VALUES UP TWOPENCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 12

VALUES UP TWOPENCE.

NAPIER WOOL SALE.

ALMOST A CLEARANCE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TBLEOBIM.) NAPIER.. November 18. An advance of up to 2d a lb on the iop prices of last year at the March sale and a level reached practically on a par with the rates ruling at Wellington a few days ago, coarser wools being a shade easier and finer wools firmer, about sums up the market at the opening wool sale of the 1927-28 season in Napier to-d'ay. For that happy position farmers have in the main to thank the Continental buyers who had very elastic limits, with Bradford operators nibbling all the time just sufficient to keep other markets up to their limits and at the same time getting just what "wool they at the moment want. fa spite of the present activity of the Continent, America, and all other buyers, there is no denying that Bradford takes the bulk of the' wool.

With prices in New Zealand at present ruling from to 3d above London parity. Bradford operators have so far. although bidding freely aucl continuously, found! prices carried to a point beyond their reach, and the quantity of wool they have lifted has been almost negligible. To-day, however, found Bradford buyers operating more successfully than they did at Wellington, and the bigger proportion of the catalogue fell to their bid. Still Bradford has not really entered into the market as yet. and the feeling seems to be that after Tuesday next, when the London sales take place, Bradford will have a basis to work on and will then begin to lift her customary weight 01 wool. Whatever happens on the London market it is felt that New Zealand will reciprocate. Wanganui is the next New Zealand sale and no doubt will participate in the present advance, but then r.omes Auckland, and the opinion is held that that sale will give a proper basis for the season to work on.

There is no denying that competition was very keen to-day, and on the finer wools and necks and pieces French buyers operated with freedom, at times it seemed almost without any limits. Buyers who have not operated in Napier in the past few seasons were noticeably active on these lines, and their competition no doubt helped the market along. Belgium and Germany were noticeably in the market for wools that suited them, while any wools that came up to American requirements were quickly bought up at prices satisfactory .to the producer. There was activity, too, on the part of Australian firms desiring wool for immediate consumption. Those who were out of it were the local scourers. Generally prices were beyond their limits, ancl only occasionally did a lot fall to their bid.

The condition of this season's clip has something to do with the improved prices. Last season's clip cannot compare with this, which is one of the best for some time. It is showing a good amount of condition, is better grown, very attractive, and a good deal heavier. Hogget wool perhaps is inclined to be a little tender, but wool from the coast and Wairoa is noticeably lighter. The catalogue totalled 15,205 bales, and, with the exception of an odd lot, it was all disposed! of under the hammer. Following is the official range of nrices:

d. d. Halfbred— Super .. 204 to 24} Average .. 19 to 20* Southdown .. 19} to 22* Coarae Halfbred-— Super .. 19 to 21J Average ... 16} to 18 Inferior .. 14 to 15} Fine Crossbred— Super .. 17 to 19$ Average .. 15 to 16| Inferior .. 13 to 14} Medium Crossbred —■ ° Super .. 16 to 17} Average .. 14 to 15} Inferior .. 124 to 13} Coarse Crossbred— Super .. 14$ to 16} Average .. 13 to 14} Inferior .. 10 to 12} Low Crossbred— Super .. 13* to 14} Average '. . ... 11$ to 13 Inferior .. 9J to 11 Hoggets— 50-56 's .. 19} to 224 48-50's .. 16 to 21 46-48's .. 154 to 19} 44-46 's ,..-. 144 to 17} 40-44 's .. 14 to 15* 36-40 's .. 12 to 13 Lambs— 44-50's .. 11} to 16} PiecesNecks .. 14? to 21} Good to super .. 16 to 19 Low to medium .. 10 to 15 Seedy .. .. 7} to 9} Bellies — Good to super .. 12} to-144 Low to medium .. 9 to 12 Seedy .. .8} to 94 Crutchings— Good to super .. 10 to 12} Low to medium .. 7* to 9* Inferior and seedy .. 5 to 7 Locks— Crossbred ,.« .. 7 to 8}