LATE COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17720, 23 March 1923, Page 11

LATE COMMERCIAL.

SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PKESB.") INVERCAEGILL, March 22. Oat*—-The shipping market has been easier during tho week, although, there is still * fair enquiry but on a lower basis. So far only a few lines of new Bcaeon'a oats have been offered. These have been bringing about 2s 9d to 2s 9Jd per bushel on trucks for A grade B grade axe worth about W less and f.a.q. about 2s 4&. Wheat—Practically no new season's wheat • is yet offering, bat it should bo on the market shortly. Milling lines will probably command tho price arranged between tho northern farmers and the millers when this price has received the sanction of tho Government. There is a fair demand til fowl wheat, both for shipping and local consumption. The price to farmers for ,go©i i whole quality is about 3s 9d on truckfi. Chaff—The market is .becoming more plentifully supplied. A fair quantity of old £eason's is coming to band and BOme new season'B is also offering. The price for prime quality is about £3 15s per ton. Inferior quality is not in demand, and is only saleable at a big reduction, on- this price. HyegTass—There has been a keen demand and 5s has been paid for heavy, clean lines of good quality need. Most of the lines seem to contain a larger percentage ot impurities than usual, andi these are Baling at a reduction. Prices for the general run of seed from about 4s 3d to bz. Potatoes—Tho local market is not too plentifully supplied. Probably farmers aT« too busy with harvesting operation* to give attention to digging thJR: potatoes. It is anticipated that when they come more fully on the market there will be a considerable reduction in price. Extra prime linos at present are selling at up to 9s per cwt less commission and charges. Fruit—Business has been -very brisk in tho fruit marts during the week. Supplies have been coming to hand very plentifully, particularly pears and apples. Consignments of tomatoes have eased a little, consequently the market i 3 somewhat firmer. Good dcSweTt plums arc a ready Bale, but pmall and inferior ar<3 practically unsaleable. Lemons are meeting with a alow aal*, but oranges have been cleared and the jnarket is biro of supplies. Unseaaonablt weather has had a. bad effect on the sale of grapes, with a result that lines' have been difficult to quit. A consignment of bananas :3 expected to arrivo before EasteV and should realise fair values. The 'Waikouaiti, arriving at the end of the week, will bring pio melons and pineapples from Sydney, and it is expected that they will be in strong demand. Current prices are.:Peaches, dessert, 4sd per lb, cooking 2d to 3d; nectarines to Sd; plums, dessert, Sdj cooking 2d; apples, best dessert, to 12s per case, cooking, to Gs per casa; pears, 2d to 3d per lb; grapes, Is to Is 5d per lb; pineapples, . 26s per box; tomatoes, dessert, 3d to 4d, outside grown 2d to 2Jd.