GROCERY NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26129, 3 June 1950, Page 10

GROCERY NOTES

Although it was expected that after the removal of subsidies unsettled conditions would be experienced for some time in the grocery trade, merchants report that there is very little change and that trade is normal. Retailers are being kept busy by price changes, but these are not as numerous as was expected, and there has been no noticeable decrease in turnover because of higher prices. As time goes on, the most difficult problems for the wholesale distributors will be to keep the trade supplied, as reports from overseas indicate a short market in numerous lines. The Christchurch quota of the new season’s shipment of Australian dried apricots which has now been distributed to retailers will practically complete all contracts and further supplies are not likely to be available from this source. Probably small supplies will arrive from South Africa.

Jelly Crystals.—lt is not expected that the increase in the price of jelly crystals, brought about by higher prices far sugar and gelatine, will be very large. Spices.—Spices, particularly root ginger and pepper, which form perhaps the main items o£ imported spices, are very scarce. This can be accounted for by the fact that import licences are totally inadequate to cope with the high prices ruling overseas. In 1.938 10 tons of ginger and 10 tons each of black and white pepper could be imported for a specific amount. In 1947 the same value would permit three tons of ginger and one and a half tons each of the two grades of pepper, but for this year, at the increased overseas quotations. only one ton of ginger, a quarter of a ton of black, and a quarter of a ton of white pepper could be imported. - Almonds.—Buyers are now displaying some interest in the import of shelled almonds for the Christmas trade. Although these should arrive long before they are required if shipment is made after June; ther is a certain amount of risk of weevil and mould, which are prevalent during the summer months in the exporting countries. Prices recently received are up on last year’s quotations. Sago and Tapioca.—The indications are that higher prices will prevail for these lines. It is said in reports recently received that the low prices quoted were due to the fact that a certain amount of speculative buying was done in anticipation of a heavy demand from the United Kingdom. This did not eventuate and holders were forced to realise on heavy stocks at prices considerably below the true market value.

Gelatine.—New price lists for gelatine showing an increase of about 10 per cent, for bulk supplies and 5 per cent, for the packet lines, have been received by merchants. Moderate stocks of all packings are on hand.

MINING

WEST COAST RETURNS Grey River.—This dredging company’s return fo ■ the clean-up period. May 17 to May 30. was 211 ounces of gold from 109.000 yards in 205% hours. Kaniere.—This gold dredging unit, operated by Gold Mines of New Zealand, Ltd., won 1087 ounces of gold from 182,000 yards in 447 hours during May. The short time worked in the last fortnight was attributable to flood conditions.

Snowy River.—This dredge’s return for the fortnight ended June 1 was 287 ounces of gold from 40,000 yards in 254 hours. Premier Gold.—This dredge, which faced excess flooding conditions in Caribou creek in the flood period, was undamaged, but has been idle this week.—(F.O.O.R.)

Martha (Waihi).—For the four weeks ended May 20, the mine operated on 19 days, crushing 7626 tons ore for 1652 ounces gold and 12,175 ounces silver. — (P.S.S.)

Ngahere.—The Ngahere return for the two weeks ended June 2 was 235 ounces gold from 103.108 yards, worked in 223 hours.