THE MARKETS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 3

THE MARKETS.

GRAPES PLENTIFUL. A shipment of 300 cases of pears arrived from Melbourne yesterday, ex Warrimoo, and a portion of the fruit opened up in over-ripe condition, but the bulk was firm and green. Choice fruit sold from lls to 15s per bushel case. The usual shipment of fruit from Sydney landed on Thursday from the Moeraki, the fruit comprising pineapples, which sold at 6s* to 7s; passion fruit, 2s to 3s 6d per half-case; pears, 13s to 15s; water melons, 6d to 2s 3d each. Grapes were very plentiful in the market this morning, consignments arriving from Nelson, Auckland, and the .Lower Hutt. Some very choice samples sold from lOd to 10£ d per lb, but thebulk of them quitted at 9d. A few apricots were sold to-day at 6s per halfcase. The Nelson season is about over. Cape gooseberries brought 3£d to 4d perlb. Tomatoes are plentiful and cheap" During the week values have dropped fully 50 per cent. Choice, local sold today from 2s 6d to 3s 6d ; "others from 2s to 3s. Large Blue Diamond plums quitted from 2s to 2s 6d; small Japanese sorts are plentiful at Is 6d to 2s; extra choice large, 3s to ss. Prunes are in poor -demand at is 6d to 2s ; green gages' sold at 4s 6d to ss. Cucumbers are plentiful at 2s to 2s 6d per half-case. A few Mussina lemons sold to-day at 13s per box of 150. Nectarines are worth 4s to ss. Raspberries were in good demand this morning, some well filled buckets selling from 6s to 7s. A few local grown strawberries came to hand, and sold from Is to Is 6d per lb. All lines of vegetables are plentiful, and the market is well supplied. Marrows are selling at Is 6d to 2s; cauliflowers, 6s to . 9s ; cabbages, 2s 6d to 3s 6d ; potatoes, 4s 6d to 6s 6d per cwt ; green peas, *3s to 10s per bag ; French beans, 3s to 4s ; parsnips, 4s 6d to 5s 6d ; carrots, 6s to 7s ; turnips, 2s to 3s ; lettuce, Is 6d to 2s 6d per case.

The old and much advocated proposition of the advantages of Manchester as a market for Australian produce was Jately made the subject of a comprehensive report from Mr. R. V. Billis, the officer at present in charge of immigration matters at the Victorian AgentGeneral's office in London. Mr. Billis stated that Manchester, which is one of ttie best markets in Great Britain' for fr.uit, frozen meat, and dairy produce, is comparatively unexploited by Victoria and the other Australian States', and he points out the savings that might be effected if a direct shipping service could be established with Manchester. According to Home papers, Manchester merchants complain bitterly that the transport charges entailed by delivery in London are a great injustice both to Australia and Lancashire,