WEALTH FROM APPLE LANDS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 57, 9 March 1915, Page 6

WEALTH FROM APPLE LANDS

"It is estimated there will be a million and a-half cases of apples for export in a very few years' time," states a Presa Association message from Nelson to-day. This anticipation applies to the Nelson province alone, and thus the mind is invited to think of very big figures for the whole of New Zealand. This flourishing apple industry is a matter of yesterday, comparatively. The possibilities of a well-managed commercial orchard were recognised by only a limited number of growers till the demand of South America put a prospect of wealth before intelligent, active men. It is no long time since the apple producer was restricted almost entirely to New Zealand, and he was usually in a state of anxiety absut prices. The individual was at the mercy of a fluctuating market of ups and downs — more down than vp — and in some years he had a very meagre reward for his enterprise. All that has been changed — and to-day tho man who rests firmly on the apple is exceedingly well-balanced. The growers are organised for marketing, and this co-operation is being improved from year to year. The fear of the local " glut " hao passed away — never to return, according to prophets who have verse and chapter for their declarations. Across the seas lie openings into which New Zealand can pour apples by the hundred thousand — and always the people abroad seem to be a-sking for more. In addition to those good customers, there is every probability that New Zealanders themselves will learn to appreciate the healthful properties of a sound apple. A small proportion of the population has the apple habit, and the number will be multiplied with the lowering of the price which the modern development of the industry will permit, in time. One need for that purpose is cool storage — a question of finance in which the State may be able to assist, on business lines. One very pleaeant feature about this young industry is the fact that land which is unsuitable for pastures or for crops may be specially favourable for apples. Remarkable examples of the conversion of " waste lands " intp thriving orchards may be Been in the outskirts of Nelson City and in the Moutere, Tasman, and Motueka districts. Large areas near the sea were deemed to be so poor that they were almost abandon ed to manuka and other scrub. Within three or four years a wilderness has been changed into a garden — regular lines of sturdy young trees, with a. promise of splendid returns in the near future. Some of the scrub-covered ground, which has not yet been broken into cultivation, makes an impressive contrast beside the eelections which have been tilled and planted. No doubt the successful treatment of land 'which was believed to be little better than valueless a few years ago has strengthened Mr. Massey's faith in the. capacity of the northern gum-lands to yield fruit. Some of the poor soils there — poor from the viewpoint el the joaatoraliisfc— have

already proyed their suitableness for marketable apples. The fruit in these warmer latitudes is said, to lack the flavour obtainable in the. South Island, but the apples have an attractive colour, for which, the South American is prepared to pay cheerfully. Many thousands of acres in both islands are awaiting the planter, and healthy, comfortable livings are assured for a large number of cultivators. Here is a sphere in which a persevering worker has an exceptional opportunity for establishing himself profitably od the land, and the evolution from employee to employer can be witnessed in Nelson province. An examination of the quickly expanding areas of commercial orchards shows that another important source of wealth has been added to the primary industries. The man in the street of the cities has not yet realised how largoly the apple may figure among the exports, but within two or three years ho will have the truth impressed upon him. Men who claim to have a knowledge of the two countries predict that New Zealand is destined to surpass Tasmania as an exporter of high-grade apples. \

The Petone Ambulance Corps is to receive an annual contribution of £20 from the Ngahauranga and Petone Slaughtermen's Union, the members of which are U> receive the free use of the ambulance in consideration of that payment. With a cargo of 4000 cases of apples for transhipment to the liner Ruahine, the coastal steamer Kennedy is due early to-morrow morning from Motueka. The apples, which are destined for the Argentine, are the first shipment for that country this season. The potatoes grown on the section of the Town Belt at the eastern end of Mem -street from seed planted by the children of the Newtown School will be sold on the ground at 4 p.m. to-morrow by Mr. J. Doyle. They will be disposed of by the sack, and the proceeds go to the Mayor's War Distress Fund. A special meeting of the Tramways Committee of the City Council is being held at 4 p.m. to-day, and a meeting of the ' Finance Committee at 4.30 p.m., to deal with urgent matters regarding street widening and other works, which it is desirable should be laid be/ore the next meeting of the council. New rules issued in New South Wales under the Police Regulations Act contain the following: —"lnebriates in charge of friends, or not likely to fall into the hands of thieves, or to cause any annoyance to citizens by obscenity or disorderly conduct, should not be arrested." "The charge of assaulting the police should not be added to that of drunkenness without good reason." Judgment went against the City Corporation to-day in the civil action brought against the Colonial Caryving Company to recover £9 15s 4d damage done to premises occupied by Messrs. Johnston and Co., Lambton-quay, as the result of a runaway down Boulcott-street. The accident occurred on 10th December last, a pair of horses attached to a lorry being frightened by a motor-car and getting out of control. Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., said that the driver might have been guilty of an error of judgment, but not of n«eligence. He did everything humanly possible to prevent the crash into the shop. Judgment was accordingly entered for defendant, with £3 3s costs. Mr. J. O'Shea appeared for the corporation, and Mr. T. Young for defendant company. A remarkable scene wag witnessed lost month in Coleman-street Wool Exchange, when a bale of wool which had been given by a firm of Australian squatters was offered for sale for patriotic purposes (says the London Daily Telegraph). The chairman of the Associated London Selling Woolbrokers, Mr. Reginald B. Jacomb, offered the bale for sale at 3.30. In the first place, the bale was competed for privately among the selling brokers, £160 being realised. When it came to be offered by public auction tho bidding started at £50, and the wool was resold over eighty times, the bale finally realising in London £1800, or, jn all, with a sum of £500 which had "already been paid for it in Sydney, £2300. This constitutes a world's record for a bale of wool, and the proceeds will be given to the war funds. A very interesting conclusion to the whole proceedings was reached when the bale came to be finally offered outright. First it commanded a bid of Is 4d per lb — a good market value. Then Mr. H. S. Fernau, who is a well-known member of the trade, bid 2s. Miss Jacomb, daughter of the auctioneer, finally bid 2s o£d, and it was knocked down to her. Probably this is the first time in the history of the trade that a lady has bid for wool at the London Colonial sales. The auctions have been conducted in the city for over 100 years. A large number of the residents of Eastbourne are anxious that Mr. W. J. Organ, who has occupied the Mayoral chair for the past two years, should allow himself to be nominated for another term. This morning he was waited upon by seventeen burgesses, who urged him to become a candidate for the office next month. The speakers were Councillors T. W. Pilcher, S. G. Ross, Button, and Heenan, and Messrs. T. Ballinger, W. Allan, and J. B. Speed, who expressed great satisfaction at the manner in which Mr. Organ had performed his duties. Special mention was made of the way in which he had handled the municipal ferry scheme. The importance of water supply and electric lighting Bysterns for the borough was also stressed by the deputation, and the hope was expressed that if Mr. Organ continued in office he would take immediate steps to have the borough provided with a manual fire engine and sufficient hose to enable use to be made of the sea water in suppressing outbreaks. Mr. Organ thanked the deputation for the confidence shown in him, and said he regretted ihe could not give an answer at once, as he found the duties rather onerous^ and had intended not seeking re-election. He would, however, consider the wishes of such a strong deputation, and give his answer in a few days' time. If he is returned again he will, under the new Act, hold office for a further term of two years. ■ A homing pigeon race from Wellington to Masterton on Saturday was won by a bird owned by Messrs. Drake Bros., which covered the distance in lhr 22min.