Overtime Worked in City Marts

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 20

Overtime Worked in City Marts

ALL SECTIONS BUSY DEMAND FOR POULTRY Clanging bells and busy auctioneers, shrill cries issuing from crowded poultry pens and the rattle of trolleys over the wellfilled floors—all this, combined with numerous other noises, go to provide a scene of Christmas activity to the Auckland city marts. From an early hour in the morning lorries and carts carrying freights of all descriptions mostly designed to meet the needs of the Christmas shopper are to be seen backed into or awaiting their turn at the unloading platforms. It is not until well on into the evening, again, before the last load from the day’s auctions is lifted for its destination somewhere within the precincts of Auckland. Literally working from daylight to dark auctioneering firms and their assistants are hard put to cope with the rush which every day, as Christmas approaches, becomes greater. Particularly busy are the poultry and fruit sections. The air is filled with the discordant sounds of all classes of poultry crowded into every available pen, and yet the demand keeps pace with the supply. Turkeys, ever a favourite at this time of the year, sell up to 36s 6d for the best gobblers, though some of the poorer sorts can be bought from 20s upwards. Turkey hens make 7s 6d to 11s 6d. Young ducks make 3s 6d to 6s 6d; geese, 6s 6d to 11s; good cocks, 8s to 10s 6d. No particular fancy is displayed in the fruit section. There is a steady demand for all varieties. Local fruits sell freely with strawberries tending to rise in price as supplies ease off.

The usual demand is registered for vegetables, with the supply keeping up with the demand. Green peas make up to 5s 6d a sugar bag.