TRADE IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21794, 8 May 1934, Page 5

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE EASTERN SHIPMENTS DUE THE PRODUCE MARKETS / ' Merchants report a steady flow of distributing business in the city. The cold weather has greatly stimulated the demand for certain lines, particularly all kinds of oaten foods and other cereals. Stocks of rice and lentils and other Eastern lines, which are duo by tlio Narbada on Thursday, aro now being awaited by the trado. Apart from foodstuffs other trado remains fairly steady. Business in grain and produce has been quiet, largely on account of the wot and cold weather. Few changes have occurred in the markets. Interest is principally in potatoes, which are a littlo firmer. PILCHARDS Advice from shippers of Canadian pilchards indicates a very firm market and a prospect of an early advance in prices. HERRINGS The appointment by Hie British Government of a Sea Fish Commission which, among other problems, will investigate the herring industry, is annotincqd in recent mail advice from England. Following nilprofitable working during recent seasons, any material results should have the effect of raising prices rather than bringing about any reduction. MUTTON BIRDS The first, shipments of new season's Ta3manian mutton birds came to hand last week. These orders were booked with a fall clause and in consequence of this costs worked out at 2s per cwt lower than contracts made at opening rates. A fair demand exists and most of the limited quantity already landed has been sold to the retail trade. DATES No further alteration in prices of new season's dates has been made this week. Some shippers are, however, offering to supply fair average quality dates at prices from Gd to Is per cwt below rates for brands recognised in the trade as best quality. As the offers carry no guarantee as to quality 011 arrival here, most of the requirements are being booked in the best grades. Some shippers are also offering to supply for later shipment from Busra, via India, from November to March, at the same prices an for the direct steamer to Australia in October, these being subject to a fall clause. Littlo interest is being shown so far in these additional offers, as buyers consider it is too far ahead to gauge requirements. POTASH Favourable conditions for top-dressing during recent weeks have produced a heavy demand for a number of fertilisers. Superphosphate has been prominent, while inquiry for potash throughout the Auckland Province, including the North Auckland district, has been exceptional. Stocks remain low and the New Zealand agents report that the next two inward shipments, flip first bs* the Remuera due ut Auckland on Saturday, and the second by the Port Hunter due on May 27, are completely booked up. A further and very large consignment is expected by the lonic toward the end of June and most of this is already sold to arrive. POTATOES There are still fair quantities of local potatoes coming on to the Auckland market and m some cases city users aro showing a preference for these on account of the fact that they are put up in small bags. Supplies are likely to come to an end shortly. Weather conditions in the Canterbury districts have caused blight in a, number of areas and yields are not up to expectations. Owing to bad weather the arrival of the' Waipiata and tho Port Wail<ato has been deluyed until to-day. The former has ISOO sacks for discharge, comprising purchases by merchants and very little on consignment. Up to tho present the quality coming forward has been very satisfactory and in view of tho moderate quantities due this week the market is expected to remain fairly steady. Current prices range around £5 15s to £0 a ton for whites, and £6 to £6 10s a ton for reds, through store. There is a possibility of some moderation of tho restrictions upon export to Australia, and if thin eventuates it is considered that owing to the decreased area in the South Island this year higher prices will rule during the later months. ONIONS The market and prices for onions are lUill reflecting the weight of supplies. Tho South Island crop was substantial and the export to Canada, was not large 1 enough to have any marked effect. Consignments are arriving in this market from Canterbury. The prices ruling range around £5 10s to £G 10s a ton through store. The season is now reaching an advanced stage and some lines are available at lower rates according to quality. WHEAT Quiet conditions Tiile in the market for graded wheat. There is difficulty in obtaining undergrade lines. Graded is worth around 4s Od to 5s a bushel through Store, and undergrade 4s to Is Gd. MAIZE There has been very little alteration in the maize market since last week. Supplies in the Bay of Plenty havo been reduced to small compass, and are commanding firm rates. Consignments are continuing to come forward and in some cases these are being" sold in Auckland, at slightly less than the market price, which is around 4s a bushel ex wharf, and 4s 3d to 4s Gd through storo. OATS AND CHAFF Wet weather in the South Island has made PUppliea of chnfT difficult to obtain and holders are stronger in their ideas of value. The market is nl«*o very firm in Blenheim. Graded is worth £7 5s to h 15s a ton through store. Jho market for oats is firm. A grade Gartons aro very firm on account of the operations of millers. Ample supplies appear to be 111 sight, for feed purposes. Prices are 3s 3d a bushel for feed oats, through store, and lis Od for A Gartons. BRAN AND POLLARD Spot stocks of pollard aro still small and difficulty in obtaining supplies in Sydney and Melbourne continues. A fairly largo shipment is due from Adelaide about May '22. Australian is. worth .£'7 to £7 5s a ton, ex store, and is being quoted for early arrival at £fi 12s Gd to £(, 15s a ton, and for delivery at tho end of tho month around £6 10s to £0 12s Gd. Ibe local mills' prico for pollard is £G 10s a ton, and tor bran £5 10s.

PUKEKOHE PRODUCE

MARKET FOR POTATOES

[BY TKI.F.GRAPH —OWN CORUKSPONDENT]

PUKEKOHE, Monday

Pukekoho potatoes continue to sell fairly well in Auckland, but regular shipments from tho South have restricted local sales. Quotations, however, remain unaltered -at 5s per cwt. f.o.r. Pukekoho. There are still fair quantities remaining for disposal. Early planting has commenced and the quantity planted this year is expected to be heavier than for May of previous years.

Onions aro .slow of sal® and are I priced at 5s .'!d per cwt. Cabbages, drumhead or savoy, aro selling at 3s 6d a 44-inch vegetable sack; parsnips and beetroot, 3s i3d a sugar bag; carrots, 3s a sugar bag; cauliflower, 5s 3d a large sack; rhubarb, 3s a dozen bundles; pumpkins, 5s per cwt. CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST Dividends— Due Sharland and Co.—interim, ord. and pref., 2J p.c. . . . . May 10 N.Z. Newspapers—final, 2) p.n. . May 10 Donaghy's Rope—final. Is 3d a share May 11 Talisman Dubbo—interim, Gd a shore May 15 Nationnl Insurance—int., 4d a Bhare May 15 Broken Hill Ply.—half-yearly, la a share May lfi Bycroft, Ltd.—final, Is Id a share May 10 Dalgely and Co.—interim, 2i p.c. (sterling) May 17 N.Z. Paper Mills—final. 4 p.c. . . May 21 Nat. Bank A'asiu—final. 2i p.c. May 30 Bank New South Walesquarterly, 5s a share . . . . May SO Farmers' Trading—final, prci., 7 p.c. p.a. (less 20 p.c.) . . May 31 Burns Philp—final, 5 p.c. . . t . May Henry Jones—int., Gd a share . . June 1 Bank New Zealand—final, 5 p.c.; D pref., 8J p.c June 15 Broken Hill South—ls 6d a share June 15 CallsReserve Bank N.Z.—£2 a. share June 1