THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1925, Page 4

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

WHOLESALE TRADE STEADY, j

ARRIVAL OP NEW SEASON'S SALMON, i HAMS AND BACON ADVANCED. I " Auckland Star " Office, ; Wednesday, October li, 1925. During the last few days there has been a lull in the call Tor the small every- | day requirements that are necessary ror the grocers' trade, hut notwithstanding this, merchants themselves have cepn fairly busy in rll departments. The. arrival and departure of the Island steamer last week was responsible tor a certain amount of business, and, owing to the nature or the shipments, which require particular attention, ClUlle a j large portion having to be shipped under | drawback, etc., there is always a lot to do until the vessel nnally clears this port, i The Aorangi is now discharging the nrst of the new season's salmon, and, as prices commenced to move up shortly after opening prices were first advised, those , who have made purchases arc landing very j well bought stocks. In the majority of cases only small stocks will be brought into store, as the largest portion has been sold forward, and is being shipped to the i various destinations direct from the wharf. Tho Waiotapu is dischargingsmall shipments or new season's figs, but ; unfortunately she has very little else for this port, the shipments of other fruits apparently missing connecting with this steamer. The amount or retail business done during the past week has been rairly even, the unsettled weather during tho last few days being responsible ror a certain dullness in some sections or tho trade, although the takings for the usual rush on the Friday and Saturday were , well up to their usual average. Drapery.

Drapery houses are at present passing through rather a quiet time, the amount of unsettled weather being to a large extent responsible for the small amount of business being transacted. Tlio recent discharge of oversea shipments or spring and summer rashion goods has enabled all retail houses to bring their stock right up to date, and beautiful shop window and showroom displays have been made to give the general public some idea or the choice designs now in vogue, thcrerore it only requires an improvement in general weather conditions to give all departments a big tlllip to business.

Tobacco. Owing to the damage to Southern tobacco shipments caused by the recent Are on the Kent, part or Auckland's bonded stock was shipped to Southern ports to relieve tho shortage, which was very acute. The result has been a temporary local shortage on a few or the best known English packings, as far as merchants are concerned, but the shortage has not been or long enough duration to affect retailers to any marked degree. The ,qtakl now to hand has a shipment of the lines most wanted, so, given a few days in which to make delivery, should see all stocks back to normal.

Prunes. The -wholesale merchants have been considerably disappointed, owing to the small consignments or dried rruit which came to hand by the Waiotapu last week. 'A general shipment or all sizes or prunes was expected, and, owing to shipping notes for this vessel not coming to band, no inrormatlon was available till tho ship anally reached port, when a search or the manifest showed that shippers had not been able to effect shipment. Unlortunately local stocKs are not at all plentiful, some or the larg-er sizes being already out or stock, and merchants have now advanced their selling- rates more into line with present indent costs. Further shipments are not due until the arrival or the West Cahokia, due about the fourteenth of next month. Raisins. Sunmaid seeded raisins, which were -withdrawn from indent lists a few weeks ago, are now again quoted, but at a slight advance on last rates. There is a general firmness in the dried fruit market In America, and advances aro now recorded of 1/ per cwt on choice seeded soda and oil bleached raisins. Some difficulty is being experienced hy shippers or bleached fruit in executing business, owing to their Inability to cover Tor sufficient supplies of rruit suitable ror this purpose, in one instance a large packer being compelled to withdraw prices altogether. Salmon. Sockeye salmon varieties are still advancing in indent costs, the latest alteration being an advance or i/ per case on halves and ones or Laurel Wreath, with only a very limited quantity offering. Ceylon Tea. At the weekly sale, held in Colombo on the 6th inst., 1,500,0001b was catalogued, the quantity offered being 250,0001b less than what was sold during the previous week. • There was a gratirying improvement in the quality, and the result or the sale showed that there was strong: competition for the various grades. The market was an advancihe one. Commons advanced approximately l}d per lb in price, broken Orange Pekoes lid, mediums id. Exchange was quoted at 1/6 15-32. Washing Soda. The local wholesale price Tor washing soda has been reduced 10/ per ton.

Salt. Although a considerable tonnage or certain brands or salt was sold earlier in tne year, great inconvenience has been caused to buyers owing to the delay in shipments coming to hand. Merchants have been in touch with shippers in an endeavour to get some explanation or the delay, and, although they have been unable ;2 ."*! dednite details, it is understood oVnJ, • c J? ie f , cau se has been the difficulty ln obtaining space, owing to there being more lucrative cargo offering, which has been getting prererence. Contract M.Pr^ ents „ ar6 now sald t0 be on the Mafmoa, due in Australia early this h,^H nd , a , s , s 2 on as transhipments come to hand run deliveries win be made P'rect shipments rrom Australia are being loaded about the end of October ror shin? rata *U U 3SH2 and other wew'zeSSSa ports, nut shippers are unable tn miw antee shipment or all grades by this steamer, owing to all stocks wun fii! |f s e.!?eing C s k o 9 |d W ou?. X &ie°nce t d he in <le r l^ur t e h ln^,s 1 1 i k ILU 0 P in Australian waters, buyers ™„miJ! 55?., ad y is ? d t0 consWer ye brinSSg Ye? !SS U o* stoCks rrOI P Australia to gulro against a possible shortage. guara Brazil Nuts. „„ In £ ent <l uotati ons ror nuts are movimr Til/Tel cm** 1 ** listed at an "K5

Tinned Beef and Tongues. In the early part or this year it was , ru „ m ?H U l e(l l bat su PP»es or sheep tonjmt! would be short, and buyers were requested to name their requirements ror the yea? This was rather an unusual procedure a 4 in previous years merchants had always been able to purchase their requirement! as required, in the present instance contracts were entered into, but as it is rather hard to anticipate ror twelve months ahead, most purchases were rather on the light side, and it is now impossible to buy any of the popular brands on the open market, and stocks are expected to be very short prior to the commencing of canning again about next February. One or the larirest shippers or tinned beer to this market is apparently in difficulties ror supplies as shipments of corned beef in 2lb tins have been reduced by half during the last fortnight. Jellies. Owing to the recent reduction in sugar, jelly manuracturers have been enabled to offer slight concessions in their cheapest grade, the reduction being 9d per l gross, with no change on gallon or hair-gallon packets. Dates. Local stocks are fairly light, and, in consequence, merchants have been able to maintain their prices, there being an entire absence or cutting, which was very much in evidence earlier in the year, when stocks were very heavy. New shipments are now on the way, advices being.received that the lirst consignment was shipped from Basrajper s.s. Stenies on the Bth inst. Peanuts. Chinese; ' peanuts lit shell' are now offered for November shipment at a reduction or 30/ per ton oh prices that were listed earlier to. the season. Peanut ..Kernels.—There is a growing, demand Tor this commodity, chielly owing to the Tact • that-the numerous shipments that hay« come to hand during the last six months have feroved in excellent condition, indent,, rates, arc firmer, revised' quotations received by cable advancing: Chinese by 10/;.pcr'.ton. ! Hams and Bacon. j Owing to the present difficulty or I securing pigs in sufficient quantity-' ror ho« n % . on S °I the largest local packers has advised the trado or an advance ir n plt*Ftal_?- m bOUI bacon and ~an,s Lard. Wn°a&™?,» r ,? r J?? lh bulk and Packets has utttu aavanced one penny per lb.

Peel. Local packers have reduced lemon peel id. per lb, the packings affected being 7, 38 and 561b cases. Half pound cartons are a new line on this marKet, and are being sold at an advance' or 2*d per lb on the ordinary rates. Orange and citron peel remain as previously quoted, but it is rumoured that, owing to higher costs en citrons, this variety will shortly have to advance in price. Packet Arrowroot. Contrary to the general supposition that new season's prices would be higher, shipments or Sun brand have just landed on the same basis as previously, although other firms have been odoring at considerable advances on previous list rates. Nutmegs. Both Singapore and West Indian whole nutmegs are now ottering- at uniform rales, and are approximately 3Jd per lb higher than they were ruling about six weeks ago. Ground aro also being oifered by English shippers at favourable rates. Apparently this offer is made against consignments bought some considerable time ago. as the price quoted ia 6d per lb less than present rates lor whole nutmegs. Grecian Currants. The market has again shown a weakness, particularly on Amalias, which are now offered at. a further reduction or 3/ per cwt. Walnut Halves. Indent lists for French are now weaker to the extent of 5/ per cwt. This appears to be only a temporary drop, on account of the unsatisfactory rate or French exchange at ihe present time. Hardware. Wholesale trade over the past week remained fairly even, the requirements called ror being only lor actual necessities. Country demands are particularly quiet, and no improvement is expected from this direction till tho weather definitely picks up. Shipments of the most important linos or oversea goods arc well in hand, and no particular shortage is expected In any line for the time being. Ex vessels now discharging there are further supplies or lin garden hose, grass catchers, Nicholson Dies, mantles, electric light bulbs, chimneys, crockery, and enamel ware. Wholesale Current Prices.

Dairy Produce. — Superfine quality creamery butter, booked 1/iOi per lb, prompt cash, Opotiki 1/9} per lb, Anchor 1/9J per lb; lirst grade factory, 1/9J per lb booked, 1/9 per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, 1/8* per lb booked, 1/8 per lb for prompt cash; farmers' separator, 1/4 per lb. Cheese: First grade ractory, medium size, ltd to mid per lb; loar, l/l to 1/2 per lb. Bacon: Hams, 1/2 to 1/3 per lb; roUed hams, 1/3 to 1/4 per lb; boned hams, 1/3* to 1/4* per lb; bacon sides, 1/ to l/l per lbrolled sides, 1/2 to t/3 per lb; middles, 1/3 to 1/4 per lb; shoulders, 0d to ltd per Jb; rolled shoulders, lid to 1/ per lb. Lard: Bulk, lid to 1/ per lb; pats 1/ to 1/1 per lb. Breakrast Foods.—Creamoata, small 15/ per dozen, large 23/ per dozen, 20's 120/ per dozen; gerstena, 22/ per dozen-g-rueimeal, s's 35/ per 100; germina, 4i's 15/ per dozen; milk oatics, 20/ per dozenoatina, 4's 22/ per dozen; Thistle rolled oats, 2lb packets 12/6 per dozen. Jib c?^ 22 / Perdozcn, 20's 104/ per dozen; Standard, sjd per lb; wheatmeul. s's 15/ per dozen; oatmeal, local and Southern, 35/ per 1001b, 25's 33/ per 1001b. z.*n lo ., u „ r ; — LociU and Southern, 2001b sacks li? t 5/ . per ton - ,00 ' s t2O 10/ per ton 50's £21 per ton. 25's £21 15/ per ton less 2§ per cent discount. ' <Mn b ?a P / S ~ o an< J B "n._Australian pollard £ '° 10/ per ton, bran £lo per ton! local sharps £10 10/ per ton. bran £9 10/ per