OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2571, 4 August 1909, Page 7

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

THE NEW ENGLISH CLIPHIGHER PRICES CERTAIN.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) BRADFORD, June 13, 1909. This week really marks the opening of the season for'English -wools, several country fairs opening. Growers everywhere are on the qui vivo, and already they are reckoning upon sensibly higher prices than what obtained last year. It is quite certain that they are not looking in vain, but whether or no they will receive all they are expecting remains to be seen. It is certain that many have got the “swelled head,” and unless there is manifest a stronger disposition on the part of buyers to operate than what is evinced at present by Bradford merchants, some will he disappointed. However, wool conditions if at the moment quiet, are sensibly better than they were at this time a year ago, and there is every appearance of English descriptions selling at sensibly higher values than was the case twelve months ago. The fact of the matter is wool markets since last November have vastly unproved, and a totally different spirit animates the entire trade to what we saw at the advent of the last English clip. In .June, 1908, nil buyers alike had oxperienced a terrible time, values having sensibly fallen.’ In the downward course of-prices millions had been lost, consequently the trade a year ago was in poor heart, but M r itk prices being low and wool cheap caused a very enterprising spirit to obtain, winch led buyers to purchase freely in the hope of values improving. It is now an axiom of the wool trade that things are always “safe” when prices are low, and there never was a time in the wool trade when users were not prepared to speculate when wool was cheap and to go from hand to mouth when prices are high. , , The new season opens with stocks or English wools in very small compass, there being hardly any description left over. Perhaps the greatest weight is in lustre wools, these hardly enjoying that favor which lias been seen m wools of medium to fine quality Tike half-breds, and good Down descriptions. During the last six months English wools have been shipped in very large ■ quantities, thanks entirely to an active demand on American account. Ike fact of the matter is but for the United Etates, English wools would never have assumed that healthy appearance which has been seen, and to-day great things are being expected by Home growers and merchants from across the Atlantic. American buyers have shown great preference for good H-breds, Eastern Counties wools, as well as Shropshire and other Down qualities, including North hogs and good Scotch Blackfaced. Irish do mi lustre wools have also been popular favorites, and without doubt we are certain to see sooner or_ later renewed American enquiry.- Whether or no we shall see that big demand in the near future remains to he seen, for ■■ere is at the moment a feeling abroad that American importers realising that values are somewhat dangerous -will probably keep hands off until they have worked up some of their heavy imports of similar descriptions in Colonial sorts. However, the United States is to-day a very large and important outlet for English descriptions, and with trade being good across the Atlantic is imparting considerable confidence regarding the future- of Homo grown sorts. During the past nine months wc have exported wool to the United States to the tune of 85 million lbs. compared with 33 million lbs. for the corresponding; nine months in 1907-8. In fact, our re-exports of wool to all countries during that period amount to 321,800,OOOlbs. compared with. 182,800,000(bs. for the corresponding previous nine months, and hero we have an important light thrown upon the English wool trade which largely explains its recent activity. Prices to-day are undoubtedly the allimportant question with the English ■wool grower, and the same can be said for the dealer. A glance at the table below will show a great change in today’s quotations to what were ruling values a year ago, and it will be seen when contrasted with tho low prices ruling in 1901 that for some descriptions the advance is very considerable. As already said, prices have sensibly advanced since this year came iu, and in this connection the results seen at the recent London series are well worth considering. There is the keenest competition between New Zealand crossbreds and similar descriptions -grown in England, and the undermentioned particulars show what a vast difference in price was actually made for the selfsame clip at the May series of London sales, compared with a year ago when prices were at the bottom:

The above shows some radical changes, but it should be explained that such high prices were paid by America at the recent sales, values advancing from ljd to 2d per lb. on New .Zealand crossbred wools. United States buyers operated extensively to be in a position to fight their own wool ■ dealers who seem to be bent on foreting up values for all they are worth, and also because the selection will now get worse in crossbreds till the advent of the next New Zealand clip which cannot arrive in any quantity till next January. The following table shows the standing of English descriptions on the Bradford market compared with the •corresponding date a year ago, and prices are also given when the lowest point was touched in November, 1901: Lowest point. June June Nov. 1901. 1908. 1909. a. d. d.

Prospects point to very satisfactory sales when the country fairs open, but growers will be -well advised not to expect extravagant prices. Buyers are faced with a very difficult situation, , for if the American demand stops ! prices- are. hound to decline. Conditions in Bradford have turned very quiet, and there -is at the moment a strong feeling of hesitancy. America holds the key to the situation. If operations can be relied upon from that quarter then a good trade is assured, and in the interests of both grower and seller it is to be hoped the Yankees will remain in. the.field for some time to come.

In cases of acute Bronchitis or Influenza you can safely rely on TUSSICURA giving immediate relief.

About twelve months ago (says the Wanganui “Herald”) we made, mention in these columns of certain very distressing and painful circumstances connected with the outbreak of disease at several of the Maori settlements on the Parapara road. A well-known halfcaste woman within a period of about a month lost by death a daughter (8 years of age), a nephew (14), her husband, her sister; and the latter’s husband. A couple of days ago the unfortunate woman brought her baby (born since the deaths above referred to) to town for medical assistance, but it succumbed to tho same complaint that carried off most of the other victims. The baby, up to within the last week or two, was an exceptionally fine strong child.

For rheumatism, backache, faceache, earache, neuralgia, and other muscular pr.ins nothing can equal WITCH’S OIL (registered).

A remarkable recovery has been made by the' man, John Gilmore, who met with a serious bush accident near Ohura, says the “New Zealand Herald.” In spite of the loss of nearly half an ounce of brain substance, and the fact that the operation was* performed in a tent by candlelight, Gilmore was able to walk outside on the 16th day after the accident, and on the 25th day he walked nearly two miles. He is also mentally well.

Name of Clip 1908. d. 1909. d. The Warren ... 12 15! Cheviot Hills ... m 15! 3Je>e or Fly ... 10 15 Hakateramea ... ii 15 CC in diamond ... ii 14 Titi ... 101 14! McDonald Downs ... ... 10! 14 CM over diamond ... 10! 13! Acland ... 10! 13 Wharanui ... 10 13! Moko ... * ... 10 14! Iverera ... 7! 12!

Lincoln hogs n 7 a. 1 4 91 „ wethers U 7 81 Irish hogs, super. 61 9 121 ,, wethers 61 7§ 9S North hogs, best 7 91 92 Shropshire hogs 8 10 12J Wiltshire Down tegs 9 HI 121 Scotch Blackfaced « 4 5 6 40’s crossbred tops 7 10 121