The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71
Wool
Wool.
The production of wool has increased from 66,602,712 lbs. during 1882 to 111,537,546 lbs. during 1891, at an approximate rate of 5,000,000 lbs. per annum. The export trade has shown a corresponding elasticity.
The local mills in New Zealand consume nearly three mil-lion lbs. per annum.
In 1881 the value of wool exported was £2,909,760; in 1891 it had reached £4,129,686.
As England imports 560 mil-lion lbs. of colonial wool, New Zealand supplies one-fifth, leaving therefore ample scope for the development of the trade.
The average clips are approximately as follow: Merino, from 4 lbs. to 7 lbs.; quarter-reds, about 6½ lbs.; half-breds, 7½ lbs.; three-quarter-breds, 8½lbs.; Leicester, 10½ lbs.; Lincoln, 11 lbs.