Commercial.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 401, 27 August 1861, Page 2

Commercial.

LONDON WOOL BEPOMT.—Jvne

The May-June sales closed on.the 6th June, with the same firmness and spirit manifested at the opening, and for good and fine flocks from all ports the competition was more keen towards the close, while on middle and faulty parcels the buyers had the advantage. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding the dulness throughout the North, prices should have been fully supported to the average of FebruaryMarch ; but for this we are indebted to the active competion and large purchases for continental account. The number of bales taken by exporters is computed at fully 23,000 bales. Had prices depended entirely on home buyers, no doubt a declension would have taken place to the extent of 2d to 3d per lb., but as the London market is the focus for all competition, the large quantity submitted attracting buyers from all parts of the world, the advantage is at once apparent of so central a market, and although our buyers were not prepared to pay the high rates current for their anticipated requiiements, to their active competition to a certain price are we indebted for so even and satisfactory a sale. The arrivals for July already reach 70,000 bales, and with ships expected, may probably run up the quantity to 90,000 bales. As to the probable range of prices then to be established, much depends on the prospects of the harvest and money market; but the general feelii g is that except for middle and faulty wools no decline will take place; but this depends on continental buyers continuing their operations on the same extensive scale ; should they, however, have taken the bulk of their requirements, it is probable that home buyers will do better and be enabled to establish a decline of l|d. per lb., at which ihe dealers will, no doubt, be free buyers. ■-■ ■ The dulness at-Bradford, which lias caused so serious a full in the new clip of the home growth, averaging- fully 3d. to 4d. per lb., has produced some flatness in that market, and it rather confirms the opinion that a decline in wool generally is likely to take place when the great sales of the year commence.

New Zealand and Swan river wools were sold with animation at about previous rates for wellstapled and fair-conditioned parcels. The crossbred flocks tlicncu appear most suitable for the present limited demand for Bradford, and produced rates apparently out of proportion to the finer qualities on which the foreign demand principally runs.

Prices of New Zealand wool, May—June.—Supcrkr flocks in best conditionals 10d to 2s o|-d ; Average to good in fair ditto, Is Gd to Is ]0d ; Or djnary and ill-conditioned, Is 4d to Is Gd; F«ir and handwashed skin, Is4d to Is 9d ; Inferior and Kempy, Is to Is 4d; Lambs', good, lB7dto Is yd; inferior to average, Is 5d to Is 7d ; Broken Locks, &o.^9d to Is 2d; In grease, lOd to la 3Jd,