NAPIER WOOL SALE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 17 January 1938, Page 5

NAPIER WOOL SALE.

A STRONG DEMAND. FIRMING TENDENCY. NAILER, Jan. 15. In spite of the fact that the quality of the wool offered was below the standard of the lots catalogued in December, the second Napier wool sale of tlie season held to-day was much better than expected. With a decline in quality, brokers and growers fully expected a drop on the prices' realised at Wellington earlier in the week, but as it turned out these fears were groundless, as Continental limits particularly were fully firm on Wellington. Indeed, values to-day showed a firming tendency, and over all prices showed an appreciation of id to id on Napier December rates. A feature of the sale was the strong demand for crossbreds, and competition for these was particularly keen. This keenness was most noticeable for the coarser sorts and for bellies and pieces. Bidding for necks frequently exceeded lOd, and for one extra, good line llfd was paid. Other pieces realised up to 10jd, and as high as 9RI was paid for bellies. Another feature of the sale was the comparatively high prices paid for lambs’ wool. At the December sale at Napier the top price for lambs’ wool was 14|d, but to-day IGJd was paid for extra good lambs’ wool. These are the dearest wools at the present time. Due to the bad season, the proportion of super wools offered was much smaller than at an average January Napier sale. Nevertheless, there were some good lots offered, and for these good prices were recorded. Top price for super wool was pa.id for three bale 6 of ewe offered on behalf of Mr E. C. Nation, “Punawaitai j” which made 15|d. Bidding for this lot started at 13d, and quickly rose to the figure at which it was sold. The second pick of this brand sold at 14Jd, and the third at 13d. A reclassed line of AA ewe, also from “Punawaitai,” made 14Jd. The sale was dominated by the Continental buyers, with France particularly prominent; Bradford took a good share, and the United States and Canada were keen for the best coarser types. Australian mills were useful bidders for their particular types. Most of the super lambs’ lots were secured by France. The total offering was 30,118 bales, and well over 90 per bent, was sold under tlie hammer. As many of the passed lots were either sold or were under offer at the conclusion of the auction, it is expected that practically a total cleara.nce will be made. The official range of prices is as follows : ■ —

Southdown — d. d. Super A „ ••• ii to 12 Super B to 10i Halfbred, 56-58 — Super — — 12 to 13 Inferior 103 to lli Fine crossbred, 52-56 —• to 13 Super ... 12 Average 11 to 113 Inferior 10 to .103 Medium crossbred, 48*50 —- to 13 12 Average lOi, to II2 Inferior Hi to Medium crossbred, 46-48 — to 113 Super 11 , Average 10 to 103 Inferior to 9j Low crossbred, 44-46 — Hi to 12 Super Average 10 to 103 Inferior 8i to 9 Low crossbred, 40-44 — to 12 Super Hi Average 10 to 103 Inferior — — “56-58 . Not quotable 52-54 11 to 13 48-50 10 to 12 46-48 9i to 11 Lambs — 13i to 14 i Super Averago 11 to 12i Inferior and seedy ... 9 to 10a Very seedy 7 \ to 8, to 113 ii Average ■10 to 103 Inferior Up to 93 to 103 Super 10 Average 9 to 93 Inferior 7 to 8-4 to 9i to 85 Super Average 83 8 Inferior 7 to Ti C'rutcliings— Super Average Hi 9 to 123 to 10i Inferior and seedy ... 6 to /$ Locks — to 74 Good Ordinary to 6i