THE WOOL CLIP

Southland Times, Issue 17962, 13 December 1918, Page 4

THE WOOL CLIP

FIRST LOCAL VALUATION. The Government wool valuators arrived in Invercargill on Wednesday for the purpose of making the first valuation for the season in Southland. Work was commenced and practically finished yesterday, when about 1300 bales were valued. The comparative smallness of the clip brought forward can be taken as a reflection of the backwardness of the season and the visitation of the epidemic. The latter is probably the stronger cause, great difficulty being often experienced owing to many shearers being laid aside. The prices obtained, it will be noticed, are, in the majority of cases, above the 55 per cent, increase on pre-war prices guaranteed by the Government. A number of farmers are of the opinion that their wool this year is much lighter than usual, but, as Mr Denny (chief valuator) pointed out to our representative, this can be attributed to the staple being shorter than ordinarily is the case. The next local valuation will be held on January 13. The following table shows the range of values alloted:— Dipped hogget (sound .. 17d to ITjfd Good spund crossbred ewe and wether •Iflid to ISjjd Weak hogget 16d to 16Jd Mixed ewe 15id to 15} d Matted 14d to 14id Neck and first pieces .... up to 14d Second pieces 10id to 11-id First bellies Hid to 12d Second bellies lOidtollid ♦Top price.