THE FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 16

THE FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

SOME INTERESTING PARTICULARS. | Mr A. Moritzson, president of the Dunedin Horticultural Society, to whose energy and persistent advocacy of the project the j fact that a conference of horticulturists, pomologists, viticulturists, and entomologists will be held in Dunedin during the currency ! of the winter show, has supplied us with a large amount of interesting information sr^ltftive to the event. The conference, which will be held under the auspices of the Dunedin HorticulUual Society, will be the third of the kind in the ' colonies. The first was held in Wellington in May, 1896, and the second in Brisbane in | j June, 1897. This year's conference, unlike ; " those that have preceded it, will not be inter- , colonial in character. It will, however, be j attended by delegates from all parts of j New Zealand, gome 70 or £0 representatives ; of various societies being expected to be in . attendance, ' and by Government officers, • while there is a prospect also that delegates may be present from Rarotonga and ether i islands of the Pacific. So far the following societies have expressed their intension, to j be represented at the conference : — The Can- ' tci-burv Horticultural Society, the Aihburinn Horticultural Society, the Mu.na\ialu rriui^i'owers' Association, the Horowlienua HorucultdiraJ Society, the Port Albeit iuiut-

growers' Association, the Greytown, Waitahuna, Hastings, Waimate, Peel Forest, Bay of Islands, Hokitika, and West Taien Horticultural Societies, the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Association, the "Wellington Horticultural Society, the Teviot Fruitgrowers' Association, and the Invercargill Horticultural Society. Each of these societies will be represented by two or three delegates, and it is anticipated that practically the whole of the colony will be represented at the conference. The subjects for discussion will comprise horticulture, pomology, viticulture, entomology, and bee culture as it affects horticulturists. Arrangements have already been made for the reading of papers upon stibjects of interest to fruitgrowers and florists, Among others, several Government officers will contribute papers — Mr T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., on "Friends and Foes"; Mr J. C. Blackmore, on "Fruit Culture in Nelson"; Mr W. J. Palmer, on " Budding and Grafting "; Mr S. J. Fitch, on "Personal Experiences with some Spraying Compounds " ; and Mr W. A. Boutcher,_on "The Peach and Its Diseases." Mr Lionel Hanlon, who has just returned from the old country, on behalf of the Auckland Fruitgrower*' Association, will bring an exhibit to the conference and contribute a paper on " Handling of Fruit in Transit." Papers will also be supplied by the following gentlemen : — Mr G. H. Grapes, of Paraparanamu, on " Fruit Pests from a National Aspect " ; Mr A. E. Lowe, of Tai Tapu, on "Flowering and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs " ; the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens; Mr Joseph Tamblyn. of Teviot, on " Fruitgrowing in Central Otago " ; Mr R. H. Fenton, of Kaipara, on " Viticulture and Wine-making " ; Mr Wm. Itowe, of Normanby. on forming a national or royal society, and also on "Judging"; by Mr James Allan, of Wyndham, on " Be© Culture from the Horticultural Point of "View"; and by Mr H. Bloxham, of Roxburgh, on " Picking and Packing Fruit for Market." There will not merely be a conference, however, of delegates from societies. The invitation in which the Dunedin Horticultural Society requested the co-operation of kindred societies in the colony in arranging the conference contained also a request to them to send by their delegates as large a collection of fruit grown in their district aB would be possible at the time of the year for purposes of exhibition. There will also, probably, be an exhibition of chrystanthemums at the same time. The Government has declined to assist the conference by any monetary grant, but, along with the leading steamship companies, it has consented to make certain concessions, the nature of which will appear from the following circular issued by the Dunedin Horticultural Society in announcing the intention to hold the conference: — "The Government will provide a shorthand reporter to take notes of the proceedings with a view to printing same. They alpo intend issuing excursion tickets to the delegates. The Union Steam Ship Company, the Northern Steamship Company, and the Huddart-Parker line have also - agreed to reduce th 6 steamer fares by 10 per cent., and the Government has been good enough to agree, after the various reductions have been made, to pay half the cost of the steamer, railway, and coach fares of -the authorised delegates that may attend from all parts of the colony." The expenses connected with the conference will, it is expected, amount to between £150 and £200, of which some £50 or £60 will be required for the provision of trophies, gold and silver medals, and certificates as prizes for the fruit exhibition. The competition in this, it should be noted, will be restricted to societies: there will bo no individual competitors, but societies will show collections of fruit representative of their district*. The matter of the provision of the necessary funds is causing the local society some anxiety, and an appeal will probably be mado to the public for assistance. In tlie ireantime, help is being solicited from the Retailers' Association. The question of the housing of the exhibits has also become a serious one. The conference and fruit- exhibition will be held contemporaneously with the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's winte: 1 show, and it is now probable that the latter will absorb the whole of the accommodation, extensive though it is, offerad by the Agricultural Buildings. On applying for the use of the Garrison Hall the Horticultural Society was met with the information that the whole of that building will be required at the time ptated for military purposes. At the present time the question of the pro\ipion of ar suitable -hall- is naturally causing some uneasiness to the executn c of the local society, but it is hoped tbat all difficulties may be satisfactorily overcome. The Garrison Hall would, in default of the Agricultural Hall, be unquestionably the most suitable building in to-\in, and it is hoped that circumstances may yet arrange themselves co as tc make that hall a\ ailable.

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SOUTHLAND LAM) BOARD. The fortnightly meeting, held on Thursday, j Maich 28, was attended by Messrs A. Kmros3 (in, the chair), A. Baldey, D. King, and J. M'lntj're. M. Gnfedder, M.H.R , appep.ied in connection with J. Colhns's application foi un&urveyed land in Alton district, and stated th?t ! t'neie was no timber on the area fit foi sav\- ' muling purposes, and that Colims's area at Lillburn is insufficient to support him. Mr Gilfedder suggested that the board appoint | a commission to inspect the land and report as to whether it is more suitable for sawmilhng than for settlement purposes. — Held over. C S. Loiguet, on behalf of Faiquhar M'Kenzie, waited on the board and offered £2 10s per annum for right to remove guano from caves m Chalky und Preseivation Inlets. • — Granted, subject to applicant working the caves. The Surveyor-general notified that the Governor had affirmed the board's decision to withdraw sections 3 to 6, block XXIII, Invercaigill Hundred, from sale, and reopen them to application with the area of the tramway deducted. — Received. W. Y. H. Hall, on behalf of Cliarlton and Thomso.i, applied for a pastoral license over Beach Reserve at Mason's Bay, Stewart Island, now held by them under a, year-to-year license. — Granted, subject to ranger's valuation for improvements and Minister's approval. Edward Matheson wrote stating that he could not see his way to accept the board's offer to exchange p.r. No. 520, Waiau, to lease in perpetuity at 10s per acre. He would, however, be prepared to accept it if the capital value were reduced to 5s per acre. The same applicant offered 3d per acre for gracing right over sections 10 and 12, Otahu. until they were selected.— Messrs King and Baldey to inspect and report. R. and T. Garvey's application asking that tha area of section 75, block I, Wendon, be reduced by 100 acres on account of the area taken from the section for mining purposes was held over till next meeting. G. C. Tothill offered 10s per annum for grazing light over sect.on 15, block IV, Oteramika. — Granted. The District Engineer, Dunedin, asked tliat sections 5 and 6, block XIII, Waiau, at present advertised as open for selection, be withdrawn and reserved for railway purposes. — Withdrawal recommended. Geo. Young applied for a sawmill area of 200 acres with reserve of 600 acres, between Papatotara Improved Farm and the Alton Creek. — Held over. J. J. H. M'Lean was granted three months' | extension of time to effect impro\ ement3 on I section 8, block XVII, Longwood. Wm. Scott's application for grazing light over section 5, block 11, Alton, was held over. Warden M'Carthy recommended m regard to block XVIII, Longwood, that two creeks running through the property and any mam gullies be reserved as outlets for tailings.—Received. John Henderson, inn., apuhed to put a drain through sectioi 2, bock V, Limehills (a proposed municipal reserve) — To apply if he purchases the lease when offered. E. Lockerbie wrote objecting to paying half of r mount received for timber on sections 820 and 821. Hokonui, as part payment for the land. — Board adheres to its former decision. A. M'NaugJiton applied for a rebate of a year's rent on section 17, block VHI, Waiau.— Messrs King and Baldey to inspect and report. Perrin and Murray offered £1 per annum for right tj remove stone from the foreshore at Mokomoko Inlet, extending for two miles south of Duthie's Quarry Reserve. — Held over. ' Nicholas Wmn wrote m regard to fencing elected by H. Ellett on_ sections 146 ard 147, block VII, Waiau. and stated that he is prepared to pay for fencing, provided the amount is deducted from the capital value of the land. — To be informed that the boaid cannot comuly with the request. The following auDhcations for iand were granted — James O'Neill, section 56, block XXII, Invercargill Hundred . Patrick Dwyer, section 33, block 11, Seaward Bush tov.jiship; Jas. R. Thomson, sections 146, ] 17, nnd 150, block I, Paterson : John Beer, p.r.. No. HI. Manaponn; and H. W. Barry, for i.nsjrvcyed land in block I. Longwood. A. Bain's application for sections 29 and SO, block VIII. Campbelltowa Hundred, was left in the hands of the Commissioner. D. L. Popplowell, on behalf of W. M. Anderson, applied for » title over section 3, block VIII, Wendon — Granted, subject to fa•\ourable report by the ranger. T. B. Meager applied for a title over sections 19 to 23 and 27, blocks IV and V, Longv. ood, Warden M'Ca.-thy hiving reported no objections. — Granted, subject to ranger's report beine favourable and Minister's appro-;?!. J. L. Wilson asram applied to transfer section 45, bock VI. New River Hundred, to John Spdlier This application was refused at last meeting, but as ?tr Wilsoji now st?tecl that he is leaving thp district and has leaded his land, both freehold and lepsehold, to the transfeiee, the applicat-on v r as Egam considered and grnnted The ranger having repoitod that there arp not sufficient improvements no sect.ons 22 and 82, block 111, Seaward Bnsli Township, Join: Burko's application to tran>-fe; the piopertv to C. J. G. Aicher was refused. The execn'ors cf the late John M'Grcs;or \ tie planted prr.m^sioii to transfer scctic f 31 and 34, block XII, Invercargill Hundred, tc John M'Grepor "W. D. Siusei's application ta feaaaici' sec-

tions 123, 121, 133, and 134, block I, Pateisor, to Cha.s. Hicks was refused, and it was decided that applicant be called upon to show cause why bis °ection sl.ould cot be foifeited for insufficient impiovements. H. JR. Dundas submitted for approval -p], n of survey of church siLo on section 113, bock 11, Longwood.— Adopted, land to be ofttied at | auction at upset of £33 per acre The receiver w^s instructed to pay oc r amounts accrued on thirds and fourths "to the Knapdale Eoad Board.

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