WOOL VALUES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 86, 7 April 1934, Page 6

WOOL VALUES

At Christchurch Sale THE COMPETITION KEEN FOR THE FOURTH OFFERING 'Per Press Association; CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The fourth and final wool sale of the Christchurch season was held this afternoon. Owing to the free disposal of preceding sales, there was a very small catalogue of 4262 bales, and the selection was a poor one, comprising mostly back-country, 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 and pieces. Bradford buyers were comparatively quiet, conrining 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 a halfpenny to a full penny more. This estimate makes allowance for the difference in quality at the two sales. Crossbred showed little if any difference, hut was up to rates ruling recently at other centres. The offering was of an unattractive character, representing a “clean up” of the season’s wool. Pieces formed major proportion and crossbred lots were also more numerous. A few clips of good average Corriedale and halfbred were forward, hut most of the wool was heavier in condition and carried more dust, than the wool offered at earlier sales.

There was practically a full bench of buyers, all European buying points beinef represented in addition to local mills and fellmongers, the latter of whom competed actively. v The sale was a pleasant surprise for vendors. The market for all classes of fine pieces and fleece was better than at the sale on 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 local mills, but 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 194 d. The best Corriedale figure was 20d for five bales. The next Corriedale price was 19Jd for 15 bales. The best merino price was 19 l-4d for 17 bales. Ewe fine pieces made up to 173 d and five bales of halfbred necks also sold at 17Jd. Following is the range of prices.— d d.

Merino, 60/64 —■ Super 18 tn 10 J. Average 154 to 17i Inferior 12 to 15 Corriedale—• Super 18$ to 20 Average 164 to 18 Inferior 134 to 154 Fine Halfbred, 56/58 — Super 18J to 20J Average 164 184 Inferior 14 to 16 Medium halfbred. 50/56 — Super 16$ to 174 Average 144 to 164 Inferior 124 to 14 Extra fine crossbred, 48/50 Average 10 124 Inferior 8 to 94 Fine crossbred, 46/48 — Super 8$ to 94 Average ' 74 to 84 Inferior 5$ to Medium crossbred, 44/46 — Average 64 to 74 Inferior 44 6 Bellies—> Half bred, good 13 to 135 Halfbred, low to med .. 104 to .124 Pieces— Halfbred, good 154 to 17| Half bred, low to med. . 11 to 15 Bellies and pieces— Crossbred, good .... 8 to 94 Crossbred, low to med 44 to 74 Crutchings—• Halfbred, med. to good 74 to 104 Halfbred, in. and seedy 54 to 7 Crossbred, med. to good 54 to 81 Crossbred, inf. and seedy 3 to 5 Locks— Merino 74 to 8| 64 to 84 Crossbred 4 to 6