RABBITSKINS

Southland Times, Issue 19924, 17 July 1926, Page 8

RABBITSKINS

SALE AT DUNEDIN. A KEEN DEMAND. (Special to the Times.) Dunedin, July 16. The first sale of the season was held today when approximately 9,000 skins were offered. This was a much smaller quantity than is usually forward for the first sale, chiefly owing to the fact that the Otago open season is a fortnight longer this year and closed only on the 15th, with the result that many trappers have not yet sent in their catches. The quality of the skins offered was generally not as good as is usual at ‘this sale, but probably this can be accounted for by the absence of the usual quantity of Catlins and Southland skins which have yet to come on the market. The high prices which have ruled during the last year or two have led to very intensive trapping and it is certain that the number of skins taken this season in Otago will be considerably less than last year’s total.

Prices which ruled to-day were a good deal better than were expected. There was a particularly keen demand for blues and greys up to 16s being realised. Blacks and browns were not so keenly sought after, but prices were generally very satisfactory, the top price being 10s 2d. The next sale will be held on August 13 and it is probable that the success of the first sale will result in larger quantities coming to auction. The following is the range of prices:— Super blues, 13s 6d to 16s; first blues, Ils 9d to 14s; second blues, 10s to 11s; ’super greys, 12s to 14s; first greys, 10s to Ils 6d; second greys, 7s 6d to 9s 6d; super reds 7s 6d to 9s 2d; first reds 6s to 7s lOd; second reds, 4s to ss; super blacks, 9s to 10s 2d; first blacks, 6s 6d to 8s 9d; second blacks 5s 6d to 6s lid; super browns, 6s 6d to 8s Id; first browns 5s 6d to 6s 3d; second browns, 4s to ss.