LONDON WOOL REPORT. Nov. 25, 1853.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 170, 8 April 1854, Page 6

LONDON WOOL REPORT. Nov. 25, 1853.

Our public sales of Colonial Wool closed on the 17th inst., and the number of bales comprised in catalogues consisted of Australian 17043 bales ■ Port Philip... 19.035 „ Van Diemen's Land 4,794 „ Adelaide 5,130 „ New Zealand and Sivan River 2,37fi „ Cape •■••.;.... 5,792 „ 54,170 ' ■ Also East India and China... 5,570 Of the above about 5000 bales were withdrawn and bought in, leaving, as the actual sale, 50,000 bales. It is as well to remaik that the bulk of the wool offered this time lias been of an inferior character, a very large portion of the fleeces— those from Sydney particularly—being loaded with dirt, burrs, and seeds, which are looked upon with much distrust, and by many are never valued. It is extremely important to the growers of Wool in the colonies that these ob- j sections should be pointed out and all possible i means used to eradicate them. Condition, character, and freedom from impurities, forming the three most important considerations which determine the value of wool in a buyer's estimation, this description is always marketable at the full prices current; on the contrary, those containing the impurities mentioned are exceedingly heavy of sale, even at a large reduction. The importance of growing fine wool, and properly attending to the washing and classing, was never more apparent than during these sales. The high prices still demanded for German induced many of the West of England manufactures to buy freely from all the best, flocks, and hence this description commanded full rates during the series and closed very firm. The best portion of the ° flock sold at 2s. Id. to 2s. 4d. per lb., nearly, if not quite, the range they would have realized in August. The heavy moaty and inferior descriptions, however, experienced at one time a decline of 4d. to sd. per I!>., and only slightly recovered from this serious depression. The number in first hands may be estimated at 25,0Q0 hales, and, as several large cargoes are known to be close at hand, we anticipate a lar-re sale in February, not far from 45,000 bales, including second-hand parcels. During the past fortnight a better demand has arisen Cor woollen goods, and the cloth halls are decidedly more active, an opinion prevailing that, in the absence of any cxciii,)"- disturbances, we may look for a good winter trade— but it must not be forgotten that the iiii>h price of provisions, and the serious strikes which have occurred, must have curtailed materially the sjk rnliiiq- power of our operatives, nu<\ will lessen, to some considerable extent, that brisk demand which might have been anticipated from the enormous consumption of all descriptions of cloth, both at home and abroad. The present position of the Turkish question must i-ot h>> overlooked in future transactions; all ojjeuiuons in the trade will be based upon present requirements, and, judging from the feeling now existing, little disposition is manifested for speculation. Our Low Wool Sales went off heavily at a decline of Id. to ]^d. on East India ami China, other descriptions suffering more seriously. Since the close of the sales,' however, buyers have been anxious to clear off small remaining parcels, even at a slight advance on curreiit rates. The bulk of the present operations are ibr immediate consumption.

BmTH.— On Friday. March 31st, tbo wife of Mr. Joseph Ashby, London street, Lytteiton of ;i daughter. " '

Chiustchukch Market, April Ist. —The demand for all kinds of produce continues limited, in consequence of the unsettled state of the markets in the other colonies. There is evidently a desire on the part of the Canterbury agriculturists to be more clearly informed as to the truth of the reports which generally prevail of the failure of'the crops in Van Diemen's Land, Victoria, &c, before they offer their samples in this market. Prices were firm at former quotations. Wheat sold readily at 10s. a bushel. Barley in demand, but not offered in any quantities, 9s. feo 10s. a. bushel. Oats, 7s. to Bs. The positive information as to the failure of the potatoe crop in Van Diemen's Land, has had a sensible effect on the prices of all root produce, £7 to £8 per ton being1 offered for potatoes, but few sellers at those prices. The next arrivals will, in all probability, guide the market, which is at present very unsettled.