TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20335, 16 August 1929, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. NEW SEASON'S DRAPERY GOODS. PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. Brilliant spring weather is favouring the display of new season's drapery, and a fine selection will bo available to-day, all houses looking forward to increased patronage. Tho new goods arc of excellent shades and qualities, and prices are again reasonable. It is expected that artificial silk will continue popular throughout (he coining season, and importers are well provided with a full selection. All departments arc looking for better trade now that spring weather has actually arrived. Clothing houses aro still receiving a fair trade in warmer materials. Tho wholesale houses are somewhat quiet this week, except for soft goods orders corning in for delivery early next week on September account. General merchants will not bo booking much in forward orders until next week. EASTERN GOODS. Good suppkor c. mie poods have been rc cured at very fnvourublo rates, and tho direct steanie will enable large orders to be delivered on arrival. Sugo and tapioca also aro arriving in good quantity, importers having taker the opportunity to indent while quotations wero favourable. Pepper has been most puzzling. Every packer in New Zealand seems to have been convinced that the market could not possibly hold when (ho new crop came in. and an occasional lower quotation supported the rumour that the market was only temporarily being held up by powerful speculators. The result has been very little indenting, but instead of a fall a rise has taken place, and it now looks as if powerful interests are still able to support tho market in Singapore. TEA. At the sale in Colombo on Tuesday a little over 2,000,0001b. was offered. The quality of all teas showed a slight improvement, and there wan p good general demand. Tho market for the commonest tea was steady, but, nil others advanced b,v about one to four cents, with tho exception of the finest tea, Next week about tho same quantity will be offered. SALMON. A small quantity of Canadian arrived by tho Maknra on Monday, Sockeve coming to an absolutely hare market. This grade is Ha Gd a case dearer than last year, but this is not at all unexpected, for there is again a short calch Tlio calch is certainly larger than last year, but at that time there was a reasonable carry over, whereas now all stocks are exhausted. Cohoes and most other grades are obtainable this year at a reasonable cost, but Pinks are a little dearer, the exac price not yet being named. Information may arrive any day. DRIED FRUITS. The local market is now responding more readily (o the sharp advance in California, owing 1o stocks being considerably reduced. Mohl of the Californian packers are sold right out, so that there will be virtually no carry-over. Importers have been expecting the new season's oncning prices to be on II high level, and tho cables fully support the early intimations of a reduced yield putting up all quotations. Opening quotations for prunes show 30/40 size '2ls per cwt. higher than last season's opening rates, while the rise is on 40/30, 00/ GO and GO/TO. Smaller sizes show a less pronounced rise, but still quito enough to dispose of all chance of getting the abnormally cheap supplies of last year, for 70/80 aro up 20s, 80/00 uro up 17s, and 90/100 are up IGs Gd, milking them nearly double the price of hist year. Local stocks will probably bo all sold out before the new fruit arrives, although importers aro obtaining small quantities by each sleamer to keep them going, and somo arrived by the lluuraki, which will be sufficient for present requirements. However, (hero aro no more left unsold at San Francisco, so that importers will receive only their contracts. Although the prico is to be so much higher for the future, it is expected by distributors that two years of exceptionally low prices will have developed a habit for using this fruit in larger quantities. RAISINS. Stocks havo worked off very rapidly lately, and it. now seems almost a certainly thnt importers will be quite out by the time (he new season's fruit arrives. Packers are specifying end of October or early November shipinuit, which means running the arrival hero very close to Christinas, all duo (o the season being three or tour weeks Into ill California. The whole tone of the dried fruit market is stronger, and this will continue throughout the season, owing to the smaller crops, Seeded muscats may cause trouble, for no nioro will be available until the new season's are packed. It, is doubtful whether (Ik> new season's can arrive in time to be distributed for tho Christmas trade. CANNED FRUITS. A most remarkable instance has occurred where producers havo actually received inoro for a small crop than for a, largo one. Of course, tlio price per unit is always better when the yield is small, but in Californian peaches tho actual return will be better for the growers. Owing to the abnormal frosts last April the total Californian yield is estimated at a little under 300.000 tons, us compared with just over 000,000 tons last year, but the growers havo asked and received £IG to £l7 a ton for tho fresh fruit, as compared with £4 last year. This means that within a small fraction they will receivo twice as much for a crop which iR only half (ho size. Tho satno applies to oilier varieties, although not to such a marked degree. Naturally all prices are much dearer this year, although the canners have endeavoured to hold their connection by meeting the cost, and importations (o New Zealand will bo very small. A rather peculiar development is that pie grade apricots aro dearer than either Beconds or water. The reason is that in America there is a steadier and more constant demand for pio grade in No. 10 tins than for the other grades in No. 2J tins. Also there are more apricots packed to tlio tin in pie grade, because tho fruit is soft, and in a season of high prices like this it makes a considerable difference to tho preference of buyers. EGGS. Good supplies and an improved demand keep tho prico steady at Is Gd retail. POTATOES. Tho market is firm at £ll 10s ex store, owing to heavily depleted stocks and :io prospect of getting further supplies until tho end of next week. The position in the South, however, is considerably weaker ns regards forward delivery, shippers having quite altered their attitude during the past few days. This is taken (o indicate (hat pitted stocks of good quality aro larger than previous estimates, and that no hope is now entertained regarding export to Australia. Tho improvement in tho weather lias brought in a much better demand for seed potatoes, and available stocks are now likely to bo rapidly picked up for imniednte planting, as it. was only tho sodden condition of tho land that prevented earlier planting. ONIONS. Japanese arrived this week in much belter condition, so buyers are taking delivery more readily. Most of (ho business is now doing in (hose at 17s Gd a crate, but a few nice lines from Pukekohe aro quoted at the same prico. OATS. A few inquiries for export, have made southern shippers lortlc into available sunplies, with tho result that tho market hnsi fumed n few pence during tho week. Local merchants are asking Is 8d to 4s 9d ex store.for best feed, but only small quantities aro selling. CHAFF. Tho market is firm -with supplies hard to get, except in ungraded qualities, and anothor advanco is expected before long. In tho meantime some merchants havo stocks which they can quoto at £lO 10a ex storo. WHEAT. Fowl wheat is firmer at 7s 7d to 7s J)d ex store, holders being more content to wait, now that the world's market has shown such a stiutling recovery. It ; is only n couplo of months since American holders wero wondering h° w (hey could get rid of what was described as a heavy carry-over, and tho market slumped to "dollar" wheat, for the fust tmie snce before tho war. Hot weather and insul icient rain altered tlio wholonosilum in . United States and Canada, tho chief \\ heat gi"wing countries. Tho Canadian h«rve» is now estimated nt about half of wna expected three months ajzo. and the latest American crop estimate is about 120,C00,000 bushels down. , to be sure of the position in Aigentina and Australia. tho chief producers in the Southern Hemisphere, but hoth »h"rt of rain Argentina may bo 100,000,010 misiieiß down, while present appearances point to Australia gathering not much more (ban half of last year's IfiO.OOO.OCO bushels. 1- ornately rain has fallen recently in nart of New South Wales, but previously Western Australia was the only Slate with reasonable prospects, l't will be a striking commentary on the old idea that Wes ern Australia was practically a desert, if it celfibrntes itß centenary by harvesting half the wheal crop of tho Commonwealth, a possibility which is not at all remote. FT,OUR. WhetlvT wheat goes up or down in other pulls of the world, flour remains unchanged bore, sheltered by a sliding scalo of duty.

BRAN AND POLLARD. Both are extremely scarce, and it is now hard to secure more in Australia, doubtless owing io tho poor prospects of the harvest. All recent orders for pollard are booked ot an advance of 20s a ton, and tho next amvula cannot sell under ill. MAIZE. Tho cold weather is still bringing in ft Rood demand, and new grain of prime quality is plentiful at Gs Od ex swre. FERTILISERS. Demand hns rapidly improved, since settled weather came in and heavier deliveries will now be made from tne local mills. THE MARKET BASKET. RETAIL FOOD PRICES. A GUIDE TO HOUSEWIVES. A slight increase in the prices of several lines of bacon and ham is the outstanding feature in lhe values for foodstuffs this week. Both lien and duck eggs have decreased one penny a dozen. In tho fruit section no hothouse grapes are available. The prices for the other lines remain unchanged. Following are the prices:— MEAT. Beef.—Sirloin, 10d per lb; rump steak, Is '2d; beef steak, 8d ; rolled chuck rib, 7d; prime rib, 7d; wing rib. !)d; corned round, 8d; tripe, 7<l; dripping, Gd; suet and sausages, Bel; sausage meat, sd; gravy beef and shin meat, (id; topside and Hank, 7d Mutton.—Leg, 9d; shank end, lOd; hindquarters, Od; forequarters 7d; forequarter shank end, 8d: shoulder 7{d. neck. 7Jd; loin, lOd; neck and breast, Gd; leg and loin, chops, lid; neck chops, 8d; flup, 4d; cutlets, trimmed, Is Id. Lamb.—Leg, Is Id; loin and hindquarters, Is; forequarters. 9d Veal.—Loin. 9d; shoulder. 7d; cutlets and veal steak, Is; forequarters, Gd. Pork.—Leg, lid; loin, la; pork chops, Is Id; pork sausages, Bd. FISH. Fresh fish, fillets, terakihi, large, 3d each: sehnapper. 4Jd; jtrevalli, .'id: John Dory, 4d; , kingfish. Gd; kippered fillets, Is per lb: lemon fish, B<l roe. Is Gd; gurnard and cream fish, 2d each; mussels. Is Gd a dozen: sehnapper, fresh, small, 4d each; terakihi, 4d; trevalli, 4d; mullet, (id; flounder Is; hapuku steaks. Is per lb: fins, (id, kingfish. steaks, (id; best terakihi, smoked. 8d: sehnapper, smoked, JOd: roe. smoked, 2s: mullet, smoked, !)d: trevalli, smoked, "d----sliver strip, 7d; crayfish, Gd; rabbits, each. FRUIT. Apples.—Cooking, Munroe and Ballarat, 4d to sd; Delicious, Gd: Sturmer, 5d to (Id; Grannie Smith (id. Lemons.—Local, fi to G for Is; Sunkist, 2s (id to'3s Gd a dozen. Tomatoes.—Hothouse, 2s to 2s 4d per lb; Island, Is to Is 2d. Bananas.—4d to 5d per lb. Oranges.—lsland, 2s to 2s Gd: Sydney Navels, 2s to 3s. Pears.—Nelia, (id; Coles, 4d; rooking, Vicars, 3d 1o 4d. Passion Fruit,- -Is to la Gd a dozen. Tree Tomatoes.—(id per lb. Mandarines.— Is (id to 2s (id. Pineapples.—2s to 2s Gd each. New Zealand OiTapo Fruit, —8 for Is. VEGETABLES. Potatoes.—for Is. Onions.—3d per lb. Lettuce. —2d to 3d each Cabbage.—3d to (id each. Rhubarb.—(id per bundle. Vegetable Marrows.—3d to Gd each. Celery.—sd to Is each. Kunmras.—2d per lb. Spir.aeh.—2d to 3d a bundle. Cauliflowers.—4d to Od each. Cucumbers.—Hothouse, Is to Is Gd each. BACON AND lIAM. Bacon.—Shoulder rashers, Is Id per lb; best rib rashers. Is Gd: by pieces. Is sd : shoulder cuts, Od to Is 2d. Hams.—Whole, Is 3d per lb; jn rashers. Is Sd: cooked, 2s 3d; shoulders, cooked, Is 9d. BUTTER AND CHEESE. Butter.—Factory, first grade. Is 8d per lb: second grade. Is Gd; farmers', Is 4d; bulk butter Is 7d per lb Cheese.—Ordinary, Is 3d per lb; more matured, Is Gd. EGGS. Hen.—ls Gd a dozen. Duck.—ls (id a dozen. BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY. DIVIDEND OF 10 PER CENT. A preliminary statement issued by tho Broken Hill Proprietary Company shows that (lie net profit for tho year ended May 31 last was £532,671, after allowing .11317,592 for ordinary depreciation, and £IOO,OOO for special depreciation. Payment of the 10 per cent, dividend absorbs £268,771. The profit was earned almost entirely from the company's Newcastle stee! works, while since February the dumps at the company's Broken Hill mine have been treated. For 1928 the profit was £222,617, and depreciation allowance about £IOO,OOO less than this year. Tho dividend has been 10 per cent, since 1926. STOCK SALES. GOOD VALUES AT PUKEKOHE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN* COIUtESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE, Thursday. Tho biggest yarding of dairy catt]o offered by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in their Pukelcoho saleyards came forward at to-day's sale, and selliup continued until about 5 p.m. Late rate-, were well maintained, good quality heifers selling at £8 to £ls sa; good quality cows, to £l4 15s; poor and backward sorts, £(i it)/ to £7 15s. Beef sold particularly well. Fat cows from Mr. A. E. Wright, Mauku, brought up to £l4 Gs, and fat heifers from the same vendor to £l2 ss. Forward condition Shorthorn cows realised up to £7 10s; store cows, £1 10s to £G 15s; two-year-old fat steers, £l3 10s. Pigs also sold to a keen demand and prices showed a sharp advance on recent rates. Heavy baconers made up to £5; heavy porkers, to £3 IGa; stores, to £2 ss; slips, to £1 Gs; weaners, to £1 Is. MATAMATA QUOTATIONS. There was a good yarding of both fat and store cattle at Dalgety and Company's stock sale at Matamata on Wednesday, all stock selling under keen competition. Prices were;— Cattle: Fat heifers. £9 15s to £l2 15s; fat cows, £ll to £l3; lighter fat cows, £8 to £9 ss; forward conditioned cows, £5 17s Gd to £7 2s Gd; stores, £3 15s to £5 12s Gd. Dairy cattle: Jersey heifers, £l3 to £ls; Jersey cross heifers, £9 15s to £ll 10b; dairy cows, £8 10s to £l2 15s; aged cows, £5 10s to £7. Pigs: Large stores, £1 18s to £2 3s; medium stores. £1 10s 1o £1 15s; slips, £1 3s to £1 7s; weaners, 18s to 255. PROPERTY SALES. C. F. Bennett. Limited, will otTer at auction at their rooms. New Zealand Insurance Buildings, at 12 o'clock to-day. business site. 33ft. by 200 ft. in (.real South Road. Otahuhu: freehold section " mntelv GGft. by 100 ft. in Orent South liond. Otahuhu: freehold section (-Oft. F ' f/eel'old sec.iou,Joft. in Bin. hv andj c«order* of the" icdstrar of Oie Suprorne Cotirt Street and Wnhner IJond, Point Chevalier. Samuel Vaile and Sons. Limited, will offer at auction at. their rooms. 83, Queen street nt two o'clock to-dny. Nt tho request of the mortgagees, house of five rooms in Church St-eet. Northcote- house of four rooms in Lunn Avenue. Pamnure: section of 3 roods 28.9 poles fronting Panmurn 1?ond- hnn«e of five rooms at G3. Huia Road. Point. Chevalier: house of four rooms in Stanley Avenue. Takapuna, and bungalow of four rooms in Fitzroy Ttonfl. Papatoetoe. T. Mandeno Jackson will offer at auction at their rooms, 9. Commerco Street, at 11 o'clock to-dav, seven-roomed residence on freehold section. 78ft by lJOft, at 23. Herbert Road, corner of Rarawa Road, off Dominion Road: six-roomed house on freehold section. 40ft by 113 ft. comer of Dominion Road and Charles Street. Rocky Nook: also at 12 o'clock, at, tho leanest of the mortgagees. under conduct of tho registrar of the Supiemo Court, properly of over 18 acres with dwelling, having frontages to Avondale and Rosebank Roads. Avondale, and property of over 41 acres with two houses, having frontages to Avondale, Rosebank and Victoria Roads, Avondale. CHICAGO WHEAT MARKET. Australian find N.Z. Press Association. CHICAGO. Aug. 11. Wheat.—September, 1 dollar 34 cents per bushel • December, 1 dollar 42i cents; March, 1 dollar 47£ cents; May, 1 dollar 511-8 cents.