MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

■ I BUSINESS QUIETER THIS WEEK. ADVANCE ON MUTTON BIRDS. COTTON TWINES ADVANCING. Auckland "Shu 1 "' Oliiio, Tuesday, May IT. Wholesale grocery houses won: I'air'y busy yesterday, with the usual middle of tha month tobacco deliveries, but in general groceries trade is rather quiet, and it is evident that the m.t:-*r:t.v <>-. the retailers are holding oil' l'inil:. r having till next week, when bo -kings l'vr the new month commence. General.

The arrival ol the Susex has been eagerly awaited by the wholesale and retail trade, alike, as there are a number of lines on board thai have beeu_ in short compass for some weeks. Tapioca and sago were two of the items most in demand, and although shipments were brought- over from Sydney, consignments were small on account of the higher price, and buyers not wishing to have any stock left when the direct shipments came to hand. Nut markets are all very firm and the latest reports available are that most markets are advancing. As most of the purchases of new season s nuts were were finalised earlier in the season, when quotations were lower, and as business is still being booked with the retail on this basis for August-September shipment, these purchases should showretailers a considerable advantage over those likely to rule later in the seHson.

Lima beans are not'plentiful, and there I seems every likelihood ot' stocks being i generally short, unless supplies come to I hand very shortly. Shipment of new | season's should have been made from London during March, but so far there is no sign of supplies coming to hand and it is now rumoured that the crop was late this yeru-, which caused shipments to be landed in England too late to catch the usual sailings. Drapery. Trade on the whole has been good, particularly in some departments. The coat department is still very busy, while demand for furs is excellent, although fur coats have been rather slow of sale this year. The demand for costumes continues unabated, while in the picce goods departments, repps and check tweeds constitute most of the business passing. Demand for evening wear and requisites is still quiet, but is expected to show improvement from now on. In the silk department, chiffon taffetas are finding ready sale,, particularly in the shot colours. This material has been priced very reasonably this year, and the immediate demand which sprang up and has continued ever since the first showing, proves that taffetas are again fashion's favourite. The spring season will probably bring the new imitation reptile trimmings and effects well to the fore. Nearly all the new models coming to hand in frocks, hats, coats, shoes, etc., are finished in this material, while a sample lot of handbags made in this article, were sold out entirely within a few hours of being shown. Bird Seed. Owing to lower market costs the local price of small bags of bird seed have been reduced 9d per dozen, and large bags "1/5 per dozen. Mixed bird seed (in bulk) 1/ per cwt, plain re-machined canary seed 12/ti per cwt, hemp seed 2/6 per cwt. Millet is more inclined to firm and prices now show an advance of 1/1> per cwt. Twines. Jute and Italian twines are now being listed on a slightly easier market, cables received last week advising a reduction of approximately 6d per dozen lbs on all grades. Cotton twines: This market is now showing considerable firmness, the Hooding of the cotton areas a the United States causing buyers of cotton goods to operate on account of their fear of a shortage of raw material. Already cotton twines have advanced 6d per dozen lbs all round, with buyers expecting still further advances. Stockinette has advanced 1/ per 100 yard roll. Brazil Nuts. The market for Brazil nuts, Para Xo. 1 new season's, has firmed still further, the latest cables received announcing another rise, which makes the total advance ten pounds per ton since the first of tiie new season's quoted in February. Seedless Raisins. Quotations for new season's Thompson's seedless raisins, unbleached, which have just been announced, are listed at prices slightly lower than last year's opening rates. Owing to the 'fact that the market in America is now practically cleared up and there are still six months to go before the new season's supplies will be ready for shipment, the present offer was welcomed by merchants, the nfajority of whom immediately covered their requirements for June delivery. When these quotations are offered to the retail trade it will surely result in heavy buying as the fruit will arrive here for delivery in October-November, to what is usually a bare market. Java Coffee. New crop Robusta Java coffce brans ire now being offered for shipment from Samarage during June arid July at a reduction of £5 per ton on the prices recently quoted on present season's for prompt shipment. Barcelona Nuts. t A rise of a penny per lb has taken place on Barcelona nuts, as advised in the last cables received. This market i.-i reported to be very firm and advancing. Cocoa Butte,-. The market for cocoa butter is now showing a tendency for lower values. A fortnight ago prices in London advanced 'Aid per lb, but a few days later juices receded to their previous level. Cables since received have advised a further fall and the revised quotations now show a reduction of 3/ per cwt. Clothes Pegs. f" ' ' r.dvances were made in the it:-tl_-.j l price cf clothes pegs last week. Just prior to Lhe advance lower prices were offered for a few days, but only very little business was confirmed. Siciiy Almonds. Dm •ing the last fortnight several advances have been mafle on new season's Sicily almonds, and it is now reported that one of the largest shippers is not unxioiiH to well further at Lhe moment, so that all those who covered their requirements before tho recent advances should liavo no regrets. Last year some shipments made in Oetuher did not arrive until January, but other cm.: , 'iir:cntn shipped from Palermo < ..,y in the same month via. .liicy, l-uniod here lato in November, .. ! .1 u hope I that the same delivery will ■ : i ■ dii* UtilUfOU. Sugar. The reduction of 10/ per ton which took place in sugar last week lias become effective in all gradOs, and both the wholesale and retail trade are now selling accordingly. Tho only lines not affected are golden syrup-,and treacle, which reirtaln utialtered' at previous list prices. Jordan Almonds. The prices now listed for new season's Jordan almonds are about £15 per ton dearer than the opening rates of last i •. Mercl)fintfl iji London are .showing no desire to speculate below tho quotarzrr d > b ,° it w ° uM um Jordan almond market is likely to hold t»uud About the present figure.

Ccylc-n Tea. At the weekly silo held at Colombo la.-t week ihe <: i j:iu Li: y plated under otl'er was raiinv sn.al'ef lhan the offerings of the previous week. The result of the sale showed a g u,d demand, with all prices of a firm and upv...rd tendency. Commons advamed : d per k■, J'. ire Broken Orange Pekoes '-..I. 'plain U.O lVs lid, first ( 1 .1 I',, l'v;c:s "i.l. and finest luvl.t -.1 1\ kocs Ed p!V 1!). Cr.vi! Nut Kernels. Tl.e inni! ■• t !'• if l!r.i/il nut kernels has show n a slight thinness. The la>i :'ol •>. :v. cived ; dvi-iiug an increase , i f. • rates of Ed per 1!). M'.irrcwfat Peas. One . E the largest of the local packers of ii'.ino\\ ;'.i! peas in cartons advises an idvam.e oi ii per ross wholesale and lid I < r da.', a l At the commencement of the seas > i. opening prices were listed at a rc.!iicU"U in comparison to the previous season's rates, but owing to the I smaller si.ochs avadible, the market is comm. m ing to ad'.auce and higher prices in ty be ex pi. led io rule ior Ihe remainder j tile s( .;.-e:i. This a!<.> applies to bulk

pae:.;n:s. t Bulk Cates. t Eur'her alleratii-ns have taken place i in in irl'.et quolatious for bulk dates, prices lor Si.'ir quality advancing a fur- i tlier 1/ per <v. i. while Khedrowi quality 1 have receded !>■! per cv.t from the last ' rates quoted. i"he latest information to 1 hand is that slocks in tii'.-t hands, parti- s nilaily Si.us, are now in very small coin- 1 Mctton Birds. A rise ef '2' per ewt has taken place | on I maniau bir.'.s owing to the short 1 catch Any business booked earlier in , the season will be executed at previous , rates', but late buyers, besides having to i pay the increase in cost, will, in all prob- ' ability, only be able to get small orders i accepted. 'Hardware. Hardware bus'ness lias been rather quiet during tile past week and trade so ( I far this week has not shown any improve- | J nicnt. At the moment, Stephens kettles I and saucepans and Biitterily hinges are in |

small compass. Arrivals this week comprise mctal'ie gas tubes, enamel and aluminium ware ami Johnston's plates. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—Superfine quality Creamery butter, booked 1/oVs per 11), prompt cash. Anchor. Sunbeam and Opotiki. l/4 ! .i per lb. .Firs: grade factory, 2/4 per. lb booked, and 1/4 pet- lb for prompt, cash. Second cradc Factory, booked 1/3 la per lb and 1/3 per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' Separator 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—l'irst grade Factory, medium size, mild, S%d to 9-; id per lb, loaf, lid per lb. Hams.—TT-ims 1/1 to 1/3 per lb, rolled hams 1/3 to 1/5 per lb, boned hams 1/3 to 1 '5% per lb. Bacon sides 10' id to 1/1 per lb, rolled sides I'fils to 13 per lb, middles 1 1 to 1 4 per lb. Shoulders 8d to lid per lb, rolled shoulders 10d to 1/ per lb. Lard, bulk, lud to lid per lb, pats lid to 1/ per lb. • Flour.—Local, 200!'o sacks, £17 10/ per ton; 100's. £18 5/ per ton; 50's, £18 15/ per ton; 2.Vs, £19 lu/ per ton; 12%'s, £20 </(5 ]>er ton; fi'i's, £20 17/G per ton. • Southern Flour.—Sacks, £17 10/ por ton; loo's, .Cl 35/ p, n . ton; oO's, £18 10/ per ton; 25'e, £19 per ton; 12%'s, £19 15/ per ton; o%'s £20 7/13 per ton; all less 2Va per cent discount. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £9 10/ per ton, bran. £7 10/ per ton. Linseed.--\\ hole, 21/ per cwt, ground 22 7 per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed. 10/fi por bushel; whole white, 10/ ii per bushel; whole, black, 14, per bushel. 1 wines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder Sd per lb. Pcameal.—l3 (5 per 1001b. Linseed Meal.—Moose, 15/ por 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Xuts.-Oiloo.se, 11/ pel 1001b. Blaestone.—o2.'6 per cwt.