PRICES EASIER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1939, Page 8

PRICES EASIER

CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALE HOGGET IN EXCELLENT DEMAND. LARGE AMERICAN ORDERS. (By Telegraph—Pxess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Fine wool values, though easier were better than expectations at the second Christchurch wool sale today. Over the early stages of the auction the bulk of halfbred and Corriedale lines offered were about Jd easier than the opening rates at the December sale, while better class fine wools were down by up to Id. Crossbreds were down a full Id on the December rates, but were slightly firmer than the late rates in the North Island. A feature of the sale was an excellent demand for hogget wool, large orders. placed on behalf of American being responsible for values that were almost firm on December rates.

The bidding was animated throughou. but, as at recent sales in the North, it was obvious buyers were operating to restricted limits.

The offering totalled 24,315 bales, mainly fine halfbred off the Plains with a good sprinkling of crossbreds from the Peninsula and the West Coast. Another feature of the offering was, as usual, the numerous fine ewe clips which came forward. This is the best of the Dominion’s fine woo) Although fewer super lines were offered the general quality of the wool was good, well grown, freer from stain than at the same sale last year, and fairly heavy in condition. Buying was well distributed, most of the pace being set by the Continent, with Bradford operating fairly freely. American competition, which was not a determining factor at the first sale, helped to keep up the price of fine wools, especially hogget. Japan operated to a small extent.

The passings in the first three catalogues were practically negligible, showing that growers are prepared to face the market with its downward tendency.