AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 84, 9 April 1940, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

CABBAGE SUPPLIES HEAVY.

CAULIFLOWERS SELL WELL.

OUTDOOR GRAPES DEMANDED.

Supplies of cabbages were very heavy at the local auction markets to-day, and prices were low. This was also true of carrots and parsnips, though values for cauliflower, also in full supply, were good. Good stringless beans and green peas were demanded and realised high rates. While poor pumpkin was hard to quit, good quality lines made good prices. Speaking generally, the market was fully supplied with values a little lower than last week. There was a good demand for Te Kauwhata grapes, and also for Golden Queen peaches, but the inquiry for tomatoes was only fair, Choice passion fruit sold well. Prices were:—

Fruit. Apples: Delicious. 4/ to 5/ case; Jonathan, 3.6 to 5/: cookers, 2/ to 2/6. l'eai*: Josephine, half-eases. 4/ to 5/: Buerre Hose. 8/ to 10/ case: Winter Coles. 11/ to 14/. Tomatoes: Outdoor, ex. choice. 7/ to 8' case: others, 2/ to 6/; Hutt, 3/ to 4 . 1 ree tomatoes: 11/3 case. Lemons: 6/(i to 15/6, three-quarter bushel case, according to grade and count. Bananas: Ripe. 22/ to 26/3 case. Grapes: Te Kauwhata. 11/ to 14/ case; hothouse, Hamburg. 8d to 9d lb; Coleman, ex. choice, 1/9 to 2/2: others, lid to 1/6. Peaches: (■olden Queen. 10/ to 11/3 case; Solways, 8/ to 9/. Cape Gooseberries: 8d lb. Passion _ fruit: 6/ to 11/ case. Persimmons: 5/ to 8/ case. Quinces: Bushel cases, 10/ to 12/.

Vegetables. Beet, 6d to 1/ doz; celery, cooking, 9d to 1/6 bundle, dessert 2/ to 2/9; carrots, 1/9 to 2/9 bag, or 6d to 9d doz; cauliflowers, 6/ to 11/ sack; cabbages,- 2/ to 5/ sack: cucumbers, 2/6 to 4/6 doz; French beans. 2/ to 3/ bag; stringless beans, 4/6 to 12/6 bag; green peas, 5/ to 9/6 bag; kumaras, 5/ to 7/ bag: leeks, 3d to 6d bundle; lettuce, 1/ to 4/ case; marrows, 2/ to 3/6 sack; citrons, 5/6 to 8/ cwt; onions. 3/9 to 4/6 bag: potatoes, Rangitikei 6/ to 6/6 cwt, Ohakune 3/ to 4/ bag, Pukekohe 2/ to 3/; pumpkins, choice ripe crown. 7/ to 11/ cwt, medium 4/ to 6/ sack. Red Warren 2/6 to 3/6; parsnips. 2/6 to 4/ bag. 9d to 1/ doz: radish, 6<l to 9d doz; rhubarb, 2/ to 3/ doz: spinach. !M to 1/ doz; spring onions, 6d to 1/ bundle: swedes. 2/6 to 3/6 bag; turnips, 6d to 9d doz; brussels sprouts, 7d to 9d lb.

Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was fairly heavy and the demand was medium. Prices paid were slightly better than last week.

Selling rates were as follow:—Cockerels: Heavy breeds, prime, 5/ to 6/ each; not prime, 2/ to 3/; light breeds, prime, 2/3 to 3/6; not prime, 1/ up. Fat hens: Heavy 'breeds, 2/9 to 3/9; light breeds, 1/6 to If. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best, 5/ to 7/; smaller, 2/ up. Drakes: Young, prime, 2/6 to 3/: smaller, 1/6 up.

Eggs.—Hen: First grade, 2/9 V& petdozen; B. 2/64; C. 1/10%. Duck: First grade, 2/74; B, 2/4V4; C, 1/104. Butter and Eggs. The price of eggß rose yesterday as follows:—A and B hen, 2d a dozen; A duck, 2d; B duck, Id. No change in C hen or C duck.

Farmers' Butter. —1/2 Ms to 1/44 per lb. Cut flowers were again in short supply and met with a good demand, all varieties of good quality realising fairly high prices.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

BARLEY DEMANDS STEADY.

POLLARD AND BRAN SHORT

The following is the official market report issued by the Auckland Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants' Association. Prices named are f.o.r. or f.0.b., Auckland:—

Barley.—The demand for Australian undipped barley has continued to be very steady, and prices remain unchanged at 3/6 per bushel for 10-sack lots, cash before delivery, less 2d per bushel if picked up ex wharf. Ex store prices remain at 4/1 to 4/2 per bushel. Aa previously advised, clipped barley is not now being imported and the undressed barley is being treated in Auckland by merchants and delivery made ex merchants' stores.

Maize—The Internal Marketing Division advise that owing to the failure of their shippers no Javan maize is arriving per the Tasman. To meet the shortage, the Internal Marketing Division are making arrangements to secure supplies from Australia as early as possible, and also further supplies from South Africa. Meantime. therefore, April deliveries of maize sold to arrive ex the Tasman and another vessel will need to be on a pro rata basis, it being anticipated that the pro rata delivery will be approximately two-thirds of the original quantity ordered by storekeepers, poultry keepers, etc. Wheat. —A very steady demand continues for wheat, values remaining unchanged at 7/3 to 7/4 per bushel. As yet there is no advice as to when the April boat is due, but meantime merchants are soliciting orders for the special 10-sack cash-with-order deliveries on arrival.

Bran and Pollard.—Stocks of pollard are now short and no advice has been received as to when the Wheat Committee will be landing further supplies from Australia. It is reported that until Australian mills are able to export the surplus of flour which has accumulated the pollard position will not be materially changed to any degree. Furthermore, should satisfactory rains be received in Australia the domestic demand for pollard should be relieved to a certain extent, and this may release a certain quantity for shipment to New Zealand. Acting on instructions from the Wheat Committee existing stocks of pollard are to be reserved for poultrykeepers.

Barleymeal.—A keener demand is being experienced for 'barleymeal, brought about no doubt by the shortage of pollard for pig producers. Values remain unchanged at £9 10/ to £10 5/, according to quantity.