MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1934, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

TRADE IMPROVES. KEEN DRIED FRUIT DEMAND. FIBM MARKET OX LIMA BEANS. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, July 24. Wholesale distributing grocery trade has shown a general all-round improvement during the past week. Considerable activity has been noticed in storekeeper' requirements for August account, which has helped to swell merchants' turnover. General News. Tobacco returns during the pust month have snown a consideraule increase, this demand no doubt being stimulated by the recent alterations in uuty. further supplies of dried lruit have arrived lrom Australia, and mercliants arc now holding a complete range of both currants and t>ultanus. Owing to tlie previous shortage iclue to the o\eiearriage of certain stocks about three or lour weeks ago, demand has been very keen .during the past lortnigut. Ajaiuly due to the iact that merchants Lave been carrying fair supplies of Uttlit'oruian dried truit, the hoid up due to the Paeitic (.'oast strike has not had very much effect on supplies o£ California". dried fruit, with the exception of seeded raisins, which are now practically unprocurable. Further supplies of (South African jam apricots have 'come to hand just recently, and as samples have proved excellent the demand is fairly keen. Further supplies of Tasinanian mutton birds !iave aiso come to hand, and due to the small supplies landed practically all the supplies have already gone into circulation. A small shipment oi Chinese peanut kernels arrived by the I'oolta last week and were very welcome, as stocks of this line had been getting short. Consignments of walnut meat are also to hand, this being the final shipment until new season's are. shipped about October/November next lor the Christmas market. Shipments _of cherries in brine are also to hand against J manufacturers' indent orders. The recent ' bonus oiler of a free bar of chocolate with a well-known line of box chocolates is now advised as being withdrawn on the 28th instant. Supplies of dates are getting short in some quarters, Siar bulk and pitted being advised as out of stock. Arrivals from overseas during the week comprise Ceylon tea in bulk by transhipping steamer from Sydney, also coir mats, Dutch carraway seeds, bulk and carton loaf sugar, fine table salt, bulk cornilour, split peas and pearl barley, Australian breakfast foods, cake polishing powder, Australian rice, chewing gum, ground rice, etc. Mail advices from Australia indicate that the rice position is unchanged, and there is still a fair demand for new season's. Quality this year is exceedingly good. In spice 'lines Japanese ginger and chillies are slightly cheaper, although prices tor other lines have been well maintained. Supplies of new season's superior quality whole Jamaica ginger have now come to hand. In coffees there is little change to report. Hemp seeds are a little cheaper, but it is now becoming difficult to obtain supplies of some varieties of millet seeds from overseas and it does not seem likely that the position will be relieved tintil the new crop comes on to the market about the end of the year. Butter Beans. Quotations for new crop Madagascar Lima beans in cables to hand during the week show a decidedly firmer tone. Kevised quotations show an increase of 1/ per cwt, and shippers state that prices are likely to go still higher.

Ceylon Tea. At the weekly sale of Ceylon tea, held on the 17th instant, 2,250,000 pounds weight was placed under oiler. Quality showed a further improvement, and the result of the sale showed that commonest were in poor demand, commons and mediums showed slight declines, while good kinds were strong. Actual price alterations showed a linn market on commons, a reduction of %d per lb on price broken orange Pekoes, firm prices on plain 8.0.P.'s and first classic broken Pekoes, and an advance of %d per lb on tine 8.0.P.'5. Pineapples. Quotations for Singapore pineapples are still showing a firmer tone, with some lines listed at slight advances on quotations a week ago; VMb cubes first quality show an increase of %d per dozen, 21b sliced %d per dozen, VA\h crushed Vid per dozen. A little buying has taken place during the last week, but generally speaking, buying interest is very quiet, considering that this is the main steamer for pineapples for early summer trade. Pepper. Pepper quotations are remaining steady, with the exception of a reduction of l-10d per lb on Sarawak white. As only a fortnight remains before the direct steamer sails, any further requirements will have to be placed fairly quickly. Nutmegs and Mace. Both nutmegs and mace are fairly firm, sound shrivelled nutmegs showing a further advance of l-16d per lb, while broken mace for grinding shows an increase of l%d per lb. Australian Prunes. Agents for the Australian Dried- Fruit Control Board were advised yesterday that both South Australian and Victorian prunes are now being offered at 1/ per cwt reduction on previous rates. Shipment is also spread through to October 31 next. Salmon. Salmon packers in British Columbia anticipate that they will have a limited quantity of new season's Chum salmon available for shipment early in August. Soft Shell Almonds. Quotations for new crop Ivizza soft shell almonds are showing a weaker tendency, latest rates showing a reduction of 1/ per bag. Californian Prunes. Cables to band during the week-end advise a reduction of 6d per cwt for Cahfornian prunes. Figs. Cables to hand from London shippers of Turkish figs advise all-round reductions in the price of new season's for September shipment from Smyrna. The latest prices are 1/ per cwt lower for both 71b and 28lb bags, while cellophane packets are now from 6/ to 7/ per cwt below the old opening rates. Layer figs in glove boxes and 101b boxes arc quoted from 3/ to 4/ per cwt lower. As most buyers who have already booked did their business with a "fall clause," they will benefit accordingly. Acids. After remaining on a very firm level for some weeks, the market for tartaric acid for September shipment has advanced %d ptr lb. Citric acid prices remain unchanged at the favourable rates announced some weeks ago. Muscatels. New season's Spanish muscatels in all packings are now being offered for September/October shipment, prices being lower than last season's. Dates. Stocks of present season's dates are in ! fairly short supply at present, and it is anticipated that all holdings will be cleared up before the arrival of the new crop in December. The favourable prices available for new dates has resulted in heavy bookings for shipment by the direct steamer sailing from Busreh about the end of October. Wholesale Current PricesButter. —First grade factory, booked, ll%d per lb. and lid per lb for prompt cash, , * 6econd grade factory, booked 9Mid per lb, and 9d per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 8d per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory size (80's), 5%d 'per lb net: best quality medium (40's), 6%d per lb; first quality, 6d pit lb; loaf, 7%d per lb: tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb; bars, 1/ per lb. Honey.—Bulk white, 4%d per lb; light amber, 4%d per lb. Bacon.—Hams, 10% d per lb; rolled h'uns, 1/0% per lb: cooked ham, 1/3 per lb; cooked pressed ham, 1/5 per lb; bacon sides, -"%d per lb; rollei sides, llV&d per

lb; shoulders, B%d per lb; rolled shouldeis, 9%d per lb; middles, llVid per lb. Lard, bulk, Od per lb; pats, OVid per lb. Linseed.—Crushed, 24/G per cwt; whole, 23/6 per cwt. Linseed Meal'.—l2/0 per 1001b. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 12/6 per ton; 100's, £15 10/ per ton; 50's, £I' 3 per ton; 25's, £10 15/ per ton; YIV-i's, £17 2/6 per ton; 6'A'e, £18 2/6 per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole white, 9/0 per bushel; whole black, 11/6 per bushel. Twinoe-—Seaming, first quality, 2/3 per lb; second quality, 1/11 per lb; binder, 49/0 per cwt. li.'ucetone. —27/6 per cwt. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. OFFALS IN GOOD DEMAND. ONIONS RISE IX PRICE. There has been no change in the price of pollard or bran since last report, and there is a good demand for both these lines. Australian pollard is selling freely at a shade above the rates asked for local supplies. However, .the easing in Australian f.o.b. values noted last week was of brief duration, and quotations have reverted to those, ruling in recent months. Oats and Chaff. Tlio horse feed market is quiet, and values steady. B Gartons arc selling at 3/2 per bushel, and chaff at £7 10/ to £7 15/ per ton. "Wheat and Maize. 'lho wheat market is quietly firm, with good business on the basis of 4/10 per bushel for graded lines. Maize is quiet at 4/1, the weakness being duo to the near approach of new season's supplies. Bay of Plenty grain for delivery oil' rail next month has been selling from 3/4 to 3/0 per bushel. Barley. The Australian market for barley has firmed up. Local stocks, however, are [airly substantia!, and current rates are unaltered. Potatoes and Onions. Both in the South and locally the potato market in weak. This week's arrivals have not been heavy, but ample stocks are available. Through store price remains steady at about £0; and good business is reported. The onion market has firmed up further, and Pukckohe growers are reaping tlie benefit, as Australian supplies are barred. Local quotations have been advanced, and now rule from 11/ to 12/ per cwt. Fertilisers. Following upon the particularly heavy rush for fertilisers during the latter part of June, the demand has eased oil to some extent. The 'weather no doubt has also been a factor in restricting the demand. Manufacturers of superphosphate arc anticipating good outputs throughout the spring season, and reports would indicatethat particularly in the Waikato there is much need for spring topdnwing. Price for superphosphate has been stabilised by the Government at £4 per ton. Duo to the high cost of basic slag this fertiliser is practically off tlie market, so that the output from local factories should be well maintained. Wholesale Current Prices. Pollard and Bran.—Mill prices: Pollard, £6 per ton; bran, £5 10/ per ion. Merchants' prices: Pollard, local, £6 a< , per ton; Australian, £6 7/6; bran, £5 Oats.—Feed: B Gartons 3/2 per bushel; A Gartons, 3/7; clipped Dunns, 4/3; clipped Algerians, New Zealand, 4/U; clipped Gartons, 3/9. Fowl Wheat.—Canterbury, graded, 4/10 per bushel; undergrade, from 4/6 upwards. Maize. —4/1 per buehcl. Barley.—Feed: Clipped. 4/ per bushel. Seed: Cape, 5/ per bushel. Barley Meal.—B/6 per 1001b. Wheat Meal.—B/ per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £7 10/ to £7 15/ peri ton, for Southern. Potatoes.—Table: Southern, £6 per ton. Onions.—Local, 11/ to 12/ per cwt. SOUTHERN EXCHANGES. TO-DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") ■ CHRISTCIIURCH, this day. Tho most noticeable feature of the morning's call was the fact that, although the usual quotations for mining shares were made, not one sale was recorded in this section. Heavy dealings were made yesterday afternoon, but transactions today were confined to banking and other investment sections. An easing tendency was evident in quotations for wool shares, for although Loan and Mercantile were steady, Goldsbrough, Mort, which h,ad reported sales yesterday at £1 9/11, came down to £1 9/9 and £1 9/8 this morning, buyers eventually offering £1 9/7, against sellers at £1 9/9. Dalgctys were widely quoted, sellers asking £10 and buyers stopping at £9. In the banking section Commercials recovered 2d on previous sales, New South Wales rose to a sale at £30 15/, buyers later offering £31. while Reserve Banks had two sales at £0 0/0 and two at six guineas. New Zealands were again weak on buyers' and sellers' quotations of £2 5/6 and £2 6/8 respectively. New Zealand Breweries closed with offers of £2 2/9, which was 3d below sellers. Staples' were steady at £1 8/6. A sale of Dunlop Rubbers at a lower figurp, a rise of id in British Tobaccos, and buyers offering 18/2 for Kauri Timbers were tho only other features of a fairly quiet call. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCnURCH, this day. Rales.—Commercial Bank of Australia ('•y-n div.), 15/4, 15/5; Reserve Bank. £6 6/0 (2 parcels), £6 6/ (2 parcols) ; Goldsbrough, Mort £1 9/9, £1 8/8; Christchurch Gas (cum dlv.), CI 12/0; British Tobncco. £1 37/4; Dunlop Kuhbnr, IS/0 ; Bank of Now South Wnlrs. £30 15/: Now Zoaland Breweries, £ 2 2/8 ; Staples' Brewery, £1 8/0. CHRTSTCHURCH, Monday. Stock, ir>/G/r,r>. 4 per cont. £107 5/; Ooldsbroush, Mort, £1 0/11. £1 9/9; New Zealand Breweries, £2 2/0 (2 parcels) ; "Sun" Newspapers, 4/3; Big River, 1/11; Brian Boru. 1/7; Moonlight-Nelson Crook, fid ; Nevis Diesel Electric, 4d (2 parcels) ; Lawson's Plat, 4Jd. Unofficial List. —Snowy River, ljd. WELLINGTON, Monday. Bank of New South Wales, £30 13/; Bank of New Zealand (D pref.), £1 14/. DUNEDIN, this day. Sales.—Commercial Bank, 15/3; Bell Kilgour, 43d; Nevis Diesel, 4Jd; Okarito, 8/2; Dominion Fertiliser, 18/0: 801 l Kilgour, 4Jd; Goldficlds, OJd; Nokomai, 3/5.