GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14975, 23 May 1914, Page 13

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

Tea.—London reports under date 9th April:—lndian: A fair quantity at auction; tone very firm all round, and in many cases showing an advance very particularly in common grades. Ceylon: A moderate quantity at auction; tone very strong all round, and teas up to 9d dearer in many cases. Java: No sales held this week. Pubhcauction will not be resumed until the 20th inst.

Coffee.—A fair quantity at auction; tone fully s , . ady; no change to quote. Santos: Weak owing to very large receipts continuing; Is 6d lower for the week. _, Mediterranean Fruits.—The only adTanca shown recently has been in Srcily almonds, in which very fair sales have been made > owing to the, this article gradually hardening. Afl buyers are awaiting quotations for new season's currants and sultanas, which are expected to be made very shortly. Caiifornian Fruits.— Prunes: A great deal of interest has been taken in this fruit owing to the exceptional firming of the market. The growing weather in California was especially.suitable for all cro~s and no serious frosts had occurred," and, therefore buyers were quite

at a loss to understand the reason for the increase in price. The blossom season arrived in due time, and the trees never presented a finer % appearance since prunes have been grown. It was estimated that probably the crop would bo one of the largest that had ever been gathered. After the blossoms fell off the email fruit set very well on the trees, but after about ten days had elapsed it was seen that a great quantity of this small fruit was making no development; in fact, was beginning to shrivel and drop off the trees, and this condition ha 9 continued. It is the opinion of all experts that prunes in California will not be over 50 per cent, of a normal crop, or in other words, will be about the same size crop'as last. year. Different reasons for the fruit shrivelling and dropping from tho trees have been advanced, but the following seems to be the most plausible. The, two dz+ seasons previous to this year have caused tho trees to become considerably weaker, with the result that in spite of tho good rains this winter, the trees have been unable to carry tho enormous load upon them., with tho result that nature drops off half of the fruit so as to develop th e balance. Apricots: The crop looks very fine, but prices havo been advancing right along, as there has been a very steady dcinand from all buying markets. Peaches: There had been a slight advance in prices lately, and all indications are for a good crop. Raisins : The recent demand has been exceptionally good, and prices are ruling very firm, due probably to the control exerted by the Associated Raisin Co.

Oil of Lemon. —This article is now at a premium, owing to the recent severe earthquake in Catania and round about there—that being one of tho principal sources of supply.

Linseed 00.—The market remains steady, and to-day's cable advanced the price slightly. White lead in oil remains unchanged.

"Woolsacks and Cornsacks. —The Calcutta market is very firm, with many enquiries. Mills have been very reserved in their attitude towards buyers, having very little left to- dispose of this side of July, and in the absence of sellers of jute for distant delivery, they are not keen on forward business.

Pig-Iron prices have not altered for June shipment. Exchange Rates. —It will interest all buyers to know that exchange rates between London and New Zealand havo boan reduced by § per cent, and the present rates obtaining are:— x Demand draft, i per cent. 30 days'.draft, 1J per cenfc, 60 days' draft, 1-J per cent. 90 days' draft, 2J per cent.