LONDON WOOL SALES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 6

LONDON WOOL SALES.

PRICES STILL TEND UPWARD

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, 4. The last series of the year are always liable to be seriously interfered with by fog, and this week the whole of the British Isles, as well as part of the Continent have had a full share. Up to the time of writing only one sale lias been held, consequently the week has been very much of an idle character. It is no light thing for 300 buyers to be stranded in London, for whiling .away the time at hotels with nothing to do is almost like being in prison. At the same Lime ivool is being eagerly sought, and it the three sales which have taken place since I last wrote, a distinct hardening tendency has been seen. Last Tuesday was one of the liveliest times it has been my privilege to see, there being about the room more tone and spirit than at any sale this year. Good merinos continue to grow in favor, and it is surprising what medium clips .are fetching a shilling and over for the combing;Jots. America is ) uving very liberally, and when its buyers are in the field everybody else lias to stand sidewav. This accounts for prices being, in many cases, 5 per cent, higher than at the opening, iuid withdrawals are extremely few. There is still in the catalogues a few speculators - ’ wools which have beer, held over, and which even yet are not realising the ideas of importers. At the. same time prices are being offered which are a full penny above last series, and many have been compelled to advance their limits. It is indeed strange that buyers should be so keen after acquiring stock when they say that London' is a full penny above quotations elsewhere. Be that as it may everything is selling with great snirit, and the wants of users are nothing like satisfied. The best call continues to be for merinos of good length and medium quality. The prices realised both for AVost Australian, South Australian. New South A', ales and Queensland’s new clip wools aro splendid, and much higher than anybody ever dreamt. All sections are operating with great freedom, Continental"" buyers being particularly active. Crossbreds aro selling equally as well as on the opening night, and both greasy fleece .and slipes are oftentimes quotable dearer. Tho best classes of greasy Capes are also in strong demand, and seoureds are just •about making the opening advance. An excellent tone is every where in evidence, and all are_ anxiously waiting to sec the fog lift. AN EXAMPLE OF THE RISE. There is nothing like being able lo give- a concrete example or two of tho rise, and since the' opening several dips-have been offered, part of which wore catalogued last series. A comparison of tho prices realised affords splendid proof of the advance, and they are worth giving. First let me take a well-known clip of good scoured wool from Queensland, it bring 70's quality, very clean, and well got up:— Fifth Sixtli series series

lii the ease of crossbreds, ire see again flic rise is material. Sl-ipe or & J kin wools are now being largely offered from 'New Zealand, and these are prime favorites with a large number of buyers. The Gear brand is as wellknown as any. the wools always being well got up. clean, and in good condition. They are from the Gear Meat Preserving Go. Ltd., Wellington, N.Z, and are practically identical wools as regards condition, quality, and length. The following table shows the various lots actually made at the current series and last October:

NEW ZEALAND SALES. Sold by Messrs Thomas and. Cook, ,November, 26: Ivawa Kawa. :Grsv. 5 J-bd 9 ; 2 do 8 ; 6 sup -’-lid 91; 10 do. do 91 ; 38 Ist do 9 ; 14 do 9; 9 sup 2-bd 81 ; 15 d0.,.do 81; 10 2nd do 9; 18 Ist cr.sbd 81; 45 do, do 7§; 8 do 71; 8 do 7; 16 2nd do 71 ; 24 do, do 7 ; 11 do 6| ; 9 do 6 ; 26 Lincoln 6.1; 7 Ist 1-bd pcs 61 : 6 3rd do, do 31; 18 ersbd bellies 5; 9 do locks 3J. The worst fault about this clip was its condition. Very heavy and* wasty, fairly well classed for quality, but get more style'-jf possible. Glensidc: Gray. 5 sup ersbd 81; 61. Ist do 9; 7 do, do 9 ; 56 do,, do 81; 8 do 81; 89 ‘do 75;.7 Ist do pcs 52; 6 2nd do, do 5 ; 11 do bellies 6.1; 6do lambs 8: 13 do, do 71 ; Good length 40’s, light aJid well-grown. Suitable for America.

scoured 1st combing H. s d 1 7 s d 1 9 scoured 2nd combing H. 1 7 1 8 scoured 2nd combing 1 61 1 71 scoured 1st clothing E 1 6 1 7 scoured 2nd clothing E 1 6 1 51 scoured necks 1 61 1 7 scoured 1st pieces H 1 5 1 f>i scoured 1st pieces E 1 5 1 5 scoured bellies 1 2 1 2 scoured 1st lambs 13 1 31

Fifth ! Sixth series series d d slip; 1 crosbd 1st combing 9 91 slipo ersbd 2nd combing 7i •84 stipe -4-bd combing 8-i stipe ersbd combing 7 7| slipo ersbd clothing 53 7 stipe ersbd clothing & 4i 6 stipe ersbv clothing ™ 4i 6 slipo ersbd 1st comb, lambs 10 104 stipe ersbd 2nd comb, lambs 81 9 s]ino§-b(l comb, lambs 71 8J slipo ersbd 1st cloth, lambs 9 10