SKINS AFFECTED BY MILD WEATHER

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 September 1948, Page 6

SKINS AFFECTED BY MILD WEATHER

(P.A.) Dunedin, Sept. 14. Catalogues totalling approximately 106,000 skins were offered at auction today, when the first opossum skin sale of the season was held. At the corresponding sale last year approximately 86,000 skins were submitted. The majority of the skins were from northern districts, consignments from the South Island being only a small percentage of the offering. The mild weather that was experienced in most districts affected the quality considerably, only a small percentage of skins being graded as supers and firsts. Seconds and thirds predominated. Competition was restricted and buying for United Stales account was on much reduced limits. London was not operating. The demand was only for the best class skins, thirds and damaged sold at low prices compared with the first sale last year (September). Values for supers and firsts were, on an average, 3d to 9d better, except blues and North Island greys, reds and pales, which sold at reduced prices. Buyers showed very little interest in smalls, three-quarter grown, rough, inferior. damaged, badly stretched, stale and weevily lots, and these descriptions were difficult io quit. Some lines did not elicit a bid.