CONDITION OF FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 6

CONDITION OF FRUIT

MAUNGANUI'S SHIPMENT

SOME DISSATISFACTION

Some dissatisfaction is felt in the city with the condition of the fruit that arrived by the Maunganui -yesterday from Rarotonga. Tbe Maunganui brought 6900 cases of oranges and 2325 cases of bananas, and a considerable part of the fruit ia too ripe. The Union Company, which owns the Maunganui, state that no complaints have been received about the condition of tbe fruit, and those connected with the fruit industry state that many worse shipments than the present have been received. The Waikawa, which left Rarotonga before the Maunganui, landed oranges at Auckland in excellent condition. Fr,uit are liable to get too ripe through Betting wet with Bpray when on the lighten going out to- the snip. Then when they are' stowed in the holds heat v set up. Another cause is faulty ventilation. ' The fruit from the islands ia placed in ordinary storage in the ship, and every effort is made by the shipping company to provide adequate ventilation, but it is thought by some .people that the .ventilation, is inadequate to safeguard the fruit from becoming overheated. Sonic of', the ■ fruit brought by the Maunganui on < this .trip became rotten. Apart from .'the Government steamer Maui Pomare, there la no ship engaged solely in the carriage of fruit from the Pacific Islands to New Zealand, because there is not enough trade to warrant it. Apart from facifitie* for keeping fruit cool, the other requirement in ' the carriage of fruit is speed, as.it is necessary to get the fruit to the markets soon as possible. ■ ' ' •