WOOL MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1938, Page 3

WOOL MARKET

'SALE AT DUNEDIN. PRICES FOR ALL GRADES FIRM. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 12. The Dunedin Stock Agents and Wool Brokers’ Association reports that the fourth and final wool sale for the season was held today. Catalogues totalling 21,236 bales were submitted to a full bench of buyers representing all purchasing countries. The wools auctioned comprised mostly late-shorn back country clips of merino and fine halfbred, which were heavy in condition. In all catalogues however, there were several lots of earlier-shorn halfbreds and good style crossbreds belonging to growers who had held their clips in anticipation of higher prices at the end of the season. The percentage of fine wools on offer was approximately 65, the balance being crossbreds. From the commencement of the auction until the close, competition was restricted and lacked animation except for good-style crossbreds, for which the demand was keen. Bradford and the Continent were the mainstay of the market, support from French buyers being a feature of the sale. Neither Germany nor Japan operated to any extent, and the absence of competition from these countries resulted in less competition and a decline in values compared with the March sale held at Dunedin.

In comparison with the recent Christchurch sale, prices for all grades of wool are firm. Compared, however, with the last sale held at Dunedin in March, values showed a reduction. The extent of the decline depended mainly on the variety of the clips auctioned, the drop in values becoming more pronounced as the finer wools were offered. Crossbreds sold at par to a halfpenny cheaper than similar wools in March. Medium halfbreds were more than Id cheaper and Merinos were difficult to sell at a reduction of 1-Jd to 2d. All pieces and other skirtings were definitely cheaper and can be marked down by Id. Top price received at the sale was 13.'d., which was paid for both halfbred and fine crossbred. Approximately 90 per cent of the catalogue offered was sold at auction and it is anticipated that a fair clearance of passed lots will be effected.

The range of prices was: — Mar. 15, April 12, 1938 1938 d. d. d. d. Merino, 64/70, 60/64— Extra super 16 — Super .... 13 to 14.3 10 to 10.3 Average .... 11 to 12J 10 to 10.3 Inferior .... 9 to 10" 9 to 93 Fine Halfbreds, 56/58Extra Super 151 to 17.3 — Super .... 13 to 15 123 to 13,1 Average .... 11 to 121 10.3 to 111 Inferior .... 83 to 10 83 to 9.3 Medium halfbreds, 50/56— Extra Super to 143 to 13.1 Super .... Ill to 121 11 to 121Average .... 10 to 11 9.3 to 103 Inferior .... 8-1 to 93 83 to 93 Extra fine crossbreds, 48/50— Extra Super 11 J- to 123 11 to 121 Super .... 11 to 123 103 to 121 Average .... 93 to 10.3 93 to 10i Inferior .... 81 to 91 8 to 9 Fine crossbred, 46/48Extra super 11J to 123 11 to 12-1 Super .... 101 to 113 10 to 103 Average .... 9 to 10 9. to 93 Inferior .... 83 to 83 8 to 81 Medium crossbred, 44/46 — Extra super 11 to 123 10.3 to 12 Super .... 9.3 to 10.3 91 to 10.1 Average .... 8.3 to 91- 81 to 9 Inferior .... 8 to 83 71 to 8 Merino necks and pieces— Super .... to 121 11 to lli; Low to medium 83 to 10.3 83 to 10/ Halbread necks and pieces— Super .... Ill to 123 101 to 111 Good to super .... 9 to 101 9 to 10 Low to medium 7 to 83 7 to 81 Crossbred necks and pieces— Super .... 91 to 101 9 to 101 Average .... 81 to 9 83 to 83 Inferior .... 7 to 73 61 to Crutchings, halfbred— Medium to good .... 7 to 81 61 to 7 Inferior .... 6 to 6.3 51 to 61 Crutchings, crossbredMedium to good .... 7 to 93 7 to Inferior .... 51 to 6.3 51 to 61 Locks — Merino .... to 53 41 to 5 Halfbred .... 4.3 to 51 43 to a Crossbred 4 to 5 4 to 43