds were divided be- | tween the Continent, America, and local | mills. Piece,, K'lhes, and locks of all descriptions were purchased largely for the Continent during the early sales ; at the end j of the seas-on the local fellmongers managed to secure a considerable amount.

3bristchurch Dunedin '.n\ eroargill ?irraru.. Auckland . . Napier.. Wellington xibborne . . icso-». ie»a-it»uu. Offered. Sold. Offered. Sold Sales. Bales. Bales. Bales 23,-111 21,030 38,252 28,425 25,073 20,818 26,528 23,095 13,523 10,310 11,900 O.BOC 8.713 6,596 12,083 10.00 C 10,087 6,819 10,205 7,421 0,661 6,22 i 15,163 6,750 7,670 3,863 ' 18,000 6,25 C 103,173 76,320 132,133 91,735