FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 10

FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Bray Brothers (Dunedin) report for the week ending to-day:— Small lots of milling wheat have been on offer during the week, representing final threshings from stack or wheat held in farmer’s barns awaiting the advanced prices. The prices payable to growers for delivery this month are on a basis of 5s loid per bushel for Tuscan, grower’s nearest port, with the usual increment for Hunters and Velvet. Deliveries of seed wheat are being made to the country, and a preference is being shown for the early varieties, such as Jumbuek and Cross 7. The fowl wheat market is unchanged. For small lots ex the store, the current quotation is 6s 3d a bushel, sacks extra. For a quantity, the price is 5s 9d a bushel. - Wholesale prices are as follows : Flour.—2oo’s, £l3’ 15s 6d ; 100’s. £l4 2s 6d; 50’s, £l4 17s 6d; 25’s, £ls 7s 6d. Bran, £5 5s a ton. Pollard, £6 15s a ton. Oatmeal.—2oolb sacks, £23 ]os a ton ; 25’s, £25 10s a ton. This season has fairly indicated the diminishing demand for oats. There is no change in quotations. A Gartons are worth 3s Id, f.0.b., s.i., and B’s 2s lOd, f.0.b., s.i. Stocks in the stores are on the light side, but sufficient to meet the demand. Little business is being transacted in the chaff market. It is the exception to place an order for a truck load of chaff, the quotation for which is £4 5s a ton, sacks extra. Small lots, ex the store, are saleable at £4 15s a ton, sacks extra. Little alteration has taken place in the potato market during the week. Merchants are now waiting to see what effect’ the importation of Californian

and Canadian potatoes willhave on the market. Shipping quotations rule about £l6 10s n ton, f.0.b., s.i., while on the local market best quality Arran Chiefs are quoted at £lB. sacks in, ex store, with King Edwards selling readily at higher figures. There are not, however, many King Edwards now available. The seed markets remain firm, with more inquiries now that spring sowing has commenced. • Wholesale prices are as follows: Chaff.—Good bright oaten sheaf, £4 5s per ton, ex truck; £4 15s ex store. Potatoes.—Arrau Chief, to £lB per ton, ex store; King Edwards scarce, with higher prices ruling. Dairy Butter.—Milled bulk. Is per ; lb; separator, Is . per lb, supplies wanted. Bacon, Is 3d per lb.. Hams, Is 2d per lb; boneless, Is 4d. Onions.—Picked over lines, 23s to 25s per cental bag. Honey.—Bulk, Bid per lb. Eggs.—Stamped, Is 4d per dozen ; storekeepers, Is 3d. Another exceptionally quiet week has been experienced in the fruit markets, and retailers also report that business has been exceptionally quiet with them. Further consignments of bananas are expected to reach Dunedin about September 28. The market is awaiting the arrival of the incoming Melbourne steamer with a shipment of oranges. A consignment of Californian pota- ; toes met with a good demand. Further supplies are expected next week. A small quantity of grapes, which i were also sold at satisfactory prices, i was received in good order and condition. Only New Zealand-grown lemons are on offer. The condition of some of the brands is poor, and picking over has to ; be resorted to before sales can be made. 1 Marmalade oranges are selling well. The consignments of Australian pineapples have been reaching us in good [ order and condition, and payable prices have been secured for growers. Pears, both cooking and dessert, have ; realised high prices, and the supply is now practically finished off for the sea- ; sou. Consignments of both dessert and cooking apples are short, and high ; prices are ruling for extra fancy and fancy grades. ; Prices have declined for practically all varieties of vegetables, as the supply has increased. There is, however, a good demand for ' lettuces of good quality. Rhubarb, principally from the Outram and Sawyers Bay districts, is coming to hand. This is of good quality, but values are low for this time of the year. The market remains steady for onions, a supply of which is coming ' chiefly from Canterbury. There is a good inquiry for seed potatoes. ] Prices for spring flowers have re- ■ ceded rapidly. _ . The egg market is uneasy. Honey is slow of sale. There is a better inquiry for cheese. 1 The following prices were realised during the week : Apples.—Stunners, 10s to 12s 6d per case; Delicious, 10s to 12s; Jonathans, ; 10s (id to 14s 6d. : Pears, Winter Coles, 12S 6d to 15s 6d i per three-quarter case; Winter Coles, 1 6s to 8s 6d per half-case; Winter Nelis, 6s to 7s 6d per half-case. Pumpkins, 2Jd per lb. Melons.—Jam, 2id per lb. : Brussels Sprouts, 3d to 4d per lb. 1 Rhubarb, 4s 6d to 6s 6d per dozen- ' lb bunches. ( Leeks, 6d per bunch. Potatoes. —King Edwards, 20s per cwt; Arran Chief, 15s to 17s per cwt. Carrots, Is to Is 4d per dozen. Lettuce. —Large, 4s 6d to 6s 6d per dozen; small, Is to 2s per dozen. Spinach, Is 6d to 2s 2d per dozen. Celery, 3s 6d to 5s 6d per dozen. Cabbages, Is 6d to 2s 6d per bag. Cauliflowers, 4s Gd to 6s 6d per bag. Parsnips, 5s to 6s per bag. Carrots, 4s to 5s per bag. Onions, 24s 6d per bag. i Eggs, market rates. 1

AUSTRALIAN CANNED FRUITS THE BAN LIFTED . RESUMPTION OF SUPPLIES [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 16. Resumption of the supplies of Australian canned fruits to New Zealand has been arranged as a result of the lifting of the ban imposed by the Australian Canned Fruit Control Board last month. The board's action was taken to mark its disapproval of trade on the system of deferred payment, but it was stated to-day that the chief ob-

jections were removed by the financial arrangements now operating under Reserve Bank control. Shipments will be made to New Zealand on the basis which provides for the remittance of 25 per cent, of payment in the first quarter next year and the remaining 75 per cent, in the second quarter. New Zealand purchasers will be required to pay 5 per cent, interest during the period between the arrival of shipments and the transfer of funds to the Commonwealth. OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD 4i PER CEKT. DEBENTURES The Otago Harbour Board, Dunedin, invites applications from the public for portion of the first instalment of the £400,000 loan authorised by the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1938. The issue consists of debentures of £IOO each with a currency of 21 years from September 15, 1939. The interest is 4i per annum, payable half-yearly, and the debentures aere trustee securities. Further details of the issue are advertised Applications for the debentures may bo made to the secretary of the board. DOLLAR RATES The Associated Banks (other than the Bank of New South Wales) to-day quoted the following dollar rates on a New Zealand currency basis. They are subject to alteration without notice:-

(Per £1 N.Z.) U.S.A. (Per £1 N.Z.) CANADA. SEEDING— T.T. (dol) . ... 2.96 3.27 3-16 O.D. (dol) . ... 2.96 14 3.27 1-2 BUYING— 0.1). (dol) , ... 5.18 54 3.50 3-16