AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

BANANAS SCARCE. PEARS NOT DEMANDED. EGGS UP IN PRICE. Bananas are scarce at the marts at present. They are practically unprocurable. I A-small lot arrived by the mail boat at Wellington, but there were not sufficient to affect the market price. Pears are not meeting with a good deniand, -particularly Winter Coles and Peckham's Triumph. Buyers are asking for ripe dessert. Supplies ot tomatoes are decreasing, and prices show a rising tendency. Grapes from Te Kauwhata are selling freely at prices quoted. Lemons are scarce. This is thought to be on account of the late frosts last year, and following wet weather. Ruling values are: — Peaches: Golden Queen, 4/ to 7/6; Late Reds, 4/ to 5/- a P. e Gooseberries: 5d to Bd lb. Tomatoes: Local, No. 1, smooth, 6/ to 7/; No. 2, 4/ to 5/; rough, 3/. to I/; Hutt, 5/9 to .7/. Apples: Coxs Orange, choice coloured, 8/ to .9/: smaller, 5/ to II; Gravenbtein, 3/ to 4/; Jonathan, 5/ to 7/; Munroes, 4/ to 4/6; Ballarats, 0/ to 6/6; Delicious,, choice lines, 6/ tp 7/; rejects, 2/6 to 4/. Pears: Louis Bon, choice, 9/ to 10/6; small sizes, 7/ to 8/6; Winter Coles, 4/ to 7/6; Clairgeau, 4/ to 5/6; Packham's Triumph, 3/ to 6/; Beurre Diel, 3/ to 4/; Cornice, 4/ to I)/. Grapes: Hothouse, Hamburgs, 6d to 1/ lb; Colman, 1/ to 2/3; Golden Queen, 1/ to 1/1; Te Kauwhata, 7/6 to 9/ box. Lemons: Local, 8/ to 16/. Passions: 2/ to 4/. Oranges: Calif ornian, 40/ to - 42/. Grapefruit: Calif ornian, '44/. Bananas: Repacked, ripe, 22/ to 26/. Persimmons: 5/ to 7/. Figs: 2/6 to 4/. Vegetables. There is not much change in the vegetable market. Heavy quantities.of all classes are available, particularly of cabbage, onions, kuinaras and lettuce. The demand, generally speaking, is fair. Prices for peas show a hardening tendency. Prices arc: — Potatoes, Southern, 7/3 to 8/ cwt; local, 3/ to 4/6 bag; Onions, 1/6 to 2/ bag; kumaratv local, heavy supplies, 3/6 to 4/(5 bag; cabbage, 1/6 to 3/6 aack; cauliflower, 3/ to 11/ sack; swedes, 1/6 to 2/9 baa; pumpkins, 2/ to 4/ cwt; citron melons, 3/6 to 4/6 cwt; green peas, 6/ to 10/0 bag; beans, 1/ to 3/ bag; lettuce, 1/ to 3/6 case; cucumbers, outdoor, 3/ to 7/ dozen; vegetable marrows, 6d to 1/ dozen; water melons, 6d to 3/ each; rock melons, 3d to 1/6 each; cabbage, on benches, 1/ to 2/6 dozen; cauliflower, on benches, 3d to i)d each; celery, Gd to 3/ bundle; rhubarb, 1/6 to 2/ dozen; spinach, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; pumpkins, on benches, 2d to 7d each; radish, 6d dozen; spring onions, 4d to 1/3 bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6d to 1/ dozen; leeks, 3d to 4d bundle. Eggs and Butter. ■ Eggs again show an advance in price. All that come to hand are readily disposed of. Current prices for first quality lien eggs are:—Special grade, 2/9 dozen; A grade, 2/8; B grade, 2/2. Duck eggs, 2/7 dozen;-A grade, 2/6; B grade, 2/2. Farmers' butter is selling from 1/ to 1/3 alb. Poultry. At to-day's auction the supply of poultry was medium, and found a keen sale. Prices paid were about level. Selling rates were as follows: —Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime, 6/ to 7/6; not prime, 4/ to 5/; light breeds, prime,,3/ to 4/; not prime, l/ 6 to 3/. Fat roosters: 2/6 to" 3/6; heavy breeds, prime, 1/9 to 2/3; .light, 2/9 to 3/9. Fat hens: 1/9 to 2/6. Pullets: Heavy, best, 6/ to 7/; smaller, 3/ upwards; light, best, 6/ to 7/; smaller, 3/ upwards. Drakes: 3/6 to 4/; young, prime, 2/ upwards. Ducks: Young, 3/ to 3/6; old, 2/ upwards.