THE WOOL MARKET.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 29 January 1909, Page 2

THE WOOL MARKET.

\mom uor Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 17th Dceember. My correspondent in Bradford write* : — About sis ago there was a spurt of business which set values on the tip grade, and this stimulated buyers at thd sales to such an extent that raw material prices continued to rise after the spell of business at this centre had ceased. Circumstances made it imperative that topmakers and spinners should obtain supplies, snd anybody connected with the trade can draw their own conclusions from the fact that buyers wore prepared to give more for wool for immediate delivery than they would give for the same wool for delivery six or seven weeks hence. German and American representatives have competed very freely with English buyers for the Merino wools, and, so far as America is concerned, for atl deep fleeces of English wools, whilst reports from Germany indicate that Botany spinners over there are rather busy. The perceptible slackening in connection with Merino suggests that the trade has been satisfied, but crossbreds are keeping firm, and the demand for the raw material is wellmaintained. There is, however, much growling on the Bradford Exchange with regard to the paucity of business and the difficulty in persuading customers to seriously consider present prices. Now that the' situation is a bit more settled at the raw material end, it may be less difficult to do business. Some wools have been advanced in many cases to the extent of a farthing or a halfpenny during the last few days, and holders are inclined to be independent. Prices are certainly in sellers' favour. Great satisfaction is expressed at the information which has just come from your side. Serious attention, it states, is being devoted to the question o? improvement in woolpacks with a view to avoiding the jute fibre nuisance. This is a subject which has, as I have pointed out repeatedly in my weekly letter, been taken up very strenuously by influential Bradford merchants, but judging by the conclusions arrived at by certain well-informed dailies in the Dominion and in the Commonwealth, growers are prepared to use a more suitable pack only on condition that users at this end, who, they say, will reap the advantage, pay the extra cost. The extra cost per pack over 2s 2d, which is the cost of a jute pack, works out at- from 9d to Is 6d, and this, it is argued, is only a small sum for merchants in England, to pay for the elimination of the jute fibre trouble. Appended is a summary of the observations of the "Sydney Telegraph" upon the various kinds of packs under consideration : — The specimens included a jute pack with wool lining, closely woven jute pack, closely woven jute, glazed inside, and a paper lined pack. Three of these packs were sewn on with twine made entirely from wool, so that even if email particles should escape notice and find their way into the machinery, little or no damage would be done to the fabric. The wool-lined pack would not, in our opinion, stand the test of usage. The lining is detached, and of the flimsiest character. If a wool-lined pack is to come into general usage the lining must be interwoven with the jute, and become actually part of the jute fabric. The two closely woven jute packs are distinctly improvements upon the Calcutta wool pack in general use. They, however, do not altogether do away with the risk bf jute fibre mixing with the wool. We do not think this can be done so long as wool packs are made out of material composed entirely of jute. Of the two the glazed jute pack is distinctly the better. Tin paper-lined pack comes nearest to what fs aimed at, but whether the pack will prove al lthat is desired is another matter. A brown paper is used, and is fastened by some adhesive matter to the material, considerable pressure being used to force the paper on to t.Ho u-»-e-.<_,» _n__.o_ of ike jt_te material. This pack should prove very effective for scoured wool, but whether tho paper will withstand the action of the yolk in the wool is another matter. In London, the sixth and final series of wool sales for the current year came to a finish on Saturday, a very good lime being experienced. In fact, it is only Titjht to say that this has been the best series ot the whole year, and the final results can only be regarded as most satisfactory, considering tlie condition of trade in manufacturing centres. A most prominent feature has been the American demand, their purchases amounting lo about 15,000 bales. All through American buyers have bought most determinedly, and paid prices of ten times 15 per cent above the close of the Sep-tember-October parity for Merinos. Good*, shafty, long-combing fine wools have Been the most favoured, and also several nice parcels of crossbreds, mostly fine and medium. have been taken. There is no doubt if the selection of crossbreds had been better more would have been done in them, but the "new clip" from your country will not be available till the January series, and even then in no great quantity. BOWLS. On Saturday the Crystal Palace Indoor Bowling Club decided a number of contests, one being with Mr J. Gillespie, the English internationalist, as skip, against Mr A. W. Rodger, late of the Dominion. The rink was in excellent condition, and the drawing and essential driving excellent, especially on the part of the skips. Gillespie's side, which secured the lead, had their advantage reduced as the game progressed, but got home by two shots. The following were the sides and scores — H. A. Brown, H. Coruford, F. Chambers, J. S. Gillespie (skip) 11 ; F. Taylor, G. Harrison, W. G. Gale, A. W. Hodger (skip) 9.