FRUITGROWING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17705, 4 February 1918, Page 8

FRUITGROWING.

ca NTERB ÜBY ASSOC'IATION

The. Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association met in Messrs Baker Bros.’ buildings on Saturday night. Mr J. Longton presided. Betters were received from the Hon G. W. Hus soil, Messrs L. M. Isitt, M.P., and George Witty, M.P., and tho Hon D. Buddo, M.P. with reference to the increased freight on fruit. The writers promised to use. their-best endeavours to have the freight reduced.' In connection with the same matter the Hon W. H. Merries, Minister of Railways, wrote, stating that the resolution passed by the: Stoke Fruitgrowers’ Association and endorsed by the Canterbury Association at its last meeting, protesting against the increased freight, would receive duo consideration.

The chairman reported that it had been suggested that if the system of branding fruit cases by numbers were adopted, the initial of the surname of each owner should be placed before his number. An objection had been raised to the use of numbers for branding, because it was thought that the numbers would run into more figures than could bo conveniently used. If the alphabetical system were employed, however, no number need exceed three figures. The chairman also reported that he had made arrangements to obtain samples of a number of collapsible fruit eases, so that members could choose the most' suitable. The sum of £6O 12s lid, the Canterbury Association’s quota from the National Apple Show held at Dunedin, had been handed over to the Bed Cross Society. The total amount for 1917 donated to the Red Cross from the National and Canterburs’ Apple Shows was £556 15s sd.

The question as to whether it were advisable for the Canterbury Association to exhibit at the National Show to he hold in Auckland this year, was then discussed.

The chairman said he thought their association should be represented at the show. Next year the show would probably be held in Christchurch, and if Canterbury exhibited this year, Auckland would feel in duty bound to exhibit next year. Personally he thought the show should be held iu Wellington every year, as that town was more central and most convenient for everyone.

Mr C. P. Taylor said that Canterbury did not send sufficient representatives to arrange their exhibit when the show was held in another town. Nelson,'for instance, sent ten or twelve men, who pushed the interests of their district. In regard to the display, it was the custom in Otago for the association to send men round the orchards in the district to obtain the best exhibits. If tho owners would not give the exhibits they were bought. Canterbury, on the other hand, depended on exhibits sent in voluntarily. It was finally decided that Canterbury should be represented at Auckland, and a committee, with power to add, was set up to collect exhibits and arrange details.

The chairman stated that the following had been recommended as judges for the Auckland Show:—Messrs I>. Hay (Auckland), S. I. Fitch (Canterbury), W. Thorne (Otago) and D. Frv (Nelson).