AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1931, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

LOCAL COOKERS PLENTIFUL

STRAWBERRIES FALLING OFF,

PEACHES AND PLUMS SCARCE

Supplies of strawberries are rapidly decreasing now, with the passing of the best of the season, and the fruit is smaller and is relatively more expensive. The Helenslea Surprise variety is lasting better, the quality being a little in advance of the other two kinds. The market is still good. Loganberries are also meeting with a good demand. Larger quantities of local cooking apples are coming to hand, and prices are lower. Peaches and plums are fetching satisfactory prices, and choice lines are short. Bananas are more plentiful and cheaper. A shipment of some 14,000 cases arrived by the Tofua on Sunday. These will be easily absorbed as the Southern provinces will take some of the fruit. Local apricots are short, and values are ruling fairly high. Some from the South Island are expected shortly. About 500 cases of mixed fruit arrived by the Maunganui this morning. Market quotations are:»-Strawberries: Captain Cook, 1/4; Marguerites, 8d to I/I; Hele.nslea, 10d to 1/0%. Loganberries: 1/1% to 1/2. Apples: Canadian Winesap and Delicious, 16/ to 18/6; local Gravenstein and cookers, 5/6 to 8/. Apricots: Local, 9/6 to 16/. Black currants: 5/6 to 8/. Tomatoes: Hothouse, 7d to 9Vkl lb; medium and No. 2's, id to 6d lb; outdoor, No. l's, 5d to 6d lb; No. 2's, 2d to 4%d lb. Plums: Sultans; 6/ to 9/; /Billingtons, 4/6 to 6/; Burbanks, 4/ to 6/6. Peaches: Choice, 7/ to 10/; others, 5/ to 6/. Grapes: Local hothouse, 1/6 to 2/ lb. Bananas: Repacked, firm, 25/ to 31/; mediums, 18/ to 23/; inferior, 12/ to 15/. Oranges: Californian, 34/ to 36/. Lemons:- Choice, 10/ to 12/6; large and others, 6/ to 8/. Quality of Peas Poor.

New season's pumpkins are increasing in supply, as are cucumbers and marrows. The dry weather has, however, had a bad effect on the growth of peas and beans. These vegetables are plentiful, but the quality is poor. This is also true of lettuce.

Values are:—Potatoes, new, 3/6 to 4/6 bag; onions, local, 2/6 to 4/6 bag* kumaras, Tauranga, 10/ to 12/ cwt; cabbage, 1/6 to 5/ sack; swedes, 2/6 to 3/6 bag; pumpkins, 14/ to 20/ cwt; green peas, 4/ to 6/9 bag; beans, 2d to 3d lb; lettuce, 3/ to 6/ case; cucumbers, hothouse, 1/ to 2/ dozen; outdoor, 1/6 to 4/6 dozen; vegetable marrows, 2/ to 6/ dozen; cabbage, on benches, 1/ to 1/9 dozen; celery, 1/6 to 2/3 bundle; rhubarb, 1/6 to 2/6 dozen; spinach, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; pumpkins, on benches, 6d to 2/6 each; radish, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; spring onions, 6d to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, Sd to 1/ bundle. Egg Prices Steady.

There has been no change in quotations for eggs. Quantities available are fairly large, and the demand is keeping up. Prices for first quality hen eggs are:— Special grade. 1/6 dozen; A grade, 1/5; B grade, 1/4; C grade, lid. Duck eggs: Special grade, 1/4; A grade, 1/3; B grade, 1/2; C grade, 1/1. Farmers' butter is selling from 7d to 10d a lb. Poultry. At to-day's auction the supply of poultry was heavy, and the demand moderate. The prices paid are lower than last week. They are:— . • Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime 4/ to 6/6, not prime 2/ up; light breeds, prime 2/6 to 3/9, not prime l/,to 2/. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 2/ to 3/; light breeds, 1/6 to 2/. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 2/6 to 3/9; light breeds, 1/9 to 2/9. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best 5/ to 7/, smaller 2/ up; light breeds, best 4/6 to 6'. smaller 2/ up. Drakes: Young, prime 3/ to 4/, smaller 2/ up; old, 1/6 to 2/6. Ducks: Young, 2/6 to 3/6; old, 1/6 to 2/6. Cockerel chicks: Heavy breeds, 6d to 1/6; light breeds, 4d to 9d. Guinea fowls: 4/ to 5/.