UNSOUND APPLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 June 1932, Page 2

UNSOUND APPLES

NEW ZEALAND SHIPMENTS WASTE IN COXES Complaint has been made that consignments of Cox’s apples front New Zealand have not arrived on the English market in sound condition (writes the Auckland “Herald’s” London correspondent under date 4th May). The Coptic unloaded 16,000 cases of Cox’s apples, which it is stated were carried at too low a temperature and were over-matured. It is stated that no blame is attachable to the shipping company . The Otira unloaded fruit from Wellington and Auckland. That from Wellington was very wasty, whereas the fruit loaded at Auckland out of cool store arrived in good condition, except’ that it showed a little bitter pit. Other varieties besides Cox’s were affected to a greater or less extent. The 24,000 cases of Cox’s which arrived by the Rangitiki were overmature, and considerable waste was in evidence when the apples came out of the ship. Since then the breakdown has continued rapidly, and lines of are constantly being returned by the buyers to the merchants. The other varieties on the Rangitiki are apparently in sound condition, and very few complaints have been received about them up to the present time. The Port Hunter carried only 4134 cases of Cox’s, but these were also in unsound condition.

It is only natural that the discontent and disappointment shown regarding the Cox’s should have an effect upon the sale of New Zealand apples generally. There are cases of good Cox’s but a great deal more damage is done by one really bad case of apples than can be redeemed bv 20 cases of perfectly sound ones. Cox’s in good condition are selling at 14s and 15s, but there are many cases which have had to bo sold at 2s or 3s. Delicious, of which there are only a few, are making 13s, and Jonathans 10 to 12.