WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17949, 16 November 1918, Page 9

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE.

CHRISTCHURCH. November 1.5. GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Shipments of new season Californian fruits will arrive in Christchurch nest week. Raisins and tho seedless variety will be late in arriving, but Thompson's seedless raisins in cartons and in bulk aro included in tho present shipment. Figs aro also obtainable. , , ■ One of the largest packing houses oi dried fruits, writing on October 2 advises as follows:—"It is with regret that wo are compelled to call your attention to tho fact that both the grape and tho raisin crops; have been damaged. During tho past two weeks the weather conditions throughout Ihe State have been very unsettled, causing , heavy showers to fall. Both black grpoa and raisin grapes wye, at tho time, drying on the trays and a very considerable damage has been caused which will materially cut down the tonnage figured uno.n. -At the present time it is impossible to giv'o a definite- idea of the loss." On account ot tho above somo houses are shipping only 75 per cont of their orders ior seeded raisins. Tho influenza epidemic is having a serious effect upon tho grocery business, both wholesale and retail. General lines aro consequently in small demand, but certain patent medicines, disinfectants and sulphur have been in largo request. In most cases merchants stocks bavo been sufficient to meet the demand. There has been an advance of 4s per box in the price of Zebra black lead. Plume bonzoline has advanced Is per caso and Calif distillate lCd per case. Methylated epirits aro in short supply. A small shipment of bulk turpentine is to hand, and is quoted at 60s per case. A now line, Amo, an imitation of the well-known Bon Ami is being manufactured locally. , . . ... It is anticipated that the of the armistice will not make any immediate dnferenco to the grocery trade. Tho containers for many linos, tin plates, bottles, etc., will continue in' short supply for many months at least. While this is so many local manufacturers will be -unable to reduce their prices. The great shortage of foodstuffs in Europe will cause keen competition for most imported lines, so that there should be 110 reason for shopkeepers to hold large stocks or pot nervous over tho sudden change iu the war situation. There have been no alteration In prices of anv consequence during the week. The Colonial Sugar Kenning Company advises that owin eto shortage of tin plates they are forced to discontinue packing syrup and treacle in 2lb and Tib tins.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. "Vegetables have been in fair supply, and has been a good demand. Prices were slightly lower than on the previous week. Apples have been selling well at lis. I,\exe is a good supply nr.d prices remain firm. Cherries ar.d tomatoes are comine in _ in small supplies, aud prices are still high. The co'.d snap, of last week, no doubt, is responsible for the email, supply of locally crown tomatoes and cherries. There was io Sydney boat this wee/., and few oranges are on the market. The price is very high. ' A shipment of Cook Island bananas ami oranges arrived to-day, but owing to the fact that they have been on board for so

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long they are in verv poor condition. Only a small quantity arrived, and record prices aro quoted for them. A large shipment of fruit from Auckland is still held up in Wellington. A large shipment of pines, oranges, ; lemons, etc., is expected at the end of nest , week. . Tho following were the prices current dur- ,'

POULTRY. There has beon a gcod demand during the week for table chickens. Current quotations during tho week wore chickens os fid to lis 6d, hens 4s Gd to 7s lOd, pullets 5s 6d to 12s, ducks 7a to 8a Gd, tablo ducklings 7s to 11a 3d, gec-so 7s to lis, turkeys lis to 27s 6d. EGOS. The demand for osgs has fallen off considerably, tho chief cause for which rrnst be attributed to the influenza visitation.- Quoa-t tions are:—Canterbury Egg Circle's oggs, first grade Is 4d, second grado Is 3d per doz.

ing the week: — 1 s. d. s. a. Apples, dessert, per case . M. o Apples, cooking, per case . io o to n 0 Bananas, per case . f 17 0 to 19 0 Cocpanuts, per sack Cherries, local, per lb . 20 0 to 22 0 . -2 2 to 2 5 Gooseberries, per lb .■ 0 3 Oranges, Cook Island,"case . 80 0 to 50 0 Tomatoes, per lb . .2 0 to 2 G Walnut?, per lb . 0 11 Asparagus, per doz bdla , 5 0 to 7 r, Cabbages, per dot . . 2 0 to 3 <\ Cauliflowers, per doz . /) 0 to 14 0 Carrots, • per doz bdls . . 0 S to- 1 a Cucumbers,, per lb . • . 0 10 to .1 l Oreeri peas, p°r peck . , 3 C to 3 10 Lettuce, per doz . . . 1 9 to 2 " -j Onions, local, per cirt . , 52. • 0 to 30 0 Parsnips, per doz bdla , . 1 3 to 1 0 Potatoes, per sack . . 22' 0 to 21 0 Rn.disb.e3, per doz bells . . 0 4 to 0' 0 Rhubarb, per doz bells . . 1 6 to 2 3 Spring onions, per bdl . . o in to l 1 Turnipa, per doz bdls . . ' 1 3 to 1 T