COMMERCIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16560, 8 June 1917, Page 3

COMMERCIAL

WHOLESALE TRADE QUIET.

THE PRODUCE MARKET.

A quiet week is reported in the wholeBale. Buyers are apparently fairly well supplied with general goods, and are only buying as required. The difficulties in importing are likely to increase, and, according to advices from America, there will for the future be the same restrictions on trade that have been forced on the British manufacturer through war requirements. It is expected that, besides curtailing the supplies of iron and steel, and similar goods that are directly required in the war, the determination of the American Government to give the war first place will further restrict the amount of shipping between New Zealand and American ports. This applies to both coasts, and is likely to cause difficulty in the supply of benzine and similar goods, of which a large supply is never stocked in New Zealand. Already importers are becoming anxious about the supplies of absolute necessities which they have been drawing from America, especially those that they cannot obtain elsewhere. American ' goods recently to hand have sold well, and all English goods are receiving special attention where the importation is likely to be curtailed. Potatoes: The market is still heavily overstocked, and as further shipments arc on th« way it looks as if it will be some weeks before tho accumulations are cleared. Merchants are also having difficulty on account of the indifferent Quality of some of the samples. Tho market has given way in tho South, owing to lack of orders for Nona Island ports, and the local price is weak at £7 to £7 10s ei store Seed Potatoes: A slightly better inquiry has set in during the week, owing to the decided improvement in the weather, a whole week having passed without rain. Early varieties are in demand, and there seems a, good prospect of favourable prices for the now crop. , , . . Onions: The price has again advanced in the South, and shippers are trying to buy back their contracts. At present there are none here, as the last steamer brought the smallest shipment that has ever been landed, and the price is nominally £14 10s. Supplies are due shortly from Melbourne, via the South, but on account of the difficulty m getting large quantities the market prospects are all in favour of high prices. Oats: Local stocks are now very small, and the market is firm at 4s lOd ex store. Price has advanced again in the South, but very few are obtainable, and merchants are still looking to Australia for their supplies. It is reported that an opportunity nas lately offered for space for a large quantity, front Tasmania, and when this is secured it will considerably relieve the local shortage. Wheat: Poor quality wheat is offering from Australia at very low rates, but the shortage of shipping space prevents this from being obtainable. Fowl wheat is in very short supply locally, and the market could easily absorb a line of Australian if it could be brought over. Barley: The market ?s a little firmor, ana the price would probably attract supplies from Australia if freight were available. Maize: A good demand has been sustained, as usually happens at this season of the year, but as shipments from the coast were ftbove normal, the price has given way a little. Consignments realised 4s 8d to 4s lOd on the wharf in wholesale lines. Chaff: Market is firm, £8 10s to £8 15s for Southern, but very little is offering, and any to hand sells at once. Pollard: Stocks are very light, and merchants are bringing over a little ricemeal from Australia to make up for the shortage.

BUTTER AND EGGS. The Dairy Produce Committee has fixed the wholesale prices of butter and eggs for the week ending June 14 as follows:— Farmers' butter, first grade, lid per lb; fresh eggs. Is lOd per dozen.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received 10.15 p.m.) ' SYDNEY, June 7, Oats: Algerian, feeding 2s Ed to 2s 6d» milling 2s 8d to 2s 10d; Tasmanian, 3s Id to 3s sd. Maize, 3s 4d to 3s 6d. Potatoes:! Tasmanian, £a to £7. Onions. £6. ADELAIDE, June 7,

Oats, 2s Id.

PROPERTY SALES.

A block of land of over 1\ acres, with two houses and two cottages, in Great North Road, Grey Lynn, will bo offered for sale by auction by Robert C. Carr and Son at noon to-day. The property is being sold by order of the trustee in the estate of John Hanlon, deceased. Particulars are advertised.

Mr. J. Thornes reports a successful sale by auction of sections in the- estate of the late Mrs. Jolly, of Frankton, on 'Wednesday, when soma 80 lots were sold at prices from £100 to £400 each. The residence in Kent Street was sold for £650. Sine* the auction several sales.were made privately, and the remainder is to be offered at auction to-night, at 7.30. Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons, Ltd., will hold an auction sale at their land sale rooms, 87, Queen Street, at 2 p.m. to.-day, when th« following, properties will be offered:—Farm of 24} acres at Waimarie. near Hobsonville; farm of 100} acres, near Waiuku; and bungalow and three sections at Eemuera—all these sales being by order of the mortgagees:., also, on behalf of the Auckland City Council, three houses for removal.