WOOL MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1938, Page 7

WOOL MARKET

SALE AT NAPIER. PRICES FIRM ON AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER. December 2. Hawke’s Bay sheepmen have every reason to be pleased with the results of the opening wool sale of the season today. Not only were prices, on the basis of quality, fully firm to a shade better than in Auckland, but competition was sustained throughout, and almost a total clearance made under the hammer, some brokers reporting a clearance of 99 per cent. One of the features of the sale was a renewal of American competition, which was lacking last year. Japan also operated to a limited extent for lots suitable to her requirements. Continental buyers were the strongest force in the market, Bradford operators being more restricted. Compared with the opening sale in Napier last year, fine wools showed little change, but medium to coarse crossbreds were dearer by a penny to a penny halfpenny, and in some exceptional cases twopence. Top price at today’s sale was 14',d for 17 bales of' fleece wool sold by the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Association on account of the Estate of Mr James Tod. Otane.

The wool opened up in splendid condition, being well grown, clean, bright, and sound, and the opinion was expressed that Hawke's Bay wool this year is the best since 1925. The increased weight of wool, because of the very favourable growing season, combined with the better prices ruling today, will make a considerable difference to the return from the first sale, which it is estimated will be about £340,000. Put anotner way, it is estimated that today’s market means a return from each sheep of at least two shillings more than last year. The average price a pound at the first sale last yeai’ was 93d, and it is estimated that the average price today was IOJd.

Lines which excited keenest com--1 petition were good style crossbreds, and deep-grown 44’s realised relatively the highest values in the sale. Though top price was 144-d. many oth- ’ er lots made 14d and over. A line of ■ B fleece branded “Okahu” made 14jd, 1 as did a line of B and C ewe fleece branded “Mahoe.” A line of wether • wool on account of the Mount Herbert Station, Waipukurau. made 14d. ' as did a line of B preparing wool sold 3 by the New Zealand Loan and Mer--1 cantile Agency Company on account of J. Jones, Porangahau. Five bales of ’ B wool from the same owner made 3 ISJd. A line sold on account of Mr' ■ J. D. Ormond made from 12jd for HA to 133 d for A. ' ‘ 3 One of the features of the sale was > the good prices received for interlotted wools and some of the best lots ■ made up to 13d. ■ A big percentage of the offering of ! 23,299 bales was hogget wool, which 1 fanged from 12{d to 131 d; In many ■ cases B and C grades of fleece wool sold better than A grade by fully a ' penny. ’ The following is the official range of 1 prices, based on average values, com- ■ pared with prices realised at the first Napier sale last year;— 1 Dec., 1938. Dec., 1937.

d. d. d. d. Southdown A 101 to Ill Hl to 12 Southdown B 81 to 91 91 to 10? Halfbred, 56/58Super '■ to 121 13 to 14 Average 101 to 111 111 to 121 Inferior io 5 to 111 Fine crossbred, 50/56— Super 121 to 14 12 to 13 Average 11 to 12 to 12 Inferior 10 to 101 10 to 101 Medium crossbred, 48/50 — Super 12 > to 131 111 to 121 Average io.; to 111 9? to 10.? Inferior 81 to 91 81 to 9 Medium crossbred, 46/48 — Super 121 to 141 111 to 121 Average 104 to 11.1 91 to io; Inferior 81 to 10 8 to 9 Low crossbred, 44/46— Super 121 to 14 11 to 12 .* Average 101 to 111 91 to 101 Inferior 9 to 10 8 to 9 Low crossbred, 40/44— Super 121 to 14 Average 101 to 111 Inferior 9 to 91 Unshorn hoggets, 56/58— to 12 111 to 121 52/54 101 to 131 111 to 121 48/50 101 to 121 10 to 111 46/48 101 to 111 Necks — Super 101 to 11? 11 to 111 Average 91 to 10.1 10 to 101 Pieces — Super 10 to 11 9.1 to 10 Average 8:1 to 91 8.1 to 9 Inferior 7 to 71 7 to 7.7 Bellies — Super 8 to 81 8 to 81 Average 7.; to 7:1 71 to 7? Inferior 61 to 7 61 to 7 Crutchings— Super 91 to 10J 9 to 91 Average 71 to 81 7j to 81 Inferior 41 to 6 51 to 6.; Locks— Good 41 to 51. 41 to” 5? Ordinary .... M., tO 41 Dead — A’ to 01 B 8 to 9 Cotts 0 to 10