AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 81, 7 April 1931, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

PEARS IN KEEN DEMAND.

TOMATOES FALL IN VALUE,

GOOD PRICES FOR LEMONS

Following the Easter week-end there was a good demand for dessert fruit at to-day's auction, but in some instances the price fell owing to plentiful supplies. Louise Bon Jersey pears were in keen demand, and the ruling prices were good. Te Kauwhata grapes sold freely at, ruling rates, but cape gooseberries fell in value owing to larger supplies. Apples were dull of sale. -Exceptionally large quantities of musnrooms came to hand and sold at reduced rates. There was a keen demand for good graded lemons, and prices were good. Tomatoes fell in value owing to larger supplies being offered. Latest prices are:—Apples: Cox's Orange, 7/ to 10/ case; small, 3/ to 4/; Jonathan, 4/ to 6/6; Delicious, 3/ to 4/; cookers, 3/ to 5/; Northern Spy, 4/ to 5/; Windfalls, 2/. Pears: Louis Bon, 8/ to 11/; Packhams, 6/ to 7/6; Clairgeau, 5/ to' 6/; cookers and others, 4/6 to 6/. Peaches: Golden Queen, No. 1, 5/6 to 7/6; No. 2, 3/ to 5/. Tomatoes: Half ripes, 3/ to 3/6; No. 1, smooth, ripe, 2/6 to 3/; others, 1/ to 1/6. Grapes: Hothouse, Gros Col man, 1/1 to 1/6 lb; Black Hamburgs, 8d to 1/0 V&; Golden Queen, 9d to lOd; outdoor, Te Kauwhakr; 9/ to 10/ case. Strawberries: 8d to 1/3 chip. Lemons: First grade, local, 14/ to 18/; No. 2 and others, 7/6 to 10/. Cape gooseberries: 5d lb. Oranges: Californian, 28/ to 29/ ease. Bananas: Repacked, ripe. No. 1, 25/ bushel case; mediums, 22/ to 24/; No. 2, 18/ to 21/. Mushrooms: 6/ to 9/. Passion fruit: 3/ to 5/ case. Large Supplies Peas and Beans. Peas and beans are in heavier supply than has been known at this time of the year. There are also heavy supplies of early celery, but the demand is poor. Cauliflowers are coming forward in much larger quantities from Ohakune, and prices receded to-day. There are a few local cauliflowers. Potatoes were slightly dearer than before Easter.

Market quotations are:—Potatoes, 3/ to 4/6 bag; onions, 4/ to 4/9 bag, or 8/ to 9/6 cwt; kumaras, l%d to 2d per lb; cabbages, 3/ to 7/6 sack; cauliflowers, 4/ to 6/6 sack; swedes, 1/6 to 2/ bag; pumpkins, 3/6 to 6/6 cwt; citron melons, 4/ to 5/ cwt; green peas, 2/6 to 4/6 bag; beans, 1/6 to 4/6 bag; lettuce, 1/ to 3/6 case; cucumbers, 6d to 1/ dozen; vegetable marrows, 1/ to 2/6 dozen; water melons, 2d to 1/ each; rock melons, 2d to 1/ each; cabbage, on benches, 2/ to 3/6 dozen; cauliflowers, on benches, 2d to 7d each; celery, 6d to 2/ bundle; rhubarb, 1/3 to 2/6 dozen; spinach, 1/ to 1/3 dozen;.pumpkins, on benches, 2d to 1/9 each; radishes, 6d to 1/ dozen; spring onions, 3d to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6d to 1/ dozen.

Eggs In Better Demand. Over the holiday period -the demand for eggs suddenly improved, and prices are holding firmly at 4d to 5d a dozen cheaper than at this time last year. Accor ling to the explanation or dealers this is a eonsequence of lower market prices in other directions.

Prices are:—Hen eggs: Special grade, 2/2 dozen; A grade, 2/1; B grade, 1/9; C grade, 1/5. Duck eggs: Special grade, 2/1 dozen; A grade, 2/; B grade, 1/IJL; C grade, 1/8. Farmers' butter is selling from lOd to 1/ per lb.

Poultry. There were moderate supplies of poultry, the demand was poor, and prices again fell at to-day's auction. Quotations were:— Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime, 3/ to 3/G; not prime, 1/6 upwards; light breeds, prime, 2/ to 2/6; not prime, 1/ upwards. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 2/0 to 3/; light breeds, 1/6 to 2/. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 2/3 to 3/; light breeds, 1/9 to 2/3. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best, 7/ to 10/; smaller, 3/ upwards;, light breeds, best, 6/ to 8/; smaller, 2/ upwards. Drakes: Young, prime, 2/6 to 3/; young, smaller, 1/3 upwards; old, 2/ to 2/6. Ducks: Young, 3/6 to 4/6: old, 2/ to 2/6. Geese: 3/ to 4/. Turkey hens: 3/ to 6/. Gobblers: 5/ to 12/. Guinea fowls: 4/ to 5/.