WOOL PRICES

Southland Times, Issue 22200, 18 December 1933, Page 8

WOOL PRICES

TIMARU SALE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OFFERINGS KEENLY SOUGHT DEMAND FOR HALFBRED (Per United Press Association.) Timaru, December 16. It is the opinion of all concerned that the first wool sale of the season in South Canterbury was a splendid one from all points of view. The opinion was expressed prior to the sale that prices would be firm on the recent auction at Christchurch, and this proved correct, prices eventually being par to one farthing dearer than the northern auction. Growers were favoured with a fairly good season and it was anticipated that the wool would open up in fairly good condition. This also proved to be the case, the majority of the clips being freer from dust than those offered at the Christchurch sale. The wool was sound and well grown, but in the opinion of some was, perhaps, half a quality coarser than that offered here last season. This is accounted for by the weather experienced here in recent months. The bench of buyers was fully representative of all the consuming countries and competition throughout was most keen, hardly a single lot being neglected. Most of the competition came from the Continent, with Japan more in the market than at previous sales held in this centre. Continental buyers went after fleece wools freely, with France taking pieces, often at extreme prices. The Bradford representatives were fairly quiet, though they made their presence felt when lots of suitable requirements came under the hammer. Dominion mills also came into the market when there were suitable offerings.

In the first four catalogues passings were conspicuous by their absence, and though in the final catalogue prices failed to reach growers’ reserves in a few instances, the total passings were practically negligible. The sale was an exceptionally good one for three-quarterbred and halfbred wools, which opened up particularly well. Passings were negligible and an almost total clearance was effected at auction. Following is the official range of prices:—

A BRISK INQUIRY

HIGH PRICES IN SYDNEY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney, December 16. The weekly wool letter in the Sydney Morning Herald says that the closing wool auctions were marked by a keenness in competition with a firmness in values which augur well for the New Year sales. A particularly brisk inquiry was noticeable for specialty Merino wools, fine and outstanding for finest, record Australian figures being secured for these. However, the extreme prices for specialty lines should not be taken as a guide to general values. The average for the market is less than half the top figure, namely, 37id, which was secured this week. The prospects for a sustained market during the second half of the season have rarely been more favourable. The week’s offerings totalled 50,884 bales, of which 95 per cent, were sold at auction. The week’s catalogues averaged in the vicinity of 16Jd on a clean scoured basis on the floor of Sydney stores. Average 64’s topmaking wool, which cost 30d at the opening sales in September, made 34d at the closing auctions this week.

Merino — d. d. Extra super— Super to 20.? Average 17 to 20 Inferior 15} to 164 Fine Halfbred 56’s to 58's— Super to 21? Average 17 to 19.? Inferior 141 to 161 Medium Halfbred 50's to 56’s— Super 16.? to 18 Average 141 to 16} Inferior — — Three-quarterbred 48’s to 50’s— Super to 173 Average 131 to 15 Inferior 10? to 13 Crossbred 44’s to 46’s— Super to 124 Average 8} to 11} Inferior 6 to 8 Pieces— Merino lojs to 18? Halfbred good to super, 16 to 20} Low to medium 12} to 15 Threequarterbred 11 to 14} Bellies— Merino 13 to 15 Halfbred 13 to 15} Threequarterbred 9 to 12 Crossbred 6} to 8 Crutchings— Medium 7J to 13 Low 5 to 7 Locks— Merino 6 to 9 Halfbred 6 to 8} Crossbred 4 to 5}