COMMERCIAL.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 13 October 1917, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

WELLINGTON MARKETS. Wellington, Oct. 12. The potato market is somewh.it uncertain. Buyers, expecting new crops, are operating with caution, and in cullsequence the market has been allowed to get very bare, and to-day's prices have slightly advanced. This effect is purely local, as Southern merchants are offering freely. Fowl wheat is still offering in small parcels, but the demand is keeping values high. A fair quantity of oats is offering, but most of these are of interior quality, and prices are firm. Maize, as predicted in our last report, is very firm, with an upward tendency in values. Heavy lines of rye grass and cocksfoot are only procurable at high prices. The market in regard to bran and pollard is at present rather uncertain on account of the latest Government arrangement, the effect of which has somewhat complicated the position. On account of a shortage in supply of prime lines of pork, prices have slightly advanced. Poultry has been coming forwardin fair quantities, but the demand is good and prices satisfactory. Vegetables.—Cabbage is coming forward in fair supply, but. as usual at this time of the year, it is more leaf than heart. Cauliflower is very scarce, and prices have again risen. Carrots are scarce and prices good. Only a small quantity of white turnips is tobe obtained, and these at high values per bunch. V ery good lettuce has been coming in and is realising satisfactory prices. Beet root is eagerly sought after, and top values are maintained. Spring onions and leelcs are very much in demand on account of onions being unprocurable, consequently high prices are the rule. Swedes have been scarce, and prices have considerably advanced. Marrows and pumpkins are very short. Parsnips are in keen demand. Celery of better quality is now. coming forward, and prices have risen accordingly. Green peas have slightly declined in value on account of a larger supply. Rhubarb is in fair supply, and figures vary according to quality. New potatoes are being offered in small quantities at satisfactory rates to growers. Asparagus is coming forward in somewhat larger quantities, with a decline in prices. Fru it. — All lines of fruit are particularly scarce, and top figures are being obtained. Vegetables.—Cabbages, choice, ssto 10s, cauliflower 17s 6d to 245, best carrots 10s, choice lettuce 4s to Bs, beetroot 20s, parsnips 15s, marrows 15s, pumpkins, 15s, all at per sack ; white turnips lOd per bunch, trench beans Is lb, spring onions 2s bundle, swedes 8s cwt., celery 3s to 6s doz., leeks 2s lOd lb., artichokes Id lb., green peas 2s 6d to 3s 6d peck, rhubarb 5s to 12s doz. bunches, new potatoes 4d to 6d lb. Fruit. —Dessert apples 15s, cooking do. 13s per full case, dessert pears 10s half case.

Current Market Quotations. Prime potatoes £5 to £5 10s ton, seed do. at market rates, good whole fowl wheat 7s 6d bushel, maize 6s 6d do., feed oats 4s lOd do., special quotes large lots, crushed oats 5s 2d, Australian seed oats : Algerians dressed and clipped 3s 9d, Gartons and Sparrowbills ss, Duns 5s 6d bush. Russian barley cape seed 6s, barley feed ss, pollard and bran, supplies short, market rates ; oaten sheaf chaff £7.15s to £8 15s ton. Dressed pork, 70's to 90's, 8d ; 90's to 100s, 7J£d; baconers, 6d to 7d ; choppers, heavy, 4d to 5d per lb. Honey 5d to 6d. Eggs, fresh, Is 5d doz.