DUNEDIN MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 18

DUNEDIN MARKETS.

WHEAT, OATS, ETC. Friday Evening. There is no alteration in the local milling wheat market. Millers are still taking delivery of lines purchased forward —that is, of course, where the quality is up to standard. The percentage of under-grade lines shows no sign of decreasing, and practically the only lines suitable for milling are of the Hunters and Velvet variety. The Tuscan variety this year is in most cases of inferior quality, and suitable only for fowl wheat. In some cases where the Tuscan wheat is in a hard condition, but is shrivelled, millers are prepared to accept it at a reduction in the price originally agreed upon. Apparently all the milling wheat available will be required. Stocks of fowl wheat are in excess of requirements, and merchants have to look to the North Island for an outlet. Some sales have been made to the North Island, but the prices have had to be reduced to I do business. The present value of good whole fowl wheat is 4s lid, sacks extra, ex store, Dunedin. Milling prices are unchanged at 5s lOd, f.0.b., sacks extra, for Tuscan, 6s for Hunters, and Os 2d for Velvet. The protest against the proposal by the Prime Minister in connection with the reduction of the sliding scale of duties is not now being given much prominence. It is understood, however, that the whole position is being reviewed, and that later on the Government will announce what has been decided. The oat market remains unchanged. Offerings are on the light side, but on the other hand there is very little demand. An occasional order is being received from the North Island, and sales have been made on a basis of 2s 71d, f.0.b., s.i., for B’s, and 2s JOd for A’s. These prices are equivalent to 2s 2d on trucks, country sidings, sacks extra, for A’s. and 2s for B’s. The quality of the oats offering this year is irregular. It is difficult to secure bright lines, but this does not affect the position to any extent, as the requirements for the-North Island are being drawn mostly from under-grade lines. The chaff market is quiet with stocks in store on the light side. The demand is small on account of the limited outlet, and sales are being confined to small lots ex store at up to £4 15a per ton. Truck lots are difficult to dispose of, and the wholesale value for such lines is about £4 5s per ton, sacks extra, ex truck. There is not a great deal of cutting so far in Otago, and the local requirements are being drawn from Canterbury. The potato market is lifeless, and the distributing points are flooded with supplies. Sales are difficult to make, and the market has not yet steadied down to a definite basis. Selling prices are erratic, ruling from £3 10s to £4 per ton, sacks included, ex store Dunedin, according to quality. » Some low r quotations are being received from Canterbury where potatoes are being railed to this market at £2 10s per ton, sacks included, on trucks. South Canterbury stations. The quiet period in the seed market continues and little business is going through. Merchants who are carrying stocks will have to hold them until the spring demand eventuates". There is only a limited supply of all good quality seeds, of any variety, available, but it is considered that these stocks will be sufficient to meet the retail demand. Produce lines are quoted wholesale as follow: — Chaff: Good quality, £4 10s to £4 15s per ton, ex store, Dunedin, sacks extra. Potatoes: Best quality', £3 10s per ton. Dairy butter: Milled bulk, lid to Is per lb; separator pats, IOJd to lid. Bacon, lid per lb. Hams: Ordinary, Is; boneless. Is id per lb. Onions: Cautebury, 7s 6d per cwt. Eggs: Stamped, 2s Id; case, 2s. Pullet’s eggs. Is 9d per dozen. Eggs were reduced 2d per dozen during the week. FRUIT REPORT. Apples ar e still in good supply and prices are low. The demand is mostly' confined to well-coloured sorts. Sturmers have been in little demand at present. Cookers are also selling at low rates. Pears are in heavy supply and prices are low. A quantity of pears are arriving in an over-ripe condition. Outside-grown tomatoes continue to arrive from Christchurch. Hot house grown sell readily at good prices. Locally-grown grapes have a much better demand, but only small lots are on offer. The Wainui is expected on Tuesday next with the first of the season’s Australian navels. A fair quantity is expected. The same vessel will also bring mandarins and lemons. The Makura, which is due at Wellington on Monday, will land a large shipment of Island oranges and Rarotongan bananas. A fair quantity of the fruit is expected to be brought to the southern markets. The Dunedin allotment should reach here on Thursday’. A further shipment of Samoan bananas, ex the Maui Pomare, is expected in Dunedin on June 9. Quinces are in good supply. North Island-grown passions are plentiful. A shipment of Australian melons is expected in about a week’s time, ex the Waikouaiti. Choice cauliflowers have a good demand, but poor quality is in over-supply and is hard to sell. Good-hearted cabbages bring fair prices. A few lots of peas are still reaching the market. A better demand exists for rhubarb. Other lines of vegetables have a normal demand. Wholesale prices are as follow:— Apples: Delicious, 5s 6d to 7s 6d per case; Jonathans, 5s to 6s 6d; Cleopatras, 5s 6d to 7s; cookers, 4s 6d to 5s 6d. Bananas: Ripe, to 30s. Oranges: Island, 18s to 20s. Lemons: Adelaide, to 25s per bushel case. Pears: Winter Coles, large, 2s 6d to 3s per half-case; small, Is 6d to 2s; cookers, 2s to 2s 6d. Tomatoes: Choice well-coloured, 4d to Gd; others, Id to 3d; local hothouse, 8d to IOJd per lb. Quinces, 5s to ,6s per bushel case. Passions: North Island, 4s to 5s per ewte.

Local grapes, lOd to Is 3d per lb; Gros Colmars, to 2s; Australian, 16s to 18s per case. Califlowers: Choice, 3s 6d to 5s per sack; others, Is to 2s. Pie melons: Australian, 10s to 12s per cwt. Celery: Choice, 6d per head; others, Gd per bundle. Cabbages, 2s to 3s per sack of 18. Lettuce: Choice, to 2s per dozen; others unsaleable. Potatoes, 4s per cwt. Rhubarb, to 3s per dozen bunches. Swedes, 2s per cental bag. Green peas, 3d to s}d per lb. Carrots, to 2s 6d per sugar bag. Parsnips, 2s 6d per sugar bag. MERCHANDISE MARKET. Saturday Morning. The next sugar boat is the Waipiata, due on June 3. The Port Fairy brought supplies of 51b bags of Premier iodised salt, Brown’s maize cornflour. Bush’s cream of tartar. Brazil nuts, etc. Included in the cargo by the Westmoreland was a supply of Krucchen salts, which were getting into short pass.Advice has been received that Greek currants have been advanced in price. The lonic, due on the 14th, is bringing supplies of Zig-zag cigarette papers, Morton’s seidlitz powders. Morton’s castor oil and olive oil, Oakey’s knife polish, glauber salts, Benger’s food, etc. A new line of patent groats, packed in Dunedin, has made au appearance on the market.

The Waikouaiti, due from Sydney on June 9, will land large quantities of Ceylon tea, Australian rice, arrowroot, Cuticura soap and ointments, etc.