BREAKFAST TABLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17570, 22 June 1925, Page 7

BREAKFAST TABLE.

RETAIL PRICE REVIEW. EGGS BECOMING CHEAP. ihe wet weather experienced the week before last had the effect of arresting the downward tendency in the price of eggs on account of the supply showing a considerable falling off. Last week, however, there was a marked improvement in the number of egg? coming forward to the local market and another decline in prices was recorded amounting to 2d a dozen. Latest wholesale quotations for lien eggs are: First grade 2s 2d a dozen, second grade 2s, duck eggs are being quoted at 2s 2d a dozen wholesale. Retail prices for guaranteed fresh eggs are from 2d to 3d a dozen above the wholesale figures. Referring to the egg market the Auckland 44 Herald 44 of Wednesday last says: “ The fall has apparently been arrested and prices are a little steadier again this week at 2s wholesale for duck eggs and 2s Gd for hen eggs. Retail prices are a little irregular at about 2s 2d for duck eggs and 2s Sd to 2s lOd for hen eggs, but there are a good many chilled eggs offering, and these are quoted at 2s 4d retail-” The most interesting part of this report is the marked difference between the price of duck eggs and that of hen eggs. As duck eggs are larger than hen eggs they are naturally more economical to buy, but many people object to duck eggs on account of their stronger flavour. Poultrymcn, however, contend that if ducks are properly fed the eggs they produce are quite palatable. For some time past now efforts have been made in Christchurch to educate the public to the value of duck eggs. Apparently this has had some effect, for, though in the main duck eggs are cheaper here than first grade hen eggs, the difference has never been so great as is the case in Auckland at present. FLOUR AND BREAD. Last harvest there was not sufficient wheat produced in New Zealand to meet requirements until the next harvest is ready, and supplies will, therefore. have to be imported from Australia. It is reported that the Government has already purchased a quantity of Australian wheat and has made arrangements for its shipment when required. The first of the Australian wheat will probably be sent to the North Island, as it will be some time before any is wanted in Canterbury. It is stated that the arrangements that have been made are satisfactory from the point of view of the millers and that the Australian wheat will be supplied to them at a figure that will not necessitate any increase in the price of bread or flour. In any case the price of bread in Christchurch as agreed upon between the Canterbury Master Bakers’ Association and the Department of Industries and Commerce is to remain in force until the end of the year at least. The position may then he reviewed by the Department. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. Cauliflowers are dearer than they were last week, and they are now being retailed at Is and Is 3d each- Cabbages cost 4d, Gd and 8d each, leeks Gd a bunch, white turnips, carrots, parsnips and beetroot 2d a bunch, spring onions and radishes 2d a bunch, lettuces (very scarce) 3d each, celery 9cl and Is a bunch, pumpkins 9d, Is and Is 3d each, marrows Is 6d ancl 2s each, cooking onions 61b for Is. potatoes 101 b for Is. Following are retail fruit quotations: —lsland oranges 3, 4 ancl 6 for Is, Sydney navel oranges 3 for Is and 3 for Is*3d, bananas 6, 8 and 12 for Is, mandarins 6 for Is, Italian lemons 4 for Is, Jonathan apples Gd a lb, Delicious Gel a. lb, cooking apples 31b for Is 3d, Poorman’s oranges for marmalade 6d a lb, winter Nelis pears 6d a lb, locally grown hothouse tomatoes Is and Is Gd lb, pineapples 2s 6cl and 3s each, grapes 4s a lb, passion fruit G for Is. FISH PRICES. At the beginning of last week on account of the stormy -weather supplies of fresh fish were very short in Christchurch. There were better supplies available to-day. Following are some prices a lb:—Groper Is (in the piece). Is 3d (cutlets), ling 7cl and 9d, ■terakihi 7cl and Is, gurnet 7d and Is, rod 7d and 9d, soles Is 3d, and flounders Is 3d There are good supplies of smoked fish on hand at standard prices. PACKET TEAS. Referring io packet teas an Auckland report of last week states:— ,; One of the local tea. packers has advised the retail ot a reduction of 2cl per pound in the price of his proprietary brands, commencing from- last Monday. Telegrams received from southern packers state that, owing to the continued scarcity or fine teas and the present upward tendency of such qualities, they do not contemplate any reductions in prices for the time being Other local packers do not intend nuv alteration at present, owing to the fact that when some packet teas were advanced in January last, thev did not alter their selling rates.” PRICE OF BUTTER. Last week an increase of Id a lb was made in the price of butter in Christchurch and host factory butter is now being retailed at Is o<l a Ih It is stated that the rise was made* in sympathy with the recent improvement cm the London market.