NEW WAIKATO INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 289, 5 December 1889, Page 5

NEW WAIKATO INDUSTRY.

PROPOSED FRUIT EVAPORATION.

The question of disposal of surplus fruit wasclidcussed atameetingof growers at CamS bridgeon Saturday last, wlien itwas agreed "That Messrs Sharp and Forrest prepare and tako round a list for the signatures of fruitgrowers, stating the quantity of fruit they will be prepared to promise to'Mr Barwell to start the fruit-evaporating, cider and vinegar industry in the Cambridge and Hamilton district; the plant to be erected at Mr Sharp's farm at Hautapu ; Mr Barwell to find a market for the produce and divide the proceeds equally between the grower and* the manufacturer." Mr Barwell addressed the meeting, explaining that this business was cot intended to supplant the fresh fruit business, but rather to supplement it and provide a method of disposing of the apples that were unfit for ea'.e in the local or export markets. During hie absence from New Zealand he had been in the United States, working at a fruit evaporating and cider manufactory, so as to become thoroughly conversant with all departments of the trade. Hβ then went to England and purchased an improved plant, with which ho contemplated starting business in Waikato if ho met with sufficient inducement. Most of the fruit businesses that had been started in New Zealand had collapsed through the producer receiving too much for his fruit. In this country everyone seemed to expect 2d or 3d per lb, while in America a fraction of that amount was deemed a fair price. He wished to start on a sound basis ; one that would give both producer and manufacturer a fair profit, and build up an industry that would bo a credit to the Waikato; not one that would give the producer a big profit for one year and then collapse. As this venture was, to a great extont, an experimental one, he had resolved to ask the farmers to join him in working it on a sort of co-operative principle. He was aware the present season bade fair to be a bad one for fruit, and probably that would have a deleterious effect upon the evaporating business, ac the price for fresh fruit in the local markets would be higher than last year's; but on the other hand he thought it best to start in a bad season, for if the business paid when fruit was scarce, it would be certain to pay when it was plentiful. The scheme which he submitted for their approval was as follows: —The farmers to provide the apples; he undertaking to supply all machinery, pay working expenses, sell the products, and. then divide the proceeds equally. From inquiries he had made he thought by thie method the grower would realise about 2s per bushel of 501b. Perhaps $d per lb seemed a very small price, but they must bear in mind that this need nob include choice fruit or keeping varieties ; and there would still remain a profit to come from the parings and cores, which would be made into vinegar. In the States the growers received from 20 to 25 cents per bushel, or not quite half the price he thought they could count upon receiving, and yet they were well satisfied. Regarding plume, he had not had any experience, for they did not grow them in that part of America where he had been residing ; but he had evaporated peaches and raspberries, and he thought they were quite aa difficult. He should be prepared to go into the business largely another year, if it proved a success this year, and if anyone wanted plums dried or cider made he should be willing to do the work for them this season and take parb of the produce in payment. If the farmers thought his offer a fair one aud would accept it, he should like them to guarantee him a certain quantity—say 20 tons.