AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 253, 25 October 1932, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

STRAWBERRIES COMING ON. NOW BETTER AND CHEAPER. RIPE BANANAS LOWER. As a result of favourable weather conditions strawberries are now more plentiful at the auction marts, and the quality continues to improve. Prices show a downward trend. Hothouse tomatoes are selling better, but at low rates. Good quality ripe bananas are available in increased quantities and prices have receded. Apples and pears are selling fairly freely. Green cookers arc iu short supply. Lcmous and Pooiman are very dull of sale. Latest quotations are as follow: — Strawberries: Captain Cooks, extia choice,.l/9 to 2/2 chip; ditto, others, 1/0 to 1/8; Marguerites, 9d to 1/4. Tomatoes: Hothouse, 7d to lid lb; Island, 7/0 to 9/ case. Bananas: Repacked, ripe,- extra choice, J2O/ to 23/; .No. 2 and medium, 15/ to 19/; Norfolk, fresh shipment, 8/6 to 12/0. Pears: Coles and Nelis, 6/ to D/; P. Barrys, 5/6 to 7/6. Grapefruit: Large, 4/ to 6/; small, 2/6 to 4/. Lemons:. 3/ to 7/. Mandarins: 7/ to 9/. Pines: Australian, 13/ to 15/. Oranges: Island, 16/6 to 23/; Australian Valencius, 8/ to 11/. Apples: Delicious, 6/ to 9/; Granny Smith, 6/ to 9/; Dougherty, 4/ to 7/6; Wiuesap, 5/ to 7/; Stunners, 6/ to 8/6; Munrdes, 6/ to 7/. Grapes: Californian, red, 24/ keg; white, 22/6 keg. Pomegranates: 11/ case. Vegetables. There were heavy consignments of most classes of green vegetables at the auctions t«-day. Consumers, however, found themselves in short supply, and as a result of an improved demand several lines brought better prices. Quotations, were as follow:— Potatoes, Southern, 7/ to 8/ cwt; new, 2%il to 2Msd lb; onions, Canadian, £1 crate; kumaras, Island, 7/6 to 8/ cwt; Taulanga, 4/ to 5/ cwt; cabbage, 3/ to 6/6 sack; cauliflower, 3/ to 7/6 sack; swedes, 1/ to 1/6 bag; pumpkins, 8/ to 13/ cwt; green peas, 4d to 4 ] /4d lb; beans, hothouse, 6d to 10d lb; lettuce, 1/ to 4/ case; cucumbers, hothouse, 3/ to 7/6 dozen; vegetable marrows, 1/ to 3/ dozen; cabbage, loose, 1/6 to 3/ dozen; cauliflower, loose, 2/ to 4/ dozen; celery, 3d to 9d bundle; rhubarb, 1/ to 4/ dozen; spinach, Od to 1/3 dozen; pumpkins, loose, 6d to 2/ oach; radish, 6d to 9d dozen; spring onions, 3d to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6<l to 9d dozen; asparagus, 6d to 9d bundle; leeks, 2d to 4d bundle. Eggs and Butter. Supplies of eggs continue to come forward freely, and low prices still rule. Hen and duck eggs are quoted at 10% d per dozen for first grade, OVid per dozen B grade, and 7%d per dozen for C grade. Farmers' butter sells at B%d to ll%d per lb. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was medium, and the demand was fair. The prices paid remain about level. Selling rates were as follow:— Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime 3/6 to 5/0 each, not prime 2/ up; light breeds, prime 3/ to 4/, not prime 1/6 up. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 1/9 to 2/6; light breeds, 1/3 to 1/9. Fat hens: Heavy bleeds, 2/6 to 3/; light breeds, 1/6 to 2/. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best 2/6 to 3/6, smaller 1/6 up; light breeds, best 2/6 to 3/6, smaller 1/6 up. Drakes: Young, prime 2/ to 3/, smaller 1/ up. Ducks: Young, 1/6 to 2/6; old, 1/ to 1/9. Drakes: Old, 1/ to 1/9. Geese: 2/6 to 3/6. Turkey hens: 4/ to 6/; gobblers, 5/ to 12/. Cockerel chicks: Heavy breeds, 6d to 2/; light breeds, 1/ to 1/6. Day-old chicks: BiO., 6d to 9d; L., 3d to 4%d. Guinea fowls: 2/6 to 3/.