ISLANDS FRUIT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 10

ISLANDS FRUIT TRADE.

SERVICE WITH AUCKLAND.

IMPROVEMENT ARRANGED. TO BE FIRST FORT OF CALL. Recent representations by tho Auckland fruit importers have resulted in a more satisfactory arrangement being made with the Union Steam Ship Company for serving the Cook Islands trade. After her next trip, tho Ngakuta will make Auckland her first and last port of call on every trip instead of on every alternate trip, as was to have been the case. Tho importers asked that a modern boat should bo put on with a four-weekly direct service with Auckland. The company replied that it could not put a modern ship on tho ran, but after the next trip of tho Ngakuta, Auckland would be made the first port of call. From Auckland tho ship would proceed to Wellington to unload fruit for that port and the South Island, returning to Auckland, which would also bo tho last port of call. This represents a considerable improvement for Auckland on the arrangement which has been in force for tho last two years. During that period Auckland and Wellington wore alternately tho first port of call on tho return trip from Rarotonga. As under the new arrangement the Ngakuta will proceed from Auckland to Wellington, connection with the South Island will still be maintained. Wellington and the South already possess a fast service with Rarotonga as tho San Francisco mail steamers call there. This fruit service is better than any that Auckland possesses at present. Local importers are pleased at the more satisfactory arrangement made, although they have not got all they asked and still hope that a modern boat will be put on the run. The Ngakuta leaves Auckland next Tuesday on her last trip under the old arrangement, and Wellington will bo the first port of call on her return.