FROM THE ISLANDS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 51, 2 March 1909, Page 7

FROM THE ISLANDS.

ARRIVAL OF THE MANAPOURL Early this morning the Manapouri reached Wellington, after ten days' steaming from the South Seas, paradoxically situated in tropical latitudes far to the north of New Zealand. This trip is the second one of the direct service instituted between Wellington and Tahiti and surrounding islands by the Union S. S. Co., and it is apparent that the resulting trade needs improvement to bring it up to the anticipatory standards The inward cargo to-day consists chiefly of fruit, but its bulk is disappointingly small. There are 2356 cases of bananas and 96 bunches, 25 cases of pineapples, and 608 cases of oranges, all landed in condition that appears to be excellent. The island growers were discouraged, last month, by receipt of the news that unprofitable prices for their fruit had been realised at Auckland, and not much better in Welling, ton, and the minimised shipment to hand to-day is the first result. Merchants and others, however, are of opinion that the spirit of hope that, actuates all men will induce shippers to regard New Zealand market prospects more favourably next month, and to send forward much larger shipments. In addition to the main lines, other imports were received, the most important being a San Francisco mail that filled two lorries, and the least a baby turtle in a tub. An unusual item on the manifest was a small consignment of vanilla — four cases — from Tahi£, where a good deal is produced from the beans and sent away in crude form for refining purposes. A suggestion has been made that Wellington manufacturers and others who make use of vanilla might work up a profitable trade in this article, it being understood that this avenue of trade has not been touched so far as Wellington is concerned. Amongst the passengers by the gteamer were Messrs. L. D. Smith and R. B. Westlake, of the United States Navy, who are going on to join tho Annapolis at Samoa. Mr. Smith was accompanied by Mrs. Smith, Captain Brown, well known in Australia, was another passenger by the Mapourika.