RABBIT WOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1928, Page 5

RABBIT WOOL

ANGORAS AND CHINCHILLAS, LONDON, Sept. 7

When the s.s. Turakina sailed from Liverpool for New Zealand on Satuiday her cargo included 1 0 of the most perfect rabbits reared in Yorkshire. There were 50 Angoras, famed for their beautiful white wool, with 20 Chinchillas to keep them company. Mr a. Watson, of Tliackley, Bradford (better known as the editoi of “Fur and Feather”) in response to requests from New Zealand, has selected these rabbits from the best hutches in Bradford and district. They are being sent to New Zealand further to test ■the possibilities of Angora wool growing and fur production. They will he at sea for eight weeks, the cost of their -voyage being about £2OO, while the rabbits are worth several hundred pounds. “This is the first big batch of Angoras sent from this country to New Zealand,” said Mr Watson, in an interview, “and I believe the Chinchillas are the first to be imported into New Zealand. The New Zealand Government now realises the possibilites of Angora- wool farming, so that the restrictions on the importation of rabbits, which have existed for many years have been removed.”

Lady Watson, from whom some of the Angoras were obtained, thinks there i,s a great future for this rabbit’s wool. “From the breeders’ point of

view,” she said, “the Angora is a good proposition. There is a great demand for Angoras in other countries. They produce very fine wool, roughly about 10 ounces in a year; and three clips a year are the general rule. The wool' seils at between 34s and 35s a pound.”