DANGEROUS GRAPES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 14

DANGEROUS GRAPES

Theft Of 30 Bunches Thirty to 40 bunches of black grapes were stolen from a solitary vine in a Kaiapoi glasshouse some time on Friday night, but the grapes had-been covered with a poisonous spray applied six times stronger than normal. The owner of the Smith street property from which they were stolen. Mr W. B. B. Syder. said he was not worried by the actual theft of the grapes, he was much more concerned at what could happen if the grapes were by chance eaten by children. Mr Syder said the value of the stolen grapes was about £3 and although they looked ripe they needed another six weeks before they would be ready to eat. Protecting Orchids The poisonous spray had been used on the vine to orevent the spread of mealle bug to the several hundred orchid plants which Mr Syder cultivates. The vine, hanging high in the greenhouse, provided the orchid nlants with greater shade and extra humidity, he said. After discovery of the theft about 11 am. on Saturday Mr Svder notified the nolice of the danger and broadcasts were made throughout the day. Because of the height of the vine and the fact that not one not containing an orchid plant had been knocked over or disturbed in cutting each cluster of grapes down Mr Syder 'houeht that the theft was the work or an adult rather than a child The Kaiapoi police said ’-rt evening that neither the offender nor the graces had been located There have been no reoorts of anvone going to a doctor with poisoning symptoms