OVER-RIPE BANANAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 10

OVER-RIPE BANANAS.

MAUI POMARE'S SHIPMENT.

SUM OF £4OOO INVOLVED. VESSEL ARRIVING TO-MORROW. Fruit merchants are awaiting with interest the arrival of the Government motorsliip Maui Pomare in Auckland tomorrow. There are some doubts whether the entire consignment of 5200 cases of bananas is ruined. The vessel was clue to unload the cargo from Niue and Api* at Dunedin next Monday, but it was reported- by the Cook Islands Department that owing to overheating the fruit had been ruined and Auckland would be the first port of call. The last shipment of Island bananas received in Auckland sold rather w ell at 17s a case. On this basis, the total loss of the consignment on the Maui Pomaro may involve over £4OOO. Shipments of bananas to Auckland are usually insured, but the position of the Dunedin consignees is not known. Insurance on bananas does not give protection against delivery in an over-ripe condition through natural causes and the liability of shipowners is subject to many limitations in the carriage of fruit. Wherever possible the holds are kept open, but if bad weather is encountered the hatches must be secured, perhaps at some risk to the perishable cargo. This is one of the legitimate hazards of marine transport for which the shipowners cannot be held responsible. It is expected advice regarding the disposal of the Maui Pomare's cargo of bananas will be received in Auckland during the week-end. A local merchant stated yosterday that if there was any hope of retrieving portion of the consignment Auckland would offer the best market. Overheating in the holds would greatly accelerate ripening. The Maui Pomare will leave Auckland for Norfolk Island on Wednesday, the calls at Lyttelton and Dunedin having been cancelled.

MISHAP TO SHIP'S PLANT. CAUSE OF REPORTED DAMAGE. [BX TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. News has been received in Wellington that the Government motorship Maui Pomare, bound from Nine and Samoa to Dunedin direct, has met with a mishap to her refrigerating plant and is proceeding to Auckland. The vessel will leave her cargo of fruit at Auckland. It is understood that a considerable quantity of the fruit has already suffered damage.