THE FRUIT TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 574, 31 July 1909, Page 7

THE FRUIT TRADE.

. TJndpened cases of oranges were to be seen ■yesterday in most local fruit, shops, and earTiers' wagons 'on the sulmrljan roads , were, loaded with'similar purchases.'' • Three thbiisand" cases wero lahded"-' from' ■ tlie Manapouri,' which ■ arrived from Rarotoiiga'on■Wednesday, and,- were promptly . disposed of-at the public- markets.' A. Dominion,,reporter learned that prices, ranged ■ (rom 2s. to -7s. .per case. The wacle of the oranges had to. be fumigated on arrival;. It is uiiderst6od iii: Wellington. that, before, the next direct boat leaves,, th'd fumigatiiig' apparatus at Earotonga will be. available, and the fruit will not require to undergo disinfection hern. • A ,local merchant'remarked that itwas"regrettable that the direct steamer could riot call at Aitutaki.. Ho said that the oranjjes from that island had better, keeping qualities than thoso from other parts.' Oranges from [ Aitutaki invariably came through without having to be fumigated, and, as they were much later, they , carried better on, the voyage. at this time of the, year. y '

Tho' Manapouri discharged 1000 , ease's - "of bananas for Wellington. Their condition waS good, comparing most favourably with tho quality of-'fruit previously shipped ivia Auokland.'' •-■: : . •Merchants assert -that the direct service to Wellington, which was established five months ago, is a s distinct advantage, to dealers,' and will ensure -that. tlie public ' may.', buy botter. ; bananas/ Tho shipine'nt's by direct stennidrs, they say,'have increased l ? rhit which is landed in -Wellington'. by the island stoanior reaches Christchurch in twenty-four hours, and Dunedin in forty-eight hours; J ;H