Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 634, 4 December 1858, Page 4

Markets.

tOXDOU WOOL REPORT,

Wo take|the following from tho • Home News' of Sept. \6-.~. In our last report wo intimated that, judging from th» tone of the room, the sales would cloie at uti advance, and that many manufacturer* who had, in anticipation of easier rates, held off, would be compel led to come in ot the clone and thus force prices a shade above opening rated. These view* have recoivod confirmation by tho result, and price* gradually hardened at each night's sale, establishing an improvement of Id. to 2d. on all description!, the better qualities of clothing and combing receiving roost attention. It is exceedingly satisfactory that so large a number ar 77,000 bales should have been taken off the market at such even rates, for although a tendency to lower prices was obsorvublo in the middle of the sales (it lasted but a. day or two) the buoymcy of trade coupled with a good harvest and cheap money poon mused a reaction, nnd the dealers finding it impossible to lower prices by the absence of competition became frco buyers, and their operation* continued spirited throughout,- influenced there, can" bu little question by tho* presence of a'few speculators who would have been largo buyers at a reduction of 5 to 10 per cent.

AYe are mnch indebted to the competition of foreign operators for the very high prices paid for really choice lots of Sydney and Port Philip, the former of really flu© descriptions being warmly competed for; indeed, the samo may be said of sound bright haired combing from Port Philip, much wanted for Franco ; in many instances, after our buyers hud pimcd in bidding, twn or three influential combers from abroad ran tho price 2d. to 4d. per lb , an evidence that really good wools, well bred, good colour, and staple, will always And a market »t long rate*, tho useof these description* becomiug much more goner.il abroad..

: Bradford was well represented, and competed stronglyor all broad, deep combing flocks, ranging from Is. 9d. to 2s. 2d., the trade of the district evidently requiring these descriptions, us the price paid, taking quality and wash into consideration, was greater than thut rcalued for alt higher priced wools.

Itis much hoped that the next clip of Port Philip will b* better washed and generally better got up— many flocks hitherto eagerly sought for sold indifferently, from. the fact of their excessive heavy condition, the usual buyers being compelled to pass them.'

Range op Prices of New Zealand Wool.—Superior flocks in best condition. Is 9d. to 2s. id.; average to good in fair condition, I*. 7d. to Is. 9d.; ordinary and ill-con-ditioned flocks, Is. 3d. to Is. 6d.; fair: and hand washed., skins, Is. 2d. to Is. 4d.; inferior, Is. to Is. 2d.; Lambs', good, Is. 9d. to 25.; do., inferior to average, Is' sd. to I*_ Bd.; broken locks, &c, 9d. to Is.; in grease, lOd. to Is. 3d.

The subjoined remarks we take from Messrs. Hazard's circular:

Towards the close of these sales a further improvement was obtained, and we may now consider the advance to he from ljd' to 2d. per lb. on good, and clean parcels and. scoared. Id. to IJd. on those in the grease, and inferior quality, jd. to Id. per lb.' Bad' the high rates of the money market, and dulness of trade which existed'at the former sales continued, prices could not have'advanced « beyond the then quotations, bnt, as we then stated,." tho prospect of a very good harvest and 'bettor trade would' probably see those prices maintained.". • Money has become easier, trade generally much improved, and the all-cheering prospect of a very good haivest has realised onr hopes tothe fullest extent, and now we may with, confidence look forward for the continuation of present price* for manymonths to come.