PROSPECTS FOR APPLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23840, 16 December 1940, Page 3

PROSPECTS FOR APPLES

MARKET IN BRITAIN IMPORTERS NOT HOPEFUL (Received December 15, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14 Fruit importers at present are not hopeful of the prospects for New Zealand and Australian apple shipments in 1941. Some of the largest dealers fenr that Lord Wool ton's speech at the end of last month means that no shipping space will be available, but they point out that conditions may improve within tho next two months. They recall similar pessimism at. this time last year, but a fair quantity was shipped. Meanwhile, apples are becoming a luxury. British supplies are dwindling. Shops are charging from Is to Is 4d, some even Is lOd per lb., for dessert apples. It is expected that shipments of canned fruits and jam will continue to be restricted, but less drastically than apples, as they do not require refrigeration. PERPETUAL FORESTS TIMBER FIRM'S OFFER SETTLING CONTINGENT CLAIM To consider an offer by the Taupo Totara Timber Company, Limited, to accept a cash payment of £51,250 in full settlement of a contingent claim reqniring tho liquidators of New Zealand Perpetual Forests, Limited, to retain £600,000, an extraordinary meeting of shareholders in the latter company will be held on Wednesday. The liquidators state that they are of the opinion that in the best interests of the company the offer should be accepted. In the terms of the contract of purchase of land from tho timber company in 1930 Perpetual Forests agreed to indemnify the company against any claims for damages arising from fire originating from the tramway operations of the timber company, Application was made to the Supreme Court, for its sanction t-o the compromise, and, while not expressing disapproval of the proposed settlement, the Court expressed the view that the proposal should be referred to shareholders for consideration. The liquidators state that the alternative to the acceptance of the offer is litigation. This would probably be very protracted and the outcome could not bo predicted with confidence. On the other hand, if the settlement was effected, an interim distribution to shareholders could be made almost immediately, and further contributions could be made as moneys became available from outstanding balances due. COUNTRY STOCK SALES TE AWAMUTU YARDING The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company, Limited, reports having held its Te Awamutu stock sale. Wethers, 25s 2d to 275; woolly two-tooth wethers, 25s 3d to 27s 6d; ewes. 15s 2d to 15s (id; fat lambs, 21s lid; lighter. 19s lid. Ox beef, £9 9s to £l2 10s; P.A. and Hereford heifers, £7 -Is to £10; Shorthorn cows, £6 4s to £7; Shorthorn heifers. £7 I ts to £9; Jersey cows, to £7 2s; Jersey heifers, £5 5s to £6 1-Ss; boner cows, £2 lis to £5 is; cull cows, 30s to £2 ss; runners and cows, £8 18s to £l2 12s; runners, £5 2s to £5 4s; cows and calves, £6 8s; P.A. store cows, £5 lis; P.A. yearling heifers, £3 14s; young Jersey cows and heifers, £2 lis to £3 14s; potter bulls, to £7 10s; yearling Jersey bull, £2. Choppers. £2 18s to £1 ok; baconers, £3 12s to £4 335; porkers, £2 9s to £3 10s; stores, 31s fid to £2 3s; slips, 25s to 28s 6d; weaners. 12s 6d to 22s 6d; maiden Tamworth sows, £2 5s to £3 10s; sow with litter, £7 ss. OFFERING AT WAIHOU The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company, Limited, reports having held its Waihou stock sale. Heavy Jersey and Friesian cows. £8 Is to £8 Os; other Jerseys, £5 16s to £6 18s; heavy Jersey heifers, £7 17s 6d; boners, £2 15s to £5 6s; potter bulls, £7 15s to £9 10s. Hoggets, 23s 6d to 25s 2d; ewes, 16s. Baconers. £3 12s to £4 8s; porkers, £2 8s to £3 10s; small and unfinished, £2 to £2 7s; stores, 25s to 38s; slips, ISs to 235; weaners, 12s 6d to 17s 6d. CLAUDELANDS HORSE FAIR G-. W. Vercoe and Company, Limited, reports having held its monthly horse sale at Claudelands. Tho top price was £29 for an eight-year-old mare, all work. Useful harvesting horses sold from £2O to £26; aged horses, to £4 10s; best hacks, to £l2; others, £5 to £7 10s. EAST COAST STOCK ["BY TKLEGRAPH —OWN COBRF.SPOXOEXT] OPOTIKI, Saturday While last season practically no sheep travelled from the coast and Gisborne districts to the Botorua and Waikato districts before the holiday period on account of heavy motor traffic at that time, it is expected that many thousands will be on the road this month. An exceptionally large mob has already passed through Opotiki. With the exception of about 800 cattle being taken all the way to the Waikato by road, few cattle have been seen on the move this month. Conditions for travelling have never beeti more favourable, with plenty of water and grass on the roadsides. Even in the Gisborne district, which is usually very bare at this time of year, there is plenty of feed for travelling stock. LONDON COMMODITY PRICES (Received December 15, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14 Friday's commodity prices were:—Rubber: Para. 13d per lb; plantation, 12 3-32 d. Cotton: Spot, 5.37 d per lb. Turpentine prices are nominal at about 67 per cent. WHOLESALE EGG PRICES The Auckland Egg Marketing Committee advises that there is no change in the wholesale price of eggs. Standard" grade hen are Is O'jd a dozen, and large duck Is 5V 3 d, with usual differentials for other sizes. MINING YIELDS Arcro (West Coast). —20oz. from 6500 yards in 71 hours. Short work owing to repairs.