WELLINGTON MARKETS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 184, 6 August 1917, Page 6

WELLINGTON MARKETS.

The New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Distributing Company reports the potato market as "in ;v somewhat doubtful condition." Some state that, owing to the stocks in Auckland now being down to normal and their crops of early tubers promising to bo nearly two months late .'planting having been delayed by wet weather), the demand in this market would tend to harden prices. Some Southern merchants have gone «> far ass to ' raise their quotations, while others, affirming that there are more than sufficient for all requirements, are still quoting at late rates. Oats are very firm, and, from all reports to hand" from as far south as Invereargill, indicate that South Island -stocks are little larger than their own districts can absorb. This, .taken into consideration with the xmcerbainty of cargoes from Aifstralia, and the* local demand somewhat increasing, points to, higher prices in the near future.

MaiVe is still very firm. The demand for Colonial is still good, and a very m"ee, clean shipment this week froir. Australia met with a ready sale at ruling rates. From all reports, southern stocks of wheat -ire all exhausted, and our only source of supply is from Australia, from which place a shipment of first-grade milling grain was landed here during the week for the New Zealand Government; also some,.fowl" wheat, the quality of which *" was better than some lines delivered earlier in the season. • The price of the latter lias slightly advanced. Onions On jjecouat of a keen de- " aid in America for Australian onions, the price has advanced considerably on that wide. This, and the shortage of space available to thus •.» ntry, caused some excitement during the week—very high rates now being obtainable. Bran and Pollard: The position with regard to these has now become very acute, millers only supplying small proportions of each order for flour. 11l consequence prices have again slightly advanced. This applies to all substitutes such as rice pollard and rice meal, etc. A little larger quantity of pork than last week has come to hand, but the demand is phenomenal, prime lines realising high prices. Baconers are practically unprocurable. Vegetables.—The market is, on the whole/ very bare, and food prices are being realised for all Hues. Choice lines' of cabbage and cauliflower are realising1-high prices, while the demand for escond quality is also good. Carrots, turnips, and par&nips are in keen demand, and prices arc inclined to advance. The supply of beetroot is very short, and high rates are ruling. Swedes have been scarce, and the demand is good. Marrows and pumpkins are in fair supply, only at slightly higher rates. Celery has advanced in price. A small line of kumaras came to hand from the Islands, and although second grade, these brought top rates. Rhubarb is very scarce. Beans are unprocurable.

Fruit.—All kinds of New Zealand fruit are in very short supply. Both dessert and cooking apule-s are readily bought up at high figures. Only very few lines of dessert and cooking pears are now seen in the markets, and these in consequence are realising Lop rates.

Vegetables.—Potatoes, prime Hutt £5 to £5 12s Cd per ton; cabbage, 5s to 10s per sack; cauliflower, 10s to 25s per sack; carrots, best 6s to 8s per sack; onions, local £16 per ton; tuTnips, white 5s per sack; lettuce, choice 3s 6d to 6s per ease.; beetroot, 14k per sack; spring onions, 8d per bundle; parnsips. 7s 6d to 9s 6d per sack; marrows, 4s to 7s per sack ; swedes, 3s 6d per sack ; pumpkins, 5s to 6s 6d per sack; eoleiy, 5s to 6s per dozen; leeks, 8d to 10d per bundle; kumaras, 2d per lb; artichokes, 2d per lb.

Fruit.—Apples, deport, 10s to 12s par full case, cooking 6s to 9s per full case; pears, local' W.C. dessert 10^; per balf-easo, local W.C cooking 9s 6d per full case