The Wool Market.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5621, 16 November 1889, Page 2

The Wool Market.

I Tin; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report, under date London, October o : — In con.sequenco of the Dock Laborers' Strike the- commencement of the fourth .series of sales was postponed until the 24th ultimo. The quantities available for the series comprise the following : — bales Now South Wales 43,033 Queensland 17,336 Victoria 40,783 South Australia 14,832 Western Australia 2,185 Tasmania 2.866 New Zealand 68,406 Cape of Good Hope 78,267 Total 267,708 Of this quantity it is computed that some 49,000 bales have been forwarded direct into consumption ; on the other hand about 7,000 bales were held over from the previous series, thus making the net available total for the present sales 225,700 bales. On tbe opening day there was a large assemblage of buyers, both on home and foreign account, and although the selection of Australasian wool then offered was limited, the bidding was spirited. Prices were generally in sellers' favor, the most marked difference being an occasional advance of kl per Ib. on fine combing greasy, and on scoured merino kl to Id per Ib. on the closing rates of last year. Since the commencement the sales havo progressed with increasing animation, and although prices do not mark an all round improvement, they have unmistakably gained as regards particular classes to the following extent : — Australasian combing greasy merinos can now be quoted fully ■kl per lb., highter than in July, medium scoured marking an advunce of id to Id per lb. , and good to superior grades Id to lid per lb. Lambs' wool also shows some improvement. Cross-breeds on average remain unchanged, the lower grades exhibiting occasionally a slightly weakening tendency, while the absence of American demand has precluded an appreciation of values for the tiuer sorts in the grease suitable for shipment to the United States. Conflicting accounts reach this country as to the outturn of the forthcoming River Plate wool clip, but the most recent advices received point to the conclusion that there will be no material increase in that centre of production.

The Taieri Advocate is informed that tli ere has been for the past month or so extraordinary mortality amongst the cows in that district, death in a great many instances having ensued soon after calving. The ailment is, by some people, termed milk fever, but others arc of opinion that the complaint is not milk fever. At the naval inspection at Spitheail there were seventy-four ships of Her Majesty's navy, representing a total cosb of about 1/20,000,000, and having on board some 22,516 men and officers. The most expensive vessel present was the Inflexible, of J 1,880 tons, representing a total cost of L'J^lA' 1 -.*, and carrying four SO-tnnsguiiij