NEW ZEALAND APPLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND APPLES.

PORT HOBART CONSIGNMENT,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

i LONDON, March 27. Yesterday the' first of this season’s New Zealand apples came on to the market and it is probable that the bulk of them' will be disposed of before the Easter holidays. The Port Hobart brought 10,530 cases, and so far as the journey itself is concerned the fruit was carried well. . Unfortunately, the Coses have not arrived in such good condition as the first Coses of the past two seasons. A propertion of the fruit in practically every box is affected with bitter pit. This has been caused, no doubt, by the excess of rain during the ripening period, causing the sap to run unevenly in the trees. Had the Coxes arrived in first-class condition the fruit would have sold to the West End trade at 30s a case. As it is, a quantity of Coxes has been disposed of at from 25s to 30s, but the agents are rather nervous about pushing them, as already some cases nave been returned* The Worcesters are a little wasty, and show a certain amount of immaturity but from I6s to 18s is being asked for them. Gravensteins and Dunns are both in excellent condition, and 18s is being asked for these. Alfristons are also in very good condition, and for these 15s and 16s is being asked. The prices quoted, at which some sales have been made are high, and it is unlikely that they will be obtained after the Easter holidays especially a 8 the Port Alma, with 17,835 cases of apples, and the Port Caroline, with 13,141 cases of apples and 104 cases of pears, are due to arrive next week The chief rivals of the New Zealand fruit at the present time are the American Newtons and Wine Saps. These are in fairly good condition, and the former are selling at 14s and the latter at 12s. At this time last year there were no American apples on the market.