In the Market Place

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 794, 15 October 1929, Page 10

In the Market Place

ISLAND ORANGES SCARCE MORE STRAWBERRIES SOLD Supplies of Island oranges are becoming fewer, and prices are firming. As the*recent shipment of Island oranges was the last for the season, marketers are now looking to California and Australia for supplies. The apple market, after a long period of sound business, has shown a weakening tendency during the past few days. The position is being caused by heavy consignments from the South. Sturmers are being particularly affected. Good pears sell freely. Strawberries ai~e making their appearance in larger numbers, and ready sales are extremelj* satisfactory to growers. The banana market is steady. No Sydney steamer will bring fruit to Auckland this week. Taken generally, the vegetable market is heavily supplied with most lines, and there is a glut of rhubarb offerings. The selling tone is fair. Quotations: FRUIT Apples.—Delicious, extra fancy 13s to 149, others 10s to 12s; Sturmers, 10s to lis bd; Dougherty, 10s to 13s; Grannie Smith, lls to 14s. Pears.—Nelis, good condition 12s to 14s 6d. others 8s to 10s P. Barry, Ss to 10s. Lemons.—Choice No. 1 Ss to 10s medium and No. 2 5s to 6s. Tomatoes.—Hothouse, lOd to Is Sid a lb; Cook Island, 5s to 7s box. Oranges.—lsland repacks, good counts 15s to 27s 6d, others 18s to 22s 6d; Poorman No. 1 5s to 6s 6d, Poorman medium and small 4s to ss. Grapefruit.—Local, 4s to 7s 6d. Grapes.—Californian, in barrels, red 20s to 255, white 20s to 22s 6d. Bananas.—Repacked, ripe, 25s +o 26s * medium and No. 2,15 sto 19s. Strawberries.—Captain Cook, 2s 6d to 3s 6d chip; Marguerite, Is 6d to 2s 6d chip. FIELD PRODUCE Potatoes.—Southern, lls to 12s cwt; new, No. 1 3d to 4d a lb. No. 2 Dd to L’id a lb. Onions.—l7s to ISs crate. Kumeras.—Tauranga, 10s to lls cwt. Cabbages.—2s to 6s sack. Cauliflowers.—3s to 6s sack. Swedes.—2s to 3s bag. Pumpkins.—los to 16s cwt. Green Peas.—Cd to lOd lb. Beans. —French, Is 3d to 2s lb. Lettuces.—2s to 6s case. Cucumbers.—Hothouse, 5s to 10s dozen. Cabbages.—On benches, Is Cd to 3s a Cauliflowers.—On benches, 2s to 6s a dozen. Celery.—6d to 2s 6d bundle. Rhubarb.—2s to 6s dozen. Spinach.—ls to Is 9d dozen. Pumpkins.—ls 6d to 3s each. Radish.—ls to Is 3d a dozen. Spring Onions. —6d to Is bundle. Carrots, Parsnips, Beet, and Turnips.— Cd to Is dozen. Asparagus.—6d to Is bundle. Leeks.—2d to 6d a bundle.

A PROFITABLE YEAR SOUTH BRITISH INSURANCE DIVIDEND OF 2/7 A SHARE Net profits of £225,117 are shov/n in the annual report and balance sheet of the South British Insurance Company, Ltd., for the year ended August 31, 1929. Net premium income amounted to £1,051,842. After making full provision for losses outstanding there is a surplus of £90,771 in the underwriting account; to this is added £134,346, being amount received by way of interest and rents, less payment of income tax. The sum of £75,000 has been placed to Reserve Account and £483 has been transferred to Leasehold Sinking Fund, leaving £149,634 available for distribution. The sum of £64,478 was used to pay an interim dividend at tho rate of Is 3d a share; a further dividend at the rate of Is 4d a share is now recommended; this leaves the sum of £16,380 to be carried forward which with the balance from August 28 leaves a carry-over of £209,692. The directors place on record their regret at the death of Mr. J. H. Upton, a member of the board. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of. Mr. Victor Murray, for many years the company’s manager in Calcutta and the Far East. Since his retirement, Mr. Murray has been a member of the London board and has now taken up his residence in Auckland. The retiring directors are Sir George Elliot and Mr. W. R. Wilson, who offer themselves for re-election. Following is a comparison of the company’s results for the last three I years:—• 192 G-27. 1927-28. 1925-29. „ £ £ £ Premium income .. 3,046,753 1,038,047 1,051 842 Expenses .. 311,805 322,512 317 SSB Ratio, p.c. 29.79 31.07 30.19 Losses .. 617,562 628,558 641,483 Ratio, p.c. 59.00 60.55 60 9S To risks reserve .. 34,000 Surplus . .. £83,386 £86,976 £90,770 Int & rent 130,780 126,149 134,3-16 Brought forward . 167,735 180,342 193,311 Totals .. £371,901 £393,467 £418,427 To reserve.' 75,000 75,000 75 000 Sinking fund 500 500 483 Dividend rates .. 2s 3d 2s 5d 2s 7d Amount .. 116,059 124,656 133,253 Carried forward . £180,3.42 £193,311 £209,G91 Trustee Department A statement of the position of the Guardian Trust and Executors Company of New Zealand, Ltd., is issued with the report. Jt shows that the amount at credit of estates under administration (including amount due to c i*® < i l^ rs of trust estates) was £ 0,766,008 13s 6d. This was represented by tho following investments and cash: Landed property, £1,721 093 iY 1 ’ 118 s debentures, £308,218 16s sd: New Zealand Government securities, £20C,869 12s 6d: sundry debtors, £140,470 Is 8d; partnerships and reversionary interests, £41,491 32s 8d; furniture, livestock, jewellery’, i. nsurance and sundry £-o-,706 5s 4d; cash on deposit, savings bank balances and bills receivable, £135,397 5s lOd: trust accounts, balance at credit, £7,280 13s 4d. In addition, the company holds debenture trusts, not included in the above, amounting to £3,896,457.