OFFICERS PROMOTED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1914, Page 8

OFFICERS PROMOTED

The following promotions of officers of the Post and Telegraph Department have been approved by the Public Service Commissioner :— Second money order and Savings Bank clerk, Timaru : A. J. Nicholls, clerk, Christchurch. Second money order and Savings Bank clerk, New Plymouth : G. B. Purdue, clerk. Nelson. Assistant clerk ir charge of letter* carriers, Christchurch ■: W. Hi T, All* wright, clerk, Christchurch. - Clerk in charge of letter-carriers, Napier : J. L. Sage^ clerk, Timaru. Assistant clerk in charge of lettercarriers, Wellington : W. Broadbent, clerk, Dunedin. Shipping clerks, Wellington t W. J. Mayer, clerk, Christchurch, and R. J. Dickie, clerk, Wellington. Shipping clerks, Auckland : A. Shelton, clerk, Christchurch, and A. C. Robinson, clerk, Auckland.

One of the articles in this month's issue of the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture is devoted to grape culture. The writer (Mr. S. F. Anderson) says that there are only 106 acre's in the Dominion used for growing outdoor grapes. The quantity to be sold last season was 600,8001b5., which, at Id per lb., amounts to £2503 6s Bd. The retail value, at 3d per lb., would bo £7510. There is ample scope for the establishment on proper lines of small vineyards within reasonable distance of the large towns of the North Island. Vines require what may fairly bo termed intense culture, and in the vineyards where this has been adopted it is distinctly remunerative. An aero of vines of European varieties such as Black Hamburg, Muscat, Hambro, Golden Chasselas, Chasselas Rose, Black Tokay, properly trained, sprayed, sulphured, and pruned and highly cultivated will produce 60001bs. to 70001bs. At 3d. per lb. this represents £75 per acre. The vines will bo in full bearing in the third year after planting. The extraordinary care and cultivation given to vines on the Continent is rarely practised in our more generous climate. To make a success of the business, however, hi^h cul: ture is essential. There aro now 715 glass-houses in the Dominion for growing grapes, occupying 926,486 square feet, or 21.26 acres. As the borders of these houses require rather more than the actual area of %\\& houses, over 42^ acres dip occupied. The value of these buildings at the moderate estimate of £2 per running foot is £86,591. Estimating the value of the produce of theiit, houses at lib. of grapes for ?vevy 2 square feet of the houses, tha yield will be 463,2451b5. of grapes. A fair average prica is Is per lb., giving a total value of £23, 162 3s.