THE WINE INDUSTRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1908, Page 2

THE WINE INDUSTRY.

TO TEE EDITOR, Sir,— l noticed in your issue of the 15th instant a statement by Mr. Craik, a vigneron of Hawkes Bay, to the effect that wine casks cannot be made in New Zealand. I feel, sir, as a cooper of many years' experience in every branch of the coopering trade, that I must combat this statement It is true there is no timber in JNew Zealand suitable for such casks, but that can easily be remedied by importing same from America, or even the home of the oak, Europe. Should it be said that the coopers of New Zealand, are so far back that they cannot make large wine casks? According to Mr. Craik's statement one would think so. Mr. Craik also states that he got into communication with a number of firms, correspondence resulted, but no casks; also that he has been waiting conic months for casks made in NewZealand and has not got them yet. The question is from whom did Mr. Craik order casks? If he is really desirous 'of having his casks made in 2\ T ew Zealand, I shall be pleased to receive a communication from him to that effect, as I think I can show him where he can have the desire gratified. Trusting Mr. Craik will make further enquiries into the making of large wine casks in the Dominion. — I am, etc., W. T. A. SCHAHINGER. Waterloo-avenue, Wellington. Another correspondent (P. H. R. Radestock) vrites in a similar strain^ and adds thai to his personal knowledge wine casks of all sizes anS descriptions have been manufactured in Australia during the .last twenty years, and the timber for that work has be%n imported from Europe and America. "I ' should like," he 'says, "to see such an industry as wine making fostered to a large extent, and no doubt if such was the case there would then be sufficient inducement for coopers to remain in tho Dominion."