NEW ZEALAND FRUIT AT HOME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7648, 23 August 1886, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT AT HOME.

(Per United Pjiess Association.)

Wellington, August 21,

The Colonial Treasurer has received from Sir Julius Yon Haast a lengthy report on the condition in which New Zealand fruit was received at. Home. About 30 cases were received, the first to hand being those of Mr John Bowman, of Auckland, sent via Suez. The apples were packed in a close case o£ kauri pine, with no holes Cor ventilation. Each apple was wrapped in. tissue paper and packed in chaff, each layer being separated by a wooden shelf. Only 13 per cent, was unfit for use, the rest being in excellent condition, and most of them still retaining their bloom. The fruit attracted great attention, and were generally taken for models, similar to those shown in the Australian courts. Although packed in the colony a fortnight before subsequent arrivals, some of the apples are still good in the case, after three weeks' exposure. Another sample similarly packed had 20 per cent, spoiled. Another system of packing was that of Mr Hobbs. Each apple was wrapped in newspaper and placed in a cardboard cell, the box being perforated for ventilation. The best case sent had 20 per cent, spoiled. All the apples had commenced sweating. Those packed without being wrapped gave much the same result. The apples by the Ben Dawson were packed in layers, with cardboard and wool between. The apples arrived damp and slightly heated, and retained moisture. The cardboard, as it became damp, was useless to keep the apples from bruising one another. About 30 per cent, of the apples were unfit for use. In one case sent by Mr Belche the apples were wrapped in newspaper and packed in hay. The apples sweated and rotted the hay, which became mouldy and spoilt the flavour of the apples. They had not heated the same as the others.. Two cases sent by the Rev. Mr M'Callum were wrapped in two folds of tissue, and packed with newspapers in the interstices. Next to Mr Bowman's these gave the best' results. Some fine specimens of apples realised from Gd to Is each. There is a prospect of a good paying business resulting from shipments made to arrive some months before European fruit comes to maturity'

He then summarises the various shipments as follows.: —Auckland Gardeners' Horticultural Society, apples, 28 per cent, bad; Bycroft and Sons (Auckland) apples, GG per.cent, bad; Spratt (Auckland), 50 per cent, bad; Whangarei fruitgrowers (Auckland), pears, 80 per cent., lemons, 30 per cent., apples, 66 per cent., "limes, 25 per cent., bad; a few medlars in the same cases .were unfit for use; Hobbs (Auckland), apples, 27 per cent, bad; pears, not one good; B. Dawson (Auckland), apples, 50 per cent, bad; Hobbs (Auckland), apples, 20 per cent, bad; Sharp (Waikomiti, Auckland), apples, 42 per cent, bad; Hobbs (Auckland), apples, 30 per cent., pears 10 per cent., lemons 10 per cent, bad; Belre (Auckland), pumpkins, good condition, apples 40 per cent, bad; Dunning Bros. (Christchurch), walnuts and filberts, dry and not very "good; Gubb (Auckland), apples, 52 and GG per cent, bad; Uren (Auckland), apples, 80 per cent, bad; Kerr (Auckland, apples, 20 per cent, bad; Bowman (Auckland), apples, 40 per cent. bad.