AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

EGG PRICES ADVANCE.

MUSHROOMS STILL ABOUT,

GREEN PEAS PLENTIFUL,

Potatoes are selling at fairly low rates in the auction marts at present, buyers ' having the option of tubers grown locally, in the Manawatu, or in the South Island. i Locals are morp plentiful than is usual at this time of year. Most green vegetables are in good supply at values that, in some cases, must leave little margin for growers. Celery is well above requirements, and until colder weather stimulates sales prices may be expected to rule low. Cauliflowers in increased quantities and improved quality are coming forward from Ohakune, and local growers are also contributing a proportion in this line. There is an abundance of lettuce offering, but the bulk is of poor quality, showing little heart. At to-day's sale normal rates were not reached, owing to the fact that shopkeepers were disinclined to buy in view of to-morrow's holiday, but it is expect-I that on Monday values will revert to current quotations, which are as follow: — Potatoes. Southern, 7/ to 7/6 cwt; local, 2/6 to 4/ bag; onions, 8/ to 9/ cwt; kumaras, local. 3/ to 4/6 bag; Tauranga, 7/ to 9/ cwt; cabbage, 3/ to 8/6 sack; cauliflower, 3/ to 8/ sack; swedes, 1/6 to 2/ bag; pumpkins, 4/ to 7/ cwt; citron melons. 4/ to 5/ cwt; green peas, 1/ to 4/6 bag; beans, 1/6 to 4/6 bag; lettuce, 1/ to 3/6 case; cucumbers. 6d to 1/6 dozen; vegetable marrows, 1/ to 2/ dozen; water melons, 3d to 1/ each; rock melons, 2d to 6d each; cabbage, loose. 2/ to 4/ dozen; cauliflowers, loose, 2/ to 6/ dozen: celery. 6d to 1/9 bundle; rhubarb. 1/6 to 2/6 dozen; spinach, 6d to 1/ dozen; pumpkins, loose, 6d to 2/ each; radish, 6d to 1/ dozen; spring onions, 6d to 9d bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6d to 9d dozen. Fruit. Since last report there has been a very slight improvement in the fruit market. Apples are still in heavy supply, the market showing a slightly better tone for Northern Spys and other good quality lines. Cox's Orange are finished. Pears are offering more freely, but a large proportion are undersized. Louise Bons are now off the market, and Winter Nelis have come on. Hothouse grapes are still available in large quantities, but Te Kauwhatas are almost finished. A few Australians came to hand this week. The winter lemon crop is coming in, and bids fair to yield average returns. Graded lines are selling well. The banana shortage will be relieved early next week, when a substantial cargo of about 2500 cases is due to arrive from Norfolk Island. An Australian shipment of grapes, pines and other fruits is also expected. The mushroom season still continues, and fair quantities are put through the marts daily. Latest quotations are as follow:—

Apples: Jonathan, 4/ to 6/ per case: Delicious, 2/ to 5/; Ballarats, 4/ to 6/; Northern Spys. 3/ to 5/; Munroes, 2/6 to 3/6. Pears: Cole's, 7/ to 10/6: Cole's, small, 3/ to 4/6; Clairgeau and Deils, 5/ to 6/; cookers and others. 4/ to 5/6; Nelis, 7/ to 10/; Nelis, small. 3/ to 4/. Tomatoes: Firm. 3 ; to 6/; No. l's, 2/ to 4/; others, from 1/6 to 2/. Grapes: Hothouse, Colman. best, 1/ to 1/7 lb: Colman. No. 2 and others. to 1/ lb; Hamburgs, 8d to 1/ lb; outdoor, Te Kauwhata, 12/ to 13/6 case. Lemons: First grade, 14/ to 17/: others, 7/ to 10/. Cape gooseberries: 4d to 5d lb; inferior, 3l£d. Passions: 3/ to 5/. Persimmons: 2/ to 4/. Oranges: Californian. 32/ to 34/: Fijian, 12/ to 14/. Bananas: Ripe, medium, 25/ to 35/; No. 2's. 14/ to 19/. Mushrooms: Prime quality, large cases or tins, 8/ to 15/; small cases, with inferior lines, 2/ to 6/. Eggs and Butter. Supplies of eggs are falling off, and with a keen demand prices have again moved up. Latest quotations for good quality are as follow:—Hen eggs: Special grade, 2/10 per dozen; A's. 2/9; B's, 2/5; C's, 2/1. Duck eggs: Special, 2/9; A's, 2/8; B's, 2/7; C's. 2/6. There is a good demand for farmers butter at lOd to 1/ per lb. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was medium, and the demand fair. The prices paid remain level. Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime 3/ to 4/9, not prime 1/6 up; light breeds, prime 2/ to 3/. not prime 1/ up. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime. 2/ to 2/6; light breeds, 1/6 to 2/. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 2/3 to 3/3: light breeds, 1/6 to 2/. Laying hens: Light breeds, 2/ to 3/6. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best 7/ to 10/, smaller 3/ up; lighter breeds, best 6/ to 8/. smaller 3/ up. Drakes: Young, prime. 2/6 to 3/; young, smaller, 1/3 up; old, 2/ to 2/6. Ducks: Young. 3/6 to 4/6: old. 2/ to 3/. Geese: 3/6 to 4/3. Guinea fowls: 3/ to 4/.