MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 59, 10 March 1936, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

I STEADY TRADING.. RAISIN MARKET FIRM. WALNUT MEAT FAVOURABLE. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, March 10. Now that the rush of the first of the month business is over, wholesalers report that trade has steadied down considerably, although a fair amount of business is still passing. Generally speaking, distributing trade this year has shown a steady increase over the corresponding months of the previous year, and a general optimistic tone prevails among trade circles. General News. Commencing at the beginning of last week, a special bonus otter of a jar of vegetable extract is being given with a well-known line of breaktast biscuits, which will continue until the end of the month. A reduction 011 a popular brand of cigarettes packed in 10's, 2U's and 50's has been advised, with retail prices reduced to Od, 1/ and 2/6 per container respectively. In order to bring the revised retail prices quickly into force, both manufacturers and merchants are making rebates 011 all retail purchases since the 17th ultimo, which 110 doubt is appreciatt\ A line of condensed milk, quite popular on this market, was reduced 2/ per case some days ago. Tobacco and cigarettes for delivery 011 the 16th will be made on that date to both town and country. A temporary shortage is noted in some quarters on desiccated coconut, shipments not having come forward quite so quickly as anticipated. Merchants advise that they are experiencing quite a steady demand for tinned herrings, and all varieties of fish which always sell well by the retail at this time. A line of razor blades of Canadian manufacture, which are attractively carded 20 packets to a card, are now being offered throughout the retail. A line of English cigarettes, previously sold on this market for some time in 10's only, is now available in 20's, both plain and cork tipped. The first small shipment of new season's canned pears has now come to hand, and as the market is practically bare, these will be rapidly distributed. The new season's New Zealand pack of canned peaches are expected to arrive next week. ■Arrivals from overseas during the past week have been exceedingly heavy, there having been an unusually large influx of steamers, so much so that it was impossible in some cases for steamers to berth immediately, with the result that quite a number had to wait in the stream until other vessels had discharged their cargoes. Among arrivals dtiring the week were shipments of unglazed greaseproof paper, cartons of soap, baking powder, tablet sugar (both bulk and cartons), arrowroot l's and %'s, No. 1 Australian rice, unpolished rice, chewing gum, kraft paper (12in. 18in and 24in size), proprietary brands of tea. wax matches, washing powder, chemists' sundries. English medicinal salts, Epsom salts, English meat and fish pastes in loz tins, Singapore pineapples, camp pies, malt extract, breakfast foods, marrowfat peas, blue peas, bulk cocoa, bulk tea, English mixed spice, English ground nutmegs, cayenne pepper, 15oz packets seedless raisins, etc.

i Raisins. > Latest advice received regarding Calif fornian raisins is that the market is firm, ' particularly Muscats and Malagas. J Walnut Meat. ! Quotations for walnut meat continue to ] be listed at favourable rates and in some cases lines are considered very attractive, with the result that additional business ' has been put through. i Chinese Peanuts; The market for Chinese peanuts in shell | remains steady and to-day's quotation is 1 considered favourable, being 011 a par with | prices ruling at the beginning of the ; season. Additional business has been put through for shipment this month. ! Resin. 1 Quotations for American resin after 1 registering a sharp advance last week were ; a little easier in cables received to the extent of 3/6 per ton on G and 2/6 per ton on N. The market is still higher than it has been for some time, but to-day's level is considered quite reasonable, and 1 business has been cabled for prompt shipment at present rates. Pineapples. As was anticipated, the market for Singapore pineapples is now showing a 1 decidedly firm tone, particularly in cubes, both first and second grade, which have advanced %d and l%d per dozen respectively. During rccent weeks there has 1 been considerable activity, and the bulk of merchants' business for March/April and the July/August steamers has been placed. Tapioca. While sellers of tapioca advise that the market is steady, prices have been increased on Penang grades to the extent of 3d per cwt on seed and 4%d per cwt on medium pearl. Small pearl sago, 011 the other hand, shows a reduction of 3d per cwt. Carraway Seeds. Quotations for carraway seeds in recent cables are advised at a considerable increase over previous rates.

Madagascar Lima Beans. Supplies of Lima beans arrived to this market some weeks ago and opened up in excellent condition. Prior to this arrival the market had been in short supply. Castor Oil. Quotations for castor oil in recent cables received are a little easier, and fair business is passing for the next direct shipment. Kapok. Kapok in recent cable adviccs is showing a steadily firming tendency, and the firm market is expected to prevail for both April and August steamers. Prunes. Certain sections of Australian prune growers have withdrawn quotations altogether pending the naming of new season's prices. Cables received during the week advise that quotations for Californian prunes have been reduced by about 1/ per cwt. Fruit Juice. A new line of fruit juice has been offered on the local market this month under a very well-known label at a competitive price. This is having a ready sale. Pork and Beans. An attractive offer has just been made on a new line of pork and beans, and at the quotation considerable business has resulted. Nuts. Quotations for new season's Barcelona nuts have been named and are several shillings dearer than last season's offers. Ivizza soft shell almonds arc also quoted at> dearer rates for new season s. Barcelona Kernels. Cable advices received from London advise that the market for Brazil kernels is fairly attractive just at present. Agents advise that considerable business has been done at figures representing values at approximately one penny per lb below last year's rates. Sicily Almonds. London cables that offers have been made on Sicily almonds at 5/ per cwt higher than previous quotations. The goods were imported to London before sanctions were enforced. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —Finest grade, booked, ll'z&d per lb, and lid per lb for prompt cash; first grade factory, booked, lid per lb and 10% d per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked, 10% d per 11) and lOd per lb for prompt cash; whey, 9Msd per lb and 9d per lb for prompt cash. Cheese. —First grade factory size (SO's), 6Vsd per lb net; medium (40'b), per lb; first quality (20's), 7%d per lb; loaf, 8d per lb; tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 par lb.

Honey.—Bulk white, 5d per lb; light amber, 4%d per lb. Bacon.—Ham, 1/1 per lb; roiled boneless ham, 1/3; cooked whole ham, 1/5; cooked rolled ham, 1/6: cooked pressed ham, 1/8; bacon sides, 9%d; rolled sides, lid; rolled middles, 1/; pressed shoulders, ll%d; lard, bulk, 7%d; pats, 8d; dripping, sd. Linseed.—Crushed, 16/9 per 1001b; whole, 16/6 per cwt. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £13 12/ per ton; 100's. £14 12/6 per ton; 50's, £14 17/6 per ton; 25's, £15 7/6 per ton; 12%'s, £16 per ton; 6%'s, £16 17/6 per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole white, 9/6 per bushol; whole black, 11/6 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 3/5 per Jb; second quality, ?/10 per lb; binder, 49/6 per cwt. Bluestone.—2B/6 per cwt.