THE WOOL SEASON

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 5

THE WOOL SEASON

LAST SALE HELD HIGHER PRICES AT WELLINGTON BRADFORD AND THE CONTINENT ACTIVE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, March 26. The fifth Wellington wool sale and the final one in the Dominion for the present season was held to-day and resulted in practically a complete clearance. There was a full bench of buyers, all eager to secure wool. Bidding was animated and at times excited. Throughout the sale passings were of a negligible quantity and proof that growers’ and brokers’ ideas of values were not far from those of buyers.’ The strongest bidding came from Bradford and the Continent and the prices paid were the best since 1924. Compared with February realizations prices showed an all round increase ranging from Id., to 2Jd for fine wools and Id to 2d for other sorts except lambs wool, which was down Id. Bellies, pieces and locks were up Id to lid, and crutchings sold extremely well at lid. to 2d. advance on last month. The sale was a very satisfactory wind-up to a satisfactory ceason. The offering was approximately 20,880 bales and taken into consideration with the final sale of last season the catalogues were above the aggregate. There was considerable amount of halfbreds, a big weight of crossbred, a fair proportion of lambs and a sprinkling of Merino. A full bench of buyers was eager to secure what was going before the season closed. The strongest bidding came from Bradford and the Continent and the latter took the largest share. Continental buyers made their presence felt when bellies, necks and pieces were going, very good prices being paid for all these grades. Lambs wool met with good competition from France, Bradford and the Dominion mills, but failed to reach the February level, being the only class that fell short in this respect. The condition of the Merinos offered was not equal to that seen at earlier sales, but the prices paid were on a par with them. The strongest competition was in evidence when halfbreds and crossbreds were being offered. Any lines of crossbreds suitable for American requirements made extremely good prices. Crossbreds generally sold at a level which has not been exceeded except at the November and December sales in 1924. The prices paid for crossbreds were undoubtedly the best ever made in New Zealand except during the period mentioned. Taken as a whole the movements in prices at to-day’s sale compared with that of last month were as follows: Merinos and Southdowns, par; halfbreds Id. to IJd. up; fine and medium crossbreds Id. to 2£d. up; coarse crossbreds Id. to 2d. up; low crossbreds Id. to lid. up. The greatest appreciation was shown in super lots of crossbred. Lambs’ wool was Id down with the exception of seedy and inferior sorts which held their own with February prices. Bellies, pieces and locks were Id. to lid. up and crutchings sold extremely well at lid. to 2d. advance on February prices. The following is the range of prices:— Merino, 64’s/70's 6O’s/64’s—d. d.

Super .. None. Average 21|to244 Inferior to 20} Fine Halfbred, 56’s/58’s — Average 23 to 26 Inferior 19} to 22 Medium Halfbred, 5O’s/56’s— Super None Average 221 to 26 Inferior 17} to 21 Coarse Halfbred 48’s/50’s— Super 23} to 24 Average 20 Ho 231 Inferior 16} to 191 Fine Crossbred, 46’s/48’s— Sujler 211 to 24 Average 19 to 211 Inferior 151tol8} Medium Crossbred, 44’s/46’s — Super 201 to 22 i Average 17}to 20 Inferior 12 to 17 Coarse Crossbred, 4O’s/44’s — Super 18 to 20 Average 161 to 18} Inferior 12 to 15} Low Crossbreds, 36’s/40’s— Super None. Average 161 to 18 Inferior 12 to 15 Hoggets— 48’s to 50’s .. 19 to 24} Fine, 46’s/4S’s 184 to 23 Medium 44’s/46’s 17ito22 Low, 36's/40’s .. .. .. 161 to 17 Lambs’ Down— 5O’s/56’s 19}to23| Fine 18Jto24 Medium 4O’s/44’<s .. 17* to 184 Seedy and Inferior— All grades in to 17 Bellies and Pieces— Merino, Good to sup. .. 17} to 15$ Low to medium 14$ to 17 Half bred— Good to super 16 to IS Crossbred— Good to super 15 to 19 Low to medium 10 to 14$ Crutchings — Medium to good 13 to 15} Inferior Seedy 61 to 12| Locks — Merino 12} to 13$ 10} to 111 Half bred Crossbred 81 to 104