AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 3

AUCKLAND FRUITGROWERS' UNION.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union, held yesterday, at the general'secretary's office, Queen-street, there were present: Messrs. Sturges, Lippiatt, Thompson, Parr, Wilson, and Kay. It was explained that the object of the meeting was to consider, what action should be taken to maintain a proper system of fumigation, especially in dealing with the Queensland fruit fly. It was thought the union should urge the matter upon Colonel Gudgeon, British Resident at Rarotonga. It was resolved, "That this committee, learning from press reports re Island fruit, and that Colonel Gudgeon and others': have the impre-ssion that the system of inspection at this port of Island fruit is too stringent, wishes to point out the great danger that would accrue to fruitgrowers of this colony if such inspection were relaxed, especially with regard to the Queensland fruit fly, this particular pest attacking many varieties of fruit, and (unlike the codlin moth) making it entirely unfit for use in any form; and peeing that the colony is as yet free from this dreaded pest, we would urge that at all ports the inspection be continued as thoroughly as in Auckland, and so prevent a worse pest than codlin moth obtaining a footing here." . The secretary was instructed to write to the Agricultural Department, confirming a resolution at a previous meeting, re fruit bulletins, "That the committee are of opinion that a bulletin issued in the first week in December of each year, giving a forecast of the coming season's crops in the Auckland provincial district, would be most useful. For the South Island, probably the first week in January would be most suitable, it being understood that the fruit season there is about a month later than the North. It is believed that arrangements could be made with, and would bo generally conformed to, by the secretaries of associations, to telegraph to the Agricultural Department summarised reports, according to a prearranged schedule. If the reports were then circulated to the various associations, it is believed the information would be much appreciated by fruitgrowers."