AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10609, 25 November 1897, Page 3

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OP DELEGATES. The annual conference of delegates to the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union commenced yesterday morning at the Technical Institute. The President (Mr. W. Johns, of Te Awamutu) presided, and the following delegates attended, viz.:-Messrs, A. Hoey and L. Hanlon, Whangarei Association ; E. and J. D. Morrison, Mahurangi ; John Ohye, Waikato; George Law and Adam Wilson, Birkenhead and Northcoto; Thos. Holder, Albany. Among the visitors present were Captain Broun (Government Entomologist) and Mr, J. C. Blackmore (Government Pomologist), and many others interested in the fruitgrowing industry. . REPORT OP THE EXECUTIVE. The annual report of the executive detailed the union's operations for tho pasb year, and stated that their efforts had beeu chiefly confined to guiding their industry through safe and well-known channels, rather' than in vain and hazardous attempts to _ secure ' the' unattainable. ' When the union became stronger much more could be I attempted and achieved. The three main | objects which they were to attain were : | Drawing into closer touch through the medium of the union the whole of the fruitgrowers in the Auckland provincial district ; watching and safeguarding the interests of growers,"especially as regarded the introduction of new fruit pests, or of any legislation prejudicial to their interests thab might be attempted or contemplated and utilising mora effectually the existing machinery of the union by promoting a more frequent interchange of ideas, and thus affording useful information to members. With regard to the introduction of now fruit pests, either from America or the Australian colonies, the executive had urged upon the Agricultural Department the necessity for a more rigid inspection of imported fruit instead of the present system, which was little better than a sham. ( Certain Southern growers were seeking to have the Orchard and Garden Pests Act altered, by the reintroduction into the measure of the mischievous clauses which were last yoar expunged, but the executive took instant, vigorous, and, it was hoped, effectual steps to counteract this, and there was every reason to believe that none of the suggested alterations would be effected. The executive had decided to compile and issue periodical " bulletins" on the state of the fruit crops I- throughout the entire district, and these would describe the (appearance, condition, and probable yield of fruib of every kind in each locality. For this season arrangements had been made for the issue of two bulletins, one for November and the other December.' Ib was suggested that bhe Government should bo asked to instruct the Government pomologist* to compile and prepare similar " bulletins" for their several districts, and by this means valuable information as to the fruit prospects of the whole oolony would be available for every grower, who could thus gauge with tolerable accuracy whether bare or congested markets awaited his crop. The executive were of opinion that very great benefit would accrue to the industry from the establishment in the Auckland district of an experimental station for the purpose of thoroughly testing plants, trees, and fruits of economic value, and the fruit experts would surely be more usefully employed in conducting operations on such stations than in fitful desultory wanderings to and fro through the country interviewing stray orchardists. Reference was also made to tho other matters which had been brought before the union, to the assiduous labours of Captain Broun, the Government entomologist for | Auckland, which had been of material assistance to growers in helping them to ovorcome and subdue insect pests, and to the necessity for members to liberally support the union. The report as read was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, the result being that .Mr. W. Johns, of Te Awamutu, was re-elected president, and Mr. John G. Kays, of Birkenhead, vice-president. In addition to these gentlemen the following executive committee was appointed : Messrs. John Ohye (Waikato), K. .Morrison (Mahurangi), W. Thomson (Otahuhii), and L. Hanlon (Whangarei). DISTRICT FRUITGROWERS' REPORTS. In accordance with the decision arrived at by the executive the secretary (J. H. Mackie) had communicated with various districts with the object of obtaining information as to the prospects of all kinds of fruits for the coming season, the climatic conditions prevalent, appearance and condition of trees, and a forecast of the general result expected. Reports were received from the Albany, Birkenhead, Northcote, Matakana, Mahurangi, Waikato, and Whangarei districts as to the prospects of the season, which on the whole were most promising. GOVERNMENT OFFICER'S REPORTS. Interesting papers were read by Captain Broun (entomologist) and Mr. W. J. Palmer (pomologist) who dealt with the work undertaken since last conference. These reports will bo published inexknso in the Auckland Weekly ews. GENERAL. In tho afternoon the delegates drovo to Obahuhu, where several gardens, orchards, and vineries were inspected, The delegates were entertained at lunch by Mr, W. Mc« Laughlin, and at tea by Mr. Sturgese. The Conference resumed its sitting at eight o'clock last night, when Captain Broun read the second portion of his address, dealing specially with phylloxera. At half-past nine this morning the Conference again sits, when papers on various subjects of interest to fruitgrowers will bo read, and other important business transacted.