Retail Prices

Beef prices, which had declined steadily for the last five months, showed a general upward movement. In January sirloin steak averaged 28.2 cents per pound, as compared with 27.4 cents in December 1925; round steak 23 cents per pound, as compared with 22.1 cents in December; shoulder roast 15.3 cents per pound in January and 14.7 cents in December, and stewing beef 11.8 cents per pound in January and 11.3 cents in December. Veal and mutton also averaged slightly higher, the former being 18.5 cents per pound in January, as compared with 18.2 cents in December and the latter 28.9 cents per pound in January and 28.6 cents in December. Fresh pork advanced from an average of 28 cents per pound to 28.5 cents in January. Salt pork was also slightly higher at 26.9 cents per pound. Bacon and lard showed little change, increases in some localities being offset by declines in others. In fresh fish cod steak and halibut were slightly lower. Salt herrings and salt cod were somewhat higher. Lard rose cent per pound, averaging 24.9 cents.

Eggs showed a slight seasonal decline, fresh averaging 62.8 cents per dozen in January, as compared with 64.7 cents in December and 57.2 cents in November. Prices were somewhat higher in the Maritime provinces and Quebec but declined in most other localities. Milk prices averaged slightly higher, being 12.3 cents per quart in January, as compared with 12 cents in December. Higher prices were reported from Sorel, St. Hyacinthe, Belleville, Woodstock, St. Thomas, North Bay, Timmins, Port Arthur, Fort William, Prince Albert, New Westminster and Vancouver. Little change occurred in butter prices in the average, dairy averaging 46.0 cents per pound and creamery 50.7 cents. Cheese was slightly lower at an average of 33.4 cents per pound.

Lower prices for bread were reported from Amherst, Halifax and Brandon, while increases occured in Fredericton, Chatham, Port Arthur, Fort William and Victoria. Soda biscuits showed little change. Flour rose from an average of 5.2 cents per pound in December to 5.4 cents in January. Increases occurred in most localities. Tapioca was slightly lower, averaging 13 cents per pound. Little change occurred in canned goods. Potatoes averaged $2.64 per ninety pounds in January, as compared with $2.62 in December. Evaporated apples were up from an average of 19.8 cents per pound to 20.3 cents. Prunes showed little change, while raisins were slightly higher. The price of sugar was unchanged in the average.

Anthracite coal was up in the average from $18.02 per ton in December to $18.35 in Janu

ary. Higher prices were reported from Quebec, Sherbrooke, St. John's, Thetford Mines, Montreal, Belleville, London and St. Thomas. Bituminous coal was also slightly higher, averaging $10.53 per ton. Hardwood rose from $12.16 per cord to $12.30. Higher prices were reported from Charlottetown and Kingston. Coal oil was slightly lower, averaging 30.1 cents per gallon, as compared with 30.3 cents in December. Little change occurred in rent. Wholesale Prices

The following is a summary of a statement on prices changes during the month issued by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics.

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Grain prices moved within narrow limits, the monthly averages showing little change as compared with December, 1925. No. 1 Manitoba, Northern cash wheat, Fort William and Port Arthur basis, averaged $1.56 per bushel, as compared with $1.57 in December. high price for the month was $1.60 near the beginning, and the low $1.52% about the 22nd. The decline in the prices was said to be due to the lack of European demand. Coarse grains also moved to lower levels, Western barley declining from 63c. per bushel to 61c.; oats from 48c. per bushel to 474c., and flax seed from $2.26 per bushel to $2.13. Flour was slightly lower, being $9.141 per barrel, as compared with $9.20 in December. Lemons at Toronto fell from $4-$5 per box to $4, and oranges from $5.50-$5 to $5.25-$5.50. Rubber again somewhat lower, a grade of Ceylon declining from 99c. per pound to 83 c. Raw sugar was down from $3.71 per hundred to $3.68, and granulated from $5.984 to $5.89. Coffee advanced c. per pound to 28 c. Potatoes again advanced, the price at Mont-' real being up from $2.66 per ninety pounds to $3.06, and at Toronto from $2.50-$2.75 per ninety pounds to $3.40-$3.50. Linseed oil fell from $1.13 per gallon to $1.08. Choice steers at Toronto advanced from $7.17 per hundred to $7.25, while western cattle at Winnipeg remained steady. Hogs were again higher, the price advancing from $13.25 per hundred to $13.82. Sheep at Toronto were up from $6.75 per hundred to $6.873. White fish and halibut at Toronto were slightly higher. Salt mackerel advanced from $7.50 per barrel to $8. Mink skins advanced $2 per skin to $15. Dressed hogs at Toronto rose from $16.50 per hundred to $17.30; mutton from $10 per hundred to $12; bacon from 321-331c. per pound to 331-341c. Finest creamery butter at Montreal was 1c. per pound lower at 46c. Cheese at Montreal fell from 28c. per pound to 27c. Eggs were substantially lower, fresh declining from 72-75c. per dozen to 50-52c., and storage from 43 c. per dozen to 384c. Raw cotton at

RETAIL PRICES OF STAPLE FOODS, GROCERIES, FUEL AND LIGHTING,