WOOL AT CHRISTCHURCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 10

WOOL AT CHRISTCHURCH

MANY GOOD CLIPS OFFERED HIGH PRICES FOR QUALITY COARSE CROSSBRED UNALTERED. [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 26. The steady advance in fine wool prices since the first Christchurch sale on December 12, invested the second auction to-day with unusual interest. On an average, good halfbred and Cor riedale wool was higher by 2d to 3d per lb. and Merino by 2d. Fine crossbred was also distinctly better, but coarse crossbred was little altered on the first sale. The Wanganui auction last week showed an easing on the preceding Wellington sale of Id to 2d for coarse wools, and this easing was apparent today in this class which, however, formed a very small proportion of the total offering. For more than 85 per cent, of the catalogue there was an animated and consistent demand from the outset, with a 97 per cent, clearance of the total catalogue. Top price to-day was 27id paid for Corriedale, this being the highest price realised in New Zealand this season. It was paid for four bales of the wellknown Rydal Downs clip of Mr Edward Ensor. The catalogue was a better one than at the first sale, but there was a larger proportion than usual of duty and tender wool, due to the changeable season. However, the bigger proportion of high-country clips gave the character of the offering a generally better quality, some of the most stylish clips of the province being included. In the last three catalogues offered, comprising 7500 bales, which included a larger proportion of crossbred wool, bidding was less animated, and there was an easing tendency. At this stage competition from Bradford buyers was more noticeable, although the Continental demand was sufficiently sustained to prevent any appreciable drop in values for classier wools. Passings were proportionately greater than in the earlier part of the sale, but in the aggregate they amounted to scarcely 3J per cent. Official Report. Following is the official report of the Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association: “The second wool sale of the season was held to-day, when 27,585 bales were submitted to a full attendance of buyers. There was a good selection of fine quality wools, most of which were light in condition, and also a fair proportion of tender and dusty lots, due to the dry winter and consequent shortage of feed. Wool suitable for the Continental market met with an excellent sale at well above December levels. Good support was provided by Japan and the lo*cal mills, who competed keenly for super lots. Bradford limits were evidently too low for the market ruling at the commencement of the sale, and their purchases were mainly confined to the lower grades, but as the sale progressed values receded and Bradford operated more freely. “Growers generally met the market well, the bulk of the offerings being cleared at auction. “Following is the official range of prices:

d. d. Merino 64/70 —60/74 224 Super 20} to Average -IS to 20 Inferior 154 to 174 Corriedale —• Extra super to 27J Super • • 21 to 24 19 to 20J Inferior Io to 18 Fine Halfbred 58, 56/58, 56 Extra super .. .. .. .. to 261 Super . to 24 Average -. - • 19 to 21} Inferior .. . 161 to IS Medium Halfbred 50/56, 50 Extra super to 23 Super .. 20 to 22 Average .. .. .. .. .. 18 to 194 Inferior 15 to 17 Extra Fine Crossbred 48/50 — Super 14J to 17 Average .. 12 to 144 Inferior .. .. 10 to m Fine Crossbred 46/48 — Super . 114 to 14 Average .. .. .. .. .. 10 to 11} Inferior .. 8 to 9} Medium Crossbred 44/46 — Super .. ., ........ 94 to 11 Inferior .. 6| to 8 Bellies and Pieces — Merino—• Good to super . . .. .. 17 to 214 Low to medium .. . • • • 14 to 16} Bellies— Halfbred-— Good to super 16 to 172 Low to medium 13 to 154 Pieces — Halfbred— Good to super .. .. .. IS to 22i Low to medium .. .. .. 14 to 17} Bellies and Pieces— Crossbred—• Good to super .. ., .. 9 to 14 Low to medium .. .. ., 64 to 84 Crutchings— Medium to good .. .. .. 7 i to 144 Inferior and seedy . e .. 5 to 7 Locks— Merino .. 94 to 11 Half bred .. ,. ., ,. .. 84 to 101 Crossbred 6 to 64