IN THE MARKET PLACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 235, 23 December 1927, Page 12

IN THE MARKET PLACE

CHRISTMAS PRICES HOLIDAY RUSH To-day was the big Christmas buying day at the city marts. Green peas have almost doubled in price. Strawberries are keenly demanded at 1s 5d to 1s 7d, with inferior sorts of less value. Shipping lines for which Christmas sales end to-day sold for 1s 7d to 1s 10d. ..Poultry sales were better than expected. There will be a short session for strawberry buying at 8 a.m. on Monday, and a market on Tuesday for soft fruit and perishable lines. Good desert plums were scarce in the markets, and values are high for good fruit. Gooseberries have hardened in price and bananas and oranges are scarce. The poultry sales were better than anticipated. Usually at this late hour Christmas roasting fo\tfl is not so keenly sought. The following prices were ruling under the hammer this morning:— FRUIT Apples.—Sturmers 9s to 10s, Canadian Winesaps 17s to 16s 6d, Canadian Delicious 17s to 17s 6d, Newtown Pippin 18s. Pears.—P. Barrys ss, to 6s. Strawberries.—To-day’s sales, Is to Is lOd. Oranges.—Rarotongan 20s; Australian Valencias 21s, 265, 30s. Tomatoes.—Hothouse, first-grade to Is 3d, second grade 8d to lOd, small 3d to 6d; outdoor, best ripe Is, and others 4d to 9d. Cherries.—Sydney ISs and 20s. Plums.—Sharp’s early 9s to 10s, cherry 6s to 7s 6d, Evan’s early Bs, Wright’s early 8s 6d, 7s 6d, Hale’s early 6s to 6s 6d, extra choice plums 14s to 16s. Apricots.—6s to 14s. Black Currants.—lls to 11s 9d. Lemons.—Cured 22s to 255, others 10s to 18s. Bananas.—Repacks 25s and 30s. Gooseberries.—4s and 6s. Peaches.—6s to 10s. Grapes.—Hothouse 2s 6d to 2s 9d. FIELD PRODUCE

Broad Beans.—2s 6d to 4s a bag. Pumpkins.—Ordinary, 15s to 20s a cwt. Onions.—Canadian, 9s to 18s a crate; local, Id a lb. Cabbage.—ls to is a sack. French Beans. —8d to lOd a lb. Lettuce.—ls 6d to 4s a case. Rhubarb.—ls 6d to 2s 6d a dozen. Spinach.—6d a dozen. Cabbage.—On benches, Is to 2s 6d a dozen. Spring Onions.—3d to Is a bundle. Marrows.—3s to 10s a dozen. Carrots, Parsnips, Beet and Turnips.—• Is 6d to 2s 6d a dozen. Cucumbers.—Outdoor, 3s to 6s a dozen Radish.—6d to 9d a dozen. Asparagus.—6d a bundle. POULTRY Cockerels.—Heavy breeds, prime, 7s to 10s each; not prime, 3s upwards; light breeds, prime, 4s to 6s; not prime, 2s upwards. Fat Roosters. —Heavy breeds, prime, 2s 6d to 4s; light breeds, Is 6d to 2s 6d. Fat Hens. —Heavy breeds, 4s to 6s; light breeds, 3s to 3s 6d. Drakes. —Young, prime, 4s to 6s; smaller, 3s upwards. Ducks. —Old, Is 6d to 2s 9d. Geese.—7s to 9s 6d. Turkey Hens.—7s to 10s. Gobblers.—l7s 6d to 275.