ASSISTING THE FRUITGROWER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 10 February 1938, Page 11

ASSISTING THE FRUITGROWER

HANDLING OF EXPORT TEMPORARY MEASURES PENDING J DECISION ON MAJOR WORK heavy' Crop anticipated J A suggestion that the fruitgrowers { were getting restless at the Board's “inaction” in the matter of improved facilities for handling export fruit at Nelson was made by Mr C. T. Price at yesterday's meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board. The speaker said that he wish- j ed to see some better provision made this season for the storage of fruit.; “Even if a few tarpaulins were put up, j that would be better than nothing.” It was desirable that No. 4 shed should be j entirely available for the fruit. Mr Price's comment was occasioned j by the fact that it was proposed to spend £l3O on minor equipment, such as fire-fighting apparatus not exceeding £SO. and a signal station not exceeding £SO; and he considered that that work should be held in abeyance until something was done to facilitate the handling of the export fruit.

Mr H. W. Chisnall said that if the fruitgrowers had No. 4 shed they would be reasonably comfortable. In reply to the chairman (Mr A. Gould) Mr J. H. Brunt said that the total export this season Ayould approximate the million mark. He could not say definitely how much of that would be shipped direct from the Nelson wharf. The Federation had applied for 8 direct loading vessels, three for March and five for April, taking 350,000 cases of fruit over and above the natural flow from Nelson of 280.000 cases. At the present lime he could not say how many boats would load here direct: however the whole matter was under consideration by the Overseas Shipping Committee, but at the present time it was hoped to secure eight direct loadings for this season. Mr Chisnall in reply to the chairman I said he felt sure that the Overseas Shipping Committee was not “sitting back” and not troubling to supply direct boats' on account of the Board’s unavoidable j inaction in the matter of improving the port. The chairman remarked that the Board's proposed, expenditure on minor equipment did not influence the matter. It was resolved that the expenditure on fire fighting equipment and signal j station be made. RUBI SEDDQN PROPOSAL ABANDONED The chairman went on to discuss the: Rubi Seddon, the dredge laid up at Westport, and the purchase of which the Board has had under consideration for a long time. It had been stated on reliable authority that the price of the dredge was £22,000. When it was repaired it would be 39 years old, and then he was of opinion that it would not be altogether suitable for the! Board's work. Nor did he favour the |

! purchase of a second-hand dredge. It i was ten years since the dredge was on 'the slip last; and it would cost £IOOO I to send her to Wellington f-or an exI amination. The matter had been held up for a month at Mr Price’s request. Mr Price referred to the “article” in the Nelson harbour, which was only raising "a few spoonfuls every hour.” He did not think the cost of the Rubi Seddon would be £22.000. What was the Board going to do for the next few years with its old dredge? He would be the last to spend £22,000 on a dredge if he thought that that money was being wasted. But in this instance he did not believe that this money would be i wasted. The chairman asked whether Mr Price wished to move that the Board obtain another opinion as to the cost of the Rubi Seddon; but received an answer in the negative. The consensus of opinion on the Board was that it was too risky to speud £22.000 on the Rubi Seddon. A new dredge would cost £60.000. Mr Chisnall moved that the question of the purchase of the Rubi Seddon be abandoned; and that the Government be advised accordingly. Mr Kingsford seconded the motion, which was carried. The chairman said that the opinion of the Board was that whatever it was disposed to do in reference to harbour improvements. it wgs not disposed to buy the Rubi Seddon. Nordid the decision to abandon the proposal to buy that dredge affect the Board’s decision to endeavour to make the Nelson port a semi-final loading port, under certain conditions.

ESTIMATE OF IMPROVEMENTS Mr W. C. Harley then went on to recall a resolution moved by Mr Brunt; in June last, which stated; “That the Consulting Engineers be requested to furnish a rough estimate of the improvements necessary to make the Nelson port a semi-final loading port.” Mr Harley moved that steps be taken to carry out this resolution; and that a conference of the Government officers concerned be called with a view of try-* ing to ensure that if the Board carry out the improvements the Government will see that all the fruit does come

over the Nelson wharf. Since June the Board had gone round and round in a ring over this matter i and had accomplished nothing. The problem of whether the Board purchased a new dredge was wrapped up in the motion. Mr Brunt seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Brunt also moved that the Board write to the New Zealand Fruit Board pointing out that a heavy fruit crop was expected in Nelson this season. and offering the active co-operation of the Board in the handling of the produce; requesting the Fruit Board to arrange if possible a conference in Nelson between the representatives of the Fruit Board, the Agriculture Depart- j ment. the Overseas Shipping Committee and the Nelson HarbcfUr Board, at the earliest possible date, with a view of finalising such arrangements as will ensure the maximum use of the available facilities at the port. Mr Chisnall seconded the motion, which was carried. The Wharves and Finance Committee is to go into the matter of reserving No. 4 shed for the exclusive use of export fruit during March and April.