19

EL—3B.

of superior wool. Seed appeared to be later in ripening, and was not in evidence to the same extent in the earlier valuations. Hogget wool showed evidence of the adverse season, and came forward generally in poor condition and short. Lambs' wool is suffering for want of classing, thereby causing it to be more or less secondary, and there were very few choice lines. Tokomaru Bay wools were not up to the standard of the previous year. Ha-wke's Bay. —The wool submitted in the early part of the season was generally good, but not so well grown as usual. Some good lines came from southern Hawke's Bay. Hogget wool was short and tender. The majority of the lines of lambs' wool were short and secondary, and showed want of care in preparation. Seed was later than usual, and did not appear to any extent until the later valuations. As the season advanced the condition became heavier. Wellington, Wanganui, and Waitara. —While the condition in these districts has been fair, there have not been those outstanding lines of superior condition and growth generally seen. Hogget wool was poor, and frequently tender and short. Late-shorn clips carried the usual percentage of seed and condition. Marlborough. —The clip here could not be said to be generally as good as the 1917-18, though a few lines came forward in better condition. A little more care in preparation would make things more satisfactory both for growers and valuers. Nelson. —Compared with, the previous clip the wool did. not come forward in such good condition, being shorter, off colour, and heavier in condition. There is little attempt at classing, and consequently lines are generally of a mixed character. Christchurch. —In most cases the winter had left traces of its severity on the wool, and, while there were a few lines equal or better than the previous season, most of the choice lines of North Canterbury wool were this season of only medium character and condition. Because of this, valuers have not been, able to get up to the previous season's prices. In consequence the number of appeals have been increased. Besides the worse condition there is evidence of want of the usual care in preparation, which in case of public auction would in many cases affect the competition from those wanting straight and well-got-up lines of wool. Timaru. —The severe winter had left its traces on much of the wool submitted for valuation, and generally the clip was not in so good condition as the previous year, being only an average clip. There were a few good lines in three-quarter-bred wools. Oamaru. —The condition of the clip was decidedly inferior when compared with the previous year's wool. Here were some good lines, but generally the clip was only in average condition. Dunedin. —The clip here had suffered considerably through the severe winter, while some clips were in better condition than the previous year. Those clips' from snow country were exceptionally light, though wanting in growth and character, many lines being very tender. Invercargill. —Except for station wools the condition and character of the clip was much as usual —in good condition, but there was a large proportion of tender wool. ' London Appreciation. Evidence of the high opinion held in the United Kingdom of the arrangements made in the Dominion in connection with the wool-purchasing scheme has come to hand in a letter recently received from the office of the Imperial Ministry of Munitions (Contracts Department), an extract of which reads as follows :— " We think we are voicing the general opinion when we say that the standard of work on your side was very high. The wool trade as a whole can now appreciate in a manner hitherto impossible the thoroughness of your scheme, and the amount of hard work which has been put into it both by the originators and those who have carried it out." Losses by Fire. ' During the year a fire occurred at Messrs. J. R. Mills and Co.'s wool-store, Port Chalmers, which resulted in the partial destruction of 223 bales of wool, valued at £5,329. A portion was recovered in a damaged condition, and this after scouring and reconditioning was valued at £1,257. The net loss to the Imperial Government after paying scouring and incidental charges was £4,282.