CITY TRADING

Southland Times, Issue 24115, 2 May 1940, Page 3

CITY TRADING

OATS NOW OFFERING FREELY FIRMING OF FESCUE MARKET By OUR COMMERCIAL EDITOR Fair activity is reported in the Southland grain and produce markets. Ga* s are now more plentiful and there has been an improved inquiry for Chewing’s fescue and brown top. Oats.—Oats are now offering more freely and where possible merchants are selling direct from farmers sidings in preference to taking stocks J nto store. Growers who have oats available are willing to accept current ra tes which have been standardized at 3/b a bushel for A’s and 3/3 for Bs, o.t.c.s. . , Wheat.—There has been a lull in deliveries of wheat mainly because some lines which have been threshed out of stook have been dealt with and others have not been threshed. It is perhaps fortunate that this has occurred as southern millers have their requirements filled and will not require other supplies until the end of May. Openings are available in the North Island but it is probable that in the event of sales being made there the handling expenses will be incurred by growers. It is not practicable in Southland to rail oats direct to the boat to save through store charges. Values f.o.b. Bluff are 5/7 for Tuscan, 5/9 for Hunters and 5/11 for Velvet. Chaff.—The demand’is small and the supply has been sufficient to meet the demand. Value to growers for good quality chaff is £4 a ton, o.t.c.s. Ryegrass and Italian. —These lines are being dealt with on a machine-dressed basis and on a Government germination certificate. As the lines are dressed and a certificate is required, purchases are being made by merchants at values in accordance with quality. Many lines are of poor quality and of low germination. Lines showing a germination of 80 per cent, to 90 per cent, range from 7/_ to 8/- a bushel; those showing a germination test of 50 to 70 per cent, are worth 3/- to 5/6, and seed under 50 per cent, is difficult to quit and usually is dealt with on farmers’ account. Chewing’s Fescue.—This market has shown a finning tendency and up to 1/2 a pound has been paid for machinedressed seed of export quality; that is equivalent to 9d to IOJd a pound for seed off the mill. Browntop.—There is an improved demand for browntop. Growers report that the yield has turned out below expectations and the quantity available is below normal. Value to growers for machine-dressed seed is 1/3 for certified and 1/2 for uncertified. Potatoes. —There does not appear much prospect of high prices being available for the season’s crop. Unless fairly extensive shipments can be made to Australia or other overseas markets it is likely that the supply will be fully sufficient to meet all requirements. It is reported that North Island centres are still drawing mainly on the production of their own provinces. Value to growers for good quality table varieties is £4 a ton o.t.c.s. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES The rush period in the fruit and vegetable business seems to have ended and for the remainder of the year supplies will probably be spread out on a more even basis. The principal variety of apples available is the Jonathan. Delicious are not coming forward at present and the market is not over supplied with cookers. Pears are scarce and any consignments coming to hand are being taken up on arrival. Prices will probably firm at an early date. The sale of apples has been good and although the demand at certain times could not keep pace with the supply, there is evidence that large quantities may yet be placed without saturation point being reached. The market is bare of oranges, and retailers’ stocks are practically exhausted. A small shipment of Jamaicans, the last for the season, is expected to be available next week.

A small quantity of Californian lemons arrived this week and were rationed to retailers. A larger supply is expected to be available in about a week’s time.

Bananas are unprocurable, but a shipment is due next Wednesday. Supplies of tomatoes may be regarded as finished.

Vegetables generally are plentiful but there is only a fair demand. Choice quality cauliflowers and celery are having a good sale. The following prices may be quoted: Grapes, 2/6 per lb. Celery, 4/- to 6/- a dozen sticks. Jonathan apples, to 6/6 a case; other desserts, to 8/-. Pears, to 10/- a case. Quinces, 7/- a case. Cauliflowers, 9/- to 10/- a sack. Marrows, Id per lb; Swede turnips, 2/- a bag; melons, l|d to 2d per lb; carrots, Id per lb. RANGE OF PRICES Wholesale Bran: £6 a ton. Butter: First grade, 1/41. Oatmeal: 25’s £25/10/- a ton; 200’s £23/10/-. Pollard: 100’s £7/10/- a ton; 150’s £7/5/- a ton. Flour: 200’s £l3/15/6 a ton; 100’s £l4/12/6 a ton; 50’s £l4/17/6 a ton; 25’s £l5/17/6 a ton. Retail Butter: 1/6J. Bran: 7/6 per 1001 b. Oatmeal: s’s 1/8; 25’s 7/9. Flour: 25’s 4/6; 50’s 8/6; 100’s 16/-. Pollard: 9/- per 1001 b. EGG PRICES Egg prices were quoted yesterday at 2/5 to 2/6 a dozen wholesale and from 2/9 to 2/10 retail. SEPARATOR BUTTER .Separator butter was quoted at lOd to 1/- per lb wholesale and 1/1 to 1/3 retail. Separator butter is at present almost unprocurable. The prices of eggs and separator butter vary from day to day. The prices quoted above were those in force yesterday. SYLVIA MINES REPORT OF MANAGER The Sylvia Gold, Silver and Base Metal Mines Company has received the following progress report from its mine manager at Thames:— Good progress continues to be made with the shaft, which has now reached a depth of 138 feet. It is now considerably below the lowest workings of the mine and within 62 feet of the depth at which it is proposed to cross-cut to the reef to open up the first of the new levels. Seepage water from the reef was encountered at 107 feet, but a pump, which was then immediately installed, is working satisfactorily, and is amply sufficient to deal with a considerably increased inflow of water should this be met with.