COMMERCIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 103, 1 May 1909, Page 8

COMMERCIAL.

FRUIT AND PRODUCES MARKETS.

The local fruit and produce markets generally have been very dull during the past week, and operations of buyers hay. only been from a hand-to-mouth character. The fruit business has suffered seriously on account of the cold weather, which has curtailed the retail trade. ' Supplies of l.cal apples, pears, and grapes have been sent forward ln quantity, and quality creditable to local growers generally, but prices, on the whole, have been disappointing. For some time past fruitgrowers have been working late varieties, which promise to be more plentiful and even cheaper In price than for seasons, so far as apples are concerned. Pears generally sold low, the mild weather affecting them seriously. A large quantity of Indoor grapes were sent ln, but prices were lower tnan usual. Lemons were the only line which sold at from good to extreme values. In produce, the potato market was, and is likely to continue, unsatisfactory owing to the poor quality of many lots reducing the value of anything good. Onions, although no particular rise has taken place, promise to see higher rates. Supplies of good farmers' butter were short, while eggs showed no increase In. supply. P-_ltry was penned in fair numbers to good demand. Following were the ruling- prices at the auction sales yesterday :—

Field Produce.—Potatoes: Southern, prime £4 6/ to £4 10/ ton, poor £3 to £3 10/; local, prime £3 10/ to £4; poor £3 to £3 5/

Dairy Produce. —Butter: Farmers', in prints, prime, 9_d to lOd lb; farmers', bulk, prime, 8d; Inferior, 6d; milled, ln bulk, for export, lOd. Egjgs: Fresh, 1/9 dozen; pickled, 1/1. Fruit.—Apples: Local, coloured, extra superior, 5/8 to 7/6 case; medium 2/6 to 8/6; cooking, small 2/6 to 3/6, good 4/ to 5/. Pears: Dessert, 4/ to 9/9; cooking, 3/ to 4/6. Grapes: Hothouse, 3d to 1/ lb; outdoor, 3d to ''4_d. Tomatoes: Outdoor, to 2/6 box. Oranges: Island, 3/ to 6/ case. Lemons: Local, prime, 8/6 to 12/ case; local, rough and coarse, 4/ to 5/. Cape gooseberries, 4d lb. Quinces. 4/ to 6/ case. Passion-fruit. 1/ to 4/ box. Figs, 1/6 to 2/6 box. Walnuts: Local, 3d to 4_d lb. Peanut-, 2_d lb. Poultry.—Hens, poor 1/ to 1/3 each, good 1/6 to 2/; table roosters, small 1/ to 1/3, fair 1/6 to 2/, heavy to 4/; ducks. 1/8 to 2/.