CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12616, 7 April 1934, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALE.

COMPETITION KEEN. A GOOD- CLEARANCE. JSlectric Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH. Last Night. The fourth and final wool sale of the Christchurch season was held this afternoon. Owing, to the free disposal of the preceding sales, there was the very small catalogue of 4262 bales. The selection was a. poor one, comprising mostly back-country, West Coast- and hehl-over wools, which were mainly shabby and heavy in condition. , Competition was unexpectedly keen, especially from the Continent which, lifted most of the fine quality fleece and pieces. Bradford buyers were comparatively quiet, confining their attention to lower grade top-making wools. The clearance was approximately 9.5 per cent. Fleece wools of 48 count and over were better than at the Marsh sale by a farthing to a penny per lb. Fine fleeces showed a slightly better appreciation, most averaging from a half-penny to a full penny more. This estimate makes allowance for the difference in quality at the two sales. Crossbred showed little if any difference, but was up to the rates ruling recently at othei- centres. The offering was of an unattractive character, representing a “clean-up” of the season’s wool. Pieces formed the major proportion and crossbred lots were also more numerous. A few clips of good average Corriedale and half bred were forward, but most of the wool was heavier in condition and carried more dust than the wool offered at the earlier sales. There was practically a, full bench of buyers, all European buying points being represented, in addition to local mills and fellmongers, the latter of whom competed actively. The sale was a pleasant surprise for vendors. The market for all classes of fine pieces and fleece was better than at the sale on March 2. French and Bradford competition was keen throughout, the former for fine pieces and Bradford for all classes of flcec-e. There- was very little wool offered suitable for the German trade, but some of the high-priced lots were secured for Germany. The comparative absence of high-class fleece wools restricted competition from the local mills, bur fellmongers secured a much heavier proportion of pieces than usual. Considering the quality of the catalogue, the sale was an excellent one. Top price of the sale was 20fd for three bales of half bred. Fifteen ( bales of half bred made 20d. Seven bales of halfbred sold at The best Corriedale figure was s£od for five bales. The next Corriedale price was 19id for 15 bales. The best merino price was 19fd. for 17 bales of ewe wool. Fine pieces made up to 17£d and five balers of halfbred necks also sold at 17fd.