WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18066, 5 April 1919, Page 7

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

j HARDWARE. The leading question now being discussed 1 In stool circles is whether the United States ie going to, bo able to secure its full share ' of export business in iron and steel products. Tho chances have been increased to some extent recently by very sharp reductions in ooean freight rates. It seems certain, however, that further reductions will be necessary bofore tho United States oan be a keen competitor of England and Prance in the consuming markets in foreign countries. The base price for oorrugatod iron to-day j is £BO per ton, and for plain galvanised | iron the same figure is being quoted. Bar iron, ordinary bars, £3l, and shoeing £32 per ton. For wire nails £55 per ton base is to-day’s quotation. White lead and linseed oil show no alteration. Macclesfield blueBtono 75s per cent. Sheet load £4B per ton base. Fencing wire, galvanised £4O per ton; barbed in cwts, £45 per ton. in reels £4O per ton, with very little demand. Ingot tin 2s Od per lb. GROCERIES. The manufacturer of a well-known brand of English- cocoa, which has been off the market for some time, is not yet ready to put up the ordinary lines, but in the meantime a lino of loose ooooa will bo placed upon tho market and will bo sold at reasonable prices, Recently shipments of Engliahj packed tobaccos arrived on a very bore I market. ! English packers of fish do not know whether or not thoy will be able to put on their | specialities this season. Prices will not be 1 on the pre-war level for some time to como. ! There was another reduction in freights from England recently. All kinds of fruit in California have been sold out, and there is no posaibility of securing more until the new season's make their appoaranco. Quotations that have been made for the new soason’s crop of prunes show a rolo- . tively high price. A reduction of 2s a dozen in lib tins of caustic coda is announced. The market is bare of sugar, but supplies are expeoted during the ensuing week. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Vegetables oontinuo in short supply and prices are consequently high. Tho shortage will continue for a month or two, until the second plant matures. All tho stone fruit that is on the market is practically confined to tho late variety of peaches, and they are selling at a very high rate. There are fair supplies of tomatoes, but many have been affected by tho recent frosts. Prices are somewhat easier. Owing to the influenza ahd the quarantine restrictions, there is nothing coming to hand from Sydney. There was only a very email ehipmont of oranges and bananas from the islands. Values are high.' There is not likely to be another shipment until after Easter. die following are quotations:— a. d. e. d.

POULTRY. There has been an excellent demand during the week for poultry, and increased demands are ooming forward to meet tho Easter trade. Prices are much firmer than they have been in former years, hens being specially dearer. Quotations are:—Table ohickons fis 6d to 11s, hens 4s 6d to 7s 6d, lighter sorts 2s Gd to 4s, pullets 7s 6d to 16s 6d, ducks ss. to 9s, geese 7s to 10s, turkeys lls to 32s 6d. EGGB. During the past fow days the demand for eggs has exceeded the supply. Canterbury Egg Circle’s price for first grade, is 2s 2d per dozen; and second grade 2s per dozen. Recent large shipping orders are responsible for tho shortage of eggs in Canterbury.

Apples, dessert, per case , 0 6 to 10 0 Apples, oooking, per case 7 0 to 8 0 GrapeB, per lb 1 4 to 1 7 Lemons, ’Frisco, per case . 36 0 Passions, per oaao • 6 0 to 0 Pears, per case . . . 6 0 0 Peaches, per lb 0 4 to 0 41 Tomatoes, per case Tomatoes, local, pea: lb . 7 0 to 7 6 0 8 to 0 4 Walnuts, per lb . Beans, kidney, per lb . 0 8 0 6 Boot, per dozen bundles . 1 8 Cabbages, per dozen . 4 6 to 8 0 Cauliflowers, per dozen 4 6 to 8 6 Carrots, per dozen bundles . 1 3 6 Cucumbers, per case 6 6 to 7 Celery, per bundle 0 8 to 0 9 Green peas, local, per peck 2 6 to 3 0 Kumoras. per lb 0 3 to 0 31 Lettuce, per dozen . . 0 8 to 1 6 Marrows, per dozen . . 4 6 to 8 8 New potatoes, local, per S.B. Onions, local, per S.B. 3 6 8 0 Onions, pickling, per cwt . 9 Q Parsnips, per dozen bdls. . 1 6 Potatoes, per sack 18 0 Pumpkins, per dozen . 9 0 8 Radishes, per dozen bundles 0 6 to 0 Spring onions, ner doz. bdls. Turnipa, per dozon bundles . 0 8 1 8