WOOL SALES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 246, 25 February 1869, Page 3

WOOL SALES.

The fourth and last series of colonial wool sales for the year commenced on Nov. 26, having been retarded one week on account of the general elections, and terminated on Dec. 21. The quantity catalogued has been 120,531 bales, the arrivals since last sales being 87,042 bales of which about 5000 bales of Cape have been held over for March sales. The residue of 38,489 bales, consisted of wool withdrawn from previous sales, and those iv second hands. There was a good attendance of home buyers at the commencement, with an unusually large number from France for thia period of the year, whilst Belgium was more numerously represented than has hitherto beeu the case. Much animation was manifested in the biddings, and the prices realised showed an advance of about ld per lb on good Australian and New Zealand wools, and of Jd to ld per lb on scoured and snow white. Cape "Wools — The sales progressed at these quotations very uniformly until the last week, when a much firmer tone was eviuced, and they closed with great spirit, an advance on the opening rates having been obtained in many instances, and from the steady consumption of the raw material which is now going on both in this country and on the Continent, it is evident tbat a restoration of confidence is gradually taking place. Port Phillip, New Zealand, and Van Diemen's Land comprised a larger assortment than is usual at this season, owing to the wools held over ; but, as shown by prices obtained, they were principally of the middle class ; all such as were adapted for combing purposes were keenly competed for by buyers from the north of France, at fully ld advance on last sales. Best descriptions of scoured and greasy also commanded a corresponding improvement in price.