COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19324, 11 May 1926, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

EXPORT OF APPLES.

SHIPMENTS FROM AUCKLAND.

THE SEASON NOW CLOSED. The apple exporting season has now practically closed so far as the Auckland Province is concerned. Some 15,000 cases of apples and 566 cases of pears have been shipped overseas through Wellington, while 39,600 cases have been loaded on vessels leaving Auckland for England and South America, as well as 1125 cases for Honolulu. Shipments to date, total over 56.000 cases.

Orchardists from Whangarei in the north to Te Kauwliata in the south bave contributed to the total.

No detailed returns are yet available regarding the prices realised for the early shipments, which have already been sold on the English markets, but these are expected to show hotter returns than have been obtainable so far this season oti the local markets. Tho local markets have, however, been firmer in tone, owing to tho relief afforded by the large quantities exported.

This season a unique experiment has been tried in allowing individual growers to pack their own fruit for export, iho grade and pack have been particulaily tine, a marked absence of bruising being apparent in lines so packed. It is confidently expected that an extension of tho system of orchard packing will be advocated for next season, when it is expected that Auckland will export still greater quantities of apples. .

SHIPMENT BY THE AS, AW A. PORTION NOT IN GOOD ORDER, f FROM oca OWN" COISKKSPONDKXT. ] LONDON, April 1. It is unfortunate that the first shipment, of New Zealand apples this season should have arrived on rather a had market. In the first place the arsenic poisoning scare has certainly had a bad effect, retarding the sales to some extent. The result is that there is rather a large quantity of American ( anil Canadian apples still on the market. Merchants have had a tendency to hold these longer than I hey should, with the result that the fruit is in a bad condition. Parrels of throe bushels havo been disposed of at Is a barrel and up to a few shillings. In one case 38 barrels went for 22s for the lot. This is naturally having a bad effect on the better qualities. The Arawu arrived on Tuesday, and the apples were got out promptly. Yesterday and to-day they have been on the market. It is evident, however, that something out of flic ordinary has happened to them, and no doubt Colonel C. Gray, Government representative and chairman of the Fruit Export Control Board, will make a full inquiry into the matter. Agents handling the fruit have found that some of the boxes are cold and the apples in perfect condition ; other boxes are at a temperature of 65 dog. or over, and many of the apples in these cases are over-ripe. The trouble is not restricted to one variety. It may be found that the good anrl tho bad of the same variety come from different holds, and that some mishap has occurred in one of the holds. One firm found Cox's unaffected in this way, while another found a certain proportion overheated. The first firm. however, found their Woreesters and <lravensteins affected. Some frost is noticed, hut probably this is owing to a. few of the boxes being too near the pipes. Prices received So far are as follows: — Cox's Orange. 21s to 255; liibstou Pippins and Durm's Favourites, 14s to 16s: Gravensteins and Woreesters. 12s to 14s. These prices are better than those received for Australian apples on the market, but they will hardly meet with the approval of the shippers. There is one more misadventure to report concerning the Arawa shipment. No bills of lading have so far arrived, and the cargo of apples had to be unloaded with the usual indemnity to the banks. THE MEAT MARKET. PRICES FOR EXPORT. The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board advises that the following prices were being offered on May 7:— Auckland. —Prime woolly lambs: 361b. and under, per lb. : 371b. to 421b., 71d; second quality lambs, 7^l. Povfitv Pay.—Prime woolly lambs: 361b. and under, 8d per lb.; 371b. to 421 H., llawke's Rav.—Wethers: 561b. and under, sjd per lb; 571b. to 641b., 5d ; 651b. to 72!b.. 4jjd. Second quality wethers: 43 ( 1. Ewes: 561b. and under, 3 7-8 d ; 571b. to 641b.. 3 3 Bd. Prime woolly lambs: 361b. and under, 9d ; 371b. to 421b., 73d; 431b. and over, 7d. Second quality lambs: 7jjd. Prime ox beef: 27s 6d per 1001 b.

Wellington.—Wethers: 561b. and under. 5-Id per 11).; 571b. to 641b., sd; 651b. to 721b.. 43d. Ewes: 561b. and under, 3 7-Od ; 571b. to 641b., 3 3-Bd. Prime woolly lambs: 361b. and under. 9d ; 371b. to 42]b., 8d: 431b. and over, 7-Jd. Canterbury.—Wethers: 561b. and under, 6id per lb. : 5711). to 641b.. 5Jd. Ewes: to 481b.. 33d : 481b., 641b.. 3J,d. Prime wooly lambs: 3'ilb. and under, O^d: 371b. to 421b., B,j,d; 431b. to 501b., 7 3-Bd. Second quality lambs: 361b. and under, 8 5-8 d; over 361b.. 7 3 3d. EM Kilt; ENCY ST LUKE PRICES. In reference, to the strike, tlie board has received t'ne following cablegram from its London manager dated May b: — "Cold store labour on strike, but Smithfield market supplied by salesmen from adjoining stores. As emergency measures the <Government lias arranged with importers maximum prices ex' store:—Frozen mutton, 6 3 8d lb.; frozen lambs, 10 l-8d; frozen beef, hindquarters sd, forequarters 311. Prices to retailers, 3-8 d additional,. Prices are irrespective of grade, quality, or country of origin. Meantime lower finalities and heavier weights are not realising maximum prices. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining deliveries 1 am unable lo'quole definite prices."

SOUTH AMERICAN SHIPMENTS. The board has received a cablegram from its representative at Ltienos Aires, South America, advising the following shipments to the United Kingdom for the fortnight ended April 29. from Argentine and Uruguay:—lß9.4oo quarters chilled beef. 4989 quarters frozen beef, 56.463 carcases frozen mutton. 27.928 carcases frozen lamb. The quantify shipped to the Continent of Europe during the same period totalled:—Bo,243 quarters frozen beef, 1720 carcnse.s frozen mutton. AUSTRALIAN LAMP.. [ISY TELKGUAT'IT. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'. ] WELLINGTON, Monday.

The New Zealand Meat Producers Board has received a cablegram from its representative in Australia advising that 361.4 carcases of lamb were exported from the Commonwealth for the fortnight ended May 7.

MURCHISON OIL COMPANY. The Murchisoji Oil Company reports.--Tiie bore is now down 375 ft. in grey mud stone. .1 hilling has been suspended pent! ing running a .string of lOitt. easing for the purpose of shutting off surface water.