RIPPONVALE FRUIT PACKERS. LIMITED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18801, 2 March 1923, Page 6

RIPPONVALE FRUIT PACKERS. LIMITED.

The packing shed to be used for the handling of the export crop of apples fop the Ripponvale Fruit Packers, Ltd., is now nearing completion, and is quite an imposing building, with a cool store below the main building- capable of accommodating 7000 cases of apples. Shipping space has been secured feu- 6400 cases of fruit, and the first steamer, the Ruabine, is timed to load at Port -Chalmers in the first week in April, and is to be followed by the Rananga about the 14th of the same month. The grading machine, a four-section Outler, specially imported from America, and believed to be the finest class of grader on the market, arrived in Cromwell this woek, and is being erected in the building. This machine is the first of rts_ kind in either Canterbury or Otago, but it is extensively used in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay, and is capable of grading up to 1200 cases of fruit per day. As the exporting of applet) is new to the Cromwell district, experienced labour for the shed was unprocurable, and the Ripponvale Fruit Packers’ Association applied consequently to the Government for the services of Mr B. G. Goodwin for the export; season, and this request has been granted. With such a capable and energetic coach, the association will be relieved pi much anxiety in the handling of the fruit, Mr Goodwin has boon at Ripponvale during the last week conducting packing classes, with the object of training hands for the shed. He is expected to return to Ripponvale next week, and be will reside there during the export season. The fruit on the orchards is looking splendid, and, given good shipping accommodation, it is believed that it will make a name for itself on the English market.