Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 492, 23 October 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

. The Sun Office, October 23. Owing to the holiday yesterday merchants had rather a busy time during the latter part of last week, but trade generally was on the quiet side. Orders for next month’s account are now coming in very freely, however, and a very busy period is expected for the next fortnight. HTHE agents for the manufacturers A of Cremoata advise an advance of 10s a dozen in their 201 b bags of this line. All kinds of dried figs are short locally, as the limited quantity of Californian which were imported have all been sold, and supplies of Smyrna grade will not be here for some weeks. The arrival list this week includes shipments of Canadian preserved loganberries, cornflour and clothes pegs, which have all been in short supply for some time, consequently there is keen retail demand. pin eappl.es Singapore advices to hand state that for the season just closed the total pack is estimated at 660,000 cases. There was a comparative scarcity' of fruit in June, but this was followed by a heavy crop in July, consequently the season has been prolonged until September. As a result there will be scarcely any interval between the two seasons. The market continues steady, with little alteration this week, except a reduction of nearly Id a dozen in sliced flats in ltlb tins. PEPPER It is reported that, partly' on account of ‘‘bull’’ operations in London . and also to trade demand, quotations received by local agents this week are slightly' below last week’s figures, but at present it is difficult to state if further reductions are likely. SPICES Owing to some heavy buying the prices of both nutmegs and mace have firmed considerably, and, as the crops arc; reported to be light, the present tendency of the market appears to be toward a still higher level. TAPIOCAS Last week's quotations for both pearl and seed tapiocas were unchanged, but business sent up to Penang at slightly under the ruling rates was accepted. It is expected that lower prices may be available before the sailing of the direct steamer in December. WALNUT HALVES Reports from the growers and from London shippers indicate a very short crop. Some buyers have already covered for a portion of their requirements at the high rates ruling, as there seems little prospect of lower prices this season. NUTS New season’s Sicilian Filberts are now being offered at much lower prices than was the case last month, the reduction being in the region of £lO a ton for October-November shipment from Sicily. DATES Some agents are still prepared to book business in dates for spread shipment up to June of next year, but reports from London shippers state that the market is much firmer and their quotations are withdrawn meantime. The first arrivals of the new crop are due in Sydney about the end of November, and transshipments should arrive here early in December. In the meantime stocks of good quality on spot are very short. PRUNES Although most of the San Francisco shippers of new season’s prunes are not prepared to quote for forward shipment bey r ond January next, one packer has offered for shipment up to June and July and as prices are considered favourable, a fair amount of business has been placed. The first shipments of the new season’s fruit should arrive here during the next few weeks, and meaiiwhile local stocks are running short. CLOTHES PEGS On account of an abnormal demand from all quarters, shipments of Canadian clothes pegs have been considerably delayed, but an improvement can be expected before long. RESIN Prices for American resin have again eased, G grade having declined 7s 6d a ton, and N grade 17s 6d a ton. JUTE The market for Jute goods has been very favourable of late, and quite a large amount of business has been placed. As prices were considered to be extremely good, some buyers have placed their orders for shipment right up to November and December of 1929. TARANAKI OILFIELDS, LTD. Press Association GISBORNE, To-day. The Taranaki Oilfields Company. Ltd report:— * Gisborne No. 1 well: Caving still troublesome; position unsatisfactory. Gisborne No. 2 well: Drilled to 1,736 1 '713 diameter casing to MINING NEWS .lucky SHOT.—The manager reports: The drive south on the main reef off the bottom of No. 2 winze has been ad- i vanced 10 feet. This makes a total distance of S 5 feet from the winze The reef shows a width of 3 feet, and is now more defined getting away from the fault. No gold has been visible in the ore during the week, but it has a very promising appearance, is heavily mineralised, and the country rock on both walls is a good iv- andesite. The desired connection \vith No. 1 winze should be made during the next two weeks."