COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17966, 16 December 1921, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

THE OHRIBTMAB TRADE.

WHOLESALE VERY BUSY.

■ RETAIL IMPROVING. i The wholesale houses are now in the busiest week of the year, and very, heavy deliveries are being made. It is noticeab'e, however, that buying is very cautious and there is no speculation, even in those few lines that have a tendency to harden. Distributors are operating very carefully, ana taking only actual requirements, but as this has been the general policy for some time there is all the more necessity to buy rather heavily now, and orders in the aggregate aro very satisfactory. Retailers report a slight improvement during the week, and if the weather keeps fine this will result in a rush of business during the late night this week. Otherwise it will mean crowdiug an extraordinary amount of sales into next week, the last before the holidays,' and all those houses that specially cater for Christmas trade are now making the last of their wholesale purchases, so that they will be equal to all demands. Dairy Piroduce.—The markets are not at all cheerful, the news this week of a heavy fall in butter in Britain being the worst that has come to hand since the decline set in. Tho consequent reduction of 2d in the local price will be welcomed by householders, but this is a Bmall matter compared with the reduced earnings of tho farmers, especially as dairy farming has lately made such great progress in the Auckland province. The remarkably favourable weather conditions experienced* so far will, no doubt, bring an increased yield that will to a certain extent be put against the lower prices, but nothing can make the returns equal to _ those of last year. Cheese has occasionally shown signs of a little firmness, but rather low offers are being made now. Hams and bacon are in plentiful supply and the market is decidedly weaker. Efijs remain at Is 8d wholesale, compared with 2s 8d this time last year, and axe an unpayable proposition with wheat aa dear as ever. Oils and Building Material.' Oils—Kerosene and benzine -aro now landing and heavy orders are being delivered ftt the usual reduction, ex ship. Paint oils have been in good demand, prices being more attractive than they have been for some, years. Building—A good deal of residential building is going on in some of the suburbs, m spite of tho difficulties over finance. Owners appear inclined to tako advantage of the reduction that has taken place in a number of important materials, although timber is still nigh, and do not expect a further fall in imported lines for the present. Hardware.—A fair demand ie reported. Heavy hardware is in more plentiful supply, and is expected to arrive more regularly for the future, as manufacturera have resumed operations since tho coal strike, and are now pushing their output. Drapery.—Favourable prices are, now quoted by local houses, and very attractive display's are inducing a good business this week. This will doubtless increase enormously nextiweek. Potatoes and Onions. Potatoes.—Much heavier supplies have come in since the weather took up. and tho price has again given way, good samples selling at lis ex store, whilo oven less is occasionally taken to dear a line- It ia expected that this will continue until the holidays, as growers are anxious to realise on all tney can before ttie end of the year. The small lot of Australian potatoes that arrived last week has all been sold, and bakers have taken the last few sacks of old season's Southern that were available Onions.—Australian are in very fair condition for this time of the yeai, and are consequently selling very well, the Quotation at 16s per owt usually proving mor* attractive than American at 355. It is unlikely that any more old season e will be imported, as the new Globes should soon be read? in Sydney. Even these are not likely to be imported, in any Quantity, the new local crop promising very well this year, and as soon aa it gets a. ew days of hot and dry weather, it will rapidly XV-Demand is Quiet at 4s 4d to 4s 6d ex store, and merchants are importing only small quantities, as the prospects in the South appear favourable to low prices. It is ImownThat next harvest will be a small LJTt ffii[consumption att tough the Dominion is steadily getting lee* and tins tJm Mobably beaccentuated during the Singer, especially if the hay crop is Ba &S.ftough chaff Has sold wen lately at 9s 8d to 9s 6d ex store, and a, larger quantity than usual fcwJ*«fflt tributodi during the week. Unfortunately he local wa7not harvested hW^

Hay, Wheat, and Maize. H»v-The return of fine weather this mak,n^ nd Tke Btowth has been excep- ?- ow $"%** this year a»d the moist soil jffiSUt* &*« of tho pastures 'WtS change ha? «?»?#*•* This is booking Vnive at 9s.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. Australian and N.Z. (Kecd. 10.40 p-m.) SYDNEY. Dec. 16. Oats -Algerian, feed 3s 3d, milling 3s-6d; W fee 3 -Ytfwt3dtoss4d,white6s 2 d new i 8 to £9 ; Tasmanian, new iil, old ffl to £8. % Onions.-Local, new £6 10s to £7, 01a 16s: Victorian £3 10s to £4. ADELAIDE, Dec. 16. Oats.— Algerian, feed 2s Id.

TALLOW SALES POSTPONED. Mistrallan and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 4,30 p.in.) LONDON. Dec. 14. Owing to the poor demand for tallow no sales will be hold till January 11. PROPERTY SALES. Messrs, T, Mandeno Jaokson v will offer for sale, by >Wio Miction, at their rooms, Customs Street East, at 11 o'clock tins morning, .8 acres of land on Howiok-Pan-mure Road, about 1 mile rom P. 0.; 5 acres, having ,880 ft. to Walmesley Road, Otahuhu. and 614 ft. to railway line, with dwelling of 7 rooms, and other buildipgs; also, under instructions from the mortgagee* 225 acres 2 foods and 34 perches, at Matata Samuel Vaile and Sons, Limited, will hold an auction sale at their. rooms. 83. Queen Street, at 8 p.m., to-day, when the ollowinir mopertios Will be submitted for sale: Two houses, two sections, and a stable at -MM' lie, in the estate o/ Mrs. Jane Barattj two new bungalows in Dunkerron Avenue, off Market Road, Remuera; also, under conduct of the Rogistrar, ft property near the Mount Eden tram terminus. , . Mr C. F, Bennett; will offer for sale by publio auction at his rooms, New Zealand Insurance Buildings, at noon to-day. two wooden dwellings in Brighton Road. Parnell, on section measuring approximately Borne, L«.. report having sold at their auction hall, High Street, yesterday, 126 acres, situate at Tuakau. on behalf of the commissioner of Crown lands, for £4900. The firm will offer torday. at 1 p.m.. 1 aire 1 rood 01.2 perches, Coronation Hoad, Mangire, near sohool, on behall of the trusties of the .late C. Taylor.