PRICES RISE

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 6

PRICES RISE

k WOOL MARKET CHRISTCHURCH SALE KEEN BIDDING A SMALL OFFERING (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, April 6. The fourth and final wool sale of the Christchurch series was held this afternoon. Owing to a free disposal at the preceding sales, it was a very small catalogue of 4262 bales. The selection was a poor one, comprising mostly offerings from the back country of the West Coast and held over wools, which were mainly shabby and heavy in condition.’ Competition was unexpectedly keen, especially from the Continent, which lifted most of the fine quality fleece wool and pieces. Bradford buyers were comparatively quiet, confining their attention to lower grade top-making wools. The clearance was approximately 95 per cent. Fleece wools of 48 count and over were better’ than at the March sale by a farthing to a penny per lb. Fine pieces showed a slightly better appreciation, most averaging from half a penny to a full penny more. This estimate makes an allowance for the difference in quality at the two sales. Crossbred showed little, if any, difference, but was up to the rates ruling recently at other centres. The offering was of an unattractive character, representing a “clean up” of the season’s wool. Pieces formed the major proportion and crossbred lots were also more numerous. A few classes of good average Corriedale and halfbred were forward, but most of the wool was heavier in condition and carried more dust than the wool offered at earlier sales. A Full Bench. There was practically a full bench of buyers, all the European buying points being represented, in addition to the local mills and fellmongers, the latter of whom competed actively. The sale was a pleasant surprise for vendors. The market for all classes of fine pieces and fleece was better than at the sale of March 2. French and Bradford competition was keen throughout, the former for fine pieces and Bradford for all classes of fleece. There was very little wool offered suitable for the German trade, but some of the high priced lots were secured for Germany. The comparative absence of high class fleece wools restricted competition from the local mills, but the fellmongers secured a much heavier proportion of pieces than usual. Considering the quality of the catalogue the sale was an excellent one. The top price of the sale was 20} d for three bales of halfbred. Fifteen bales of halfbred made 20d and seven bales of halfbred sold at 19}d. The best Corricdale figure was 20d for five bales. The next Corriedale figure was 19}d for 15 bales. The best Merino price was 19.1 d f° r If bales of ewe wool. Fine pieces made up to 17}d and five bales of halfbred necks were also sold at 17}d. Range of Prices.

The rance of prices was as follows:— cl. d. Merino 64’s-70’s, 6O's-G4’s — Super 18 to 191 Average 151- t ,0 171 Inferior 12 to 15 Corriedale— Super 18] to 20 Average 161 to 18 Inferior 131 t 0 151 Fine halfbred 58's, 56's-58's, 56’s— Super 18J to 20.’ Average 161 to 181 Inferior 14 to 16 Medium Halfbred 5O’s-56's, 50’s— Super 16J to 171 Average 14J to 16 i Inferior 121 to 14 Exira fine crossbred, 48’s-50’s— Average 10 to 121 Inferior 8 to 91 Fine crossbred, 46's-48's— Super 8!i to 91 Average . 71 to 81 Inferior 5., to 7 Medium crossbred, 44’s-46’s— Average 61 to 71 Inferior 41 to g" Bellies, halfbred — Good 13 to 13:j Low to medium 101 to 121 Pieces, halfbred— Good 151 to 17 4 Low to medium 11 to 15 Bellies and pieces, crossbred—Good 8 to 91 Low to medium 41 to 51 Crutchings, halfbred— Medium to good 61 to 101 Inferior and seedy 51 to 7 CrossbredMedium to good 51 to 81 Inferior and seedy 3 to 5 Locks — Merino 71 to 8.1 Halfbred 61 to 81 Crossbred 4 to 6