WANGANUI MARKET REPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18757, 14 April 1923, Page 8

WANGANUI MARKET REPORTS

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. WHEAT. Fowl Wheat.—This market is inclined to be very weak. Buyers are holding off in the hopes of a sutr stantial reduction, and in consequence there is very little business doing locally. Milling Wheat.—The embargo on imported flour has been ratified by the Government to hold until February, 1924. In view of the agitation now being made by the Labour Party throughout New Zealand we are inclined to think that '..here will be further eventualities folowing the Oamaru by-elections. OATS Oats —The prolonged drought in Australia had hardened this market during the last few weeks. The crop in the South this year has been a record one, and continued with the large carry-over from last year it was more than likely that the price of oats would have bee n considerably lower than present values. However, conditions in Australia have turned the scale, so it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. The abundance of feed caused by the wet weather has not stimulated business, but with the cold weather coming on the demand must increase. CHAFF Chaff. —Consumers will not buy chaff while there is so much grass as at present. Mid-winter will tell a different tale, however. It is believed that the quantity of prime chaff in the South is not very large. The quality coming forward at the present tima is excellent, but it is doubtful whether the standard can be kept throughout the year. At present there is very little business passing in Southern chaff, and prices are inclined to be a shade easier. GRASS SEED April ds one of the wcxr/it months of the year for sales of grass seed, and in consequence there is nothing of special note to report. GALVANIZED WIRE.

Farmers who have already purchased their wire have taken advantage of the prediction we made some time back. The market has fumed considerably, and it is our belief that it will rise higher still. FRUIT. Messrs Sharpe, North, and Co., report that fruit has been very plenti ful during the week, suplies coming from all parts of both islands. ITices have been satisfactory to both parties, vendors being pleased at the disposal of extra large stocks and the public at the reasonable prices at which fruit was obtained. Apples Apples have been in heavy supply Delicious made 8/ to 10/ per bushel and 5/ for halves. Cox’s, 8/ to 9/ per bushel, and 3/6 to 4/6 for halves. Jonathans, 7/ to 8/ per bushel, and 3/ to 4/6' for halves. Cookers are also very plentiful the general favourite, Rennet de Canada, realizing from 6/ to 7/6 per bushel. Munro’s Favourite made similar prices. Pears. —Supplies have been moderate. and the demand very good. Bon Cretians have brought from 6/ to 8/ per bushel. A very fine line of these pears came front Nelson, and met with ready sale, being first class wrapped truit. Winter Coles sold at 8/ to 10/, halves 4/6 to 6/6. L.B.J.’S made 7/ to 8/ per bushel, halves 4/. Clairgeaux. a fine dessert and cooking pear, brought 6/ to 8/, and 3/6 to 4/6 for half bushels.

Tomatoes are still in very good demand and there are not enough to supply the market. Affine line of Hutt tomatoes sold at 5/6 to 6/6 for 24 lb. cases, and 3/ for 12 lb. cases. The cold weather is now checking the quantity of supplies, and higher prices may be expected. Passion Fruit. —Large quantities have been coming forward and selling well. Prices 8d to J Oil yr ■■ dozen in crates ranging from 6 to 12 dozens.

Cape Gooseberries are in strong demand, but are rather hard to get. Prices are, therefore, firm at 9d to lOd per lb. in 10 to 12 lb. cases. Quinces are just about finished, only small supplies coming to hand. The demand is very healthy and sales are made up to 7/6 per bushel. Pumpkins from the East Coast have sold from 6/ to 7/6 per sack, smaller quantities finding a ready sale at three for 1/. Potatoes, both local and imported have sold well at 9/ to 12/ per sack, according to weight of sackful. The quality is first grade. Local supplies are running out, and outside growers are now beginning to send stocks in Wanganui. PAINT, OILS AND 'GLASS.

The painting trade has been very good, no painter being out of work. There is a great deal of renovating work being .-airiel on, aMh outi.de and in. Pap/rliangifig is also ’-cry brisk. Prices are firming very fast, the Ruhr difficulty being a contributing factor, as it has seriously affected the supply of oxide of zinc, and glass. One of our leading glass merchants reports having had a large indent for Belgian glass cancelled owing to the difficulty of obtaining supplies of coal which formerly came from the Ruhr mines. This 1 , in a practical manner, shows how a »

continental trouble, directly affects trade even in Wanganui. The tendency of all prices in oils, paints, lead, glass, scrim and paper is decidedly upward. Oil has advanced 1/ per gallon in the Home market. and glass from 25 to 30 per cent, which, of course, will shortly be reflected locally. BUILDING TRADE. Of great interest to the building trade is the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Collegiate School Estate to enable their tenants to convert their 60 year leases into Glasgow leases. The natural ten dency on the part of the future lessees will be to improve the class of buildings to be erected. Tenants will also keep existing buildings in a high state of maintenance, as it will not be policy to allow them to deteriorate. Under the 60 years’ lease system, the Board were in danger of finding properties on their hands with the buildings either worm-eaten, or falling to pieces with old age. The estate might even have developed into a slum area owing to the conditions of the tenure not being of a satisfactory nature. The present adjustment should be of great mutual advantage. The lecture of Mr Macintosh Ellis to be given at the Museum on Monday night should be of great interest to those associated with timber. Mr Ellis, yho is the Director of Forestry in New Zealand, has a fascinating personalty, and is a good clear speaker. He will deal with the subject in its broadest aspects and outline a policy dealing with the question from future timber sup plies. GENERAL DRAPERY TRADE. This past week, with its ,cold snap, has resulted in a more improved tone with retail buyers, and business can be considered as very much on the improve. In fact local traders are more optimistic than they have been for many months, land the w,inter trade should go steadily on during the next few months. The demand for woollen goods, both for underwear and outdoor use has set in very strongly, and, in fact, all classes of knitted wear will have a good vogue this season.

The ladies’ palelot section is also in good demand, and with prices lower now than at any time since 1914, this business has undergone a vast improvement. This remark also applies to the men’s mercery trade, and with woollen underclothing and heavy tweed coats in such demand mercers are experiencing a decided run on selling lines. Overseas advices do not show any decline in values, and the last cable report from Manchester shows raw cotton up Id per lb. compared to the price of a month ago, and this figure now stands at exactly half the price cotton fetched during the boom of 1920. If cotton remains at this figure the market should be fairly stablised. and Britain is making a great effort in this direction so as to be free from all the “bullish’' American influences. »

Bradford is very optimistic regarding ‘futures,’ and good scoured yarns aie still fetching the high prices which commenced the season The top prices are still about 1/ higher (scoured yarns are quoted only) than that ruling a year ago and apparently the market, owing to the prevailing shortage in good wools, will maintain its present rates. This then all us getting goods at lower prices tha n we are purchasing to-day, and good judges consider to-day’s prices as considerably lower than we will be able to purchase in six months time. Altogether—-what with the advent of the real winter weather, and prices as low as can possibly be expected under the circumstances — business should receive a still greater impetus during the coming month, and retailers Who have taken advantage of the cheaper market rates should have no difficulty in readily cleaning up all well bought goods.