AUCKLAND BUTTER DEARER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 2631, 5 August 1908, Page 3

AUCKLAND BUTTER DEARER.

EQUAL TO WELLINGTON PRICE. \ AN INCIDENT OP FLEET WEEK. An Auckland Press Association mossago states:—A further advance of ono halfpenny per pound brings tlio wholesale price of butter to Is. 3id. a pound, but with tho continuance of,;the . present mild weather. supplies should soon bo largely/increased." This, increase brings the price on a level with . tho wholesale; price . ruling in Wellington. . The opportunities of fleet week have apparently tempted the wholesale houses to raiso tho price,. There will doubtless be considerably more • butter used in Auckland on account of tho largo numbers of visitors at tho' hotels and boardinghouses; and' also perhaps-a limited quantity of additional but-ter-'for the fleet. . There, are over 100 tons of butter in tho' cold 'stores of Auckland ;city; and a further 13'J tons stored within easy reach—at New Plymouth. ' ''

Our ; Special Auckland correspondent telegraphs:—Tho quantity of butter in tho cool stores of the Dominion has now reached a low ebb, and the: fresh make will not be available, for some weeks yet. Consequently; the-holders of stocks are now asking an, enhanced price, and the wholesale rate, wliich advanced Jd- per lb. a \week :or two back, will.be raised again as from to-day bV another Id., making 'tho .wholesale^rate .• Is. 3J-d; per lbl, or ljd. higher than the average retail price, at other ■ seasons of tho' year. Operations on tho market at, the closo of tho export season led to higher rates ruling, but it was scarcely expected, in view.- : of tho .quantities the factories continued to turn out after • closing down on export-,: that the merchants, would bo able to get a wholesale rateipf..ls.' 3Jd.'.;per lb. before the fresh butter'came in. However, tho high figure can bo but of short duration now, as already the factories' aro preparing to commence the season, and, 1 with a continuance of tho present mild weather, a number of factories will probably commence operations this month.-