THE WOOL SALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 22

THE WOOL SALES.

LONDON, January 12. The Antwerp wool sales were animated, and there was a large attendance. English buyers of merinos advanced five centimes. For crossbreds there was a lively demand, and prices were fully 15 centimes above the November rates. Two thousand six hundred and forty-eight bales were offered and 1554 sold. Tanuary 13. The Antwerp wool sales have closed. Merinos ruled from pair to 6 per cent, advance. Crossbreds, which were eagerly competed for, were 20 per cent, higher. Five thousand eight hundred and fourteen bales of La Plata wool were offered and 3543 sold. AUCKLAND. January 12. The second of the Auckland series of wool sales was 1 held to-day, when there was a strong bench of buyers present. The market opened well, the tone being firm, and in agreement with London rates. Bidding was brisk all through, and competition was keen for choice parcels. • The catalogue comprised 6378 bales. The offerings of the various brokers and the order of sale was .as follows :—Buckland and Sons, 1883 bales; Auckland Farmers’ Union, 425 bales: Dalgety and Co., 1160 bales; G. W. Binney and Sons. 563 bales; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency. 2347 bales Most of the wool was well grown, and a very marked improvement in packing was noticeable, and was reflected in the more confident buying. The warm weather had brought the “yolk” well up, and conseouently the wool was heavier in grease th'vi at the November sale, so that prices that on the surface might seem on a par with November rates were really higher. The average prices were as follow : —Fine halfbreds. 9|d to 13|d; superfine crossbreds. 11 (Id to 12id; medium crossbred and Romney, lOd to 11-J,d; coarse crossbred and Lincoln. 8-1 d to lOd; inferior and log-stained, 7Ad to 9|d : lambs’ first, 9fd to 10fd; lambs’ second, 6|d to 9-id ; locks and pieces. 5d to 7fcl. CHRISTCHURCH. January 13. The third wool sale of this season’s series was held to-day, when 22,798 bales were catalogued. There was a good at-, tendance of buyers, though not so large as at the two previous sales, all sections of the trade being well represented. There was a. good selection of wool offered, including a number of large station clips. Being shorn later, the wool was naturally heavier in grease, but was generally clean, and there were no complaints about wet wool as was the case at the previous sale. There was good competition for all descriptions of wool. Bradford and Continental buyers were the strongest operators, whilst a fair amount of business was dome on American account. The woollen mills were principally after merinos, and the local fed mongers met with strong competition for scouring lots. Taking it altogether, the sale was an exceedingly satisfactory one to growers. Best half bred wools, though somewhat irregular, sold, considering their condition, fully up to the Level of the December sale. Medium halfbreds, and all grades of crossbreds were firmer in many cases by fully -j,d per lb. Merino wool sole! better than at the, previous sales. The range of prices was : —Super, merino, lid to 131 d : medium. 81d to 10|d; super, halfbred, 12Jd to 144 rd : medium, 11-J,-d to 12-1; inferior, lOd to lid : super. Corriedale, qnarterbred. 12d to 12fd ; medium, lOd to life! : inferior. 83d to 93d ; super, crossbred. 12-id : medium, lOd to llf-d; inferior, 8d to 9f: Down wool, 9|d to 12d; long wool, 73d to 10-id.'; merino pieces, 71d to llgd : best halfbred pieces. 9d to llgd; second halfbred pieces, 5Ad to 81 d: crossbred pieces, 4fd to 8d; locks, 2|d to 61. January 14. The wool sale was continued this morn-

-1 ing with a full attendance of buyers for all descriptions. There was a keen demand, Bradford and Continental representatives being the principal purchasers. The level of prices set yesterday was fully maintained, and quite 95 per cent, of the offerings changed hands under the hammer. INVERCARGILL, January 14. It would appear from the wool catalogues of this season that wool-growing in Southland is extending, as there were more bales forward at the December sal© than ever before submitted at a December sale, while the catalogue _ for the second sale next Wednesday will comprise just on 12,000 bales, which is a record for Invercargill. A factor also in the large entry is of course that much less wool has been sold this season to private buyers owing to the high prices ruling at auction. The wool is for tire most part off ewes, and as it is in tiptop condition, prospects for a satisfactory sal© are bright. It is anticipated that fully as good values will rule at this sale as those obtained at the previous one in December. DUNEDIN MARKETS. WHOLESALE PRODUCE REPORTS. Mr J. Fleming, Princes street south, reports under date the 18th inst.;—. Wheat per bushel. per ton Best milling 4/5 Medium do ... 4/4 Oaten chaff 56/0—62/6 Fowls’ ... 3/10 —4/0 Ryegrass hay 52/6 — (1(1/0 Milling oats ... 1/10 Straw ....27/0 to 35/0 Feed oats... J/S —1/0 Pearl barley ..... 340,(i Malt 1 ar'.ey ... 3/0 c\v. Feed barley 2/0 —2/3 Onions, good 8/o—ll/0 Cape barley ... 3/6 per lb. Maize ... ... 4/ti Boiled bacon .... 84.1 per ton. Side bacon ... gjd Hour, in 200’s ... 215,0 Smoked hams ... il l Flour, in 50’s ... 200/1) Cheese ... 6d—64-1 Pollard 80/0 Good salt butter, 9d To Bran 05/0 ’Gd, according to quality New potatoes, 4s to 5s per cwt. Old potatoes are out of the market. FARM AND DAIRY PRODUCE. Messrs Irvins and Stevenson, George street, report paying for produce during the week ending the ISth inst. as follows: Bacon (roll), 8d per lb I Fresh butter, Sd to Ham, 8d per lb I 9d per lb Fresh tggs. lid dez I Salt butter ; not buying Fresh butter, aood ordinary (in 11b and Jib prints). £d to iod per lb. Pigs, 1301 b to 1601 b, 35d. Honey 3Ad. Fowls, 3s to 3s 6d (boiling). THE HIGH OODMISSIONER’S CABLEGRAM. WELLINGTON, January 17. The High Commit' sioner cables, under date London, January 15: Mutton. —The market is quiet but steady. There is a fair local demand, a.nd holders are firm. The stock of New Zealand mutton on hand is moderate. Canterbury mutton averages 4^d; North Island 3 |d ; Australian (large supply), ojd; River Plate, 31,d. Lamb. —The market is quiet. New Zealand lamb (other than Canterbury), 3|d; Canterbury (new season’s), 4d. There is a better demand for beef, but no change in prices since last quotations. Now Zealand binds,, Sid; fores, 2|d. The butter market is firm, with a good demand. Average price choicest New Zealand butter, 112 s. " The cheese market is firm, with a, general and active demand. Finest New Zealand whit© cheese averages 575; coloured, 56e. Th© hemp market is dull, and buyers are showing caution. Prices: Now Zealand, good fair, on spot, £27 10s; fair. £26 15s; Manila, fair current. £26 ICs: Ja.rru-ary-Maroh shipment, good fair, £27; fair, £26 ; Manila, £25 10s. The oupuh of Manila for the week is 22,000 bales. The cocksfoot seed market is quiet, but holders are firm at last quotations. New Zealand 171 b seed, 75 s. The wheat market is firm at last quotations. New Zealand ehoi’tibsrry, 395; longberry, 38s 6d. The cat market is firm, but the supply meets the demand.. New Zealand sparrowbills, on. spot, ex granary, 19-3 Sd per 3841 b; New Zealand Danish, 18s 7d per 3201 b. The bean market remains firm. New Zealand old crop, f.a.q., 46s fed. The pea market is firm, but business is dull ort account of high prices. New Zealand partridge peas, scs per 5041 b. Tho wool market is firm, with more inquiry. The market is affected by general improvement ■ in trade, and is advancing owing to strong demand. Hops remain firm, with a general and active demand. THE FROZEN MEAT MARKET. NAPIER, January 13. The C.C. and D. Company (London) cable tho following frozen meat prices:— Mxpielr, Wellington, and North Island mutton, 3|d; lamb, first quality Akl, second 3aC!; beef, hinds, 3d, fores 2gd. SOUTHLAND CHEESE. Our Bluff correspondent states on reliable Information that three very large sales of Southland cheese were effected at the end ' veek ,-. The shippers have been to the Bluff making preliminary arrangements, xno purchase price is quoted at per lb. THE WOOL TRADE. The imports of wool for the year into market have amounted to i,c00,000 bales, of which the largest importers are: —Dalgety and Co. (Ltdj 78,000 bales; Union Bank of Australia (Ltd.), .bales; Bank of New Zealand, 45,000 _ bales; Sanderson, Murray, and Co., oS.GOCL bates; Australian Mortgage, Land, and Finance Company (Ltd.)', 34.000 bales; Bank of Australasia, 33,000 bales; Bank, of New South Wales, 29.000 bales; New Zealand and Australian Land Company, 28,000 bales. OAMARU MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, January 17. t The markets still await the advent of tho new crop, and it is not anticipated that there will be any decided movement until the new grain is harvested. One hears occasionally of purchases having been made from outside sources, but so far as tho district’s grain is concerned it is now established beyond doubt that there is none of the old left. Lines of Tuscan and velvet were bought in South Canterbury at 4a 3d

for the latter and 4s for Tuscan net at sidings. Solid straw Tuscan can, I understand, be bought at 3s lOd to 3s lid, but there is no demand, and the only reason why Tuscan is bought at all is that velvet cannot he got without buying Tuscan with it. A line of cats changed hands during the week at Is net at Oamaru. There is little inquiry. Potatoes -are not yet being received suitable for shipping, although there is much digging going on. Consignments have, I understand, been railed south. At the present time the tubers are worth from £6 to £6 10s at Oamaru. GRAIN 1 AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report: We held our weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores on Monday, when we offered -a small catalogue to a -moderate attendance of the trade. Bidding was not over-brisk, and for most .lines lower prices than those lately ruling had to ho accepted. Values ruled as under: Oats. —Little business is passing with the exception of small lines for local use. Values are about equal to those of a week ago, merchants not being disposed to operate pending the arrival of the now season’s grain. We quote: prime milling, Is 9d to Is lOd; good to best feed, Is 71 d to Is 9d; inferior to medium, Is 5d to Is 6j>d -per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat.—Stocks in store are now much reduced, and very little business is passing. Prime velvet is in short supply, and millers a.ro ready buyers of all lines on offer. Red wheat and Tuscan have not the same inquiry. Fowl wheat is scarce, and meets with ready sale at quotations. We quote: Prime milling, 4s 4d to 4s 5d ; medium to good. 4s 2jrl to 4s 3-j.d; best whole fowl wheat, 4 s to 4s 21, d ; medium, 3s 6d to 3s lOd.; broken and damaged, 2s Sd to 5s 3d per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes.—Heavy consignments have come forward during the week, and prices show a somewhat sudden decline on those ruling a week ago. At our sale -best lines realised at from £4 to £5 per ton (sacks included). Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf has been rv-iving freely during the past week, and S'ri* are. now somewhat easier. We offered several lines of prime quality, which wo disposed of at from £3 to £5 2s 6d; extra choice, to £3 5s per ton (bags extra). Medium and inferior is practically unsaleable. HIDE SALES. MELBOURNE, January 13. At the hide sales to-day there were moderate supplies, and the demand was excellent. Light-weights were one-eighth of a penny dearer. RABBITSKINS. As showing the very high prices ruling for winter rabbitskins at present, Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. report that at their sale this week they sold a lino of winter doeskins at 42|d per lb. This is, we understand, the highest price ever paid in New Zealand for rabbitskins, and represents a value of a fraction under 8d for each skin sold in this lot. RABBITSKIN SALES. SHARP RISE. LONDON, January 14. Aiming’s report on the rabbi tskin sales soys there was a strong demand, and furriers were buying largely at extreme prices. Now Zealand thin medium winter rose 6d to Is per lb, medium heavy 5d to Bd, goed ■outgoing 2d to 4d, and other sorts Id to 2d ; Australian fair to good winter 4d to 9d, and the remainder Id to 3d; 1800 bundles were offered. STOCK SALES. Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. {Ltd.) report having hold their monthly Wai- > - stock sale on Thursday, when there wa-i- a fair yarding of cattle. Bidding was ";• iriy brisk, and everything offered was cleared at full rates. Dairy cows brought from £4 17s 6d to £6; three-year-old steers, to £7 12s 6d; young cattle, to £2 ss; dry cows, to £4. They also report having laid their usual monthly Evanadalo sale i Friday, when there was a large entry < ’ cattle. Buyers were not very numerous, j doubt owing to the continued dry vfither, but' practically everything was £ Id at full market rates. Dairy cows v ere in good demand, and brought from 5 10s to £7; 18-month-old steers, to £2 ’.As; yearlings, from £1 10s to £1 19s; and bulk from £1 17s to £3 10s. ’ i EDIN HORSE SALEYARDS. vVright, Stephenson, and Co. report as follows: —For Saturday’s sale we na-d a medium entry of mixed horses. The attendance of the public was good, and wo had a full muster of town carters and contractors. Few of the horses offered, however, were suitable for these clients, and the amount of business done was limited. In draughts our highest price obtained was £35, and for spring-carters £24. There is a good demand for tip-top heavy shatters, suitable for town work, and owing to the approach of harvest good farm sorts are also inquired for. The Dunedin market for some time past has been very bare of really firet-claes spring-carters. For this ' •,s:i of horse there is a good demand, if -.ound, active, and staunch, and good animals from the country are easily disposed of at full market rates. We quote: Superior -oung draught geldings at from £4O r i £45; extra good ditto (prize-winners), t from £45 to £SO: superior young (’•■aught mares at from £SO to £6O; medium, draught mares and geldings, at from £3O ) £4O; aged at from £lO strong .< unrig van horses at from £25 to £3O; • :rong spring-carters at from £lB to £25; milk cart and butchers’ order cart horses ,--t from £ls to £25; light hacks at from £3 to £l3; extra good hacks and harness horses at from £l3 to £25; weedy and r.gcd at from £5 to £7. ( TAGO FARMERS’ HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago, Farmers’ Co-operative Assocation of New Zealand report®:-—We heldour weekly horse sale at od-r bazaar on Saturday, when we submitted to a good attendance of country buyers, town contractors, a-rrd traders an entry of 52' draught mares and geldings, yanniers, ep ring -cart, and buggy horses. Biddmo -as good for all useful draught horses. We had several consignments from Central Otago—good, hardy sorts, although some of them were on the young side for town work. The best of these brought high prices. We had also a number of unbroken spring-carters and hackneys, three, four, ajrd five years old, but the bidding for these was rather slow. Wo sold a number of good upstand-

ing harness horses and hackneys at tot; quotations, and several heavy springcarters at good value®. Next Friday, January 21, we shall hold our annual harvest sale, and judging from the entry and the inquiry for useful horses, we anticipate a good sale. We quote: Good young draught, mares at from £3B to £45; extra good Dlydcsdi.ile mares, suitable for stud purposes, £45 to 80 guineas ; superior young draught geldings, .fit for shaft and lorry work, £3B to £4B, extra to £55; ordinary draught mares and geldings at from £23 to £3B; aged draughts at from £lO to £2O; good strong, up-standing vanners, at from £26 to £33; heavy spring-carters at from £2O to £27 10s; ordinary springcarters at from £ls to £2O; upstanding buggy mares and geldings from £l6 to £25: hackneys and cob ponies, from £8 to £ls.