BREAKFAST TABLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17171, 15 October 1923, Page 7

BREAKFAST TABLE.

RETAIL PRICE REVIEW. THE GROCERY TRADE. Prices in the grocery trade have not altered in the last few weeks, at least ns far as the main lines are concerned. A retailer quoted a wholesale report which stated that improved demand for tapioca from America and Australia was stiffening prices. Rice wa_s expected to firm. The earthquake and fire in Japan was throwing a demand on to outside stocks, and values may therefore lie expected to rise. It has been reported from Rangoon thnt the embankment of one of the branches of the main river lias given away, causing loss of stored stocks, and flooding of about 300.000 acres, and that nt least half of this area, cannot now bo planted or replanted in time for cropping next year.

| The supply of eggs is good, and the price to-day is Is 2d per dozen. But- - ter is Is 8d per lb for liest factory, separator and wliey Is Gd per lb, -clieose Is 2d per lb. Wholesale- prices for bacon rolls from one factory advanced one penny per lb last- week. The latest wholesale quotations for dried fruits reveal a number of changes according to a northern wholesale report , which states: The indent market for dates is slightly weaker, as cables to band notify a reduction of 3s per cwt for direct shipment from London. The first sailing at the revised prices is scheduled to leave the Homo port this week, but it in time for December trade. There has been an advance of 4.s per cwt on last quotations for California apricot,-;. A very heavy increase has been advised regarding sulphur bleached ing to grade. Some New Zealand jams hare been reduced 6d per dozen in the lib tin and one shilling per dozen for the 21b tins, hut as this is so slight the retail price will not be affected. Out of a recent shipment of Sicily almonds which was landed to the order of an Auckland house about five tons were held up by the fruit inspector. on the ground that they had not arrived in a marketable condition. On examination they proved to be infected with the Indian Meal Moth, and the consignees were ordered to have them destroyed. Very favourable {rates for October shipment were available a few weeks ago (states a northern, writer) but only a few merchants operated, as they already had consignments coming forward and did not think the later purchases could ai'rive in time for Christmas trade. Latest advices indicate that shipment is being made from Genoa by mail steamer on the 16tli inst., and unless there is arrive in New Zealand about December 12. Cable s to hand notify an advance in quotations.

FISH AND MEAT

There is a fairly good supply of fish. .Prices are:—Groper Is per ID (pieces). Is 3d per ll> (cutlets), ling *)d. terakihr Sd and Is. soles l s per lb, flounders Is per lh. Whitebait is more plentiful and tbe present price is Is Dfl per half pound. Poultry is marketed in only small quantities and is just sufficient to meet the demand, llabbits and hares are in good supply. A leading retail butcher quotes the following prices: —Mutton, fores per lb, legs 9sd- chops 8d and lOd ; beef. sirloin 7£d, rolls 7jd : small goods, sausages five lbs for Is. saveloys Is per dozen, Belgian sausage Gd per lb. brawn 6d per lb, pressed beef Gd per lb. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. Owing to the late reason cauliflowers and cabbages are on the market in only small quantities. Cauliflowers are selling at from Is Ud to 8s each, and small cabbages cost Sd each. Lettuce, which is more plentiful, is being sol 4 for from 3d to Gd. There are plenty of radishes and onions at 2d a bunch; parsnips and carrots are 3d a bunch. Spinach is od a bunch. Rhubarb is one of the cheapest vegetables at present, largo bundles Leing sold for Gd.

New potatoes. Auckland grown. aEe selling at 31b for Is. Green peas from. Nelson are Is Gd per lb, which is cheap compared with the usual price for this time of the year. Locally grown tomatoes are 4s and 5s per lb. .Hothouse cucumbers, local grqwn. have been reduced to Is Gd per lb. There is a small supply of artichokes left, tLe price being three lbs for ls A shipment of bananas arrived on Saturday and they will bo more plentiful towards the end of this week. Prices at present are from eight to twelve for Is. Marmalade oranges are finished now. Pears, good dessert, are Gd per lb, apples, Delicious. Sd per lb best dessert, Sturipers three lb for ls. Lord Wolseley, cooking, three lbs for Is. Jonathans Gd per lb. Practically the last of the supply of mandarins is selling at six, eight and twelve for ls. Island oranges are throe, and four for is. and Sydney oranges are four and five for ls. Other prices are: Pineapples Is to ls 3d each, passion fruit six for Is, American grape fruit 8d each, cocoamits (fresh shipment) Gd and Sd each, lemons, American, four for ls, Australian six for ls.