OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3353, 19 June 1918, Page 11

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

.FURTHER IMPORTS OF SOUTH AMERICAN WOOLS PROHIBITED. (Faon Oua Special Cohi:espomi>iixt.i BRADFORD, April 9. Since writing' last the department has announced that it is prepared to offer British wool-growers a 10 per cent, advance on the prices paid last season, which' makes a total advance of 60 per cent, above JuneJuly prices in 1916. The concession is not regarded as very great, but it is exactly, what the writer forecasted some six weeks ago* At that time British wool-growers, speaking through their various associations, made a demand for 75_per cent., and in one case 100 per cent, on pre-war prices; but the department, in buying a thing, evidently moves very slowly, although in advancing the selling price of the partly manufactured article in the shape of tops, values move up at the rate of "3d. per lb. ii-. . . n.-r, uuying the raw material and selling the partly manufactured article are very different propositions, and as far as one can see Br,t.sh wool-growers will have to be satisfied with 60 per cent advance, notwithstanding the officials of the department are to bo approached by an important sheepbreaders' rssociation with a view of considering their decision. We hardly think that there will be any concession made, because every farmer will shortly be receiving a census form, and the same formalities will have to b* gone through as 'ast year, every grower being told to which authorised merchant he must sell his clip at the fixed price of the department. We are living in days when no man can do as he likes, and considering the enhanced value which sheep are making, and the high prices of all farm products, British farmers are not doing at all badly—in fact, Ihey are doing exceedingly well, it being only foodstuffs and wages which have gone against them CLASSES OF BRITISH WOOL.

! Attention having been called to the do- : mestio_ product, the opportunity is given for ! enlarging upon the general utility of i British-grown wools and the classes into which they can be made. It is very reI markable that ir the British Isles, all round 30 pure breeds of sheep are being pastured, no other country in the world having (for its size) either so many pure breeds or so many sheep. To think that there are nearly 23 million sheep to be found in theso small islands, along with excellent numbers of cattle i and horses, proved conclusively British farmers are all practising intensive methods. Briefly, wools" can Le divided into the following: classes:—Lustres, derm-lustres, Downs, halfbreds, and mountain wools. Each class could be discussed at considerable length, but a brief enumeration of the breeds of sheep forming the above classes is all that is necessary at present. For instance, lustre wools" are all Erown upon sheep known as Lincoln, eicester, Yorkshire, Devon, and Wensleydale breeds. These are found chiefly in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire; but no doubt, in the evolution of the Devon, there has been a strong mixture of either the Lincoln or the Cotswold; but the evolution of the different classes of British sheep does not concern us here. The chief feature is the fleece, and all 'the wools spoken of bulk mostly 36's, although a portion of the shoulder wool will run to 40's, and in the case of the Wenslevdale_ the n.uality will ranare nn to 44's. Speaking solely from a wool standpoint, the latter is Undoubtedly

'the fleece that appeals most to Yorkshire spinners, practically all the Wensleydale lustre wools being used in conjunction with mohair. The fibre is a little finer in quality than the pure Lincoln, is equally as lustrous, and, on the .whole, is a little softer in handle, points "which all make for the benefit of the fleece. When we come to the demi-lustre wools, we have here a larger variety and a bigger quantity. The bulk of these constitute wools from tho Romney Marsh, commonly known in the trade as Kerits. A big weight is also produced in Ireland, these forming the principal source of demi-lusferes. In addition there are sheep grown largely in the North of England, chiefly in Northumberland and Durham, known as north hogs and wethers. This is a cross between the Cheviot ewe and the Leicester ram, the fleece being a very good one indeed. Then also in Staffordshire a sheep is bred which grows a very acceptable demi-lustre fleece. xxaifbreds are a big class, and, singular though it may seem, the trade, as a rule, classes Cheviots among tho halfbreds. At the same time the principal source of these wools is the Midland and Eastern counties of England, while the cross between a Scotch blackfaced ewe and the Wensleydale ,or Leicester ram is also included in this elass. It seems to the writer 'that the crossing of the two pure breeds produces tho halfbred which normally go into the class named, and these halfbred wools are very I largely used for producing hosiery fabrics, along with demi-lustre wools. j When welcome to the Downs, this class naturally includes all the different breeds i

of Down wools which are to be found in Great Britain. It is really surprising what a number of distinct breeds of Down sheep there are. There is the Southdown, Shropshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, and Oxford Down sheep, the Suffolk, of course, being the sheep that produce the Southdown fleeces. Then there are the Eastern counties Down wools, grown principally in Norfolk and surrounding districts, which offer a very acceptable class largely used for hosiery purposes. When we come to the mountain breeds we have a big weight of this material produced, Scotch Blackface is 'the principal source, and right away from the central and north of Yorkshire to the north of Scotland, including large areas in Ireland, the Scotch Blackface is the principal sheep pastured. In Cumberland . and Westmoreland Herdwicks are also to be found, and the Welsh mountain sheep must be included. In these classes the reader has the representatives of all the different qualities of British-grown wools, and the fact is remarkable, which we have emphasised quite recently, that 'these wools are all finding their way into articles of military value, and which are doing wonderfully well in keeping the spindles and looms of the whole country running. SOUTH AMERICAN WOOL.

During the week an official communication has been made public to the effect that the department has taken over the 750 bales of South American wools quite recently arrived in this country, intimating that, owing to the „ non-fulfimlent of» the oonditione and terms' of 'the agreement of last December, no more South American wool is to be imported by the trade. The official announcement has come upon the entire industry as a surprise, and given rise to a good deal of talk. It will be remembered that the department agreed that all wool imported, topmakers had to sell immediately, and not hold it with a view of making big profits. The department also reserved the right to take over the wool, which was not expected, but would be prepared to pay 2£ per cent, profit plus all charges. For the trade to be now officially informed that "the essential conditions and terms of the Army Council not having been conformed with" came as a complete surprise to everyone, and "it is now notified for the_ information of all concerned that no variation of the existing requisition order will be entertained with respect to any purchases negotiated from this date." It makes one wonder what irregularity has been proceeding. From the very first the little combine of topmakers who negotiated this business avowed that they were animated by the very purest motives, their chief desire being to bring home wool irrespective of any profit in order to keep machinery running. Of course, a little buying of a private nature has been ludulged in by others in Buenos Aires, and it is just possible that this may have been held by importers with a view of making all the profit possible; but the topmakers' combine were prepared to help the trade out of the difficulty aris'ng owing to a shortage of coming crossbreds, being satisfied with th-> 2£ per cent, profit offered bv the department. The trade has been charged with selfishness in the whole matter, but we fail to see tha'f under the oirciur stances. However, on all imports from South America a return has to be made to the Director of Raw Materials not later_ 'than April 10, and this means the termiration of an episode which apparently not bee i as satisfactory as was at first designed. It iha charge of selfishness and greed on the part of any firm of importers I can bo sustained, the department has acted ' rightly in taking the present step. In the j meantime it is hoped that every effort will be made by our own Government to purchase wool w Buenos Aires and bring home a sufficient supply of raw material. The trade awaits with considerable interest future developments.

j DUNEDIN MARKET* I FARM IKS DAIBT PSODCCK. | Mr B. J. M'AaTHcra (successor to Messrs M'llroy Bros.), George stre-et, reports paying lor produce during tho week ending th« 18th JLnst.j as follows: ■ Simnpcrl tresn fc,g(ja I Honey (J lb pat), 4/6 1/10 do* Honty (bulk), fed lb ! Salt Butter; 1/1 lb | Honey (section), 7/6 do* Sep. Butter. I/2J lb | Honey (Cartons), lib, 6/Prime Sep. Butter I 21b, 15/- do* wanted, 1/ i lb | Beeswax, 1/8. Bacon Pigs, 8d lb | Compressed yeast, 8d packet. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. . WELLINGTON", June 17. The High Commissioner reported as follows on June 16: Meat.—The market and prices are without change. There are better stocks and large releases, limited to rations. It ia understood that tho retail price will be reduced by 2d per lb in the near future. Cheese.—Cheese is very scarce. The estimated Canadian cheese stocks in London, Liverpool, and Bristol are 11,975 boxes, as against 18,076 boxes at the samo time last year. The stocks of New Zealand cheese axe 3660 crates. Hemp.—There is no change since last report The Manila output for the first week in June was 29,000 bales. Wheat and Oats.—There is no change to report.

OAMARU MARKETS. (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) OAMAKU, Juno 15. There is little that is new to be said about the grain market. Wheat has been coming forward a shade more freely during the week, but the sales do not amount to an imposing total. Most of the lines that changed hands were from about 300 sacks downwards, but one line of 500 sacks of Tuscan which Game forward found) a ready buyer. Oats have not been seen on the market during the week, and .a doubt exists if many lots could be found in the country available for sale. The only business passing has been in the way of occasional sales ex store. Very few offers of potatoes have been madr during the week, and holdings in the country are evidently light. Some purchases have been made on the Canterbury side' of the river. The latest price paid was j£6 15s, net, on trucks, which may be taken as the full value at present.

SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, June 15. Since last report the Cairn left Bluff during the week a full beat with produce for We£ lington and Wanganui. Inquiry is not exactly brisk for oats from northern quarters, but still a fair quantity of business is passing a current rates. Merchants are now indisposed to do business at anything under 5s f.o.b.s.i. for "A" grade Gartons. Though occasional lines have been disposed of at something below this figure, the disposition is to hold for higher prices. Farmers have not altogether sold out their holdings, and during the last 10 days small lots of 100 or 200 sacks have been on offer. The quality of chaff this season has been lower than was anticipated, very little really prime having come on the market. For good prime quality £5 10a, on trucks, is obtainable, but for fair averago quality £5 23 6d to £5 5s ia the most merchants feel disposed to pay for a demand which is purely local. Ryegrass and seeds generally are rather at a dull stage as far aa wholesale trade is concerned, but in view of the probable rise in value of ryegrass and Italian, farmers are booking ciders freely for the spring sowing down. There is absolutely nothing doing in the hemp market, merchants being unwilling to buy, and millers are by no means disposed to take current rates. Manufacturers also are holding off, being of the opinion that rates will come still lower. Present values are nominally on the basis cf £3B on trucks, for low fair.

I GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report:—Oats: Offerings during the past week have not been heavy, and all classes are meeting with more inquiry from buyers. Millers aie ready purchasers of any heavy lines of G-artons at enhanced values. Stout samples of Sparrowbills are not plentiful; any lines of th:3 description are readily quitted on arrival. Prima milling. 43 5d to 4s 7d; good to beet foed, 4s 3d to 4s sd; light and inferior samples, S 3 6d to 4s per bushel (sacks eztra). Wheat: Very little business passing in milling wheat; all offering is readily taken by millers at Government fixed rates. Fowl "wheat is in short supply, and meets ready sale on arrival. Potatoes; Choice lines of southern-grown tables are offering sparingly. The demand is practically confined to consignments of thia description, with the result that late rates ai<s well maintained. Tho bulk of the supplies coming from Canterbury are more or less faulty and more difficult to p'.ace. Best Taieri-grown, £3 to £9 5s ; best noi-thern-grown tables, £7 10s to £& 10s; medium quality, from £6 per ton (saoks in). Chaff: Tho market continues to be well supplied. Choice heavy oaten sheaf is in most demand. Medium quality and light lines are not so readily quitted on arrival. Choice, black oaten sheaf, to £G 15s; good oaten sheaf, £6 I 7s Gd to £6 12s 6d; medium to good, £5 10a j to £6 5s per ton (sacks extra). Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report:—Oats: ! The strong demand reported by us last week is well maintained, and all classes meet v/ith ready Bale on arrival. Heavy Gartons ore in most favour, but all sorts are saleable at

quotations. Prime milling, 4s 5& to 4s 7&; good to best feed, 4a 8i to 4s 6d; medium, 4s to 4* 2d; interior, 8a 6d to Sa lid per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat: \ Prime line* are eagerly taken by millers. Fowl wheat is in good demand, but is offsring sparingly. Potatoes: Tho market is being eupplied! chiefly with consignments from Canterbury, These, if prime, meet with fa.ix demand, but many lots are of only medium quality and or* difficult to place. Prime Taieri potatoes ar« not plentiful, and sell at £9 to £9 ss; best northern-grown, £8 to £8 10s; medium to good, £7 to £7 15s; others, £6 to £6 10s per ton (sacks included). Chaff: The market con* tinues to be well eupplied. Prime oaten sheaf maintains its popularity with bolh local and shipping buyers. Medium and" inferior quality and straw chaff has not much atten r tion. Best oaten sheaf, £6 10s to £6 12s 6d{ choice, to £6 15s; medium to good, £6 to £8 7s Gd; light and discoloured, £5 to £5 15s; straw chaff, £3 15s to £4 5a per ton (baga extra).

RABBITSKIN SALE. The Dunedin Woolbrokers' Association (Messrs Balgety and; Co., 2n©w Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association, Donald ~Reid and Co.. Stronach, Morris, and Co., and Wright, Stephenson, and Co.) report:—Largo catalogues were offered to a good attendance of buyers. Competition was keen, and price* for off-season ekins were firm at' late rates. Bettor-class skins, however, showed a rise of 2d to 4d per lb on last sale's values. Quotations: Prime winter does, 55d to B8Jd; second winter does, 43d to 48d; prime winter bucks, 47d to 61d; second winter bucks, 42d to 44Jd; incoming, 42Jd to 44d; autumns, SSJd to 41£d; early autumns, 33Jd to 36Jd; light racks, 27d to 28Jd; racks, 30d) to 31Jd; fawns, 29d to 86d; prim* winter black, 64£d to I 70d; incoming black, 47d to sGdi; autumn, black. 37d to 42Jd. Hareskins, 14Jd to 15|d. Horsehair, ISJd to 15Jd per lb.

! DISPERSAL SALE. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association report:—We held a most successful sale of the Ury Park Clydesdale stud on the- 11th. The weather was perfect. The Clydesdale mares, fillies, end .colts were shown to the bast advantage; and. considering that they had not been housed 1 or fed up for sale, they were in fine condition, attracting keen competition. The stud was established about 40 years ago by the late Mr Robert Charters, and' by careful mating of sire 3 and dams of the I beat blood procurable, the breeding was j kept up to a high standard. Of recent years the late Mr W. Charters exercised similar j oare and attention. The show ring career of this stud has been most successful. There was a capital attendance of studmasfers, farmers, and speculators from Canterbiiry, South Canterbury, North Otago, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Taieri, Milton, BalclutJba, and Southland. Competition was lively from' start to finish of the auction, and highly satisfactory values were, obtained. The sale opened with the t aged mares, whioh in tfner» day held prominent places in the show rings of Otago and Southland. Flora MacdonaXct was first on the list, and after a few smart bids she was sold to Mr Douglas (Lauroston) for £SO; Pride, by Shepherd Lad, with foal at foot, was sold for £sl to Mr P. Burn (Clydevale), and Nellie, by Shepherd Lad, with foal at foot by- Clyde Bank, for £3B. A number of aged mares sold at corresponding prices. A three-year-old filly by St.) Simon was bought by Mr Fred Driver (Purokanui) for £4B; a black filly by St. Simon by Mr F. Bum (Clydevale) for £4O; a filly by St. Simon to Mr Alf. North (Owaka) for £36; and a two-year-old filly by St. Simon to Mr T. Logan (Ota.ma) for £4l. Several other fillies realised up to £3B. A year-old filly by St. Simon was sold tip Mr George Harvey (Omakau) for £4O; a filly by Bonny Breast Knot to Mr John Callender (Allanton) for £52; and a filly to Mr George Harvey (Omakau) for £35 Yearling colts realised up to £32. A thoroughbred filly by Adjudge—Oblong was bought by Mr D. Ruthven (MosgieJ) for. £45. Dairy cows realised £lO to_ £ls 15s, and implements realised capital prices. Mr John Duncan, of Ury Park, is to be complimented on his capable arrangements and managing the sale generally.

OTAGO FARMERS' HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association of New Zealand, Ltdff report: Wo held our horse sale on Saturday, and offered/ a very small entry—about 2-0 of all sorts being forward. Tho attendance was also Email, farmers being poorly represented. Town carriei-3 and contractors were well to the fore, however, but business was exceptionally dull, Vuoou ons: Young, sound, sharp, clifty geldinga, £25 to £2B; extra heavy horses, £26 to £32; seven year old and over mares and geld, ings, £l3 to £2O; and what is usually termed aged, £lO to £l2; vannera and spring carters, £l4 to £2O; light sorts of harness horses, at fluctuating prices.