RETAIL SHOPS SHOW SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 11

RETAIL SHOPS SHOW SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS.

THE YULETIDE TURKEY PREPARES FOR FATE. The Christmas season is having its effect on re* 'I trade, and the lines most favoured at Yuletide, such as turkeys, geese, lamb and hams, are being ordered in quantities which indicate that Christmas of 1929 will be celebrated in proper fashion. The prospects are that all commodities will be in good supply. Christmas turkeys and geese are being ordered from farmers all over the country, and should soon be to hand All lines of fish are scarce, doubtless due to the heavy seas running last week. The whitebait season is nearly over, and supplies are not plentiful The public demand is also relatively poor. No whitebait is coming in from the West Coast, and catches from local streams are the only source of supply. Prices of fish per lb are as follows: Groper Is and Is 3d, ling 6d, moki 9d and Is, terakihi 7d and Is, gurnet 7d and Is, skate 4d, soles Is, flounders Is, whitebait 2s 3d per half-pound.

Egg Market Easier. The making of Christmas cakes, and the greater demand from hotels and hostels, have made eggs more keenly sought. The market at present gives indications of being slightly weaker, but this may be counteracted this week by the smaller quantities coming forward and the greater demand for the Christmas trade. The Wellington market is firm, and the drop here, if it materialises, will not be great. Last week’s retail prices were: Is 4sd for first grade and Is 2£d for second grade. Values at the first of the fat lamb sales proper this week will determine the price of Christmas lamb to the consumer. Owing to Christmas Day falling in the middle of the week, and not at a week-end, orders are not expected to be as heavy as formerly. Orders for hams are coming in, and bookings will be made shortly for lamb. There is no change in the retail prices. Both beef and mutton were firm at the wholesale market last Wednesday, no doubt due to the recent rains having helped farmers. Quotations are as fol lows:—Beef: Sirloin from 9d per lb, prime ribs from 7d, beef steak from 7d, skirt steak 7d, brisket sd, flanks 4d. Mutton: Chops from 4d, legs from Sid, shoulders from 7d, forequarters from sd, flaps 3d. Vegetables and Fruit. Cabbages and cauliflowers, which are in fairly good supply, are selling at 3d and 6d each, and 8d to Is each, respectively. Turnips and root vegetables bring 2d and 3d a bunch, and best green peas up to 7d per lb. Broad beans are changing hands at 3d per lb, and Californian dried onions at 51b for Is. Potatoes from the North Island continue to become cheaper, and the present good samples are being retailed at 61b for Is. Local potatoes bring Is for from 41b to 51b. Outside grown cucumbers are worth about Sd each, and hothouse grown Is 3d. Local French beans are now on the market at Is 6d per lb. Coconuts are selling at 4d each. Oranges from Australia bring Is for 81b, and Sunkist oranges, which arrived in poor condition, Is for from 31b to 41b. Sunkist lemons also came to hand in bad order, and the retail price is 41b to 51b for Is. Auckland lemons are not on the market. Apples are scarce, good quality Delicious selling at Sd per lb, Sturmers at 7d, and Lord Wolseys at 6d. Fiji pineapples find buyers at Is to Is 6d each, and grapes at Is 3d per lb. A shipment of Australian apricots and plums is selling at Is 6d per lb, local tomatoes at Is 6d to Is Sd per lb, and passion fruit, which is small and scarce, at four for Is. Bananas are in fairly good supply at from 10 to 6 for Is. j