RETAIL FOOD PRICES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21086, 10 February 1934, Page 11

RETAIL FOOD PRICES

LITTLE CHANGE IN INDEX

The index number of retail food prices was practically unchanged in December, as compared with November, the actual figures being (on base 1926-30=1000), November, 751; and December, 750 (states the "Abstract of Statistics"). The index number for the groceries group rose since the previous month, but this increase was counteracted by a fall in the dairy products index, the index number for the meat group remaining practically stationary. Share prices continue to display the upward tendency manifest in recent months, the index number of market quotations of 49 representative ordinary shares on the last trading day in December being 897 (on the base: average prices in 1926=1000), an increase of 4 points over the November figure.

The index number of export prices for the month of December, 1933, was 1046 (on the base: average prices ruling during 1909-13 = 1000), an increase of 2.4 per cent, over the November figure, and the highest index since 1930. The cumulative increase since the record low level in May, 1933, is 29.5 per cent. The influence of higher wool prices is reflected in an increase in the index number for the wool group from 769 in November to i 1008 in December. The index for the meat group increased from 1438 in November to 1472 in December. These increases were more than sufficient to counteract a further fall in the index number for the dairy products group, which was 805 in December as compared with 907 in November. The index number of wholesale prices of locally-produced commodities was exactly the same in December as in November—viz.. 1296 (on the base: average prices ruling during 1909-13 = 1000). while the importel ffISS 3 S£ ex rose fHsfrtty from 1344 to 1349. The general index numrwn *;° se * ron V l3lß in Novanber to 1320 in December. AUCTION SALE The Railway Auction Yards report an improved enquiry and Rood attendance of the public at their weekly auction sale. The principal prices realised were:—Carpet "3 1/s Gd, durhosse £2 7s 6d, wardrobe £B. 4ft Gin kapoc mattress £1 12s 6d, S single wood beds and wires £4 17s 6d, duchesse £l, single bed and wire £1 2s 6d, single iron !l ?U d ";"\ 12s 6d ' ka P° c wnfer mattress 18s 6d. duchesse £1 2s Cd, carpet £5 10s dress,,,, table 15s, 3 Bft kapoc mattresses £■l 7s Gd, .Scotch chest 10s, lo chairs at 10s' i„•,1 ,, r 1e and wiro 7s 6d, duchesse £1 f. 61, V? < : ha,l \ ' fc 7s Gd eaoh - gramophone £2, double iron bed and wire 3 ss, push-chsir £1 10s, chest drawers £l, 9yds floor covering- £1 15s 3d, coir matting 12s 6d, mirror lus .single iron bed and wire 12s 6d, counter -i o'i' tV - n t ab,e I 5s ' Uno - * os . Pillows' ','- h u piano £2 5s ' H»t«-leg table • is 6d, cupboard 7s 6d, lino. 10s, mangle l os. double iron bed and wire 10s, show case 15s, hall Btand 7s 6d, suit case £1 5s i^T-, 10 !'- 1 '? 0 - I<H pedestal 15s, eouoh ]I .s 6d, electric iron 17s 6d, basin £l, wringer 7s (3d, sheet glass 15s, sheet 3-plv 4s 6d 1 Hn cream paint 15s, wallpaper 6s, timber •13, garden fork 7s. timber £1 2„, gen t's bicycle 11 15s, separator £2 15s, 8 iloor crumps £1 12s, bicycle £1 7s 6d, lawnmower 10s, horse cover 10s, saddle £1 2s Od barrow 12s, set bumper bars 17s 6d, wagcon £3 10s, stove £2 7s, cultivator £2 d f plough £9 10s, waggon £3, box cart £4 17s Gd, double-furrow plough £6, wheat Us 6d to 13s, oats 8s 6d, chaff 3s. —8 RED COMB EGG AND POULTRY COMPANY The Red Comb Egs and Poultry Co., 166 Tuam street, Christchurch, report full penat both Saturday's and Wednesday's auction sales of poultry. Culling operations have increased somewhat during the last few weeks, with the result that large quantities of birds are now being marketed. Boilers predominate, but the increase in supply has had little or no effect on the demand, which continues to be keen. Sellers aro advised to market chickens before they grow much spur, as they depreciate in value considerably when they aro hard. A good number of pullets and yearling hens were offered, and those of good quality realised high prices. Tho average price realised for poultry during (ho week a pair was:—Boasting chicken, light np to 5s 6d, medium up to

7a 3d, heavy up to 10s; heae, light up to 3s 6d, heayy up to 6s 3d; ducks, up to 6s «d; yearling hens, up to 4s; pullets, up to 10»: turkeys. Is per lb. Eggs—Tested, machine graded, guaranteed fresh first grade Is 2d, second grade Is Id, a dozen. Messrs Macfarlaue and Co., Ltd., report (hat their prices for eggs aie:—First Rrade, la lid to Is 2d a dozen; second grade. Is to Is Id a. dozen; duck eggs, to Is id a dozen.