WOOL MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1939, Page 3

WOOL MARKET

CHRISTCHURCH SALE CROSSBREDS IMPROVE IN PRICE. SHABBY HALFBREDS CHEAPER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 14. Merino wools and shabbier halfbreds, which formed the largest proportion of the offering, • were cheaper at the fourth and final Christchurch wool sale than at the third sale in March. Crossbreds, of which there was a large offering from the Chatham Islands and West Coast, sold fully firm on recent rates, and were inclined to be dearer. Better-class topmaking halfbreds were from par to slightly lower than at the last sale. Pieces of all sorts except crossbreds dropped sharply, mainly because French competition, usually the mainstay of this market, was very restricted because of the international situation.

The catalogue was of 29,612 bales, but mainly because of the poor demand for fine high-country wools about 14 per cent was passed. The sale had little animation except for crossbreds, and the result to a large number of runholders would be most disappointing. Top price for the sale was 14|d paid for' three bales of halfbred sold under the brand “Ashdeen.” Six bales of halfbred ewe from the Beckenham Hills estate of Mr W. A. White made 133 d, and the same price was paid for 12 bales frpm the “Denbrae” clip of the estate of Mr M. A. Brown, Waiau. Best price at the April sale last year was 15jd, and the year before 24 jd. The top Merino price was 12j d for 17 bales of hogget from Murchison Bros. (Lake Coleridge). Corriedales, of which there was a small selection, made up to 123 d, that price being paid for 16 bales from the “Salix” clip of Mr A. G. Black (Culverden).

The offering was • typical of the fourth Christchurch sale, which attracts a lot of high-country wool and crossbreds from the West Coast and Chatham Islands, and was up to the usual quality of a fourth sale. A lot of the wool was dusty and tender, and showed the effects of the weather, but there was some excellent dry and light wool included. A large proportion of the offering was made up of pieces held over from earlier sales.

Some big clips came forward, the biggest being the St Helens clip of 656 bales of Merino quarter-bred and halfbred. Passings in all big clips, which, usually consist of shabbier wools, were heavy and accounted for the bulk of the passings. The sale started quietly, and it became apparent at once that the market for Merinos and unattractive halfbreds that form the bulk of the highcountry offering was poor. Merinos were back up to l|d on the March sale and were back 2d on the last Timaru sale, where the first considerable Merino offering in Canterbury came forward. Average to good topmaking halfbreds from the easier country and the front hills met a steady sale at about the same rates as at the third Christchurch sale, and all crossbreds were eagerly sought at full late rates. Pieces were back by Id to lid, except crossbred pieces, which were firm. Bradford bought most freely throughout the day, concentrating on crossbreds. There was some German buying of all types, and the Continent was fairly active. Some Japanese and American orders were filled, though these were not large. The main development was exceedingly modest buying on behalf of France. The fourth sale is generally a Continental market, but France yesterday showed only very moderate interest, and the few buyers operating were doing so to limits unusually restricted for France. The restraint was due entirely to the disturbing overseas situation.

Local millmen bid only seldom in Merinos, a contrast to the Timaru sale, where they were eagerly in the market for this type. Local scourers, as usual, bought freely of less attractive wools.

The official report says: There was a full attendance of buyers. The offering was mainly drawn from highcountry wools, the West Coast and the Chatham Islands, with a few latershorn plains clips. As usual at this sale the bulk of the wools were rather shabby and discoloured. Yolk stain was fairly general and this condition was considerably heavier than at earlier sales. Competition was rather irregular, specially for Merinos, which met a disappointing sale. Average halfbreds and crossbreds sold comparatively well but piecewools of all descriptions were most erratic and showed a considerable decline from our previous sales. Main competition came from Bradford, with Germany competing well for average to good halfbreds. French buyers were also operating but at considerably reduced limits and their purchases were comparatively small. Local scourers helped the market for low-grade wools, which were in large supply, and these sold up to expectations. Passings were not unduly heavy and sales approximated 85 per cent of the offering. The following is the range of prices, with those at the April sale last year for comparison:—

AUCKLAND CHEQUE. MILLION MARK PASSED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 14. Distribution has been made for the final Auckland wool cheques for the season. Proceeds of the third and final Auckland sale, held on March 27 and 28, totalled £428,174 and aggregate payments from the three auctions held this season total £1,061,743, this being the third year in succession that the realisation has exceeded the £1,000,000 mark. The final figures issued by the Auckland Woolbrokers’ Association show that at the March auction 12,295,2921 b of wool was sold, compared with 11,347,0431 b sold for £432.521 at the fixture in March, 1938. The clearance at the recent sale was 98 per cent.

April. 1938. April, 1939. d. cl. d. d. Merino— Ex super .... — to 12.1 Super 10'; to 12 10 to 111 Average 9 to 101 8 to 9.7 Inferior 67 to 87 5.7 to 7.7 Corriedale — Super 12.’, to 14.7 11.7 to 12--Average 10', to 12 9 to 111 Inferior 8 to 10 6.1 to 8.7 Fine halfbredEx super .... to 15’, 13.1 to 14i Super 12’, to 14.’. 11.7 to 13 A. verage 10 to 12.1 9.1 to 11! Inferior 71 to 9.7 8 to 9 Medium halfbred — Super 111 to 13 11 to 121 Average .... 95 to 11.1 9.1 to 10" Inferior 7.; to 9.1 7 to 9 Exira fine crossbred — Super 10, : ; to 13 10:/ to 12 Average .... 9 to 101 87 to 10! Inferior 7 to 8.5 7.1 to 81 Medium crossbred — Super 9:5 to 11 91 to 11! Medium 7:1 to 9 7 5 to 9! Inferior 6i to 6 to 7! Bellies — Good to sup 9j to 12i 8 to 10.? -Low to mod 5.1 to 9 4.1 to 75 Pieces — Good to sup 8 : ; to 12.1 7.1 to 12 Low to med 4 to 8.! 31 to 7

Crutchings— Good to sup 51 to 0 3 6 to 8 Low to med 21 to n 4 to 5? Locks — Med to good 41 to 6. 1 , 41 to 6.1 Low to med 2:; to 4.; 2, : ; to 4’,