GOLDSBROUGH'S MONTHLY CIRCULR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 982, 11 February 1881, Page 3

GOLDSBROUGH'S MONTHLY CIRCULR.

We collate the following from the January Circular ; Wool.— The auction sales were resumed on the sth instant, after the usual interval for the Christmas holidays, and from that date to the present 15,85S hales have been catalogued, and 11,058 bales sold, making a total of 157,652 bales offered, and 116, 421 bales sold during the season. Prices j continue to be fairly maintained for the better descriptions; but all inferior sorts and strong Crossbreds have been decidedly easier, to the extent of about id. per lb, the less encouraging advices from England having had a depressing effect on the market. The International Wool Show in connection with the International Exhibition has been held during the past week, and a large 1 variety of (locks have been brought forward from all the colonics for competition. Many beautiful samples were placed for the decision of the judges, whose task was rendered somewhat difficult through, the almost exactly similar types of several of the choicest lots. The great superiority of the Australian Merinos was farther incontestably proved, a n d it is difficult to believe that any other sheep in the world can equal the best flocks which were exhibited at this show ■ indeed, it may safely be stated that they are unrivalled. The contests for the most valuable wool brought many very high-class lots into competition, and those for the most valuable fleeces, irrespective of high value per pound, proved which are the most profitable sheep to cultivate over the greater portion of the co’onies. This, after all, is, in the estimation 1 of the great majority of our breeders, and, 1 indeed, very justly, the true test of value, I more especially as. comparatively few ,of 1 them can command the exceptional advantages which are available on the compact i and highly improved freehold estates j owned by our most celebrated flockma&tera and which are almost necessary in order to prevent these high-class sheep from retrograding in quality j and condition. The great bulk of the Australian wools are raised on Crown lands, only partially improved ; hence the important question is, which is the most paying class of sheep to cultivate. The highest prize for the best and most valuable twenty-four ewes’ fleeces, unwashed arid unskilled, was j awarded to Mr E. W. Fitts, of South Australia, who, it will be remembered, pained the firs*', prize at Goldsbrough’s Wool Exhibition in 1878, a decision which was questioned at the time by some rival breeders, but which lias been confirmed at the' pro- | sent exhibition, there being twenty-one competitors in this class. His ewes’ fleeces gave the high average for merinos of 12 Ihs. 51 ozs., which, at the valuation of lld per lb, unskirted, gave a return of lls 4d per fleece ; and he tool: first throe prize for merinos. Other breeders in the same classes followed closely, including Messrs Austin and Millear Sanders, James and Co.; W. Gishon and Son, &c. The other chief prizetakers were the Hon. Sir Samuel Wilson, who gained the high distinction of the Grand Champion Prize for Merinos, and i the Grand Champion Prize for the most i valuable twenty-four fleeces of all breeds, also ton other prizis in different classes; 1 J. Tj. Currie, three prizes ; W. Gibson and i Son, three prizes; Austin and Millear, i three prizes ; lion. P. Husscll, two prizes ; T. Russell and Co., one prize. J. Gibson, 1 one prize ; A. Buchanan, one prize ; Sanders, Junes and Co., three prizes, &c. Some of onr best and most noted breeders, including Messrs Wm. Gumming, T. E. Gumming, aud Thomas Dowling and Son, did not compete, otherwise they would, no doubt, have taken first-class honors. Altogether the exhibition was a great success, owing to the large number of exddbits, and their generally exceptional good quality. We ars glad to note that splendid rains have fallen dating the past few days over a largo proportion of the interior, and the drought appears to have fairly broken up. There is now every prospect of abundance of feedfor the lambing, and stock will, no doubt, soon get into good condition. Freight to London per ’sailing, vessels have been reduced to .VI per pound for Greasy, and j-j., fur Washed ; and for steamers, via Suez Cana l , Id. for Greasy and IJd. for Washed. The shipments of wool to date from Victoria show an increase of 23.530 bales as compared with the corresponding period of lust year. This is, however, no doubt principally attributable to the earlier delivery of the clip, and must not he estimated as the probable increase for the year. In like manner the shipments from Sydney show a large increase, hut this he materially reduced when the year’s returns are finally made up. Total shipments, Oct. Ist, 1833, to date, 200 740 bales. Total shipments, October Ist, 1879, to this date last year, 237,216-