OPOSSUM SKIN SALE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1927, Page 4

OPOSSUM SKIN SALE

Dalgety and Coy Ltd. report that the final sale of the season was held on 23rd. ult. when 28,000 skins were offered by the eight selling brokers. Of this quantity our catalogue comprised approximately 14,000 skins drawn from all parts of the North and South Island. In view of unfavourable reports from London and America received prior to the sale, it was expected that prices would show a- decline* of quite 10 per cent, but fortunately this was not realised and the market ruled generally firm at last sales high lates. About half of our catalogue was comprised of North Island skins and the quality of the offering was generally lower than that of last sale, many of the pelts showing obvious signs ol the lateness of the season. lie again succeeded in topping the market at 17s lOd for a line of Blues drawn from Wanganui district, while some North Canterbury skins were a close second at 17s 6d. Amongst some of our host sales were Of) blues at 113 s lid, 112 at 16s sd, 163 at 16s Id, 233 at 14s lid and 290 at 16s (Id. There was a particularly good demand for blacks and many consignments from the AVebt Coast and Nelson district would realise high averages. Oitr top price for blacks was 13s (id and amongst our best sales were 761 at 10s 10(1, 3132 at 11s 3d. 437 at 12s 13d. 27 at 13s 4d, 399 at 10s 3d. 9.3 at 12s Cd. 164 at 12s Id and 21 at 13s 2d. Included in our catalogue were a number of consignments from Waikareninuna. These

were well furred blacks of good colour but in most eases had been spoilt by had stretching and general lack of care. They were mostly very greasy. The Cast. Coast skins were general.y well got up and although very lightly furred sold well and results to trappers should he quite satisfactory. The Nelson skills, of which we usually handle the hulk which < omo to auction, were without exception well g't up and heavily furred. Some very high averages were realised for consignments from this district. Most of the North Canterbury skins were sold at the previous sale and those which were forward for this sale were not up to the quality of earlier consignments. However, the excellent prices realised quite compensated for this. This season we have handled practically all the skins from this district and we think most trappers are delighted with the results of the sale. We had several large consignments from Taranaki. Although rather ligld in the fur, these were generally carefully stretched ami the pelts were good. Prices were very little lower than those realised for the more heavily furred Southern skins. Solin' trappers had cured or salted their skins. This is a great mistake and depreciates their values considerably.

A feature of .our catalogue was the splendid selecti n of Wanganui skins we offered. For some seasons we have bandied most of the skins from this district and buyers are now thoroughly acquainted with our grading and rely on getting these skins in our catalogue. Trappers there spare no pains to prepare their skins carefully, and although these are not heavily furred they are all good colours and always linn , excellent prices. It should Iso v i.• gin ’i Tying to trapp rs to know their skills topped the market at today s sale. As the bulk of these skins are blues and greys averages to trappars wore very high and prices should thoroughly convince them that selling at our auction sales is the only way in which lull market value can be obtained.

0" our catalogue, e nsignments from Wanganui averaged 10s Gd to 12s 6d, Xelsm 9s 0:1 to 13s Gd. North Canterbury 9s tu 11s 6d. West Coast 8s Cd to 11s. Taranaki 9s to 11s Gd, Wairoa 6s to <)s Cd. Fast Coast 6s Gd io 0s Oil.

dho following is (he range of prices 1 1 11,11 seconds up for average consignments Pines 0s Cd to 17s lOd. greys 8s to 13s Cd, reds 6s Pd to 10s 9d, small blues 4s lid to 7s Id; blacks 7s to ,13s 6d, browns 6s 9,1 to 9s. slates .7s to 11, small blacks 3s Oil to 6s.