WOOL MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1938, Page 3

WOOL MARKET

CHRISTCHURCH SALE. VALUES GENERALLY FIRM. CHRISTCHURCH, April 8. Values for all wools except Merinos were firm at the final Christchurch wool sale of the season, held to-day. All except the best halfbred qualities met a somewhat erratic market but Merinos were particularly difficult to sell and were from Id to lid cheaper than they were at the sale on March 3. Crossbreds sold well throughout. The bidding for the greater part of the sale was steady on good quality lines, but inferior and shabby wools met an uncertain market. Bidding was only rarely animated. Chief competition came from the Continent and Japan on better wools, from Bradford for crossbred, and from local scourers for a large amount of wool suitable for their requirements.

The offering was a typical end-of-season cbllection, consisting of a big proportion of high-country clips, with crossbreds from the West Coast and Chatham Islands, and held-over wool and oddments. The quality was well up to the usual fourth sale standard and was assisted by the inclusion of a number of lines held over from the second sale. \

Of a catalogue of 22,234 bales all but 16 per cent, were sold and a good proportion of that passed was dealt with after the sale. Passings were mainly among the less attractive highcountry WOOIS. ' The sale opened quietly and it became apparent early that there was a most erratic demand for inferior and shabby halfbreds and practically no interest at all in Merinos. A large part of’ the catalogue was made up of these types, which usually feature largely at the fourth sale. Good fine wools and all crossbreds sold steadily throughout the sale. Pieces, which usually appeal so strongly to the Continent, though not neglected altogether, were in much more restrained request than at the three earlier sales. Merinos were consistently from Id to lid down on March rates. Best halfbreds and all but the shabbiest crossbreds were firm, but inferior fleece and pieces were from par to a shade lower in an uncertain market. Japanese competition was a strong influence in the market for better halfbreds, where competition from France and Germany was also strong.

Bradford operated willingly for crossbreds and local scourers were able to lift a large weight of neglected fine wools. Local mills were extremely quiet, partly because little wool of their type was offered and partly because they are now mostly well supplied. A number of large Canterbury high-country clips were offered, and several growers met the market well and there will be no embarrassing accumulation at the opening of the new season.

Top price for the sale was 15}d for halfbreds. Merinos made to 12d, 5breds to 13d and fine crossbreds to UJd. Corriedales made to 14Jd. The following is the range of values:—

BRADFORD TOPS. LONDON, April 7. The Bradford tops market is very quiet. To-day's quotations compare with those previously cabled as follows: —

d. d. Merino, 64/70, 60/G4 Super 11 to 12 Average 10 to 10:1 Inferior GJ to 91 Corriedale — Super ' 12.1 to 142 Average 101 to 12 Inferior 8 to 10 Fine halfbred, 58, 56/58, 56Super 12 J to 15.1 Average 101 to 121 Inferior 71 to 10 Medium halfbred, 50/56, 50Super 111 to 121 Average 10 to 111 Inferior 7 to 91 Extra fine crossbred, 48/50Super 102 to 121 Average 9 to 101 Inferior 7 to 81 Fine crossbred, 4G/48 — Super 10.1 to 111 Average 9 to 10 Inferior 7 to 81 Medium crossbred, 44/46 — Super 9J to 101 Average 9 to 91 Inferior 7 to 81 Pieces, halfbred — ' Good to super 10 to 121 Low to medium G to 91 Bellies, halfbred— Good to super - 71 to 8:‘ Low to medium 61 to 71 Bellies and pieces— Merino, good to super 8 to 121 Merino, low to medium 61 to 91 Crossbred: Good to super 7 to 9 Low to medium 51 to 61 Crutchings— Ibred, good to super 61 to 8J Ibred, low to medium 4 to 61 Crossbred: Good to super 7 to 8 :j Low to medium to 61 Locks — Merino 5 to 6 Halfbred 4 to 51 Crossbred 4 to

Mar. 17 Mar. 24 Mar. 31 Apr. 7 Merinos — d. d. d. d. 28 28 28 271 64's 26.1 261 261 26 60’s 251 251 25 Crossbreds— 58’s 22 22 22 26 56’s 19A 19 A 191 191 50's 171 171 171 171 46's 17 *17 "17 *17 40's -17 -17 *17 *17 "Nominal.