LONDON WOOL REPORT.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 9, 2 March 1860, Page 2

LONDON WOOL REPORT.

[From the Home Hews.'] December. 17, 1859.

The fourth and concluding series of colonial sales commenced on the 10th of November, and closed on the 3rd of December. Thfi quantities comprised in catalogues consisted of 10,985 bales Australian; 7,161 bales Port Philip; 2,561 bales Van Diemen’s Land; J,680 bales Adelaide; 4,635 bales New Zealand; and 20,096 bales Cape ; total. 47,118 bales. The anticipations generally entertained prior' to the sales, that an advance would be established at the opening of about Id. to lid. failed of realisation ; the absence of foreign buyers in any number, and their inactivity, caused our own buyers to act with caution. Even under these circumstances, however, prices ranged, on the average, about id. to Id. advance. As soon as immediate requirements were supplied, a slight tendency for lower prices became apparent; holders, however, met the market freely. As thesales progressed the advance was lost, and, indeed, during some part of the sales—about the middle—faulty and uneven parcels sold at a shade lower than last sales.

Our market may now be quoted clear of firsthand parcels, and it is a gratifying feature that the stocks held by London dealers are very small, so that if trade continues on mi average, stocks will be exhausted ere the forthcoming sales in February-March, at which a large exhibition of new wool is anticipated. The range of prices of New Zealand wool, in November and December, 1859, was as follows : —Supeiior flecks, in best condition, Is. lid. to 2s. 3d. per lb.: average to good, in fair condition, Is. Bd. to Is. lid.; Ordinary and ill-condi-tioned, Is. Cd. to Is. Bd.; Scoured, Is. 7d. to 2s. 3d.; do., Lambs', 2s. to 2s. 4Ad.; Fair and handwashed skins. Is. 4il. to Is. 9d.; Inferior, Is. to Is. 4d.; Lambs’, good, Is. 9d. to 2s. Id.; do., inferior to average, Is. Gd. to Is. 9d.; Broken locks, &e., Is. to Is. 6Ad.; In grease, lid. to Is. sd.