AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

BANANAS SCARCE.

GRAPE SEASON SATISFACTORY,

EGGS ADVANCE 2D

There is an over-supply of inferior apples and pears on the market at present. While there is no demand for these, good quality fruit is selling readily. Bon Chretien pears are finished, but satisfactory stocks of Louis Bons are available. Bananas are scarce, even though a cargo arrived by the Tofua. This was a small lot, however, about 4000 cases, and not enough to affect the position in the city. The small cargo is reported to be due to recent hurricanes in the Islands. Both hothouse and outdoor grapes are coming along fairly well now, and supplies are moderately large. Those from 'i'e llauwhata are of a good quality. Tomato prices are slightly improved, owing to the fact that fewer have come to hand from South. Prices at present are:— Pears: Louis Bons, 6/ to 8/6; Bon Chretiens, 5/ to 8/; other varieties, 2/6 to 5/. Apples: Cox Orange, choice, 6/6 to 9/; Gravensteins, 5/ to 7/; Gravensteins, medium and small, 2/6 to 3/6: Delicious, choice, 5/ to 7/; cookers and others, 2/ to 4/3. Tomatoes: No. 1, 4/ to 5/6; smootu, 4/6 to 7/; small and medium, 2/ to 3/. Peaches: Choice, coloured, 6/ to 8/; cooking and others, 2/ to 3/6. Grapes: Hamburgs, lOd to 1/4 lb; No. 2, 6%d to 9d; Colman, 11/2 to 1/10; Alicante, 1/ to 1/2: Golden I Queens, 1/; Te Kauwhatas (outdoor), 9/ to [13/ crate. Cape gooseberries: 5d to tut lu. Lemons: 7/ to 15/6 case. Passions: 3/ to 5/. Oranges: 30/ to 42/. Bananas: No. 1, 23/ to 26/ bushel; mediums, 20/ to 21/3 bushel; No. 2, 10/6 to 12/6 bushel. Vegetables Very Plentiful. Kumaras are very plentiful on the markets. Samples which have appeared are. not so large as usual. Cauliflowers are starting to come in again from Ohakune. There are very large stocks of cabbage available for this time of the year, and this vegetable is difficult to sell.

Ruling values are: — Potatoes, 3/ to 4/6 bag; onions, 1/6 to 2/3 bag; kumaras, 3/ bag, or Id to l%d lb; cabbage, 1/ to 2/6 sack; cauliflower, 3/ to 7/6 sack; swedes, 1/ to 2/ bag; pumpkins, 3/ to 5/ cwt; green peas, 3/ to G/6 bag; beans, 2/ to 4/6 bag; lettuce, 1/ to 3/ case; cucumbers, 2/ to 7/ dozen; vegetable marrows, 1/' to 1/6 dozen; water melons, 2/ to 3/9 each; rock melons, 3d to 1/4 each; cabbage, on benches, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; celery, 1/ to 3/6 bundle; rhubarb, 1/ dozen; spinach, 1/ dozen; pumpkins, 3d to 1/ each; radish, 6d to 1/ dozen; spring onions, Gd to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6d to lOd dozen. Butter Down in Price. Eggs have advanced another 2d all round. Supplies are becoming scarcer, and the rise is to be expected. There is a good demand. Current prices for first quality hen eggs are: —Special grade, 2/3 dozen; A grade, 2/2; B grade, 1/11. Duck eggs: Special grade, 2/1 dozen; A grade, 2/; B grade, 1/H. . . "Farmers' butter has fallen in price m sympathy with the lowering cf the figure demanded for factory butter. It is now fetching from 1/ to 1/2.

Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was medium, and the demand was keen for table birds. The prices paid were about level. Selling rates were as follow: —Cockerels, heavy breeits, prime 5/0 to 7/6 each, not prime 3/6 up; light breeds, prime 2/9 to 3/, not prime 1/6 up; fat roosters, heavy breeds, prime, 2/ to 2/6; light breeds, 1/6 to 2/; fat hens, heavy breeds 2/6 to 3/6, light breeds 1/9 to 2/6; pullets, heavy breeds, best 6/ to 7/, smaller 2/ up; light breeds, best 6/ to 7/, smaller 2/ up; drakes, young, prime 3/ to 3/6, smaller 2/ up; ducks, young 3/ to 3/6, old 1/6 to 2/; drakes, old, 1/6 to 2/.