)72 



JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE LOCAL MARKET. 



Position at Mid-May, 1921. 



(Note. — The local market prices of certain i^ilher agricultur:il produce and stock are 

 liublished elsewhere in this issue.) 



WOOL. 



The market has iiad a slinjitly firmer tendency during the past month ami tlic recent keener 

 demand has been maintained, especially in regard to ,<>ood combing- wonls c)f \2 months 

 growth. Prices arc slightly higher than those prevailing last month. The latest reports 

 from London also show a firmer market with an advance of prices from 5 to 10 per cent, 

 'i'iic following arc present ({nutations : — 



per 11). 

 Extra super combing, 12 montlis". 



skirted lO.Ui. 



Superior combin;^, 12 montlis', skirted !kl. 

 Good average combing, 12 months' 



growth ... ... ... ... 7d. 



Superior combing, 10 to 12 months' 7d. 



Average combing, 10 to 12 months' ... 5Jd. 

 Extra super medium. 8 to 10 montlis', 



well skirted 6id. 



per lb. 

 Superior medium, S to 10 niont'is', 



skirted ... ... ... ... o.Jd. 



Average medium, 8 to l<i months' 



skirted ... ... ... ... .5d. 



Superfine shorts, 8 months' and less, 



skirted ... ... ... ... 6d. 



Good average shorts, 8 months' and 



less, skirted ... ... ... 5.^d. 



Average shorts. 8 months' and less ... -l.jd. 



MOHAIR. 



There is a more general inquiry fi^r summer kids and summer firsts, but buyers con- 

 tinue to exercise great discrimination in their selections and only the very best lines com- 

 mand top rates. Winter hair is more or less neglected. The following prici'S arc quoted : — 



Super summer kids 

 Average summer kids ., 



per lb. 

 . 2f)d. 

 . 2kl. 



Super summer firsts 

 Winter hair 



SKINS AND HIDES. 



At the skin sales held since the beginning of May, tliere has been keener c 

 on the part of buyers, and the market has a decidedly firmer tone all round, 

 slight improvement in the prices for all sound skins, but damaged skins are still 

 The following are the prices obtained at recent sales : — 



Sheepskins. 

 per lb. I 



3d. i Capes — Salted, each ... 

 1 jid. 1 ('ai)es— Sundried, cai'li 

 lund ' ... I>d. 1 



Sheep skins, sound 



Pelts, sound 



Coarse and coloured skin 



per lb. 

 8.U1. 



ompetition 

 There is a 

 neelected. 



per lb. 

 38d. 

 22(1. 



.Vngora — Light... 



Angora— Heavy and sun-dried 



Ansjora — Shorn 



Sound — Sun-dried, 



OSTRICH FEATHERS. 



Messrs. Dundl, Ebden A: Co., furnish the following information :— Sales wov.^ licid on 

 4th, nth, 18th, and 2Glh April. Weight of feathers sold was 19,280 lb., of a total value "f 

 t'32,713, while G86i 11)., valued at £8.'j83, were withdrawn. Prices gradually declined : in the 

 firsi instance owing to anxiety over London sales, and afterwards on account of the coal 

 strike in England, and uncertainly in regard to the settlement of Geunan liabilities. It is 

 imjirohablc that there will be any imorovement whilst unsettled conditions prevail in 

 Europe. London sales showed a decline of 30 ]ier cent, in the best lines and from 10 to ITt 

 per cent, in inferior lines. Feathers are still very fashionable but exchange and industrial 

 problems are depressing the whole market. 



