AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 216, 12 September 1930, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

BANANAS SCARCE AND DEAR. CAULIFLOWER DEMAND IMPROVED DUCK EGGS ARE CHEAP. Ripe repacked bananas are scarce and prices are correspondingly high. Th'ey bi'ought up to 30/ a bushel case, equal to 9d a lb, this morning. The demand for apples is much the same as it has been, and many lines of the Delicious variety are opening in a wasty condition. These apples sold according to quality. There is a better market for Stunners, . and for Grannie Smiths. Supplies of Coles pears from cold storage are almost exhausted, but there are still fair quantities of Nelis and P. Barrys, the former variety selling at high prices. Lemons are yet dull of sale. Some lines of the oranges which arrived last week from the Cook Islands were of poor quality, and fetched but poor prices. A shipment of Californian grapes arrived by the Wairuna this morning, and opening up in wet condition realised from 7/ to 14/ per case. Another shipment of Australian fruit will arrive next week. Prices at present are:—Apples: De-' licioUs, 4/6 to 8/ per case; Dougherty, 4/ to 7/6; Stunners, 6/ to 8/6; Munroes, 4/ to 6/; Ballarats, 6/6 to 7/6; Gi'annie Smith, 8/6 to 10/; Rome Beauty, 4/6 to 6/6. Pears: Coles, 8/ to 10/; Nelis, 8/ to 13/; P. Barrys, 6/ to 7/6. Tomatoes: Hothouse, 6d to 1/1 lb; Cook Island, 9/ to 12/ case. Tree tomatoes:. 2/6 to 6/; dark variety, 6/ to 8/6. Lemons: Choice, cured, 9/ to 12/; others, tree ripe, 5/ to 8/. Passions: Local, 8/ to 14/; Australian, 18/ to 20/. Grapefruit: Local, large sizes, picked counts, 9/ to 10/6; small, 4/ to 6/; Californian, 43/. Poorman oranges: Large, 7/ to 8/; small, 2/ to 3/. Oranges: Island, repacked, according to count, 13/ to 18/; Australian navels, 10/6 to 13/6; Mediterranean Sweet, 9/ to 9/6. Mandarins: 9/ to 12/; others, poor condition, 4/ to 8/. Pines: 16/ to 19/. Loquats: Australian, 10/ to 15/. Grapes: Californian, white Malagas, 18/ to 20/ barrel; 14/ case. Bananas: Choice, firm, No, l's, up to 32/6; medium, 22/; No. 2's, 14/ to 15/; Norfolk Island bananas, 14/ to 16/. Vegetables. Demand for cauliflower has improved, and this vegetable is at present in short supply. The colder weather has retarded what, up to this time, has been a prolific growth. When the weather becomes warmer it is expected they will again be plentiful. The price is now up to 12/6 a sack, where before it was fetching only 3/ to 4/. . Ruling values are:—Potatoes, Southern, 6/6 to 7/ cwt; new, 2d to 4d lb; onions, American, bags, 17/ to 18/6; crates, 19/ to £1; local, 10/ to 12/6 cwt; kumaras, Island, 10/ to 11/ cwt; local, Tauranga, 9/ to 10/ cwt; cabbage, heavy supplies,] 1/ to 4/ sack; cauliflower, 4/ to 12/6 sack; swedes, 1/ to 1/6 bag; pumpkins, 9/ to 15/ cwt; beans, hothouse, 1/3 to 1/9 lb; lettuce, 1/6 to 7/6 case; cucumbers, hothouse, 6/6 to 9/ dozen; vegetable marrows, 2/ to 3/ dozen; cabbage, on benches, 6d to 1/6 dozen; cauliflower, on benches, 3/ to 9/ dozen; celery, 6d to - 3/9 dozen; rhubarb, 2/6 to 3/6 dozen; spinach, 9d to 1/3 dozen; pumpkins, on benches, 1/ to 2/6 each; radish, 9d to 1/6 dozen; spring onions, 3d to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 1/ to 1/9 dozen; asparagus, 1/6 to 3/ bundle; leeks, 2d to 6d bundle. Eggs Plentiful. Supplies of eggs are increasing rapidly, and the demand still fair. Current prices for first quality hen eggs are:— Special grade, 1/4 dozen; A grade, .1/3; B grade, 1/2; C grade, 1/. Duck eggs: Special grade, 1/1; A grade 1/; C grade, lid. Fanners' butter is selling from lid to 1/2 a lb. There is a fair sale of the moderate quantities available. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was short, and the demand was keen. The prices paid remain level. They were: Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime 6/ to 7/6, not prime 3/6 up; light breeds, prime 3/ to 5/, nbt prime 3/ up. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 2/6 to 4/; light breeds, 2/ to 2/6. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 3/6 to 4/9; light breeds, 3/ to 4/. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best 4/ to 6/, smaller 2/6 up; light breeds, best 4/6 to 6/6, smaller 3/ up. Drakes: Young, prime, 3/6 to 4/6; old, 2/6 to 3/. Ducks: Young, 3/ to 4/; old; 2/ to 3/. Geese: 4/6 to 6/. Turkey liens: 5/6 to 9/; gobblers, 10/ to 18/6. Ducklings: 9d to 1/3. Day-old chicks: Black Orpington, 9d to 1/; Leghorn, 9d to 1/. Guinea fowls: 4/ to 5/. Cockerel chicks: Heavy breeds, 6d to 1/6; light breeds, 2d to 1/3.