GRAPES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 126, 20 February 1908, Page 8

GRAPES.

' CARELESS. PACKING; SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENT TO 1 ARRIVE. / The .grapss that' Wellington has 'received from; Sydney-side, sinco the lifting of-tho restriction '..debarring- .their , -importation from, the Commonwealth, have not given the satisfaction anticipated. Sydney exporters seem to .have . merely put asido 'a> certain quantity : for /shipment" to New . Zealand of. 'those: grapes coming' into ; Sj;dnoy .from .'the "country, vineyards.'..-The,.writer happened .to. be.-ih a few days ago, when, the'.-proprietor 'was' opening somq cases

of. grapes;, and-, it 'was! noticed that, they wero packed ■ precisely in the. samo. manner as

those that .are being received by, tho local fruit- merchants —the ..bunches, aro jammed into-.a box- v (dis'coloiired..ithrbugh being .used over,and over/again) as, tightly as 'possible,• with- tho result-that in those instances..where the fruit was a little too, ripe when "boxed," the ; bottom has been found to be nothing but grape'-pulp. . ..

Those exporters or. growers who vqsb really to foster trade with the Dominion are strongly advised to--take a little moro care with their.- fruit—choose a/siiitablo variety, and pack thom' comfortably close in granulated cork. . There is any amount of money in Wellington' for good grapes, and if a better class were placed upon the market in a good condition, it would amply, repay all parties. -; • ! i > There are about 150 cases of grapes on the Malxno, which! arrived : from Sydney, yesterday, but they will, riot be removed from the freezer .until to-day. /

■ Tha first of /South Australian' grapes :is duo tov arrivo 'by the Wimmera (from Melbourne via South) to-morrow. This consists of .25,30-lb. cases consigned to Mr. R.. T. Robertson, of Grey -Street,/ who' -.has secured,the representation of a; firni of packers and exporters in Adelaide, who-.repre-sent a large number of growers. The grapes, according, to advices- received, are .packed carefully in_. granulated; cork, ancV are , being carried in the freezer' it a temperature of 45 degrees. Thoy consist of/Muscatels, Red Prihct}, Sultanas, and Waltham Cross varieties. The * Siilt'anas are described ;as small, but they are * seedless, and of fine flavour.: .The granulated cork adheres slightly .to the; grapes when taken.fiom the i freezer,/but-dusts off easily when :the fruit has absorbed the natural warmth , of,. the atmosphere./ Mr. Robertson intends to dispoao of the shipment privately. v lf this lot.sells as well as expected Mr. Robertson intends to. import from 50 to 100 boxes every week. ■Messrs.. Macclonald, Wilson, and Co. will submit - to-day. at 2.30 , o'clock, .at their E~chanKO.' Land. Mart, uiider instructions from the executors in the estate of the late MrE. W. Mills,' the. family mansion and grounds, situate in : Aurora Terrace and Clifton Terrace. The grounds comprise over half an acre, laid out in terraced .lawns, shrubberies, flower garden, etc. The residence contains eighteen rooms, comprising two.entrance halls, drawing and: dining rooms,' library, breal;fast>roqm, billiard-room, .nine bedrooms, dressing-room's, three bathrooms, two lavatories, and other rooms. Outbuildings comprise'stable, coachhouse, harness-room, etc. The property occupies a commanding .position, and' fine views from the balconies and windows of the residence, aro to, be obtained. Illustrated lithographic plans of the'property can bo,obtained froni' -tlie ;auctioneers. - The full detailed advertisemeent appears in our auction column. Mrs. H. B. Mason,'.who has been touring the Dominion during .the' summer, has returned to ■Wellington, and will open her;dancing classes on Monday,/ March 2. . , Among the performers at the entertainment at the Missions to Seamen will be Mrs. M. Sutciifle, a . well-known. performer, who. will render pathetic, dramatic,' and humorous recitals. Miss. Mina Caldow, the popular contralto, will contribute selections. The proceeds of the entertainment • will go to the organ jund.