FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 74518, 6 February 1890, Page 3

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee of the above was held last night. Mr C. Marsh occupied the chair. : • ' ■ Correspondence was read from the Government with respect to the outbreak of phylloxera in the North Island, stating that the request of the Association that the. Government would take steps to prevent its spread was under the consideration of the Government. A letter was received from Mr Wilding urging the necessity of the members of the Association joining in shipping apples to England, as there was a probability of a scarcity this year, owing to the partial failure of the English and American crops. The Secretary was requested to write to the Government calling their attention to the apple maggot, which had been importedfrom America into South Australia, and requesting that steps be taken to stop the importation of apples here from America or any other infected place. Mr Woolridoe moved—'* That the Secretary be requested to again write to the Government urging updn them strongly to lose no time in preventing fruit infected with codlin moth being landed at any New Zealand-port." Mr Elliott seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was stated by the Chairman and Mr Elliott that they had ascertained that grape vines were imported here last year from Auckland, and the fear was expressed phylloxera may already have obtained a hold here. Mr Elliott moved—"That the becretary communicate -with the Government, urging them to prohibit grape vines aud grapes being exported from infected districts into those districts which are supposed to be clean, as grape growers here dread the introduction of the phylloxera into their vineyards, as it has been ascertained that grapes are no - being exported from Auckland all down the coast. Mr Souter seconded the motion, which was carried. The meeting then ad journed.