COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1924, Page 4

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SAMOAN BANANAS. The lirst shipment of Samoan bananas arrived in Auckland by the Tofua last week. The fruit, which was a trial shipment, was contained in lot) cases, and was carel'ullly “nursed" during the voyage (.says the "Auckland Star";. Each day the temperature of the hold was noted, and every precaution was taken to avoid undue heating. ITifortunnlcly the fruit, although pronounced much better than Fijian bananas, was picked rather late, am! this told against it during the voyage. Despite this, however, it was in fair order on arrival. Discussing the matter with a "Star” representative several traders pointed out that the copra and cocoa trade had occupied attention in Samoa in the past, but the failure of the cocoa crop had probably made peojde turn their attention to bananas. The German:- tried bananas, but did not make a success ol them. At present there was not a sidih-'vii; it "i to ji.-.ride shipments of l fruit, lint if the rejiort on the exI'erimentn! cases was .-.atislaetorv if was likely that banana-growing would he encouraged. A COOD FLAX SEASON.

The .Manawiitu flax milling industry is slowing down for the season. There has been a good demand for the fibre, and hut little diiliculty has been experienced in marketing the whole production. At the moment trade is quiet, hut the slackness is believed to lie hut temporary. At any rate it is causing no anxiety, ik most ol the mills are about to close down lor a month or two. Milling has been carried cn in .Maiiav.atii under good conditions. tin* weather has been most favourable, with a prolonged summer and warm autiiiiiu. The result < : these conditions is an increased output. i’r dnetion for the whole Dorn-; itiion lor l lie lirst lour mouths ul the current year lias been slightly higher I him Ihul for tlu> corresponding period of last vear.

Brices to-day arc ajiproxiiuatcly: Omni fair, 23t 10- per ton; high fair 229 ills ; low, 227, all free on hoard. These prices are about .‘lds jjer ton above the average for the whole of the

HEAVY SHIPMENT.'-' OK ARRI.F.S. Heavy shipments of New Zealand tipples continue to he made to overseas markets. I’ji to the present Kid.llfiO eases of this season's fruit have gone forward. The s.s. (Lillie recently took 5(1(111 cases,, anil the s.s. Rol l Brisbane SC!K) eases to Monte Video, and the s.s Wa'incra takes lISI3 eases for the Mime A large quantity of apples is going to London. The Maimoa is taking 20.990 cases; the Roll Brisbane is lilting 12,11(1(1 cases of Otago fruit at Lyttelton ; the s.s. lonic is carrying LT.IiOO cases; and the s.s. Ilerll’erd is dm- to leave to-dav iwlli 12.1111(1 eases.

It is anticipated llml the 2dd.l!!ld mark will he reached before the season (loses.