TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20537, 11 April 1930, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

EVE OF HOLIDAY BUSINESS

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW

Wholesale business during the. week has heen chiefly of interest/ on account, of (lie numerous deliveries from shipments discharged at the wharves, ordinary trade ex store having rather slackened. This condition seems likely to continue next week, as most distributors have now secured most of their requirements foi; meeting the' Easter trade. The retail trade, 011 tho other hand, is expected to increase daily, there beinp exactly one week for the purchase of tho remaining holiday requisites, and every day new visitors are, arriving in the, city, contributing their quota, toward the regu lar turnover. To-dav will mark the commencement of the special Easter trade, and retailers have prepared for (his with full displays of new goods at reasonable prices. Provided the weather keeps reasonably line, largo holiday traffic is expected, and this always brings extra trade for many departments.

Drapery houses have, been kept busy in supplying all lliu holiday clothing. During the next few days it is expected that there will be the usual extra call lor millinery and hosiery. EASTERN HOODS. The uncertainly about the delayed departure of the direct ntcamcr from Calcutta was removed by advice thai the Narbada left thai port 011 Tuesday. With so many other loading porls of call, she is not likely lo arrive until the middle of May. Rangoon rice will bo an important line carried, an the season has been suitable for bringing lite largest shipment, for Iho year. There is no risk of weevil developing in rice that arrives in May. and quotations havo been favourable for indenting. Sago am! lapioca have also been quoted at low rates, inducing good orders to go forward. Pepper and other spices have been socured at what will probably prove at or near bedrock, for the present rise in tho rate of exchango is affecting these and all other Eastern products. Singapore canned pineapples havo been indented all the mors heavily on account of the exceptionally low prices quoted lately, and there should bo enough to assure regular sales during tho winter. ' CEYLON TEA. The weekly tea auctions at Colombo 011 Tuesday found all grades at slightly lower lales. Thfs reduction in largely balanced by the higher rale of exchange, the rupee now being nearly up to Is Bd. DRIED FRUITS. The embargo plac&l on importations into Australia is expected to give a great impetus lo tho'cultivation of prunes, seems likely that in a couple df years ■Australia will be, able to supply all the requirements of New Zealand in this line. Last year the Commonwealth had s surplus of about ;iSO tons for export, but tho domestic consumption is sure to absorb most of Hie surplus this year, with all importations shut out. A few small lots have been tried' here, and they turned out very well. The general effect of the new tariff may be lo divert a few extra supplies to other marliots, including New Zealand. It remains lo be seen whether these will be sufficient to lower prices in any lines usually imported heavily by Australia. SURAR. There is no longer any delay in obtaining full supplies from the works, but, the demand is sleadily slackening, as the season for preserving fruit is nearly over. JAM. A few varieties of fruit in pulp Tiave arrived from Australia and Otago. and these are selling fairly well to householders who wish to increase their assortment (of jam. Another shipment of South African jam has also been landed. WINTER, FOODS. Lower prices are quoted in lentilß and most kinds of dried peas, but dried beans aro tsli 11 rather dear. Pearl barley promises to remain cheap during the winter. CANNED FISH. English herrings in tomato sauce have been scarce on the spol, but a supply is now to hand, and Ihese are meeting the Lenten demand. Salmon i? selling well, as are also prepared fillets. Norwegian sardines are now veil established here, to the detriment of trade in French and Portuguese, but advires are now lo hand (hat Denmark proposes lo embark on an extended fishinu trade lo fojter export. COFFEE. Brazilian interests have been unable lo maintain prices in the face of a. heavy crop, and a pronounced fall has laken place. It is expected that this will result in greatly increased sales lo Franco and other coffeedrinking countries. NUTS AND ALMONDS. Bra7.il nuts are also down, as a result of a, good crop, but not many are imported into Auckland, compared with olher nuts. Jordan and Sicily almonds have both been quoted much lower lately, but now show signs of firming a liltle.

OLIVE OIL. Everything points to low prices this year, as the Mediterranean yield has been very heavy, for the third year in succession. The price is now down to the pre-war level, and even lower quotations arc expected. LINSEED OTL. Quotations are a lit tie. higher, but. the advance may possibly not be maintained, as it is stated-that miuinfucturors aro not buyins. POTATOES.. 4 Several shipments have been'discharged, bin the quality of a fair proportion of these was infeiior. Apparently the tubers were immature and failed to cony. This is making local merchants order very sparingly until the.v see how further shipments will open. Only a limited quantity is 'expected on Monday, and possibly a shortage will develop before tho holidays, enabling the local price to recover a little. In tho meantime the quotation is firm nl X' 7 10s ex store, hut if must be understood that any possible shortage will bo purely- temporary, as there are large crops in Canterbury for disposal.' ONIONS. No improvement seems possible in onions, for they remain a drug on Hin market. Even lower retail prices have not made much impression on the large stocks offering. The wholesale rate is about as .'kl to [is lid. ex store. , OATS. »

firm ;if late rules in the South, and local iiicnhaills nrc asking -Is lOd. ex store, for B giude, and Is ltd for A.

4 CHAFK. Stocks aro light, us lycal merchants have been drawing very sparingly on Canterbury and JMnrlboroiitfli, depending on a Tasmaninn shipment flue next week. This is selling to arrive in fairly good quantities at. £0 15s on the wharf. "• Willi AT., Fowl wheat, ir- unchanged at- 7s '.VI (o 7s lOd, with demand well (sustained. Everything points to poultry farmers being supplied with prime quality this year, as tho harvest 'tinned out, very well. POLLARD. Th« prion has risen in Australia. so merchants have ceased importing, and, will ho depending on the local mills for the present. MAIZE. Quiet ul 6s fld ex store, as all the larger buyers avo well supplied. However, tho later arrival of tho steamer from Java may stimulate business a little, as "this Vessel is not due until tho middle of May. SEEDS AND FERTILISERS. Small orders for agricultural seeds arc going out, hut an exceptionally heavy trade continues in fertilisers, both from tho local mills and from overseas, I'.very effort is being made to despatch orders ...before tho extra Easier traffic presses upon the railways.

PROPERTY SALES. Samuel Vailo and Sons, Ltd,, will ofTer at auction at their rooms. 83, Queen Street, at '1 r .m. to-day, two brick shops, with living accommodation, at Nos. 1136 and Tts, Dominion Road; five.-reomed villa at Bishop Street; 11 acres and house, corner !!obeli* son Road and Hull Avenue, Mangere: two building sites, one in Namnlti Road\ and one in Athens Road. Roynl Oak: eight; roomed house at No. '27, Wood Street, I'onponby; 10 acres at Settlement Road, Papatoeloe; six-roomed house at No. 8, Northcroft Street, Takapuna; six-roomed bungalow and 1) acres at Warrington Road. Remuera; house and property, corner Belgium and Service Streets, Newton; blork of over 50 acres at Richardson Road and Greenwood Eoad, v Mount Kookill.