MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 233, 2 October 1928, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

GOOD VOLUME IN GROCERY

TURNOVER.

ALASKA SOCKEYE SALMON WITHDRAWN. RAW COFFEE BEANS SHOW FIRMER TENDENCY. "YEW DESSERT FIGS ARRIVE TO-MORROW. Auckland "Star" Office, Tuesday, October 2. Wholesale grocery merchants have experienced an unusually good volume of business during the past week owing to the heavy distribution of storekeepers' requirements for the spring season. Business also opened up well yesterday, and although the distribution is not anticipated to be quite so heavy, merchants are expecting a good week. General. The arrival of the Kaitangata from Melbourne during the middle of last week was a, particularly welcome event to merchants, as she brought two or three lines of goods that have been short on this market for some considerable time. Rinoldi macaroni and vermicelli especially have been short for many weeks, and the supplies just landed have been very anxiously awaited. A number of varieties oi canned fruit have also been very short and this last arrival will relieve the position for the time being. Bulk dates are now very short on spot, and owing to the lateness of the season that trade is finding it rather hard to secure supplies that are of really good quality. In many cases retailers are finding that it is wiser to concentrate on selling cartons which certainly are much more reliable ju9t now. The usual seasonable offer which coincides with the period of the householders' spring cleaning, is now being made by two Southern manufacturers to the retail trade of one box of washing powder free with every consignment of eight ordered any time this month, which it is anticipated will stimulate the demand for this particular line. There is a noticeable shortage of prunes in the larger sizes, but as merchants are at present offering supplies of the lower grades at prices that are well b.elow replacement cost, it is expected that the keen buyers in the retail trade will doubtless avail themselves of the present excellent opportunity. This position has arisen owing to merchants desiring a clearance of present stocks before consignments of new season's arrive. A reduction was made during the past week of 6d per dozen on lib cartons of honey by one of the well-known manufacturers of honey. Ovaltine health food is now being offered to the trade on better quantity discounts than formerly—six dozen, lots 2% per eent trade, 12 dozen lots 5 per cent trade. New season's Californian dessert figs are arriving very early this year. The first shipment arriving by the Waikawa to-morrow. There is always a good demand for this fruit owing to the very reasonable quotations that merchants are able to make to the trade, and it is expected that this shipment will be very quickly distributed to the public. Local packers of dessert fruits are now offering to book forward against the 1959 season, and as their offerings include amongst other popular varieties raspberries and passion fruit, which have taken on very well during the past two seasons, it is anticipated the quantity offered of most lines will be easily disposed of. This season packers are also offering two new lines which are expected to sell well—black currants and fruit salad, the latter being offered in 14oz glass jars as well.

Drapery. The wet weather of the last few weeks has interfered considerably with draper's summer business, it -being quite noticeable the small number of people seen on the streets dressed in summer apparel. The fijic 'week-end just experienced Ought to considerably help those concerned, and as ail the drapery houses are making some fine showings of. new goods, particularly window disrplays, trade should brighten up considerably. Millinery department* have 'been rather quiet during the last w-eek or two, and up to the present the .same number of hats hap not been sold this year as in previous seasons. Cotton piece goods department have been busy, a big demand being shown for rayons, showing in very striking border and spot designs.. These are being much sought after, and m a number of instances some designs are already sold out. The lace department is expected to have a revival of business this season. Lace flouncings. in fceige and Mack being in most popular Remand. Handkerchief scarves are ibeing sought after, and as the summer advances will probably prove one of the fashion trends of the season. Feather flowers are another noveltj", and are being used as rie'ek and coat posies. The races on Saturday. next shpuld help the sale of fashion goods considerably, as this is the first opportunity there has been of making any display of the new summer fashions.

Currants and Sultanas. There has been a decided shortage in some quarters in both currants and sultanas, more particularly in iplain sultanas. The cause in most cases of stocks running short has been owing to the long interval between the arrival of the Melbourne steamers, which has now been eased by the arrival last week of the Kaitangata, which is the first direct steamer to arrive from Melbourne to this port for over two months. A reduction of £4 per ton has just been advised on Smyrna sultanas. This is probably the result of a move to counteract the low prices on Californian in competition in European markets. Some colour is lent- to this that little business i« possible in New Zealand to warrant any special interest, and it is not anticipated, that the low prices will result in any substantial quantitv being imported.

Coffee. •Java coffee is still being quoted on a higher market, the latest cable advice notifying an advance of £2 per ton on Java Robusta beans. Pimento. During the last month quotations for whole Pimenio have been lifted on an unusually firm market, with prices on the upward grade. Latest cables now to hand advise a further upward move, and the rates as now quoted show an increase of 2/ per cwt in the c.i.r. rate, with the advice that further increases are considered extremely likely. ' Peanuts. Jav.i shelled peanuts have been advised by cable as having advanced 10/ per ton for immediate shipment, while Chinese peanuts in shell have recently shown a reduction on the last-named prices of £3 10/ per ton for new season's shipment. 1 his reduction has been rather surprising to the trade, as the information previously reported was that the season's crops were much smaller than previously. Desiccated Coconut. Quotations for tine bulk desiccated coconut after remaining on a fairly even keel for some time, are showing a firmer tendency, latest cables received by agents from Colombo advising an advance of 30/ per til* for prompt shipment. Sicily Almond Nuts. .M* have been received from London , durkvg the week advising a reduction or | "'ft per cwt on Sicily filbert nuts, but as ■ most of the local merchants' business on ■ this line was completed, some time ago, H quotatiou * only

South African Jam. The shipment of South African jam that arrived at this port a few weeks ago has already been sold up in the most popular flavours, with the other varieties being fast cleaned up also. When this shipment arrived it was thought that it would be the last shipment until next season, but owing to merchants being able to bring supplies forward at a slight increase in shipping cost further email quantities of apricot, pingapple and marmalade will be landing early in December next. As supplies will be limited, those who desire stocks should plaoe their early reserve tions with their merchants immediately. Pilchards. The first shipment of the season's pilchards recently arrived to a bare market, and all available supplies went quickly into consumption. A further shipment is due by the mail steamer next week, and consignments ex this arrival are very eagerly awaited. Dates. The market on new season's bulk dates is now reported with a strong and rising tendency, with further increases likely, in fact London e.ijf. prices for NovemberDecember shipment have already advanced, Sains 1/3 and Klradrawi 2/ per cwt. Packers' prices in Busra for the October direct steamer have not yet altered, but indications point to higher prices being quoted. The new style lib paper bags, introduced for the fiist time this year, are now being quoted at am increase of 1/9 per owt above opening rates. Tartaric Acid. Cables received from London during the last few weeks show further evidence of the unusual firmness of tartaric acid in the English market, the latest quotations available showing an increase of from 2%d to 3&d per lb, according to brand. Brazil Nuts. London shippers have cabled their agents advising a reduction of 8/ per cwt on Braail nuts in the Para grade. Chinese Walnuts. Chinese walnuts in shell are now quoted by cable at a reduction of £2 per ton on the rates previously ruling. Ground Almonds. Sicily almonds have been advancing very rapidly, and the latest quotations for ground almonds received show* a further sharp increase of £40 per ton higher than those quoted a month ago. Wholesale Current Prices Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/iYa 'per lb, and 1/7 per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, 1/aVi per lb, and 1/5 per Kb for prompt cash. Fanners' separator, 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—-First grade factory, medium size, mild, lid to ll%d per lb. Loaf, 1/1 net per lb. Chesdale, 61b 'bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Crest, 4/6 per dozen. Bacon.—Hams, 1/1 per lb. Rolled hams, 1/3 per lb; boned hams, 1/4 per lb. Bacon: Sides, 10& d to 1/ per lb; rolled sides, 1/1 per lb; middles, 1/1 to 1/3 per lb; shoulders, 8d per lb; rolled shoulders, lOd per lb. Lard, bulk, lOd per lib; pats, lid per lb. Hour. Local, 2001b £18 per ton; 100s, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 5/ per ton; 25'e, £20 per ton; 12%'s, £20 17/6 per ton; 6Y*'g, £21 17/6 per ton. Southern: 200l'b sacks, £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 per ton; 25's, £19 10/ per ton; 12%'s, £20 5/ per ton; 6%'s, £20 17/6 per ton, all less 2Vt per cent discount. Linseed.—Whole, 22/6 per cwt; ground, 23/6 per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed, 12/ per bushel; whole white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 14/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l3/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.— 14/ per 1001b. Lmseed Meal.—l 6/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—33/ per cwt.