WOOL MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1939, Page 3

WOOL MARKET

SALE AT CHRISTCHURCH PRICES BETTER THAN EXPECTED. SPIRITED BIDDING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 30. Strong and sustained buying on behalf of local mills, with good competition from the United States of America, lifted values of high quality spinners’ wool at the second Christchurch sale of the season today well above values for corresponding wools at the first Christchurch sale in December. The best of the hogget wools offered were also dearer, but ordinal y to good topmaking sorts, which formed by far the greater part of the offering of 24,315 bales, were a full halfpenny cheaper than they were in December.

The result of the sale was considerably better than had been expected, and, having regard to recent market trends, was quite satisfactory, though to very many growers the prices received will mean a loss on the year s operations. The market rate was accepted readily, and only about 6 per cent of the catalogue failed to find purchasers in the saleroom. From the outset bidding was spirited and it remained so throughout the sale. Top price, 16Jd, was paid for three lots of Corriedale. Eleven lots made 16d or better. Halfbreds made to 161 d and merino to 15d. Super wools were definitely bettei than in December, the advance being up to 2d, but ordinary topmaking qualities were a full halfpenny down. Best hoggets were about Id dearer, but crossbreds, particularly lower counts, were down by Id to lid, the market being about on late North Island rates. Locks and crutchings were easier and pieces down by 2 d. The Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association’s official report states that the offering, though not up to the usual standard of the second sale, was nevertheless good, containing some first-class clips. Generally the .wool reflected the effects of the wet winter, much of it being heavy and discoloured. Bidding was spirited and confined largely to the Continent, Bradfoid and Japan operating sparingly. Local mills took most of the super wools with the United States of America competing for high-grade lots. Growers met the market well and almost a complete clearance was effected. The range of prices, compared with the December sale, was;

Dec. 12 Jan. 30 d d d d Merino — Extra super to 15 Super 11 to 12 113 to 13’. Medium 10 to 10“ 10 to 111 Inferior 6.3 to 91 8 to 93 Corriedale — Extra super to 15 to 163 Super 121 to 131 121 to 141 Medium 101 to 12 10 to 12 Inferior 91 to 101 8.3 to 93 Fine halfbred— Extra super to 16 to 161 Super 121 to 14 12 to 14 Medium 101 to 12 10 to 113 Inferior' 81 to 10 7 to 9.3 Medium halfbred Super 111 to 13 11 to 121 Medium 10 to 111 91 to 10.3 Inferior . 8 to 9.3 71 to 91 Extra Fine Crossbred— Super 11-1 to 12 10 to 121 Medium 9.3 to 11 9 to 93 Inferior 8 to 91 71 to 83 Fine Crossbred — Super 101 to 113 91 to 11:1 Medium 91 to 101 81 to 91 Inferior 8 to 9 7 to 8.1 Medium Crossbred— Super 101 to 111 83 to 10 Medium 9.; to 10 8 to 81 Inferior 71 to 9 7 to 7.7 Bellies — Good to super 9.1 to 101 81 to 11 Low to medium 4 to 9 5 to 8 Pieces — Good to super 81 to 121 8 to 14.1 Low to medium 4 to 81 31 to 71 Crutchings— Good to super 6 to 91 5?i to 7;; Low to medium 3.3 to 53 31 to 5 Locks — Good to super 51 to 71 4.1 to 51 Low to medium 3 to 5 to 4