GRAPE OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24849, 22 March 1944, Page 6

GRAPE OUTPUT

TE KAITWHATA CROP THE BEST FOR TEN YEARS (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday An abundance of grapes has been produced at Te Kauwhata this season, the production being one of the best experienced for ten years in both quantity and quality. It is estimated that the output of grapes from the area will be not less than 180 tons. Favoured by a long spell of fine weather in the early stages, the fruit developed to an unusually large size in heavy clusters and of luscious quality. There has been a fair measure of mildew in evidence owing to the humidity experienced, and the recent rains ha\e caused a good deal of bursting. The fruit, however, ripened rapidly, and the picking season is now in full swing. It is expected that picking will continue for another five or six weeks. A. great deal of wine is being manufactured in the area, particularly at the Government's Te Kauwhata horticultural station, where the wine-making plant was recently greatly extended. The average annual production of wine for the area is in the vicinity ot 23,000 gallons, 18,000 gallons of which is manufactured at the Government vineyard. If sufficient sugar is made available to meet requirements, it is estimated that these quantities will be exceeded this season. Fair crops of apples, pears and quinces have been produced at Te Kauwhata this season, although, unfortunately, there is a good deal ot waste through windfall and the inability ot the growers, through lack ol laboui, to dispose of second-class fruit. One grower. Mr. H. .J. Mason, asked the •Yrmy Department to send along a truck and a couple of men to pick up windfalls, but the offer was not accepted. The quality ot the fruit selected for marketing is excellent. TRANSPORT LICENCES RETURNED SERVICEMEN AUTHORITY STATES POLICY ( 0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday The policy of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. E. J. Phelan, in connection with the issue of transport licences to returned soldiers, was outlined in Hamilton to-day. Applications for licences to operate lorries in connection with the Karapiro hydroelectric works were received Irom four returned servicemen. . Mr. Phelan said it was the desire of the authority to help returned men in every way possible. It was hoped they would apply for transfers rather than for new licences. The authority had to be assured that applicants had sufficient economical work ahead ol them and that they did not pay too much for businesses. Consideration had also to be given to the urgent need of conserving petrol and rubber, and to the safeguarding of the interests ol married men with families already emploved in the transport industry. Mr. Phelan added that applicants contemplating the purchase of existing businesses would be well advised to take advantage of the department's facilities for investigating the values of vehicles ami goodwill. He would grant the licences sought, although he might have to limit the terms. At a later stage the authority said the time was coming when only transfers to returned soldiers would be approved. Representatives of carriers' associations present said they wished to support the policy stated ny the authority. TAUMARUNUI-HAMILTON LINK ! RAILWAY DEPARTMENT'S PLAN (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday An application for a licence for a road passenger service between Taumarunui and Hamilton was made by Mr. W. T. Hornibrook on behalf of the Minister of Railways before the No. 1 Licensing Authority in Hamilton to-day. Mr, Hornibrook said the idea was, to take carriages oil the slow goods trains running between Taumarunui and Franldon and give the passengers an efficient road service. It was not intended to institute the service immediately or until the benzine and tyre position had improved. An objection was received from a service car proprietor running between Mokauiti and Te Kuiti. Decision was reserved. HOTEL SALE APPEAL QUESTION OF GOODWILL (P.A.) DUN ED IN, Tuesday When the Oriental Hotel case came before the Land Sales Court again this morning the Court reserved its decision. In thus case, an appeal, the jurisdiction of a Laud Sales Committee to fix a fair value of a licensing business as well as the value of the land and buildings occupied by the hotel, was questioned. The appeal was by way of a rehearing against, the refusal of the Land Sales Committee to grant an application for the transfer of the Oriental Hotel at £27-10 for the land and buildings, and £19,250 for the licence and goodwill. Mr. Justice Fin lay said the Court was asked to come to a decision on a matter in which the Australian Courts had played battledore and shuttlecock, some on one side and some on the other, and the mind of the Privy Council was not known.