284 



Journal op the Department op agriculture. 



THE LOCAL MARKET. 



Position at Mid-February, 1921. 



(Note. — The local market prices of certain other agricultural produce and stock 

 are published elsewhere in this issue.) 



WOOL. 



Since the issue of the last report there has been a more general competition for good and 

 average combing and medium wools, and also for good coarse and coloured wool, at prices 

 tlightl}' above those quoted last month. The demand for the better classes of combing wools 

 has principally been from American buyers who are anxious to fill their orders and ship the 

 wool so as arrive in the United States before the anticipated new Customs tariff comes into 

 operation. Some thousands bales of wool of the better tj^pes have been bought duiing the 

 last weeks at very satisfactory prices. A demand has also arisen on Japanese account for 

 really superior clips of Kaffrarian and similar wools and exceptional prices have been paid 

 I'or special lots. The highest record prices so far are from Hid. to 17|d. per lb. Bradford 

 buyers are operating more freely but there is no tendency on their part to force prices. For 

 heavy and seedy wools there is no demand whatsoever. 



There are still large stocks of old season wool at the ports and the disposal of these is a 

 most difficult problem as buyers arc reluctant to touch old wools. 



The Part Elizabeth catalogue sales were resumed on the 4th February; 841 bales were 

 put up for sale, but only 181 baks changed hands. The sale was well attended by both 

 l)uyers and sellers. 



The following are the latest quotations of prices : — 



1 . Extra supei ior combing, 1 2 



months', skirted, choice... 



2. Superior combing, 12 



months', skirted... 



3. Superior combing, 12 to 14 



months' growth, skirted, 

 deep stapled 



4. Good average combing. 12 



months' growth... 



5. Superior combing, 10 to 12 



months', skirted 



6. Average combing, 10 to 12 



months', skirted 



per Ih. 

 l.id. to 17d. 

 I.Sd. „ 14(1. 



13d. 

 lOd. 



14(1. 



11( 



lOd. „ lid. 

 Ski.,. 'J.id. 



7. Extra super medium. 8 to 10 



months', well skirted ... 



8. Superior medium, 8 to 10 



months', skirted ... 



9. Average medium, 8 to 10 



months' ... 



10. Superfine shorts, 8 months' 



and less, skirted ... 



11. Good average shorts, 8 



months' and less, skilled 5d. 



12. Average shoits, 8 months' 



and Icfs ... 



The freight ratea for wool to England and the continent have been reduced by §d. to ^d. 

 per lb., but the benefit derived from this reduction will be somewhat counteracted by the 

 increased rates of exchange. 



MOHAIR. 



There is no change to report, the market remaining in a very depressed condition. There 

 are a few enquiries for super mixed hair at 9d. Winter hair is wanted at 6d. and Basuto 

 hair at 9d., but sellers are reluctant to dispose of their stock on this basis. Biadford reports 

 state that in spite of the low prices there has been practically no business doing. The 

 following nominal quotations are given : — • 



Summer kids 

 Summer firsts 

 Winter kids 

 Winter hair 

 Basuto ... 



per lb. 



per lb. 



Mixed hair 5d. to lOd. 



Long O.F.S. Blue (12 months') 8d. „ lid. 

 Grey and seconds ... ... .'Sd. „ 6d. 



7d. ! Locks 4d. „ 4^d. 



