MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 83, 9 April 1929, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

BUSINESS IMPROVES. RESIN PRICES STILL SHOW REDUCTIONS. Ft'KTl!'•:]; ADVANCES nV IM.TTER BEANS. Anc.-k;:?n>I Scat " Oifi-e. Tuosday. April 9. All wholesale grocery houses experienced 2 very busy period immediately on reopen :n<r after the Easter holidays. Xumc: nil.- orders had Wen held up til! ,1 :'ut the end of tlie month on account of stocktaking, which left stores very .short of initio bites, and consequently invme* d'intfiy the warehouses reopened delivery v:.ipi requested. Inward deliveries i'roiit the wharves were very much heavier than usual, the combination of a heavy influx of oversea vtwsels and the Easter week-end, in which no cargo was 'moved the sheds, making for a very, busy period till the excess cargo was taken deiiveiy of. General. The long expected Melbourne steamer arrived in Auckland last week, bringing the first shipments of new season's Mildura su't.inas and currants, and merchants are now very busy in fulfilling their various contract commitments. This arrival of fruit is particularly welcome as merchants' stocks were getting to a very low ebb. Australian canned fruit also arrived by the same vessel, and was most welcome, as a number of merchants' contract deliveries are now behind schedule ou account of the late arrival of shipments. Owing to the mishap to the Kaituria recently., it was at first thought that April deliveries of both dried and canned fruit to merchants would be considerably delayed owing to t'he above vessel having to stay over in Melbourne for repairs. The trade have now been advised that the Kaituna's cargo has 'been transferred to the Manuka, which is due to arrive in Wellington to-day, so that merchants will be able to make their deliveries practically to schedule. For the following month the Kaponga has been fixed to load early in May at Adelaide and Melbourne for Auckland direct. Olive oil remains very firm at couutnes of production. with the result that recent shipments just received of one weli-known brand of French in bottles has landed at a slight increase in previous cost*. The recent cold snap has been productive of a greater inquiry for winter cereals such as split peas, pearl barley, haricot beans, tapioca, sago and lentils, etc. There is also a very noticeable increase in the demand for, such lines as tinned soups, curries, etc. The New Zealand packers of canned fruit are now in a position to supply quite a good range of fancy dessert fruit, including greengages, gooseberries, Cape gooseberries, black currants, raspberries, and passion fruit. W-Xii the exception of the latter pack, all these varieties are offered in 17oz cans, which is proving a very popular size. After the recent very severe shortage of preserving jars small shipments were procured from Australia, and these are being distributed. The cost is 'higher as merchants have had to pay substantial duty and landinT charges. Drapery. So far the Easter season has proved an unusually busy period with all departments benefiting as a result ol the heavy influx of visitors from the country districts. The cold 6nap just experienced has created quite a deaaand for coats, and costumes are also being asked for. In jumpers and three-piece suits some verysmart styles are showing, with the result that these are being well sought after and selling, well. There 'lias also been quite a good demand for underclothing during the last few days, this section being a particularly busy one. In the piece goods department sales have not been very brisk, but it is expected that if the colder weather continues an extensive demand will quickly set in for all woollen materials. A very attractive material in a combination of chenille and georgette is at present being show n by the various "houses that is proving a particularly good seller, for afternoon and evening wear, and it is considered that this material will be in good demand right throughout the season. In the imitation jewellery section, • continuous demand is being experienced, and in most of the larger stores has been formed into a separate department, in order to thus better be able to cope with the extensive range now bing offered. Ceylon Tea. No sale was recorded last week of Colombo on account of the Easter holidays. Butter Beans. Agent« advise the receipt of a. further cable from London increasing the price of Madagascar lima beans by a further £2 per ton. Ever since the commencement of the season quotations have been veryhigh, the cause being mainly attributed to a partial failure of ithe crop and also to other crops of a like nature being smaller than usual, with the result that drawings on lknas at port of origin have been very much larger. America lias been a very beavy buyer this season. Sicily Almonds. Sicily almonds, which were advised by cable .-is having advanced 4/ per cwt last •week, whilst they have sustained no reduction in price, are reported to be extremely weak, shippers' indicating that with the market in its present state they would not be sunprised to see a reduction on present rates. Borax. English quotations on both lump and powdered borax have been very much easier during the last few months, and at the latest lists bring them more closely into competition with American and Continental suppliers. Quotations were first reduced £'2 per ton. then another reduction of £5 quickly followed, so that the latest quotations show .a reduction on last year's rates of £7 per ton. White Lead. English lead quotations during the early part of last month showed considerable fluctuation, the general tendency being for a very firm market on account of the sharp advance in metals. Commencing from about ten days atro the above markets showed some weakness, with the result that lead prices commenced to decline also, the latest notification received by cable advising a reduction of from £1 to £3 per ton, according to brand. Boraeic Acid. In sympathy with the recent reductions on borax, boracic acid has also been offered on a weaker market, the latest quotations a ; t which English (shippers will transact business showing a reduction of £6 per ton. ' Resin. The American resin market continues to allow considerable weakness, cables received last week showing a further reduction of approximately 5 per cent on bath ;T A\ d N , « radt »- Shippers cabled tnat the market w-as very weak and that the tendency was for still lower prices. Tin Plate. . A general firmness is noted on al! brands of tan plate and it is expected that prices will go stall 'higher. One reason for the yrfteup Bonn em tn this market is that the ajSflmr pi manufacturers hold full order WwfcrwHf*near shipment.

Asparagus. Open uufs notified on now season's asp;: I !lri a Weeks ago s'lOW ail approximate reduction on the previous year's rates of about 10 per cent. The lower quotations brought immediate business on all sides', but particularly for picnic tips. This size has now been withdrawn by the largest packer for this market. owiiii; to being sold up. so 'that in the tips grade only medium and large are still available. These are being quickly sold up also. Jordan Almonds. Cables received la-t week advise that t lie market for Jordan almonds is unusually weak. New season's quotations for September shipment were advised some time ago. but the rates now quoted show an approximate reduction since prices were first announced of about £10 per ton. Pepper. After a short pediod of weak prices as far as the forward market its concerned, prices have commenced to firm again, advances taking place on the various &rades of from V2d to Id per lb. An indication of the quick firming that has taken place is that business was cabled up at the quotations {riven, but was refused confirmation by shippers, owing to further advances having taken place on the market. Brazil Kernels. A cable received from London during Easter advised a slight weakness in the market for Brazil kernels, the latest quotations notified showing u reduction of Id per lb e.i.f. This quotation is for prompt shipment or present season's. Brazil Nuts. Brazil nuts are now being quoted on a firmer market, latest quotations received advising an increase of 1/0 per cwt on Para Brazil nuts. Bulk Dates. The latest information- to 'hand from London is that the market on Sair dates is reported to be weak. Prices on this giade advanced 1' per cwt about a fortnight ago, and the present weakness is attributed to the fact that there are a •number of holders of slightly off-grade Sails, which they are anxious to quit. Peanuts. A further slight reduction has taken place in the market for Chinese peanuts, all grades being offered this week at a 1 reduction of 6d per cwt on previous rates. Wholesale Current Prices.

Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1 /QVs per lb, and 1/6 per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, 1/4 Vi per lb, and 1/4 per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 1/1 per lb. Cheese. —First grade factory, medium size, mild, 9Vsd to 10'/id nev ib net; loaf. 1/ per lb net. Chesdalc, 6lb bars. 1 3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Crest, 4/6 per dozen. Bacon. —Hams. 1/ per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 per lb; boned hams, l/o'i per lb. Bacon: Side*;. ll%d per lb; rolled tide?, l/l to 1/2 per lb; middles, 1 1 to 1. 2 per lb; shoulders. Dd per lb: rolled shoulders, lid per lb. Lard, bulk, !.'d per lb; pats, lOd per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b Kicks, £15 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's, £19 5/ per ton; 2/s's, £20 per ton; 12Wa, £20 17/6 per ton; £21 17/6 per ton. Southern flour. 2001b sacks. £18 per ton; 100's, £18 15/ per ton; oO's. £19 per ton; 25's, £19 10/ per ton; 12Vfc'"s, £20 5/ per ton; 6%'s, £20 17/6 per tou. All quotations lees 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, 14/9 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per Ib; binder, 8d per lb. Peamsal.—l3/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—l 4/ per 1001b. Linseed ileal.—l7/ per 1001b. (Very limited supplies.) Blucstonc.—33/ per cwt.