COMMERCIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16924, 9 August 1918, Page 3

COMMERCIAL

THE P.RODUCE MARKETS-

POTATOES STILL VERY SCARCE.

Merchants report a very quiet reek. Skipping has boon exceptionally quiet, so that deliveries from tho wharf have been almost nil. It is expcctod that there will bo considerable activity on the wharf at tho beginning of next week, and large deliveries will be made from ship's side. Thoro ia koon disappointment regarding tho absonco of facilities for obtaining goods from Australia, the Tarawora being unable to copo with the amount of freight offering for shipment to Auckland. A few importers aro experimenting by getting their goods diverted to Wellington, but not much progress has resulted, and tho goods are now delayed in Wellington, with no prospect, of gotting them hero except by rail. There may be good and sulkclout roa&ons why a largo steamer recently arrived in Auckland from Australia with, empty holds that could have held several thousands of tons now lying on tho other sido, but the mere fact that nothing csjiio only increases the irritation that is felt that something ia not being done to deal with Auckland's necessities. _ Potatoes: Tho scarcity has not been relieved, and tho market keeps very firm. During the week merchants have been quoting from £14 to £14 10s ex store, but very small deliveries have boen made, and the next arrival will come to an exceptionally koen market. It is voir rarely indeed that potatoes reach suck a high level' at Hut timo of the year, and there is some app.'hension as to how the requirements of the Dominion are to bo met (luring tho next few mouths. Seed Potatoes: Although fairly showery weather has prevailed during tho pa it few days, there has been nothing to prevent potato planting, and a good demand (or seod potatoes is reported. Stocks are already running low, and merchants are arranging for further supplies. Very early lots havo not beei. very fortunate, as it is reported that the frost of a fortnight ago did considerable damage. Onions: Price remains at 35s and upwards for Australian, quotations depending partly on samplo, as somo lots must bo moved off at once. The first of the American tro expected next week, and in anticipation of this arrival bookings havo been made at various prices up to Cd per lb wholesale. It is very unlikely that, sufficient will arrive in tho Dominion during the next three months, and owners are shaping their prieo accordingly Oats: Market keeps very firm, and graded oats are quoted at 5s lid to 6s ex store. Local slocks aro not actually low, but they are sufficiently reduced for importers to view the future with some concern, and heavier orders are being sent South than can at present be filled. Oatmeal: Price has advanced. All doicriptions of oatmeal and rolled oats aro selling well, and it is often impossiblo to fill orders.

Wheat: Fowl wheat continues m Good demand at 7s 9d ex atom. Bran and Pollard: Both lines are ecarco again, and during tho week it has been iraFcesiblo to fill orders in full. Chaff: It is quite hopeless to fill orders until the arrival of tho To Ana.u next week, bringing a special cargo from Lyttelton. Present price is £13 per ton. and unfortunately there will not be much relief next week, as tho importers by tho To Anau are paying a specially high freight. During the la 3* few days it has been reported that scarcity of tonnage 13 not tho only difficulty in tho way of securing chaff for this market, and that there in such a scarcity of stocks in Christchurch that the price has been rapidly forced up. It is rumoured that as high as £13 has been paid _ this week. Maize: Only limited quantities have arrived and these aro selling at about 6s 9d on tho wharf in wholesale lines. Flax and Kauri Gum: During tho week fair quantities have been loaded for America, but not sufficient to make much impression on tho largo stocks held here. It is expected that next week' a further quantity will be shipped. PROPERTY SALES. Messrs. T. Mandeno Jackson, by order o! the registrar, will offer for salo by public auction at their rooms, Customs Street, at cloven o'clock this morning, th;ee compact farms, situated at Brooklyn, coven miles from New Lynn railway station, and comprising 112 a 2r 27p, 359 a 3r 25p and 233 a 3r 17p respectively. _ r ~ AUCKLAND STOCK SALES. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report having held their»weekly sale of fat stock at Westfield on Wednesday as under:— Beef: A fair yarding, which sold at the samo as last week. Extra prime ox sold at up to £2 12s; ordinary qualty, £2 8s to £2 10s: cow and heifer beef, 43s to 475. Veal: A moderate yarding, and prices about the same as last week. Extra, heavy runnors made up to £7 Ms; heavy suckers, £3 6s to £4; small, 10s to 253. Mutton: A fair yarding, and prices were easier, except for prime sheep. Prima wethers sold at up to £2 4s, for extra heavy, medium weight 30a 6d to 335; prime ewes, up to 3Es; storo ewes, 153 to 20s. Lamb: A fair yarding. Good lines woolly made up to 863; shorn up to 30s; others, 15s to 255. Pork: Somewhat firmor. Good yarding. Choppers made £5 10s to £0 10s j baconers, £3 15s to £4 ss; porkers, 35s to £3.