THE MARKETS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9362, 3 February 1909, Page 8

THE MARKETS.

OHRISTOHUROH WOOL SALES. Press Association. Christchurch, February 3. The fourth wool sale of the current season’s series was held this morning, Thera was a fair muster of buyers, although the attendance was not nearly so large as at the sales held earlier in the season, and several of the American buyers who previously ' materially assisted to give a stimulus to the market were absent. The aggregate catalogues totalled 4697 bales, compared with 7700 at the corresponding sale last year, and 8325 at the fourth sale held in 1907. The main lots numbered 878, and these were sold in the short time of two hours and a quarter, after which the “star” lots were submitted, and the sale concluded early in the afternoon. The wool offered compared unfavourably with that offered at the earlier sales, few of the clips being of conspicuous merit. The'merino clips from the back stations did not open attractively, being in cases stained. The sale was irregular, the weakness of American competition, which was practically non-existent, being severely felt. For threequarter bred there was good demand, although the highest price obtained was %d below-the top price obtained at the third sale of the series, but l%d better than at the corresponding sale last year. The demand for Merino was weak, this description being neglected, and, the quality being taken into consideration, the prices were easier by from %d to Id per lb, compared with the rates ruling at the sale held on January 14th, the decline being doe to adverse reports recently received from London. The Merino wool, which was generally of low a fair proportion of wool held over from the previous sales Medium halfbreds sola at prices equal to those ruling at the previous sale, while good descriptions were from %d to %d easier as compared with the recent values, owing principally to the absence of American competition, but very little wool of this quality was on offer. Several lines of scoured wools were offered but elicited practically no competition, and nearly all passed. For all classes of pieces there was good demand, a fair proportion being taken for shipment. while scoureds operated at relatively higher prices than at the previous sales. The following are the prices:— Merino super to 9d, medium good to 8,1. inferior 5%d to 7d, halfbrea super 9%d to lid, medium good 8d to 9d, inferior to 7%d, three-qaarter bred super B%d to 9%d, medium good 7d to Bd, inferior 5 %d to 6%d, crossbred medium good 5d to long wool super to Bd, medium good 6d to 7d. interior 6d to 5%d Down wool medium good to 7%d, Uorriedale B%d to 10%d, Shropshire 13d to 14V£d, pieces merino to 7%d, threequarter bred 7d to Bd, inferior 5%d to 6%d, crossbred 4%d to sd, locks 2d to s}£d, bellies to 7%d, crutchings to 43^d. STOCK REPORT. Messrs Abraham & Williams report:—At our Johneonville sale a fair yarding of both sheep aud cattle sold well at last week’s rates. Beef made 21s per lOOlbs, best bullocks £8 to £8 ids, lighter £7 10s to £7 17s 6d, good wethers 14s to 34s Id, and light ewes lls. WOOL MARKET. Messrs Dalgety & 00., Ltd,, report having received the following cable message from their Loudon bouse under date of the 80th ult. :—“The wool sales continue active. Competition is brisk, aud buying, is general from all quarters. Merinos ; change, if any, in favour of buyers. Crossbred wools suitable for America are very firm, coarse, dingy, and cotted being on a par as compared with the closing rates of last series. ”

Messrs Barraud & Abraham have received the| following cable from their London agents, relating to *the large clip of an East Coast runholder, consigned to London by them Fleeces averaged lid and the pieces averaged B%d. The competition is very good.”