EGGS TO ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18496, 5 September 1923, Page 10

EGGS TO ENGLAND.

TRIAL CONSIGNMENT going.

SIXTY THOUSAND DOZEN.

QUOTA FROM AUCKLAND.

An important experiment in tho New Zea-1 land poultry industry is now taking definite shape. By the Corihthic, which sails J for London this month, a consignment of 000 dozen eggs will be despatched to 'the English market. This is tho first time a shipment on a commercial scale has been attempted, although some small consignments have been sent in past years. The four co-operative egg societies in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin —are combining in the enterprise. Portion of Auckland s Quota, Which Willi amount to 000 dozen eggs, has already been packed, and is in store awaiting shipment. The eggs are being sent to Tooloy Street. merchants on open consignment, 'in the same way as butter is exported, and much depends upon the result of the experiment. The price tho producer is at present receiving in Auckand is lid a dozen, and tho price on the London market is 20s per long hundred, namely, ten dozen, which works out) at 2s a dozen. 'With winter coming on in England, there may be a rise in price by the time the shipment arrives at the end of October. In any case, a substantial margin over the rates ruling in New Zealand is anticipated. Great care is being exercised in the selection and packing of the eggs, and the work is being carried out under. Government supervision. The first process is to grade the eggs according to size, the minimum weight being 2oz, and the maximum 2o;s 2 grammes, so that precise uniformity is secured. Brown eggs find especial favour on the market, and accordingly they are being placed in separate cases. • A test is made over strong electric light to determine the size of the air cell. An egg with a large air cell would not carry satisfactorily, apd, apart from that, the air cell' is a tell-tale indication of age, After the grading and testing, tho eggs are passed on to the packers, who place them in neat cases, made of white pine. Each case i:» marked " New , Zealand eggs," and boars the stamp of the Government inspector. A pad of wood wool is laid at the bottom of the case, and two or three layers of eggs are then arranged Another pad or " buffer " is put in, more eggs are deposited, and finally there is another buffer on top. The lid forces down the " buffers," so that the eggs are held tight. There are 30 dozen eggs in each case, and the total number of cases is 500, making altogether 15,000 dozen ecus. The depot of the Auckland Egg Society presents a busy scene while the packing operations are going on, and the methods employed are such that it will be no fault of the management if the shipment does rot arrive .in tip-top order. It is possible that another consignment will be sent to England very shortly Without an export trade, it is contended thai the efrg-nroducer* of the Dominion cannot eo further in developing the industry. That it is capable of development, and very great development at that, comparison with the United States proves beyond all doubt.

LOADING IN SQUIRE ISLAND.

GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION.

fny TELEGRAPH.-— ASSOCIATION. J

DUNEDIN. . Tuesday. The Corinthic, ( which leaves to-night, shipped over 12,000 . dozen eggs from Otago, which, with those from Canterbury, make a total of 26,000 dozen from the South Inland. - The eggs were taken on board without a single breakage. Mr. J. B, Merrett, Christchurch, will accompany the , shipment to London. When complete 'it will total over 60,000 dozen. The eggs were all packed under Government supervision. It is expected tho South Island will prepare a second shipment to be sent early 'in October. The local market can easily spare the quantity required without affecting the price.