Canterbury Wool Sales.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3942, 21 November 1908, Page 2

Canterbury Wool Sales.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Christchurch, Last Night.

The first wool sale of this season's series was held yesterday, when there were 5031 bales-catalogued. There was a large attendance of buyers, representing local woollen mills, fe'lmongers, and Home, Continenlal, and American interests. The wool was mostly from small farms on the plains and peninsula, and was well grown, and owing to the good condition of the sheep and warm weather it was heavy in grease, though cleaner than last year, for while there has been a considerable amount of north west winds the paddocks are well covered with grass and free from dust. , There was keen competition right through the sale, and practically a complete clearance was effected. The American buyers went strongly for the best halfbreds and superfine three quarter breds, while the Bradford buyers were strong on all good crossbreds and three quarter breds. The local woollen mills' representatives were outbid for the best fine wools, and contented themselves with the lower grades of half breds and merino, and other local buyers went only for scouring lots. Though it is difficult to make a comparison, owing to the difference in the classes of wools, it is stated by buyers who attended both sales that prices were about a halfpenny per lb above those realised at Wellington last week. Prices are, of,course, below those of the opening sale of last year, but some classes such as the best three quarter bred, were selling quite as high as at the fourth sale last season. It is said, however, that they are equal to present London values, exclusive of export charges which brings them considerably above the parity of London. The market was topped in halfbred by the RCH clip : at lid, and in three quarter bred at lOd. At the corresponding sale last j year this clip made up to 12Jd for haflbreds and 101 d for three quarterbred. The Cashmere halfbred sold up to 9fd, as against last year, and the G clip brought up to IOJd for halfbred, and topped the market at 9|d for quartebred.