DUNEDIN WOOL SALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 8

DUNEDIN WOOL SALES.

The first wool sale of the season was held at the Victoria Hall on Thursday, when there was a large attendance of buyers, English, American, and colonial firms, and local manufacturers and exporters beingwell represented. There was spirited competition, and a very satisfactory sale in consequence. In all 5634- bales were catalogued, distributed among the various brokers, according to order of sale, as follows: — A. Moritzson and Co., 109 bales. Donald Reid and Co., 1227 bales. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., 1075 bales. National Mortgage and Agency Company, 644- bales. Otago Farmers* Co-operative Association, 330 bales. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, 709 bales. Stroctach Bros, and Morris, 322 bales. Dalgety and Co., 1218 bales. Subjoined are the reports of the various brokers : — Messrs A. Moritzson and Co. repoit as follows: — We wei-e the first to sell, and offered •i catalogue of 109 bales. There was a large attendance of buyers, representing English, American, and colonial firms and exporters from various parts of the colony. Competition was exceedingly brisk for bright, lustrous, wellgrown wools. Crossbreds were m exceptionally keen demand. Foreign and American buyers purchased n-ost of thi3 class of wool, which if exceptionally fine and in good condition sold from lid to Is. Halfbreds, merinos, and fine half bi-eds were taken chiefly by the local mills. Competition in these classes was also very keen. Owing to the bad weather a good many of the best clips -did not arrive in time for our sale, but if these come forward in time for the secund sale prices may be even better than those paid on Thursday on account of the lines being larger and the wool in better condition. Although v.-c had nothing extra light in condition to offer, we got the following prices, which are in nios: cuses from 2d to 2id above rhoce paid at the first sale last year: — Halfbred ewe lOJd, h'* If bred hogget lOid ; super halfbred lid, fine crossbred ewe lOd, do hogget lO^d, and pieces we sold fiom 7d to &d. "We quote : Super combing half bred, lljd to Is ; do fine 3ialfbred, 101 dto lid; do merino, ll£d to Is; coarse crossbred, light, lOd to 10|d; medium croasbrc-d. 9|d to 9^d; medium halfbred, B|d to 9&d ; inferior crossbred, 8d to S£d ; halfbred pieces, Sid to 9d; crossbred pieces, light. BJd to 9*d; halfbred pieces, heavy, 7ici to Sd; second halfbred and crossbred nieces, s|d to 6ftd; locks, 4Jd to sd.

Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) report: — "We held our first wool sale of the season's series at the Victoria Hall, Agricultural Buildings, on Thursday, when we submitted a catalogue comprising 1227 bales of crossbred, Leicester, and merino wools, chiefly farmers' lots grown in the Coast districts. There wa.s a. 'arge attendance cf buyers — English, foreign, colonial, and local manufacturers and wool staplers being very fully represented — who were very keen on business, and competed with much spirit for the different classes of wool offered, which suited their requirements, and this resulted in a brisk and most satisfactory sale. There was also a fair attendance of wool-growers, shippers, *n& others interested iin the trade, who evinced a been interest in the proceedings, and appeared satisfied with the prices realised. The wools displayed by us were largely composed of clips off sheep which had been wintered on turnips, and these, although well grown and sound in staple were, with some few exceptions, rather dark coloured, earth-stained, and heavy, .and lacked the bright, lustrous appearance (so attractive to buyers) which characterises the clip of flocks which have been well wintered on grass pastures. All the wools catalogued by us were, however, comparatively free from tick stains, and the fibre sound and strong, showing that tho sheep had been well nourished and cared for throughout the season. It was quite expected that there would be a substantial rise, estimated at from l|d to 2Jd on values as compared with those ruling last season, and this satisfactory lesult was fully secured, chiefly by the brisk competition made on behalf of the American trade. Halfbreds showed a rise of ljd to 2Jd as compared with the top price of the corresponding sale of last season ; crossbreds and Leiceslers showed a rise of 2d to 3d; and merinos a rise of about Id per Ib. The total number of bales catalogued by the various brokers for the series was 5627 bales. Of the 1227 bales catalogued by us, 1078 bales were sold under the hammer, 86 bales were passed in, bidding not beir.g -up to valuations or reserves, and 63 bales were withdrawn, the clip not being complete. Bidding throughout our sale was very weli>maintained up to tbe values above named, and for special lots of the more lustrous wool there was very animated competition, resulting in one of the best sales it has been our good fortune to conduct, nearly every lot, either at auction or privately afterwards, being placecl at full values. The following shows current wool values : Greasy halfbred —superior, 12d to ll&d; gcod, 10|d to lOd; medium to inferior. 91d to B|d ; greasy merino — good, lOf dto 10id ; medium' to inferior, 10d to 9d; greasy crossbred — sxipearior, ll^d to lid; good, 10£ dto lOd; medium to inferior, 9|d to BJd ; greasy long-wools — good, lOd to 9Jd ; medium to inferior, 9£d to BJd; greasy pieces — superior, 9£d to B£d; good, BJd to 7|d; medium to inferior. 7<d to sid. The

following well-known brands realised highest' prices: — Merino: Lambhill. 5 bales A threequarterback ll|d; Kawarau Falls, 6 merino lid; Lambhill, 8 B quarterback 10|d ; Si, 3 com. merino lO'Jd; SR, 2 merino ewe lOJd; 5 in G, 2 merino lOd ; JB over Hin circle, 1 merino lOd. Halfbred: JB, 2 bales halfbred 1 12d; AB over L, 7 halfbred lid; Kawarau Falls, 12 halfbred lid ; Lambhill, 15 halfbred! lid, 9 do lid; Keith Hall, 4 halfbred 10£ d; Lambhill, 4 halfbred hogget lOJd, 3 do ewa lOJd; H2, 3 halfbred 10^d; bR, 2 halfbred 10id ; H2, 6 halfbred lOJd , lin Diamond, 5 halfbred 10|d; T4, 6 halfbred lOJd; Keith Hall, 1 halfbred 10* d; O, 3 halfbred lOd ; AS, 2 halfbred lOd; Kawarau Falls, 3 halfbred lOd; Lambhill, 5 halfbred lOd; HS over Olrig, 8 nalfbred lOd; I in Circle, 4 halfbred hogget lOd, 4do ewe lOd. Crossbred : A over S, 6 bales crossbred hogget Hid ; over AB, 11 crossbred hogget lid ; Lambhill, 11 crossbred wether Hd; — B, 3 crossbred lid; M, 4 crossbred 1 lOJd; A over S, 9 crossbred ewe lOfd; M 4, 2 crossbred ewe 10|d ; Kawarau Falls, 8 crossbred owe lOJd; Lambhiil, 6 crossbred 102 d; over TR, 4 crossbred lOJd ; M, 7 crossbred lOJd; TG, 3 crossbred lO^d: H2, 3 crossbred lOJd; JB, 18 crossbred 10£ d; V 2, 3 crossbred 10£ d; HX, 2 crossbred lOd ; 4 over M, 3 crossbred ewe lOd; A'R over H, 2 crossbred lOd; H2, 4 crossbred lOd; 31, 7 crossbred lOd; 77, 9 crossbred lOd , RM, 5 crossbred hogget lOd ; I in Diamoad, 3 crossbred lOd; JD conjoined, 6 crossbred lOd ; X (reversed) B conjoined, 2 crossbred 30d; JB, 8 crossbred hogget, lOd. Leicester and Lincoln: Keith Hall, 6 bales Leicester 9£d ; S in G, 2 Leicester 9Jd ; JHA, 3 Leicester 9£d ; La'mbhill, 1 Leicester 9|d ; EM over Key, 3 Leicester 9Jd; X (reversed) B conjoined, 1 Leicester 9Jd; Key, 3 Leicester 9d, 4 " Lincoln BJd. Pieces : Kawarau Falls, 3 bales pieces 9Jd; S in G, 1 pieces 9Jd; Kawarau Falls, 7 piece* B£d. 5 bellies BJd; Lambhill. 12 pieces BJd; Glenroy, 4 pieces BJd; Lambhill, 2 pieces Bid.

Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows : — 5620 bales were catalogued for the opening sale this year, of which number our clients contributed. 1075. The quantity we actual y offered, however, was less than we catalogued by 126 bales, which were not in our warehouse in time to permit of inspection by the trade. There was a fine muster of buyers, all the different sections being well represented, and the result of the sale was, on the whole, highly satisfactory from the woolgrowers' point of view. All the prices were good, but in the case of lustrous, clean-con-ditioned, well-bred crossbreds they reached an extreme point comparea with the figure's that have within recent years been paid for this description. Wool of the class named sold at lip to lid per lb. Exceptionally well-grown, deep ha-fbreds were also in great request, and commanded up to Is per lb. There was very little merino forward, this breed being seldom, largely represented at the opening sale, but we had a very choice consignment from Mr William Gardiner's well-known Tapui flock, which made the following sp.endid prices: — 5 bales first combing ewe hogget, 11 Jd; 2 ewe, lid; 7 first combing hogget, lOJd. The three descriptions of wool just named were exceedingly keenly competed for, chiefly on American account, and by the representatives of the local woollen factories. Coming to the ordinary kinds of woo' such as medium conditioned crossbreds, halfbreds, and merinos, these were not so eagerly sought after, but, neverthe.ess, excepting where vendors' ideas were in advance of the market, sales were without difficulty effected, and at prices eminently satisfactory to the producer. For all classes of pieces there was splendid competition, and. generally speakinsr, they would'appear to the' uninitiated relatively dearer than the fleece wools sold. Comparing values with, those current at this time last year, we give the following table for the information of on* clients : —

The following wools brought th.c highest prices in the various descriptions : — Merino. — On account of Mr "William Gardir>?r. Pukokarara Tfinua CHff: Tamil. 5 bales first comlnvg shafiy ewe hogget Hid, 2 first and second combing merino ewe lid, 7 first combing shaftv merino hogeet 10? d. Quartprl>rfid=.— On account of Messrs Coskerv and Spittle. Pomahaka : SE, 1 bale quarterbred ewe lljd ; on account of the Proprietors o<" Maraeweka Station, Malieno : Maraeweka. 1 b^ile first quartefbred ewe Hid. Hnifbreds. — On account of the Proprietors .-•£ Marscn-eka Station : Maraeweka, 4 bales super hnlfbrrd ewe Hid: on account of Messrs Coslcery and Soittle, Pomahaka: BR. 3 halfbred ewe and bogget 11J. On account of other vendors : Nithside. 30 bales halfbred ewe ll^d : Tapui. 8 super halfbred ewe lid. 2 C halfbred ewe lOjd; WK. 5 liaHbred 101 d: H2. 4 rialfbrpd ewe A 10^d ; 4B conjoined. 3 halfbred pwe 10^d: Maraeweka. 10 second half lived ewe 10' d: N. 5 halfbred ewe and" hog-eret. lOd: BP, 1 halfbrea hogeiet lOd; CJH over Brooklands, 3 first combing halfbred ewe lOd; H2, 10 halfbred wether and hogget A lOd. Three -quarter breds. — On account of Mr A. IST. Hislop, Wangaloa: AH ron joined, 2 bales tin ee-quar+erbred ewe 10|d. On account of other vendors : Okapua, 14 crossbred A lOJd ; Ms.raeweka- 9 three-quarterbred ewe A lO^d, 10 do ewe ?nd hogget lOd Crossbreds. — On eccoant of Messrs Coskery and Spittle, Pomahaka : BR, 5 bales crossbred ew-; and hogget lid ; AL (conjoined) over , 6 crossbred lOgd; VI, 2 fine crossbred 10* d; S (sideways) B, 5 crossbred hogget lOJd ; 5K (reversed), 10 crossbred hogget lOsd; TT, 6 crossbred wether and hogget 10 Jd; AH conjoined, 5 crossbreed ewe lOid: S (sideway) B, 7 crossbred ewe lOJd; EV, 6 crossbred ewe 10id; F over . 2 crossbred hogget lOJd, 17 crossbred lOd ; JJ, 4 crossbred lOd; JE, 7 crossbred lOd; AR over 2, 6 crossbred eve lOd; JS in circle, 5 crossbred ewe and! hogget lOd. Merino Pieces. — On account of Mr William G-ardiner, Pukekarara, Island Cliff: Tapui, 2 bales first pieces 9£d, '4 second pieces and bellies Bd. Halfbred Pieces. — On account of Messrs Heckler Bros., Mount Plaasant, Waikouaiti:' H2, 3 bales halfbred and crossbred bellies and pieces 7Jd. On account of Mr David Isbister, Poolburn : ID, 1 bellies and pieces 7Jd. Crossbred Pieces. — On account of Messrs Coskery and Spittle, Pomahaka: BR, 3 bales first pieces crossbred ewe and bellies crossbred! SJd. On acoount of Mr F. R. Wright, Okapua, Chatton: Okapua, 5 bales first pieces BJd. On account of other vendors : AH conjoined, 2 bales bellies and pieces 8d ; AL (conjoined) over . 1 pieces 7Jd; TT, 1 bellies and pieces 7Jd; 5K (reserved), 1 crossbred bellie9

The special Gabdmt Fertiliser made tip bw Kimmo and Blair will be found to give excellent results when used for Flowers and Vegetables; also for Pot Plants, in and out of greenhouse. It is put up in 71 b bags, at Is 6<] each. Ask your itpjekeeper for &

and -pieces 7|d; D in circle, 2 bellies and pieces 7Jd; Okapua, 2 bellies 7£d. The National Mortgage and Agency Company, ,of New Zealand (Limited) report as follows.; — We beg to report having held our first wool sale of the season on Thursday, when we offered a catalogue of 644 bales, the whole of vhich was cleared at satisfactory prices, with the exception of the merino portion of the CA over T clip, this; not reaching reserves, being passed in. There was a good attendance of huyeis, and the bidding throughout was animated- The values -of merinos- and the finer halfbreds, as compared with last year, were not maintained, while medium halfbreds and crossbreds and strong wools showed an average advance of lid to 2£d. The quality of tb.2 wool as a- whole was all that could be desired, being clean and well grown, and showing no signs of tenderness. We obtained the top price of Is for a small parcel of exceptionally bright, clean, lustrous halfbreds. Our catalogue included the well-known clips of Messrs Smith, and Sons (Greenfield), Macfarlane and Co. (Teviot), G. Bla'cklock (Waiwera), H. Palmer (OtoMa), W. Jaffray (East Taieri), Jsmes Nevill (Ida Valley), etc. To illustrate the advance in the stronger classes of wool, ■we subjoin a table showing the actual prices realised for the same clips for both years : —

We subjoin a list of prices realised: — Greenfield: -11 bales ewe and wether crutchings 7§d, 9 hogget do 7d, 3. dead wool BJd, 11 fir-e crossbred wether lid, 44 crossbred wetter lOJd, 10 i;hree-quarterbred do 10£ d, 3 do 9£d, 6 crossbred ewe lOd, 3 three-quarterbred ewe lOJd, 5 Leicester ewe lOJd, 5 do ram 9}d, 49 crossbred hogget lOid, 5 three-quarterbred do 9id 57 do 9d, 2 halfbred lOJd, 3 first pieces B|d, 3 second do 5Jd, 16 bellies 7id, 5 third pieces sd, 1 three-quarterbred 9Jd, 1 cotted and dingy B|d, 1 locks 3d. CO : 2 bales crossbred 9|d. HP conjoined: 14 bales crossbred 9gd, 2 pieces 6f d. BM: 2 bales crossbred 9£d. I S in triangle : • 2 bales crossbred ewe 9|d, 1 fleece and pieces 9d. W over crescent: 6 bales halfbred hogget lOjJd; 6 crossbred ewe lO^d, 1 thfea-quarterbred and dingy 9Jd,- 1 bellies, 7|d, 1 stained pieces sd,ri pieces 7Jd. '' ' HA conjoined : 2 bales crossbred hogget 9id, 2 crossbred 'ewß.9d, 1" pieces 62d. , ' WI over-crescent: 3 bales crossbred wether. 9iu. - '. TB over" Waiwera: 6 bales crossbred ewe 10 ja, 4do hogget '9a, 2 crossbred pieces 6|d, 1 crossbred ewe B|d, 1" locks s|d. AW conjoined: 2 bales merino 92d, 3 halfbred 9Jd, 1 merino' bellies and pieces- 65d OMP.: 3 bales first combing halfbred"lld, 4 do crossbrea 9a, 2> do three-quarterbred 9*a,. 2 pieces 64d. ' - J.C.: 11 hales halfbred 105 d, 2 do 9J<3, 1 do B|d, 1 peces 7ja, 1 bellies 6Jd, 1 locks and pueces 4|d. AZ: 2 bales crossbred 9Jd.^ CA overT: 5 bales first combing halfbred wether and rains lOJd, 21, do wether -and ewe ll£d, 6 second" combing h'alfb'red. wether and ewe lOJd, 14 first combing halfbred ewe lid, 9 second combihg.,do 10J, 4 combing halfbred ewe lOfd, 6 first "combing crossbred ewe 92d 3 second combing do lOJd, 9, first combing halfbred hogget lOd, 7 dingy halfbred hogget 9id, 5 first combing quarterbred ewe and hogget lOja, ,6 combfiig- halfbred hogget 9£d, 4 first combing~Leicester hogget and rams 9*d, 5 combing and clothing halfbred hogget lOd. " W.Ja: 7 bales crossbred ewe lOd, 7 dolioaeet 10£ d, 1 bellies 6Jd. \ S V inverted under crescent : 2 bales fine crossbred 9Jd, 1 crossbred 9d. M : 5 bales crossbred ewe 9d, sdo hogget 9id, 2 crossbred 9Jd, 1 bellies 6£d, 1 pieces 6Jd. F4: 4 bales crossbred lOJd, 1 half bred and merino 9^d. Glover Eankleburn: 4 bales crossbred hoggef 10£ d, 2 quarterbred 12d, 1 first and second combing crossbred lOd, 1 first pieces 9£d, 1 second pieces 9d, 1 mixed fleece 9|d, 1 bellies and pieces 7|d. HES : 2 bales halfbred hogget 10|d, 4 crossbred hogget 10|d, 2 crossbred 9£d. TG : 1 bale crossbred 9Jd. CO: 1 bale crossbred B|d. - GA: 1 bale crossbred ofd. X: 1 bale halfbred-9fd. IB.: 1 bale crossbred 9d. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association (Limited) report-.— We held our first wool sale of the season on_ Thursday, when, we submitted a catalogue of merino, hajibred. crossbred, and Leicester cross wools, chiefly farmers* lots. The bulk of the clips offered by us were from well-conditioned sheep, which had been fairly well done to during the winter months, and this, of course, had a tendency to- increase the weight of fleece. We therefore haye 'no startling-prices to rectord. Neverthe less, our catalogue sotd remarkably well, and art prices — notwithstanding the considerable rise in values from last" season's figures — satisfactory to growers. The whole of our catalogue with the exception of four lots was sold at auction, thus showing that prices were quite , up to our valuations, and in two or three instances to growers' reserves. ' Tie following vril'l show a few of our best prices : — I over H, 7 bales halfbred 9|d ; TT (reversed) I, 17 bales halfbred 9|d; Land CD, 5 bales half-bred-ewe 9Jd; S5, 4 bags halfbred ewe lOJd; B and heart, 1 bag halfbred wether 9Jd; S5, 3 bags halfbred hogget 9|d; PA. 2 bags fine crossbred 9Jd; JM3, 4 bags crossbred 9|d; HaJ-circle over O, 4 bags crossbred 10d; WG, 4 bags crossbred ewe 10|d ; B and heart, 4 ,T>ags crossbred wether 9£d; PS, 7 bags crossbred ewe 10|d; 83, 3 bags crossbred hogget 9|d; GE, 2 bags merino 9d ; SE in circle; 4 bags merino 9Jd; JWB, 1 bag Leicester 9|d ; 19, 2 bags Shropshire 9*d- SK in circle, 3 fcggs first pieces 9d ; TW. 1 baff halfbred pieces 9Jd; 73, 2 bags pieces 8d; 2F, 1 bag bellies and pieces 6fd; I over H, 1 bag pieces and locks 4£d. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), report holding their first wool sale of the season on Thursday at the Agricultural Hall Buildings, and lemark as follows: — The total offeringsamounted to 5500 bales, of which we offered 702 bales and sold practically the whole lot. A full and very representative gathering of buyers was present, and, as anticipated, bidding was very keen, particularly so for all ■well-grown, good-conditioned crossbred wools. In the case of fine wools values were much as last year, with a slight advance. All crossbreds, on. the other hand, have advanced to a stage undreamed of last year. Cabled reports from London after each sale have, however, kept us quite in touch with what has been going on in the chief wool centres. Coarse crossbred was selling at the London February Bales at from 7|d to BJd, from which time it has advanced by gradual stages from those values to from lid to 11-Jd in November. Fine crossbred during the same tfcne advanced from 9*d to Is; while halfbred advanced from lljd for well-grown and clean samples to 12|d. In flno wool (merino), *« said before, the diffe*enoe is not to pronounced, $d covering any.

rise that has taken place between last February and the present time. Compared with last season offerings at our sale showed signs of being better grown, the absence of break being noticeable. The delayed spring, however, is rsponsiible for a considerable amount of discolouration. Bidding yesterday was very brisk for good, long, and well-grown crossbreds, lljd being the top price for this class of wool. Well-grown pieces were also very keenly competed for, and brought prices very comforting to vendors. We can safely say that values yesterday were quite up to London parity. Our top price for halfbred was lljd, and for crossbred lid. Anyone going through the catalogues will be struck with the evenness of value as between the coarse and fine grades, the difference being quite one of " condition. Never before in our experience has this been so to the same extent. A comparison of values between this season and last niav be interesting: -Crossbred: 1903-4— Good, BJd to 9d ; medium, 7d to 8d ; inferior, 6d to 6f d. 1904-5— Good, 10|di to ll|d; medium, 9d to lOd; inferior, 8d to B|d; extra choice to ll|d. Halfbred: 1903-4 — Good, 9d to lOd ; medium, 8d to SJd; inferior, 7d to 7gd. 1904-5 — Good, lOd to lid; medium, 9d to 9|d; inferior, 8d t6 B|d ; extra choice to l-ljd. As very little merino wa-s effered, it is hardly necessary to give a statement of relative values beyond saying that a halfpenny will cover the difference as between last year and this. The following clips offered and sold by us realised 9d or over: — 7M (D. Morgan), 9Jd; JA (Mrs Mary Allison), 9|d; P <J. A. and D. M'Phail), 9|d; HV (J. Hughan), 9id; WS (Wm, Souter), lid; I (J. and M. Stewart), 9Jd; 69 (M'Kenzie Bros.), halfbred to~ lOJd, crossbred to lOd; F in diamond (J. S. Fleming), lOJd ; Toko under KM (Eobt. Murray), 9§d; BJ over A (Mrs J. Brown), 9£d ; HJ conjoined (G. Harvey), lOd ; thistle in a crescent (James Boss), halfbred and crossbred lid.; IB under bar (M. J. Isbister)', 9^d; Toko under D (George Dunn), lOJd; TE' (Thomas Eussell), 9Jd; PS (Peter Smith), 9£d; LL (J. Courtier), 9d; 1 iv circle (J. Bapson), 9d; Pukepito (J. Miller), 91d; KO (James Copland), halfbred to 9|d, crossbred to 9&d; JF (Hugh Fraser), 9|d; 3S (Scott Bros.), 9d; CS (Chas. Shand), 9gd; EO (E O'Connell), lOJd; JHB (Mrs Bruhns), 9d; FTJDK (John Findlay), 9£d; EB (Renton Bros.), 9|d; GW (G-. Wise), 9id; ON (J. O'Neill), 9|d; TT (Nyhon^Bros.), 9£d; D 4 (D. Drinnan), 9*d. S'tronach, Mooris, and Co. report as follows: Wo held our first wool sale of the season on ' Thursday, *22nd lust., at the Agricultural Hall Buildings, when we submitted s, catalogue of 322 bales. Theri was a- large attendance of buyers— in fact, much, laiger than usual at the first sals. These included the representatives" of nearly all the woollen mills, large shippers to Britain, the Continent, and _ America, and local speculators and fellxnongers. Since last season the London market has been, steadily advancing, especially for crossbred wools, and. the opening Dunedin auction was looked" forward to with great interest. We are pleased to report that on the whole we had a most satisfactory sale, ami we are sure that our clients vail be pleased with their returns. We give in tho following table the values ruling .tiiis year and last, -which will no doubt prove of interest: —

Last Year This Year. d. d. d. d. Merino — Super .. .. 10 to 111 10 to 11J. Medium to good 8J to 9J 84 to 9| Inferior .... 7 to 8 7" to 8 HaJfbred— Super .. .. 9J to 11 10* to 12 Medium to good 7| to 9 8| to 10£ Inferior .... 5| to 7^ 8 to 8* Crossbred — Super .... 8 to 9 10 to 11J Medium to good 6| to 7f 5g to 9£ Inferior .... 5| to 6J 8 to Si Lc rg-wools' — Super .... Gi to 75 9J to 105 Medium to good 5| to 6} 8 to 9i Inferior .... 5 to 55 7 to 7|

Pieces and beldes were very keenly competed for, and showed a rise on last season's values of Id, to 3d, according to quality. The following are a few of our best prices : — Lee Flat Station^ 5 bales first combings quarterbred. ll*a, 11 bales first combing halfbred HJd, 12 bales first combing fine crossbred lid, first pieces 9d, second pieces and bellies BJd ; Trustees late James Fulton (Eavenscliffe Estate), 6 bales Komney ewe lOd, Romney first pieces B|d; M-Adie Bros, (Poolburn), 4 bales halfbred lOJd; Matakanui Station, 3 bales halfbred lOJd; Thomas Sim, jun. (Heriot), 5 bales crossbred ewe 10|d; W. E. De C. Husmes (Tokarahi),.,2 bales halfbred ewe lOJd; William Barron (Crookston), 5 bales crossbred lOJd; George H. Stewart (Crookston), 5 bales crossbred ewe lOJd, 7 bates crossbred hogget lOd ; J. Sinclair Thomson (Goodwood), 4 bales halfbred 10|d; E^se Gunn (Tuapeka Flat), 10 bales crossbred lOJd; Robert Rutherford (Poolburn), 6 bales crossbred ewe lOJd; John Pottinger (Ranfuily), 5 bales halfbred ewe 10£d;_A. W. Morris, jun. (Fairlie), 4 bales halfbred ewe lOid, 8 bal.es three-quarterbred ewe lOd. Our next sale will be held on 13fh January, when we look forward to offering a large catalogue with the same satisfactory results. Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) report: — The first sale of the series of the Dunedin wool sales was held on Thursday, when 5634 bales were submitted, to which total we^contributed 1218 bales,, and sold 1032 bales. This year's clip, on the whole, is in better condition than last season's, being better grown and sounder m staple- but, on the other hand, a considerable number of the lots offered by us to-day were heavy in grease, discoloured by tick stains, and slightly earthy. There was a large attendance of buyers, representing all the consuming centres. Competition was very keen for all good wool in light condition., but for irregular, wasty parcels the market was slightly uncertain. As usua'i, the local mills were in evidence for all lots of halfbreds and merinos. For ordinary merinos prices are about a halfpenny in favour of sellers as compared with prices realised at the opening sales last season. Light halfbreds and flue crossbreds of good quality suitab.e for America are from Id to 2d higher. Medium crossbreds are from 2d to 2id higher, and coa-rse crossbreds and Lincolns in light condition are from 2d to 3d higher. The top price for light-conditioned halfbred at the sales was 12d, which is very satisfactory, and should be an encouragement to owners to send their clips to the Dunedin sales. The range of values obtained to-day was as follows: — Merinos: Superior, none; medium to good, lOd to 10|d; inferior, 8?d to 9Jd. HaUfbred: superior, lOfd to 12d; medium to good, 9fd to lOJd; inferior, B^d to 9Jd. Fine crossbred : Superior, 10£ dto lid ; medium to good, 9Jd to lOd; inferior, BJd to 9d. Coarse crossbred : Superior, 9|d to "lOd ; medium to good, BJd to 9d ; inferior. 81d to BJd. Lincoln : Superior, 9Jd to 10Jd ; medium to good, B£d to 9d; inferior, 8d to B£d. The following are some of our principal sales : — Merino and quraterbred: THE conjoined in red (Mr James Hobert-Bon, TokoraW), 2 bales, lOJd; DR (Mr David Ross, Palmerston), 4 bales, l(Hd; DD (Mr John M'Rae, Tarras), 4 bales, lOJd ; J in C (Mr J. H. Crutchley (Kyeburn), 4 bales, 1043; 12 in triangle (Mr John Wilson, Ophir), 9 bales, 10X3 ; R over Lake Hayes (Messrs Reid and M'DoweiljXower Shotover). 5 bales, lOJd. Halfbred: CTP(lfr C. White. Omakati)," 2 bales, IOT3 ; A tinder eyebrow (Mr M. Graham, Miller's Flat), I b»le«, lOJd; XT (Mr George Tnnrinill, Windsor), 5 tal«t, 10£ d Tevpanai

(Mr TV. J. Wadworth), 2 bales, lf^d; DR (Mr D. Ross, Palmerston), 2 bales, lid, 14 baJes, , Hid; VO (Mr John M'Rae, Tarras), 11 bales, lOd ; 3 J (Messrs J. and J. Sheppard, Becks), 3 bales, lid; DW (Mr W. F. Dundas, Ida Valley), o bales, lOJd; MR (Mr Mark Roberts, Gimmerburn). S bales, lO^d; GG- under bar , (Mr E. F. Gerkins, Becks), 5 bales, lOid. Crossi bred: XT (Mr George Turnbull, Windsor), 2 bales, lOJd; Tapanui (Mr W. J. Wadworth), 5 bales, lOJd ; WM (Mr S. W. Moffat, Balclutha), 3 bales, lOJd; 3 J (Messrs J. and J. Sheppard, Becks), 6 bales, lO|d; D E (Mr David Ross, Palinerston), 18 bales, lOJd , a (Mr Alex. M'Donald, Maheno), 8 bales, lOJd ; EH over X (Mr R. Houliston, Kakapuaka), 3 bales, lOJd; M (Mr E. Marslin, Alexandra^. 10 bales, lOJd ; DW (Mr W. P. Dunclas, Ida Va - ley), 4 bales, lOJd. Bellies and pieces: DR (Mr David Ross. Palmerston), 10 bales, 71d ; M (Mr E. Marslin, Alexandra), 3 bales 7£d: CG (Mr C. G. Mountney), 3 bales. 7id; DR (Mr D. Ross, Palmerston), 4 bales first pieces, BJd. Messrs Waters, Eitcbie, and Co. report having held their first wool sale of the season ! on Thursday when they offered a catalogue of I 159 bales. There was a very large attendance of biiyers, including English, foreign, and American, together with our local shippers and manufacturers. Competition throughout the sale was very brisk, particularly for bright lustrous wools suifable for the American trade. As compared with last season, the greatest advance was made in crossbred and tbreequarterbreds, these descriptions ruling from 2d to 3d per lb higher for the best descriptions. Medium halfbreds did not show such a great alteration, ruling from id to Id better ; while merino was without much alteration. Locks and pieces were in special demand, and. brought extreme prices. We quote : Super halfbred, lid to 12d; good, 9|d to 10|d; ir>edituu, 9d to 9Jd; super crossbred, lOJd to lljsd; good, 9|d to 10£ d; medium. BJd to 91d; super longwools, 9|d to lOSd ; medium, B£d I to 9^d; super pieces, 8d to 9Jd; medium, 5d to 7fd per lb.

13U1. Super merino .. Medium merino .. Jimer lia fhvpd Medium balfbred .. [uferior halfbred . . ■htper three-ouarter-brsd . . *. . Medium three-quar-ter bred Suner crossbred Medium crossbred . . d. 10 to 11 8 to 8* 10i to 10| 8| to 9 7J to 8 8i to 9J nto 8j 81 to 9 6i to 71 a. to ll; 9 to 10; 11 to 12 9 to 10; 8 to 8j io to ii; 9 to 9: 10 to 11 Sh to 9 ;

Irossbred „ ... ■.. 'hree-quarterbred . . Medium halibred .. jcicester Jrossbred pieces !rossbred bellies Thi is Year. L IOJd . . 10J3 ..• IOJd .. IOJd .. Bfd „ 7* .. Liast Year. B£d - BJd B|d 7 d 6 d 5 d