H.—3B

12

many cases had a serious effect on the value. Hogget wool was poorly grown, short, and tender, no doubt caused by the unfavourable conditions of the previous winter. Lambs' wool came forward generally short and more or lass seedy, mere being very few choice lines. Haw he's Bay. —The condition of the wool submitted up to the end of January was generally good, although not so well grown as usual, but hogget; wool was in poor condition, short and tender. YYniic there were few really good lines of lambs' wool, the majority were short and carried more or less seed. offerings carried an excessive quantity of seed, and were heavier in condition. Wellington, Wanganui, and Waitara. —Generally in the earlier part of the season wool came forward in better condition than during 1917, but later the hogget wool showed want of length, and in many cases was very tender. Lateshorn clips carried a greater percentage of seed than usual, and lambs' wool was shorter, with comparatively few lines free from seed. Marlborough. —The whole clip was decidedly better than the previous year, and some of the merino clips came forward in excellent condition. Nelson. —The season had evidently been a favourable one, and the wool was submitted in good condition. Chnstchurch. —The wool offered at this centre was in better condition than in the previous season. Timaru. —A number of merino clips which had previously been scoured were submitted for valuation in the grease, and while they were heavy m condition they were generally well grown. Crossbreds and half-breds came forward in very good condition, and better than the average. Oamaru. —This district has a reputation for heavy-conditioned and dirty wool, but the past season was exceptional, and the wool came forward in really good condition. Dunedin. —The whole clip offered was in better condition than in the previous year, and the best lines of half-breds in the Dominion were submitted for valuation. Invercargill. —The wool generally was well grown and in good condition, the hogget wool particularly so. Wool-valuers have carried out their onerous duties with tact and judgment, and with general satisfaction to the growers and the Imperial Government. Owing to the prevalence of heavily seeded wool during the season some dissatisfaction was expressed at the prices given, but meetings arranged between the supervising wool-valuers and growers, at which the valuations were discussed, were of great service in removing misunderstanding. Wool-growers generally have accepted the decisions of the valuers in a spirit which has been greatly conducive to the smooth running of the requisition. Slipe Wool from Freezing Companies. Slipe wool produced at freezing-works to the 30th June, 1917, was purchased on behalf of the Imperial Government on. the basis of values obtained in London by individual freezing companies during the period Ist January to 31st December, 1914, plus 55 per cent. The wool was purchased for shipment and valuation in London, and an advance of 75 per cent, of the value was made on delivery into store in the Dominion. Slipe wool produced from the Ist July, 1917, to the 15th November, 1917, was purchased on. the basis of the average values obtained in London by all freezing companies-during the period Ist August, 1913, to 31st July, 1914, plus 55 per cent. This wool was also shipped to London for final valuation, and an advance of 75 per cent, of the value was also made in the Dominion, as stated above. During the 1916-17 season owners had permission to submit slipe wool for valuation in New Zealand if so desired, on the same conditions and on the same basis of valuation as for the greasy clip. This permission was subsequently