COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17605, 9 January 1929, Page 2

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

HAMILTON MARKETS. KEEN DEMAND FOR FRUIT. PRODUCE. The wheat market has improved slightly, and in view of the damage reported to crops further advances seem very probable. According to telegrams received, apart from the damage done in Oamaru by the recent hailstorm, crops throughout Canterbury have been considerably damaged by the wet weather. The inclement weather has also affected the oat crops and a rise in quotations is probable. Chaff is firm at late rates. It looks as if good quality new season's will be difficult to secure, and the wet weather has also affected the harvesting of this crop. Maizcris firm at late rates and in good demand. Grass and clover seed lines rule firm at late quotations, particularly paspalum. Owing to the drought in paspalum districts, Australia has practically no seed available, the ruling price for this seed as a result being 2s 9d a lb. In all probability it will soon be unobtainable. The harvesting conditions are serious, affecting all seed-growing in the South, and the prospects are for an advance in prices. The demand for fertilisers continues steady, large quantities of every class of manure being booked, and the large quantity to be delivered next month should easily constitute a record for this time of the year. Fruit. A keen demand for fruit has been experienced by local merchants, apricots and new season’s apples being keenly sought after. Apricots are realising up to 18s per case, Gravenstein apples up to 13s 6d a case, and Astracans Gs 6d per half-bushel. There still exists a good enquiry for ripe peaches, the best varieties commanding from 8s to 10s a case. Tomatoes have fallen off considerably, and are now retailed at from 7s 6d to 10s a case. Plums of good variety are meeting with a good demand, the inferior lines selling very cheaply. Oranges have risen in price, the Sydney fruit being practically finished. Latest quotations show:—Apples, Gravensteins 10s to 13s Gd a case, Astracans 4s to 6s 6d a half-bushel; apricots, 18s a case; peaches, 8s to 10s; tomatoes, Gd to Is per lb; outdoor tomatoes, 7s 6d to 10s a case; plums, ls,6d to 8s Gd; oranges, Sydney £1 Is,. American £2 ss. Vegetables. A plentiful supply of potatoes is reaching the local markets and low prices rule as a result. New season’s onions are plentiful and In fair demand. Beans and peas find a slow market at a low figure. Quotations are:—Potatoes, 8s per cwt; onions, 12s per cwt; beans, 3d a lb; peas, Is to is Gd a peck; marrows, 4s a dozen; cucumbers, Is Gd to 2s Gd a dozen; cabbage, 5s a sack. Poultry. A small yarding of poultry is reported by local merchants since the heavy Christmas sales. The holidays being over large entries are again expected. Quotations are in advance of those for the corresponding sales of last season. Black Orpington cockerels are in demand and merchants have been unable to fill orders. Following are the quotations:—Heavy cockerels, 3s 9d to 4s Gd; light cockerels, 3s.to 4s; heavy hens, 3s 3d to 3s 9d; old hens, Is 3d to 2s; ducks, 2s to 2s 7d. Fish. The prevalence of sharks and jellyfish in the fishing grounds is responsible for a marked scarcity on the fish market, and this shortage will undoubtedly continue until next month, when these pests mak<? for deeper water. Schnapper and flounder are the only lines avaiiable, and these only in limited supply. Dairy Produce. No change is reported in butter quotations, prices ruling a£ Is 7d, Is 8d and Is .9d. Eggs, have risen 2d a dozen, the wholesale price being Is 4d and retail Is 8d a dozen. THE WOOL MARKET. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated sth instant, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London : Wool.—Bradford topmakers firm. Good enquiry for crossbred tops but actual business light. Present quotations are: 64’s (merino) warp, 4s per lb.; average, 3/11; 56’s (super halfbred), 2s 10Jd to 2s lid; 50’s, p»epared, 2s 4&d; 40’s, prepared, is 104 d.

Messrs Dalgety and Company have been advised by their London house that there will be no public tallow sale this week.