OTAGO APPLES

Evening Star, Issue 17959, 4 May 1922, Page 6

OTAGO APPLES

FIRST SHIPMENT FOR EKfiLAND* S.S. CORNWALL WILL BE LATE. KELSON FAVORED WITH EARLIER VESSEL. After surmounting the numerous difficulties inseparable, from a new industry, has definitely put forward her claim to a place on the world’s market for her fruit by completing a .shipment at Fort Chalmers of 5,234 eases of apples and pears for London in that lino cargo steamer the Cornwall, which is leaving Wellington finally about the Kith hist. This venture stands very much on the same footing as the first shipment from Now Zealand of frozen, mutton. The dominion at largo is watching the various happenings in regard to tins shipment, and hoping for groat results. The great hulk of the fruit is apples, the pears consisting of only about 100 cases. [■standard varieties of apples are chosen, these being the. Stumor (which might not have boon ready for an earlier ship—that is the one consideration for the delay), Jonathan, Cleopatra, Dunn’s Favorite, Delicious, Statesman, Newton j’ippin, and other approved sorts. There, can be, no question about tho type of apples. It is

all a question of time and condition. The shipment has been under tho control of Mr IT. Turner (Otago Fruitgrowers’ Association) and Mr B. 0. Goodwin (Government orchard instructor), who speak highly of tho enthusiastic manner in which all concerned have worked together in bring tho undertaking to a head. The Railway Department, with the staff at Beaumont, Alexandra, and Clyde, has done everything to facilitate tho doj spatch of tho fruit to tho ship’s side with a minimum of delay, and tha 1 thanks of the association arc due i<J i those referred to. Messrs Turner ami Goodwin pay a special tribute to the courtesy extended to them by Mr Drummond, chief engineer of the Cornwall, and his staff in affording every facility to inspect tho methods of handling tho fruit andtho stowage in the vessel’s cool chambers. The, Coni wall has a good reputation as a fruit carrier, and, as Mr Drummond has considerable experience in handling fruit cargoes, tho growers may rest assured that so far as tho sea carriage of tho fruit is concerned tho matter is in good hands. Mr Drummond says that tho fruit is in splendid condition, and his word on tho subject is regarded as final. Tho general get-up of tho cases, with their reemo wiring and neat brands, comes in tor much favorable comment, and those in a, position, to know state that Otago Inis nothing to learn in this respect from those provinces which have been exporting for many years. Much has been said as to tho rough handling that goods of (his description receive in shipping; hut in this particular instance great credit is due to the waterside workers for the careful manner in which flic goods woro handled. In this connection very material help was rendered by Messrs John Mill, who had a. number of special trav slings made, which aids materially in avoiding damage to cases. The only proha Wo drawback to tho success of Du's shipment is its Into arrival on the London market. The fruit will not be marketed until early duly, which is a, full month later than is considered advisable in order in avoid clashing with llm new season’s soft fruils, (he advent of winch materially lessens the demand for applies, with a corresponding (Iron in prices. It is an open secret that this shipment of apples could have been despatched pier (ho Zeal,amlie, due Home several weeks before iltc Cornwall--tho arrangements, in fact, having been definitely made for tho former vessel—but, for reasons winch aro obvious to those in a position to know, Otago was cut out and preference given to Nelson. However, more will be, heard of this phase, of tho question in other quarters. Tho point is that the success of this shipment, upon which so much depends, is likely to bo discounted owing in its Into arrival; hut growers nro determined not to bo discouraged if prices realised do not come up to anticipations, as this pioneer shipment will bo a, practical object lesson as to tho host varieties to shin and their keeping qualities for transport. Needless to say, every earn will bo taken to seenro vessels next season which will _ land their cargoes Homo at a more suitable period.